Equine obesity is common, reducing quality of life and requiring dietary energy restriction. Equine obesity is identified using subjective body condition scoring. Considerations are given for life ...stage and health status when managing obese equines. Every effort should be made to maximize feeding duration, and minimize time spent without feed while meeting all essential nutrient requirements. Limiting total daily dry matter intake to 2% of current bodyweight per day of a low caloric, forage-based diet may result in adequate body weight loss. Weight loss and weight management plans should be monitored for success and potential gastrointestinal, metabolic, and/or behavioral complications.
•An online survey aimed to capture salaries and benefits of equine professionals.•46% of survey respondents received a salary above $50,000.•Salary was associated with respondents’ age, education ...level, and career type.•Academic or government employees received a greater number of benefits.•A similar survey should be conducted every 3 to 5 years for the equine industry.
The equine industry contributes $74 billion and provides 1.3 million jobs annually to the United States economy. However, limited information is available on the current salaries and benefits of equine professionals. In 2022, an online survey was conducted to assess salaries, benefits, and education levels of equine professionals across several career types in the equine industry. The survey consisted of 38 questions with conditional branching and was distributed through social media and e-newsletters. Survey branching focused on grouping participants by career type into the following categories: farm management, government, industry, nonprofit, private practice, and university. The most prevalent career type represented was farm management (34%) followed by private practice (18%), academia (17%), industry (15%), nonprofit (12%), and government (4%). Associations between variables were examined with Chi-squared analysis. An association was observed between education level and salary (P = 0.001, X2 = 103.17) with salaries greater than $50,000 being more prevalent with advanced degrees. Similarly, job type and salary were associated (P = 0.001, X2 = 73.47), where salaries for academia and industry careers were often greater than $50,000 and nonprofit and farm management salaries were more often less or equal to $50,000. Compared to professionals in farm management or in private practice, those in academia and government received more benefits (P<0.05). Data collected from this survey creates a baseline for evaluating compensation across the equine industry and exposed opportunities for improvements in future surveys. Outside of industry salary comparisons, survey data can be used by educators to emphasize the benefit of further education to increase salary and benefits.
•54% of North American respondents indicated blanketing the majority of their horses.•Blanket usage is dependent on discipline, housing, and management decisions.•Inconsistent perceptions of ...blanket-related topics were observed among horse owners.
Blanketing is a highly debated practice utilized in the equine community as part of winter horse management. Despite this, little research is available on the prevalence, reasoning, and management decisions related to use of blankets for horses in North America. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop an understanding of blanketing management practices and beliefs of North American horse owners. A 33-question, branched online survey was developed and available between December 1, 2020 and January 5, 2021 and advertised using social media and e-newsletters. The FREQ procedure for Chi-squared analysis in SAS was used when comparisons were made between participant-reported frequencies. There were 1,450 respondents from North America who completed the survey. Demographic information indicated the majority of respondents were from the Midwest region of the United States (68%); however, geographical region did not impact the frequency of blanket usage (P = .17, X2 = 8.99). When respondents were asked to self-report discipline, recreational riding was the most prevalent (40%). Overall, 54% of respondents (n = 790) reported blanketing the majority of their horses during the winter. The most frequently selected reason respondents chose to blanket horses was exposure to precipitation (78%). Out of the respondents who did not blanket the majority of their horses (n = 660), the primary reason for not blanketing was access to shelter (50%). This survey provides valuable information on blanketing and winter management practices reported by horse caretakers in North America and will help direct future research and education efforts.
