Picking Up After the Storm

Below is an article for livestock about picking up after the storm, but could apply to horses also. Horses need about a gallon of water per 100 pounds of body weight, so the average horse would need between 8-15 gallons per day. Another paragraph below is on poisonous plants. Some plants can cause death to the animal, while others will make the animal feel bad and not eat. Some common plants are showy crotalaria, black cherry, pokeberry, jimsonweed, buttercup species, sicklepod, sesbania, horsenettle, black nightshade, poison hemlock, redroot pigweed, milkweed species, hemp dogbane, and mustard species.

Below are some websites with more information on poisonous plants:

Poisonous to Livestock and Pets in NC - http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/applications/plant_biology/poisonous/
Poisonous Plants of the Southeastern U.S. - http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0975/ANR-0975.pdf
North Central U.S. - http://www.extension.umn.edu/horse/components/pdfs/PlantsPoisonousHorses.pdf

Picking Up After the Storm On Pasture-Based Livestock Farms
Matt Poore,
Extension Beef Specialist,
NCSU Department of Animal Science

Pasture-based beef, dairy, sheep and goat farmers need to be diligent in checking livestock, repairing damaged infrastructure, and looking for possible hazards in pastures caused by storm damage. Whether the storm was a severe thunderstorm, a hurricane, or a tornado, storm damage can cause acute injury and further damage to livestock if tending to animals and pastures is made a low priority in the recovery process. At a time when there often is damage to personal property including dwellings, outbuildings, and other non-livestock facilities, sometimes the livestock and the pastures take a lower priority. The health and well-being of livestock should be the second priority after the health and well being of farmers and their families.

Immediately after the storm subsides, producers should assess damage both to their infrastructure and their livestock. After they are sure friends and family are out of peril, they should check their pasture infrastructure to make sure that cattle or other livestock are in the pastures they were in before the storm, and that none of the animals are injured. If animals were injured by flying debris, the farmer should contact a veterinarian immediately if the injuries were severe. If conditions are so bad that livestock need to be evacuated, producers should contact their local extension agent, veterinarian, or emergency management officials.

Next, they should check to make sure waterers are operational and that fences are up and intact. If livestock are watered in a pressurized system and power is out, the producer should make haste to use a generator to restore power to the well system, or to provide another source of water (whether that be creating an emergency opening in the fence into a pond or stream, or by hauling water to the animals).

If hauling water, make sure the amount delivered to the animals is adequate. Adult lactating beef cows of average size need to be provided at least 25 gallons per day of fresh water, while dairy cattle would require more. Mature sheep and goats will need 1-3 gallons per day (depending on their size). Cattle in particular may be dangerous when very thirsty. If cattle have been deprived of water for 24 hours or more, producers should take great care when filling water tanks or restoring water flow to small tanks. Cows are likely to fight aggressively to get to the water source, and the cattle or even the farmer may be injured in the struggle.

If electric fencing is in use, producers need to check the power level to make sure the system is operational, and if the power is out, they should restore emergency power to the fence energizer. The perimeter fence should be checked to make sure fallen trees or branches have not downed the fence. If fence damage has occurred, farmers should make every effort to get trees or branches off the fence and should make temporary repairs to keep livestock from wandering out of the pasture. More permanent repairs can be made later in the recovery process. If the system is electric, putting up temporary polywire and temporary posts may be the quickest way to restore the perimeter.

After assessing damage to the livestock and infrastructure, producers should assess other potential hazards caused by storm damage. Debris blown into pastures such as insulation and other building materials (common following tornadoes) may be eaten by livestock, leading to digestive upset and possibly death.

As producers check pasture infrastructure and scout for debris, they should also look for downed wild cherry tree limbs (or fallen wild cherry trees) and immediately either fence them away from livestock or remove them from pastures before livestock consume them. PRUSSIC ACID POISONING FROM CONSUMING WILTED CHERRY LEAVES FOLLOWING STORM DAMAGE IS A VERY COMMON CAUSE OF DEATH IN CATTLE, SHEEP and GOATS. This is an especially great hazard if pastures are short and livestock are hungry, because they may rapidly consume a large amount of the toxic material.

Another potential poisoning that may result from late summer or fall storm damage is acorn poisoning. If there are oak trees in pastures and storms knock many of the green acorns down at one time, livestock may consume enough to be poisoned. As producers scout pastures for damage, they also should be aware of the potential for acorn poisoning. They should note which pastures have the highest levels of acorns, then take steps to keep animals away from them. As with cherry tree poisoning, the greatest risk is when livestock are hungry and pastures are grazed short.

