Revised:  07/17/2008

	General FAQs

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General subjects included in these FAQs:

• FS 370 - Trail Riding Etiquette for Horse Enthusiasts
• FS 525 - The Basics of Equine Behavior
• FS 526 - West Nile Virus in Horses
• FS 656 - Are You "Stressing Out" Your Horse?
• FS 715 - Management of Old Horses
• FS 737 - Questions Regarding Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Horses
• FS 788 - The Horse Industry’s Responsibility to Animal Welfare
• FS 1067 - Metabolic Problems in the Horse: Sorting out the Diagnosis
• FS 1081 - To Blanket or Not To Blanket?

Trail Riding Etiquette for Horse Enthusiasts fs #370

• What safety issues should I be aware of when out on the trail?
• How can I alert the trail administrator of any problems, or make a suggestion?
• How can I keep my horse safe before I hit the trail?
• What are a horse’s normal resting vital signs?
• What are some good ways to be courteous to others when trail riding?
• Is it okay to let my horse drink from streams and other bodies of water?
• Is it okay for me to throw manure from my trailer into the bushes?
• What are the traffic laws that affect horses and automobiles?
• What are the first things I should do when I get home from a trail ride?

The Basics of Equine Behavior fs #525

• How do horses show dominance?
• Are horses color blind?
• Why does a horse get scared on windy days?
• Do horses hear better than humans do?
• What do certain movements of a horse’s leg mean?
• What are some equine facial expressions, and what do they mean?
• What are horses trying to tell us with their ears?
• What are some forms of verbal and non-verbal communication between horses?
• How is a mare that is much older and weaker able to maintain dominance in a herd?
• What happens to a young colt in the wild once it is able to reproduce?
• How do horses show submission?
• What are vices and why do horses develop them?
• What is “cribbing?”
• What is “weaving?”

West Nile Virus in Horses fs #526

• What is West Nile virus?
• How does West Nile virus cycle in nature?
• How do horses contract West Nile virus?
• What is the seasonal progression of West Nile virus?
• Why should horse owners be concerned about West Nile virus?
• How can I tell if my horse is infected with West Nile virus?
• What should I do if I see any West Nile Virus symptoms?
• Is euthanasia of West Nile virus infected horses necessary?
• Will horses and/or farms affected by the virus be quarantined?
• How can I reduce the risk of West Nile virus to my horses?
• Do mosquitoes only bite at dusk and dawn?
• Is there a vaccine for West Nile virus?
• What is the proper method of vaccinating horses for West Nile virus?
• Where can I get more information about West Nile virus?

Are You "Stressing Out" Your Horse? fs #656

• What are some things that stress my horse?
• How do horses cope with stress?
• Why is heat a problem for horses?
• How do I prevent and/or treat heat stress in horses?
• Why is cold weather stressful for horses?
• What does “critical temperature” mean?
• Why is transportation stressful to horses?
• What is “shipping fever?”
• How can I decrease transportation stress?
• Are dietary adjustments necessary before hauling a horse?
• What is oxidative stress, and how does it affect my horse?
• Why are horses prone to ulcers, and what can I do to prevent them?
• What are some signs that a horse is developing ulcers?
• How can I tell if my horse is tying-up?
• How do I decrease stress associated with tying-up?
• How can I minimize stress for my horse overall?

Management of Old Horses fs #715

• At what age is a horse considered “old?”
• How can I make my arthritic horse more comfortable?
• What causes old horses to lose weight?
• How should I feed my old (20+ years) horse?
• How often should an old horse have its teeth checked?
• My horse has difficulty chewing. How can I feed it?
• Should I be concerned about my horse developing pituitary/thyroid tumors?
• How do I manage a horse with pituitary/thyroid tumors?
• How do I feed a horse with kidney failure?
• How do I feed a horse with liver failure?

Questions Regarding Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Horses fs #737

• What is EEE?
• What part of NJ has the greatest number of EEE cases?
• How does EEE strike? What are its symptoms, and how can it be treated?
• Is there a vaccine for EEE?
• Where does EEE come from?
• Does EEE represent a serious health threat to humans?
• Can humans contract EEE directly from horses?
• What is the best method of protecting my horse?
• What is the best method of protecting my family if my horse contracts EEE?
• What should I do if my horse develops symptoms of EEE?

The Horse Industry’s Responsibility to Animal Welfare fs #788

• What is the difference between animal rights activists and an animal welfare group?
• How can equestrians and equine groups address animal rights issues?
• Have equine associations taken any stand on animal welfare or animal rights?

Metabolic Problems in the Horse: Sorting out the Diagnosis fs #1067

• What is insulin resistance in horses?
• What is Cushing's disease in horses?
• What is Metabolic syndrome in horses?
• What is the glycemic index of horse feeds?
• What is hyperinsulinemia in horses?
• How is insulin resistance documented in horses?
• What do I need to know when taking a blood sample to check for glucose and insulin?
• How should I feed my horse with metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance?

To Blanket or Not To Blanket? fs #1081

• When is the right time to blanket my horse?
• What purpose does clipping a horse serve?
• When should I blanket a clipped horse?
• How can I prevent the horse's coat from growing in in winter?
• How do horses keep themselves warm?
• How does one know if a horse should have a blanket?
• Do overweight horses need blanketing? What about thin ones?
• If I blanket my horse, do I need to provide shelter as well?
• How do I know what size blanket my horse needs?
• How do I know what kind of blanket my horse needs?
• How can I tell if my horse is too warm?
• Why does my horse keep ripping his blanket off?
• Do I need to check under the blanket periodically?