Abstract
Reduced lignin alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has the potential to provide a higher-quality forage source for livestock by improving forage digestibility. This study was conducted to evaluate ...apparent digestibility when feeding reduced lignin and nonreduced lignin alfalfa hay to adult horses, and to examine mean fecal particle size (MFPS) and mean retention time (MRT) between alfalfa forage types. In 2017, reduced lignin (“54HVX41”) and nonreduced lignin (“WL355.RR”) alfalfa hay was harvested in Minnesota at the late-bud stage. Alfalfa hays were similar in crude protein (CP; 199 g/kg), neutral detergent fiber (NDF; 433 g/kg), and digestible energy (2.4 Mcal/kg). Acid detergent lignin concentrations were lower for reduced lignin alfalfa hay (74 g/kg) compared to nonreduced lignin alfalfa hay (81 g/kg). Dietary treatments were fed to six adult, stock-type horses in a crossover study. Experimental periods consisted of a 9-d dietary adaptation phase followed by a 5-d total fecal collection phase, during which horses were housed in individual boxstalls and manure was removed on a continuous 24-h basis. At 12-h intervals, feces were thoroughly mixed, subsampled in duplicate, and used for apparent digestibility and MFPS analysis. On day 2 of the fecal collection phase, horses were fed two indigestible markers, cobalt (Co) and ytterbium (Yb), which were fed as Co-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and Yb-labeled NDF residue, respectively. Additional fecal samples were taken at 2-h intervals following marker dosing until 96-h post-dosing to evaluate digesta MRT. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, with statistical significance set at P ≤0.05. Dietary treatment (i.e., alfalfa hay type) was included as a fixed effect, while experimental period and horse were considered random effects. Dietary treatments were similar in dry matter intake (1.6% bodyweight) and time to consumption (7.6 h). Apparent dry matter digestibility (DMD) was greater for reduced lignin alfalfa (64.4%) compared to nonreduced lignin alfalfa (61.7%). Apparent CP and NDF digestibility did not differ between dietary treatments, averaging 78% and 45%, respectively. Dietary treatments were similar in MFPS (0.89 mm) and MRT for both liquid (23.7 h) and solid (27.4 h) phase material. These results indicate an improvement in DMD for reduced lignin alfalfa hay when fed to adult horses, with no change in forage consumption, fecal particle size, or digesta retention time.
Social media are an ever-present part of daily life and for researchers and may be a useful platform to increase potential participant pools for Web-based surveys. Although survey usage to evaluate ...practices in the equine community is not new, the use of social media to advertise and enhance the usage of Web-based surveys is novel. In 2018, the University of Minnesota (UMN) equine Extension program developed and administered two Web-based surveys through the UMN equine Extension Facebook page and monthly e-newsletter. Surveys focused on industry practices and motivating factors behind the usage of hay nets and methods to provide water in the winter to horses. Two thousand eighty-eight participants started the hay net survey with a completion rate of 96%, whereas the winter water survey had a completion rate of 94%, with 930 participants starting the survey. Participant demographics aligned with previous survey populations and represented all regions of the United States. Both surveys revealed information, which described current industry practices as well as future research needs. In addition, participants were asked if scientific research would impact future decision-making in regards to equine management. When exploring hay net practices, most participants responded “maybe” (48%, n = 527), whereas for the winter water survey, the majority responded “yes” (68%, n = 877). Web-based surveys administered through social media present multiple benefits, including savings of both cost and labor, compared with traditional mailed surveys. Despite the success observed with the present surveys, this methodology may not be suitable for organizations with limited social media followers.
•Web-based surveys were successfully used to explore equine management methods.•Surveys had high completion rates with a larger number of participants.•Demographics were similar to previously reported equine industry demographics.•A majority responded positively that scientific research would impact decisions.•Web-based surveys promoted using social media offer benefits over mailed surveys.
•Berseem clover had the lowest herbage mass; other herbage masses were similar.•All forages met or exceeded the energy and crude protein needs of adult horses.•Horses preferred berseem clover while ...turnip and radish were less preferred.•Berseem clover, annual ryegrass, and winter rye can extend the fall grazing season.