Finally, farmers should make sure livestock have adequate forage or feed, and should check mineral feeders to ensure animals have access to dry mineral (and are consuming the targeted amount). When farmers are hit by storm damage, there is much to think about and sometimes farmers neglect to follow normal management practices once they see that livestock are not injured and that infrastructure is intact. It is very important for animals to continue to have access to adequate forage and mineral supplement. If there is extensive damage to infrastructure, it may be most convenient to confine livestock to one pasture and feed hay until repairs can be made.

After Hurricane Floyd hit the east coast in 1999, livestock specialists and veterinarians received numerous reports of livestock with various health problems for several months after the storm. Investigations of these situations by local livestock agents did not reveal specific issues caused directly by the storm, but rather that some livestock were undernourished because farmers had so many other problems to deal with. In a great many cases, the livestock had no access to a mineral supplement and were suffering from deficiencies. Many mineral feeders had been blown all the way out of pastures, the mineral present was soaked and hardened so that livestock were not consuming it, or minerals had simply not been put out. Trace minerals (including zinc, copper and selenium) are deficient in many areas of the country and are important for the animal to be able to deal with stress and immune challenge.

Storms are an inevitable part of life, and managing damage means more than just cutting trees off fences and making sure livestock are not injured. Immediately following the storm the safety and health of you and your family comes first, but remember to continue to protect the safety and health of the animals you care for as part of your livelihood.

Thoughts for Irene and Your Horses

Thoughts for Irene and Your Horses
Adapted from 24 Step Disaster Plan; The Canadian Horse Journal, May-June 2005 Issue
By Emily Herring; Pender County Livestock Agent

Right now everyone should be getting ready to execute their plan for Hurricane Irene. I have a listed the things you should have done prior to now, but now is not too late to do SOME of these things.
1. Identify on your property the low parts that are prone to flooding and the relatively “safe” places to confine animals.
2. Know where your water and feed is going to come from if and when the electricity is out. Keep feed and hay dry during the event.
3. Know where you are going to take your horses if you should need to evacuate.
4. Take pictures of your horse from all sides and with yourself in the picture. Record its breed, sex, age and color and keep copies with your other important papers. This is to ensure the horse to be returned to its owner.
5. Have all vaccinations up to date and keep all medical paperwork with your other important papers.
6. Have your trailer and truck insured and in good working condition.
7. Make sure your horse will load!!!
8. Keep a stock of hay and grain with any needed medications and first aid kit on hand.

Things to be doing now.
1. Have a halter and lead rope for EVERY horse and make sure it can be easily found, preferably by each horses stall or paddock gates.
2. Have extra feed and water buckets at your barn, this is to be sent with your horse in case of evacuation.
3. Have 3 or more days of feed and hay. Store water in large containers. Keep medications in airtight, waterproof container.
4. Have extra bedding, pitchforks and shovels on hand.
5. Make ID tags for your horses with your name, address, phone number, horses name and description, vets name and number, special needs, and feeding instructions and can be attached to the halters, manes and/or tails.
6. In the event that all horses cannot be evacuated, make sure your barn workers/volunteers are aware of which horses to evacuate first.
7. Have a portable first aid kit ready to go.
8. Have a map of the area, in the event of a disaster, there may be roads closed where you must find alternative routes be sure you are familiar with the area.

Things to do right before the storm, whether right before evacuation or before the storm hits.
1. Put all copies of horses registration papers, vet papers, insurance papers, photos of the horse, and write “Copy” across them. Fill out an index card with the same information as on the ID tag and wrap around the horses halter with duct tape. Do not put original registration papers in the bag.
2. Braid luggage-type tags with the same information on the index card into the horses mane and tail, don’t tie around tail.
3. Find another way to put your information on your horse, granted a tag can come off. If not micro chipped or branded, use spray paint, etch in the hooves or use small clippers to clip your phone number in the horses neck.
4. Get all extra buckets, feed, hay, and first aid kit load up into the trailer for evacuation.
5. Do not wait until the LAST minute to transport your horses, they know when something is going to happen and can become dangerous. Load horses up and send on to evacuation site, if evacuating. Write down and keep in a safe place where your horse has been evacuated to.
6. If you are planning to wait out the storm on your property and not evacuate, it is a good idea to have a piece of plywood board close to your house or barn with the words “Have Horses; Need Help!” or “Have Horses; OK for now” spray painted on. This is to be used to signal to emergency personnel if need be of rescuing after the storm and communication lines are down.

