February 2023 Equine Times

February 2023

Serving the Michigan, Indiana and Ohio tri-state horse community

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APRIL 13–16, 2023 COLUMBUS, OH, Ohio Expo Center • An Unparalleled Educational Program.

• The Largest Horse-Related Trade Show in North America.

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• Breed Pavilion, Horse & Farm Exhibits, Horses for Sale and Demonstrations —Enjoy meeting horses of all shapes, sizes, breeds, colors, and disciplines!

• Equine Fundamentals Forum — Educational presentations, exhibits, and activities for new riders and horse owners, young & old.

• The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition — A fastpaced timed and judged race through an obstacle course with $5,500 at stake!

• Adoption Affaire — Find and adopt your next horse at the Adoption Affaire, affiliated with the Right Horse Initiative!

• A Horse for Heroes — Equine-assisted activities and therapies designed to benefit veterans, active-duty, and first responders, as well as their families.

• International Liberty Horse Association (ILHA) Freestyle Invitational —Select liberty trainers and horses of a variety of breeds and backgrounds will display their talents in a two-part invitational competition.

• NEW! Ohio State 4-H Horse Bowl & Hippology Contest — Teams compete to demonstrate their knowledge of equine science and trivia.

• Youth Activities and a fun and educational College and Career Fair Scavenger Hunt!

Featured Clinicians Guy McLean (General Training & Horsemanship) Julie Goodnight (General Training & Horsemanship) Jonathan Field (General Training & Horsemanship) Jason Irwin (General Training & Horsemanship)

Nona Garson (Hunter/Jumper)

Carl Bledsoe (Easy Gaited Horses)

Brad Barkemeyer (Reined Cow Horse and Roping)

Suzanne Galdun (Biomechanics)

Rita Timpanaro (Hunter/Jumper)

Carrie Brandt and Laura Benson (Resonant Riding)

J.J. Tate (Dressage)

Ali Kermeen (Working Equitation)

Bronwyn Irwin (Pole Bending)

Wendy Murdoch (Horsemanship and SureFoot®)

Sterling Graburn (Driving)

…and many more to be announced!

For all you need to know, visit equineaffaire.com

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February 2023

CLUB NEWS

Michigan Fox Association Michigan Fox Trotter Trotter Association Michigan Foxtrotting Horse Association

ty challenge.

Read thefor rules included a competition the on our website and see the different ways in which you can most ambitious member who PROTECT YOUR LARGE BALE HAY INVE$TMENT! start learning and doing things demonstrates their horsemanship with your horse. Yes, you can lots of different activities during the cold skills in ado wide variety of categories. winter months and get awards credit for Quarterly and year-end willthem. be You will get a lot accomplished with your horse and earn prizes along given.

Go to www.michiganfoxtrotters.com to rules and print off the forms to join theread way.the This program is motivating and fun!in Goonto the the friendlysection competition and fun. activities of michiganfoxtrottinghorse.com to are slowly for becoming to read More aboutFox theTrotters three challenges adults available and youth purchase but they are selling fast.

There is a good video on and find the registration forms. Once your registration the correct Fox Trot on ourtoFace site to form is received, yougait willposted be invited join Book the private refer to when you are considering an MFT to buy.

Be sure 2023 versatility Facebook group where you will post to bring a knowledgeable person with you,too, when you your activities and points which will help you qualify narrow down your search. Breeders, Chuck Fanslow (rivfor quarterly and year end awards. The high point erflatranch.com) and Gale Gunders (989-534-1207), have awards are usually embroidered jackets or can be a well-gaited young stock available. They also have quality specially designed belt buckle. studs to breed to if you have a mare you want bred. Chuck and renewing MFHA memberships are being has New a Buckskin stallion and a palomino stallion(both sons accepted now.

Meet new friends with MFTs! Learn of Cotton Eyed Joe). Gale has a spotted stallion whohow will to train andtogait We do of things together throw color yourbetter. foal. Both arelots located in Gladwin,MI. such asthem educational clinics with known clinicians, Dimensions: 72” x 78” x There 76” Contact if you want to have your mare bred.

Wethe haveexpectation resources and of people available for you to learn is nothing like a well-bred foal! from and breeders to refer you to if you to Don't forget to transfer your newly-bought want horse's our various clinics and with our sponsors (Levi Beechy buy a young one to train or if you want to further registration papers into your name with the MFTHBA,too. training with yourreduced present horse. reduced clinic fee, the Chuck Fanslow cost breedWe are growing!

