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2006 Horse
Management Seminar |
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Highlights of the 2006 Horse Management Seminar
By Sara Malone, Graduate Student in Animal Science, School of
Environmental and Biological Sciences
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – On February 11, 2006, members of the New Jersey
equine community met on Cook Campus at Rutgers, The State University of New
Jersey to attend the Annual Horse Management Seminar titled: “So You Want to
Breed Your Horse?” Those who attended gained invaluable insight into the
world of horse breeding from the professional perspective.
Economics of Breeding Your Own Horse – Dr. Gail Hoff-Carmona
The emotional aspect of owning and raising your horses’ offspring is hard to
put into perspective, but Dr. Gail Hoff-Carmona, of Los Alamos Dressage
Center, now located in Ventura, CA, presented some facts and figures that
might make the most dedicated horse owners think twice before breeding their
mares. She introduced the break-even point: the amount of money that a
yearling must sell for in order to make back the money put into it. Anything
beyond this break-even point is profit. Even if a breeder pays no stud fee
and uses its own mare, the break-even point is likely to start around
$10,000. When one considers that not many yearlings actually sell for
$10,000, and that for the average race yearling, the break-even jumps to
over $20,000, potential breeders are faced with some important food for
thought.
Getting Ready for Foaling – Dr. Dan Keenan
“The Pregnant Mare: From Conception to Birth” was the title of an overview
of fetal development and pregnancy given by Dr. Dan Keenan from Keenan
McAlister Equine, Bordentown, NJ. Individuals who were prepared to face the
reality of the break-even point were given a step-by-step guide of what to
expect from their mares. The chances and causes of pregnancy loss were
discussed as well as vaccines necessary for the pregnant mare and when they
should be administered. Alternatives to foaling at home and the proper
stocking of a foaling kit were final additions to the comprehensive talk.
Breeding Options – Dr. Dean Neely
New technology is opening up the world of breeding. Dr. Dean Neely, of the
Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, Ringoes, NJ, offered a look at exciting
alternatives to traditional methods of horse breeding. His seminar presented
new options for breeders dealing with mares with poor conception rates or
stallions that have poor fertility. Many of the processes are still in the
experimental stage. However, most have produced viable offspring and are
anticipated to aid the horse industry as they become more readily available
to horse breeders.
Broodmare and Foal Health – Dr. David Marshall
Dr. David Marshall, Assistant Professor and Equine Extension
Veterinarian at the University of Delaware, provided a step-by-step guide to
foaling. He outlined the ideal birth scenario and let breeders know what to
expect. He also pointed out potential problems with the birth and how to
address them. All who attended the seminar were instructed to look for
common causes of problems before assuming their foals had contracted a rare
disease or their mare has a freak pregnancy. He also outlined what should be
done for the mare and foal after birth, as well as foal first aid for an
emergency situation.
Broodmare Nutrition – Dr. Carey Williams
Dr. Carey Williams, Assistant Professor in Animal Science and Equine
Extension Specialist at Rutgers, presented “Eating for Two” which outlined a
broodmare’s nutritional requirements. Members of the audience embraced the
opportunity to learn what their broodmares should be eating, as well as the
chance to ask specific questions related to their individual horses. Body
condition scoring was discussed as a method of evaluating the mare’s
condition, and the consequences of breeding an obese or thin mare were
described. The specific requirements of the mare during the first, second
and third trimester were discussed as well as requirements for early and
late lactation. Nutritional management of the mare in stressful situations
and toxic vegetation were also highlighted.
Management of Foals – Dr. Sarah Ralston
Dr. Sarah Ralston, VMD, Ph.D., dACVN, Associate Professor in Animal Science
at Rutgers, provided insight into the nutrition of the new foal starting
with Day 1, where colostrum is the only nutrient required, to a weanling
that is growing rapidly without the aid of mare’s milk. Dr. Ralston pointed
out several growth and developmental problems in the young horse that could
be caused - and managed - by nutrition, such as limb deformities,
epiphysitis (inflammation of the growth plates), orthopedic disease, and
hyperinsulinemia (high blood insulin levels). |
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