Winter Dehydration

Even in cold winter months, dehydration can occur in horses. Dehydration occurs when horses lose too much water from their body and do not replenish it. Water is lost through urine, feces, sweating and moisture in breath exhaled from the lungs. 

Horses may reduce their water intake levels that can cause significant health problems. It is necessary to have adequate levels of water in the body because water is responsible for essential functions, such as, maintaining normal digestion, proper levels of moisture in feces, normal blood volume and the normal function of sweat glands. 

Insufficient water can cause decreased feed intake and impaction colic.

Decrease feed intake occurs because their is not enough saliva produced to mix with the food. A hydrated horse will produce about 10 gallons of saliva daily to help soften the food mass as it is chewed. Even if quality feed is offered, a horse will consume less if they are not drinking sufficient water. Less feed can mean less energy to tolerate cold weather and weight loss.

Impaction colic can be the most dangerous of the two. Feed material during digestion and fecal matter after digestion must have the appropriate moisture levels. If they become too dry, impaction (intestinal blockage) can occur because the feed material is not moved along the digestive tract in a timely manner.    

Horse owners should watch for the signs of a lethargic horse or decreased feed intake. Encouraging an increase in water consumption can prevent impaction colic.

Tips to encourage water consumption:

• Warm the water. Studies have shown when water was heated, water consumption increased by 40 percent per day.

• Additional salt. Increasing salt content will stimulate a horse to drink more water. A 1000 pound horse should be consuming about 2 ounces of salt per day. 

No matter the season, weather condition, or activity of the horse, good quality water should be provided at all times to prevent dehydration.  

Water and Hay: Critical for Cold Weather

With the brisk temperatures and frequent fluctuations of our North Carolina winter weather, it is always good to remember how critical these changes can be to our equine companions.  If you’ve been in the horse business long enough, you have probably encountered a horse experiencing colic due to temperature changes.  Keeping horses warm and hydrated in the winter, as well as in good body condition can be a challenge.  Key factors in achieving this are providing shelter from the wind and rain, along with plenty of clean water and good hay.  Here are some things to consider as the winter progresses.

Maintaining ample water intake is the most critical part of ensuring the health of your horse during cold weather.  The horse prefers a water temperature of 45-65°F.  Under normal conditions, horses will consume one gallon of water per 100 pounds of body weight per day.  An 1100 pound horse will consume 10-12 gallons of water daily.  But, as water temperature decreases, horses will consume less.  An 1100 pound horse may consume as little as 1-3 gallons of water per day when water temperature is 32°F. 

 Low water intake is directly related to the increased incidence of impaction colic.  Water intake can be encouraged by increasing the amount of forage being fed prior to a drop in temperature.  The resulting increase of dry matter encourages the horse to drink more water.  Concentrate mashes can also be fed during the actual cold period when water temperature is below 45°F.  Feeding 2-3 gallons of hot water mixed in a mash with a textured or pelleted concentrate mix will provide additional water intake.  To avoid gas colic, allow for the mash to sit for 15 minutes. This will permit the feed to expand prior to feeding.  If possible, offer 10 gallons of water (at 65°F or warmer) twice daily.  Break and remove ice from water tubs, making certain to provide water that is available free choice. 

Providing good quality, nutritious hay is another critical aspect to winter management of horses.  This is the time of year where hay supplies can get thin, so planning ahead and purchasing enough hay to get through the winter is critical.  When temperatures get below freezing, winter pasture growth reduces tremendously, and hay is our only forage option.  Horses, along with other grazing animals, need hay to stay warm.  Hay and other forages are digested in the cecum and large intestine of the horse, and this digestion process is the primary source of regulating body temperature. Many horses can maintain their weight through the winter with just an increase in hay consumption.  Those that are harder to keep weight on or older will often need a gradual increase of grain as well. Horses should consume at least 1.5% of their body weight in hay during cold periods.  For example, a mature 1000 pound horse should consume 15-18 pounds per day of hay to meet these temperature needs in cold weather.  It’s important to pay close attention to body condition during these periods, and actually “feel” your horse.  A long hair coat or winter blanket can often cover up thin spots on a horse, so be sure to examine your horse closely and get a feel for where your horse’s ribs, backbone, etc. are and how much fat or “cover” there is over and around them.  If a horse given plenty of hay is having trouble maintaining weight, increasing fat to the concentrate diet may also be helpful.  Many “high fat” feeds are on the market just for this purpose. 