New welcomes gomembers out to Themember MFTHBA needs registered ing fee, Jackson's Western Store discount and others).

Naomi Haas, equinetodentist Kris Modreske and fill their committees for 2021. I justHarry agreed More discounts are sabino alwaysgelding being Struble all of MI.member Naomi rides sorrel to help out on athe Trail Committee again. added.

In the winter, some of need our (Dexter) and a black mareyou (Hank's Serenity Liberty Bell Surely can,too!

Various committees members take horses and members(younger onestheir too) for their input B). Kris rides a black and white gelding (Radar's Spotted and advice increase affiliate numbers,think gotogo south Florida or on to Prior). And congratulations out toto Harry Struble of waysGolden to make the shows better,to improve and Arizona to escape the his purchase of Joe's Chip, a handsome buckskin okay National Trail Ride applications,give ideas on gelding, from Chuck Fanslow.snow All these Michigan and memcold, clinics (let's get more closer to our state),getting more verbers are riding quality Fox Trotters!!! they stay in consatility riders interested,give ideas on but training andstill picking judges, plus New tact members always welvia are Zoom our more. Many positions can be supported remotely.

Also, thisfor is a great Go www.michiganfoxway to meet those from other come! areas of theto USA who raise,train and monthly meetings.

Once trotters.com print off have the ride MFTs. I have made new friends this way whotoI would not a member, no matter otherwise. Contact the MO Fox Trotting Horse Breeding Association membership form.

We meet where you live, you can via www.mfthba.com to become a member and forsomore virtually all information members attend similarly to learn on helping out. are able to meet without about all that Also, PLEASE send in your MFTA dues MFTs and yourand MFTHBA having to drive long dues disasap! they can do as well as nettances.

Wishing everyone a blessed and safe work withChristmas! other owners while Our Event Committee Respectfully submitted, the weather is preventing mostnext of is busy planning Marilynthe Mannino us from riding.clinic. It will be a Gaited Your MFTHBA membership qualifiesClinic you to Western Dressage at become an important member voting for officers and the end of May. More details the region eight representative, participation in will be available MFTHBA sponsored next seminars, clinics, programs month.

The clinician is and events qualifies you for discount pricing at Stateline top-notch!

ORhistory SWINGING DOORS A little on well our breed: ThetopresTack and SLIDING other businesses as as access the ent-dayregistry Missouri Fox Trotter Morgans in online database (a $95evolved value).from You will receive New online England being crossed witheach Arabians, the MFTHBA Journal monthPlantation and the Horses, printed American Saddlebreds, annual Celebration catalogTWHs too. and pacing Standardbreds.

The genetic mix of square-trotting horses Our upcoming clinic with Levi Beechy is set for and pacing horses created the comfortable fox trot gait!

April 15 and April 16 at Morning View Farm in Ionia, Missouri FoxThe Trotting have been usedTrail by farmers Michigan.

Greathorses Lakes National Ride in is Missouri and surrounding states to ride long distances to scheduled for July 7 through July 9 at the Horseman's check their fencing and work cows, pull buggies, by US Camp at the Waterloo State Recreation Area. As more Forest Service workers, by mounted police and now people clinics are finalized, they will be announced here, on across the United States and Europe use them for recreour website and trail on our Facebook page. ation (showing, riding, Dressage,reining, 4H and The MFHA 501c3 committee submitted Equestrian Team, Hippotherapy,etc.). They the are applitruly cation January willinallow us to a versatileinand also canwhich be found all colors andbecome sizes! Try non-profit Now we wait forthem the yay one out andassociation. find out why everyone loves so! or nay

For the Finest STALLS Money Can Buy From One Piece To An Entire Stall Or An Exhibition Stall.

Design Stalls that work for you and your Horses.... With Component Pieces or answer from the federal government onGrills whether we the Entire Stall!

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Hello December! Time is sure flying!!

Marilyn Mannino At our November meeting we elected some Marilyn Mannino new officers for 2021. Congratulations go out Hello April! Spring is upon us! People are out Fox to Bob Howell elected as the new MFTA PresTrotting and enjoying theMarilyn weather.

Many are accumulatident, Kathy Kruch isthe now2022 VP, is still Announcing versatility challenge winners, ing points in the Versatility Challenges that we are offerSecretary/Treasurer, Char Ostrom is the new for the under saddle division (adult) Georgi ing.

