Ag
&
Ranching
2021
An Annual Publication by Nevada News Group
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Shop and support local Agriculture When you support your local farmers, you are directly supporting your economy. Now more than ever we are seeing the need to support our local economy. When you buy from your local farmers you are not only helping to boose your local economy but you are ensuring that our local food sources remain available now and in the future. When we support our local farmers we are also supporting our environment. According to sustainableamerica.org, “Aside from our national admiration of small family farmers, there are solid environmental and economic reasons for supporting them. They have a vested interest in the community and the environmental health of their family and neighbors, not to mention the fact that they put their income back into the local economy. But big farm or small farm, the more we can buy from the farmer next door rather than the farmer across the country, the less shipping is done in the process. The more we limit shipping, the less fuel we use, and the less our country is dependent on limited oil resources. In a world of rising fuel and food costs, not to mention food waste, it makes sense to focus our attention and buying power on the farmers in or near our own communities.” Don’t take it just our word for it. Hear what your community has to say about supporting your local agriculture below.
Helpful websites
Why is it important to support your local Agriculture and Ranching? “Local farmer and ranches are also local families, home grown, small business usually do you help and encourage your community.” “Because they are your friends, family, and neighbors. It’s our community. It’s hard to keep a small family outfit going. Easier if we all patronize one another’s business. Especially ranchers. Things at both national and local levels are crazy, uncertain, and divisive. If communities can come together again, despite differences, and do business while looking people in the eye that can change. That’s all of us. But specific to agriculture, it’s the heart of our communities and our traditional culture here. We’re losing it fast, and that’s not the way we want to go. Plus local beef and lamb and milk and eggs just taste better!” “America has an incredibly safe, controlled, humane, affordable and efficient food producing sys-
NevadaGrown
NevadaGrown is a nonprofit Nevada corporation whose mission is to foster the success of sustainable agriculture and to encourage healthy eating for Nevada’s communities through education, support and promotion. NevadaGrown has directories for farmers, farmers markets, farm stands and more available for anyone seeking to buy locally. Visit their website at www.nevadagrown.com
tem. We do amazing work so much so that countries like Russia and China look to us as an example.” “Supporting agriculture at a local level keeps food security closer to home. Raising awareness locally for non-ag folks is also important for food security sourced locally. It also stimulates the economy closer to home.” “Ranchers are the best stewards of the land they use. They are hyper-local experts! Not to mention the basic supporters of the country’s food supply.” “Agriculture/ranching products are always best for consumers when sourced locally. Products are fresher and less mucked with. Reduces/eliminates middle-man expenses being added into products’ sell price; promotes more/closer relationships between producers/consumers within a locale.”
Shop Made in Nevada
No matter where you are, Shop Made in Nevada
gives you the power to buy authentic, Nevada made products from the comfort of your couch. For almost 30 years, Made in Nevada has connected, promoted, and supported Battle Born business owners. And now, more than ever, these businesses need a safe and easy way to engage with customers. Shop Made in Nevada is a component of the statewide marketing cooperative ‘Made in Nevada’, sponsored by the Nevada Small Business Development Center. Visit their website at www. shop.madeinnevada.org
Five ways you can support local ag
1
Sign up for a CSA
CSA stands for “community supported agriculture”. You sign up for a “share” of what’s produced on the farm each week during the growing season, including vegetables, fruit, and flowers. You can find CSA’s by entering your zipcode in the USDA’s CSA finder. Or through www.nevadagrown.com. NevadaGrown lists rLm Ranch as a local CSA, you can find what is available to purchase on their website at www.gleanwinnemucca.com.
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2 • Ag & Ranching 2021
Farm stands are onsite stores that offer products grown or made on the farm. Not all farms have them, so call ahead if you aren’t sure. NevadaGrown lists Winnemucca’s Farmers Market running from June 5, 2021 to August 28, 2021.
