Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Spring Vaccinations
Monday, April 11, 2022
Spring Horse Owner Free Webinar Series
Hay…What’s Up? Webinar
Monday, April 18th at 7:00 p.m.
Online registration: https://go.ncsu.edu/haywhatsup
This online webinar will address the following:
Common types of grass and legume hays, hay quality
assessment factors, significance of cuttings, value of forage testing, how to
interpret forage test results, how much hay should you buy, how to calculate how much to buy, why hay prices will likely rise in 2022 and possible hay/forage alternatives
Equine Parasite Prevention & Control Webinar
Monday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
Online registration: https://go.ncsu.edu/equineparasites3
This online webinar will address the following:
Review of dewormer drugs, review of internal equine
parasites, strategic deworming, fecal egg counts and types of egg shedders,
means of parasite transmission, emerging resistance issues, how to handle
resistance issues and deworming strategies for adult horses, foals and yearlings
Monday, April 4, 2022
It's Spring - Flies Will Soon Be Here!
Although most of us love spring with the warmer temps, longer days and more chances to spend time outside and with horses, spring time also brings along some not-so-nice things like pollen and FLIES. Now is the time to start making some preparations to deal with these pests. Here are a couple of key things to remember:
1) There is no silver bullet; you'll likely need multiple methods to reduce (not eliminate) flies
2) Know what flies you are dealing with, their life cycle and how to best control them
3) Be aware that chemical resistance can develop
Filth flies include house, stable, horn and face flies. These flies develop in moist organic debris such as: aging feces, soiled animal bedding and rotting feed debris. Cleaning up these areas can help reduce filth fly populations. Insecticides used on horses can provide relief. Insecticides use in and around the premises can also be beneficial. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW INSECTICIDE LABELS. Fly traps are also an option to help reduce fly populations. Parasitoid wasps can be beneficial as well.
Black flies, deer and horse flies, biting midges, and mosquitoes are all biting flies, not filth flies. Being inside or in deep shade can help provide relief from black, deer and horse flies and biting midges, but not mosquitoes. Being inside and behind screened windows and doorways can provide relief from mosquitoes. Eliminate standing water to reduce mosquito populations.
Here are some additional resources:
https://extension.psu.edu/filth-fly-control-on-horse-farms
Below is the link to the Insect Control section of the NC Agricultural Chemical Manual. Insect control for horses begins on page 148.
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-agricultural-chemicals-manual/insect-control