2-year Director and Miranda Mannino is now Carleton on Joeyisearned Registration still the openmost for points all three Versatility the 1-year Director. and We Carrie Carpenter wasChallenge, the high Not Under Saddle are accepting membership renewals Challenges (Under Saddle and new earner memberships 2021 now. Youth Challenge). are point for for the ultimate Challenge and Ultimate Horseman This proencouraged to join too! to www.michiganfoxhorseman division (adult). gram is designed to Go show how versatile the Missouri Fox trotters.com to print off the form. You will learn alot Trotter is. Registered grade MFTs are allowed.

There were no entriesand in the from our members about the history of Fox Trotters,their All handicapped and regular through not under saddle uses and availability and division be able toyouth network with those of us who adults are welcome.

Every imaginable for adults orthem. youth. camp,train and show Our association is blessed to have skilled activity and category isto learn included trainers,breeders and a to farrier from. We love promoting this Congratulations both from in they hand work Dressage, breed as greatto personalities,are so versatile and come in Georgi andhave Carrie!!

The many sizes and different coat colors.toA benefit to joining is that we short distance trail riding MFHA is proud of all of can offer clinicscompetitions at a reduced price to our members. Due to Covid we endurance and the rest ofremotely the members who are meeting each month.

Michigan is a big state and this is a everything in-between (cow participated and accomgood way to easily see and talk with each other within and outside of work, driving, extreme trail, MI. Come join the fun! of activities plished a variety 4H Sign and open showing, up Registrations now for the popular Versatility as well. are now Challenge for 2021. Print parades, reining, trailfrom mainteoff the enrollment form our website.

There are may areas in being accepted for the 2023 nance and alsoversatiliwhich you can more!). accumulateWe points-even in the non-rideable months.

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camping and trail rides and showing.Weight: Go to the 230michilbs. affiliate of the Missouri ganfoxtrottinghorse.com website and click on the qualify. We are the Michigan • Panels “Hay Huts save and preserve button to print your form. Fox Trotter Horse Breed Association (mfthba.com) membership application • Lazy Susan Feeders the hay.

They keep hay Your support willthe provide needed funds to help us to based in Ava, Missouri.

• Water Bucket Doors weather protected and are Our mission is to promote MFTs and to encourage promote the Fox Trotter horse friendly.”

-CHRIS COX breed as well as to assist in E N T E R P R I S E S • Multiple Door Options educating people about this breed, teach proper gaiting the breeding and training of them as well as to help and support the variety of activities that can be done their owners learn to enjoy their horses more through Weldy Enterprises • 911 E. Waterford St. Wakarusa, IN 46573 with them. Fox Trotters are rock stars in versatility! educational clinics, trail rides and discussion.

574-862-4491 • 800-628-4728 • FAX 574-862-2122 • email: info@weldyenterprises.com Remember the motto, to ride one is to own one.

Plus, your membership qualifies you for discounts at Page 2

Equine Times

April 2021

December 2020 February 2023

Equine Times Times

Page Page113

Bob Baffert. John Minchillo

Trainer Bob Baffert's ban from racing in New York is over AP Bob Baffert can once again enter horses at New York’s major tracks.

The Hall of Fame trainer’s one-year ban by the New York Racing Association ended Wednesday, allowing him to enter horses as soon as Thursday.

“I was disappointed they even did it, but it’s water under the bridge,” Baffert told The Associated Press by phone.

He was suspended last June for repeated medication violations, although none of them occurred in New York. He was barred from Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga. A panel credited Baffert for time served for an initial suspension, which allowed him to return this week.

Aqueduct is currently holding its 44-day winter meet that runs through Page 4

Equine Times

March 26. Baffert doesn’t typically run horses this time of year in New York; he targets the biggest stakes races at Belmont in the spring and Saratoga in the summer.

Baffert remains under a two-year ban by Churchill Downs Inc., which sidelined him after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive for a substance that is not allowed on race day. The penalty expires shortly after the Kentucky Derby in May. However, Baffert is fighting the suspension in federal court.

The Southern California-based trainer had a big weekend around the country, although not in New York.

He had horses running at three tracks on Saturday, January 28.

Defunded was entered in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream in February 2023

Florida, where Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes was on hand.

Arabian Knight went into the $750,000 Southwest Stakes as the early favorite at Oaklawn in Arkansas. Baffert has won the Kentucky Derby prep race a record-tying five times and traveled to Hot Springs to watch the 3-year-old colt.

The Southwest offered Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers. Arabian Knight didn’t receive any points regardless of his placing because of Baffert's Derby ban.

