Horse Program

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Program Description

The number of horse owners and horses raised in the state of Minnesota is growing annually, as well as the number of leisure farms that are being formed by converting crop fields into pastures for horses. At the same time, horse owners are becoming a very important market for hay producers, and farm and feed stores. The Equine Forage Team and the Horse Program evolved from the increasing demand for information related to horse care and pasture management. It is important that the University helps the fast growing horse industry to evolve in the best way for the horse owners, the horses, and the environment.

Critical aspects of the program include grazing and pasture management, forage feeding and storage, horse nutrition, weed identification and control, soil fertility and manure management and facilities management.

Serving...

• Horse owners

Specific Goals

• Improve horse owner's knowledge of pasture management, horse nutrition, forages, composting, weeds and poisonous plants, fencing, alternative therapies and current hot topics.
• Improve the quality of life of horses raised in Minnesota
• Encourage environmentally responsible horse operations, especially those with pastures
• Enhance sustainability and profitability of horse operations

Members

• Krishona Martinson, Coordinator [info]
• Trevor Ames, College of Vet Med
• Mel Baughman, Content Specialist-Forestry
• Lisa Behnken, Educator [info]
• Brian Buhr, Content Specialist-Economics
• Jodi DeJung-Hughes, Educator
• Ron Del Vecchio, Content Specialist
• Betsy Gilkerson Wieland, Educator [info]
• Marcia Hathaway, Content Specialist
• Joan Howland, Content Specialist-Law
• Kevin Janni, Content Speciast-Engineering
• Phil Larson, Content Specialist
• Christie Malazdrewich, Content Specialist-Students
• Roger Moon, Content Specialist-Entomology
• Paul Peterson, Content Specialist-Forage [info]
• F. Abel Ponce de Leon, Content Specialist-Animal Science
• Craig Shaefer, Content Specialist-Forage
• John Shutske, Content Specialist-Safety/Health
• Jan Swanson, College of Veterinary Medicine
• Stephanie Valberg, Equine Center Director
• Tom Wegner, Educator
• Julia Wilson, Content Specialist-Animal Health

Cooperators

• Equine Discussion Group
• Winona/Rochester Horse Group
• Minnesota Horse Council

What we do...

• Horse Program Web Site
• Economic Value of Horses in Minnesota Report
• Short Publications
• Horse Pasture Management 101
• Horse Expo Curriculum for various horse expos

At a glance:

Horse Program Web Site

Printable Info Sheet