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Adoption of best management practices on equine operations using an Equine Environmental Stewardship Program
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
378
Abstracts / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33 (2013) 321-399
the pastures to introduce new varieties and thicken the stand. 72%, Have a nutrient/manure management plan developed for their farm. 66%, Apply nutrients based on soil test results. 86%, Develop a proper manure storage facility. 66% In order to increase implementation of BMPs, 14 short course participants were selected to participate in a project designed to increase canopy cover and desirable forages in pastures, reduce nutrient and sediment loss, and minimize overfeeding of nutrients in the ration. Implemented BMPs included: Development of heavy use areas/stress lots (12); implementation of rotational grazing plans (10); pasture renovation including weed control, fertilization and over seeding (10); constructing stream crossing (1); constructing bioswale to intercept barnyard run-off (1), ration evaluation/ modification to reduce excess nutrients in manure (14).
reporting they had experience with livestock evaluation (with or without horse experience), these experiences led to highly influential and almost essential development of decision making, self-confidence, problem solving, teamwork, self-motivation, verbally defending decision, industry knowledge, oral communication, self-discipline and organizational skills (Pearson Product Moment Correlation of Interval data). There was a positive relationship (r ¼ .58; p ¼ 0.01) between student’s GPA and final grade outcome in the course. The results of this study indicate that Equine Evaluation at Clemson University is effective at educating students regardless of their industry background and suggests students attain course objectives and goals more directly related to their GPA rather than prior experience with horses or judging contest participation.
Acknowledgements
Environmentally friendly farm programs recognizes Pennsylvania farms that adopt sound management practices protected water quality and the environment
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service - Conservation Innovation Grant and SARE Grant for funding this project. Agencies that have provided personnel and support: PA Depart. of Ag, USDA NRCS, State Conservation District, PSU Extension, and N. C. Regional DEP.
An assessment of previous experiences on equine evaluation program participants K.L. Vernon, and D. Layfield Clemson University Clemson University offers a junior-level course in Equine Evaluation where students study form to function applied to any breed of horse or riding discipline. Activities in the laboratory-based course emphasize form to function evaluation for conformation and riding classes, lameness evaluation, pedigree studies and selection of horses. Additionally, students learn to critically defend their judgments through informal oral presentations and traditional oral reasons. Little data exists to address differences in the success of students with various backgrounds, prior industry experience or prior judging experience may have in livestock evaluation courses. The purpose of this study was to determine if previous horse industry experience leads to increased performance in equine evaluation compared to inexperienced students. A second goal was to determine the course’s overall effectiveness to educate students with little to no horse industry or livestock judging experience to master the concepts of the course compared to those having more experience. Participation in the study was voluntary, and 49 students (Spring 2009 and 2010) completed the survey and thus were included in the study. Students completed the survey prior to any delivery of course content. The survey instrument detailed the extent of horse experience, general demographics, experience with evaluation classes or contests and with the horse industry and the impact that these may have had on life skills acquisition. Data indicated that there were no significant differences among students in each of the four groups (with or without horse experience combined with or without livestock judging experience). However, of those
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 program was developed by the Penn State Extension Equine Team, and designed to recognize farms that adopt environmentally sound management practices that protect water quality and the environment. An Environmentally Friendly Farm employs strategies to maintain productive pastures, reduce soil erosion, limit nutrient runoff from animal facilities and barnyards, safely store manure, recycle nutrients, and control animal access to surface waters. Excess sediment and nutrient runoff from manure poses health threats not only to the environment, but also to animals and people. Farm managers who practice environmental stewardship maintain healthy environments for their animals, their families and their community. The Environmentally Friendly Farm Program is designed to identify and reward owners and managers of equine operations that maintain a healthy farm environment. All commercial and noncommercial equine farms, large and small, are eligible to apply for the program. Farms that are approved for the program will be recognized by agencies, the public, and farm clients as environmentally friendly. Each farm will receive an Environmentally Friendly Farm sign that can be displayed at the farm entrance or on the farmstead. Farms that qualify will also be given permission to use the Environmentally Friendly Farm logo on their own website, brochures and other marketing materials. Approved farms will be listed on the Penn State Extension Equine Team website. This recognition will reflect the commitment of the farm manager to healthy animals, a healthy farm, and a healthy environment. Request a copy of the application from the Penn State Extension Equine Team by visiting us online at www.extension.psu. edu/equine, emailing or calling a team member: Complete the easy to fill out Farm Self-Assessment Checklist. The checklist consists of a series of statements that identify on-
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
378
Abstracts / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33 (2013) 321-399
the pastures to introduce new varieties and thicken the stand. 72%, Have a nutrient/manure management plan developed for their farm. 66%, Apply nutrients based on soil test results. 86%, Develop a proper manure storage facility. 66% In order to increase implementation of BMPs, 14 short course participants were selected to participate in a project designed to increase canopy cover and desirable forages in pastures, reduce nutrient and sediment loss, and minimize overfeeding of nutrients in the ration. Implemented BMPs included: Development of heavy use areas/stress lots (12); implementation of rotational grazing plans (10); pasture renovation including weed control, fertilization and over seeding (10); constructing stream crossing (1); constructing bioswale to intercept barnyard run-off (1), ration evaluation/ modification to reduce excess nutrients in manure (14).
