Horses

A Horse Owner’s Guide to Pasture-associated Laminitis

By Scott Duggan and Troy Downing

The key to preventing laminitis in your horses is to regulate their time grazing on grass high in nonstructural carbohydrates. Inadequate exercise is another cause of this painful hoof condition.

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Photo Credit: Bob - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Featured Resources

Tips for livestock care in high temperatures

When a heat wave hits, don't forget that livestock need help to cope with the high temperatures too. Here are five things you can do to help livestock stay cool.

Jenifer Cruickshank | Jun 2021 | Article

Once the smoke clears: A guide to safely start working and riding your horse after wildfire

Wildfire smoke exposes horses to harmful particles in the air. Make sure your horses are recovered before working and riding them.

Dawn Sherwood | Sep 2020 | Article

Horse Resources for Small Farms

This page is designed for the horse owner. Topics in this collection include: Management, breeds, reproduction, foaling, nutrition, health, and other equine resources.

Apr 2018 | Collection

Latest Resources

Horse Owner's Guide to Buying Hay

Horse owners must know how to evaluate and buy good-quality hay. Learn about the horse's digestive system, nutrient requirements and hay evaluation methods.

Gordon B. Jones, Scott Duggan, Melissa Fery, David Hannaway | Mar 2024 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Understanding Sugar and Nonstructural Carbohydrates in Equine Pasture and Hay

High concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates in forages can cause health problems for some horses and other domesticated equines like ponies, donkeys, and mules. Learn about the role, levels and management options of NSC in forage plants for limiting NSC intake in horses.

Gordon B. Jones, Shayan Motazedi Ghajar, Scott Duggan, Melissa Fery | Nov 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

The PNW 4-H Horse Contest Guide

The definitive compilation of rules for 4-H horse contests in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, including General Rules, Clothing and Equipment, Contest Guidelines, Performance Guidelines, Driving, Ground Training, Western ...

PNW 4-H Horse Management Team | Oct 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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Managing Small-Acreage Horse Farms in Western Oregon and Western Washington

By Melissa Fery David B. Hannaway Garry Stephenson Linda J. Brewer and Scott Duggan

Horses, grass, manure, soil and water are all interconnected. How you manage one affects the others. Following these seven steps can make your horse farm safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Learn more about horse grazing habits, pasture rotation, weed control, manure management, buffer strips, rain gutters and well water protection.

Also see a similar publication for Central and Eastern Oregon.

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Photo Credit: Bob - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest News

Extension draws attention to discounted Coggins exams in Warm Springs

Each spring, Oregon State University Extension collaborates with USDA-APHIS and Warm Springs Range and Agriculture Department to offer low-cost Coggins testing and vaccinations for horses in the Warm Springs community.

Scott Duggan | Aug 2023 | Impact story

Clackamas 4-H volunteer’s compassion leads to donation in her name

The Clackamas 4-H Horse Advisory Board recently voted to use the $750 donation made in Shirley Byrne's name to pay for all of the members’ pre-fair entry fees.

Chris Branam | Mar 1, 2022 | News story

Central Oregon farmers, ranchers learn methods to conserve water

The workshops and popular field tours provided the education needed to make the right decisions about livestock grazing and irrigation in order to conserve water, increase forage production and increase profits.

Scott Duggan | Mar 2021 | Impact story

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4-H Resources

The PNW 4-H Horse Contest Guide

PNW 4-H Horse Management Team | Oct 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

4-H Horse Project

This is a basic resource for 4-H members doing a horse project in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Book sections cover horse breeds, psychology, and how to choose a horse; the horse's health, care, and management;...

PNW 4-H Horse Management Team | Apr 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Oregon 4-H Horse Advancement Program

The Horse Advancement Program guide consists of a series of steps that allows 4-H members to set personal goals and learn at their own speed. Click the "view it now" button to view or download the entire ...

Pam Lundeberg, Roberta Lundeberg | Sep 2017 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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