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.

Introduction to Farriery Seminar

Tips for Managing Horses in Winter to Avoid Colic

As Maryland prepares for more snow tomorrow, I thought that I would pass along this great article from The Horse about managing horses in winter to avoid colic.  Click HERE to read!

Outbreak alert website for Equine Disease

outbreak-alert.com
This website is courtesy of Merial.  It may feed chronic worriers a little too much but it seems to have accurate and timely information.

National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) 2015 Equine Study

The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), a nonregulatory division of USDA–APHIS–VS, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistics Service is planning for the Equine 2015 study, NAHMS third national study of the equine industry. The survey is scheduled to begin in summer 2015.

Your input is essential if we are to address specific needs and information gaps in the equine industry. Stakeholder input will be collected throughout the remainder of 2013 to help determine the objectives of the study. What information would you like to know about the equine industry and what would prompt equine owners to participate in this national study? 

You can provide input on specific information that would be valuable by completing a 5-minute survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NAHMS_Equine2015_I.  Surveys must be completed by December 31, 2013.

Results of previous NAHMS studies of the equine industry are available at: http://nahms.aphis.usda.gov.

Comments and questions can be directed to Dr. Josie Traub-Dargatz at 970-494-7261 or Josie.Traub-Dargatz@aphis.usda.gov

Free talks at Marion Dupont Scott Equine Center

The Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center

would like to invite you to attend our 2013-2014 Tuesday Talks

 

 

December 3, 2013:  “Diagnosis and Treatment of Upper Airway Conditions: 

                                 Can Surgery make a difference?"

                                 by Dr. Kenneth Sullins

 

 

January 7, 2014:      “Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Airway Conditions:

                                 Lower airway infections and how to treat them effectively"

                                 by Dr. Martin Furr

 

 

February 11, 2014:  “Tendons, Ligaments & Imaging:

                                ‘No leg no horse’: Advances in diagnosis and treatment of tendon
                                 and ligament injuries".                                 by Dr. Nathaniel White

 

 

March 11, 2014:      “Sports Medicine & Lameness:

                                What can go wrong within your horse’s joint and how we can help”

                                by Dr. Jennifer Barrett 

 

 

April 8, 2014:         “Advances in Holistic Equine Medicine:

                                Ways to complement traditional medicine for your horse’s complete wellbeing” 

                                by Dr. Anne Desrochers (Location TBD) 

 

Seminars will begin at 7:00 pm in the library of the

Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Leesburg, Virginia,

unless otherwise stated.

 Please contact Sharon Peart at 703-771-6842 or speart@vt.edu

for reservations or information. 

 

www.vetmed.vt.edu/emc/

Herbal supplements

Until there is some oversight of this multimillion dollar industry there is no way to know what you are feeding your horse (or yourself)

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/11/222

Seven More Organizations Support AHC Welfare Code

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 9, 2013

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact: Ashley Furst

202-296-4031

acole@horsecouncil.org

 

Seven More Organizations Support AHC Welfare Code

 

(Washington, D.C.) The American Association of Professional Farriers, American Competitive Trail Horse Association, California Professional Horseman’s Association, Canadian Association of Professional Farriers, EQUUS Foundation, Inc., Maryland Horse Council, and the U.S. Eventing Association are the latest organizations to endorse the American Horse Council’s (AHC) Welfare Code of Practice.

 

“These seven organizations have added their support to the 42 other associations that endorse the Welfare Code of Practice,” said AHC president, Jay Hickey. “The continued support for the Code shows that more-and-more organizations are committed to the common goal of ensuring the welfare of the horse in all their activities.”

 

The AHC Welfare Code of Practice is a broad set of principles designed to establish good welfare procedures for organizations to follow to “Put the Horse First.”  The code outlines in broad strokes what principles organizations are committed to in breeding, training, competing, transporting, enjoying, and caring for their horses.  The code encourages everyone to consider the health, safety, and welfare of their horses in all aspects of their activities, including the social and ethical issues. 