Buy meat in bulk
Like a CSA, buying meat in bulk from local farmers helps them and helps you. Reach out to a local rancher and see if they are offering their livestock for purchase. Another great way to purchase local meat is going to the local fair and support the youth by purchasing their projects!
4
5
Shop at the farmers market and farm stands
Patronize your local grocer Your local supermarkets are likely to carry and promote local farms and ranchers. Places like Uptown Market in Winnemucca, who according to local Ashley Buckingham, “are the only local USDA certified butcher shop. They kept a lot of people afloat when Covid hit and the scare of meat shortage. Many people reached out to local ranchers who then had Uptown for the cutting and wrapping.”
Look local for resources
Shop at local gardening stores for seeds, soil, garden plants and supplies. Local farms and ranches can be a great resource for organic material and compost for your garden.
Cows I’ve known By David W. Glaser I was thinking about Beef. The thought entered my mind, where did that steak come from? Will it be tough or tender? When I stick a fork in it, is it going to bawl and leap off the plate? I have known all kinds of bovines, a lot of them I would never want a steak off of. Take that old horned black bally bred cow, my ex farther in law bought at the Oakdale California auction. When he hauled her to the ranch, in Sonora, California, I said, “whatever you do, do NOT turn her loose on the river breaks.” Two days in the pasture at the ranch, guess where she went, you guessed it The Breaks. For the next two years we were able to capture her calves, but she always escaped. My brother-in-law who had been on several failed attempts to capture the old hide, and hated her with a passion, took his 270 out and dropper her off a cliff into the river. We didn’t dehorn in the early days at the Deer Horn Ranch in Nevada, so we had lots of high horned cows; kinda like the ones Ace Reed drew. “Now take that high headed red neck with the real pointy horns, you watch her she is ornery, hangs out by herself, she’ll quit the herd and brush up on you if she gets a chance.” I was told. Sure, enough she gave me the slip up on the mountain, but I tracked her down, headed her for the ranch about 5 miles away. The dirty ol bag never went through one gate, she’d move over 10 feet and run through the fence, had about 18 feet of barbed wire dragging behind. Finally headed down the lane into the ranch, I’m feeling pretty proud of myself bout now, till we came to the wing leading into the ranch gate. All she had to do was trot right on in; you guessed it, she looked back at me with those piggy little eyes, moved over 2 feet, outside the wing and headed for the BLM flats.
You’re asking why didn’t you rope her? I did….she was dragging it along with the wire. How I lost my rope was only witnessed by God, my tired horse and me. We did tear up a lot of sage brush and ground. Long story short; fresh horse, new rope, 2 more fences to mend, 4 miles from the ranch; she’s tied to the ground waiting for the
NEW LISTINGS: 60 Pete Hendrichs Road (Yerington Farm) This 146 acre Farm in Yerington, Nevada is sub-dividable and is on the outer edge of town. Farm has water rights, several pastures, corrals, feed pins, feedlot, roping arena, round pin, horse walker, squeeze chute, loading chute, 2 beautiful homes each having 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, family room, dining room, kitchen and laundry room, garden area, and lush yards with nice trees . There is 3 car garage, large shop with 4+ carport attached, MD horse barn with several stalls, storage area, tack room, and wash basin, chicken coop, several dog kennels, several sheds and animal shelters. There's plenty of room for 2 families and all their animals. Reese River Ranch, Austin,Nevada
AKA: Reese River Cabins escape to a serene Reese River Valley with amazing views of Toiyabe Mountain Range in central Nevada. South of Austin, NV just off Austin Road, this property offers a cozy renovated home with amazing charm. It features 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room, laundry room, kitchen, pantry/cellar and back patio/yard area. Owners have accommodated Air BNB/VRBO and other travelers with several cabins varying in size and features but are comfortable and well designed. The cabins are just that, a cabin but they all have access to a self use cook house, bath house with laundry, picnic areas, fire pit, horse shoe pit and corrals to accommodate horses. Time runs a little
slower in this remote area of Nevada. There is some great deer hunting as well as great bird hunting in the rolling hills and valleys around. In addition, property has pond/streams/river fishing onsite.
