Wild horses not just a public lands issue

The issue of wild horse management continues to heat up.  The Humane Society of the United States is becoming more vocal about what it calls “the Bureau of Land Management’s cruel and unnecessary wild horse roundups” and has enlisted several celebrities to help with their cause.   At the recent Cattle Industry Conference in San Antonio, we visited with Gene Fults, who is a rangeland management specialist with the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.   Gene’s territory is the 13 western states, so he is very familiar with the wild horse issue.  Gene says that the wild horse population is increasing rapidly and needs proper management.  And he says it’s not just a public lands issue—it’s also spilling over onto private lands.

AUDIO: Gene Fults (3 min MP3)

Wild horse roundup in Nevada is necessary

The Bureau of Land Management has just concluded a round-up of wild horses in Nevada. Doran Sanchez is Chief of Communications for the BLM office in Reno; he says the on-going drought makes it impossible for the land in the area to support all of the horses on it. The animals will be fed and cared for and eventually put up for adoption through the Horse and Burro Program. He also notes they are seeing an increasing number of domesticated horses turned loose and that is especially disheartening because most of them do not know how to survive in the wild.

AUDIO: Doran Sanchez talks about the horses

Dealing with wild horses

Last week we talked about what the closing of horse slaughter facilities has done to the horse industry in the U.S., Dave Duquette, Executive Director of the United Horseman’s Front is back with us this week to talk about another issue his group is addressing, wild horses.

AUDIO: Dave Duquette, Exec. Director United Horseman’s Front (3:00 MP3)

Bringing back the horse industry

Dave Duquette, Executive Director of the United Horseman’s Front says the organization was formed to bring back the horse industry. Duquette says one of the issues they’re addressing is the unintended consequences of ending horse slaughter in the U.S.

AUDIO: Dave Duquette, Exec. Director, United Horsemen’s Front (3:00 MP3)

NCTA offers hands-on equine program

The vet-tech division at the Nebraska College of Tehcnical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska, is starting a special Equine Management Program to introduce folks to a variety of aspects of the equine industry.

AUDIO: Judy Bowmaster, NCTA instructor (3 min., MP3)

No horse? No problem in 4-H Horseless Horse project

Young people who grow up caring for horses develop responsibility, respect for nature and growth in self esteem, not to mention appreciation for the pure joy of riding.  Yet, keeping a horse can be a pricey undertaking.  Many youth do not have the opportunity to ride, let alone own a horse.  The 4-H program sought to fill this void and began a Horseless Horse project in Virginia some 30 years ago.  Today the program is offered in 45 states.  In Iowa, state 4-H ag program specialist Mike Anderson says it continues to grow in popularity.

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Keep ‘em moving

As winter slammed into the Midwest this week, some health tips for your horses. Along with good hay, plenty of fresh water and a place to get out of the wind…Dr. John Donecker with Pfizer Animal Health says you want to make sure those horses get some exercise in the winter.

Comments from Dr. Donecker:

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Moldy corn a problem for horses

Moldy corn is not good for a horses diet but a certain toxin from a certain mold can be devastating to the health of horses. Veterinarian Russ Daly says horse owners need to be aware of the mycotoxin called Fumonisin and the serious health problems it can cause for their horses.

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Show horse owners need to prevent equine flu spread

It’s the flu season, not only for people but also for horses. Shows and futurities expose the animals to other horses and pathogens that may infect them with flu. Dr. April Knudson, manager of Merial Equine Veterinary Services says each event brings together different animals from different farms, potentially exposing even well-traveled horses to equine influenza, one of the leading causes of respiratory disease in horses. She says there are ways to prevent infection.

AUDIO: April Knudson (3 min. MP3)

Horse owners face life long obligation

The fewer options that horse owners have to end their obligation to their animals, the greater and longer that obligation will be. The issue of responsible horse ownership and breeding is talked about more frequently now that some end of life options for horse owners no longer exist. Frank Bowman, president of the Illinois Horseman’s Council discusses what can be considered for solutions.

AUDIO: Frank Bowman (3 min. MP3)

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