Certified Horsemanship Assoc. Region 3

26/08/2024

With heat advisories and warnings issued across Minnesota, here are some tips to help prevent heat stress in horses. ☀️🐴

💧 Provide free access to fresh, cool (45 to 65 degrees F) water.
🌳 Make sure horses have access to shade throughout the day.
🧂 Provide free access to salt to promote drinking.
💦 Rapidly cool hot horses by applying continuous cool water over them.
❌ Limit trailering or exercising horses if possible.

For more tips and hot weather care, visit 👇
https://z.umn.edu/horsehotweather

02/08/2024

A great way to keep your horse fit and practiced through winter!

❗️𝙃𝙊𝙍𝙎𝙀 𝘿𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎 & 𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙀𝙎 𝙉𝙀𝙀𝘿𝙀𝘿❗️
The University of Minnesota Crookston NCEA & IHSA Equestrian team and Equine Program are looking for Reining and Jumping Seat horses.
+Donation & lease options available. Tax write offs available on donations.
+Beautiful facility with full-time care, spacious stalls, indoor arena & turnout
+Dozens of student-athletes & students to love them

Contact our Head Equestrian Coach, Haley Pembroke, at [email protected] with inquiries.

31/07/2024

Strong winds and tornados can have a devastating impact on horse farms. Here are a few tips to help you prepare ahead of a storm.

🏠 Remember, human safety comes first. Take cover when severe weather is near.
⚠️ Have a way to receive severe weather alerts.
🐴 Have a plan for your horse. Barns may protect horses from debris but can trap them if in the path of a tornado. Large open areas with little debris potential may be better for leaving horses outside but horses may get trapped in fencing or become loose.
🖊 ID your horse (e.g., microchip, livestock paint) and remove their halter
🧰 Prior to severe weather, restock your first aid kit, make sure your horse is up-to-date on their tetanus vaccine, and secure a three-day supply of feed, water, and meds.

For more info on tornado safety visit: https://extension.umn.edu/horse-pastures-and-facilities/preparing-barn-disaster -and-strong-winds-3093460

30/07/2024

27/07/2024

Thank you for the great response! Our spots for the fall are full.

❗️ Training spots available ❗️

Send your horse to school for our Training and Showing class this fall semester where horses are paired up with one junior/senior student for the semester to go through the training process.

Questions and inquiries please contact Dr. Morgan Pyles, Assistant Professor, [email protected].

24/07/2024

The summer heat and sun won't be letting up any time soon, so make sure your equine friends are adequately protected from harmful UV rays. ☀️

Hot summer weather puts horses at risk not only for dehydration and heat stress but also the skin damage and discomfort that accompany a sunburn— just like humans.

A lot of equestrians love some chrome on a horse, but it's important to remember that those beautiful white markings and the non-pigmented pink skin underneath are more likely to suffer from sunburn, especially in areas where the skin is more sensitive — like around the eyes and the nostrils.

In addition to the pain and discomfort, horses that are prone to recurrent sunburn may also face other long-term consequences, like the increased likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinoma (a common cancer).

If your horse is susceptible to sunburn, contact your veterinarian for more information about sun damage and recommendations to keep your horse protected this summer.

23/07/2024

The UMN offers two resources for horse owners on the topic of poisonous plants:

🌿 Plants Poisonous or Harmful to Horses in the Midwest Book (2020 edition)
🌿 Plants Poisonous or Harmful to Horses Poster

The book retails for $25, while the poster retails for $15. Or, both can be purchased together for $35 (plus shipping and handling).

For more information, visit
📚 https://z.umn.edu/horsepoisonousplantbook
📄 https://z.umn.edu/horsepoisonousplantposter

21/07/2024

A great option for winter and keeping your horse fit and practiced! Contact Haley.

13/07/2024

***Clinic Alert***

Instructors of Riders with Disabilities Certification
October 14 - 19, 2024
Wi******er, WI

Register here:
https://members.cha.horse/site_event_detail.cfm?pk_association_event=31110&_gl=1*11qghls*_ga*MTA0Nzg3MzA2MC4xNzIwNDM3NDI2*_ga_79BVEQMQ3M*MTcyMDg5NzAzMi4zLjEuMTcyMDg5NzA0OC40NC4wLjA.