Hopper ran in the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes on Saturday, January 28 at Santa Anita.

On Sunday, January 29 at the same track, Baffert had entered four of the five horses set to run in the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds.

'Black Shot' and gone: Stallion's death after libido injection raises questions Tim Sullivan Laoban had bred with 126 mares last year when he seemed to lose interest in mating.

The WinStar Farm stallion mounted three mares on May, 22, 2021, and failed to finish his job with any of them, according to insurance documents. The following day, presented with two more potential partners, Laoban was again unable to perform.

So at 6:37 a.m. on May 24, in an effort to increase his energy and enthusiasm for breeding, Laoban was injected with a cocktail of four vitamins and minerals called the “Black Shot.” Within minutes, he was dead.

The North America Specialty Insurance Company (NAS) found that three of the four substances had been administered after their expiration date — one of them by nearly nine years — and said the “acts, errors and omissions” of attending veterinarian Dr. Heather Wharton constituted a failure to provide proper care and entailed risks not covered by its policies.

Part-owners Cypress Creek Equine and Southern Equine Stables filed suit in December in Fayette Circuit Court seeking to

compel the insurance company to pay claims for which it has denied liability. North American Specialty Insurance Company filed a notice of removal in January to move the case to U.S. District Court. The Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners, meanwhile, has declined to investigate in the absence of a filed complaint.

Nearly 11 months after his abrupt demise, Laoban’s death raises questions about priorities and procedures in the breeding industry, about the vigilance of state regulators and about the wisdom of breeding limits the Jockey Club imposed but later rescinded under pressure from the Kentucky legislature.

What happened to Laoban?

Laoban was 8 years old, the winner of Saratoga’s 2016 Jim Dandy Stakes and, at last count, the sire of 219 registered foals and another 49 live foals born this year. Fifty-six of Laoban’s progeny sold at auction in 2021 for a total of $3,646,500, with 18 of his mares in foal bringing another $1,445,000. One of his offspring not offered at auction, Keepmeinmind, finished seventh in last year’s Kentucky Derby.

Though he was neither WinStar’s most popular stallion nor its Laoban works out at Keeneland.

Coady Photography

February 2023

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Speedway Stable's Collected and jockey Martin Garcia, right, outleg Laoban (Tyler Baze) to win the Grade III $100,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Benoit Photo

priciest, Laoban was a steady source of income with a published stud fee of $25,000, later raised to $40,000. According to the Jockey Club’s breeding statistics, only five of WinStar’s 22 stallions bred more frequently than did Laoban in 2021.

How much effort to maximize his earning potential contributed to his death is conjecture, but Laoban had never bred to as many as 126 mares in four previous years at New York’s Sequel Stallions and, as Wharton acknowledged under oath, was not considered to be in pain, distress or “in any condition that death would occur” at the time he was injected.

High-demand stallions often experience decreased libido late in the breeding season, and the Jockey Club’s efforts to limit stallions’ breeding to 140 mares annually were abandoned earlier this year in the face of threats from the Kentucky legislature. Because of their financial interest in fertility, breeders tend to rely on medication rather than rest to treat underperforming studs.

“Certainly, this loss of interest is not unusual,” said Dr. Cynthia Cole, the veterinarian who directs the University of Florida’s racing laboratory. “One of the things you can do is give him some time off. But there’s always the issue of having an unhappy client.”

What was in the 'Black Shot' given to Laoban?

Investigating Laoban’s death for NAS, attorney Harvey Feintuch found Wharton had admittedly administered the “Black Shot” cocktail without reading the labels on its four ingredients and concluded Wharton had used them in at least 10 different ways contrary to label instructions. According to a 29-page document Feintuch authored last August, vitamins intended to be administered intramuscularly were instead injected intravenously; expired Vitamin B12 was administered at five times the recom-

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Equine Times

February 2023

mended dosage; and expired Vitamin B Complex was administered despite a warning about the risk of anaphylactic shock.

One of the ingredients, Iron Hydrogenated Dextran, carried an expiration date of July 2012, and was indicated only for iron deficiency anemia in baby pigs.

“It’s terribly egregious that anyone would use any kind of substance that's been expired for nine years on any horse for any reason,” said Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action. “I’ve been around horses for my entire life. I’ve never heard of anyone using medication nine years old. That’s just insane.”

Kathy Guillermo, vice president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), said her organization will be filing complaints with both law enforcement and the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners.

