Webinars
Attend a live webinar right from home or watch a recorded webinar when it fits your schedule! These interactive events feature equine experts from around the globe talking about topics that are important to you.
Upcoming Webinars
There are no items in this list
Archived Webinars
May 13, 2020
MHU Lunch Chat: Selecting a Youth Horse
Susy White | B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science at Michigan State University
This webinar is geared for youth, adults and families looking to obtain their first horse. We will discuss selection criteria, where to look, how to try out a horse, and steps to obtaining a horse. Additional resources will be shared for those considering a horse and those new to horse ownership.
Apr 15, 2020
MHU Lunch Chat: Conditioning The Equine Athlete for a Healthy and Successful Riding Season
Dr. Christine Skelly | Michigan State University Equine Extension Specialist - Adult Programs
This presentation will discuss how to plan an equine conditioning program that is safe and effective in developing a fit and happy horse for a successful riding season. Different exercise protocols will be discussed for both riding and ground work. Participants will learn how to use training journals to monitor a horse's progress as well as how to evaluate a horse's body condition score to keep them healthy throughout the year.
Feb 18, 2020
Feeding Your Horse Through Winter
Dr. Christine Skelly | Michigan State University Equine Extension Specialist - Adult Programs
In this webinar, participants will learn about the importance of body condition scoring a hairy horse, winter dehydration, and managing hay supplies, as well as hay alternatives through the winter months.
Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Oct 22, 2019
Considering Land Issues Related to Small Property Horse Keeping
Denise O'Meara | Director of Education at Equine Land Conservation Resource
Using examples from several communities around the country that allow horses to be kept on small acreage and residential properties, you’ll learn how your community’s zoning practices, prevalence of existing horse-related activities, land characteristics, building codes, tax structure, state regulations and other factors enter into the decision to keep horses at your residence. Questions such as: ‘Does your community identify itself through horses? Are there places and trails already in place to ride? and, Am I prepared to do the work and upkeep that horses and their surrounds require?
May 08, 2019
Healthy Horse Housing
Dr. Christine Skelly | Professor, Michigan State University Animal Science Department
Learn how housing options can affect the health and behavior of your horse. We will discuss the pros and cons of common housing systems including stabling and outdoor sheds and explore unique options including indoor group housing. Understanding how horses respond to their housing environment will help you make better decisions regarding your horse's health and happiness.
Apr 25, 2019
Genetic Testing in Horses 2019: What tests are available and what are they based on?
Dr. Stephanie Valberg, DVM, PhD | Professor, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine
This talk will provide an overview of commercially available genetic tests for diseases in horses, the breeds that are affected, and information on their scientific validation.
Mar 19, 2019
How They Did it Series: Dealing with Opposition to Equestrian Trails
Mark Flint | Professional Trail Designer; Owner of Southwest Trail Solutions
The most effective way to prevent opposition from derailing a trail project is to ensure there is none – or that opposition is so minimal as to be insignificant. Understanding the causes of opposition is critical to moving forward. Though there are a variety of circumstances that can generate opposition, developing your organization and communication plan long before any trail plans are made can go a long way to ensure a broad base of support for trail projects. Mark zeroes in on this topic, and will lead you through a few simple steps to that can not only help you develop a support network that ensures success, but provide support in other areas, such as finding and managing volunteers and fundraising.
Feb 14, 2019
Developing Your Personal Horse Network
By Dr. Christine Skelly / Michigan State University Equine Extension Specilast
Feeling a little lost in the horse industry? With over 988,000 horse professionals in the United States, finding the right fit for you and your horse can be challenging. A supportive horse network will help you meet your equestrian goals and support your horse’s wellbeing. This webinar will discuss what you should look for when choosing horse industry professionals. We will discuss qualifications and characteristics of horse industry professionals including veterinarians, farriers, riding instructors, trainers, stable managers, feed dealers and hay sellers. Finally, we will consider opportunities to get involved in the horse industry at a local, state and national level.