Rock Springs Ranch
Year round cattle ranch approx. 140 miles North of Las Vegas, Nevada. 40 acres deeded plus 40 acres patent claims. Cattle run outside year round. There are several improvements on grazing allotments as in water features and branding corrals. Main property has nice feedlot pens for weaning and shipping calves/cattle, 5600 square foot hay barn, 1248 square foot barn and 576 square foot shop. Ranch features 2 newer manufactured homes the large main home which includes 4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms with a wrap around deck and the other home features 3 bedrooms 2 bath which would make a great guest house. Total AUMs on BLM is 6296. Ranch comes with cattle and equipment. Ranch runs about 750 head total. 101 Ranch Road Farm
Beautiful pristine Ranch/Farm in Paradise Valley area for sale! Income Producing farm just 30 miles from interstate 80. This property is a total of 1048.43 deeded acres broken up into 4 separate parcels, two homes, an amazing piped arena, working pens, scale house Shop and much much more! Farm Currently has approx 400 acres
tractor and the stone boat to drag her home. The reason I’m telling you this story; I swear I saw a distant relative of hers at the cutting. Didn’t look like her cause she had evolved into a nice-looking black heifer with ………her evil eyes and lying disposition. “I told my buddy I don’t think I’d cut that black heifer” He ignored my advice, he cut her, she moved over 2 feet and headed for the flats!!!! I was working for the Double O ranch out of Seligman Arizona, when I was young and restless. They sent me and a young Indian cowboy out to clean out a “pasture” they called it. It was 5 sections. There were cattle in there that were 7 years old, never been touched. One was a big black steer, who outweighed our horses by 200 pounds, he had been giving us the slip for a week. We put the Indian sneak on him and Slow, that was my partners name, roped him right around the horns slick as you please. Big black bucked an bellowed and took off like a shot, dragging Slow and his poor little horse, through the Juniper trees like a fishing lure. I was whippin and spurring my little pony, trying to catch up and get a shot. My Horse had taken one look at the unfolding event and in horse language said “No Flipping way!” Slow hollered to me, “Just sit there, I’ll try to swing him around to you, just front foot him.” It worked slick as you please, we stretched him out. Now that steak might not be to bad, by the time we got him tied down, he was pretty well tenderized. By the time we went back to drag him into the trailer the next afternoon, he was pretty well halter broke. Knock his horns off, he might make a 4-H calf? Is there any age limit? To Purchase David’s book, It’s All In a Day’s Ride email dhranch3@gmail.com
in production, 85 acres is alfalfa/grass mix, and the rest is straight alfalfa. There is a gorgeous 2726 sq ft 4 bedroom 2.5 bath ranch style kit home. 72773 Dixie Valley Road Farm
Premium alfalfa hay farm for sale in Pershing County NV in beautiful Dixie Valley This excellent income producing hay farm is total of 618.03 acres which consist of 3 pivots with approximate 400 acres in production (average hay crop is 6-8 tons per acre) but a total of 554 acres of water rights. So there are enough water rights to add an additional pivot. Farm runs on generators that run on solar and diesel fuel and enough fuel storage for the year. Newer 3 bed two bath duplex with all appliances. Reduced $1,999,900.00 995 S. Eden Valley Rd
Located in Humboldt County, Golconda, Nevada. This 249.32-acre property has 336.64 AFA underground water rights. The property is surrounded by the Humboldt River and wildlife. Great horse property! The land is perfect for the avid hunter. There are several lived-in singlewides, a main house, large shop, horse barn, and bunkhouse on the property. The seller rents a small space to a trucking company for $500 per month. Property consist of 2 parcels 08-0643-04 174.73 and 08-0041-06 73.59 acres. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES! $799,000.00
Allie Bear | Broker/Realtor
B.07000 allie@aranchbroker.com (775) 777-6416 or (775) 738-8534
Kelly Draper | Realtor
S.0171663 realestatennv@gmail.com 775-455-6748
Dawn Bear | Realtor
BS.0143221 dawnrbear@gmail.com (775) 934-7263
View Complete listings at www.ARanchBroker.com
775-738-8535 • 775-777-6416 • 775-455-6748 Allie Bear, Broker/Realtor Kelly Draper, Agent
Ag & Ranching 2021 • 3
We Bought
The Small Family Takes Ownership of the Sandhill Feedlot By Jennifer Whiteley The Nevada Rancher Magazine