 

The AHC’s code is not intended to supersede an organization’s rules or regulations.  The organization’s more specific rules still govern activities sanctioned and regulated by the organization.  Rather the code is a compliment to any such rules and restates the principles to be followed by breed registries, trade associations, various disciplines and the horse community as a whole in pursuing their equine activities.

 

“By committing to the Code, an organization is reemphasizing that it supports the principles for which the code stands and that it is committed to the responsible ownership, breeding, training, competing, use, transport, care and welfare of the horse.  The AHC encourages all members of the equine industry to support and endorse the Welfare Code of Practice as yet another indication to the horse community, the public, the media, federal and state officials that the industry is committed to ‘Putting the Horse First,’” said Hickey. 

 

To review the AHC Welfare Code of Practice, a list of the 42 organizations supporting the code, and a FAQs page, please visit the AHC Website at www.horsecouncil.org.

 

Link to article on AHC website

 

Find the AHC on Facebook

 

Formulating a Ration for Your Horse Seminar

Formulating a Ration for Your Horse

October 16 and 23, 2013 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Harford County Extension Office

2335 Rock Spring Road in Forest Hill, MD 21050

Is your horse's feed providing just the right combination of nutrients? Do you know how to make sure it is? This workshop will teach you how to select feeds that are best suited to your horse and develop a ration to meet your horse's individual needs. Topics will include: an overview of the horse's digestive anatomy; determining your horse's nutrient requirements based on its current body condition score and workload; selecting hay, concentrates, and supplements that are right for your horse; and calculating how much of each feedstuff to feed to your horse each day. 

This is a two-part class so participants should attend both sessions. Registration is $10 per person and includes

printed materials and refreshments. Space is limited, so advanced registration is requested by October 14. This class is geared toward adults and older youth, but younger horse lovers may attend with a parent or guardian.

 For more details or to register, contact Sara or Robin at 410-638-3255 or sbh@umd.edu.

Nationwide Equine EEE, WNV Case Totals Creeping Up

Thankfully Maryland has only had 1 confirmed case of EEE (Eastern equine encephalitis).  Regardless, this article from The Horse has great info on the nationwide status of EEE and WNV (West Nile virus):
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/32632/nationwide-equine-eee-wnv-case-totals-creeping-up

UPDATE: Hold Order on Barn 16 at Bowie has been lifted

BALTIMORE, 09-24-13---Blood samples on the Bowie Training Center-based horse that was humanely euthanized by the Maryland Department of Agriculture Saturday morning were negative for equine herpesvirus (EHV-1).

The Hold Order on Barn 16 at Bowie has been lifted, meaning the 27 horses stabled in the barn will be allowed to train beginning Wednesday morning, Sept. 25.

Hold Order Placed On Barn 16 At Bowie Training Center Due To Suspected Case Of Equine Herpesvirus

For more information, visit: http://equiery.com/blog/?p=1917

Previcox efficacy

Efficacy of cyclo-oxygenase inhibition by two commercially available firocoxib products in horses

Article first published online: 16 JUL 2013 Equine Veterinary Journal

Results

In the control group, there was no significant change in LPS-induced PGE₂ over time. In contrast, immediately prior to and 1 h after treatment on Day 7, the mean LPS-induced PGE₂ concentration decreased significantly compared to Day 0 values in all treated horses. There was no difference in PGE₂ or plasma firocoxib concentrations between firocoxib treatment groups.

Conclusion

In this model, the canine chewable preparation of firocoxib was as effective as the equine paste formulation at reducing LPS-induced PGE₂ synthesis.

Potential relevance

The canine chewable preparation of firocoxib may be a suitable alternative to the paste formulation in horses for situations where extra-label drug use can be legally justified.

Horseman's IPhone app

If you have an IPhone (not yet available for Android) here is an app courtesy of Zoetis

"EqStable"