Fox Haven Farm

10/12/2021

Cute as a bug…NOT!

Many people believe that alfalfa is the best hay to feed in winter for warmth, due to the metabolic heat that your horse generates to metabolize the extra protein this grass contains. If you, too, are planning to feed alfalfa this winter, please be aware that your horse could be at risk for potentially deadly blister beetle toxicity — even if you are using alfalfa that has been harvested months or years previously.

"The blister beetle (Epicauta) is highly toxic to sheep and cattle, but primarily to horses," says Dr. Benjamin Espy. "As little as four (4) to six (6) grams of blister beetles can be deadly to a 1100-pound horse. Blister beetles swarm in alfalfa fields and are drawn into bales by accident. Even small parts of these beetles are toxic to a horse, and whole insects need not be present to be dangerous."

There are many representatives of the species Epicauta, so we encourage you to contact a county agricultural agent to familiarize yourself with the poisonous beetles in our area or the geographical region where the hay you purchase is harvested. Be sure to check alfalfa for the presence of blister beetle prior to feeding, especially if you feed alfalfa hay from a new or unknown harvesting source.

If you suspect your horse is showing signs of toxicity, call your veterinarian immediately. While there is no antidote for the toxin found in blister beetles, your veterinarian may still be able to save your horse by providing supportive care to combat dehydration, help evacuate toxins from the gastrointestinal tract and delay potential absorption.

You can read Dr. Espy's article on blister beetle poisoning in full on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/blister-beetle-poisoning

09/28/2021

Fall can be a beautiful time of year for horseback riding; however, frost can negatively impact horse health. Frost damaged pastures can have higher concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates, leading to an increase in the potential for founder and colic, especially in horses diagnosed with or prone to obesity, laminitis, Cushings, and Equine Metabolic Syndrome. To help prevent these health issues, wait up to a week before turning horses back onto a pasture after a killing frost. Subsequent frosts are not a concern as the pasture plants were killed during the first frost.

Why do nonstructural carbohydrates increase during the fall? During the day, plants carry out the process of photosynthesis. In this process, they make carbohydrates as an energy source for the plant. A second process, respiration, is carried out when the plants use up the carbohydrates they produce during the night for energy. Plant respiration slows down when temperatures are near freezing. As a result, the plants hold their carbohydrates overnight. Freezing can stop respiration and lock the carbohydrates in the plant for over a week. Thus, plants tend to contain more carbohydrates in colder temperatures or after a frost. Often, horses will prefer forages after a frost due to the higher carbohydrates levels.

09/02/2021

Fall is right around the corner, and research shows this season brings a higher risk of Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). This is likely due to increased transportation to and from major horse competitions, and also to larger amounts of carrion in the diet of the opossum, the definitive host for the primary EPM-causing parasite in horses (Sarcocystis neurona.)

Efforts towards development of a vaccine for EPM have proven ineffective to this point in time, but there are several things horse owners can do to protect their horses from infection. The list includes good house-keeping practices such as effective rodent control, properly disposing of garbage and carcasses, keeping feed rooms and containers closed and sealed, using feeders rather than feeding directly on the ground, keeping water tanks clean, and maximizing your horse's health and fitness in general.

Consult your veterinarian for more information about EPM prevention and treatment options, and about improving your horse's immune system. To read more about EPM, visit out website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/epm-understanding-debilitating-disease

06/28/2021

Making Horses Last Longer

Some thoughts---
1. Let them grow up outdoors playing in fields..
2. Don’t pressure them at 2 and 3 and 4. Any work should be slow and mild.
3. Keep up on teeth, hooves, shots, worming, vet care.
4. Keep a healthy weight, not skinny, not fat.
5. Make sure they get exercise---(Doesn’t have to be fast and furious)
6. Avoid turning schooling into grinding pressure.
7. If you compete, be aware of risks of the sport, protect your horse.
8. Let them get out in pastures if you can, a minimum of several hours a day.
9. Always have a source of clean water.
10. Back off when things are not just right.
11. Be a horseman or horsewoman, with your first priority the best interests of your horse. If you do this, you are doing about the best you can.

03/17/2021

Raise your hand if you're Patrick, today is all about you! Happy St. Patrick's Day! ☘️🌈💰🐎

01/18/2021

01/06/2021

We regret to hear of the passing of American dressage icon Jane Savoie.

We treasure the knowledge that Jane has shared with us over the years. To read some of her inspiring stories, please see visit http://bit.ly/dt-jane-savoie

📸 This photo of Jane Savoie was taken by Amy K. Dragoo at the 2016 Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic.

12/23/2020

12/15/2020

The sensational dressage horse Totilas, who broke world records and won countless gold medals under Edward Gal, has died aged 20

12/09/2020

It’s happening! The quick road to divorce - lesson 96
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