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Winnemucca, Nev.— On November 1st, 2020 Wade and Cara Small, along with their young daughters Paisley and Marlie purchased the Sandhill Feedlot from Steve Lucas of Lucas Livestock in Winnemucca, Nevada. The Small family is very excited to own and operate Sandhill Cattle Feeders LLC and look forward to taking up residence at the feedlot. Both Wade and Cara come from long lines of ranching families in the western states and look forward to raising their daughters in that tradition in a ranching community. Wade developed an early interest in cattle and the cattle industry while working alongside his parents on their backgrounding yard in Klamath Falls,
Oregon. Cara explains, “Wade grew up working on his family’s custom grow yard. While he was in college, he took an internship with Agri Beef in Moses Lake, Washington. After graduation, he was offered a job at the Snake River Cattle Feeders in American Falls, Idaho as their Feed Manager. Eventually, after doing many other jobs within the Agri Beef operations at both feedlot and corporate levels, he moved into his current position as Executive Vice President of Business Development.” Wade is fortunate to be able to continue his work with Agri Beef by working remotely from Winnemucca while he and his family operate the feedlot. Cara, who is a fifth-generation rancher, has loved
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a Feedlot! cows all of her life. She grew up raising cattle on her family’s purebred Angus ranch near Mountain City, Nevada. She is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno where she studied journalism and photography. She worked in both Nevada and Idaho after college, but never could get very far away from her ranching roots in Mountain City. While she was working for Nevada Cattlemen’s Association and the Nevada Beef Council, she met Wade. Today they own and operate a ranch in Mountain City, where they raise their family, registered Charolais cattle, and sell registered Charolais bulls. When making the decision to purchase a feedlot, Cara stated “We have always kept an eye out for an opportunity. Sandhill Feeders seemed like a great fit for us. It fits well with the operation we already have as it is close geographically to our ranch. The feedlot is ideal for growing our bulls for sale and weaning calves. It also offers us the opportunity to engage our cattle feeding interests, while being part of a community in an area that we love.” Cara explains, “Our Charolais herd originated in 2001, when Clint Sexson of Stanfield, Oregon and Wade purchased a handful of cows from the HooDoo Ranch in Cody, Wyoming, forming the Sexson/ Small Charolais partnership. Starting from the ground up, we have slowly built our stock, propagating HooDoo genetics through embryo transfer and the use of HooDoo bred sires. Building upon this solid base, we genetically select for structural soundness, growth, and carcass quality. In 2010, with an opportunity to purchase property and expand in
Mountain City, Nevada, we relocated our herd. Today, our cattle are born and raised on the ranch near Mountain City, developing on steep and rocky, mountainous summer pastures at an elevation of 6,000 feet, and adapting to extreme both winter and summer climates. During the summer, cows graze on Forest Service allotments, running to nearly 9,000 feet. When calving begins, cows are rotated through private meadows. In fall, cows are again brought to the meadows to be synchronized and Artificially Inseminated. To better manage the cattle and resources during the regions extreme winter climate, our herd was moved from the home ranch, to southern Idaho late in the fall. There, pairs grazed crop aftermath with hay supplementation until spring, when they load up and head back home.” Now the Small family will move their cattle to the Sandhill Feedlot in the late fall to winter their pairs, while still summering in Mountain City. They will wean calves, grow bulls, and breed replacement heifers, in addition to the custom feeding operation at Sandhill Feedlot. Cara and Wade’s daughters, Paisley who is 11, and Marlie who is 7, have always been a big part of the family’s cow/calf program. They have helped in all aspects of ranch work, from moving cattle to different allotments, branding, and calving, as well as helping with synchronization and breeding from the time they were born. Now the girls are learning to help process calves and administer shots, as well as learning about animal health on a much larger scale. Both girls are excited to work alongside their parents in all aspects of the feed yard. For more information about Sandhill Cattle Feeders LLC, quality Charolais Bulls, and Small Charolais Livestock, you can follow them on both Facebook and Instagram, or visit their website at slcharolaisbulls. Photos Courtesy of Cara Small
Above: Paisley and Marlie rest for a minute after helping clean up after processing a new truckload of calves at the feedlot. Below: Paisley and Marlie make lot tags for new cattle coming into the feedlot. Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Whiteley
Left: Small Charolais bulls growing at Sandhill Feeders.
