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March Seminar to Focus on Feed and Plant Toxicities in Horses

College Park, MD – Toxic compounds in feed, weeds, and pasture grasses will be the subject of the Equine Session at this year’s 13^thAnnual Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference to be held on March 25, 2015 at the North Baltimore Plaza Hotel, in Timonium, MD.  This is a great opportunity for horse farm operators, feed industry representatives, veterinarians, and academics to learn more about the hidden dangers lurking in horse pastures and horse feed.  The day kicks off with a veterinary toxicologist discussing the characteristics of toxic plants, their effects on horses, and symptoms horse owners should look for.  Next, participants will hear several veterinarians discussing real life case studies of toxicities in horses.  Participants will also learn how to control toxic plants and weeds on the farm.  After a warm lunch, participants will get an update on non-structural carbohydrates in pasture and how their overconsumption might lead to metabolic disease in horses.  Lastly, the day concludes with a discussion of toxic compounds that may be found in horse feed and the disorders that they may cause.  This is a must attend event for anyone serious managing horses for optimal health. 

The full line-up of speakers is as follows: 

§   Toxic Principles of Plants and their Effects on Horses

Dr. Anthony Knight, Colorado State University

§   Case Studies of Plant Toxicities in Horses

Dr. Ken Marcalla, Chattahoochee Equine and Dr. Anthony Knight, Colorado State University

§   Control of Plants Toxic to Horses

Donna Foulk, Pennsylvania State University

§   Toxins in the Grass: Are Nonstructural Carbohydrates As Bad As You Think?

Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

§   Toxins in Equine Feedstuffs

Dr. Marty Adams, Southern States Cooperative

The Equine Session of the Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference is part of a two-day conference held March 24^th and 25^th featuring nutrition related talks on equine, poultry, and dairy.  Participants may also want to attend the General Session on March 24^th featuring Dr. Joe Pagan of Kentucky Equine Research providing his recommendations for feeding the elite equine athlete. 

Online registration and program information is available at www.manc.umd.edu.  Reserve your hotel room by February 28^th to receive the reduced nightly rate of $107 plus tax. 

Contact Information

If you have any questions, need additional information or would like to arrange an interview, please contact:

Jennifer Reynolds

Coordinator of Equine and Poultry Extension Programs
Telephone: 301-259-8756

E-mail: jenreyn@umd.edu