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

2. 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,
NMSU: Extension Horse Specialist, 2002-

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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”

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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%)

9. 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%)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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
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.

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

14. Hoof Care Resources AFA; Find A Farrier http://americanfarriers.org
eXtension Channel on YouTube:
horses.nmsu.edu

15. Body Condition Scoring Resources
eXtension HorseQuest App
ANSI-3920 Body Condition of Horses

16. Health Care The Horse Magazine: www.thehorse.com www.aaep.org
Horse Side Vet Guide (app):

17. Nutrition/Feeding Resources
eXtension HorseQuest:
NRC Nutrient Requirements of Horses Online Calculator (Diet Evaluation):
Dr. Tony Knight’s Online Searchable Database of Poisonous Plants:
CSU Fact Sheet “Stretching Your Hay Supply”:
SDSU Feed Cost Calculator App:
Noble Agritools (Pearson Square):

18. General Equine Management Resources
My Horse University webinars:
Rutgers Equine Science Center Webinars:
Animal/Equine Welfare Issues
UNL Webpage:
AAEP Webpage:

19. Horse Training/4-H Project Resources
4-H Project/Activities
YouTube
eXtension Horse Channel
Larry Trocha Channel
Les Vogt Channel
American Youth Horse Council:
TAMU Online Horse Judging (fee based)
MyCAERT: Ppoint lessons
Slideshare.net

20. Miscellaneous Equine Apps
Knot Tying App:

21. Time For Questions