Equine

 Survey of needs  

• Sent to all county extension agents related to needs of agents and clientele related to horse ownership.  Results were used to direct agent workgroup in planning.

First Time Horse Owners 

•  Equine Resource Website-A new website had been created by the Equine Agent Workgroup to provide resources for agents and clientele related the horse ownership.  This new site located at http://www.ca.uky.edu/anr/EquineResources.htm and focuses on information for the first time horse owner and is useful for individuals who are thinking about buying their first horse. 

Basic Horsemanship Clinic

• Two day clinic planned for fall 2010ith

Trail Ride

• Trail Ride resources were located and linked to ANR page.
•  “Trail Riding Etiquette for Horse Enthusiasts” publication from Rutgers Extension Service is being updated with Kentucky information and regulations on trailering horse will be added

Horse Calendar

• A calendar with monthly best management practices is being developed and will be distributed to horse owners across the state. (Like the Beef Calendar)

Body Conditioning Scoring of Horses In-service Training

• Plans for this fall and locations in Lexington, Crittenden County and in the Eastern region.

Publication Revision Update

• Fernanda Camargo is working on publications related to health.
• Bob Coleman is working with other specialist to separate the Establishing and Managing Horse Pastures publication into four publications for easier use. 
•   Horse Body Conditioning publication will be updated.
• Other publications for future development are related to topics in the Horse College and topics that were suggested by agents who participated in the Horse College.

Horse Safety

• Fernanda Carmargo is working with  UK HealthCare partnership related to Horse Safety called Saddle Up Safely .org  http://www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/saddleup/
• Horse Safety Booklet and the new Horse Transmitted Disease Booklet could be ordered by going to the website. 
• Blog located at  http://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/forums/blogs/saddleupsafely/default.aspx

Other efforts  (Pasture Working Group related to needs of Equine Agent Workgroup)

• Hay Sampling Kits-Kits have prepared for each extension district for agents to use in educational programs related to forage.
• Pasture Evaluation Management- This comprehensive assessment of horse pastures is now state wide.  The assessment includes soil type and soil productivity, types and ratios of grasses and weeds present in each pasture, an estimation of forage (food) available, and a laboratory evaluation of endophyte, and associated levels of ergovaline. 
• Equine Farm and Facilities Expo- Expo was held June 1.  Featuring local horse equipment and supply businesses in addition to the tour and demonstrations.
•  Pasture Please-District 4 ANR agents have hosted program for horse owners for three consecutive years.

Contact:

Dr. Gary Palmer, gary.palmer@uky.edu