Oklahoma State University

Heated Barns and Horses: Special Considerations Needed

December 26, 2011

Heating horse barns can cause a host of respiratory and other problems if done incorrectly. Read More

Horse Physiology Knowledge Helps Protect Animal Health

December 23, 2011

Owners have a better chance of detecting disease and stress in a horse if they're familiar with what's normal. Read More

Winter Feed Changes: Use Caution when Adjusting Rations

December 22, 2011

Horses need more feed to replace energy loss brought about by harsh conditions as the temperature turn colder. Read More

Avoid Grazing Drought-Weakened Pastures Too Early

December 04, 2011

According to one pasture management specialist, drought-weakened pastures might not recover for several years. Read More

Physical Conditioning Important for Previously Idle Horses

May 15, 2011

In movies it is not unusual to see a cowboy ride his horse forever, through all types of weather and terrain; in reality, horses are equine athletes that must be properly conditioned to perform as needed. "The general design of an equine conditioning Read More

Creep Feeding Provides Needed Nutrients to Nursing Foals

March 19, 2011

A nursing foal's nutritional requirements will exceed his dam's ability to supply nutrients a few months after birth, making creep feeding a good way to get the young horse off on the right hoof. Read More

Orphan Foals Require Immediate Critical Care

March 13, 2011

If a foal is orphaned at birth, he'll require critical care within the first few hours of life. Unfortunately, this leaves little time for an unprepared owner to learn about providing essential support to an orphan. Read More

Oklahoma State Cooperative Extension Equine Seminar Set for April 16

March 08, 2011

Horse enthusiasts looking to pick up the latest cost-effective, science-based information on managing their animals can register now to attend the April 16 "Key Steps to Revitalizing Your Equine Partner" seminar in Cherokee, Okla. The Oklahoma Read More

Knowing Signs of Approaching Foaling Useful for Horse Breeders

March 06, 2011

Expected birth date is an age-old question for horse breeders tending to four-legged mothers-to-be. Most mares are bred naturally in a scheduled breeding with the stallion or through artificial insemination. Dave Freeman, PhD, Oklahoma State Read More

Boarding Checklists Help Ensure Happy Horses and Owners

March 05, 2011

Equine enthusiasts unable to use their own facilities to house a horse should consult a well-thought-out checklist when looking to board the animal. Dave Freeman, PhD, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension equine specialist, advises horse Read More

Hot Summer Tip: Pay Attention to Horse's Physical State

August 11, 2010

Summertime temperatures are running wild across the United States this week, with Oklahoma hitting approximately 105 degrees F, which is leading a number of equine owners to study their horse's heat tolerance with more than a little caution. Read More

Summer Pastures: Easy Steps to Proper Fertilization

May 10, 2010

Hay producers who pay close attention to soil fertility fundamentals are better prepared to meet desired forage production and nutritive value with their fields. This management tool is especially important with introduced forages. Read More

Nutrition: Monitor, Manage Horse Energy Intake

December 29, 2009

Eating well is not always eating safely; horse managers who ignore that lesson when feeding their animals might be creating digestive problems for their horses. "Many feeding management recommendations for horses are related to supplying energy Read More

Consider Drainage when Selecting a Horse Barn Site

November 30, 2009

Want to see an example of less-than-stellar drainage? Check out your own horse barn. One of the most important concerns for a building site is water drainage, which includes water flowing to the building site as well as water moving away from the Read More

EEE Reports Prompt Horse Vaccination Push

July 27, 2009

Recent reports of several horses dying from Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) serve as a reminder that horse owners should make sure their horses are vaccinated.

"We've always recommended that horse owners in Oklahoma vaccinate for it as a Read More

Barn Fires: Avoid Hay Bale Combustion

July 24, 2009

Experienced agricultural producers in the southern Great Plains know that low wind speeds, high humidity, moist hay, and hot temperatures can be a recipe for disaster. Under such a set of circumstances, tightly stacked hay bales have been Read More

Oklahoma State to Launch Equine Critical Care Unit Campaign

March 05, 2009

The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences has received $1 million from the Gaylord Foundation to launch its Equine Critical Care Unit at the center's Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

"The establishment o Read More

Carcass Composting How-To Event Offered

October 07, 2008

For years, large animal carcass disposal has been a problem. Not only are options to dispose of a large carcass limited, they can also be costly.

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is hosting a Field Day on large animal carcass Read More

Knowing 'Normal' Can Help Horse Owners Spot Trouble

November 19, 2007

Horse owners have a better chance of detecting disease and stress in a horse if they are familiar with the normal behavior and physiological parameters of their animal.

Familiarity with what constitutes "normal" for a horse allows equine Read More

Winter Care: Use Caution when Changing a Horse's Rations

November 16, 2007

Some horses might need more feed to replace energy loss brought about by harsher weather conditions as the temperature turns colder.

Equine owners must practice sound management in altering their animals' rations if problems with colic Read More

Heating Barns in Winter: Use Caution to Avoid Respiratory Problems

November 14, 2007

Horse owners who heat their barns to keep water from freezing and to protect horses from cold temperatures during late fall and winter should remember supplemental heat can cause problems if used incorrectly.

Ventilation is important when Read More