Winter Care for Horses

As colder weather approaches, and horses are being ridden less and less, it is easy to forget how much care and excersize they need during the winter. Colder weather has effects on energy requirements, water requirements, feeding requirements, hair coat, shelter requirements and hoof care. To see how to care for your horses during the winter to make them less susceptible to health problems and diseases, see this article written by Kathy Anderson, Extension Horse Specialist at the University of Nebraska on eXtension.org.

Getting the Jump Start on “Next Year’s Weeds”

As a general rule of thumb, we tend to worry about weed control when it is to late; to late for noticing the weed, to late when identifying the weed, and to late chemically or physically removing the weed. Also as a general rule of thumb, we livestock producers tend to think of ourselves as just that, livestock producers. We often consider ourselves cattle, horse, meat goat, dairy, pork, chicken, or turkey producers especially on our pasture-based systems. However the fortunate truth of the matter is that we are indeed forage producers. If we can grow and sustain a healthy forage crop for 365 days out of the year, then 99% of the time our livestock animals will take care of themselves nutritionally.

So where does weed control fit into the whole forage producer scheme? Weeds compete year-round with our forages for sunlight, nutrients, and water. While small winter annual weeds look miniscule, harmless, and nearly un-noticeable right now, they are robbing your fescue, orchardgrass, legume, and even your dormant bermuda’s nutrients. In a grass based grazing system, controlling these weeds is very easy and inexpensive. At this point in the growing season these weeds are to small to mow or control physically in an effective manner. However, chemically removing these weeds now is extremely effective and gives your forage a jump start on out-competing these weeds, especially come spring when the forage begins to boom with growth. If you are in a grass based grazing system, then applying 1-2 pints of 2,4D per acre right now would do justice to eliminating the majority of your winter annual/perennial weeds. The advantage of using a 2,4D based pasture herbicide right now is that you completely avoid drift onto row crops, and with applying lower rates of 1 pint per acre you can avoid stunting to any rye or oats overseeded into your pasture. Upping the rate to 2 pints per acre will cause some stunting of overseeded rye and oats, and 2 pints is preferred to be applied onto established fescue, orchardgrass, and dormant bermudagrass. 1 pint per acre of 2,4D will control 90% of your broadleaf weeds if applied to weeds less than 3 inches tall. Weeds controlled by 2,4D are Purple cudweed, Henbit, Chickweed, Wild salad, and Marestail. Be sure to follow labeled rates when applying 2,4D and to include 1 pint of non-ionic surfactant per 100 gallons of water. Also be careful as to read for any re-entry grazing intervals on the herbicide label. Another key point is to apply this herbicide on days of 60 degree weather or warmer for maximum control. If you need help identifying weeds, calibrating a sprayer, or selecting the right herbicide for weed control then contact your local county Extension Agent. Following these steps with winter weed control will allow you a successful head start on next spring’s forage crop.

Seth Holt

Agriculture Agent – Field Crops, Livestock, Aquatics, and Pesticide Coordinator

Lee County

Seth_Holt@ncsu.edu

Establishing and Managing Drylots for Horses

In North Carolina, we focus on utilizing our land as much as possible, especially when it comes reducing our feed cost. In reality we probably have more unmanaged or under-managed horse farms then we want in North Carolina. These are the farms that are eye sores to the non-agricultural audience and they are the ones that get the animal welfare calls as well as get the county administration discussions started on livestock ordinances or zoning issues. Yes, every land owners wants lush green pastures over rolling hills, but unfortunately there is not a master blue print for every farm or a one size fits all. Taking small steps such as creating drylots is a step forward to beautifying your horse farm.

Drylots, or exercise paddocks, provide an opportunity to move horses off the pasture during high stress periods to protect pastures from being overgrazed. Drylots can vary in size but should provide a minimum of 400-500 square feet per horse. The size should be increased proportionally as the number of horses increase. These paddocks are typically situated near barns, are used only to provide exercise, and generally contain a limited amount of vegetation. Drylots can also serve as holding areas during periods of heavy rainfall and drought until pasture conditions improve. Extremely wet pasture can be damaged by the tearing action of horse’s hooves while cantering. Forage growth is reduced during drought conditions. Continued grazing during droughts will destroy the plant growth reserves.

Drylots should be located adjacent to pasture areas with a common gate opening into each pasture. A permanent perimeter fence should be used to enclose the drylot area. Corral panels, four board fence, woven wire with a support board, etc. are recommended. Permanent electric fence systems, that are highly visible, provide an inexpensive option.

The drylot area should include a holding shed, an alternative water source, and ample area to feed hay free choice. Ideally the water source and loafing shed should be at opposite ends of the drylot to encourage movement of the horses and limit the soil erosion typically found in heavy traffic areas. The loafing or run-in shed can be one; two or three sided with a sloping roofline to repel water. Typically a three-sided run-in shed, constructed to allow expansion to accept increased stocking rates is used. Run-in sheds, 12 by 12 foot accommodate one to two horses. As horse numbers increase, run-in shed dimensions should increase by 12 feet per unit of increased horse numbers:

You should also create a sacrifice area. This is a small enclosure such as a paddock, corral, or pen that is sacrificed for the benefit of the rest of the pasture(s). Livestock should be confined to this area during the winter months and when the pastures are saturated from rain.

