Horse-Keeping Seminar Scheduled – April 25th


How about a Mass Aggie Horsekeeping Seminar ! In cooperation with UMass Extension and the MPA’s 319 Grant educational program, a horse keeping seminar will be held Saturday April 25th, 2009 in the Sutton Town Hall.

All are welcome! Here’s the agenda:

10 a.m. BASICS OF PASTURE MANAGEMENT – Dr. Stephen Herbert
Well managed pastures can furnish high-quality, nutritious feed at a relatively low cost. Dr. Stephen Herbert will discuss the basics of pasture establishment, and managing pastures for horse and livestock.

11 a.m. WEEDS AND POISONOUS PLANTS IN PASTURES – Randall Prostak
Many weeds in pastures are actually quite palatable and nutritious if the pasture is maintained in a vegetative state and not allowed to become too mature. Both, horses and livestock usually avoid eating poisonous plants as long as quality hay or pasture is available. However, faced with no pasture or hay, an animal might decide to sample one of the poisonous weeds. An overview of weed management in pasture and hay fields will be discussed.

12:00 p.m. Lunch provided

12:30 p.m. EQUINE AND LIVESTOCK BARNYARD MANAGEMENT – Dr. Masoud Hashemi
Spring rains may result in manure and mud runoff threatening water quality. Dr. Hashemi will discuss managing nutrients and manure on horse and livestock farms, and review simple management practices for small equine and livestock operations. 


1:30 p.m. HAY QUALITY PRINCIPLES – Dr. Stephen Herbert
Hay is an important and the most commonly used feed. Feeding hay of unknown or low quality may adversely affect animal nutrition, and will cost more than necessary. Learn about hay quality for horses and how to determine it. This will be in-part a hands-on workshop examining several hay samples of varying quality.

2:30 p.m. Adjourn

Cost $20 per person. Lunch provided.

To sign up or for more information contact Marty Jo Henry at HorsekeepingSeminar@charter.net or 508-476-7241