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Increasing education and awareness of the unwanted horse issue affects student opinion of horse slaughter
Abstracts / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33 (2013) 321-399
treated mares on Days 5 and 7. Progesterone concentrations in these mares declined markedly 24h after foetal death (14.3 to 6.7 ng/ml; 5.9 to 3.3 ng/ml). However the cervix in these mares remained closed for a further 15 and 8 days respectively, until progesterone concentrations reached 2.0 and 0.9 ng/ml. Endocrine results indicate that PC have a direct effect on the feto-placental unit with steroid levels (progesterone and oestrogens) declining as a consequence
377
of fetal compromise, often within 24h. The results suggest no disruption to the endocrine support for pregnancy prior to foetal death.
Reference [1] Cawdell-Smith AJ, et al. Equine Vet J 2012;44:282-8.
Teaching and Extension: Posters Increasing education and awareness of the unwanted horse issue affects student opinion of horse slaughter K.N. Winsco 1, 2, and L.M. White 3 Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 2 Department of Agriculture, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO, 3 Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 1
The slaughter of horses for any purpose, especially human consumption, is and will continue to be a controversial issue in the United States. Many Americans have strong opinions about the issue, which oftentimes stems from information gathered through fiction-based media. This has led many people to a highly anthropomorphic view of horses, making the topic of horse slaughter a very emotional debate. Unfortunately, the unwanted horse population in the United States has increased since cessation of domestic horse slaughter in 2007, and reports of abandonment and neglect have increased, indicating a decline in horse welfare. Accurate numbers of the unwanted horse population are difficult to obtain; however, many people are unaware that such a population of horses even exist or that their welfare may be of concern. We hypothesized that non-biased presentation of data concerning proper horse care and health, facts regarding the unwanted horse population in the United States, and explanation of recent legislation regarding this issue would affect student opinion of horse slaughter. A survey was given to students enrolled in an Introduction to Equine Science course at Texas A & M University on the first and the last day of the semester. Throughout the semester, lectures were given describing requirements of horse management and techniques of horse care. Two lectures were given specifically over the issue of the unwanted horse population in the United States and legislation related to the slaughter of horses in America. The two lectures directly related to the topic of interest were presented by a guest lecturer not involved with the survey to avoid any bias in the lectures. Survey results were used only when students completed both a pre and post survey, resulting in 84 students total. The majority of students were female, and had been responsible for the daily care of a horse prior to taking the course (86% and 83%, respectively). Of the 84 students, 26% were freshman, 26% were sophomores, 38% were juniors and 10% were seniors. From the beginning to the end of the semester, students felt significantly (P < 0.001) more informed about the unwanted horse
problem in America (4.7 vs. 7.7 on a 10 point scale, respectively). Following that same trend, a significant number (P < 0.001) of students changed their mind over the course of the semester and approved of horses being harvested for human consumption. Data indicate that increasing awareness of the unwanted horse population and presenting fact-based information can alter student opinion of horse slaughter. Therefore, we suggest placing greater emphasis on outreach programs to educate the general public and improve awareness of unwanted horse populations to facilitate advancement of equine welfare in the United States. Adoption of best management practices on equine operations using an Equine Environmental Stewardship Program A.M. Swinker 1, D.L. Foulk 1, S.M. Crooke 1, H.M. McKernan 1, S.L. Truax 2, S.B. Parry 2, and M.L. Brubaker 3 1 Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, University Park, PA, 2 Natural Resource Conservation Service, Harrisburg, PA, 3 Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, Harrisburg, PA The Pennsylvania Equine Environmental Stewardship Program was developed to identify needed BMPs for the equine industry and help farm mangers understand, select, and implement sustainable farm management practices. The program has three components: Documentation of existing practices and conditions on equine operations, educational outreach to increase knowledge and skills, and on-farm implementation of BMPs. Proper management of equine operations requires a series of complementing Best Management Practices that implement strategies to preserve pasture vegetative cover, to balance nutrient production with nutrient utilization, to properly manage excess manure nutrients, and to manage equine operations for minimal release of sediment. The team developed a curriculum short course, a four part educational series that provides practical hands-on experiences designed to help farm owners develop the knowledge and skills necessary to adopt environmentally sound farm management practices. Over 600 farm owners participated in the Environmental Stewardship short courses and adopted or planned to adopt the following strategies: Add additional paddocks and/or stress lots to reduce grazing pressure. 74%,Evaluated pastures and generated a forage, weed, and toxic plant inventory for their farm. 96%, Renovate
treated mares on Days 5 and 7. Progesterone concentrations in these mares declined markedly 24h after foetal death (14.3 to 6.7 ng/ml; 5.9 to 3.3 ng/ml). However the cervix in these mares remained closed for a further 15 and 8 days respectively, until progesterone concentrations reached 2.0 and 0.9 ng/ml. Endocrine results indicate that PC have a direct effect on the feto-placental unit with steroid levels (progesterone and oestrogens) declining as a consequence
377
of fetal compromise, often within 24h. The results suggest no disruption to the endocrine support for pregnancy prior to foetal death.