The MOST important things to do and remember are....
1. Know where you are going when and if you decide to evacuate and the different routes to and from the location.
2. Identify your horses, remember tags can come off, and anything can happen during a storm. Not all people are honest and rescuing maybe necessary after the storm therefore photos are great to have in your ziplock bag of important papers that is kept with you.
3. Have a stash of feed, hay, water and your horses medical supplies stored in a dry and/or waterproof containers for three days or more with your horse.

Equine sheltering and other equine information is listed below.
http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/livestock/horse/
- Equine Directory – Source for Emergency Sheltering (left menu - yellow)
- View All Listings (left menu)
- Emergency Boarding Facilities (top right)

Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis Found in Eastern NC

North Carolina’s Office of the State Veterinarian and the Center for Disease Control were notified August 18th that one horse in eastern North Carolina had tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE). Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of all members of the equine species. EEE is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning humans may also contract the disease. Healthy adults who contract EEE may show flu-like symptoms including high fever and headaches, while older adults and children may become severely ill. Death may result in cases involving both equine and humans. The equine mortality rate due to EEE ranges from 75 to 90 percent.

Equine infected with EEE may show signs that include fever, depression, loss of appetite, irritability, weakness, excitability, central nervous system disorders (ie. circling, lack of coordination, head pressing, the tell-tale “saw horse” stance, sensitivity to light, and blindness). In rare instances, horses have been known to show no signs of the disease prior to death.

Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis is spread when a mosquito feeds on an infected horse, then moves on to a healthy horse. Dr. Ray, Director of Livestock Health Programs for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Veterinary Division noted that in many years we would have had one or more cases of the disease prior to early August and, that recent rains following drought conditions in eastern North Carolina may be partially responsible for the presence of the disease.

The best way to protect your equine against EEE is to keep their vaccinations up to-date. Work with your veterinarian to be sure your horses are vaccinated annually. In addition, measures to limit mosquito populations will help decrease spread of the disease. It is also important that horse owners report to a veterinarian, any cases in which signs of EEE are observed. While a few cases of the disease are reported in North Carolina annually, it is thought that many more cases go unreported. Reporting any suspicious signs to your veterinarian may save other equine and possibly human lives.

More information on EEE can be found here.

Overseeding Permanent Pastures for Winter Grazing

The least cost method of maintaining horses is almost always on pasture. With dry weather this summer hay supplies are expected to be short this winter, and prices likely higher as a result. With this in mind, you may want to consider overseeding a permanent warm-season grass pasture with a winter annual for winter grazing.

Rye, ryegrass and oats are some of the most common cool season annuals used for this type of grazing. Oats is the least cold tolerant of these species. Recommended planting dates for these species are late August to mid-September in the Piedmont and throughout the month of September in the Coastal Plain. If moisture is lacking and more hot dry weather is predicted in the long range forecast, it is usually wise to wait to later in the planting window to overseed to ensure a better stand. Later plantings are usually more susceptible to damage by frost, so there's a trade-off when considering exactly when to plant within that window.

Another factor to keep in mind is that the permanent pasture needs to be grazed or mowed to 4 inches or less before overseeding. This will allow sunlight to reach the emerging seedlings. Also, at the end of the winter grazing period, the winter annual will need to be grazed down or mowed to allow the perennial grass to emerge from dormancy and begin regrowth, usually in late April or May.

The best method for overseeding these winter annuals is with a no-till drill. Some county Soil and Water offices or Cattlemen's associations have drills available for rent. Most require at least a 55 hp class tractor with remote hydraulics to operate the drill. For a chart of planting dates and seeding rates, refer to the NC Forage Planting Guide available at the following link: http://johnston.ces.ncsu.edu/files/library/51/forageplantingguide.doc

The best way to make use of winter annual pastures is to rotationally graze them. NC Cooperative Extension has a good publication entitled "Managing Pastures to Feed Your Horse" available at this link: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/an_sci/extension/horse/PDF%20Files/AG-524%20Managing%20Pastures%20Final%20FACT%20SHEET.pdf

Dan Wells
Extension Agent-Livestock
Johnston County Center
NC Cooperative Extension

Equine Survey

If you live in Pender, New Hanover, Onslow, or Brunswick Counties, please consider taking this quick 25 question survey if you have NOT taken it yet. The information will help with educational programming and the planning and development of equine facilities and trails in the area. If you would like more horse educational classes and places to show/ride at, I recommend every horse owner in those counties to please take this survey (only once).

