NDSU Hosts Horse Management Webinars, Focus on Biosecurity and Costs

North Dakota State University Extension announced on November 29 a series of three horse management webinars scheduled for noon Central Standard Time on December 3, December 10, and December 17, 2025. The first session, Stable Safeguards Traceability and Biosecurity for Equine Diseases, was led on December 3 by Dr. Ethan Andress, the North Dakota state veterinarian. Upcoming webinars include Stable Solutions Managing Manure in Winter on December 10 with Mary Keena, livestock environmental management specialist at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center, and Stable Finances What It Takes to Afford a Horse on December 17 with Paige Brummund, an NDSU Extension agent.

The series is aimed at practical challenges that affect animal health and public safety in rural communities. Traceability and biosecurity practices discussed in the opening session reduce the risk of infectious disease spread among animals, protect the local horse population, and help public health and veterinary systems respond more quickly to outbreaks. Winter manure management carries environmental and public health implications, especially when snow melt can mobilize nutrients and pathogens into surface and groundwater. Affordable care and realistic budgeting for horses influences who can keep animals safely, and affects access to veterinary care and training.

For Stutsman County, the webinars offer actionable guidance for small acreage owners, boarding facilities, and equine service providers. Better biosecurity can limit disruptions to livelihoods and community events. Improved manure handling practices can reduce runoff risk to shared water sources and lessen odor and respiratory exposures for neighbors. Clear information about the true costs of horse ownership can help families and community programs plan sustainably and avoid situations where animals are at risk due to financial strain.

NDSU Extension is offering registration through the NDSU webinar page for the remaining sessions. The online format aims to make the information accessible to residents across the county, and the topics connect animal health, environmental stewardship, and economic equity in ways that matter to local public health and agricultural resilience.