Equine Extension
Kentucky is known as the horse capital of the world. The horse industry in 2010 generated more than $4 billion in farm gate receipts, the largest of any livestock commodity in Kentucky, and generated more than 31,000 jobs in Kentucky.
While the Thoroughbred industry leads the state in terms of income generation and visibility, there is an active sport and recreation part of the industry outside of racing. The 2005 American Horse Council survey reported more than 50% of the horses in the state are used in non-racing activities such as showing and recreation. Although the population of Quarter horses in the state is larger than the Thoroughbred population, there are also significant numbers of other breeds in Kentucky, such as the American Quarter Horse, the American Saddlebred, Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, Standardbreds, American Paint Horses, Sport Horses (warmbloods) and others. In total, there are approximately 320,000 horses in Kentucky.
In 2006, a Breeders Incentive Fund for non-race horse breeds was developed by the state legislature. This fund, derived from the state sales tax on stallion service fees, has been used to establish breeder incentives for non-race breeds in Kentucky. As of 2011 there are 11 non-race breeds with approved incentive programs supporting their breed activities. The result has been increased equine activity and economic development across the state.
In addition to the economic value of the horse industry, there is a significant social value. Many horse owners are turning to the horse as a means of family recreation. Currently more than 5,000 youth are enrolled in the 4-H Horse Program.
Horse owners with limited experience or from a non-agricultural background need basic information. Our extension specialists and associates coordinate and deliver educational resources and activities across the state for both youth and adults.
Publications
| ASC-262 | Increasing Calories in Your Horse’s Diet and Other Tips Animal & Food Sciences |
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| ASC-205 | Selecting Feeds for Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-185 | Feeding the Broodmare: Four Easy Steps Animal & Food Sciences |
| RB-308 | 2008 Commercial Feeds in Kentucky Animal & Food Sciences |
| AGR-162 | Stockpiling for Fall & Winter Pasture Animal & Food Sciences |
| AGR-190 | Chicory: An Alternative Livestock Forage Agronomy |
| ID-146 | Choosing Hay for Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-145 | Alfalfa Cubes for Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-144 | Understanding Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue and Its Effect on Broodmares Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-120 | Forages For Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-114 | Basic Horse Nutrition Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-113 | Nutrition of the Performance Horse Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-112 | Nutrition of the Broodmare Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-111 | Feeding Young and Growing Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-251 | Traveling with Your Horse: Caring for Your Horse Away from Home Animal & Food Sciences |
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| ASC-253 | Traveling with Your Horse: First-Aid Kits Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-252 | Equine Cushing's Disease or PPID Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-239 | Equine Metabolic Syndrome: Is My Horse Just Fat or Is He Sick? Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-176 | Core Vaccination Program and Infectious Disease Control for Horse Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-226 | Help! My Horse Roars! What Is Laryngeal Hemiplegia? Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-240 | Blanketing Horses: Do’s and Don’ts Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-235 | My Mare's in Heat: Predicting and Recognizing Signs of Estrus Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-212 | Stereotypic Behavior in Horses: Weaving, Stall Walking, and Cribbing Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-188 | Help! My Horse is Too Thin! Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-187 | Help! My Horse is Too Fat! Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-181 | Equine Infectious Anemia Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-197 | Equine Viral Arteritis Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-182 | Wobbler Syndrome in Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-180 | Anthrax in Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-179 | Evaluating the Health of Your Horse Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-125 | Rabies in Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-176 | Using Soil Cement on Horse and Livestock Farms Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-173 | Botulism: A Deadlly Disease that can Affect Your Horse Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-172 | Heaves in Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-128 | Colic in Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| VET-10 | E.I.A. Equine Infectious Anemia Veterinary Science |
| VET-32 | Tapeworms in Horses Veterinary Science |
| VET-1 | Controlling Internal Parasites of the Horse Veterinary Science. |
| ID-267 | ID-267 Riding Arena Maintenance: Equipment Guide Animal & Food Sciences |
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| ID-266 | ID-266 Riding Arena Maintenance: Dragging and Watering Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-265 | ID-265 Riding Arena Footing: Materials and Characteristics Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-261 | Are Common Stall Fans Effective? Orientation, Placement, and Fan Style Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-143 | Rotational Grazing Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-147 | Establishing and Managing Horse Pastures Agronomy |
| ID-176 | Using Soil Cement on Horse and Livestock Farms Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-164 | High Traffic Area Pads for Horses Animal Science |
| ID-158 | Managing Steep Terrain for Livestock Forage Production Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-146 | Methods of Identification for Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-145 | Condition Scoring For Your Horse Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-117 | The Stallion: Breeding Soundness Examination and Reproductive Anatomy Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-116 | The Mare: Breeding Soundness Examination and Reproductive Anatomy Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-143 | Equine Feeding Management Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-57 | Housing for Pleasure Horses Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering |
| AEN-175 | Rain Traps for Watering Livestock in Remote Locations |
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| ASC-252 | Traveling with Your Horse: Trailer and Truck Packing Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-196 | UK Ag Equine Programs Calendar, 2022 Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-271 | Equine Layout and Facility Planning Checklist Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-270 | Human-Horse-Environment Interface: Metals in Indoor Horse Arenas Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-168 | Composting Horse Muck Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-259 | Suitable Spaces for Indoor Horse Activities Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-183 | Trail Riding Etiquette for Horse Enthusiasts Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-165 | Temporary Fencing for Horse Pastures Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-173 | Equine Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-164 | High Traffic Area Pads for Horses Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-161 | Pervious Concrete as a Flooring Material for Horse Handling Areas Animal & Food Sciences |
| ID-158 | Managing Steep Terrain for Livestock Forage Production Animal & Food Sciences |
| ASC-157 | Teasing Mares Animal & Food Sciences |
| FORFS 01-04 | Removal of Fencerow Black Cherries Forestry |
| ASC-118 | Horse Judging Manual Animal & Food Sciences |
| SR-2000-1 | A Practical Method of Identification of the North American Cyathostomes (Small Strongyles) in Equids in Kentucky Veterinary Science |
| FOR-49 | Managing Skunk Problems in Kentucky Forestry |
| ID-101 | Interpreting Forage Quality Reports Agronomy |