Equine Survey for Pender, New Hanover, Onslow, and Brunswick Counties
http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/surveybuilder/form.cfm?testid=12959

Creep Feeding Foals

Do you know how to creep feed your foals? Why would you want to do this?

This type of feeder is used for young foals that have not yet been weaned. Creep feeding is a way to help aid in the weaning process while also providing foals with the higher level of nutrients they need that the mare can not supply alone. In this article, you will learn how to build your own creep feeder, where to put it, and why to use it. Enjoy!

http://moore.ces.ncsu.edu/files/library/63/Creep%20Feeders.pdf

Feeding Management- The How and Why of Feeding Horses

Providing horses with good nutrition is essential for normal growth, reproduction and performance. Horses should receive feeds that are adequate but not excessive in required nutrients. However, just providing the right feeds is often not enough to ensure that horses are receiving optimal nutrition. HOW and WHEN a horse is fed may be just as important as what a horse is fed. The HOW of horse feeding includes the type of feeding system used (group or individual). The WHEN of horse feeding includes the number and timing of meals that a horse receives. Good feeding management should encourage adequate consumption of feed and limit wastage. In addition, good feeding management should promote the safety and well being of horses.

Number & Timing of Meals

In the natural state, horses are grazing animals that may spend up to 60% of their time eating. Grazing and resting periods are interspersed so that grazing periods are rarely separated by more than two or three hours of non-eating behaviors. When domestic horses are kept in a true pasture situation, most will adopt the grazing pattern described for horses in the natural state. However, many horses have limited access to pasture and will receive their nutrient needs from hay and concentrates in a more regimented environment. In pasture situations, horses may spend 12-14 hours a day grazing. By comparison, stalled horses may consume a typical hay and concentrate ration in two to four hours. When the diets fed to stalled horses are high in roughage, more time will be spent eating than when the diet is high in concentrates. Because horses in stalls often spend less time eating than horses in pastures, they may be more inclined to occupy their time with undesirable activities such as stall vices, or wood chewing. Wood chewing appears to occur more at night in stabled horses and is increased when low roughage rations are fed. Horses have evolved to consume small amounts of feed several times a day, rather than large amounts of feed once or twice a day. Anatomically, their tract is designed to accommodate small meals, in that the stomach is relatively small.

Despite the fact that the horse is more physiologically adapted to many small meals each day, it is not uncommon for feed to be provided only two (or occasionally three) times a day for many horses that are housed in stalls. This feeding practice may be labor efficient, but it may not be the most desirable situation for the horse, particularly if large amounts of concentrate are being fed. The following situations may result when horses are fed two times per day:

1. When a large amount of concentrate is fed before the roughage component of the diet, the horse may consume the grain readily and then have a reduced appetite for the hay. The horse may “pick” at the hay or waste the hay by mixing it in the bedding. In either case, the horse will not be consuming the nutrients that are contained in the hay.

2. A high and rapid concentrate intake may increase the possibility of digestive disturbances. “Concentrates” are feeds such as cereal grains (oats, corn, barley, etc.) and commercially mixed feeds that are concentrated forms of energy. Concentrates are high in starch. It has been estimated that the maximum amount of starch that should be fed in one meal to a mature horse is 3.5 to 4 lb (1000 lb horse). When higher levels are fed, starch may bypass the small intestine and enter the large intestine where it will be fermented by the microbes in the cecum and large intestine. Excessive concentrate intake has been suggested as a causative factor in the occurrence of colic in horses. A large concentrate meal has also been associated with large shifts in plasma volume and changes in other cardiovascular parameters.

Group Feeding
Many horses will be kept in groups in drylots, paddocks or pastures. In the natural state, horses are herd animals, and thus living in a group is relatively normal from a behavioral viewpoint. When mature horses have access to adequate pasture, water and a salt block, feeding management is fairly simple. However, pasture alone is typically inadequate for growing horses and lactating mares. In addition, most horses that are maintained on pasture will require supplemental feed in the winter months. This feed can be provided in the pasture, where all horses in the group will compete for the feed. Horses that are kept in drylot situations (paddocks without significant grass) will also frequently be fed in groups. Group feeding is used in many situations because it is labor efficient and does not require the horses to be individually housed. Group feeding can be an effective system for feeding horses but can also have several drawbacks. One disadvantage of group feeding is that it is difficult to meet the nutrient needs of horses with greatly different nutrient requirements. For example, a yearling requires a ration containing about 12 to 14% crude protein, whereas a mature, nonworking gelding only requires a ration containing 8 to 10% crude protein. If the diet meets the needs of the horse with the higher requirements, it will overfeed the horse with the lower requirements.

