Tack Box Talk

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Michelle DeBoer, first time guest to the program, and assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls shares the data she has collected on the effects of blanketing on hay intake, body weight and hair length.  We also discuss the age old question - do they really need blankets?  And we tackle a bit of question - do they really want to have blankets on!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we visit with, Ruth Hogan-Poulsen, coach, trainer and choreographer for horses!  We discuss musical freestyle or setting dressage to music.  Horses of all levels can now compete in this fun toe tapping event, even the western horses. Ruth also shares how music can influence horses and change your ride.  There is a whole lot more to choreography for horses than just...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Betsy Greene, University of Arizona, and Dr. Sara Mastellar, Ohio State ATI, remind horse owners the importance of knowing normal data on your horse, and practicing your observation skills.  They discuss health checks from head to tail.  Plus we learn a fun word of the day - borborygmi! Knowing normal

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Leticia Fanucchi, DVM, PhD, a veterinary behavior service clinician, at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, explains what exactly a behaviorist is, and when your horse may need to see one!  Often associated more with companion animals, veterinary behaviorists may be the answer when a horse has behavioral issues beyond that of just lack of training or bein...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Dr. Rod Hall, state veterinarian for Oklahoma, discusses how the new FDA guidelines around antibiotic usage will affect horse owners.  Going fully online in June,  the time is now to develop a VCPR.  Dr. Hall explains exactly what that entails, and delves into the current veterinary shortage. Wisconsin summary of law

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Nettie Liburt updates the health condition of her perennial problem child ET with a new disorder - subepiglottic ulcers.  If you've never heard of this particular disorder, tune in so you can learn what you are missing out on! https://www.ivis.org/library/aaep/aaep-annual-convention-new-orleans-2003/how-to-evaluate-and-treat-ulceration-of-glosso   https://thehorse.com/152...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Krishona Martinson, University of Minnesota Equine Extension Specialist, and Dr. Lena Luck, University of Nebraska Equine Youth Extension Specialist, discuss their research into the practicality and benefits of equine composting. While owners never want to say goodbye, composting can be an easy low cost way to handle remains, while creating a product that can keep their horses...

Send us Fan Mail This past summer recorded severe drought across much of the country, combined with high fuel and fertilizer prices. What hay may be available will certainly cost more. Owners may want to stretch their hay supply by using forage products or forage alternatives.  University of Georgia's Extension system, Agriculture and Natural Resources educator, Robyn Stewart walks us through...

Send us Fan Mail Breana Kiser of North Dakota State Extension, and Jessie Hadfield, of Utah State University Extension, share the innovative youth programs they have led to foster interest in the next generation of horse enthusiasts.  We talk about how volunteers can get involved, and share resources to provide adult leaders with assistance in educating young people.  So if you have thought of giv...

Send us Fan Mail As the leaves begin to turn color and the ponies start to get fuzzy, it is time for horse owners to think about winter preparation. Dr. Bob Coleman, from the University of Kentucky,  outlines what you should be doing to not get caught in the cold!

Send us Fan Mail Laura Kenney, a member of the Equine Extension Team at Penn State University, joins us to discuss practical strategies to keep pastures alive during droughts and floods. We discuss how to handle weeds that still seem to survive and thrive, the potential use of cover crops, and how to approach renovation if needed. For more information on pasture management, enroll in Managing Past...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Carey Williams of Rutgers University joins us for the finale of our supplement series.  We talk about how horse owners can better do their own research, great websites and resources in helping horse owners to make decisions, and do some fun impromptu math! Does my horse need a supplement: By Dr. Carey Williams Rate my horse supplement Don't forget to rate our podcast!  An...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Dianne McFarlane, department head of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida, and expert in aging, shares some tips and tricks to keep the old horses feeling young.  As proper care can greatly extend the useful lifespan of a horse, there is no idea to "send them out to pasture" too soon. 

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Randy Raub, Director of nutrition and research for Kent Feeds, joins us to talk about what goes into a horse feed, and why certain ingredients are included.  Why do we feed soybean meal, what the heck are wheat midds, and why feathers aren’t for horses!

Send us Fan Mail Lissa Pohl, owner of The Engagement Quotient, a company which creates leadership skills in humans through the use of horses, clears up all of the terminology related to the use of horses in aiding humans.  She is a member of a working group which created a document to clarify and define the various terms.  So what is in versus what is out?  Equine assisted services – EAS, versus e...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Bob Coleman, from the University of Kentucky, shares some practical tips for horse owners facing some budget squeezes on their feed bill.  We talk about being honest about your feeding program, really knowing what you are providing, and some alternatives if hay is in short supply. For more information: Alternative Feedstuffs Forage substitutes for horses

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Jennie Ivey, Equine Extension Specialist at the University of Tennessee, shares the real story of how a simple research project resulted in a disease outbreak.  Dr. Ivey was studying best practices of refeeding starved horses and took on a bit more than she bet on for this project, when horses they had purchased at auction succumbed to three diseases all at once. Learn how to...

Send us Fan Mail Abby Schuft, extension educator and PhD candidate in Animal Biosecurity from the University of Minnesota, shares her real story of working for an American Saddlebred show barn when disaster struck.  Abby's recounts the days events and lessons learned from every horse owner's worst nightmare. For more information on barn fire prevention: Fire Safety in Horse Stables - Pen...

Send us Fan Mail In a continuation of our stories of barn fire prevention, Assistant Fire Chief James Kanavy shares insights in what his 41 years of fire service in the heart of horse country has taught. We discuss best practices for choosing bucket heaters, extension cords and even light bulbs!  We talk a bit of horse behavior, and why you should probably leave the barn door closed. This is inval...

Send us Fan Mail In the third installment of our supplement series, Dr. Carey Williams shares her deep knowledge of her specialty - anti-oxidants.  We learn what exactly constitutes an anti-oxidant, what components of feed act as anti-oxidants, and how to choose the right one for your horse. We even get pretty detailed on amounts and needs for specific  horses! Does my horse need a supplement: By...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Carissa Wickens, Equine Extension specialist at the University of Florida, and Brittani Kirkland, a member of the Penn State Equine Extension Team, provide tips on preventing major catastrophes.  We talk about common sources of danger including heaters, fans, dust and yes, even hay.  These practical tips are ones you are going to want to make as part of your spring cleaning. F...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Carey Williams from Rutgers University rejoins us for part 2 in our equine supplement series.  In this episode we get into the details of which types of supplements have the data behind them to help your horses joints, GI tract and nerves.  The best horse owner is an educated consumer and we try to help you sort out the facts! For more information: Does my horse need a supplem...

Send us Fan Mail We visit with Dr. Bob Coleman, of the University of Kentucky, about his collection of over 490 bits!  We talk basic bit function and design, dabble in some horse training and discuss how the rider may make a big influence on whether the bit work or not. And don't forget the importance of putting it on correctly!

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Carey Williams of Rutgers University and well known speaker on all things supplements, shares her advice on deciding whether or not your  horse even needs a supplement.  In part 1 of a series, we talk the basics of when they might be warranted on how to choose the best product for your horse. Does my horse need a supplement: By Dr. Carey Williams

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Saundra Tenbroek, of the University of Florida, shares tips on handling the spring breeding  season.  We take a bit of a dive into hormones, share some odd stallion quirks and decides when it works to breed on foal heat.  Plus, the very important need for Casanova stallions. For more information and articles on breeding management, click below: Breeding