Hey Everyone, Included is the Weekly Pile of Information for the week of May

Transcription

1 Hey Everyone, Included is the Weekly Pile of Information for the week of May 25, 2014, Extension's Equine related educational information & announcements for Rockingham & Guilford Counties. To have something included in the Weekly Pile, please follow these simple guidelines. - Information included needs to be educational in nature &/or directly related to Rockingham or Guilford Counties. - provided information is a resource to the citizens of Rockingham/Guilford Counties. - provided information does not require extra time or effort to be listed. - Listings for Swap Shop will not list pricing details. - Please information to me by Wednesday each Week. - Please keep ads or events as short as possible with NO FORMATTING, NO unnecessary Capitalization s and NO ATTACHED DOCUMENTS. (If sent in that way, it may not be included) - Please include contact information - Phone, and alike. - PLEASE PUT WEEKLY PILE IN SUBJECT LINE when you send into me. - The Weekly Pile is not for listings for Commercial type properties or products. If I forgot to include anything in this it was probably an oversight on my part, but please let me know! If you have a question or ideas that you would like covered in the Weekly Pile, please let me know and I will try to include. As Always, I would like to hear your comments about the Weekly Pile or the Extension Horse Program in Rockingham or Guilford Counties!

2 I NEED YOUR FEEDBACK! Included in The Pile this Week: 1. Managing Horses During Hot Weather 2. COOLING OUT A HORSE 3. Dehydration 4. You Asked 5. SELECTING, STORING AND FEEDING ROUND HAY BALES TO HORSES 6. Selecting a round-bale feeder for use during horse feeding. 7. Electrolyte Supplementation 8. Fiore Farms Activities 9. HorseFriends Open Benefit Horse Show June Piedmont Pot O Gold Classic Horse Show on June 7 at Piedmont Saddle Club.

3 11. HAY DIRECTORY 12. Swap Shop 13. Take A Load Off 1. Managing Horses During Hot Weather Managing horses during hot weather can be a challenge for horse owners. Horse owners need to provide extra care during hot weather in order to decrease stress and maintain health and well-being of the horse. Normally, horses cool themselves by sweating. Evaporation of sweat from the skin surface has a cooling effect. A horse that is working hard in a hot environment can lose 2 to 4 gallons of sweat per hour. Less evaporation occurs during times of high humidity. The thermal neutral zone for horses is estimated to be from about 40 F (5 C) to 77 F (25 F), with the lower temperature representing the lower critical temperature and the higher temperature representing the upper critical temperature. It is commonly understood that horses require more calories to stay warm during the winter months. While not much is known about the impact of temperatures above the upper critical temperature on caloric needs, metabolic changes in nutrient utilization do occur. In addition, heat stress has a negative impact on feed intake, and most horses will not voluntary consume as much feedstuffs on hot days, similar to humans and other livestock. The change in metabolism, coupled with the likely reduced feed intake, can result in body weight loss, most specifically muscle protein. It is critical to track feed intake and body condition and weight during hot weather, especially for thin, older, and younger horses. If body condition or weight loss is observed, contact an equine nutritionist or veterinarian for assistance.

4 How air temperature and relative humidity affect horse cooling Air temperature ( F) + Relative humidity (%) Horse cooling efficiency Less than 130 Most effective Decreased Greater than 150 Greater than 180 Greatly reduced Condition Could be fatal if horse is stressed Fortunately, research has shown that horses can acclimate to hot and humid environments. A 15 to 21 day acclimation period is recommended for horses originating from cooler or drier climates that are traveling to compete or reside in hot, humid conditions. The acclimation period resulted in an increased tolerance to both heat and exercise. However, acclimation does not reduce the need for close monitoring of horses during training and competition in hot and humid environments. To help reduce the effects of heat and keep horses comfortable: Provide turnout during cooler times of the day (early in the morning, late at night, or overnight). Provide relief from the sun through access to shade from trees or buildings. Shade will change throughout the day and constructed buildings may block natural air flow. Watch for signs of sunburn, especially on white or light-colored areas; use masks and ensure access to shade. Fans help to improve airflow; be sure to keep cords and plugs out of the horses reach to prevent electrocution. Ensure access to clean, cool (recommended temperature range of 45 to 64 F) water at all times. Depending on feed, an adult horse in a cool climate will normally drink 6 to 10 gallons of water each day while at rest, and much more while working or in hot conditions. Water buckets and tanks may need to be cleaned more regularly in hot weather as algae and bacteria grow rapidly in warm water. Blue algae toxicity (which affects horses, pets, and other livestock) is more common in ponds or slow running streams during hot, dry weather.