"The racing industry is culpable, too," she said. "It should take a hard look at itself and the greed that leads it to breed these horses beyond what is healthy."

Wharton did not respond to interview requests from The Courier Journal. WinStar Farm chief executive officer Elliott Walden declined to be interviewed, confining his response to a prepared statement.

“WinStar has been in the thoroughbred business for over 20 years," Walden said. "Laoban’s passing was a traumatic experience and felt by everyone at the farm. As we stated at the time, insurance companies in general have a self-serving interest in denying claims and blaming others. We resolved by mutual agreement any concerns that were brought to us and closed the chapter of this tragic loss a long time ago.”

Who is at fault for Laoban's death?

Prior to The Courier Journal obtaining a copy of Feintuch’s letter, quiet settlements prevented the matter from attracting significant scrutiny from the media, animal welfare activists or, apparently, state regulators. Dr. Steven J. Wills, chairman of the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners, said in a statement the board “does not have any recent or current grievance cases against licensees involving the stallion Laoban,” but declined to answer additional questions.

Dr. Katie Flynn, the Kentucky state veterinarian, declined to comment.

“You can look at the last 25 years of thoroughbred breeding,” said Chauncey Morris, executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association. “There have been circumstances where similar things have happened and you just have to wait for the courts to sort something out.”

Sequel Stallions’ owner Becky Thomas, who retained partial ownership of Laoban after WinStar became its syndicate manager in October 2020, described the stallion’s death as a “very unfortunate accident.” She confirmed she had settled with WinStar.

Investors Tony Pettograsso and JR Young declined comment, citing non-disclosure agreements.

Attorney Escum Moore, who filed suit last month claiming Cypress Creek Equine and Southern Equine were wrongfully denied mortality insurance coverage, also declined comment.

According to Feintuch, Wharton claimed to have “likely” injected thoroughbreds with the “Black Shot” 50 times or more while working in California, albeit sometimes with a different mix of ingredients, and that she believed it to be safe.

Feintuch said video of Laoban’s death showed Wharton injecting the horse’s jugular vein and then leaving the stall less than 25 seconds later. He describes Laoban abruptly jolting

toward a wall approximately 58 seconds after the injection, then rolling around violently for 10 seconds “before collapsing in a corner of the stall with his limbs flailing.”

Contacted en route to her office, Wharton returned to the stall and attempted to revive the stallion with steroid injections, to no avail. She attributed his death to anaphylactic shock. The University of Kentucky’s Dr. Laura Kennedy concluded a “presumptive diagnosis of anaphylactic shock can be made with a reasonable degree of medico-legal certainty” based on the horse’s clinical history, post-mortem findings and the elimination of other possible causes of death.

Cole said she would be wary of combining multiple ingredients in a single syringe, in the efficacy of expired substances and, in particular, about the risks of administering iron dextran intravenously.

“The iron itself can cause an anaphylactoid reaction,” Cole said. “Something about the iron triggers an inflammatory reac-

tion. Literally, it’s so quick the horses collapse within 30 seconds to a minute of being administered the drug.

“It may not be related at all to the expiration of the product, though I would say administering something intravenously that has been expired for that long a period of years would be very concerning to me as a veterinary pharmacologist. You don’t know how the product has been stored (or) if it’s still sterile.”

Feintuch said Wharton attempted to shift some of the blame for her failure to read labels to the staff of WinStar’s pharmacy, quoting her as saying, “It’s not my responsibility to go through our drug cabinet.”

Dr. Natanya Nieman, WinStar’s resident veterinarian, told Feintuch she was upset she had not been consulted about the shot and had never injected an adult horse with a vitamin, much less a mixture of vitamins that also included iron dextran.

“I was mad that if something had happened differently, he may not be dead,” she said.

An apron for Laoban hangs in a barn as he is washed at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Patrick Semansky

February 2023

Equine Times

Page 7

To Blanket Or Not To Blanket That Is The Question

PROTECT YOUR LARGE BALE HAY INVE$TMENT!

For the Finest STALLS Money Can Buy From One Piece To An Entire Stall Or An Exhibition Stall.

Dimensions: 72” x 78” x 76” Weight: 230 lbs.

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“Hay Huts save and preserve the hay. They keep the hay weather protected and are horse friendly.” -CHRIS COX

Page 8

Design Stalls that work for you and your Horses.... With Component Pieces or the Entire Stall!

