A UGA Extension Agents’ Newsletter for Horse Owners and Professionals
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Cleaning tack can be a daunting task, but when you gather your horse club friends, it can be a fun, beneficial activity. Learning how to properly care for your tack is a lifelong skill that equestrians will utilize.
Posted in: Vol. 7 | Fall 2022 -
No hoof, no horse. We have all heard that saying and it is especially true. Your horse’s hooves play a huge role in circulation of blood throughout the body. The hooves also act as a shock absorber and cushion as the horse walks. A good quality hoof begins with a good quality hay and feed…
Posted in: Vol. 6 | Winter 2022 -
Stress. We all talk about it, but it is a serious issue with lasting effects. Last edition, we discussed some measures to control the stress levels of our equine partners. In this issue, I would like to focus on the stress levels as equine owners and discuss ways to alleviate the stress. As we all…
Posted in: Vol. 6 | Winter 2022 -
Miniature horses are horses of diminutive size that are the result of selective breeding programs over hundreds of years. Depending on the breed organization, miniature horses are recognized as horses that stand under 34-38 inches in height. Miniature horses are frequently shown in hand and also may drive, but many also may be purchased by…
Posted in: Vol. 6 | Winter 2022 -
Winter weather doesn’t seem to be ready to let us enjoy the sunshine just yet. With that in mind, we aren’t quite ready to let go of our winter warnings and considerations. Two real concerns like to rear their heads in the winter, colic and water consumption. Are they one in the same? Are they…
Posted in: Vol. 6 | Winter 2022 -
Human handling early in a foal’s life, when done carefully and responsibly, can save a lot of stress for that foal later. Have you ever heard of imprinting? This is where you have the opportunity to create a human-foal bond in the first few hours after birth, establishing a trust that can last throughout their…
Posted in: Vol. 6 | Winter 2022 -
This quick release knot is fast and easy to tie but it can easily be untied in case of an emergency. Horses spook or do something silly and then panic while being tied. When tying horses or ponies, quick release knots are always the go-to for safely tying. Horses should be secured at the withers…
Posted in: Vol. 5 | September 2021 -
Why body clip? The days are getting shorter, the weather has finally started to cool off, and Fall is officially here! Before we know it, winter will be beating down our barn door and we’ll be bundled up while completing chores. We won’t be the only one’s preparing for winter. Our horses, ponies, and mules…
Posted in: Vol. 5 | September 2021 -
I recently entered my 6 year old AQHA gelding in his first rodeo barrel race. As we were warming up and preparing for the grand entry before the rodeo started, I noticed that my relatively quiet gelding was amped up and shaking. He wouldn’t stand still, and he was visibly nervous. He even urinated while…
Posted in: Vol. 5 | September 2021 -
In the equine industry, parasite control is primarily accomplished using anthelmintics (dewormers). Still commonly used, the previous recommendation for treating parasites was a rotating program of dewormers on an approximate eight-week schedule. Many horse owners implement this outdated recommendation today without realizing that newer recommendations have been released by the American Association of Equine Practitioners…
Posted in: Vol. 5 | September 2021