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.

Management

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

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...

Melissa Fery, David Hannaway, Garry Stephenson, Linda Brewer, Scott Duggan | Sep 2019 | OSU Extension Catalog

Managing Small-Acreage Horse Farms in Central and Eastern Oregon

This publication presents a system for managing horses, pastures, and manure that will make your farm safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. It is intended for horse farms from 1 to 10 acres in the high dry regions of eastern and central Oregon.

Garry Stephenson, David Hannaway, Mylen Bohle, Linda Brewer, Peter Schreder, Melissa Fery | Nov 2007 | OSU Extension Catalog

Introduction to Housing for Horses

This publication reviews the basic needs of the horse and discusses the management considerations important to the horse’s comfort and health that need to be met to keep your horse at your home, or board it elsewhere. References providing more detailed information are listed at the end of the article.

C.M. Brady, K.S. Kanne, M.A. Russel | Apr 2018 | Online resource

Breeds, Reproduction & Foaling

Breeds of Livestock: Horses

This site is intended as an educational and informational resource on breeds of livestock throughout the world.

Apr 2018 | Online resource

Cornell University: Cornell Equine Park

The Cornell Equine Park is the "hidden gem" of the College of Veterinary Medicine with 165 acres of green pastures, 62-stall main barn, stallion and broodmare barns, all less than two miles away from the College. The entire facility is a learning lab for DVM students and researchers, with the horses as the teachers.

Apr 2018 | Online resource

Nutrition

How to Feed a Horse: Understanding the Basic Principles of Horse Nutrition

How do you properly feed a horse? With so many feed, supplement and hay choices available, many people find themselves wondering exactly what their horse needs for good health and nutrition. Many horse-feeding opinions and myths make deciding what to feed even more difficult. The law requires commercial horse feed manufacturers to put information concerning their feed on a "feed tag," which is either attached to or printed directly on the bag. This tag provides essential information on what the horse will be eating. However, most horse owners either don't understand or don't take the time to read this information. This publication explains your horse's nutritional needs, common guidelines to observe when feeding your horse and how to determine if your horse's nutritional requirements are being met.

Kylee Jo Duberstein, Edward L. Johnson | Jul 2015 | Online resource

Feeding Alternatives for Horses

A balanced ration for horses should provide nutrients required for body maintenance, growth, reproduction, and work. These nutrients include carbohydrates and fats (energy), protein, vitamins, minerals, and water. Rations will vary with the needs of the horse taking into account there level of activity or production.

Joe B. Johnson | Apr 2018 | Online resource

Basic Horse Nutrition

Knowledge of horse nutrition has grown by leaps and bounds during the last 15 years. Research has become more precise and critically evaluated. But more important, this research has given horse owners greater understanding of nutrition. They are more aware of the basic nutrients required by all classes of horses, than in past years.

Bob Coleman | Apr 2018 | Online resource

Health

Animal Science: Horses

The basic nutritional management for horses should be the same, whether you are feeding a horse to win a 4-H show, a competitive trail ride, or the Kentucky Derby. The ultimate goal in feeding should be to have a healthy horse able to perform in the desired manner.

C.M. Brady, K.S. Kanne, M.A. Russel | Apr 2018 | Online resource

Other Equine Resources

The Horse

This resources offers a vast selection of equine publications, products, and services. Topics such as horse care, diseases and conditions, nutrition, hoof care, lameness, farm and barn, breeding and reproduction, vet and professional, and more.

Apr 2018 | Online resource

April 2018

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Horses

Was this page helpful?

Related Content from OSU Extension

Animals and COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Here is some information on animals and COVID-19 (Coronavirus). It includes the latest research and website resources .

Shelby Filley | Apr 2020 | Article

Pasture Renovation in the Fall

Renovating and reseeding a pasture requires time, money, and a little luck. If you begin the planning process this spring, you’ll save yourself from trying to make hasty last minute decisions in the fall. Non-irrigated, Western...