5 Free choice access to salt will encourage drinking. Loose salt is preferred over a salt block. Consider providing electrolytes to horses that have been sweating heavily or are expected to do so. If electrolytes are added to drinking water, also offer plain water since some horses dislike the taste of electrolytes and will drink less. Only use electrolytes that are formulated for horses. Reduce riding intensity and length; heat stress can affect any horse but is especially common in older, obese and out of condition horses. Young foals also tend to be more prone to heat stress and dehydration. Clip horses with long hair coats (i.e. horses with Cushing's disease) to enhance cooling. Transport horses during the coolest part of the day. Ensure that trailers are well ventilated and offer water frequently. Do not park in direct sunlight with horses inside. Horses with anhidrosis have little or no ability to produce sweat; these horses are prime candidates for heat stress. It is recommended to avoid riding a horse when the combined temperature and relative humidity surpass 150. If a horse must be ridden during hot and humid weather, or you live in an area where hot and humid weather is prevalent, it is essential to: Adjust your schedule (ride early in the morning or late at night). Keep the work light and include frequent breaks that allow the horse to cool down and regain a normal respiratory rate. Do not work the horse beyond its fitness level. Watch for normal sweating. Create airflow (use fans) and work the horse in shade when possible. Provide access to cool, clean water at all times and offer water frequently during work. There is no reason to withhold water from a hot horse. Call a veterinarian immediately if your horse stops producing sweat, breathes heavily, or becomes lethargic, distressed or incoordinated. 2. COOLING OUT A HORSE

6 To cool an overheated horse (rectal temperature exceeding 103 F), spray or sponge the horse's head, back, neck, rump, and legs with cool water and immediately scrape the water off, repeating continuously until the horse is cool. This is an effective cooling method because heat is transferred from the horse's muscles and skin to the water, which is then removed to cool the horse. It is critical to scrape the warmed water off immediately, or the water may serve as insulation and might actually increase the horse's body temperature. Adding ice to the water will increase the speed of cooling for very hot horses with rectal temperature exceeding 105 F. Although some believe adding ice will shock a hot horse, research has shown that using ice to cool a horse is safe. Ice baths have been found to reduce core body temperature and lower heart rates after intense exercise, and horses were also observed trotting more freely after an ice bath. If a horse is prone to tying up, do not directly apply ice water to the large gluteal muscles in the hind end, but focus on areas where blood vessels are more superficial (i.e. head, neck, back and rib area). Finally, do not place a sheet or blanket on the horse while trying to cool it. Blanketing will block the evaporation of water from the skin and is not recommended during hot and humid conditions. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can result in heat stress, heat stroke, and complications such as dehydration, muscle spasms, and colic. Overheating can result from hot weather, high humidity, poor barn ventilation, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, excessive work, transportation, or obesity. Signs of heat stress include a rectal temperature greater than 103 F, increased heart and respiration rates, profuse sweating, droopy ears, signs of fatigue, and dehydration with a prolonged skin tent of several seconds when the skin of the neck or shoulders is pinched (Figure 3). Horses worked hard in extreme heat and/or humidity may go on to develop signs of heat stroke, a very serious overheating condition in which rectal temperature rises above 106 F. Signs of heat stroke include rapid heart and respiratory rates that do not drop within 20 minutes of stopping exercise, whinnying and distress, marked dehydration with dry mucous membranes and a prolonged skin tent of 4 to 10 seconds, marked muscle weakness, incoordination, and collapse. Vital Sign Normal Adult Horse Adult Horse Suffering Heat Stroke