Installing a ‘sacrifice lot’ is a good way to prevent the horses from using a pasture when the conditions are too wet. This area is a fenced dry lot with shelter, water, and feeders, so the horses can be turned out and fed hay, but not allowed access to the pasture. In order to help prevent pollution of runoff through the sacrifice lot, manure and old hay should be picked from the area every 1 to 3 days. This will remove the organic matter that is used to convert soil to mud. Maintain a grass area of about 25 feet around the sacrifice lot to serve as a filter for any runoff.

Article written by Ann Swinker, Extension Horse Specialist, Penn State University and Tyrone Fisher, Harnett County Director, North Carolina State University.

North Carolina Equine Activity Liability Statute

For many North Carolinians horseback riding and equestrian events are relaxing and fun. The last thing anyone wants to think about is getting injured. However, accidents do happen and the best way to be prepared is to know the law and how it is going to affect you. The North Carolina Equine Activity Liability Statute can be found online at http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_99e.html.

All horse and equine owners should read and be familiar with this law. Just because you are unaware of your legal responsibilities, does not excuse you from them. According to the law “equine” includes horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and hinnies. Be aware that the statute protects but only to a limit. It covers injuries categorized as “inherent” risks but not those caused by negligent acts. Inherent risks are those that are an “integral part of engaging in an equine activity”. They consist of damage or death caused by unruly animal behavior and the reaction of the animal to its surroundings specifically sounds, movements, unfamiliar objects, people and other animals but does not cover accidents involving motor vehicles. Just because the injury falls into one of the categories above does not mean that an owner will not have a lawsuit filed against them by the injured.

All equine owners should always have appropriate insurance coverage. Talk to your local insurance agent to make sure that your current policy covers injuries sustained by your animals. If not, you may seriously think about upgrading it. The law requires a specific warning be posted “in a clearly visible location” anytime an equine professional or equine activity sponsor holds an event. Signs can be purchased through the NC Horse Council online (http://www.nchorsecouncil.com/store.htm).

For more information on the statute, please feel free to contact the NC Horse Council in Raleigh by calling 1-800-529-9206.

Equine Abortions

If you have pregnant mares, you should be vaccinating them with a vaccine that prevents abortion from Equine Herpesvirus. In mares, abortion is a failure of the fetus before it reaches the 300-day gestation period. Anything after that period is considered to be an early delivery of the foal. There are many reasons that abortions occur. They can occur because of bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, insufficient nutrition, deformities, twinning, twisted umbilical cords, disease, hormonal problems, or even stress. Only around 40% of equine abortions are actually diagnosed as to the exact cause. The picture below is a fetus that was aborted because of stress and trauma. The mare was moved into a pasture with a dominant mare a few months before she was due. The dominant mare kicked her in the side and not long after, she aborted the fetus.

A lot of time and money are spent on the care of pregnant mares, so it’s important to protect your investment by spending a few dollars on a vaccine, giving proper nutrition to the mare, and trying not to put her in stressful situations. The vaccine will prevent abortions from Equine Herpesvirus. There are many different types of vaccines that prevent abortion from Herpesvirus, please see the article below written by Mike Yoder posted on October 3^rd for names and times given. Most breeding contracts require mare owners to vaccinate pregnant mares.

You may not always find an aborted fetus in the pasture or stall, particularly with early term abortions. Other signs of abortion include: coughing, fever, depression, discharge, mammary gland growth, bleeding, and swelling in the legs. A mare, however, may not show any signs.

Many people ride pregnant mares, but you have to be very careful when doing this because you don’t want to cause any stress to the mare. You will need to refrain from strenuous activity and always check with your veterinarian about when it is safe to ride her. Mares do need some exercise to remain healthy during pregnancy. If they do not exercise and are too fat, they may have problems delivering a healthy foal.

Hopefully, everything will go right with the pregnancy after all of your preparations and you will get a healthy foal like the one below.

Sand Colic

There are many different causes of colic, but in the eastern part of North Carolina there is a special concern of sand colic due to the common soil types of the area. This type of colic is caused by the accumulation of sand and small pieces of gravel in the large colon. Horses fed on the ground, in overgrazed pastures, and in feed lots are at a much higher risk. The signs of sand colic will mimic other types of colic but can also show signs such as diarrhea. You should also look for sand in the feces, because this is another good sign that sand could be settling into the large colon. For more information, facts, and prevention tips please click here and read the extension publication from Utah State University.

Fort Bragg MWR Horse Auction

MWR will be holding a horse auction on November 17 at 10 am because of the poor grazing conditions at Smith Lake Stables. This link will provide you with more information about the sale and the horses. Please share this information with anyone who may be interested so that these horses can find good new homes!