Welcome to e-Tips!
Welcome to the May e-Tips brought to you by My Horse University and eXtension. Today, maybe more than ever before, horse owners are trying to cut expenses in their horse budget. For most horse enthusiasts, horses are a passion that fits into their recreational activities. We need horses in our life, even though they are an added expense. Often, we make feeding decisions based on marketing and word of mouth. However, in many circumstances, reducing the cost of your feed bill by practicing science-based equine nutrition can lead to a healthier and happier equine companion!
With feed and hay prices on the rise, it is more important than ever to effectively manage your horse’s health, your pasture and your bottom line. A free Webcast offered on May 12 at 7 p.m. EST “Feeding Management in a Time of Rising Feed Prices” will be presented by Mark Russell, Purdue University Extension horse specialist and professor of animal science. He will offer suggestions for cutting feed costs while maintaining good health by maximizing quality forage, improving pasture management, reducing waste, practicing general health prevention and more. For more information or to sign up for the webcast, visit here.
Did you know...?
Cost Saving Tips for Equine Operations
Adapted from:
eXtension HorseQuest Article
Chris Mortensen, PhD
Clemson University Extension
Evaluate the nutrition and overall management of your horses with the rising costs of operation.
Under the current economic climate, horse owners are feeling the cost burden of owning horses more than ever. Coupled with the current sustained drought conditions in many parts of the country, times are tough for horse owners. However, if owners are careful and frugal, there are many ways to reduce operation costs. Read on...
Click here for additional resources on cost saving tips...
This Month's e-Tips
The following tips can help reduce some of the costs of horse ownership:
• Feed horses to a moderate body condition score
• Feed hay in feeders versus on the ground
• Add fat to diet of horses with high energy needs
• Don’t over supplement your horse
• Store hay properly to reduce waste, i.e. up on pallets and covered or indoors
• Utilize more pasture feeding vs. feeding hay
• Keep horse in paddocks or on pasture to reduce shavings use/cost
• Remove shoes and keep hooves trimmed
• Buy hay and bedding in bulk (with neighbors/friends)
• Reduce travel or showing
• Repair or reuse old tack/equipment, shop for best prices or sell old tack/equipment
• Breed fewer horses
• Practice preventive horse care with proper feeding, vaccinations, dentistry and deworming which can prevent expensive vet bills
• Change boarding from stall to pasture, discuss options with stable owners
Question of the Month
Laminitis can be caused by ______________.
A) Overeating
B) Working on a hard surface
C) High fevers
D) Black walnut shavings
E) Stress
F) All of the above
Click here for the answer!
Photo of the Month
Springtime brings foals that are so delicate and fawn like...they literally take your breath away!
- Photo courtesy of Barbara Heyboer
Want your extraordinary equine featured in the next Photo of the Month?
Send your photo along with your name and a little background info to info@myhorseuniversity.com.
Write "Photo of the Month" in the subject line.
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May 2009
In This Issue
Gold Sponsor
Purina Mills is a proud sponsor of My Horse University and eXtension.
News & Updates
Join us for a FREE live Webcast!
Feeding Management in a Time of Rising Feed Prices
Dr. Mark Russell
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
7:00 p.m. EST
Equine Nutrition Short Course
Iowa State University
May 18, 2009
Free Webinar from theHorse.com
Managing Equine Joint Disease
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
8:00 p.m. EST
Equine Science Society Meeting
Keystone, CO
May 29, 2009
2009 Equine Health Extravaganza
Athens, GA
May 30, 2009
Forage Management Short Course
Iowa State University
June 15, 2009
Ask the Experts
eXtension invites you to Ask the Experts your horse-related questions.
Free Horse Learning Lessons
eXtension's team of horse experts have developed specialized lessons on various topics.
Online Horse Management Courses
Take an online course from My Horse University! eXtension HorseQuest participants can receive a 10% discount by entering the coupon code HQ1 when registering for a course.
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