Rosemary Farm LLC

07/17/2025

🌧 Rained-On Hay: Is It Still Good for Horses? 🐴

Lately, many horse owners and hay suppliers have been battling rain while making hay. Don’t be too quick to write off hay that was rained on in the field, dried, and then baled — it may still be suitable forage for horses.

The quality of rained-on hay depends on a few key factors. Forage quality tends to be greatest if:
✅ Rain fell soon after cutting, before much drying occurred;
✅ It was a single rain event, not prolonged or lasting several days;
✅ Rain was intense but short, rather than long and light; and
✅ The hay hasn’t been rewetted multiple times

Interestingly, rained-on hay often has reduced carbohydrate content and may be a safer choice for horses prone to laminitis or metabolic disorders.

As always, we recommend testing hay for its nutrient content, which can be especially helpful when determining the quality of rained-on hay. 🌾🔬

How to sample hay ⬇️ 🎥
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJMyvYyYZekr

Learn more about rained-on hay ⬇️🌐
extension.umn.edu/horse-nutrition/rained-hay

06/24/2025

4-H Fun show updates! Pizza 🍕sponsored by RE/MAX Results-Sold by Schluter 👋

The Dakota County horse project is hosting the annual Fun Show for all horse, horseless horse, and Cloverbud horse members! The event will be held on Thursday, July 10, at the Dakota County Fairgrounds arena, 4008 220th St W, Farmington. The cost is $5 per horse and rider combination, paid on-site at sign-in.

Registration/sign-in will begin at 5:30 p.m., near the announcer’s stand. Participants must bring their fee, helmet, and proof of negative Coggins test to receive the registration materials. Individual class registration will be done at this time.

Classes offered are listed here and will begin promptly at 6 p.m. with Coverbud showmanship. Dress is casual, however, riders must wear long pants, long sleeved shirts. boots, and helmet.

Due to the event start time, and thanks to a generous donation by RE/MAX Results - Sold by Schluter, pizza will be provided for all riders at 5:15 p.m. Youth participants will make choices in the 4HOnline sign-up by July 7.

06/14/2025

Curious About Horse Judging? What Makes a Great Horse?
Whether you're thinking about buying a horse, want to sharpen your judging skills, or just love learning about horses — the Equine Evaluation Clinic is the perfect place to start!

Held on Wednesday, June 24, 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Betzold farm at 1920 220th St., Farmington, the cost is $5 per enrolled 4-H’er. Families are welcome to stay, listen and learn.

In this hands-on clinic, youth will work with real horses as we explore what good conformation, muscling, and structural correctness look like. You'll learn how to evaluate horses from the ground, identify key parts and markings, and take part in a 4-H horse judging class — no riding involved!

Led by Arabella O, a dedicated 4-H’er and current college student with over 5 years of horse evaluation experience, this clinic is a fun and friendly way to build your knowledge and confidence around horses.

No horse needed — just bring your curiosity, a helmet, and a willingness to learn!

Sign up today in 4-H Online to reserve your spot and gain lifelong skills that every horse lover should know!

04/28/2025

Well, that’s how they do it in all those movies!!

03/05/2025

It’s a snow on eyelashes kind of a day ❄️

02/06/2025

Looking for something to do Feb 22nd???

01/30/2025

This is nuts! Horses or ponies typically don’t make it on 3 legs & especially without medical care. Bullet fragments in the front leg too? Wow! Just wow!

Update on the little 3-legged stallion (now named Lt. Dan): Today he was sedated, radiographed, and his leg stump was bandaged for protection after a cast was made of it to make a simple prosthetic. He also had blood pulled for a general workup and Coggin's testing. The big news to come out of today's exam is the fact that he has bullet fragments in one of his front legs (seen on radiographs). This little guy is truly a survivor! Thank you so much to everyone at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services for taking such an interest in Lt. Dan's case and helping to make sure he receives what he needs with their excellent care. His comfort is our main concern and so far he seems to be doing quite well. Dan also had a halter lesson and he stood nicely for some much-needed grooming.

Dan's care won't be cheap, but this little fighter has made it so far already and we want to give him every chance. If you would like to help out on this journey, donations are greatly appreciated!

