Equine herpes a growing concern this show season
Equine herpes a growing concern this show season | Oklahoma State University (okstate.edu)
Winter Ticks Showing Up on Horses
Winter Ticks Showing Up on Horses (sdstate.edu)
Horses need up-to-date West Nile virus vaccinations
By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – Horses account for about 97% of reported non-human mammalian cases of West Nile virus encephalitis, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, underscoring the need for horse owners to employ sound animal-health-management strategies. West Nile virus can cause encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain. The virus can also cause meningitis, an inflammation of the lining in the brain and spinal cord, in people and horses. The…
Keep watch on obese horses eating green forage
By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – Obesity in horses is never a desired condition, but especially so for animals that have developed equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), a condition similar to Type II Diabetes in people. Springtime can be especially hard for horses that suffer from EMS because the disorder is associated with insulin deregulation that can promote increased fat deposition and a reduced ability to lose weight, said Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University Extension equine…
Creep feeding a good practice for raising foals
By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – A nursing foal’s nutritional requirements will exceed the mare’s ability to supply nutrients to the foal through its milk a few months after birth, underscoring the need to provide access to solid foods. Commonly called creep feeding, research indicates the practice will not only provide many of the necessary nutrients for sound bone and muscle growth, it also will lessen weaning stress, said Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University…
Getting an orphan foal to nurse an immediate need
By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – An orphan foal still needs another mare or a person to provide milk and care, especially during the first vital days of life. “The most immediate need for foals orphaned at birth is getting the animal colostrum within 24 hours after birth,” said Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University Extension equine specialist. “Since antibody transfer normally occurs when a foal nurses on its dam’s colostrum, another source must be found.” …
Preparation helps foaling go smoother for both mares and horse managers
By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – Horse owners who take a few steps to prepare for foaling can promote a smoother birthing process for their broodmares, according to Oklahoma State University Extension recommendations. “A foaling mare should be as relaxed as possible and settled into a routine – stalled at night and turned out during the day, weather permitting,” said Kris Hiney, OSU Extension equine specialist with the university’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences. “Nighttime…
Basics of horse hay explained
By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – The need for quality horse hay – shorthand for attributes desirable in hay fed to equines – has not quite lifted yet. “We’re still in hay feeding season as pastures have not greened up as yet; now is not the time to cut back on horses having ready access to hay to meet their nutritional needs,” said Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University Extension equine specialist. Attributes of desirable horse…
Horse owners need to be watchful for signs of colic
By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – Horse owners need to take steps to ensure colic does not become a problem for their animals as temperatures drop, said Oklahoma State University experts. “Horses need more feed to replace energy loss brought about by harsher wintertime weather conditions,” said Kris Hiney, OSU Extension equine specialist with the university’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences. “A good first step is to maximize forage intake. Give them as…
Biosecurity important tool in fighting vesicular stomatitis in horse operations
By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – Horse owners should review basic biosecurity practices to guard against the potential spread of vesicular stomatitis to their animals, Oklahoma State University experts said. Vesicular stomatitis is a contagious, viral disease that – while rarely life threatening – can have a significant financial impact on an individual horse owner and the state’s equine industry, said Dr. Barry Whitworth, OSU Extension veterinarian. The first case in the United…