Melissa Fery | Dec 2009 | Article

Central Oregon farmers, ranchers learn methods to conserve water

The workshops and popular field tours provided the education needed to make the right decisions about livestock grazing and irrigation in order to conserve water, increase forage production and increase profits.

Scott Duggan | Mar 2021 | Impact story

Extension helps get hay to those in need after September wildfires

Nearly 500 tons of hay were distributed throughout the affected areas during the month of October when need was imperative for feeding hungry animals.

Jenifer Cruickshank | Mar 2021 | Impact story

Extension holds free clinics to mitigate overpopulation of wild horses

The tribe has saved a minimum of $27,500 – and most likely more – in veterinarian services and fees and services.

Scott Duggan | Mar 2021 | Impact story

Pastures: Stewarding a Working Landscape

Whether you’re growing hay for market or providing forage for livestock, a healthy pasture maintains soil health, produces high yields, excludes weeds and has a positive impact on the environment. Proper management is key to a...

Gordon Jones | Dec 2020 | OSU Extension Catalog

OSU Extension assists with livestock rescue efforts as Oregonians flee fires

When the fires started raging on Tuesday, OSU Extension employees started preparing barns and other buildings for animals, in addition to sorting through donations of food and water. Since then, they’ve been working day and night.

Chris Branam | Sep 11, 2020 | News story

Keep the compost cooking on the farm this winter

Start an active compost pile in winter, and you could have rich compost to add to your vegetable beds by spring. Livestock farmers can combine used bedding and manure to produce a valuable soil amendment — no matter the time of year.

Melissa Fery | Dec 2007 | Article

Extension 4-H livestock shows adapt to restrictions, deliver for youth

Some shows virtual, using video clips or videoconferencing for showmanship and software for auctions, while others organized in-person events with strict social-distancing rules.

Chris Branam | Aug 7, 2020 | News story

'Heart of a lion': 4-H'er jumps in to rescue Clackamas County animals

Sela Raisl, a senior member of the Fuzzy Squad 4-H Club in Clackamas County, volunteered to help rescue 70-plus animals from a farm that was under threat of wildfire.

Chris Branam | Sep 16, 2020 | News story

When should we stop grazing our pasture?

We have had a horse grazing on our approx. 6 acre field which is normally cut for mixed grass hay. The horse has been on the field since we had it cut and baled into hay this past summer. In general, when is the ...

Shelby Filley | Dec 2019 | Featured question

Animal exposure to wildfire smoke

Wildfires are a common threat at this time of the year, affecting humans as well as animals. This article highlights proper care for animals during and after wildfire smoke exposure.

Juliana Ranches | Sep 2020 | Article

Once the Smoke Clears: A Guide to Safely Start Working and Riding Your Horse

During wildfire events, horses are exposed to smoke and ash. Breathing in ash and particulates can be harmful, and caution should be taken to ensure horses are recovered before working and riding them. This publication provides useful tips and guidelines.

Dawn Sherwood | Sep 2020 | Article

Extension coordinates hay donations to relieve those affected by wildfires

More than 500 tons have been donated and moved around the state through partnerships.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 19, 2020 | News story

Mud and Manure Management Resources for Small Farms

Publications and documents demonstrating the art of Mud and Manure Management for the pastures and forage crop. These contain useful information that are important when managing and producing livestock on pasture.

Mar 2018 | Collection

Services - Producer Organizations

Here are some handy links to organizations important to raising livestock and forages and their products.

Shelby Filley | Aug 2019 | Collection

Hunt Seat and Jumper Manual: Learning to Jump with Your Horse

For 4-H'ers and those with a desire to develop their hunt seat equitation and jumping skills, this manual provides clear drawings and understandable directions. Topics include equipment, training both horse and rider from cavaletti ...

Jun 1995 | OSU Extension Catalog

Parts of a Horse Teaching Aid

Use this worksheet to practice labeling the parts of a horse and hoof. Answers provided on the second page.

Jul 2003 | OSU Extension Catalog

Have a Question? Ask an Expert!

Ask an Expert is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask Us a Question