Ag & Ranching 2021 • 5
Beef Spaghetti Pie OlE
Ingredients:
• 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner) • 1 tablespoon chili powder • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin • 1 can (10 ounces) no-salt added diced canned tomatoes • 1 cup thinly sliced zucchini • 3/4 cup nonfat dairy sour cream • 1 cup reduced-fat shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese Pasta Shell • 1/2 package (8 ounces) uncooked spaghetti • 1/3 cup reduced-fat shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese • 1 egg • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Cooking:
Heat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain well. In large bowl, whisk together remaining Pasta Shell ingredients. Add pasta; toss to coat. Arrange pasta in 9-inch pie dish, pressing down and up side to form shell; set aside. Meanwhile, heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Stir in chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and cumin. Stir in tomatoes and zucchini. Gently simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until liquid is almost evaporated, stirring occasionally. Stir sour cream into remaining beef; spoon into pasta shell. Place 1 cup cheese in center, leaving 2-inch border around edge. Bake in 350° oven 15 minutes or until heated through. To serve, cut into wedges.
Relying on canned foods can bring benefits to your table. Canned foods are an affordable and convenient way to incorporate more fruit and vegetables into your diet. Fruits and vegetables used for canning are picked at the peak of freshness, which ensures the best flavor and nutrient quality. The canning process can even increase the antioxidant content in some items. For instance, the heating process improves the amount of lycopene available in tomatoes. You can enjoy canned food while also watching your sodium intake. Look for canned items that are no-salt-added and for low and reduced-sodium options. You can reduce the sodium even further with a quick drain and rinse. Bring a shelf-stable canned vegetable to your dinner table tonight with this satisfying and healthy recipe. Kori Dover, RD Nevada Beef Council
Nutrition information per serving: 582 Calories; 153 Calories from fat; 17g Total Fat (8.5 g Saturated Fat; 0 g Trans Fat; 1.1 g Polyunsaturated Fat; 3.9 g Monounsaturated Fat;) 158 mg Cholesterol; 1088 mg Sodium; 57 g Total Carbohydrate; 4.1 g Dietary Fiber; 47 g Protein; 5.7 mg Iron; 816 mg Potassium; 10.6 mg NE Niacin; 0.6 mg Vitamin B6; 2.9 mcg Vitamin B12; 7.6 mg Zinc; 61.3 mcg Selenium; 144.2 mg Choline.
