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The Importance of All-Day Forage: Why Horses Thrive on Continuous Grazing
One of the most critical aspects of horse care is providing them with proper nutrition. Among the various components of a horse’s diet, forage stands out as a cornerstone. In this article, we will delve into the reasons why horses require all-day forage and how it contributes to their overall well-being. Please note there are many ways you can provide all-day forage, such as slow feeders, if you are concerned about the rate at which your horse eats the hay or potential hay waste. Mimicking Natural Behavior: Horses are natural grazers. In the wild, they spend a significant portion of their day grazing on grasses and plants. This behavior is…
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Facility Management, Horse Breeding, Horse Care, Horse Feed & Nutrition, Horse Health, Horse Ownership in Colorado
Locoweed and Horses: A Toxic Combo
Locoweed, also known as crazyweed, is a type of plant that belongs to the pea family (Fabaceae) and is native to North and Central America. It is known for its toxic properties, which can cause serious health issues in livestock and wildlife that consume it. Locoweed contains toxic alkaloids, such as swainsonine and selenium, which can cause a range of symptoms in animals that ingest it, including neurological, reproductive, and digestive problems. The plant is commonly found in rangelands and pastures, and can be ingested by grazing animals, such as cattle, horses, and sheep, when other forage is scarce. The toxic effects of locoweed can vary depending on the species…
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Barn Thefts in Colorado
The Barn Bandits have been VERY active this year. Breaking into people’s vehicles at boarding facilities, stealing purses and valuables, and immediately going to Walmart or nearby stores to buy whatever they can with credit cards. They have been hitting barns all over the front range. We spoke to Deputy Jason Blanchard from the Douglas County Sheriff Community Resources/Crime Prevention Unit for some insight: the truth is that the general public thinks equestrians have money, which makes barns a likely target. Especially active boarding/training barns. But don’t consider yourself safe if you keep your horses at home either, because you are still a target. Deputy Blanchard reviewed, agreed with, and…
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Easy and Secure Grain Storage for Multiple Types or Bags of Grain
I see people asking how to store multiple bags of grain securely for their horses all the time. As with everything horse, everyone has an opinion… but this is what I do for my grain storage! I use a contractor job site box so I can have multiple grain bags and types, without multiple containers, and they stay protected. This way I can feed right out of the grain bag and never have old grain at the bottom I need to worry about using up before I can get new grain (like if Murdoch’s is having a sale and I want to buy grain now!). The particular model I have can…
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The 2023 Farm Bill
Every five years, Congress passes legislation that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy, commonly referred to as the “Farm Bill”. The Committee formally kicked off its process for the 2023 Farm Bill with field hearings in both Michigan and Arkansas in 2022. Hearings continued in November and December of 2022, and will continue throughout the early parts of 2023. The Committee invites ideas and proposals for the 2023 Farm Bill, as well as feedback about the 2018 Farm Bill. Submissions are welcomed via this form or emailing FarmBill2023@ag.senate.gov. The measure we commonly call the “farm bill” is the single most important piece of legislation for improving the quality of life…
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Foxtail and Horses in Colorado
You may have heard about foxtail and that it poses a danger to horses. But did you know it can actually get embedded in their mouth needing veterinary removal? It even poses dangers to dogs and other outdoor pets, and can get embedded in their paws. First, what is Foxtail? Foxtail Barley (hordeum jubatum) is a showy short-lived native perennial cool-season bunchgrass that belongs to the grass tribe Triticeae. This plant ranges in height from one to three feet tall at maturity. Livestock can safely graze foxtail barley prior to seed development. Once the seeds develop, livestock and other animals should no longer have access, as the seeds form awns…
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Tips for Taking care of your Horses and Equines with -50°F Temperatures
If you haven’t seen yet, Wednesday night through Friday morning, we are supposed to get a MAJOR freeze event in Colorado. They are predicting -12°F as the high in places with a -50°F windchill. This means exposed skin (human and horse alike) can get frostbite in as little as 5 minutes. Not to mention our normal concerns for colic during these drastic weather changes. Important things to consider for your horse and equine friends: Some tips for humans during this cold snap: Thanks to Dr. Kieran Smith from Vetwerx Equine South for providing some of these helpful tips for our horses and equines! If you have other recommendations, be sure…
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USDA warning: Colorado firm’s alfalfa cubes may kill horses
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — State and federal officials are warning horse owners not to feed their animals Top of the Rockies brand alfalfa cubes after nearly 100 horses developed neurologic illnesses — 45 of which have died or been euthanized. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the warning Saturday. The agency said it’s working with state agriculture departments in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas to investigate the horse deaths. Manzanola Feeds of Manzanola, Colorado, recalled the cubes Friday. The company warns that certain batches may contain bacteria that cause botulism, a fatal paralytic disease. The FDA said more testing is ongoing to confirm the causes of reported illnesses. The company…
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Holiday Tree Permits Available for BLM Land
If you are looking for a Christmas or Holiday tree for your farm or ranch, consider cutting your own tree from BLM lands! CAÑON CITY, Colo. – This holiday season, permits are available for cutting trees on Bureau of Land Management public lands in the San Luis Valley and Royal Gorge field offices through Dec. 24, 2022. Permits may now be purchased online for either office, and maps of permissible cutting areas are available for those who wish to plan their trip in advance. Interactive BLM Colorado forest product harvest map:https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/29ee86323b784c7b81734c516ddb54e9/ San Luis ValleyPermits may be purchased for $10 per tree at the BLM field office in Monte Vista, Monday through…
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Tips to Beat the Wind in Colorado for Horse and Equine Owners
If you have been in Colorado for a little while, you will surely have experienced one of our *delightful* windy days. Gusts up to 100mph at times. This poses some problems for us horse, equine, and livestock owners. Here are just a few ways to make life easier in these extreme wind events.
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