These are just a few tips to help you and your horses get through the brisk winter days that are starting and will be here for awhile. For more information or advice, don’t hesitate to contact your extension agent or veterinarian.

Fall Forage Information

Winter is quickly approaching and if you're like me, you're always late getting your pastures planted. The following is a description of some of the forages planted in North Carolina for winter/fall grazing.  Before planting any seed always make sure you take a soil sample to know the fertilizer recommendations. 

In eastern North Carolina we are blessed to have a great climate to plant a wide variety of forages for the fall/winter months. In our area we can plant Oats, Wheat, Triticale, Rye and Ryegrass, Fescues, Brassicas, Winter Peas and many others. If you are looking at planting triticale make sure you have contacted someone about seed early as there is a shortage of seed for this fall. The seeding rate on triticale is between 100 to 150lbs per acre. Over the years we have seen an increase of producers planting ryegrass which is seeded at 35-40lbs per acre. Ryegrass grows quickly once it is planted and is a great source for producers to turn to during fall and spring months. 

Annual Ryegrass Pasture

There has also been an increase in producers planting mixes, (2 to 7 varieties) of forages together to help build soil health and used as grazing. These mixes have come about through the research done by the Amazing Grazing team at NC State University to promote a different way of thinking about pastures. We all want as much forage per acre to feed our livestock but we also must think about the soil health as well. Such mixes as the Ray’s Crazy Mix have several varieties of seeds that have different root systems to expand the pores of the soil to create less runoff and more nutrients that can enter into the soil. The Ray’s Crazy Mix needs to be planted at a minimum of 40lbs per acre. Fescues also work well in our area and can be planted from September through November depending on weather conditions. 

Any fescue needs to be seeded at 35 to 40lbs per acre. Fescue is suited more for a clay based soil and not a sandy base soil. It is also recommend to mix clover in with your fescue to promote an added nitrogen source to the soil. If you are going to inter-seed a clover the seeding rate would be 4 to 5lbs per acre.  Turnips and radishes are a great source to use for cover crops in our area. Not only do they work well to sustain the soil through the winter months but they also expand the root systems below the surface to increase nutrient intake into the soil. The seeding rate on these is around 14lbs per acre. With so many varieties to plant for our area make sure you talk to your local extension agent to see what would best suit your farm and the goals you have for each forage season. As a final note, talk with your agent to know the fertilizer recommendations to put on these forages to get the best grazing season that you can.

Written By: Jared Harrell

Nutrition and Reproduction

The relationship between nutrition and reproduction has been one of extreme interest to the animal science community.

 

The various gestational stages of the mare necessitate different nutritional requirements. What she eats prior to breeding may not be as important as what she eats when lactating (just an example). It is important to know and understand the differences in physiological status and how to feed accordingly; it is essential in providing proper nutrition for both mare and foal. The mare’s breed, age, stage of pregnancy, and the nutrient content of the feed/forage supplied must be taken into account when determining your proper feeding plan.

Gestation in the horse is approximately 11 months, or 338-345 days from the last breeding date. In the first two trimesters, the foal is not growing much at all. In fact, at month 7 the foal is only about 20% of its birth weight. The mare’s requirements in the first 7 months do not differ much from that of an adult horse at maintenance—about 1.5-2% of body weight, provided as good quality hay. It is important to make sure you don’t overfeed your pregnant mare; overly fat animals, of most species, have an increased rate of birthing difficulty (dystocia).

Late pregnancy, from month 7 to foaling, is the crucial time when you should ensure your mare is getting all the nutrients she needs. The foal is gaining about 0.75-1 lb. per day in this stage of gestation and the mare’s protein and mineral requirements increase dramatically. The energy requirements only increase by about 15% so again, it is important not to overfeed. Concentrated feed—formulated for gestating mares—will usually supply the appropriate increased amount of protein, calcium and phosphorous that she needs. Trace minerals are also necessary to the health of the mare and foal, most of the gestating mare feeds have this added (a “free choice” supplement may also be used).

Lactating mares also have increased requirements for proteins and minerals. She will also need an additional 10-14 lbs. of grain and forage per day. Be sure to increase the grain in her diet gradually over the last few weeks of pregnancy. Grain amounts can be decreased as the foal approaches weaning, approximately 6 months old, since she will no longer be needed for producing milk. 

It is important to have your veterinarian do a nutritional assessment on your mare before every breeding season. This will help you determine what to feed your mare and when, to ensure she has a healthy foal and can be rebred successfully. 