7 Rectal temperature ( F)* 99.5 to at rest; up to 103 during exercise Over 105 Pulse rate (beats per minute) 30 to 44 More Than 60 Respiration rate (breaths per minute) 8-12 More Than 40 *Rectal temperature usually underestimates true core body temperature Horses suffering from heat stress and heat stroke require immediate cooling. Heat stroke is an emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention. Treatment includes stopping all exercise, getting the horse out of the sun, using fans, spraying and scraping ice water to cool the horse, providing cool, clean water, and making electrolytes available. Horses with heat stroke often require treatment with intravenous fluids and electrolytes to restore hydration and normalize blood chemistry. Some believe that horses should not be allowed to drink unrestricted amounts of water when hot due to hyper-distension of the stomach leading to colic. A horse s stomach can hold between 2 and 4 gallons of fluid without becoming excessively distended. Allowing a hot horse a few swallows of cool, clean fresh water every few minutes is necessary to combat the effects of heat stress. Also, some believe that a draft will make a wet horse susceptible to a chill during hot weather. Fans (or natural air flow) work to increase evaporation and speed the cooling process. More effective are misting fans; misting is commonly used in the livestock industry to speed cooling in geographic areas affected by high temperatures. Though summer is an obvious time for heat-related issues, unexpected warm weather can contribute to overheating, especially if horses are out of shape and have long, thick coats. How do you cool a horse down safely, especially if overheated, without shocking its system? You will not shock its system using cold/ice water to cool out a horse. We actually just had a horse overheat recently. It was during an exercise test, and she got up to We were able to cool the horse down with ice water sponges, with scraping it off and reapplying again. Ice sponges were applied to the neck, inside of the legs, under the abdomen, any area with thin skin and lots of capillaries. You need to get the blood cooled off so it can circulate through the core of the animal, thus cooling its interior. When cooling out a horse, is it OK to let it drink water? As you are cooling out the horse, a sip of water as it is walking won't be a problem. Yes, it is OK for the horse to drink when hot, but control the amount of intake, and break up the drinking into several segments. Don't let a horse drink its fill. Give it a sip, and then walk, a sip, and walk.

8 How can I tell if a horse is overheating? Check the horse s vital signs. If a horse is overheating, then its respiration rate will be higher than its heart rate. Count the horse s breaths per minute, then count the heart rate per minute. If the horse's respiration rate remains higher, it is not cooling off; if the horse rapidly goes back to a higher heart rate than respiration rate, it is cooling down. Also check the temperature using a rectal thermometer. If over 105 degrees F, it is reason for concern, especially if it stays over 102 degrees F after 30 minutes of active cooling out. 3. Dehydration Assuming previous efforts at encouraging the horse to drink by offering of fresh, potable water have failed, you can treat dehydration by administering fluids and electrolyte solutions. Fluids and electrolytes are vital in treating and stabilizing horses with dehydration. However, you should seek the advice of your veterinarian and have him or her administer the fluids. Excess fluid administration can lead to physiological problems. Most of the time, electrolytes will be administered by mouth. In severe cases, they will be injected intravenously. The method used will depend on the attitude, temperament, and health of the dehydrated animal. How long a horse can go without water depends on many factors, but after three to four days, the horse will eat very little and will have experienced rapid weight loss. The weight loss is primarily due to dehydration. A horse needs clean, fresh water daily. A horse needs at least a gallon of water per 100 pounds of body weight. For an average horse, this equals 10 gallons a day. Water requirements vary greatly according to the weather and the level of work that the horse is doing. For instance, if your horse is exercising in hot, humid weather, he may need two to four times the minimum amount. If your horse is a lactating mare, she will require 15 to 20 gallons of water a day to replace that secreted in the milk.

9 When measuring dehydration, one of the best ways is to use the skin pinch test rather than going by a particular temperature. The skin pinch test simply involves grabbing an area of loose skin on the horse's neck or shoulder and pulling it away from its body. A hydrated horse s skin will pop back into place quickly, while the skin of a dehydrated horse will take three or more seconds to return to normal. You can also check the gums for moisture; if they are tacky and dry, again some level of dehydration is being experienced. It is best never to let a horse become dehydrated. dehydration.shtml 4. You Asked: How long will Hay last? As long as hay has been stored in a clean and dry environment it can be suitable for feeding for a long time after harvest. The amounts of energy, protein, calcium, and phosphorus in a bale of hay in dry storage are basically the same after two years of storage as they are after two months of storage Hay can lose vitamin stores relatively quickly. One nutrient that does change with storage is vitamin A. However, the greatest loss of vitamin A occurs right after harvest, and the amount of change after 6 months is relatively small. Long-term storage may increase the