Reference [1] Cawdell-Smith AJ, et al. Equine Vet J 2012;44:282-8.
Teaching and Extension: Posters Increasing education and awareness of the unwanted horse issue affects student opinion of horse slaughter K.N. Winsco 1, 2, and L.M. White 3 Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 2 Department of Agriculture, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO, 3 Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 1
The slaughter of horses for any purpose, especially human consumption, is and will continue to be a controversial issue in the United States. Many Americans have strong opinions about the issue, which oftentimes stems from information gathered through fiction-based media. This has led many people to a highly anthropomorphic view of horses, making the topic of horse slaughter a very emotional debate. Unfortunately, the unwanted horse population in the United States has increased since cessation of domestic horse slaughter in 2007, and reports of abandonment and neglect have increased, indicating a decline in horse welfare. Accurate numbers of the unwanted horse population are difficult to obtain; however, many people are unaware that such a population of horses even exist or that their welfare may be of concern. We hypothesized that non-biased presentation of data concerning proper horse care and health, facts regarding the unwanted horse population in the United States, and explanation of recent legislation regarding this issue would affect student opinion of horse slaughter. A survey was given to students enrolled in an Introduction to Equine Science course at Texas A & M University on the first and the last day of the semester. Throughout the semester, lectures were given describing requirements of horse management and techniques of horse care. Two lectures were given specifically over the issue of the unwanted horse population in the United States and legislation related to the slaughter of horses in America. The two lectures directly related to the topic of interest were presented by a guest lecturer not involved with the survey to avoid any bias in the lectures. Survey results were used only when students completed both a pre and post survey, resulting in 84 students total. The majority of students were female, and had been responsible for the daily care of a horse prior to taking the course (86% and 83%, respectively). Of the 84 students, 26% were freshman, 26% were sophomores, 38% were juniors and 10% were seniors. From the beginning to the end of the semester, students felt significantly (P < 0.001) more informed about the unwanted horse
problem in America (4.7 vs. 7.7 on a 10 point scale, respectively). Following that same trend, a significant number (P < 0.001) of students changed their mind over the course of the semester and approved of horses being harvested for human consumption. Data indicate that increasing awareness of the unwanted horse population and presenting fact-based information can alter student opinion of horse slaughter. Therefore, we suggest placing greater emphasis on outreach programs to educate the general public and improve awareness of unwanted horse populations to facilitate advancement of equine welfare in the United States. Adoption of best management practices on equine operations using an Equine Environmental Stewardship Program A.M. Swinker 1, D.L. Foulk 1, S.M. Crooke 1, H.M. McKernan 1, S.L. Truax 2, S.B. Parry 2, and M.L. Brubaker 3 1 Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, University Park, PA, 2 Natural Resource Conservation Service, Harrisburg, PA, 3 Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, Harrisburg, PA The Pennsylvania Equine Environmental Stewardship Program was developed to identify needed BMPs for the equine industry and help farm mangers understand, select, and implement sustainable farm management practices. The program has three components: Documentation of existing practices and conditions on equine operations, educational outreach to increase knowledge and skills, and on-farm implementation of BMPs. Proper management of equine operations requires a series of complementing Best Management Practices that implement strategies to preserve pasture vegetative cover, to balance nutrient production with nutrient utilization, to properly manage excess manure nutrients, and to manage equine operations for minimal release of sediment. The team developed a curriculum short course, a four part educational series that provides practical hands-on experiences designed to help farm owners develop the knowledge and skills necessary to adopt environmentally sound farm management practices. Over 600 farm owners participated in the Environmental Stewardship short courses and adopted or planned to adopt the following strategies: Add additional paddocks and/or stress lots to reduce grazing pressure. 74%,Evaluated pastures and generated a forage, weed, and toxic plant inventory for their farm. 96%, Renovate