Agrilife Extension Resources

Texas is home to about 1 million horses, the majority of them working horses, competitive event horses and pleasure/recreational riding horses. For owners of horses that have completed their growth, knowing how to take care of their older horses can mean the difference between horses that just survive or animals that thrive. (13 pages)

Nutritional well-being is an important part of an effective broodmare operation. The importance of roughage and concentrate feeds in the diets of broodmares at various stages of gestation and during lactation is discussed. (9 Pages)

Horse owners must decide whether their young horses will be fed for moderate or rapid growth. One concern is the occurrence of bone and joint disorders in young horses that develop rapidly. Research has shown that this and other problems can be decreased by ensuring that young horses receive proper nutrition. Specific recommendations are included […]

Horse owners can take steps in the management and care of horses, facilities, and equipment to minimize the risk of theft. This publication explains 15 ways to prevent horse theft. (4 Pages)

Permanently identifying horses can deter theft and help prove ownership. This publication discusses hot-iron branding, freeze branding, electronic identification, lip tattoos, and using photographs, illustrations, parentage verification, and brand registration to aid in identifying horses. (4 Pages)

Horse owners know the importance of protecting their animals from disease. This publication explains how diseases are transmitted and how horses can be protected by establishing a core vaccination and a risk-based vaccination program. (8 pages)

This publication explains how diseases are transmitted and how horses can be protected by establishing a core vaccination and a risk-based vaccination program.

Freeze branding of horses has many advantages. It is safe, economical, simple to do, and relatively painless. It can be done on horses of any age and does not damage the horse's hide. This publication gives complete, step-by-step instructions for freeze branding as well as information on branding systems and sites. (4 Pages)

Roughage, fed on a regular basis, helps a horse's digestive system function properly and meets some percentage of the horse's daily nutrient requirements. Proper selection of roughage, avoiding inferior quality foodstuffs, and daily roughage intake for horses are described. (24 Pages)