Horses

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Livestock webinar series for farmers

Join us for a monthly livestock webinar series hosted by the OSU Extension Service Small Farms Program. Read more...

A Horse Owner’s Guide to Pasture-associated Laminitis

By Scott Duggan and Troy Downing

The key to preventing laminitis in your horses is to regulate their time grazing on grass high in nonstructural carbohydrates. Inadequate exercise is another cause of this painful hoof condition.

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Photo Credit: Bob - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Featured Resources

Tips for livestock care in high temperatures

When a heat wave hits, don't forget that livestock need help to cope with the high temperatures too. Here are five things you can do to help livestock stay cool.

Jenifer Cruickshank | Jun 2021 | Article

Once the smoke clears: A guide to safely start working and riding your horse after wildfire

Wildfire smoke exposes horses to harmful particles in the air. Make sure your horses are recovered before working and riding them.

Dawn Sherwood | Sep 2020 | Article

Horse Resources for Small Farms

This page is designed for the horse owner. Topics in this collection include: Management, breeds, reproduction, foaling, nutrition, health, and other equine resources.

Apr 2018 | Collection

Latest Resources

Managing Hypochaeris Radicata may prevent Stringhalt Disease in horses

A debilitating condition in horses called stringhalt may be associated with Hypochaeris radicata, also known as false dandelion, flatweed, common catsear or summer dandelion. This invasive species is common in pastures throughout Oregon.

Melissa Fery | Jun 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Horse Owner's Guide to Buying Hay

Horse owners must know how to evaluate and buy good-quality hay. Learn about the horse's digestive system, nutrient requirements and hay evaluation methods.

Gordon B. Jones, Scott Duggan, Melissa Fery, David Hannaway | Mar 2024 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Understanding Sugar and Nonstructural Carbohydrates in Equine Pasture and Hay

High concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates in forages can cause health problems for some horses and other domesticated equines like ponies, donkeys, and mules. Learn about the role, levels and management options of NSC in forage plants for limiting NSC intake in horses.

Gordon B. Jones, Shayan Motazedi Ghajar, Scott Duggan, Melissa Fery | Nov 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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Managing Small-Acreage Horse Farms in Western Oregon and Western Washington

By Melissa Fery David B. Hannaway Garry Stephenson Linda J. Brewer and Scott Duggan

Horses, grass, manure, soil and water are all interconnected. How you manage one affects the others. Following these seven steps can make your horse farm safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Learn more about horse grazing habits, pasture rotation, weed control, manure management, buffer strips, rain gutters and well water protection.

Also see a similar publication for Central and Eastern Oregon.

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Photo Credit: Bob - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest News

4-H’ers lead tour of miniature horse farm to the delight of visiting seniors

Residents of The Springs at Sherwood got a tour of VFM Miniature Horse Farm in Hillsboro and were treated to demonstrations by members of the Mini Express 4-H Club.

Chris Branam | Dec 13, 2024 | News story

Extension draws attention to discounted Coggins exams in Warm Springs

Each spring, Oregon State University Extension collaborates with USDA-APHIS and Warm Springs Range and Agriculture Department to offer low-cost Coggins testing and vaccinations for horses in the Warm Springs community.

Scott Duggan | Aug 2023 | Impact story

Clackamas 4-H volunteer’s compassion leads to donation in her name

The Clackamas 4-H Horse Advisory Board recently voted to use the $750 donation made in Shirley Byrne's name to pay for all of the members’ pre-fair entry fees.

Chris Branam | Mar 1, 2022 | News story

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4-H Resources

The PNW 4-H Horse Contest Guide

The definitive compilation of rules for 4-H horse contests in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, including General Rules, Clothing and Equipment, Contest Guidelines, Performance Guidelines, Driving, Ground Training, Western ...

PNW 4-H Horse Management Team | Oct 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

4-H Horse Project

This is a basic resource for 4-H members doing a horse project in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Book sections cover horse breeds, psychology, and how to choose a horse; the horse's health, care, and management;...

PNW 4-H Horse Management Team | Apr 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Oregon 4-H Horse Advancement Program

The Horse Advancement Program guide consists of a series of steps that allows 4-H members to set personal goals and learn at their own speed. Click the "view it now" button to view or download the entire ...

Pam Lundeberg, Roberta Lundeberg | Sep 2017 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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Upcoming Events

Jan 29

Livestock Webinar: Buying and Selecting Livestock

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm PST Online

Feb 25

Central Oregon Forage Seminar

8:00 am - 4:30 pm Prineville, OR

Feb 25

Livestock Webinar: Managing Mud and Manure on Your Farm

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm PST Online

Mar 7

QPR Training - Saving Lives in Agriculture (in English)

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm PST Online

Meet Our Experts

Candi Bothum

State 4-H Animal Science Coordinator, 4-H Youth Development

Scott Duggan

Livestock

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