Making Horse Treats with Lord Nelson

Hay there Friends!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! With all of the holiday frenzy, events with friends and family, and occasional sprinkle of snow, I am thrilled about these last few weeks of 2013! But of course, what you kids and I both want to know is what treats we can get our hands and hooves on.  So, I have taken the reins here and found a couple of horse treat recipes that are available online that one of the Center’s very own, Dr. Williams, has contributed to.

Super Turf

Hay Kids! Today is a great day because I am going to share with you some super cool science. Recently, a team of scientists at Rutgers studied different grasses and their qualities in horse pastures. You probably are saying, “Yea, so what? Scientists study at a lot of stuff; what’s the big deal about grass?” Well, I am excited to tell you what scientists have discovered, that will help you A LOT, just by staring at grass! What is even more exciting is that you can hear all about preserving and maximizing your pasture grass at the Equine Science Center’s special event “Evening of Celebration and Science” on November 19! Register NOW!!

Doughnut Denial

Welcome back, friends! It feels like fall is just about here, finally!  I love the beautiful scenery that forms around my pasture and all of the different pumpkin and spice treats that come with these months, but what I am MOST excited about is CANDY!!

The two "Ps" PREPARATION and PREVENTION

Hay Friends!

It has been an interesting start to the new academic year, I’d say! I think you would all agree that in order to succeed you need to think about preparing for what is to come and preventing obstacles along the way. So, it’s time to talk PREPARATION and PREVENTION!

Routine Mania!

Hay there Gang!

I hope everyone is settling back into the swing of school now, and that you all are getting as excited as I am to learn a bunch of new fun facts this year! The Horse Heroes at the Red Barn on College Farm Road are chomping at the bit to start their newest research projects, and students are trotting all over the Rutgers Campuses. The buzz of energy in the air is contagious; it’s like winning a grand championship at a competition!

With the start of a new phase, it is important to set new goals. There is nothing better than to have a routine when you want to get better at something! You practice jumper courses, dressage moves, bending around barrels and breezing on the racetrack so that you can improve your skills each time. So, what goals do you want to set for yourself with the start of this new academic year?? Personally, I have a few to accomplish myself. 

Firstly, I plan to run faster than 13 mph on the equine treadmill this year! I have decided that I will sprint back and forth in my pasture for three minute bursts, ten times throughout the day. I will also build upper body strength by continually attempting to push my steel gate open with my nose, neck and chest; and I will build up my hind end to propel myself forward on the treadmill by doing many squat repetitions each day. (I saw this exercise being done by one of the Equine Science Center’s research mares.)

Secondly, I plan to set the Guinness Book of World Records for most doughnuts eaten in 3 minutes. So far the record to beat is six powdered doughnuts (No Problem!!). The only challenge to accomplish this goal will be to create a liking for powdered doughnuts, instead of my usual frosting.

Finally, and most importantly, I will learn something new every day. This is the easiest one and the hardest one! I can find new cool facts to impress my pasture pals all the time just by going on Equine Science 4 Kids! I plan to go through all of the different sections (Nutrition, Exercise and Environment) that it has to offer, play each game (multiple times) and do the activities that are posted on the website. Between my exercise regimen and doughnut eating I will have just enough time to jump on the site and find a new fact. And there you have it! My new routine for the fall; run, refuel and research!

I can’t wait to get started! Tell me some of the goals you have set for yourself this season…

Gotta Run!
Lord Nelson

Backyard Bacteria

Recently I have been getting questions from equine enthusiasts about two specific kinds of horse illnesses. I realized that not only is it important that I answer their questions, but that I also share this important information with my fans and fellow horse lovers too!

I believe that it takes “hooves-on” interaction to really get the most out of your learning. So, let’s play Jeopardy!

Horse Care and Management for 1000 points, please…

Watch the... DROOL!

Hay there friends! Lately I have been occupied with two things; staying out of the rain and eating the lush greens that sprout up after the ground has had a good soak.

Summer, Storms and Mold

Happy summer my fellow science-seekers! I hope everyone is enjoying the new leisurely change of pace that this season brings; although, I have been known to lounge around the farm all year long! Now, I know the saying goes, “April showers brings May flowers,” but what happens when June and July are super-soaking stormy months also? Did you know that in June alone we had almost 10 inches of rain? That is more than double the monthly average! Like most horses, I love to splash in puddles and roll around in mud baths! But, all of this rain can have some negative effects on pastures and forage for horses.

The "Horsey Houdini"

Today is the first day of summer – my favorite time of the year is here FINALLY! School’s out, the weather is bright, and I can play all day long. I got so excited to play that I decided to try a little sneaky way to  walk right out of my front gate! Just call me the “horsey Houdini”!  There were no magic tricks up my sleeve; it turns out that someone forgot to latch the gate properly. What else was I going to do; when life presents you with an open door, you go through it!  

Allergy Frenzy!

The last month has brought many exceptional experiences over at the farm. After 17 years, the cicadas are back and screaming away in the trees.  Sometimes they fly close to me and Christi, but we run away as fast as we can because they look too similar to horseflies - we don’t want to stick around to find out which pest it really is! Other than the non-stop racket, there is also a lot of non-stop sneezing going on around here! Did you know that some horses are dealing with the same allergy triggers as you may be!?

