Equine Extension Resources Animal Science Extension Agent Update November 2014 Dr. Jason L. Turner NMSU Extension Horse Specialist

Background 4-H/FFA in OK: judging and showing OK State: BS in ANSI; horse & livestock judging K-State: MS, 1996: Equine Reproduction PhD, 2001: Nutrition/Immunology NDSU: 1st Director of Equine Studies, 2001-02 NMSU: Extension Horse Specialist, 2002-

Outline Briefly address specific questions posed Matching hay type to horse Review feeding forage sorghum/high nitrate feeds Body condition scoring tools—a few resources Vaccination programs Hoof care resources Showcase some online resources/apps that may be useful aids in your daily duties

What makes the best forage for horses? “A plant that flourishes under the area’s growing conditions, free of anti-quality factors or toxins, that when harvested at the proper stage of maturity is highly palatable and most closely matches the nutrient requirements of the horses consuming the forage.” -- JLT

Matching Hay to Class of Horse Intake Most mature horses will consume 2-3% of body weight per day in hay; 1100# horse = 22-33# If meet nutrient requirements, can make intake 1.7% of BW without major problems At least 0.75 to 1% of BW should be fed in long-stem forage/roughage “Textbook Examples”

Match Hay to 1100 lb. Horse Req’t A. Low nutrient need (maintenance) B. High nutrient need (early lactation) C. High nutrient need (growing; 710 lb.) Assume all eat 2% BW DM

2008 NMSU Livestock Farm Hay (100% DM) Bermuda Grass Rounds 8.8% CP 37.9% ADF DE = 0.97 Mcal/lb. Ca:P = 1.6:1 Alfalfa Small Squares 22.6% CP 27.9% ADF DE = 1.16 Mcal/lb. Ca:P = 9:1 Other NMSU Hay (100% DM) LLASC Teff 10.8% CP 41.1% ADF; 55.3% TDN DE = 1.11 Mcal/lb. Ca:P = 2.6:1 LLASC Max Q Fescue 13.4% CP 24.1% ADF; 76.9% TDN DE = 1.54 Mcal/lb. Ca:P = 1.5:1

Match Hay to Energy Requirement (2% BW as DM) Mature, Maint. (1100) Lact. Mare (1100) Yearling (710#; 1100 mature) Req. (Mcal DE) 16.7 30.6 18.8 Intake (lb/d) 24.44 (22) 15.77 (14.2) NMSU Alfalfa 25.52 (153%) 25.52 (83%) 16.47 (88%) NMSU BG 21.34 (128%) 21.34 (70%) 13.77 (73%) NMSU Teff 24.42 (146%) 24.42 (80%) 15.76 (84%) NMSU Fescue 33.9 (203%) 33.9 (111%) 21.9 (117%)

Match Hay to Protein Requirement (2% BW as DM) Mature, Maint. (1100) Lact. Mare (1100) Yearling (710#; 1100 mature) Req. (g CP/d) 630 1468 846 Intake (lb/d) 24.44 (22) 15.77 (14.2) NMSU Alfalfa 2257 (358%) 2257 (154%) 1457 (172%) NMSU BG 879 (140%) 879 (60%) 567 (67%) NMSU Teff 1079 (171%) 1079 (74%) 696 (82%) NMSU Fescue 1338 (212%) 1338 (91%) 864 (102%)

Take Home Message Variability of grass hays nutrient profile Management/Inputs/Storage Challenges of feeding high % alfalfa diets Excess protein and imbalanced Ca:P Good quality grass hay is a “good fit” for mature horses (non-lactating) Easy to see why horses get “hot” on alfalfa

Feeding High Nitrate Feeds to Horses Documented cases of nitrate toxicity in horse are rare Conversion of nitrate to nitrite by microbes: location and less efficient Symptoms may include digestive upset and colic “Confounding Factors” Plants with other toxins/soluble sugars that can cause similar symptoms Forage residue = stemmy = impaction colic; colic signs = prelim nitrate signs References: K-State Fact Sheet MF 3029 http://www.j-evs.com/article/S0737-0806(10)00057-2/abstract http://www2.ca.uky.edu/gluck/q_oct09.asp

Feeding Sorghum species to Horses Not recommended, but not uncommon 9 out of 10 times… Very little research, potentially lathyrogens? Length of feeding? Bladder/kidney followed by neurological/fetal problems References: K-State Fact Sheet MF 3040 http://www.thehorse.com/articles/26443/toxin-topic-johnsongrass-poisoning-in-horses http://www.tropicalgrasslands.asn.au/Tropical%20Grasslands%20Journal%20archive/Abstracts/Vol_23_1989/Abs_23_04_89_pp193_202.html 4 four major syndromes: 1. Neuropathy (nerve damage) and teratogenesis (damaging effects to the fetus); 2. Photosensitization; 3. Nitrate intoxication; and 4. Acute cyanide poisoning.

Vaccination Programs Default: www.aaep.org Resources vs. medical advice

Hoof Care Resources AFA; Find A Farrier http://americanfarriers.org eXtension Channel on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_8uYkDxcsY horses.nmsu.edu

Body Condition Scoring Resources eXtension HorseQuest App http://www.a1apps.net/bcsHorse/ ANSI-3920 Body Condition of Horses http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/outreach-extension/e-equine/equine-fact-sheets

Health Care The Horse Magazine: www.thehorse.com www.aaep.org http://www.wormsandgermsmap.com http://www.ivis.org/home.asp Horse Side Vet Guide (app): http://horsesidevetguide.com

Nutrition/Feeding Resources eXtension HorseQuest: www.extension.org/horses NRC Nutrient Requirements of Horses Online Calculator (Diet Evaluation): http://nrc88.nas.edu/nrh Dr. Tony Knight’s Online Searchable Database of Poisonous Plants: http://southcampus.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/index.cfm?countno=NO CSU Fact Sheet “Stretching Your Hay Supply”: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/livestk/01625.pdf SDSU Feed Cost Calculator App: http://www.sdstate.edu/sdces/store/MobileApps/feedcostcalculator.cfm Noble Agritools (Pearson Square): http://www.noble.org/ag/tools/livestock/pearson-square-calculator

General Equine Management Resources My Horse University webinars: http://myhorseuniversity.com Rutgers Equine Science Center Webinars: http://www.esc.rutgers.edu/publications/webinars.htm Animal/Equine Welfare Issues UNL Webpage: http://4h.unl.edu/resourceanimalcare AAEP Webpage: http://www.aaep.org/info/equine-welfare-49

Horse Training/4-H Project Resources 4-H Project/Activities YouTube eXtension Horse Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/eXHorses Larry Trocha Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/ltrocha/videos Les Vogt Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/Equinista/videos American Youth Horse Council: http://ayhc.com http://aqha.com/education TAMU Online Horse Judging (fee based) MyCAERT: Ppoint lessons Slideshare.net

Miscellaneous Equine Apps Knot Tying App: http://knots3d.com

Time For Questions