As horse owners, we have our rhythms and routines around the barn. But why do we do farm chores the way we do them, and could we—and our horses—benefit from changing our approaches? Steve Higgins, PhD, the director of Animal and Environmental Compliance for the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Agricultural Experiment Station, in Lexington, describes ways horse farm owners and managers can optimize daily horse farm tasks for efficiency, cost-savings, and environmental soundness.

This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis. 

Show notes:

• Using Drylots to Conserve Pastures and Reduce Pollution Potential
• Using Soil-Cement on Horse and Livestock Farms
• Economics of Round Bale Feeders Examined
• Hay Feeder Height Affects Neck, Back, and Jaw Postures
• Group or Individual Horse Housing: Which is Less Stressful?
• Does Your Horse Need Rest? Give Him More Bedded Space.
• Winter Can Mean Poor Footing for Horses

About the Expert: Steve Higgins, PhD, is the director of Animal and Environmental Compliance for the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Agricultural Experiment Station, in Lexington. During his time at UK, Higgins has helped establish the university’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment as a leader in animal welfare and environmental stewardship and has cultivated a new way of thinking for managing UK’s Experiment Station farms. Through his extension publications, presentations, and demonstrations throughout the state, Higgins shares his unique perspective and working knowledge of water quality, farm efficiency, and resource management issues with Kentucky landowners and farm managers.