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Revised: 11/04/2009 |
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Rutgers Equine Science Center Reviews Its Research
Projects
The Equine Science Center hosted its annual Equine Science Update on Dec. 9.
Presentations highlighted the Equine Science Center's work in advancing equine health, horse management practices, and solutions to equine industry issues.
Waste to Wealth Manure is a fact of horse keeping life. Donna Fennell is studying ways to get energy from manure.
A study showed that more waste is produced by equines than other livestock in the state. Horse waste is already being handled by horse farmers so the question she asked is "Could we do something to recover energy during the handling process?"
As it breaks down, manure produces methane which is a fuel gas.
Fennell said composting work has been pioneered in New Jersey with previous studies at Rutgers.
"If we change this process just a little we could include a step for anaerobic digestion and we could capture methane gas," she said.
The amount of mass converted to gas is relatively small but the nutrients are left intact so it can still be used as fertilizer afterward.
Horse manure works well in combination with food waste because it balances the PH levels. The manure does not have to be separated from the bedding which would be very labor intensive.
The Center will do an on farm test operation to see if the process of collecting methane from horse manure is cost effective. One horse could produce the equivalent of about 30 gallons of heating oil in a year.
Joint Supplements--Are They Worth It? Doctoral candidate Emily Lamprecht is testing joint supplements to see if they really work or are just a waste of money, intended to reduce inflammation in joints by increasing anti-oxidant levels.
"I don't want to discount testimonials but we need controlled research," she said.
Horses were exercised on a treadmill and when they got tired they were tested to see how much the inflammatory markers increased. Preliminary results showed that inflammatory response markers differed little between horses on oral joint supplements compared to those not supplemented. More analysis is being done to see if there is any effect on the joints.
Genetic markers for OCD Dr. Sarah Ralston has been studying joint development and its relation to blood glucose levels for many years. Previous studies have shown a high correlation between high glucose and Osteochondrosis dessicans (OCD) but it is not 100%.
Further research shows there is an inheritance factor.
A study done with Standardbred yearlings at Hanover Shoe Farms showed other metabolic markers may predict which foals will develop OCD.
OCD can be corrected with surgery but in addition to the costs of the surgery, those yearlings sold for significantly less money than horses with similar pedigrees which did not have OCD, Dr. Ralston said.
If a simple blood test could identify foals which are prone to OCD early enough, their diet can be changed to possibly prevent the joint disfigurement.
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