Iowa State University Extension

Livestock - Horses

Horses Information

Upcoming Events

Equine Growth and Development

The ISU Equine Growth and Development Short Course is designed to assist equine owners with understanding how young equine grow and develop. Equine owners will gain valuable insight on preventing health problems and maintaining proper development of foals from birth to one year of age.
January 22nd, 2010

Mare and Foal Workshop

All horse owners, mare and/or stallion managers, foaling attendants, and other breeding farm personnel will benefit from this program. Topics to include Mare management, hormonal patterns & influences on the reproductive tract; Body Condition and Reproductive Efficiency; Estrous cycle and lighting; Control of the Estrous Cycle; Progesterone Assays; Care of the Pregnant Mare; Prefoaling Management of the Mare; Late Term Pregnant Mare Care; Predicting Parturition, Foaling Procedures & Management; Complications of Pregnancy and Foaling; Post-parturient Foal Management; Foal Care; and Advanced technologies in reproduction.
February 13th and 14th, 2010

Equine Nutrition and Feeding

The course is designed to assist students and equine owners in the feeding management of their horses. Course material will include digestive physiology, factors affecting digestion, determining your horse’s nutrient requirements, nutritional diseases, selecting feeds, water quality and evaluating commercial feed labels. The course will assist producers in utilizing forages to meet a horse’s requirements, pasture management, weed control and identification, and poisonous plants. Also included will be managing a feeding program for mature horses, performance horses, broodmares, foals, weanlings, yearlings and stallions. Participants will develop the skills for nutritional assessment using the computer program REINS
January 14th - March 25th
Thursday Evening 6:30-8:30

Master Equine Manager Program

The Master Equine Manager Program provides in-depth training to selected horse enthusiasts in order to increase the knowledge and skill in equine science, care and training. The purpose of the program is to develop a cadre of knowledgeable equine managers to assist ISUE in conducting educational programs and activities, to increase the quality, competitiveness and economic potential of the Iowa horse industry, and to develop a volunteer network for Youth and 4-H/FFA horse programs.

Master Equine Manager Level I

The Iowa State University Extension (ISUE) Master Equine Manager Program consists of six 2-hour sessions which will cover the science of horse management. In addition, participants are required to attend a two-day hands-on skill development session at Iowa State University. The class is a mix of discussion and hands-on skill development. A spring 2010 program is being developed.

Master Equine Manager Level II

The Iowa State University Extension (ISUE) Master Equine Manager Program Level II consists of individual modules covering in-depth aspects of horse management and the concepts of riding and training.

Iowa 4-H and Youth Information

Youth and Horses
4-Her's, Horse Youth, Coaches and 4-H Leaders - The Iowa 4-H Horse Advisory Committee invites you to tune in to Adobe Connect sessions with information on various 4-H equine opportunities. These webcasts are for anyone wanting to watch; parents, 4-H'ers, volunteers, Extension Staff, etc. Presentations from February, March, and May can be heard at /4H/Agriculture/livestockhandbookhorse.htm
Iowa 4H Guide to Bits
Rules and Regulations for 4H Equine Shows in Iowa
Additional 4-H and Youth Horse Information

Jamboree Events

Hippology is the study of horses. The contest tests youth on their understanding of equine science and management and their ability to apply that knowledge in practical ways. There are four members per team or youth can participate as an individual. Parts of the contest include identification of horse equipment and stations at which youth answer questions on colors, breeds, nutrition, health, behavior, etc. Senior youth must take a written examination and senior teams must answer an oral team problem. The winning senior team represents Iowa at the Western Nationals in Denver. Practice hippology stations and answer sheets are listed below.
Horse bowl is an educational experience for both participants and spectators. Each team consists of 4-5 members, four of whom compete at one time. The contest is divided into two parts, with the one-on-one part of the competition making up the first half and open questions making up the second half. All questions are taken from approved sources, all relating to horses or participation in equine related activities. The winning senior team represents Iowa at the Western Nationals in Denver.
2008 Junior Quiz Bowl Questions
2008 Senior Quiz Bowl Questions
2007 Junior Quiz Bowl Questions
2007 Senior Quiz Bowl Questions
- References for Quiz Bowl