reporting they had experience with livestock evaluation (with or without horse experience), these experiences led to highly influential and almost essential development of decision making, self-confidence, problem solving, teamwork, self-motivation, verbally defending decision, industry knowledge, oral communication, self-discipline and organizational skills (Pearson Product Moment Correlation of Interval data). There was a positive relationship (r ¼ .58; p ¼ 0.01) between student’s GPA and final grade outcome in the course. The results of this study indicate that Equine Evaluation at Clemson University is effective at educating students regardless of their industry background and suggests students attain course objectives and goals more directly related to their GPA rather than prior experience with horses or judging contest participation.
Acknowledgements
Environmentally friendly farm programs recognizes Pennsylvania farms that adopt sound management practices protected water quality and the environment
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service - Conservation Innovation Grant and SARE Grant for funding this project. Agencies that have provided personnel and support: PA Depart. of Ag, USDA NRCS, State Conservation District, PSU Extension, and N. C. Regional DEP.
An assessment of previous experiences on equine evaluation program participants K.L. Vernon, and D. Layfield Clemson University Clemson University offers a junior-level course in Equine Evaluation where students study form to function applied to any breed of horse or riding discipline. Activities in the laboratory-based course emphasize form to function evaluation for conformation and riding classes, lameness evaluation, pedigree studies and selection of horses. Additionally, students learn to critically defend their judgments through informal oral presentations and traditional oral reasons. Little data exists to address differences in the success of students with various backgrounds, prior industry experience or prior judging experience may have in livestock evaluation courses. The purpose of this study was to determine if previous horse industry experience leads to increased performance in equine evaluation compared to inexperienced students. A second goal was to determine the course’s overall effectiveness to educate students with little to no horse industry or livestock judging experience to master the concepts of the course compared to those having more experience. Participation in the study was voluntary, and 49 students (Spring 2009 and 2010) completed the survey and thus were included in the study. Students completed the survey prior to any delivery of course content. The survey instrument detailed the extent of horse experience, general demographics, experience with evaluation classes or contests and with the horse industry and the impact that these may have had on life skills acquisition. Data indicated that there were no significant differences among students in each of the four groups (with or without horse experience combined with or without livestock judging experience). However, of those
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 program was developed by the Penn State Extension Equine Team, and designed to recognize farms that adopt environmentally sound management practices that protect water quality and the environment. An Environmentally Friendly Farm employs strategies to maintain productive pastures, reduce soil erosion, limit nutrient runoff from animal facilities and barnyards, safely store manure, recycle nutrients, and control animal access to surface waters. Excess sediment and nutrient runoff from manure poses health threats not only to the environment, but also to animals and people. Farm managers who practice environmental stewardship maintain healthy environments for their animals, their families and their community. The Environmentally Friendly Farm Program is designed to identify and reward owners and managers of equine operations that maintain a healthy farm environment. All commercial and noncommercial equine farms, large and small, are eligible to apply for the program. Farms that are approved for the program will be recognized by agencies, the public, and farm clients as environmentally friendly. Each farm will receive an Environmentally Friendly Farm sign that can be displayed at the farm entrance or on the farmstead. Farms that qualify will also be given permission to use the Environmentally Friendly Farm logo on their own website, brochures and other marketing materials. Approved farms will be listed on the Penn State Extension Equine Team website. This recognition will reflect the commitment of the farm manager to healthy animals, a healthy farm, and a healthy environment. Request a copy of the application from the Penn State Extension Equine Team by visiting us online at www.extension.psu. edu/equine, emailing or calling a team member: Complete the easy to fill out Farm Self-Assessment Checklist. The checklist consists of a series of statements that identify on-