| ID-74 | Planning Fencing Fencing Systems for Intensive Grazing Management Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering |
| AGR-171 | Round Bale Hay Storage Agronomy |
| ID-2 | Some Plants of Kentucky Poisonous to Livestock Agronomy |
ID-230: Blackpatch of Forage Legumes Cause of Slaframine Toxicosis or "Slobbers" in Animals
Animal and Food Sciences, Caldwell County, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology, Veterinary Science
ID-142: New Recommendations for Perennial Ryegrass Seedings for Kentucky Horse Farms
Agronomy
AGR-191: Using a Grazing Stick for Pasture Management
Agronomy
AGR-175: Forage Use and Identification Guide
Agronomy
Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Reports:
- PR-858 2024 Alfalfa, Red Clover, and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-842 2023 Alfalfa and Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-822 2022 Alfalfa and Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-806 2021 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-788 2020 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-770 2019 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-750 2018 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-734 2017 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-717 2016 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-701 2015 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-683 2014 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-667 2013 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-650 2012 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-634 2011 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-616 2010 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-596 2009 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-580 2008 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-560 2007 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-545 2006 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-529 2005 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-513 2004 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-497 2003 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Variety Report
- PR-481 2002 Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Variety Report
Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Reports:
- PR-859 2024 Cool-Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-843 2023 Cool-Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-823 2022 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-807 2021 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-749 2018 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-735 2017 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-717 2016 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-702 2015 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-684 2014 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-668 2013 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-651 2012 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-635 2011 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-617 2010 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-597 2009 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-581 2008 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-564 2007 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-547 2006 Cool Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-530 2005 Cool-Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-515 2004 Cool-Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-497 2003 Cool-Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Variety Report
- PR-480 2002 Cool-Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Variety Report
Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Reports:
- PR-860 2024 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-844 2023 Cool-Season Grass Horse grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-824 2022 Cool-Season Grass Horse grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-808 2021 Cool-Season Grass Horse grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-790 2020 Cool Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-772 2019 Cool Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-752 2018 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-736 2017 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-718 2016 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-703 2015 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-685 2014 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-669 2013 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-652 2012 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-636 2011 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-618 2010 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-598 2009 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-582 2008 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-565 2007 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-548 2006 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-531 2005 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-512 2004 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-462 2001 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report
Tall Fescue, Bromegrass and Meadow Fescue Reports:
- PR-855 2024 Tall Fescue, Bromegrass and Meadow Fescue Report
- PR-839 2023 Tall Fescue, Bromegrass and Meadow Fescue Report
Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Reports:
- PR-858 2024 Alfalfa, Red Clover, and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-842 2023 Alfalfa and Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-822 2022 Alfalfa and Red and White Clover Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-805 2021 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-787 2020 Alfalfa Grazing tolerance Report
- PR-769 2019 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-749 2018 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-733 2017 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-715 2016 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-700 2015 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-682 2014 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-666 2013 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-649 2012 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-633 2011 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-615 2010 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-595 2009 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-579 2008 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-559 2007 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-546 2006 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-526 2005 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-514 2004 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report
- PR-498 2003 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Variety Report
- PR-472 2002 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Variety Report
Videos
These equine videos are also available on the YouTube Equine Videos playlist.
- What do horse owners want and why?
(Dr. Bob Coleman) - Understanding Hay Analysis for Horse Nutrition
- Dr. Bob Coleman - How to Manage Mud in Horse Pastures: Building High-Traffic Pads
- Dr. Bob Coleman - How to Sample and Analyze Hay for Optimal Horse Nutrition
- Dr. Bob Coleman - Unique research could improve indoor arena environment
- Stacy McGill, Drs. Bob Coleman, Morgan Hayes - Big Blue Nation rooting for UK-bred Averly Jane at the Breeders’ Cup
- Featuring Drs. Laurie Lawrence and Mary Rossano - Elements of Equine Structure
- Featuring Dr. Laurie Lawrence - Equine First Aid
- Featuring Dr. Fernanda Camarto - Pervious Concrete for Horse Handling Areas
- Eastern Tent Caterpillars - Growing Kentucky, May 2009
- Ky Equine Survey News Conference
- Herd Dynamics Workshop
- Horse Pasture Evaluation Program
- Equine Farm & Facilities Expo
- Featuring Dr. Mary Rossano - Equine Internship Program
- Featuring Dr. Bob Coleman - UK Highlights the Beauty and Importance of the Saddlebred
- Featuring Drs. Urschel, Wahrmund - Madison's "see blue." Story: Studying in the Horse Capital of the World
- What can we learn from horses?
- Equine Facilities Remodeling & Saddle
- Equine Field Day - Growing Kentucky
- 2015 AFS Distinguished Alumnus Awardee Seminar
- UK Alum Proud to Show Off His Home in Breeders' Cup Broadcasts
- It Starts With Us - Mary Rossano
- Featuring Dr. Mary Rossano - It Starts With Us - Bryan Cassill
- Featuring Bryan Cassill - It Starts With Us - Caroline Peterson
- Featuring Dr. Mary Rossano - It Starts With Us - Michael Peterson
