Best management practices for horse owners

BROOKINGS — Horse experts from across the nation are heading to South Dakota State University for an educational program designed to provide horse owners and enthusiasts with information on taking care of their horses as well as the land.

“This program is an excellent opportunity for horse owners to learn how to take of their horses while also taking care of their land,” said Rebecca Bott, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Equine Specialist.

The August 16 educational program covers pastures, production and best management practices related to horses. We will be featuring eight experts from five equine programs around the U.S. It will be held in Northern Plains, Room 103 on the campus of SDSU.

The workshop takes place from 8:00 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Pre-registration is requested by Aug. 10, 2014. To register visit iGrow.org. Registration is $20 if done on or before Aug. 10 and $25 after that, including the day of the event. Coffee and donuts will be provided along with a folder of important take-home points from the day.

Program Agenda

8 a.m. Registration

8:15 a.m. Welcome

Session 1: Pastures

8:20 a.m. Strategies for Rotational Grazing, Laura Kenny, Rutgers

8:45 a.m. The Nutritional Benefit of Pastures, Dr. Carey Williams, Rutgers

9:10 a.m. Pasture Associated Nutritional Diseases, Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, Virginia Tech

9:35 a.m. Break

Session 2: Horse Production

9:50 a.m. Responsible Choices in Horse Breeding, presented by Dr. Rebecca Splan, Virginia Tech

10:15 a.m. Nutritional Approaches to Minimizing Nitrogenous Waste and the Application in the Horse Industry, presented by Dr. Sara Tanner, SDSU Equine Instructor

10:40 a.m. break

Session 3: Best Management Practices

10:55 a.m. Manure Management on the Horse Farm, presented by Dr. Erin Cortus, SDSU Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Environmental Quality Engineer

11:20 a.m. Mitigating Mud; BMP for High Traffic Areas, presented by Dr. Betsy Greene, University of Vermont

11:45 a.m. Building & Managing Horse Arenas to Limit Dust, presented by Ann Swinker PhD, Penn State University Extension Horse Specialist

11:45-Noon Evaluations and Closing Remarks

To learn more, contact Rebecca Bott, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Equine Specialist, Rebecca.Bott@sdstate.edu.