Horses

Texas is home to more than 1 million horses, which accounts for nearly 15% of all horses nationwide. As a result, we provide online courses, publications, apps, programs, events and workshops related to horses and equine science, covering information useful for beginners and seasoned horse enthusiasts alike.

Related Departments: Animal Science

Brown horse standing next to fence

Related Topics

Equine Infectious Anemia (Coggins) Testing

TVMDL offers two methods of detecting EIA antibodies, an agar gel immunodiffusion, AGID, method or an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA.

Two horses in a field

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Horses

Publications

Publication

This manual explains how to evaluate horses in contests or as potential purchases.

Publication

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)

Publication

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)

All Horses Publications

Programs

We offer numerous free and affordable programs on agriculture and natural resources, family and community health, economic health and youth development. We also offer many volunteer opportunities. Browse the list below.
Program

This course is designed for owners and breeding managers who want to learn the most efficient methods for breeding program success.

Program

This fun and educational opportunity serves to strengthen the foundation of horsemanship and develop advanced riding skills for youth and adults.

Program

The Texas 4-H Agriculture & Livestock Program provides a variety of unbiased resources for 4-H/FFA families, leaders and volunteers interested in youth livestock projects and agricultural advocacy.

All Horses Programs

Courses

Course

Gain exclusive full access to the recordings from all three days of the 2021 short course! The Texas A&M Equine Reproductive Management Short Course is designed for owners and breeding managers who want to learn the most efficient methods for ensuring the success of their breeding programs.

Course

This course is designed for youth and collegiate horse judging team members, their coaches, and anyone interested in learning more about horse judging. Learning objectives include understanding the rules for each class, applying the judging guidelines to each class, and learning to articulate placings during oral reasons.

Course

Get everything you need for the Equine Reproductive Management Short Course and the Mare and Foal Workshop in this bundle!

All Horses Courses

Equine Reproductive Management Short Course

The three-day course includes classroom sessions and hands-on laboratory activities covering a broad range of topics that are useful for horse owners in any segment of the breeding industry.

Learn More about this program

All Resources on Horses

  • Publication

    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 […]

  • Publication

    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)

  • Publication

    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)

  • Publication

    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)

  • Course

    Get everything you need for the Equine Reproductive Management Short Course and the Mare and Foal Workshop in this bundle!

  • Course

    In this course, horse owners and managers will learn about important topics related to managing the broodmare and foal.

  • Publication

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

  • Publication

    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)

  • Publication

    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)

  • Publication

    This publication explains how proper nutrition and feeding management can improve the athletic performance of an arena horse. (16 pages)

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