Do you ever worry about toxic plants? Here is a chance to get information

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

Seminar on Bio-security: Preventing outbreaks and establishing a secure and hygienic environment

Vice President Peter Radue, DVM's veterinary practice Damascus Equine Associates will be hosting a seminar on Tuesday, October 28th. Below is the information for anyone interested:

Come join us and guest speaker Dr. Wendy Vaala for our discussion on:

“Bio-security: Preventing outbreaks and establishing a secure and hygienic environment”

TUESDAY OCTOBER 28TH

7:00-9:00 PM

DAMASCUS EQUINE ASSOCIATES

1941 Long Corner Road

Mount Airy, MD 21771

Admission is FREE

Light refreshments will be served

SEATING IS LIMITED: RSVP via e-mail to damascusequine@gmail.com

Courtesy of Merck Animal Health, Equine Division

UMD Intro to Equine Nutrition Clinic

The UMD Equine Extension team is pleased to announce an Introduction to Equine Nutrition Clinic on Saturday, November 1, 2014. Please see the attached brochure for registration details or register online at https://umeequinenutrition.eventbrite.com

Instructors for the day include University of Maryland's own Dr. Amy Burk and Dr. Charlie Apter, Dodon Farm's Erin Pittman, and Dr. Justin Sobota of South Mountain Equine. 

Through a combination of lectures and demonstration, equine professionals and casual horse enthusiasts alike will gain a basic understanding of the equine digestive anatomy, nutritional requirements, and how to manage nutritionally related disorders. During demonstration, students will learn to body condition score a horse, accurately assess feed weight and forage quality, and evaluate a ration. Anyone is welcome to register; no experience is necessary.

Registration deadline is October 24, 2014 and space is limited so register today!

KEEPING HORSES ON A BUDGET WORKSHOP

KEEPING HORSES ON A BUDGET WORKSHOP

Owning a horse can be an expensive responsibility. The cost of owning a horse goes beyond the purchase price.  Learn what the average annual cost is to own a horse and cost saving tips to keep in mind during the year to save money!

Date:                     Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Location:             Wicomico Extension Office, 28647 Old Quantico Road, Salisbury, MD

Time:                    6:00-8:00pm

Cost:                      $10.00 per person (4-H members free)

Light refreshments will be provided along with door prizes during the program. Pre-registration is requested as space is limited.  Cost of the program is $10.00 per person.  Register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keeping-horses-on-a-budget-workshop-tickets-12797528753 If mailing in a check, please make check payable to Worcester County Extension EAC.

BRING A FRIEND DISCOUNT!

• When you and a friend register online take $5 off the registration fee by entering “friend” in the Promotion code box. 
• Current 4-H members can attend at no cost! Register online and enter “4-H” in the Promotion code box.

  Any questions, please contact Jessie Flores at 410-632-1972.

Jessie Flores

Agriculture Faculty Extension Assistant

Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, & Worcester Counties

P.O. Box 219, 305 Bank St.

Snow Hill, MD 21863

410-632-1972

jflores@umd.edu

https://www.facebook.com/WicoExtension

Evening Webinar - Hoof Care (Presented by Maryland Fund For Horses)

Quick - scroll down to sign up before you miss tonight's webinar! View this email in your browser

Tomorrow, when you’re ready to wind down for the evening... Put down the remote!

Instead, pick up your computer and increase your “horse smarts” with Maryland Fund For Horses’ evening webinar seriesInstead, have fun and increase your "horse smarts" with  the latest Maryland Fund For Horses evening webinar.  You’ll enjoy a timely topic with a respected expert, and the session includes participant Q&A.   The webinar begins at 7:00 p.m. EDT Click on the link below to register: Tuesday, August 19:  Hoof Care: It's More Than a Shoe Everyone who registers for a webinar will receive an e-mail with the webinar replay and any hand-outs provided by the presenter(s).   Visit www.mdfundforhorses.org for news about upcoming webinars. Know someone who could benefit from these webinars?  Forward this message so they can "get horse smart" too.

From The Equiery:

Assateague Pony Population Finally Ecologically Sustainable

Posted by Editor

August 2, 2014

According to Delmarva Now, twenty years into its horse-control program on the Maryland side of Assateague Island, the National Park Service can claim victory. This year, the agency reached its goal of reducing the size of the herd to no more than 100 horses. Read more:  Delmarva Now

From The Equiery: http://equiery.com/blog/?p=2126

USDA to Host Maryland Meeting March 3 on Quarantine Centers

Posted by Editor

February 21, 2014

The United States Department of Agriculture-Animal Plant Health Inspection Service will hold six meetings across the country to hear the public’s thoughts and concerns on import quarantine centers and the services they provide to all animals, including horses. This is an opportunity for the horse industry to comment on possible changes that can be made to better facilitate the importation of horses and semen.

During the meetings, APHIS will be asking users to respond to the following questions:

• What factors do you consider when preparing to import horses requiring quarantine?
• What factors do you consider when choosing locations for horse quarantines?
• How can e-commerce enhance the importation process?
• What are your experiences with quarantine facilities in other countries?
• How do you see your need for quarantine services changing over the next 5 to 10 years?
• What other options, ideas or topics should USDA consider relevant to current horse import quarantine processes?

The Maryland meeting will be held March 3, 2014 at the APHIS headquarters in Riverdale (4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD 20737). For more information, please call 301-851-3454.