Cover crops are commonly used to provide environmental benefits and can extend the grazing season, but have not been explored in horse pastures. The objectives of this research were to evaluate forage mass, forage nutrient composition, and preference of annual ryegrass, winter rye, berseem clover, purple top turnip, and daikon radish under horse grazing. Cover crops were seeded in monoculture and mixtures in August 2018 and 2019 as a randomized complete block with four replicates and grazed by four adult horses. Prior to grazing, forages were sampled to determine herbage and root mass and nutrient composition. After grazing, forages were visually assessed for the percentage of removal on a scale of 0 to 100% to estimate preference. Data was analyzed using an analysis of variance and linear regression; significance was set at P ≤ .05. Berseem clover was the lowest producing forage (590 to 1,869 kg ha−1 dry matter; P ≤.001), while minimal differences in herbage mass were observed among the other cover crops. All forages met digestible energy (>2.17 Mcal kg−1) and crude protein (>19%) requirements for idle, adult horses. Berseem clover was most preferred (>73% removal) while turnip and radish were the least preferred (<19% removal; P ≤.001). Winter rye and annual ryegrass in monoculture and when seeded with berseem clover were moderately preferred (20%–68% removal). Placing a priority on preference, berseem clover, annual ryegrass, and winter rye appear to be suitable cover crops to extend the grazing season in horse pastures.
Adding breed type, height, and neck circumference to body length and girth circumference improves bodyweight (BW) estimation in different breeds of horses; however, equations have not been developed ...for all breed types. The objectives were to develop BW estimation equations for Miniature, saddle-type, and Thoroughbred horses using morphometric measurements. Measurements were collected on adult (≥3 years, nonpregnant) saddle-type (n = 209), adult (n = 249) and juvenile (<3 years, n = 61) Miniatures, and adult Thoroughbreds (n = 100). Personnel determined body condition score (BCS), measured withers height and girth circumference at the third thoracic vertebra, body length from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock and to a line perpendicular to the point of the buttock, and neck circumference at the midway point between the poll and withers. Each horse was weighed using a livestock scale. Bodyweight estimations equations were developed using linear regression modeling and log transformation. Mean (±standard deviation) BCS was 6.1 (±0.8), 5.4 (±0.6), 6.0 (±1.0), and 5.0 (±0.6) for adult and juvenile Miniatures, saddle-type, and Thoroughbreds, respectively. Bodyweight estimation equations developed through the current research were within 4% of the scale BW and offered improvements over previous BW estimation equations and weight tapes, which were off by 5%–25%. Owner-estimated BW was within 8%–15% of scale BW. Morphometric measurements were successfully used to develop BW equations for Miniature, saddle-type, and Thoroughbred horses. The equations will assist owners and professionals with managing horse BW and will be added to the Healthy Horse application.
•Adding breed type and additional body measurements improved bodyweight (BW) estimation.•Miniature, saddle-type, and Thoroughbred horses had a mean body condition score of 5.0–6.1.•Horse owners were within 8%–15% of scale BW when visually estimating bodyweight.•A difference was observed between withers and show height for miniature horses.•Bodyweight estimation equations will be added to the Healthy Horse mobile application.
•Equine mortality composting is effective during spring and fall in Minnesota.•Mostly large bones remained in compost piles after 6 months of composting.•Composting reduced estimated sodium ...pentobarbital quantities.•Physicochemical characteristics of compost were suitable for land application.
Recent changes in rendering availability for chemically-euthanized animals have created a need to explore composting as an equine mortality management method. The objectives of this study were to evaluate equine mortality composting in the Upper Midwest during fall and spring, document sodium pentobarbital concentrations throughout the process, and determine nutrient content of finished compost. During each season, four horses were euthanized by intravenous administration of sodium pentobarbital. Carcasses were positioned at the center of a woodchip and shavings base and covered with a 2:1 mixture of horse stall waste and cattle feedlot waste. Data loggers were placed at 46- and 91cm depths to record pile temperatures every 8 hours. At turning (44–50 days) and trial conclusion (181–216 days), compost piles were sampled for sodium pentobarbital and nutrient composition. Piles contained large bones after 6 months of composting. Sodium pentobarbital remained detectable at trial conclusion (<0.002–1.49 mg kg1 dry matter); however, composting reduced the estimated quantities of sodium pentobarbital by ≥94% (P ≤ .001). Compost from each season met ideal land application values for organic matter (45%–48%), pH (7.3–7.6), and electrical conductivity (3.3–3.4 mm hos cm−1). Low NPK and high C:N ratio (20–30) indicate compost could partially replace synthetic fertilizers when land applied. These findings suggest equine mortality composting is an effective management practice during fall and spring in the Upper Midwest. While remaining sodium pentobarbital residues were minimal, further research is needed to determine environmental implications of composting chemically-euthanized equines.
