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Basic Nutritional Guidelines for Equine Management (B 1356) Providing proper and adequate nutrition is a challenge all horse owners must face. Understanding your horse’s nutritional needs is important, not only to optimize performance, but also to ensure your horse’s safety. The following guidelines emphasize key points to keep in mind when determining how to meet your horse’s nutritional requirements.

Bits 101 (B 1379) Bit selection is a critical area of consideration for riders of all disciplines and levels. For many horse enthusiasts, lack of knowledge about bit types and functions, as well as common misconceptions held in the horse industry, can make choosing an appropriate bit a difficult process.

Caring for the Older Horse: Common Problems and Solutions (B 1368) Horses have relatively long life spans compared to other livestock and companion animals, often living into their late 20s and early 30s. Many horses have productive careers into their 20s. In fact, in many disciplines, horses do not peak until their teenage years. Good nutrition, maintenance and veterinary care allow horses to lead longer and more productive lives. However, as horses age, their n…

Common Terms Used in Animal Feeding and Nutrition (B 1367) The purpose of this publication is to serve as an educational reference and resource to those who are interested in animal feeding and nutrition. Our primary objective is to list the common terms used when discussing animal feeding. This listing will also be helpful when reading articles on animal feeding and nutrition, feed analysis reports or tags associated with feeds sold in the market.

Equine Parasite Control: Moving Beyond Rotational Deworming (C 1193) Parasite resistance is an increasing problem in livestock species, including horses. Equine deworming practices have historically involved a six-week rotational deworming schedule. However, these practices have led to parasite resistance to many of our available dewormers. This publication addresses the current recommendations for deworming based on fecal egg counts, including why parasite resista…

Evaluating Common Equine Performance Classes (B 1401) When competing in youth horse judging contests or events at horse shows, it is important to have a good understanding of basic performance events that may be encountered. This publication is designed to give a basic overview of common hunt seat and western pleasure performance classes. It is by no means comprehensive of all events that may be seen and does not go in-depth on any one event.

Evaluating Horse Conformation (B 1400) When examining horses for conformation, either when considering a purchase or competing in horse judging contests, it is important to break things down into key principles to avoid becoming overwhelmed when putting the overall picture together. There are five main criteria to evaluate when examining a horse's conformation: balance, structural correctness, way of going, muscling, and breed/sex char…

Feeding Strategies for Peak Performance in Horses (B 1365) Nutrition can play a key role in achieving peak athletic performance in horses. This publication discusses ways to enhance feeding strategies to maximize training and conditioning programs and keep horses in peak physical condition. It also includes a Body Condition Scoring table.

Fences for Horses (B 1192) Fences are necessary to safely confine horses yet provide them with the opportunity to exercise and graze. Because of the natural flight response of horses, they tend to injure themselves in fences more than most other livestock. In addition, many horses are extremely valuable and that justifies the extra cost of building a fence that is safe, strong and attractive. When selecting a fence, conside…

Fescue Toxicosis in Horses (C 1180) Tall fescue is the primary cool season perennial forage grown in the state of Georgia, and toxicity issues related to the grass can have significant impacts on equine reproduction. Tall fescue is the most heat tolerant of the cool season grasses due to a fungus that grows within the plant called an endophyte. This endophyte produces ergot alkaloids that can have negative effects on animals that ea…

Forage Systems for Horses in Georgia (B 1224) A good pasture and forage program can provide quality feed and normally will be the most efficient and economical means of providing a substantial part of equine rations. In Georgia, we are fortunate to have a mild climate, soils suitable for producing forages and a good selection of highly productive forage species. With careful planning and good management, adequate grazing can be supplied for u…

How to Feed a Horse: Understanding the Basic Principles of Horse Nutrition (B 1355) With so many feed, supplement and hay choices available, many people find themselves wondering exactly what their horse needs for good health and nutrition. Many horse-feeding opinions and myths make deciding what to feed even more difficult. This publication explains your horse's nutritional needs, common guidelines to observe when feeding your horse and how to determine if your horse's nutrition…

Managing the Pregnant Mare (B 1465) To have a successful equine breeding program, producers must be able to ensure delivery of a healthy foal while maximizing the health of the mare. The information in this bulletin is designed to provide basic concepts in pregnant mare management.

Toxic Weeds and Trees in Horse Pastures (B 1571) A handy reference for identifying weeds that are toxic to horses, with pictures to aid identification, a brief description of the plants, and the specific toxicity symptoms associated with common weeds and trees that are poisonous to horses. It also gives tips on how to better manage pastures to prevent pasture-related plant toxicities.

Understanding Gestation in the Mare and the Potential for Problems (B 1461) To have a successful equine breeding program, producers must successfully manage animals both pre- and post-breeding to ensure delivery of a healthy foal while maximizing the health of the mare. The following information is designed give a basic understanding of how to identify pregnant mares, to outline major events in pregnancy development, and to identify some primary issues that can cause comp…

Understanding Reproductive Events in the Mare for Successful Breeding Programs (B 1434) A solid understanding of mare cyclicity is the foundation on which to build or evaluate an equine breeding program. Horses differ from other species both in timing of cyclicity as well as endocrine patterns within a cycle. Basic principles can aid horse breeders in more effectively timing and breeding with or without hormone manipulation. This publication provides an in-depth explanation of the s…

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