10 dryness of hay. Hay that is very dry will be brittle and sustain more leaf shatter, so wastage during feeding may go up. Hay that has been stored for a long time may also have an increased level of dustiness most likely due to increased dryness. One should consider supplementation of essential vitamins and some minerals based on where hay is grown and the species type. Make sure to body condition score your horse often to ensure they are neither to fat nor thin. Avoid feeding moldy or dusty hay. Moldy hay can cause colic in horses while dusty hay can lead to respiratory problems. Older horses are particularly susceptible to heaves, a respiratory condition that can be aggravated by dusty, moldy hay. 5. SELECTING, STORING AND FEEDING ROUND HAY BALES TO HORSES Feeding_Round_Hay_Bales_to_Horses.pdf 6. Selecting a round-bale feeder for use during horse feeding.

11 7. Electrolyte Supplementation Many people think their horse needs electrolytes during the summer. Provided the horse is conditioned properly and is consuming a properly balanced diet, supplemental electrolytes probably are not necessary. However, during extremes of temperature and humidity, the horse may need an electrolyte solution, but it should not be needed or given on a daily basis. If you think a solution is needed, make sure the horse has a choice between the solution and plain water. A horse that is working hard and sweating profusely will be able to maintain its electrolyte balance provided it is fed a balanced diet, has unlimited water, and is conditioned properly. Neither diet nor supplemental electrolytes will prevent symptoms if the horse has been inadequately trained or conditioned. A properly conditioned horse will sweat more efficiently, losing less electrolytes per volume of sweat. The kidney is thought to become more efficient in conserving electrolytes as the horse becomes conditioned. Use electrolytes when you think your horse may be experiencing electrolyte depletion. This may occur even in the conditioned horse when the sum of the temperature and humidity exceeds 150. Commercial electrolyte solutions are available, but a simple solution can be made of one part limestone (CaCO3) and two parts light salt (NaCl/KCl mix). This mix should be added at the rate of four tablespoons per gallon of water. It is important to offer the horse two buckets of water, one with the electrolyte solution, and the second with plain fresh water. Commercial electrolytes that contain bicarbonates should not be used for the exhausted, sweating, and dehydrated horse. These types of electrolytes are designed for use in diarrheal diseases and will only aggravate the problem in exhausted horses. 8. Fiore Farms Equine 7:30 am twice/month Summer camp the week of June 24th-28th. Morning & Afternoon summer lesson openings Tu-Fri Red Dog Farm Bullesye looking for his forever home. 4yr. old gelding paint pony. visithttp:// for more info.

12 Coming Soon-equine massage mini clinic/demo with Terri April Few spots available for Fiore Farms. Happy horses. Happy people. or 9. HorseFriends Open Benefit Horse Show HorseFriends, a therapeutic horseback riding program dedicated to helping special needs individuals, will host an Open Benefit Horse Show at their riding facilities at Flintrock Farm in Reidsville on Saturday, June 7, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p. m. The show will include English, Western and Therapeutic riding classes - $10 per class or $60 for the day. High point awards will be presented. Not a rider, but looking for something fun to do with the family? Come out and watch the competition, enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs, a silent auction, t-shirts and books for sale, and learn more about HorseFriends. With 100 plus horses and hundreds of acres, Flintrock Farm is one of the largest horse facilities in North Carolina. At Flintrock Farm, HorseFriends is able to use a lighted indoor arena for riding sessions, as well as an indoor activities area. HorseFriends ministry never charges clients and never takes a salary. Donations go directly to the needs of the horses and the program. About HorseFriends HorseFriends is a Christian ministry whose mission is to help individuals with disabilities to experience joy and strength through horses. We provide therapeutic horseback riding not only to those with disabilities, but their siblings as well. Our goal at HorseFriends is to design a specific curriculum, horse interactions and a support format to address the difficulties and offer solutions to our participants life challenges. We are registered with the IRS as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, and all gifts are tax-deductible. ( For More Information Contact: Lisa Bunch,