Feb 14, 2019
Part 1: “Action for Equestrian Trails in Pennsylvania and Beyond
By Gwen Willis / Pennsylvania Equine Council
Gwen Wills of the Pennsylvania Equine Council, speaks about the issues, solutions, and collaborations with local and state agencies, equine advocacy organizations and consultants that must be understood, developed and maintained to keep and expand trails access for equestrians. She also addresses equestrian trail behaviors, including how to avoid potential conflicts and work with other user groups, good environmental practices that will protect trail corridor land and habitat from environmental damage, and how trail design and maintenance will allow equestrians to maintain access to trails.
Apr 10, 2018
End of Life Decisions & Equine Mortality Management
by Dr. Judy Marteniuk | Associate Professor MSU College of Veterinary Medicine & Thomas Guthrie | Equine Extension Educator
In this webinar, experts from Michigan State University will discuss the difficult aspects of end of life decisions for a horse. Topics include when to make the difficult decision, where it can be done, and what you can expect. In addition, mortality management considerations will be discussed such as having a mortality plan, options for handling the body, as well as considerations for state and local laws.
Mar 27, 2018
Horse-Friendly Zoning Practices in American Communities
by Christine Hughes | Senior Designer - City of Wilmington, North Carolina
In this webinar, author Christine Hughes, AICP, will teach you about ELCR’s new guide on equine zoning. Christine will walk viewers through the guide and help you to understand and use the content and concepts. Of special interest are the descriptions of how individual communities around the US approach and regulate horse-keeping and activities through their zoning process. The guide, with an introduction by Tom Daniels PhD, professor, author and director at University of Pennsylvania Department of City and Regional Planning, is posted on the ELCR website (https://elcr.org/zoning-best-practices/) and will be available for preview and download.
Jan 01, 2020
Caring for the Senior Horse
Dr. Christine Skelly
The old adage "you're only as old as you feel," is especially applicable to horses. Many senior horses have productive careers well into their late twenties. Research suggests that the secret to maintaining a serviceable older horse is to make proactive management changes in their health care, diet and exercise. Signs of aging include dental problems, weight or muscle loss, gray hairs around the face, flank and tail head, and stiffening of the joints. The average onset of aging signs in horses is twenty years. Like humans, the degree of physical aging varies from horse to horse.
Nov 14, 2017
Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) Disease
Dr. Stephanie Valberg | Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) is a muscle disease that causes horses to develop muscle pain, tying-up and exercise intolerance. To date two forms of PSSM are described: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 PSSM is caused by a genetic mutation in the glycogen synthase 1 gene which causes excessive storage of sugar (glycogen) in skeletal muscle. Clinical trials have shown that horses with type 1 PSSM respond well to low starch, high fat diets and regular exercise. Much less in known about type 2 PSSM since the cause or causes have yet to be determined and clinical trials have not been performed to study diet and exercise responses. Our Equine Neuromuscular Diagnostic Laboratory has received muscle biopsies from hundreds of horses diagnosed with type 2 PSSM based on the microscopic appearance of glycogen in muscle samples. We asked horse owners to provide us with information on how well their horses responded to diet and exercise recommendations. Our goal with today’s presentation is to describe the symptoms reported for horses diagnosed with type 2 PSSM by muscle biopsy and to review the information we have analyzed from responses provided by horse owners. This is our chance to thank the owners of type 2 PSSM horses that took the time to answer our questions and share their experiences with other owners.
Design and Construction for Equestrian Trails - Sustainably
Mike Riter | President, Trail Design Specialists, Inc.
This webinar will cover some basic insights on how sustainable and long lasting trails should be created. The discussion will start with proper design techniques, where the trail should go, where shouldn't it go and why. This will be followed by a talk about best management practices for construction that will create durable trails in many different terrain and soil types.
This webinar was sponsored by:
Biosecurity for Horses
Dr. Judy Marteniuk | Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine
This webinar, offered by My Horse University and Extension Horses Inc., will give an overview of biosecurity and discuss preventative measures you can take to keep your horses safe at home and when traveling to other farms or events.
Stringhalt and Shivers Explained
Dr. Stephanie Valberg | Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Hind limb gait abnormalities in horses such as stringhalt and shivers can be very frustrating and impact the horse’s performance and the ability of farriers to trim hind feet. The two conditions are often confused and until recently there has been very little information available to horse owners about stringhalt and shivers. This seminar, rich with videos, will describe the symptoms of stringhalt, shivers and some other gait abnormalities, review the latest research into the cause of these diseases and outline what owners can do to help maintain horses with these conditions.
