UMN Equine Extension Program

Friday Funny! Hats off to a great weekend.

Do you know the differences between timothy and foxtail? 🌾🌾

Timothy is a desirable perennial forage with seed heads that lack awns (left).

Foxtail is a weedy, annual grass with awns on the seed heads (right). Awns are bristle-like structures, which can embed into the horse's lips, mouth, gums, and gut when eaten. Foxtail seed heads tend to be a greater problem in hay than pasture since horses cannot easily sort them out.

For more information on foxtail, visit https://extension.umn.edu/horse-pastures-and-facilities/plants-cause-mouth-blisters

The Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition’s (MHWC) mission is to keep Minnesota’s horses safe at home. The MHWC stands with horses and horse owners to provide timely access to resources before circumstances reach a crisis that endangers the well-being of the horse.

The MHWC provides direct assistance to Minnesota horse owners experiencing temporary hardships and faced with competing priorities to maintain their horse or, as a last resort, refer horses to equine welfare and rescue members for rehoming assistance. The MHWC offers micro-grants of up to $500 per horse to help with veterinarian and farrier expenses, castration, feed and hay support, transportation for rehoming, medications, and deworming. If awarded, grants are paid directly to the service provider by the MHWC.

Minnesota horse owners who need help can apply at https://www.minnesotahorsewelfare.org/apply-for-assistance.

Apply for Assistance | Mhwc If you have problems submitting the application or get an error message, please email [email protected]. You may also download this application form to your computer, edit the form, and send it directly to [email protected]. Or you may also print off the form, fill out the....

Recent cases of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Southwest Texas serve as a reminder for horse owners to stay informed about emerging animal health concerns and continue routine wound monitoring and care.

⭐ While important, the situation is not currently urgent in Minnesota ⭐

State agencies and the University of Minnesota (UMN) have interdisciplinary teams monitoring the situation carefully. Key information for Minnesota livestock owners and veterinarians includes:
❄ NWS does not overwinter in Minnesota's climate
🐴 Spread to Minnesota can occur from animals traveling from affected areas
🪰 Identifying and treating a NWS infection early is key to limiting fly numbers
📱 Notify a state animal health official if you suspect NWS
🔬 Suspected flies and larvae will be forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Lab within 24 hours for evaluation

What can horse owners do?
ℹ Stay aware and informed on the ongoing situation.
🔍 Carefully check your horses and other animals for slow-healing or worsening wounds, signs of discomfort, and maggots in wounds or body openings (e.g., navel or v***a), especially if traveling to/from NWS-affected areas.
👩‍⚕️ Contact your veterinarian right away if you suspect NWS.

🌡️🔥 Hot weather can increase the risk of heat stress in horses. Knowing what's normal for your horse — like their typical temperature, heart rate, and behavior — can help you spot early warning signs and take action before things get serious.

Help your horse beat the heat by:
💧 Providing free access to fresh, cool (45 to 65 degrees F) water.
🌳 Making sure horses have access to shade throughout the day.
🧂 Providing free access to salt to promote drinking.
💦 Rapidly cooling hot horses by applying continuous cool water over them.
❌ Limiting trailering or exercising horses if possible.

ℹ https://z.umn.edu/heatandhorses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has provided an important update on New World Screwworm which has been detected in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. Read the full press release here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-presence-new-world-screwworm-united-states

General information about New World Screwworm (NWS) can be found in the text below and in the attached infographic.

The adult screwworm fly is about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger), with orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along its back. It gets its name from the behavior of its larvae (maggots) as they burrow (screw) into the wound, feeding as they go. The maggots (larvae) cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts’ tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can quickly become enlarged and deeper as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue.

Because they feed on live flesh, NWS maggots may burrow deep into wounds or openings, while other species of maggots may appear around the outer surface of the wound. In addition, even the smallest wounds have the potential to attract flies, so it is imperative that you keep a close eye on your animals for any signs of wounds.

Lastly, NWS infestations are a reportable disease! Immediately report any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations to a local accredited veterinarian, your State Animal Health Official, or a USDA veterinarian.

For more information, reference this resource from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

🐴 No one thinks about mud when the ground is dry... but that's exactly the time to prepare! ☀️ Watch our high-traffic pad installation and see how you can get ahead of the next muddy season. 🌱🚜

Constructing a High-Traffic Pad This video demonstrates how to construct a high-traffic pad in a horse dry lot. High-traffic pads are useful for improving drainage in areas prone to water a...

🐴 How do you know when your horse is ready to slow down?

In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Nettie Liburt and Dr. Carey Williams share the moments they knew their horses needed to step back from higher activity levels—and why listening to your horse's voice matters. ❤️

Plus, they share why keeping senior horses moving is so important! 🐎✨ Give it a listen ⬇🎧

Stepping back: The story of when it is time to do less with your horse - Tack Box Talk In this personal episode, Dr. Nettie Liburt and Dr. Carey Williams share their stories of when they knew their horses needed to step back in activity levels. They discuss the importance of truly tuning into your horse, and allowing them to have a ...

🌿🐴 Check out these must-have resources on common harmful plants to horses.

📚 Plants Poisonous or Harmful to Horses in the Midwest Book (2020 edition) - $25
🖼️ Plants Poisonous or Harmful to Horses Poster - $15
🎉 Purchase both for $35 (plus shipping and handling)

For more information, visit 👇
book: z.umn.edu/horsepoisonousplantbook
poster: z.umn.edu/horsepoisonousplantposter