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(775) 623-6272 Ag & Ranching 2021 • 7
American Ambition Emma Lemaire By Jennifer Whiteley
The Nevada Rancher Magazine
Battle Mountain, Nev.—The small mining town of Battle Mountain, on I80 is nestled between the towns of Elko and Winnemucca. It has been the home of many notable people, including but not limited to Joyce Collins, a famous Jazz Pianist, James H. Ledlie, a Union officer in the Civil War, and author of The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls. One day that list just might include Emma Lemaire. Whether it is in the classroom, rodeo arena, or working on the ranch, Emma gives 100% and puts her heart into whatever the job may be. Set to graduate this spring, Emma is the daughter of Suzanne (King) and Lyle Lemaire. Suzanne is a retired schoolteacher, and Lyle runs his own physical therapy practice in Battle Mountain. As with many kids in our ranching community, Covid has brought many changes to our normal. We are seeing more and more students electing to be homeschooled instead of attempting distance and/or hybrid learning models. The flexibility to do school when it is convenient, like early morn-
ings or evenings, freeing up students to practice or work during day light hours is very appealing. Not to mention not being penalized for missing school to attend rodeos has made being competitive much easier. This year, “I actually started homeschooling on February right before Covid started. I choose to for a few different reasons. I wanted to have more time to dedicated to rodeo and practicing. I also felt like my quality of education is so much better, I am being challenged academically and overall learning more. I homeschool through an online program based in North Dakota and I love it! I was an active member in our local FFA chapter until my senior year when I decided to focus on rodeo. I also played basketball for most of my high school career.” Says Emma. In addition to being a member of the Battle Mountain FFA Chapter, where she held the offices of secretary and treasurer, and playing Girls Basketball, Emma excels in the sport of rodeo. She began competing in youth rodeos before she could walk, and
Emma tells us “I have been competing in Junior High and High School rodeo since 6th grade. My events include the following: barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, team roping and cutting. I think my favorite event is a tossup between breakaway and cutting, but I do enjoy running barrels. I am an ambassador for American Hat Company and am so grateful for everything they do for me and the opportunities that have come about.” Emma is extremely competitive and is ranked in the top 25 athletes in all of the rodeo events she competes in, in the state of Nevada for High School Rodeo. She is currently ranked 8th in the state of Nevada for the AllAround Title. While the King side of Emma’s family has a long, rich history of ranching and rodeo, the Lemaire side does not. Emma explains “My dad has been the biggest influence in my life. He has no background in rodeo or ranching but works so hard to learn what he can. He is the best ‘rodeo mom’ ever. He takes times during rodeos and videos all my runs for me. He’s also learned how to read claves and takes notes on how they run for me. My dad is the one who taught me that your mental game is what makes or breaks you. He’s helped me learn to control my emotions and calm my nerves before my runs.” For her future plans, Emma plans to attend college and continue to rodeo. “After I high school I plan to attend college and continue my rodeo career at the collegiate level and professional level as well. I have been looking into schools in Texas and Arizona as I would like to be in a warmer climate. I plan to attain a degree in Agricultural Communications and Media, I would like to find myself staying in the western industry and running social media pages and public relations for a company such as Ariat, American Hat, etc.” explains Emma. Her attention to detail, decision making, problem solving, and communication skills will make her an asset to any busi-
8 • Ag & Ranching 2021
ness she works for. “One of my favorite quotes is ‘doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.’ I doubt myself so much in just about every aspect of my life. This quote helps me to remember that if I am failing, I’m trying. It helps me know that even when I doubt, I still need to do the damn thing because you never know what might happen!’ To be happy drives me to succeed. I don’t see success as being rich or having the most trophies, buckles, awards, etc. I see it as happiness, when you’re happy with where you are or where you’re going in life, I believe that’s true success.” Keep an eye on this talented young lady. Down the road, you just might see her at the College National Finals, NFR, or American! But first, she needs to wrap up the 2021 Nevada High School Rodeo season, State Finals, and then on to the National High School Rodeo Finals in Lincoln, Nebraska this July!
