Accepted wisdom in the horse world tells us that an average light horse weighs about 1,000 pounds, or 450 kg. A draft horse, upwards of double that. But does that rather arbitrary figure really mean anything? After all, what is an “average” horse?
Fed in the recommended amounts, the vast majority of hoof supplements will do no harm to your horse, but beware of feeding higher levels than suggested on the label, or doubling up with multiple supplements.
When tall fescue first arrived in the United States during the 1940s, it was considered a wonder grass. It was easy to establish, it yielded a good amount of forage, it was tolerant of a wide range of management regimens, and it could handle a
With the summer months approaching, it is time for a refresher on the impact of the warmer environmental conditions on your horse. Warmer temperatures and high relative humidity place added stress on horses during exercise because of their
Prompt diagnosis and treatment can ensure that a mild colic doesn’t become a fatal colic.
If you have a veterinary textbook somewhere on your shelves, chances are you’ve seen one of those photos of a sick horse’s innards-miles and miles of wet, purplish loops of intestine, spilling out in all directions. The poor equine posing for
(From NAHMS Equine ’98 Study)
Percent of Operations that Fed the Following Grain/Concentrate Sources (Feed Type), 1997
A very favorable summer growing season over much of Michigan has produced a tremendous supply of surplus hay for many farms. According to Jerry Lindquist, the coordinator of the Michigan Hay Seller’s List and Michigan State University (MSU)
How do certain forage plants coax cattle, sheep and goats into coming back for more? Scientists at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service are sleuthing the secrets of how to tempt the palates of these ruminants.
Knowing more about the
Let’s face it, those aren’t gerbils out in your stalls and pastures. They’re 1,000-pound herbivores, with appetites wired for perpetual hunger and teeth designed to make short work out of massive amounts of fiber. If your feed bills are starting
On the surface, cattle feeds might look like an appropriate choice for your horses, but nutritionally, there are a number of important differences. They have major digestive and metabolic differences that make their dietary needs quite diverse.
Ryerss Farm, a home for retired horses, is feeling the affects of this summer’s drought that is affecting much of the United States. According to farm manager Tim Blevins, 70% of their feed and cash crops are ruined. “If you
Ensuring your horse is consuming essential nutrients — and staying away from grasses that look nutritious but can pose a health risk — are the topics of two new client-education brochures published by the American Association of Equine
The British Horse Society has issued a warning to all horse owners to beware of ragwort in hay. With a high prevalence of ragwort last summer, it is virtually impossible to guarantee that hay is completely ragwort free.
Because of a trade skirmish with the European Union involving bananas and beef, American horse owners and breeders may be paying more for their horse feed in the near future.
The American
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