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Weldy Enterprises • 911 E. Waterford St. Wakarusa, IN 46573 574-862-4491 • 800-628-4728 • FAX 574-862-2122 • email: info@weldyenterprises.com Equine Times

February 2023

0000501405

SLIDING OR SWINGING DOORS

Hannah Lochner Many owners blanket their horses during the winter months for warmth, cleanliness, or in an effort to decrease hair length. While previous studies have evaluated the effect of blanketing on a horse's surface temperature and hay intake, none have assessed the impact of blanketing on a horse's coat. Therefore, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls evaluated changes in hair coat length and diameter of horses with or without medium-weight blankets during winter.

The study was conducted with 16 adult horses (9 ± 3 years of age) that had an average body condition score of 5.5 ± 0.5. Two Arabians, two Quarabs, two Thoroughbreds and ten stock type horses were included in the study. Medium-weight (220g fiberfill) blankets were placed on eight of the horses when temperatures were below 5° Celsius for two days (October 27, 2019). Each month, through March 2020, hair samples were taken from the neck and hindquarters using tweezers. Hair length and diameter were measured using a digital caliber and micrometer, respectively.

Blanketing did not affect body weight or body condition score of the horses. For all horses, hair length was shortest in October and March, and longest in January and February.

Similarly, hair coat diameter was smallest in October and March, and largest in January and February.

The length of hindquarter hair did not differ between blanketed and non-blanketed horses. However, neck hair length was greater for non-blanketed horses (58 and 47 mm) compared to blanketed horses (43 and 35 mm) in January and February. These differences were not observed for the month of March. When looking at hair coat diameter of the neck and hindquarter, no differences were found between blanketed and non-blanketed horses.

The results of this study provide evidence that blanketing can affect hair length in areas not covered by a blanket, such as the neck. But the effects are only short-term, where blanketed and non-blanketed horses had similar hair coat lengths when shedding their winter hair coats.

However, the effect of blanketing on

February 2023

hair coat length will likely vary based on timing of blanket use.

For more information on this research, view the abstract published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Sciences at https://www.sciencedirect. com/science/article/abs/pii/ S0737080622003276?via%3Dihub.

Equine Times

Page 9

Prettier pastures are on the horizon

This new seeding has had plenty of time to grow before grazing.

Laura Kenny You're bringing your horse in from the pasture and you notice all the weeds and bare spots that have appeared. You start thinking it might be time to do something to improve the pasture.

We get a lot of questions from farm owners about how to improve their pastures quickly.

Unfortunately, an overgrazed, unmanaged pasture will take several seasons to return to productivity. This article will outline a suggested timeline to use for planning purposes. Knowing that you should seed in the late summer or early spring, you can work backwards to plan your Page 10

Equine Times

renovation.

in. It needs to migrate through the soil profile into the root zone Step 1: 6 to 12+ months before before it will help your plants. seeding Finely ground limestone will Soil test and lime/fertilize if react faster than coarsely required ground. If your pH is quite low Soil fertility. If you want and you need a lot of lime, apply your newly seeded grass to it at least a year before seeding. thrive, it must be planted into optimal soil conditions. A soil Step 2: 3 to 6 months before test will tell you if you need to seeding apply lime and fertilizer. In very Evaluate current condition and acidic soil, plant roots cannot decide if overseeding or reestabtake up nutrients as well, so even lishing (starting over) if you apply fertilizer, the plants Evaluate pasture condition may not get any benefit. Lime during the grazing season. A can take months to years to neu- general rule of thumb is to comtralize acidity deep in the soil, pletely reestablish your pasture especially if it is being applied to (kill all vegetation and start the soil surface without tilling it over) if it contains less than 50% February 2023

desirable plants and to overseed if it contains 50-70% desirable plants. How can you determine these numbers? An easy method is called the "equine pasture evaluation disc", where you draw an arrow on the edge of a plastic disc and toss it randomly around the pasture. Every time it lands, you record what is under the arrow and then add up the observations after 20 or more tosses.

cide or till the soil, burying the plants. Using herbicide leaves a layer of plant litter that can act as a mulch to protect the soil and keep it moist while your new seed is germinating. Tilling allows you to prepare the seedbed to be optimal for planting seed; you want a fine, firm seedbed. To achieve this, after tilling you may need to disc and roll/ cultipack the soil.

Step 3: 1 week before seeding Prepare pasture for planting: mow short or till/disc/cultipack Prepare the pasture to be seeded.

If overseeding, overgraze or mow the pasture very close before seeding. The existing vegetation will shade out new seedlings, so it is important to minimize that competition for your best chance of success.

