It might seem a paradox. By starting with an enormous amount of data, data sets so large they can only be explored via supercomputers, there is now the possibility of customized medicine precisely tailored to a single, individual horse.

Learn about the science behind creating safe racing surfaces from Mick Peterson, Ph.D., director of the University of Kentucky’s Racetrack Safety Program.

Horse owners and horse farm managers often think of pastures starting at the soil and representing all the biomass seen above the soil. But truly healthy pastures also have a rich network of roots below the surface. Astute mangers consider these when making management decisions. The roots of pasture grasses and legumes serve many functions: retrieving nutrients, holding soil in place during wet weather, housing a host of beneficial microbes and storing carbohydrates and minerals to support regrowth and overwintering.

This month, I had the opportunity to speak with doctoral candidate Morgan Pyles, MS, before she left for her new job. As a graduate research assistant under Laurie Lawrence, PhD, professor in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Pyles has researched issues related to mare milk composition and foal digestive health. She received two degrees from UK: a Bachelor of Science in equine science and management and Master of Science in animal sciences, specializing in equine nutrition. She will defend her doctoral work shortly and expects to receive her PhD in animal sciences, specializing in equine nutrition.

As we discussed in a previous issue (PCR – what’s behind this commonly used acronym?) PCR, or the polymerase chain reaction, is an incredibly sensitive technique to detect DNA. The technique is used for parentage testing, in forensic science and is heavily relied upon in medical testing to diagnose diseases, such as those caused by bacteria and viruses.

UK Ag Equine Programs unveiled a new website this month, coinciding with the start of a new semester.

In the last Equine Science Review, an undergraduate independent research project that examined shade seeking behavior in Texas was discussed. A similar study was done in Central Kentucky by Kassie Rutherford, an undergraduate equine junior at the University of Kentucky. Rutherford completed an independent research project observing horses in Midway, Kentucky. She also worked with Camie Heleski, PhD, senior lecturer within the equine undergraduate degree program, on a quest to learn more about horses’ desire to seek shade during different times of the day.

Spendthrift Farm is one of Lexington’s iconic Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations. Due to recent expansion, the farm wanted to renovate some unused fields and develop them into pastures to use in a rotational grazing system. They turned to forage experts with the Horse Pasture Evaluation Program in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment for their recommendations.

Here are some guidelines that help me formulate a weed control plan. I will be the first to admit this is a highly subjective set of guidelines or suggestions.

Horse flies and deer flies are bloodsucking insects that can be serious pests of cattle, horses, and humans. Horse flies range in size from 3/4 to 1-1/4 inches long and usually have clear or solidly colored wings and brightly colored eyes. Deer flies, which commonly bite humans, are smaller with dark bands across the wings and colored eyes similar to those of horse flies. Attack by a few of these persistent flies can make outdoor work and recreation miserable. The numbers of flies and the intensity of their attack vary from year to year. 

Horse bots are honey bee-sized flies that dart around and glue their tiny eggs or nits to body hairs of horses, donkeys and mules. The fast movements of these flies frighten animals. Horses also can injure themselves as they attempt to relieve the irritation from burrowing activities of newly hatched bots. In addition, most of the larval or bot stage of the fly is spent as an internal parasite where it can cause serious problems.