Shivers research was funded by the US Equestrian Foundation, The University of Minnesota Comparative Medicine Grant and the Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center.
Creating and Maintaining a Private Trail System
Dot Moyer
Trail riding is the most popular pleasure activity for horse owners. Building local horse coalitions, as well as partnering with other trail users, is imperative to ensure that equestrians have access to ride on public lands. This webinar will inform equestrians on how to advocate for horse use, develop partnerships with other trail-system stakeholders and work with public land managers to keep horse riding a part of public trail systems.
How to Assess a Horse's Health and Welfare
Dr. Carissa Wickens
This webcast is intended to help participants learn and apply equine welfare principles that will lead to improvements in the care and management of horses. The importance of equine welfare and definitions of welfare will be presented. Participants will also be introduced to current advances in equine welfare science and to valuable resources relevant to the welfare of horses.
Rotational Grazing - Why and How it Works
Laura Kenny, M.S.
Is your horse’s pasture a significant nutrition source or just a place to play? Rotational grazing is an excellent management practice for horse owners who would like to maximize their horses’ pasture intake. This webinar will explain why rotational grazing benefits both the horse and the pasture plants, strategies to implement this practice, and overall pasture considerations.
Tips for Staying Safe on the Roads and Trails
Dr. Betsy Greene
As we look forward to getting out and about with our horses, how can we take precautions to minimize bad experiences with people and vehicles on the roads and trails? This webinar provides exposure to information and resources to give a heads up for fun and safe riding experiences.
The Basics of Planning and Zoning for Horse-Friendly Communities
Christine Hughes
This webinar will discuss the basics of planning and zoning, and will cover the tools of zoning codes and the comprehensive plan. In plain terms, learn how to understand what your property is zoned, how to get involved in the planning process, and what to look for relative to horse-friendly plans and regulations.
Manure Management Strategies - Help Your Horse, Help Your Farm AND Protect Our Water
Jamie Cohen
Did you know that each horse makes about 50 pounds of manure EVERY DAY? Nutrients in manure and urine can get into ground- and surface waters, potentially making them undrinkable. Both nationally and internationally, water quality is becoming a very serious issue. The good news is that properly managing manure and pastures is neither difficult nor impossibly expensive. This webinar will explain how to properly utilize best management practices (BMPs), allowing a farm to flourish and stay productive, and protecting our water, a most precious resource. BMPs are practical, cost-effective and science-based techniques that may already be in use on your farm or boarding facility. Watch this webinar to find out how to keep the horse, the farm and the water at its best.
Second Chances for Horses
Dr. Colleen Brady & Dr. Judy Marteniuk
Rescues have increased in both number and importance to the US horse industry, even as we come out of the economic recession. Horses enter rescues for a variety of reasons. Some are there because they have not met expectations at the track or show ring. Others enter due to financial issues and some may have experienced neglect or abuse. Often, the new owner must rehabilitate a rescued horse with little to no background in the horse's health, temperament or training. This webinar will discuss health care issues specific to the rescued horse as well as day to day management and re-training.
Sales Fraud in the Horse Industry
Julie I. Fershtman, Esq.
This webinar will generally discuss, in an understandable and down to earth way, the legal rights of sellers and buyers in a horse sale transaction. It will also discuss practical efforts that sellers and buyers do to protect their interests in an effort to avoid disputes (and lawsuits) when buying or selling horses...
Is My Horse Fat? Estimating Body Weight in Adult Horses
Dr. Krishona Martinson
This webcast will focus on methods horse owners can use to estimate body weight in adult horses, including newly developed equations that estimate ideal body weight and body weight index to assess the likelihood that a horse is over- or under-weight. New tools will also be highlighted including the Healthy Horse App, developed for iPhones and iPads...
Health Concerns for the Overveight Horse
Dr. Colleen Brady
This webcast will discuss health concerns for both under and overweight horses, with an emphasis on the overweight horse. Most horse owners understand the potential issues with horses being too thin, but may not be aware of the issues associated with the other extreme...
