Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for beef cattle and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.

Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for dairy cattle and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.

Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for poultry and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.

Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for horses and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.

Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for swine and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.

Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for rabbits and other small mammals and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.

Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for sheep and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.

Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for for llamas and alpacas (camelids) and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.

Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for goats. and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.

Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for dogs, and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.

Vermi is the Latin for worm. Vermiculture is the use of worms to break down organic wastes in compost and decaying matter. Worms break down the organic matter via their digestive processes. These earthworms are a specific type known as red worms, tiger worms, or red wigglers (Eisenia spp.). This fact sheet will discuss the use of worms and other beneficial insects, such as nematodes and praying mantises.  

Many horse owners have concerns about their pastures. Often, they either have weeds appearing, or bare areas of land, both which can be the result of overgrazing. The opposite problem is that the pasture may be overgrown due to too few horses grazing it.  Whatever the pasture issue, there is a method that can be used easily to determine when it is time to do something about it. 

Vital signs are physical indications that let you know that your horse is living, such as temperature, pulse and respiration. These signs can be observed, measured, and monitored to indicate the horse’s level of physical functioning.  Vital signs change with age, sex, weight, fitness, and condition. Any abnormalities in vital signs should prompt you to consult a veterinarian. In order to tell what is abnormal for your horse, you must first know what is normal.  

The first-time, prospective horse buyer might benefit from some insight into what you may read in an equine classified. Keep in mind the classified ad might mean just what it says. Included are some potential alternate definitions for some key phrases. They are broken them into categories that include discipline, training, horse’s condition, and owner’s preference. 

Horse ownership is an exciting prospect. If you are now at the point where you know that you have the means to financially support a horse, you have the knowledge on how to care for the horse, and you are able to ride, wanting to own your own horse that will meet your riding goals and needs is the next logical step. This fact sheet includes some Ideas for ‘screening’ your potential new horse. 

The role of a horse trainer is to prepare the horse  so that the horse is safe and responsive to your cues. This fact sheet contains a list of questions you should ask when looking for a trainer. It is important that you are on the same page, and you both agree on methodology.

Flying insects are always a nuisance, but their activity definitely increases in the summer. New fly control options, where we are defining new as non-traditional, involve combining the use of chemical or organic methods with manure management. 

Having hay analyzed is the only way to determine the actual nutrient content of it. It is important to know this so that you can be sure your horse is consuming an adequate diet. There may or may not be a need to feed grain depending on the quality of the hay.  The better the quality of the hay, the less grain you will need to feed, which can be a significant savings.

By managing horse pastures more effectively, horse managers can increase forage production, lower production costs, improve aesthetics, and promote a healthier environment.  

In 2008, there were many reported cases of botulism, or suspected botulism, in the United States, including horses suspected to be affected in Connecticut. This illness can be a serious problem, so this fact sheet will discuss the causes, signs, and prevention of botulism.  

When horses are experiencing back pain, it can often lead to poor performance; many different types of horses suffer from back problems. Early recognition of back pain is important, since damage may be cumulative. This fact sheet provides information to help horse owners and riders prevent, recognize, and pursue treatment for back pain in their horses.   

The hot summer heat should be a concern for horse owners. Horse owners need to provide extra care during hot weather to decrease stress and maintain the health and well-being of their horses. This fact sheet will describe overheating, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke in horses, and ways to protect them in times of high heat.

First recorded in 1975, near Lyme, Connecticut, Lyme disease can be troublesome. Knowing the signs, treatment, and prevention, can lead to better protection for horses from this disease.   

Whether you’re buying your first horse or your twenty-first, it is both an exciting and scary process. Dreaming of the day when you could own this horse, you want everything to be perfect. There are several things you can do to improve your chances of selecting a suitable horse for you.  

Warmer weather often leads to thoughts of being out on the trail with your hourse, considering goals for riding, driving, showing, or trail riding this year. In a previous fact sheet, we discussed aerobic conditioning and the effects of age, genetics and nutrition on conditioning.  This fact sheet provides additional tips and best practices for the health of your horse. 

It is important to prepare prior to designing a pasture by considering the use of the pasture, land resources available, seeding (including what to seed), design, and location of sacrifice areas. A sacrifice lot will help prevent over-conditioned horses by reducing pasture intake as well as protecting land resources. The expression ‘Failing to prepare, we prepare to fail’ is never more true than when it comes to pasture management. 

It might be observed at the end of a horse show, event or trail ride. A horse is lathered, huffing and looks exhausted. Is the horse exercise-intolerant?  No, most likely it just has not been properly conditioned. Conditioning is defined as getting one’s muscles into better shape through graded exercise. Age, genetics, and nutrition play major roles in conditioning. 

Properly managing horse manure will reduce flies and dust, and prevent pollution to nearby water bodies. The best time to consider manure management is before adding horses to a property. However, there’s no time like the present to reevaluate what you are doing and determine if you can manage your manure more effectively.

Being outdoors and camping is a fun pastime for a lot of people. Many people feel there is nothing like spending time camping with your horse. This factsheet contains a few guidelines for camping with your horse.