By Stefani Garbacik, Livestock Agent, Wayne County

Stallion Breeding Reports

Attention American Quarter Horse Association Stallion Owners:

Don't forget to submit your stallion breeding report by November 30th to avoid any late fees. It needs to be postmarked by that date or entered on-line.

Forms can be found at: http://www.aqha.com/About/Content-Pages/About-the-Association/Services/Submit-Stallion-Breeding-Reports.aspx

Is Breeding Your Mare the Right Decision?

Babies are soooooo cute! Don’t you just want one? Everybody does.

You really love your mare, and she would make you such a cute baby.

She’s your most favorite horse, you’ve had her since you were both young and she’s not getting any younger. They don’t make them like her any more.

They are all valid points of consideration, but are they enough in this world of unwanted horses. Everyday you hear about neglected and abused horses. See horrific pictures of horses in starved and awful conditions. Sometimes even from so called rescues. Does your mare have the right stuff to make a baby that will have a future?

To consider taking on the responsibility of a foal should require careful thought that includes the future of the horse beyond being that cute fuzzy little foal into a rambunctious yearling and two year old and on into a productive adult. What will this foal’s job be as it ages? What is the market for this foal if you don’t keep it? Can you afford to care for, train, and develop the horse for the market?

All things to think about, but seeing those cute fuzzy little things playing in the new spring grass can cloud person’s judgment.

Some breed associations have gone so far as to structure the selection of the mares and stallions for breeding, such as the Hanoverians. Their selection criteria can be found at http://en.hannoveraner.com/home/breeding/breeding-program/breeding-programme-for-show-jumpers/selection-criterias/

Selection Criteria for mares

1. Mares with a breeding value evaluated from the data of the mare performance test of at least 125 points and with a score of at least 8.0 for free jumping or

2. Mares, whose dams and sires take part in the program for breeding Hanoverian show-jumpers and who received a score of at least 8.0 for free jumping in the mare performance test or

3. Dams and full sisters of horses which are internationally successful and are ranked by the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) or

4. Mares with own show records and/or with show records of their offspring.

The Friesian horse registry is even more selective and the rules can be found at http://www.fhana.com/regulations/details.php?unid=72, and are very detailed about the levels of registry for both the mares and stallions including show record and pedigree considerations as well as designations of registry in the Foal Book and the Stud Book, Star Mare and Model Mare, all in the efforts of improving the breed.

The 6666 Ranch of Texas, known for it’s production of cow horses for the working ranch, race track and the show pen has gone so far as to publish a list of criteria on their website that includes:

The decision to retain a broodmare is based on the following:

1.Conformation

2.Pedigree

3.How well (gelding) siblings perform, usually on the ranch

4.Her show or race record, if shown or raced

5.Siblings' show or race records

6.Quality and performance of offspring (retention over time)

Further information about their breeding program can be found at 6666ranch.com/quarter-horses/quarter-horse-mares.html

In an effort to bring this subject to a more personal and local level I asked to a few of my friends, that have experience with breeding, raising and showing horses, for their opinions.

The first breeder I spoke to is Elizabeth O’Briant, owner and operator of “In Time Arabians” of Mingo, NC.  She named her farm this back in the 70’s with the hopes that “In Time” she would breed, raise, show and sell national quality Arabian and half Arabian horses. In pursuit of knowing a quality horse she is also an open show judge and is certified to judge in hunt seat, saddleseat, western and non trotting horses. Most recently she has also started her raising own racing quarter horses.

She started breeding Arabians back in the 1980’s, at a time when the market was flourishing and Arabians were selling for large sums of money.  Many people were in the breeding business, but In Time Farm is not a big farm, and had to be quite selective in the 2 to 3 mares that she bred every year.  Through trial and error she learned much about the breeding game. Most importantly, just because you have a beautiful mare and you breed her to a beautiful stallion it does not mean that you will get a beautiful baby.

“I think the mare contributes more to the baby than the stallion, so therefore I spend more time finding the best mares. Although no horse is perfect I try to find mares with very few faults.  I study the pedigrees first.  The most important lineage in a pedigree is the “female tail line” or the mares dam line.  I want to see what these mares have produced.  If they have produced champions then I’m off to the next step.  What kind of faults does my mare have?  Does she have crooked legs or club feet?  If so I don’t breed her because they will pop up sooner or later.  I consider these major faults.  If I am breeding for a saddleseat horse then the mare I am breeding had better have a nice high set on neck with plenty of leg action.  If not, then I will not get a saddleseat prospect.  What about a western pleasure prospect?  I want a horse that is extremely quiet and built to do the job.  I would never cross a high headed horse hoping that her baby would have a western pleasure frame or I would never take one of my race horses and breed it hoping for a western pleasure horse.  Disposition and trainability are as important to me as conformation.”

