Welcome to e-Tips!
Welcome to the April e-Tips brought to you by My Horse University and eXtension. Laminitis (also referred to as founder) can strike any breed of equine with heartbreaking results. This month, Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, Extension Horse Specialist at the University of Tennessee, will present the FREE webcast Countermeasure for Equine Laminitis on April 21 at 7 p.m. EST. Laminitis has a strong link to nutrition. Dr. McIntosh will discuss how to manage your horse’s diet to lower the risk of laminitis. Learn more.
How does scientific discovery in the field of genetics affect your horse's health and welfare? Beginning this month, a new webcast series will offer horse enthusiasts the most up-to-date information on equine genetics. My Horse University is teaming up with the University of Minnesota to take your knowledge to a new depth. The first in a FREE webcast series, Equine Genetics 101, will be presented on April 22 at 1 p.m. EDT / noon CST. Presented by Dr. Molly McCue, assistant professor of veterinary population medicine at the University of Minnesota, the webcast will explore basic genetic principles that apply to traits and diseases. McCue will also discuss diseases that can be identified through genetic testing, how veterinarians are using genetic testing in diagnosis and applications of genetic testing to breeding programs. The webcast series, “Equine Genetics: A New Diagnostic Resource for Horse Owners,” is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Research Initiative. Remember – if you can’t make the live webcast, go to My Horse University's archived webcasts to view previously recorded webcasts. Learn more.
Did you know...?
Equine Laminitis: Cause, Treatment and Prevention
Exert from the MHU Horse Nutrition Course
Laminitis, a metabolic disorder commonly referred to as founder, can affect all four feet, but is most common in the front feet. Laminitis causes the sensitive and insensitive lamina of the hoof wall to become inflamed, leading to separation. The lamina provides support to the coffin bone. When separation occurs, typically the coffin bone rotates downward. As the coffin bone rotates downward, it presses the sole of the hoof, causing severe lameness. In severe cases, the tip of the coffin bone can penetrate the sole of the hoof. A less common occurrence is total separation of the lamina supporting the coffin bone and the entire coffin bone will sink within the hoof capsule. Read on...
Click here for additional resources on equine laminitis...
This Month's e-Tips
The following tips can help reduce the risk of laminitis for your horse:
- Optimize the forage component of the diet but maintain adequate nutrients (protein, amino acids, and various micronutrients).
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Avoid overfeeding or irregular feeding of grain.
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When feeding grain, feed at least two small meals per day rather than one large meal.
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Use caution when introducing horses to early spring pastures and reduce the consumption of sugars (especially fructans) from lush forage. Acclimate horses from hay to pasture slowly by:
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increasing turnout time gradually in 30-minute increments over several weeks
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using grazing muzzles on equine that are prone to get fat or founder on pasture
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using similar precautions during the late summer and early fall when heavy rains may simulate spring growth-type conditions.
Question of the Month
Manure contains _________, one of the most important nutrients for grass growth, and grass is an important crop for most horse owners.
A) Nitrogen
B) Calcium
C) Selenium
D) Lime
E) None of the above
Click here for the answer!
Photo of the Month
This is Champ, my hunter gelding, trying to avoid the winter sunshine before a training session! Now it’s my desktop picture. Photo courtesy of Karen Bell of Bell Equine Services LLC, Richmond, VA.
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. |
April 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!
Countermeasure for Equine Laminitis
Dr. Bridget McIntosh
Tuesday, April 21
7:00 p.m. EST
Equine Genetics 101
Dr. Molly McCue
Wednesday, April 22
Noon CST, 1 p.m. EST
National Extension Conference on Volunteerism (NECV)
Carrolton, KY
April 27, 2009
Equine Science Society Meeting
Keystone, CO
May 29, 2009
2009 Equine Health Extravaganza
Athens, GA
May 30, 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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