Social hierarchies are often expressed most openly during feeding periods when the dominant horses may chase the more submissive horses away from the food. In this situation, it is common for the dominant horses to overeat and get too fat. When the supplemental feed is concentrate, overeating may lead to colic and laminitis. The more submissive horses in the group may not receive enough food and thus may lose body weight and condition. In addition, the competition between horses for food in group feeding situations may lead to injuries resulting from kicking, biting, etc.

Suggestions for Group Feeding

• Provide feeder space so that all horses can eat at the same time. Observe the horses at feeding time to be certain that all horses have access to adequate feed.
  

• Space hayracks, feed tubs, etc., far apart to discourage one horse from dominating the entire feeding area. Place hayracks, feed tubs, etc. away from corners, gates and other areas that may pose a safety hazard when horses are interacting.
  

• If one horse in a group is very disruptive, remove it at feeding time.
  

• Use hayracks and feed tubs designed for horses. Placing feed in a feeder of some sort will reduce waste.
  

• Group horses by physiological state (examples: pregnant mares, yearlings, barren mares, etc.), then group horses by body condition (place all fat mares in one group and thin mares in another). Grouping by nutrient need decreases the likelihood of over or underfeeding.
  

• Observe each horse regularly for changes in body weight and/or condition.
  

• When horses with different nutritional needs are grouped in a pasture, it may be necessary to individually feed the concentrate portion of the ration. When a barn with stalls is not available, limited amounts of concentrate can be fed with a nosebag. Another solution would be to build a shed with straight stalls. Horses can be let into the straight stalls for feeding and then let out of the shed when all horses are finished. It may be necessary to tie each horse when it enters its stall.
  

Individual Feeding
A distinct advantage to individual feeding systems is that every horse can receive a ration that has been specifically designed to meet its needs. There is maximum flexibility in the amount and types of feeds that can be given to each horse. It is also easy to monitor each horse’s appetite and feeding behavior when they are individually fed. Generally, individual feeding also reduces the opportunity for injury due to competition for feed within a group.

On the negative side, it is more time- and labor-consuming to feed horses individually than to feed them as a group. Further, individual feeding systems usually require some type of facility where horses can be separated, usually a barn with stalls. The horses may be housed in the stall more or less continuously, or just brought into the stall at feeding time. It is not uncommon for horses that are fed in stalls to develop undesirable behaviors at feeding time. For example, horses may kick at partitions, walk thestall or strike at the door in anticipation of feeding.

Some of the disadvantages associated with individual feeding can be minimized with good barn and stall design. For example, the time and labor associated with feeding can be reduced if all feeders are placed at the front of the stalls in a location that can be reached without entering the stall. For example, small doors that swing out into the aisleway can be placed above the grain tub. Swing-out hay feeders are also available. Some people believe that feeding hay from the floor is the most natural situation for horses and that hay racks or hay nets increase the exposure of the horses to dust from the hay. In addition, some horses will remove the hay from hayracks and eat it off the floor. However, hayracks/nets will often decrease wastage of the hay.

The stall design and feeder location may also affect the behavior of horses at feeding. Placing feeders on either side of stall partitions is a labor-efficient design, but it may increase undesirable behavior at feeding, such as kicking. Stall partitions should be high enough to prevent aggressive horses from reaching into adjoining stalls. Some horses do not adapt easily to separation and/or isolation from other horses. Stalls that allow for visual contact across a stable aisle may improve the response to individual feeding. For horses with poor appetites,
visual contact with other horses may stimulate eating activity.

Suggestions for Feeding Schedules

• When large amounts of concentrate must be fed to horses (for example, hardworking horses), divide the daily amount into at least three (preferably four or six) meals each day. Avoid feeding more than 4-5 lb of grain at any one feeding.
  

• When hay is not fed free choice, feed the hay before the concentrate. This practice may increase hay consumption and may encourage the horse to eat the concentrate more slowly.
  

• When horses have poor appetites, offering fresh food frequently may improve feed intake.
  

• When possible, provide hay free choice. Constant availability of hay may increase the amount of time spent feeding and decrease the amount of time spent in less desirable activities. Placing the hay in a feeder or hay-net will limit waste.

• If hay is fed on the stall floor, divide the daily amount into several feedings to limit waste.

adapted from an article by
University of Kentucky
Cooperative Extension Service
Laurie Lawrence, Department of Animal Sciences