In Time Farm has bred horses that have won over 10 national titles with over 20 top ten awards.  These awards were in halter, western, hunter and saddleseat.  The competition and the quality in the show pen gets tougher every year.  The first thing she breeds for is quality and conformation.  It takes a very pretty horse to win unless it is a timed or scored event. She has crossed American Saddlebred mares on Arabian stallions, liking what each breed has to offer. With this cross she hopes for a halter horse that will go on to make a performance horse.  Saddlebreds tend to be a little long backed so therefore she is going to cross on a shorter backed Arabian stallion.  She also hopes that the stallion will pretty the head up. Saddlebreds usually have great length of necks and although an Arabian does not have the length that the Saddlebred does, the Arab has a nice shape to its neck so the foal will hopefully get a long neck with a nice shape to it.  The American saddlebred has beautiful movement so by breeding the mare to a very big moving “English type” Arabian stallion she hopes to get the movement too. No one stallion or mare will give you everything.

Further she explained “If I’m crossing for a Half Arabian western pleasure horse then I’m going to cross the Arabian on a quarter horse because the quarter horse is a more stock type breed. If I am breeding one of my quarter horse race horses then I am going to breed a mare that has a great speed index to a proven race horse stallion. I’m not breeding because the stallion is sweet or because I like his color. I’m breeding for the racing discipline. When it comes to selecting the right stallion you need to research his pedigree as well. How well has he produced and what has he produced.  Have his babies been marketable?”

The second breeder I spoke to is Amanda Benton of Rowan Creek Farm, Ivanhoe, NC. Amanda began showing in 1987 in the stock breeds in the varied classes of all-around, western pleasure, hunter under saddle and driving, as well as some hunters, dressage. She then moved on to breeding and showing her own quarter horse foals. She recently moved into the miniature arena with great success, showing to 4 American Miniature Horse Association World Championships, 3 reserves and multiple regional championships.

Amanda explained, “When looking at broodmares a good mind is first and foremost. A bad minded mare will typically result in a bad minded, difficult to train foal. I believe it's not all genetics as much as it's what the mare teaches her foal from birth to weaning. Conformation is second. Some flaws I can overlook but a good mind I cannot. A mare needs to be suited to purpose. I am especially picky when it comes to feet, legs and gait. A crooked legged foal may get around the show pen a year or two but eventually limb deformations, even minor flaws, can and will cause soundness issues and eventual retirement from the show pen. Beyond mind and conformation I prefer mares that are pleasing to the eye overall, balanced and correct. A kind, soft eye to me is very telling of a mare's personality as well.”

When asked how a mare’s pedigree figured into her choices she said, “Pedigree is often a deciding factor for a lot of breeders and while a strong pedigree can be a plus when selling a prospect it's not a deciding factor for me when choosing a mare. Many world champions have been bred to a world champion only to produce a mediocre performer. And the other side of that coin are the stellar performers who came from no-name parentage. I don't put a large amount of emphasis on pedigree.”

Over and over again you can see that there are several factors in common when people and organizations consider breeding and the selection of the mare. When you’re thinking about breeding your own mare, other considerations can be the cost of maintaining your mare and then the foal, loss of productive time while your mare is carrying and caring for the foal, and then the training and continuing care of the foal until it is of an age that it can be usable, and the possible loss of that mare. What is the cost of all that compared to shopping for a foal that is what you want already delivered and ready to go at weaning? As a yearling? Two year old? Finished adult horse that is ready to go down the trail or into the show pen?

Babies can be a fun and exciting experience that I know personally, but I also know that it is an expensive hobby and if you don’t have a market for your animals you shouldn’t be breeding. Some people can actually make money in the industry, but usually it’s the law of averages has finally worked in their favor. Think long term for your horse. Where do you want it to be in 5, 10, 15, 20 years? With good care horses can live a long and fruitful life being enjoyed at all stages of their life if they are a horse people want. Think carefully when you consider breeding, are you creating a horse that people will want, visit some online rescue sights to look at the pictures, and make sure you want to make the commitment of bringing another horse into this world. 

Written by Anne Wicke, Sampson County Extension REINS Volunteer

 

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