Goldfish (Carassius auratus) have been reported as a method to keep water tanks clean; however, little information exists on this approach. The objectives were to evaluate the efficacy of goldfish on ...maintaining water quality in tanks and to evaluate the frequency that this method is used. The first objective was completed during June through October 2017 in St. Paul, MN, using plastic and metal 379 L stock tanks, each with and without goldfish in a drylot that housed six adult horses. The stocking rate was 5 goldfish per tank. Daily readings of total dissolved solids (TDS) and water turbidity (NTU), and weekly samples to measure chlorophyll a were taken. At the end of each 28-day period, tanks were cleaned and rotated. Plastic tanks had lower TDS than metal tanks (P < .001); however, metal tanks had lower NTU and chlorophyll a (P ≤ .008). Adding goldfish resulted in lower TDS (P < .001); however, there was no effect on NTU or chlorophyll a (P ≥ .097). No parameters had an impact on horse preference (P ≥ .108). The second objective was completed using an online survey that was open from October 31 until December 15, 2018. Of the 672 completed surveys, 56% had not tried using goldfish in water tanks, 26% had utilized goldfish in the past, and 18% currently used goldfish. The inclusion of goldfish in water tanks did not affect all water quality parameters; however, 44% of survey respondents had tried, or were currently using, this management method.
•Goldfish do not improve water quality parameters except for total dissolved solids.•Metal tanks had lower turbidity and chlorophyll a than plastic tanks.•Total dissolved solids and turbidity increased as water temperature increased.•Frequent cleaning is important, especially in warm months and with plastic tanks.•Fifty six percent of respondents never used fish, 26% used fish before, and 18% currently used fish.
•Surveys were used to assess end-of-life decisions made by owners and veterinarians.•Most respondents were middle aged women with long-term industry involvement.•Respondents preferred chemical ...euthanasia and burial over other methods.•Limited research and knowledge remain barriers to wide acceptance of composting.•Most respondents would be willing to try composting if more research was available.
Challenges associated with burial, rendering, and cremation have forced horse owners to seek alternative mortality disposal methods. While equine mortality composting has been successfully demonstrated, industry-wide adoption has been limited. Therefore, evaluation of horse owners’ and veterinarians’ perceptions and experience with mortality composting is needed. Two surveys were developed to evaluate industry practices and decisive factors regarding equine euthanasia and mortality disposal methods. Each survey was designed for a separate audience: horse owners or veterinarians serving equines. The surveys were advertised as weblinks on relevant Facebook pages, e-newsletters, and email listservs. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate models for associations and factors influencing decisions surrounding composting. The surveys yielded 1,225 and 244 usable responses from horse owners and veterinarians, respectively. Respondent demographics were consistent with previous survey reports for horse owners and veterinarians in the United States with a majority being female between 41 and 60 years of age with long-term industry involvement. Horse owners (86%) and veterinarians (84%) that preferred chemical euthanasia tended to prefer burial (58% and 42%, respectively) over other mortality disposal methods. Only 12% of horse owner respondents had ever tried composting and only 25% of veterinarian respondents had ever recommended composting. Horse owner (47%) and veterinarian (67%) respondents indicated they would be more open to trying and recommending mortality composting if more scientific research were available. Equine mortality composting shows potential as a primary disposal method for the equine industry. Research and educational programs are key to industry-wide acceptance of equine mortality composting.