12/07/2024

Friday Funny! Hats off to a great weekend.

02/07/2024

We interview two professional mechanics who share tips for routine and annual horse trailer maintenance as well as common problems they see with horse traile...

01/07/2024

Friendly reminder on how you can help keep your horse calm during 4th of July fireworks.

🐴 Keep your routine as consistent as possible. Sometimes moving the horses to a different location or separating them from the herd can cause just as much fear.

🏡 If you plan to move your horses to a different location (or inside the barn), give them about a week to acclimate to the new surroundings.

👀 Check your paddock or stalls for possible issues, including uneven ground, sharp edges, and broken boards to try and limit potential injuries.

🎶 If your horse is housed inside, try playing soothing music or turn on fans to help drown out the noise from fireworks.

🌾 Try using a slow-feeder to divert the horse’s attention.

🎧 Some horses will tolerate ear plugs that can help reduce noise.

❌ Do not try to comfort your horse during the fireworks. It will be safer for you and your horse if you are not inside the paddock or stall.

👏 Start desensitizing your horse to loud noises. It might not help for this year, but may help in the future.

👩‍⚕️ If necessary, talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of a sedative. Keep in mind some of these products may be prohibited at some shows.

27/06/2024

Answer Thursday! Water, Water, and more Water! The best way to cool down a hot horse is to hose them down with lots of water. That water will absorb heat into it, and then take it away as it runs off. Don't worry about scraping to start. Just keep hosing until your horse's body temperature has dropped below 102F, and heart rate and respiratory rate are back to normal. Once done hosing, you can scrape off that excess water if you like, but it isn't necessary to speed cooling down. Bonus myth busted: your horse will not overheat and die if turned out while wet. We see this one go around the Internet Wild West this time of year, and it is a thoroughly busted myth.

27/06/2024

Harmful algal blooms (e.g., blue-green algae) can occur in lakes and ponds in the presence of excess nutrients, warmer temperatures, and calm weather. Exposure to these blooms such as drinking or swimming/wading can cause illness in humans and animals. Often contaminated water is green, smelly, and murky. The following tips can help you protect your horses.

💧 Always provide free access to fresh, clean water. Fence-off lakes, ponds, and creeks in your horse pastures.
🛡 Protect water sources on or near your farm by preventing nutrient runoff from manure and fertilizer.
❌ When traveling with horses, do not allow them access to potentially contaminated water sources.
⚠️ Be aware of and follow any issued health and water advisories.

📸 : Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

25/06/2024

Science Occupational Training at Central Lakes College starting in the Fall 2024 ... register now ... course begins September 9th for 8 Weeks. Call us for more information (218) 855-8118 or register using link. https://mnscu.rschooltoday.com/public/getclass/category_id/1697/program_id/40/subcategory_id/7058

24/06/2024

Hot weather increases the risk of heat stress and heat stroke in horses. Knowing what's normal for your horse can help you take action early if you suspect heat stress.

ℹ https://z.umn.edu/heatandhorses

18/06/2024

Did you know a horse's hindgut bacteria makes proprionic acid through fermentation? Hay producers commonly use preservatives like propionic acid during times of frequent rainfall or poor drying conditions. Researchers agree that feeding horses hay treated with preservatives is a safe and common practice, especially when poor weather conditions exist for making dry hay. 🚜 🌾

🌟Applying propionic or acetic acid to hay at baling allows producers to bale forage at slightly higher moisture levels while limiting the risk of mold during storage.🌟

💧 Generally, hay baled at ≤15 percent moisture is unlikely to mold. Ideal moisture varies by bale-type and mass. Preservatives are most economical and effective at preventing mold growth when applied to hay baled between 17 and 22 percent moisture.