My Long Lost Cousin!?

Hay there Kids!

Over the last couple rainy days I have taken to reading some of my old Alma Mater textbooks. Of course, since Memorial Day is fast approaching, I’m chomping at the bit to jump into the stories of our soldiers (and their steeds) that we are all memorializing. You won’t believe what I found out, just by doing a little digging! I think I may have found my long lost cousin, too! You have to hear this…

Get "S-E-T" for Parasite Prevention!

Hay there friends!

I am so excited that we’ve finally had a bunch of warm days in a row! You’re probably starting to spend more time outside, opening windows in the house and barn, and taking more time outdoors to care for and enjoy your horses.  The saying “spring cleaning” is not just a reference to your house and farm, but to your horses as well! After the shedding, the next thing to think about is your equine de-worming program.  Horse owners should be aware of both horse health and the impact parasite killing drugs (anthelmintics) may have on the environment.  Scientists around the world, including Mike Sukdheo at the Rutgers Equine Science Center, have studied parasites and pesky little buggers for decades, and have a lot to say about best practices. 

Love Is In The Air!

 This weekend I had a most peculiar experience with all of my lady friends around the farm. Ever since this warm weather started to come around it seems that everyone has quite a bit more energy! I was really enjoying just standing near my run-in shed soaking up the warm sun, as I was doing recently, when suddenly the mood on the farm started to change.

Celebration CENTRAL!

Hay there friends! It’s that time of year again! Students are ending their spring semester here at Rutgers University, some are preparing to graduate, and we are ALL preparing for the GREAT BIG Ag Field Day at Rutgers Day Bash! Are you going to visit the Red Barn this Saturday, April 27^th?  The festivities kick-off at 10:00, but make sure you’re here at 1pm and 2pm.  That’s when  you’ll see the main attraction –

1.      HORSES

2.      HORSES ON THE HIGH SPEED TREADMILL!

This event is not one to miss! All day at the barn on College Farm Road we will be hosting many fun-filled stations for you to partake in. Upon passing through the gate at the Red Barn, you will have entered into a horse-crazy party! Brand yourself with your love for horses by stopping by the tattoo station where staff will adorn your hand, cheek, or arm with a temporary tattoo in my likeness!  Trust me – it’s cute!

Next, make your way over to the paddocks where you can meet our “Horse Hero” research mares. Be sure to visit the newest additions to the herd: Felicia, Jolee and Mazel, too! Not only is Mazel participating in a current research study, she is also featured on one of three Equine Science Center T-shirts designs that you can color customize yourself! (For a sneek peek, check the Rutgers Equine Science Center’s page on Facebook to see the designs). Stop over at our T-Shirt station to pick your favorite design (or just get all three!) and color it in using fabric markers. After you color your shirt, head over to the barn to see Wishbone, one of our assistant anatomy professors. He’s not much of a talker (you’ll see why when you meet him in person), but he is still a very unique equine! Then, stick around because you could win a gift basket from our friends at Rick’s Saddle Shop and the Equine Science Center right after the treadmill demonstrations!

Pooped after all this preparation!

The coolest part about the treadmill demonstration is that one of the horses running is Snowdrift, who is featured in the new online game Exercising HorsePower on Equine Science 4 Kids! Snowdrift is a real mare and she is fast in person and in the game!  Play the new Exercising Horse Power NOW, and prepare for all that you will experience during Ag Field Day at Rutgers Day!

Your Pal,

Lord Nelson

 

 

 

 

Onward We Shed!

Happy March my fellow science seekers!

It looks like the groundhog was right after all spring is around the corner next week! I’m starting to get the itch… not just because I’ve been daydreaming about eating doughnuts all day with the warm sun shining on my face, but because these brighter days are starting to make my coat shed! Losing your coat is a prickly process, but there are a bunch of ways you can help.

Whinny-Grams & Mail from Fans!

It’s that time of year again! Love is in the air! My gal-pal Christi and I have been enjoying the sunny bursts of warmer weather lately, but there is so much mud around from all that snow, I don’t think our coats will sparkle until summer! But that is OK because rolling in the dirt is way too fun, especially after a nice grooming. Hopefully the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, was right that spring will be early this year. I have a good feeling about it. I also have been getting very excited about Valentine’s Day! I was pleasantly surprised with a recent sweets-spread last week!  Christie and I exchanged Whinny-Grams and then shared cupcakes, doughnuts, and cookies! It was a hay bale of fun. Valentine’s Day is so great because everyone realizes how much they appreciate each other, and I appreciate you, my partner in science, and my fan!

Unexpected Visitors: A Blast from the Past!

After rolling around in the dirt on a beautiful breezy Sunday morning I noticed my caretaker, Wendy Hale, walking to the fence with an unexpected guest. Intrigued, I took a few steps from my run-in shed to get a better look.  She was bundled head to toe in a heavy jacket with a red baseball cap and a bright blue hood. This didn’t help me get anywhere with identifying the strange woman. But then I saw her face, and her big smile that raised her cheeks and made her eyes squint.