Donate through PayPal https://paypal.me/MHARF?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US

Donate with Credit Card https://checkout.square.site/merchant/WJQ4997459ZG8/checkout/34DZIGKIR6MKIBU63OSSCTPY

Donate with Venmo @ minnesotahoovedanimalrescue

Donate by personal check to MHARF, PO Box 47, Zimmerman, MN 55398.

Thank you!

01/23/2025

Ever wish you had a horse? Are you interested in learning more about horses? Join the 4-H Horseless Horse Round Up to explore more about horses (no horse needed!). This virtual series is open to all youth in grades 3 and up. We will meet weekly to dive into a new topic with activities, speakers and more! To learn more, go to z.umn.edu/HLHRoundUp by February 1.

12/19/2024

Holiday cheer can lead to unexpected disaster in horse barns. Identifying fire hazards can help keep you and your horses safe this season.

🔥 Reconsider stringing lights in the barn. String lights can present a fire risk when they don't meet specific safety standards or are left on for long periods of time, susceptible to damage (e.g., rodent chewing), used with extension cords, or strung near flammable sources (e.g., hay, bedding). Additionally, leaving lights or cords within reach of horses can increase the risk of electrocution.

🎄 Say no to holiday trees in the barn. Holiday trees are highly flammable, especially once the needles dry and begin falling off. Instead, consider decorating a live tree elsewhere on your property.

Be mindful of other winter-related fire risks in the barn.

🪣 Heated buckets: always unplug heated buckets when they are empty or not in use. When not filled with water, heated buckets can overheat and start a fire.

⚠️ Heat lamps and space heaters: avoid using heat sources near flammable materials such as hay or bedding. These heating elements are often unprotected and produce enough heat that, on contact, can start materials on fire if they fall or tip over.

🔌 Extension cords: you should always limit extension cords to short-term use. When using an extension cord, make sure it is appropriate for the job. Check the type (indoor or outdoor), wattage rating, physical condition, and proof of independent laboratory testing. Never drive vehicles or equipment over cords.

When in doubt, work with a professional electrician to make sure the wiring in your barn is up to code such as having ground fault circuit breakers, which can greatly reduce the risk of fire.

12/09/2024

See other people run with their ponies too. 😀 Tango could almost do this except he’s too tall!

11/03/2024

Dang 👏👏

🎪 The Greatest Showman! 🎪

10/16/2024

❄🐴🌾 Is it safe to graze horses after a hard freeze? What do I need to consider before turning them back out on pasture? Also, what defines a hard freeze?

🌡 A hard freeze refers to a frost that is severe enough to end the growing season. The National Weather Service defines a hard freeze when temperatures fall below 28ºF for a few hours. Cool-season grasses commonly found in Midwest horse pastures go into dormancy for winter and conserve their energy stores (starches and sugars) following a hard freeze.

❄️ We recommend keeping horses off pastures for at least 7 days after a hard freeze. Frost-damaged pastures are higher in nonstructural carbohydrates (starches and sugars) because plants can not use up their energy stores as efficiently. It can take plants 7 days to return to more normal nonstructural carbohydrate levels. Higher levels of nonstructural carbohydrates can lead to an increase risk for laminitis, especially in horses diagnosed with or prone to obesity, laminitis, Cushings, and Equine Metabolic Syndrome.

The decision to graze again after a hard freeze depends on the condition of your pasture. After a hard freeze, no additional regrowth of the pasture will occur, even though the pasture might appear green in color. If your cool-season grass pasture is

✅ taller than 3 to 4 inches, then grazing can resume 7 days after a hard freeze and can continue until the pasture is grazed down to 3 to 4 inches.
❌ shorter than 3 to 4 inches, then no grazing should occur after a hard freeze. Grazing below 3 inches can harm the plant and may be a health concern for horses sensitive to nonstructural carbohydrates.

🌾 Plants rely on stored nonstructural carbohydrates in the lower 3 inches for energy. Therefore, the 3- to 4-inch minimum height recommendation is necessary to help maximize winter survival and can help predict a vigorous and healthy pasture come spring. We do recognize horses rarely graze uniformly and pastures tend to have areas of both over and under grazing. You will need to base decisions on the average appearance of your pasture