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tips from a vet Founder in horses “Founder” or Laminitis in horses is probably one of the most painful conditions a horse can experience. The textbook case occurs when horses are let out on lush green pasture and they over indulge during mealtime but there are various other conditions that can lead to founder as well. Treatment differs slightly in the acute (immediate) phase versus the chronic (long-lasting phase) and is aimed at pain management, decreasing inflammation and supporting the coffin bone which is housed in the hoof. It is important to recognize this condition and implement treatment as soon as possible as to avoid secondary effects, the worse being the coffin bone sinking out of the hoof. Over-eating is the cause of founder most people think, but two other main causes include weight bearing founder and systemic
disease (a disease affecting the entire body of the horse). The most common cause of weight-bearing founder is when one leg is injured, the opposite leg founders because of the extra weight that it has to bear. This is most commonly a problem in a horse in a cast or one with a bad abscess. Road founder can also fall in this category and happens when a horse is trotted or ran on a hard surface. Systemic illnesses such as severe colic, retained placentas, high fevers or toxic insults can also cause founder. Certain disease states such as metabolic disease commonly seen in Arabian and Arabian crosses lead to chronic founder. In short, there are many, many causes of founder so it is always good to be on the look-out for this condition in your horse. The medical term for founder is laminitis. It
means inflammation (itis) of the lamina. The lamina is soft tissue that folds and folds and creates little finger like projections that lock into each other and act to suspend the coffin bone in the hoof. When this meshwork of suspension becomes inflamed, this connection looses and the coffin bone can rotate and sink toward the sole of the hoof. Also, since these structures are encased in a hard hoof, any swelling or inflammation is incredibly painful which leads to the signs that you see when your horse is foundering. It is hard to forget a foundering horse when you see one. Since it generally only affects the front, more weight-bearing feet, the horse will rock back and put as much weight as they can into their back limbs. These horses take on a “saw horse” stance. When they walk, they act like they are walking on
By Sarah Hummel, DVM
Dr. Sarah Hummel graduated from veterinarian school 5 years ago but has been in the veterinary field for 14 years! Dr. Sarah Hummel operates Complete Mobile Veterinary Service servicing Northern Nevada and Oregon, specializing in Large Animal Medicine. Dr. Hummel is available Saturdays with regular fees and ultrasound capable. Dr. Hummel can be reached at sarahhummeldvm@yahoo.com and 775-5304137.
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broken glass in the front limbs, and they also carry their head high in attempts to get more weight off of their feet. If the founder is really bad, it can present as a down-horse, or a horse that cannot get up. In these cases, I can often block the nerves to to the feet of the horse and they are able to rise. Other subtle signs include heat in the hoofs in a pulsing artery that supplies the hoof. Chronic foundering horses can get a large crested neck from fat deposits as well as from straining and building that neck muscle up to decrease the load on their front limbs. Chronic
founder also changes the structure of the hoofs and lead to rings on the outside. Chronic foundering horses are more susceptible to hoof disease conditions such as sole bruising and seedy toes. Treatment consists of decreasing the inflammation in the feet, pain management and sole support as well as treating any underlying condition that may be going on. If you have an idea that your horse may founder from over-eating or running a fever, you can try to prevent founder by soaking the front feet in an ice water bath. When the
horse is showing signs of founder, this unfortunately does little to mitigate the inflammation. Anti-inflammatories such as phenylbutazone (“bute), banamine or equioxx (firocoxib), are very important to stop the inflammation and attempt to make the horse more comfortable. Sole support or frog support is important to prevent the coffin bone from turning and sinking and can be done with gel, pads, or Styrofoam insulation shaped to the hoof. A veterinarian and farrier can work together to find what will work best for your horse and assist in
pain management until the horse is comfortable. A week after the insult it is a good idea to take an x ray of the coffin bone to see how severe the damage was and if the bone is affected. That will dictate treatment going forward. Founder is a very common condition we see, even in Nevada where lush green pastures aren’t exactly the norm 😊 It is important to be able to recognize and treat this condition very quickly to minimize the damage done to your horse’s feet. Please call or email me with any questions relating to the hoof health of your fourlegged transport friend!
Ag & Ranching 2021 • 11
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