Tristen Walling, Lakeland, FL “At a young age, I was introduced to the agriculture industry where I was taught how to plant crops and nurture an animal. At 4 years old I knew that I wanted to be a veterinarian and help animals feel better, this seemed like a perfect job for a little girl […]
What’s Your Ag Story? Read More »
HORSES NATURALLY grow hair in response to reducing daylight as the weather cools in the fall and winter. These hairs are various lengths and trap in warm air to keep the horse warm. A healthy, unclipped horse in pasture with appropriate shelter from the elements, free choice forage and water should not require blanketing in
To blanket or not to blanket your horse Read More »
SUMMER SORE is a common term for a skin wound (dermatitis) caused by the Habronema worm larvae. The adult Habronema live and lay eggs in the stomach of infected horses. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae are then passed into the manure of the horse, where they are ingested by fly maggots. Once the maggots
Habronemiasis (summer sores) Read More »
IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN. The school buses will in route, the bells will be ringing, and students will be starting their countdown to Thanksgiving break! It has been an awesome summer for our Polk County FFA members. Some attended FOA and FLA camp, many went to the Florida FFA State Convention, and a small group
Ag Time with Abby: There’s something for everyone in ag Read More »
WHITE LINE DISEASE (seedy toe, hoof wall disease) is a common disease seen in the equine foot that may or may not result in lameness. This disease occurs with separation of the hoof wall from the underlying tissue and then colonization with bacteria. Separation is caused by environmental conditions, mineral toxicity or mechanical stresses on
Equine white line disease Read More »
EQUINE PROTOZOAL myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a neurological disease in horses and is caused by the protozoan Sarcocystis neurona, which affects the brain and spinal cord. The protozoan requires two hosts to complete its life cycle, a definitive and an intermediate host. Opossums are the definitive hosts and cats, raccoons, armadillos, and skunks are intermediate hosts.
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis Read More »
How the Legacy Leadership program is helping ensure the future of Florida agriculture WE KNOW HOW to grow things in Florida — oranges, blueberries, coleus, you name it. Fortunately, we also know how to grow leaders in our agriculture and natural resources industries. Their vision will be essential in how successful we are in feeding
Leaders must be a signature crop Read More »
YOUR HORSE is an important member of your family, so it is important to be prepared in case of an emergency. Emergencies are stressful, emotional, and can happen at any time. Being prepared and ready to handle different emergency situations can improve the outcome of the emergency. Make sure to have important phone numbers (i.e.,
Be prepared for equine emergencies Read More »
STRANGLES is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract of horses. The infection is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. The term “strangles” arose from the occasional suffocation of horses with the disease due to lymph nodes of the head and obstruction of the airway.
Strangles: In horses, it can be as bad as it sounds Read More »
| Q&A on adopting rescued or rehabilitated equines | It’s not just adoption; it’s saving a life. Central Florida Ag News spoke with Dawn Bazemore, founder of Faith Equine Rescue, to talk about why adopting a rescued and/or rehabilitated horse is beneficial to the horse and its new owner. [emember_protected custom_msg=”Click here and register now
Helping horses with a troubled past Read More »