If reestablishing, you have two options to kill existing vegetation: use a non-selective herbi-

Step 4 Seeding. Weather permitting, the optimal time to plant cool-season grass seed is late summer (early to mid-August in cooler regions and late August to early September in warmer regions). This gives the seed a chance to establish in cooler temperatures with less competition from weeds than in the spring. The other time to plant is early spring (mid-April to midMay in cooler regions and midMarch to mid-April in warmer

regions) while it is still cool and moist. There will be more weed pressure and the seedlings will need to establish before it gets too hot and growth slows.

There are two methods of seeding: broadcasting seed and using a planter or drill. The key to a successful seeding is seed to soil contact; the seed should be buried no deeper than 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Therefore, broadcasting seed is less effective unless you can drag or harrow the seedbed afterward to pull some soil over the seed, then roll it again to pack down the soil. A no-till drill is an excellent alternative if you do not plan to till your pasture.

It cuts a small slit in the soil, drops seed in and then a press wheel closes the slit, all in one pass. These are sometimes available to rent at your county Conservation District. Make sure the drill can plant small seeds, a grain drill will not work correctly for grass seed. Additionally, Tilling a horse pasture.

Equine pasture evaluation disc.

February 2023

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confirm that the tractor and be difficult to rest pastures for drill will fit through all gates and this long on horse farms, so if lanes on your farm. you don't have anywhere else to turn horses out while the pasStep 5: 6+ months AFTER ture is resting, consider reseedseeding ing only one or two pastures at a Rest pasture so plants can time. establish strong root systems before grazing Grazing Management Rest pasture. Many people do Once your pasture is estabnot realize that there is a crucial lished, it's time to graze. To keep last step in seeding a pasture. your pasture productive for as The new grasses need time to long as possible, consider develdevelop strong, deep root sys- oping a rotational grazing systems before being grazed. If you tem, which allows pastures to graze too early, your horses can rest and recover for several weeks rip the plants out by the roots or between grazings. Keep in mind remove too much leaf area for that grasses do not have an the plant to recover. Seed is infinite lifespan; even well manexpensive, protect your invest- aged pastures decline over three ment! The longer you let the to five years and need to be overpasture establish, the stronger it seeded periodically. will be and the better it will stand up to grazing. The pasture Weed Control can be mowed while it is resting You may have noticed that to encourage it to thicken. It can weed control was not included in This no-till drill can plant seeds of different sizes and spray, all in one pass.

It is also quite narrow so it can fit through gates and lanes on horse farms.

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the timeline, even though it may be an important part of your pasture improvement. There is no specific time to control all weeds. Many weeds can be controlled by maintaining a healthy stand of forages and regular mowing. For problem weeds that take over, chemical control may be warranted. Work with your local Extension office to first identify the weed and its life cycle, then pick an effective product and the correct time to apply it.

Improving a pasture is not a quick or easy task. It requires planning, money, and patience.

However, if done correctly, you can enjoy a productive, nutritious pasture that provides plenty of feed for your horses. Make sure to keep up with basic pasture management practices throughout the year.

This thick pasture has had a year to establish after seeding.

Ask the Expert: Free Fecal Water Syndrome Hannah Lochner

Help! I have a horse who recently developed fecal water syndrome. What are my options? What works? Also, do you have any advice for washing his seat and legs? We do not have a heated facility.

Fecal water syndrome (FWS) refers to the presence of fecal water before, during or after passing formed manure. Free fecal water can leave your horse's hind legs and tail a mess. If not cleaned regularly, free fecal water can also irritate the skin. Do not confuse FWS with diarrhea, which is defined as loose or runny manure. Always work with a veterinarian to determine a diagnosis. They can help rule out other potential problems such as an infection.

While FWS is often not a serious condition, diarrhea can be life-threatening.

Stress and an imbalance of microbial populations in the gut may contribute to FWS but causes of FWS largely remain unknown. So, your horse has FWS, what now? Unfortunately, resolving FWS can be challenging. What works for one horse might not work for another.

A good place to start is your horse's diet. When adjusting a horse's diet, always make gradual changes to allow their gut time to adapt. Work with an equine nutritionist, who can ensure your horse is receiving a balanced diet that meets their needs.