13 HorseFriends / lisahorsefriends@gmail.com 10. Piedmont Pot O Gold Classic Horse Show on June 7 at Piedmont Saddle Club. This is show is a collaboration between PHA and NC Palomino Exhibitors Association! On June 7, you will have the opportunity to show in PHA open show classes and also show in registered palomino classes. Remember you must be a member of NC Palomino and have your horse registered palomino in order to show in those classes, but the others are open to anyone. We will award high point and reserve high point awards in each division. The show will start at8am with jumping then the rest of the show will not start before 10am. The show is open to everyone. We have something for everyone; adults and youth. This year PHA is offering field hunter, stock type hunter, working western and western pleasure. Some shows will be offering jumping as well. You do not have to be a member to show, but there are many benefits of being a member of PHA; reduced entry fee at sanctioned shows, accumulate points for year-end awards, and much more. We hope you will become part of the PHA family!! You can find all the details about all the shows as well as membership forms on the web site: Also find us on Facebook. 11. HAY DIRECTORY A Hay Directory is maintained by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service for the Rockingham County and Guilford County area. This directory is intended as a service to both hay producers and buyers in the area. If you are in need of hay or would like

14 to be added (or removed) from this list please call me at or and let me know your name, address & phone #, type of hay, number of bales, (square or round bales) and weight per bale. MANAGE YOUR PASTURES! 12. Swap Shop - Are you looking for a source of Horse manure? If you are, Please let me hear from you or ben_chase@ncsu.edu - Misc. High Quality name brand Saddleseat show clothes 3 & 4 piece Saddle suits (Carl Myer 4 piece suit & other custom made), Reed Hill & custom day coats, vests, name brand jods, ties/cumberbun sets (silk), shirts, etc. All saddle seat stuff must go! Contact Terri Aprile(336) Misc. Horse Stuff/Training Equipment bridles, blankets, sheets, etc - Blankets & sheets (SZS ), English Full Bridles & accessories, Cash Lovell bits (curbs & snaffles) & other various Hunt & Western curbs/snaffles, saddle pads/blankets (English hunt/saddle seat & western), leg bandages/split boots, bits, fly masks, training equipment, etc. & more. All saddle seat stuff must go! Terri Aprile (336) Cliff Barnsby Morgan/Arab tree saddleseat flat saddle (Made in England) 21 inch seat kept in house excellent condition $ OBO Contact Terri Aprile (336) Serafin show pleasure cart full horse size, navy with gold pin stripes $ Contact Terri Aprile (336) County competitor dressage saddle 18 seat, extra-wide tree, black, in excellent condition, kept in the house & not in the barn 2005 model purchased new. $ OBO Terri Aprile (336) Equine sports massage therapy Stay ready for Show Season or for Therapeutic concerns!! Excellent for all disciplines & improves behavior Certified by EQUISSAGE since 1994 therapy is performed at your farm Contact Terri Aprile (336) For Sale Winters & Company Upright Piano Excellent

15 Condition - $500 OBO Call Take A Load Off I need your clean Jokes, so please send em to me! - If you had a gun and you were being chased by a bull and a mountain lion, which one would you shoot first? The mountain lion. You can always shoot the bull! ***************************** Selling at an auction was halted when the auctioneer announced, Someone in the room has lost his wallet containing $2,000. He is offering a reward of $ for its immediate return. After a moment of silence, there was a call from the back of the room, $ I always want to know what you think of the Weekly Pile, good or bad, Especially if it has had ANY IMPACT on you. Let me hear from you! *****I NEED YOUR IDEAS FOR ARTICLES In FUTURE Newsletters!***** I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!! Please remember our Troops who are serving our Country (and there families) those who have come home with wounds and the families that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

16 HAVE A GREAT SAFE WEEKEND! Thanks Ben North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University Is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disability. Moreover, North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University is open to people of all races and actively seeks to promote racial integration by recruiting and enrolling a larger number of black students. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University regards discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation to be inconsistent with its goal of providing a welcoming environment in which all its students, faculty, and staff may learn and work up to their full potential. The Universities values the benefits of cultural diversity and pluralism in the academic community and welcomes all men and women of good will without regard to sexual orientation. The use of brand names or any listing or mention of products or services does not imply endorsement by the NC Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. *****************************