🔬🐴 In separate studies, researchers from Cornell University and the University of Illinois found that horses tended to prefer untreated hay over hay treated with preservative when given a choice. Horses readily ate treated hay when a choice was not given. Yearlings fed hay treated with a preservative had similar intakes and weight gains during the trial period compared to yearlings that ate untreated hay. Treated hay did not affect clinical measures of the yearlings' wellbeing, which indicates preservative did not negatively affect the horses.

17/06/2024

Don’t underestimate the power of water 💯

Never enter flood waters on foot, horseback, or in a vehicle!

Flash floods can occur rapidly. If you are in an area close to a stream, river, or floodplain, it is good to have a flood plan so you can act quickly if needed.

🌧 Have an evacuation plan.
🌧 Have emergency supplies ready to go including a generator, fuel, horse feed, clean water, temporary fence, bedding, first aid kit, etc.
🌧 Following a flood, check dry lots and pastures for debris. Walk fence lines and repair any damage before turning your horses out.
🌧 Listen for infectious disease reports. Hot weather following a flood can lead to outbreaks of diseases such as Potomac Horse Fever or anthrax.

11/06/2024

Horses can acclimate to hot and humid weather conditions; however, air temperature and relative humidity can affect your horse’s ability to cool themselves.

It is recommended to avoid (or use caution when) riding or exercising a horse when the combined air temperature (in Fahrenheit) and relative humidity (%) surpass 150. For example, if the temperature is predicted to be 92 F with 69% relative humidity, the combination of the two is 161.

When the air temperature + relative humidity is less than 130, horses are very effective at cooling themselves. Between 130 and 150, a horse’s ability to cool themselves is decreased. When the combination is greater than 150, a horse’s ability to cool themselves is greatly reduced, and if the combination is greater than 180, conditions could become fatal if the horse is stressed.

06/06/2024

Join us in Saginaw, MN on June 17 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. for an evening of conversation and hands-on learning! 🐴🌾

Learn about grazing management right from the pasture. Interact with university experts and connect with other horse owners. Light refreshments will be provided. Cost to attend: $15. Please register by June 16.

ℹ z.umn.edu/pasturewalk24

06/06/2024

Biting insects found on horse farms can spread disease; cause hives, skin sores, and hoof damage from stomping; and create an unpleasant environment for horses and owners. Here are four tips to help you manage flies and mosquitoes on your farm.

🚜 Routinely remove manure, soiled bedding, and spilled feed or waste hay from horse areas. Spread or compost these materials to prevent fly development. Keeping it clean is the best way to control flies on your horse farm.

🦟 Overturn or discard objects that collect and hold rainwater such as buckets and old tires. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water sources.

🛡 You can use fly sheets, masks, and boots to help shield your horse from biting flies. Turning horses indoors overnight can limit mosquito pressure on horses.

🪰 Use fly repellants to provide your horse temporary relief. Always read and follow label instructions.

25/05/2024

Fact . . . .

24/05/2024

Photosensitivity is preventable!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/68Sdsi1ovuxcsiLE/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Blistering and peeling on pink skin are signs of a serious and painful reaction to sun exposure. Read up on it now to be prepared for the sunny season ahead. >>>https://bit.ly/EQPhoticReactions

07/05/2024

📣📣We're hiring!!📣📣 UK Ag Equine Programs Bluegrass Community and Technical College

06/05/2024

Hold your horses! Here's what you need to know before turning your horses out to graze pastures.

🛑 Wait until plant heights average 6 to 8 inches.
☀️ Allow the ground time to dry and firm.
🌾 Slowly ease horses onto pastures in 15-minute daily increments.

⏰ Begin with 15 minutes of grazing on the first day, 30 minutes the second day, etc until you reach 5 hours. After that, unrestricted grazing can occur if adequate forage is available. A slow transition provides enough time for the horse’s microbes to adjust, which reduces the chance of laminitis and colic.

ℹ️ https://extension.umn.edu/horse-pastures-and-facilities/fall-and-spring-pasture-do-lists -your-pasture-for-grazing-in-spring-69710