A healthy adult horse should have 1.5 to 2.5% of their bodyweight daily in forage. Forage tends to be the primary fiber source in horse diets. During the winter months, this is often in the form of long-stem hay. Providing a variety of forage types or fiber sources may better support the gut of horses with FWS. You could try adding a different maturity or species of hay, hay pellets, hay cubes, beet pulp or a complete feed to their diet. Again, consult with a professional to ensure the diet remains balanced, meets your horse's needs and is adjusted gradually to allow the gut time to adapt.

Here are a few tips to help keep your horse clean during the winter months when you do not have access to a heated facility.

• Use a tail bag or bandage wrap to protect the tail below the tail bone. While some fecal water may still collect under the dock, a tail bag or bandage wrap can prevent most of the tail from becoming a caked, frozen mess. Do not tie or wrap around the tail bone, which can cut off circulation and damage the live portion of your horse's tail. Check the bag or wrap routinely and adjust or replace it as needed.

• Apply baby oil or petroleum jelly below the anus and along the hind legs to ease cleaning and limit caking of fecal water. In turn, these products will also help prevent skin irritation.

• Use baby wipes as an alternative to soap and water. This may not be a practical option depending on the severity of FWS. February 2023

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Stop the sass

Julie Christie and Margaret a lot of time in stalls or dry lots, receive two large meals per day, Duxbury and have a limited chance to Unwanted behaviors, often forage. While some horses adapt called vices, are repetitive, pur- well to a highly controlled enviposeless behaviors that take up ronment, others may become a large portion of a horse's time. stressed and find relief through Common examples include crib- an unwanted behavior. Once a bing, chewing and weaving. horse develops an unwanted Vices can stem from environ- behavior, they may never stop. ments that limit a horse's natu- There are some steps you can take to help manage or prevent ral feeding or social behavior.

Horses have a strong instinct unwanted behaviors in your to forage, move and socialize. horse.

Reduce the amount of time They have evolved to eat small, your horse spends indoors frequent, forage-based meals Allowing your horse turnout throughout the day. When allowed to graze, horses will for- and exercise can provide your age for over 14.5 hours daily horse an opportunity to satisfy while moving around the pas- their instinct to move. When ture. Additionally, as herd ani- given the choice of being in a mals, social interaction is key to paddock or stall, horses will horse welfare. However, provid- often choose a paddock, even in ing this ideal environment for poor weather. Additionally, routine turnout can help prevent horses is often not practical.

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ing with other horses.

If your horse must be kept in a stall for a long period of time (e.g., stall rest), try to keep them entertained.

• Spend time with them outside their stall, for example hand walking around the arena or grooming in the barn aisle.

• Provide hay in slow feed nets to prolong the time your horse spends eating. Mature hay (high in NDF) can be fed to keep your horse busy between meals.

• Make sure your horse is not alone in the barn. Stalling another horse within sight of your horse can help reduce their stress.

• Provide toys that your horse can play with or chew on while in their stall. Treat toys require the horse to work or chew on the toy to receive a treat. Remember, you should

only provide treats in moderation. Always select toys that are approved and safe for horses.

Keep your horse in a herd Horses have a strong desire for social interaction, which can be met while kept in a herd. In these social groups, horses communicate through touch, smell and changes in body posture and facial expression. A herd size of four to 10 horses of the

same sex works best with the exception of stallions. Try to limit changes in the herd, which can be stressful.

If your horse must be kept outside a herd, try introducing your horse to another animal, such as a goat, donkey or sheep.

If you keep your horse with any of these species, check with your veterinarian to see if you need to adjust your horse's vac-

February 2023

cination or health plan.

Provide a forage-based diet Keep your horse on a high forage diet and ensure it meets their nutritional needs. You should feed your horse based on their age, body weight, physiological state and activity level.

Limited access to long-stemmed forage can cause horses to develop alternative chewing habits such as cribbing or wood chewing. Little forage or large amounts of grain can also increase the risk of colic.

Prolonging the amount of time a horse spends eating forage better mimics natural feeding behavior. When grazing isn't an option there are a couple management practices you can try. Consider feeding horses three to four small meals throughout the day.

Alternatively, you could use restrictive hay feeders, such as slow feed hay nets. When feeding horses a single hay meal (1% body weight in hay), horses spent 6.5 hours eating hay from a slow feed net compared to 3.2 hours when eating off the floor.

Use positive training methods When training a horse, choose a training method that uses positive reinforcement away from abuse or force. Many horse training methods are available. It is your responsibility to choose a method that meets the best interest of you and your horse. Training methods that use negative reinforcement can lead to poor behavior such as bolting and rearing.

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