G94-1230 The Foaling Mare

This NebGuide outlines the foaling process and appropriate actions to take during both normal and abnormal foaling. The ultimate goal of any breeding operation should be both maximal foaling and a high survival rate of foals. Most mares will have a normal parturition if left unattended, however, the value of broodmares and their progeny can make leaving parturition to nature an expensive gamble. As the value of mares and foals rise, it becomes more desirable to have someone present during foaling, allowing for immediate assistance to both mare and foal if needed. Being present when a mare foals can be more difficult than expected. The mare seems to prefer solitude and quiet during parturition. Observers have noted that 75 to 85 percent of foals are born between 6 pm and 6 am. Some mares, if continuously checked, will delay delivery for several hours or days, until left in solitude

Use of an Extension Horse Conference to Improve Profitability for the Horse Industry

An annual horse training conference has been used to improve profitability for horse owners through providing owners an affordable opportunity to learn from high-profile equine professionals. This conference has contributed to $9,300,000 increase in value of horses over its 21-year history. Furthermore, by attracting the country\u27s elite equine professionals and designing an annual quality even that is unmatched in the region, equine Extension and teaching programs can gain much credibility to the horse industry regionally and nationally

G98-1350 Basics of Feeding Horses: What to Feed and Why

This NebGuide discusses the horse\u27s digestive system and appropriate feeding procedures. Because of the horse\u27s eating habits and digestive system, feeding practices common to other species of livestock often result in severe digestive dysfunction or even death for the horse. In fact, several anatomical peculiarities of the horse\u27s digestive tract predispose horses to digestive disorders such as colic and laminitis even under the best management. Under poor feeding management, the onset of these disorders is almost assured. The objective of feeding management is to provide a ration with balanced nutrition that both maximizes nutrient utilization while minimizing the occurrence of digestive disorders

G98-1350 Basics of Feeding Horses: What to Feed and Why

This NebGuide discusses the horse\u27s digestive system and appropriate feeding procedures. Because of the horse\u27s eating habits and digestive system, feeding practices common to other species of livestock often result in severe digestive dysfunction or even death for the horse. In fact, several anatomical peculiarities of the horse\u27s digestive tract predispose horses to digestive disorders such as colic and laminitis even under the best management. Under poor feeding management, the onset of these disorders is almost assured. The objective of feeding management is to provide a ration with balanced nutrition that both maximizes nutrient utilization while minimizing the occurrence of digestive disorders

G96-1291 Housing for Horses Flooring for Stalls

This NebGuide discusses various types of flooring for use in horse stalls. Stalled horses require much greater care, attention and labor. The availability of optimal ventilation with fresh clean air circulation is essential to healthy horses. Adequate ventilation reduces the presence of air contaminants such as dust, molds and irritating gases from decomposing manure. Materials used for stall floors can greatly influence air quality, ease of stall maintenance and manure removal. Stall floors must be made of durable material which is not slippery, yet is absorbent, easy to clean, and resistant to pawing. Whatever the materials used, floors should require minimum maintenance. Some commonly used flooring materials include: clay, sand/clay mixture, limestone dust, wood, concrete, asphalt, and rubber floor mats. Top soil should be removed before starting to build the stall floors to minimize settling

Tips for New Horse Owners

Pleasure horses for personal and recreational use representthe largest category of horse ownership in the United States, with about 2 million people owning such horses. Whether a person already owns a horse or is considering the initial purchase of a horse, this NebGuide will help answer many questions asked by new horse owners. Horses can be kept at a person’s own place or boarded at a commercial stable. Keeping a horse on a person’s acreage provides more management control, saves time and expenses, and can reduce the risk of injuries and disease. Most importantly, it allows fuller enjoyment and greater learning-experiences. However, it also requires more management, knowledge, and time. Remember, horses must be cared for daily

Tips for New Horse Owners

Pleasure horses for personal and recreational use representthe largest category of horse ownership in the United States, with about 2 million people owning such horses. Whether a person already owns a horse or is considering the initial purchase of a horse, this NebGuide will help answer many questions asked by new horse owners. Horses can be kept at a person’s own place or boarded at a commercial stable. Keeping a horse on a person’s acreage provides more management control, saves time and expenses, and can reduce the risk of injuries and disease. Most importantly, it allows fuller enjoyment and greater learning-experiences. However, it also requires more management, knowledge, and time. Remember, horses must be cared for daily

G96-1276 Creep Feeding Growing Horses

This NebGuide discusses the benefits and implications of creep feeding horses during the growing period of development. Creep feeding, providing a place where foals can eat without interference from the mare and other horses, should be used if foals are to grow at optimum rates. Creep feeders are used to provide a nutritionally balanced, digestible concentrate to young nursing foals before weaning. The practice of creep feeding serves to supply nutrients beyond what a foal receives from mare\u27s milk. And, creep feeding minimizes foals\u27 intake of broodmare feed which often lacks the concentrated amounts of protein and minerals relative to the energy needed by foals. Creep feeders also decrease the chances for injury to a foal when competing for feed from the mare\u27s feeder. Finally, creep feeders allow foals to become accustomed to eating concentrates before weaning time, thus reducing weaning stress

G96-1276 Creep Feeding Growing Horses

This NebGuide discusses the benefits and implications of creep feeding horses during the growing period of development. Creep feeding, providing a place where foals can eat without interference from the mare and other horses, should be used if foals are to grow at optimum rates. Creep feeders are used to provide a nutritionally balanced, digestible concentrate to young nursing foals before weaning. The practice of creep feeding serves to supply nutrients beyond what a foal receives from mare\u27s milk. And, creep feeding minimizes foals\u27 intake of broodmare feed which often lacks the concentrated amounts of protein and minerals relative to the energy needed by foals. Creep feeders also decrease the chances for injury to a foal when competing for feed from the mare\u27s feeder. Finally, creep feeders allow foals to become accustomed to eating concentrates before weaning time, thus reducing weaning stress

Training Law Enforcement Officials on Responding to Equine Calls

The occurrence of equine abuse/neglect cases is an ongoing issue. However, officials responding to equine cases are rarely experienced in handling horses. Therefore, workshops teaching basic horse husbandry were offered to better equip and prepare officials to respond to equine cases. Trainings consisted of both classroom and hands-on sessions. Responses to a survey conducted 4 to 6 months postworkshop indicated that the training had been very beneficial during subsequent equine investigations (80%) and that officials were more prepared to assess horses (85%). Thus, Extension faculty presented basic, factual information that was relevant to the needs of officials responding to equine cases