Foaling Management

Please read the article at the attached link for more information about foaling management and foaling management guidelines.

https://articles.extension.org/pages/29126/horse-foaling-management-guidelines

Preventing FIres in Baled Hay and Straw

Wet hay and barns don't mix! Check out this great article to learn why hay fires occur and how to prevent them.

 https://ag-safety.extension.org/preventing-fires-in-baled-hay-and-straw/?fbclid=IwAR2uLqtNl8jPXa6K-n6VhbF2Af1xunQyVt1L4s7Y4RSol1DOXpOEOskof3g

Protect Yourself in the Heat this Summer

by Eileen A. Coite, Sampson County Extension Director

As hot as it has been lately and will continue off and on for the next few months, it’s never too late to review ways to protect yourself from heat exhaustion and heat stroke.   To help with this, the following information has been supplied by the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):

When the body is unable to cool itself through sweating, serious heat illnesses may occur.  The most severe heat induced illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If left untreated, heat exhaustion could progress into heat stroke and possible death.  When temperatures exceed 85 degrees and 30% humidity we should be cautious, but once they exceed 95 degrees and 60% humidity, the danger escalates.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness, weakness, mood changes such as irritability, confusion or the inability to think straight, upset stomach, vomiting, decreased or dark colored urine, fainting or passing out, and pale, clammy skin.  To minimize and prevent heat exhaustion, the following steps should be taken:

1. Act immediately.  If not treated, heat exhaustion may advance to heat stroke or death.
2. Move the victim to a cool, shaded area to rest.  Don’t leave the person alone.  If symptoms include nausea or upset stomach, lay the victim on his or her side.
3. Loosen and remove any heavy clothing.
4. Have the person drink cool water (about a cup every fifteen minutes) unless sick to the stomach.
5. Cool the person’s body by fanning and spraying with a cool mist of water or applying a wet cloth to the person’s skin. 
6. Call 911 for emergency help if the person does not feel better in a few minutes.

Heat Stroke includes the same symptoms as heat exhaustion, but may also include dry, pale skin with no sweating, hot red skin that looks sunburned, seizures or fits, and unconsciousness with no response.

In addition to the above steps for heat exhaustion, during heat stroke you should also:

-       Lay the victim on his or her back in a cool, shaded area and move any nearby objects away from the person if symptoms include seizures or fits.  If symptoms include nausea or upset stomach, lay the victim on his or her side.

-       Cool the person’s body by fanning and spraying with a cool mist of water or wiping the victim with a wet sheet.

-       Place ice packs under the armpits and groin area.

Anyone who works in the heat should protect themselves and others through the following tips:

-       Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-induced illnesses and how to respond.

-       Perform the heaviest work during the coolest part of the day.

-       Build up tolerance to the heat and the work activity slowly (usually over two weeks)

-       Use the buddy system, with people working in pairs.

-       Drink plenty of cool water, about a cup every 15-20 minutes.

-       Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing, such as cotton.

-       Take frequent, short breaks in cool, shaded areas to allow the body to cool down.

-       Avoid eating large meals before working in hot environments.

-       Avoid alcohol or beverages with caffeine. These make the body lose water and increase the risk for heat illnesses.

There are other factors that may put you at risk for heat injury. These may include wearing personal protective equipment such as a respirator or protective suit that will retain heat, having a previous heat-induced illness, and taking certain medications.  When on medications, check with your healthcare provider to see if any medicines you are taking affect you when working in hot environments. 

Hopefully these tips will serve as a reminder to us all to slow down and cool off as we get through the remaining weeks of summer.  Stay cool and hydrated every chance you get! 

Crabgrass for Horses

We’re in the full swing of summer, and with summer comes the heat and droughts. Are your pastures equipped with a forage that is heat and drought tolerant? If not then maybe it’s time to try crabgrass. Unfortunately, crabgrass has a nuisance reputation as a lawn weed, but actually, there are some great benefits to crabgrass and all its crabby glory!

Let’s start with its grazing potential. Crabgrass is very palatable and most often will be the first thing livestock graze on when turned out to pasture. Because crabgrass is hardy, it is tolerant of defoliation and can be grazed down to 3 inches. The time to start grazing it is when crabgrass reaches between 6 to 10 inches. When crabgrass is grazed down to 3 to 4 inches it needs a rest period of about 15 to 30 days. Crabgrass grows from mid-spring on till the first frost. After the first frost crabgrass becomes unpalatable to grazing livestock. This is pretty typical of most warm-season forages that grow in Eastern North Carolina, so crabgrass is very competitive when it comes to grazing.

How does crabgrass compare to other summer forages nutritionally? Well, crabgrass is a pretty unique forage and will surprise you in its nutritional qualities! A major reason for decline in nutritional quality in forage is the maturing of the stem, the stem is less digestible than the leaves. With crabgrass, the quality of the stem is high, especially compared to other warm-season grasses. The amount of fiber or NDF in crabgrass stays pretty constant and quite low during July and August, at 55 to 62%. Some other common forages like bermudagrass ranges from 64 to 82% and bahiagrass 70 to 78%. The crude protein content of crabgrass ranges from 21% in the early growth and 16% in late August. Horses only need between 12%-16%, so crabgrass exceeds the needs of what a horse with maintenance requirements needs.

Crabgrass has had a reputation of being a nuisance weed for far too long. It’s time that we give it the recognition for the high-quality forage that it is. It’s palatable for grazing for all livestock. When it comes to the harsh heat and irregular weather patterns of summer, it stands strong and thrives. Even though crabgrass is a “weed” it has a lot of nutritional value that can and needs to be utilized. Don’t be crabby over the summer conditions, just let the crabgrass do its job.

           

Buying a Horse? Consider a Pre-Purchase Exam

There are all sorts of deals made to buy and sell horses, ranging from barter to auctions to direct sales.  Prices range from almost nothing to millions of dollars, depending on the breeding and purpose for having the horse.  When buying a horse, it is a good idea to have examined by a qualified veterinarian before closing the deal and becoming the owner of both the horse and any problems that may be associated with it.  Believe it or not, there are some sellers in the world who don’t disclose any health issues or physical problems.  This puts buying a horse in the category of buyer beware, unless the seller and the horse are well known.

In any case, a pre-purchase exam is a good idea.   Investing in a horse includes time, money, and emotion, so we want the overall investment to be successful whether the horse is a family pet, a breeding animal, a show horse, or an athlete.  Sure, the exam will cost a bit, adding to the overall cost of the purchase, but a little invested in an exam can help a buyer avoid potential problems.

Purchase exams can vary, depending on the purpose for owning the horse.  Because horses are used in so many different ways, choosing a veterinarian to conduct the purchase exam is important.  For instance, the exam criteria for a race horse can be very different from an exam for a family horse that is ridden occasionally.  Choose a veterinarian that is familiar with the expected use of the horse and the breed characteristics. Clear communications are critical when deciding on the exam criteria.  Communicate the expectations and primary uses for the horse in both the short and long term. 

Ask the veterinarian to explain the procedures to be included in the exam and why they were chosen.  Know the cost up front so there are no financial surprises once the exam is completed. Be present during the exam and invite the seller to be present also, but discuss the findings in private with the veterinarian.  Be sure to ask questions!

The veterinarian’s job is to make the examination and present any findings.  This is not a pass/fail process, but an information gathering process to help make a more informed decision about the purchase.  Both the buyer and seller can benefit from a pre-purchase exam.  Objective health-related information is valuable in making management decisions, including whether or not to go ahead and buy the horse.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners has more information on this topic, and other information on horse health and management.