Fall Vaccinations

As temperatures begin to cool with the arrival of fall, now is a good time to schedule your horses for fall vaccines.  There are two categories of vaccines - core vaccinations and risk-based vaccinations.  Core vaccines include Eastern & Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE and EWE), Tetanus and West Nile Virus and should be included in vaccination programs regardless of geographical locations. Risk-based vaccines such as Botulism, Potomac Horse Fever, Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EVH-4), and Equine Influenza should be given based on the risk of disease in a herd population or geographical area.  

In North Carolina, particularly in the eastern part of the state, it is highly recommended all horses regardless of age or travel status receive a fall booster of Eastern/Western Encephalomyelitis, a mosquito-born disease.  On September 16, 2021, a second and  third confirmed case of EEE was confirmed in eastern North Carolina for the year.  EEE has a high mortality rate in unvaccinated horses and treatment options are limited and often ineffective. Other fall boosters to consider include EHV-1 and EHV-4 and Influenza, particularly for horses in boarding operations of travel for shows and trail rides.  

Regardless of your location or the time of the year, any vaccination plan, should be developed with your veterinarian to ensure the best disease coverage is maintained for your horse.  The American Association of Equine Practitioners also has an very informative recommendation chart to study to become better more familiar with your options: https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Adult_Vaccinaton_Chart.pdf

The (literally) Smoking Gun: Hay Fires

Photo from Alabama Cooperative Extension: 
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forages-livestock/reducing-the-risk-hay-fire/

Even though temperatures have consistently stayed in the 80's, the shorter days tell us that winter is approaching.  Many of us have started our winter preparations, which can (and should) include stocking up on quality hay.  However, baled hay can be its own fuel and ignition, and can result in a hay fire.

Hay fires are unique to the horse and agriculture industry.  The majority of hay fires occur within 6 weeks of baling, usually due to an excessive amount of moisture in the bale.  This is thanks to the growth and multiplication of mesophilic (warm temperature) bacteria naturally found in forages.  Much like with composting, the mesophilic bacteria release heat within the bale and can cause the temperature to rise between 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit.  The ideal moisture level for hay being baled is 15-18% moisture.  At this moisture level, at 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit the bacteria begin to die and the internal temperature of the bale begins to cool.  However, in bales with higher moisture content, the heat created from mesophilic bacteria provides a breeding ground for thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria, which in turn creates hotter temperatures (up to 170 degrees Fahrenheit).  Bales with higher moisture content also sustain these higher temperatures for longer periods.  For example, a bale with 30% moisture may have a higher interior bale temperature for up to 40 days.  It's easy to see how spontaneous combustion can occur in these situations.

Other factors that can have added risk of hay fires include the volume/density of the bale, and ventilation or airflow around stacked bales.  Bales with a lower density/not packed as tight, that are stacked lower and have good airflow have a lower risk of overheating and combusting.

If you are concerned that hay may have been baled at too high a moisture content, make sure to monitor the internal bale temperature 2x a day for the first 6 weeks after baling.  You can use a temperature probe ($20 at most ag supply stores).  When taking temperatures, drive the probe into the center of the bale and leave it there for 15-20 minutes to get an accurate reading.  You can use the chart below for further actions to take depending on the internal temperature of your hay bales.

In the event of a fire, or even if your hay is smoldering, contact the fire department immediately.  Always remember to protect your own life first!  You can always replace hay, buildings, and equipment, but there is only 1 you.

If you do take action to fight the fire, here are some actions to consider first:

• Check the surrounding area for flammable products, like gasoline cans.  If they are present, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY and make sure to notify firefighters of the flammable products upon their arrival.
• Remove any extra vehicles or machinery from the area around the fire to make room for fire service equipment.
• Move any bale moving equipment out of the way, but make sure it is also readily available if needed.
• Turn off electricity to the building (if you have any).

For an in-depth review on how barn fires can start and how to prevent them, check out Penn State's Fire Safety in Horse Stables publication.

A Word to the Wise

    We have had a very interesting year regarding weather here in North Carolina, so as we move into fall and winter we need to think about our hay reservers. In the piedmont region where I live we have been extremely dry in some areas and the western part of the state has seen a lot of rain and flooding. If you buy your hay or even make your own hay it is a smart idea to really pencil out how much hay you have on hand and think about the future. Since my region has been so dry our second cutting of hay has produced about half as much as it normally does. So, as a hay producers I have already contacted people that I sell to to let them know the limited supply we have and they should reach out to other hay producers to procure their winter supply. If you buy hay in NC this is something you need to do now, reach out to your hay supplier and make sure they have enough hay to supply you with for the winter months. They also may be struggling and you may need to find an alternative source. Also, because hay is in short supply I would imagine prices may go up this winter so if you have the resources to buy and store hay it may be in your best interest to get your supply in the next few weeks as producers are finishing up the hay season. Thinking ahead and being prepared is something any animal owner should be doing and the weather this year has been so hit or miss that we need to be wise about our future hay reserves. If you have trouble finding hay you can always reach out to your local Extension Agent and we usually know where to find hay or contact someone who does. Thanks and have a great Fall!