Centaurs 4-H Club of Hunterdon County

06/12/2026

🪰 Flies can be one of the most frustrating parts of summer horse management.

Beyond being annoying, flies and other biting insects can contribute to stress, skin irritation, reduced comfort, and even disease transmission.

Unfortunately, there is no single "perfect" fly control method. Effective fly management usually requires a combination of approaches, including sanitation, physical barriers, repellents, and environmental management.

A few simple ways to reduce fly pressure this summer:
✔ Remove manure and wet bedding regularly
✔ Eliminate standing water and clean troughs often
✔ Use fly masks, sheets, leggings, and fans
✔ Rotate fly spray active ingredients to help reduce resistance
✔ Start prevention early before fly populations peak

Different flies behave differently, which means control strategies may need to vary depending on the pests you're dealing with.

Learn more about tailoring fly control strategies and building an integrated fly management plan:
https://horses.extension.org/know-your-flies-the-story-of-tailoring-fly-control-to-your-needs/

06/12/2026

💡 Summer Horse Management Tip

When temperatures rise, improving airflow can go a long way toward keeping horses comfortable. Fans can help increase air movement, support cooling through sweat evaporation, and make shelters and barns more comfortable during hot, humid weather.

At my house, we recently added motion sensors to the outlets powering our barn fans in the run-in shed, which allows the fans to automatically turn on when horses walk underneath them. Our horses spend a surprising amount of time under the fans during the hottest parts of the day and can freely move in and out as they choose. The motion sensors help reduce unnecessary fan runtime while still providing horses access to airflow when they want it.

If adding fans to your barn or shelter setup, be sure to:
• use outdoor-rated, closed-motor fans
• ensure wiring is safely installed and protected
• position fans where horses cannot contact cords or hardware

As an added bonus, improved airflow may also help reduce fly and mosquito pressure, since many flying insects struggle in moving air.

06/12/2026

Thank you Bonacorsi Art (Lianna Bonacorsi) for helping us refresh our logo!

As we evolve and grow, it’s always nice to have an updated logo to reflect who we are and what we’re trying to do.

06/12/2026

The AAEP Infectious Disease Committee has prepared this overview of currently available prevention and treatment options that equine veterinarians may consider for New World Screwworm (NWS) in horses. It is intended as a practical reference to support clinical decision-making during preparedness pla...

06/05/2026

Fun Fact Friday!

06/05/2026

🌍🌱 Happy World Environment Day from the New Jersey 4-H Horse Program! 🐴💚

Today we celebrate the Earth and all the ways we can protect and care for it — and horses have a special place in that story!

🐎 How horses help the environment:
• Horses can support sustainable land management by grazing in ways that help maintain healthy pastures and open spaces.
• Their manure naturally returns nutrients to the soil, supporting plant growth when properly managed.
• In many communities, horses are part of agricultural systems that promote local food production and open-space preservation.

🌾 Wild horses and the environment:
Wild horses are a symbol of freedom and resilience in natural ecosystems. In some rangelands, they play a role in shaping vegetation patterns and interacting with other wildlife. Managing wild horse populations responsibly is important to maintaining balance in shared habitats and protecting natural resources for future generations.

🌎 As 4-H members, we are “learning by doing” — and that includes learning how to be stewards of the land, whether we’re caring for a backyard pasture, a farm, or simply appreciating wildlife and open spaces.

💚 Today’s challenge: Take a moment to appreciate nature with your horse — go for a mindful trail ride, pick up litter around your barn, or learn one new fact about conservation!

06/04/2026

Please don't be THAT client who accidentally wakes up their horse doctor with a non-urgent text! On call or not, your veterinarian deserves a full-night rest. 💤

If you have a late-night or weekend thought, update, or question that does not warrant an emergency response, please hold off on sending that text until the next business day OR utilize your smartphone's "Send Later" feature to schedule the text to be received at an appropriate hour/business day.

If you haven't used your phone's "Send Later" feature, a quick Google search can help you find the instructions compatible with your specific smartphone model. If you're an iPhone user, reference our graphic for a quick visual.

We promise your horse doctor will thank you for letting them sleep through the night and enjoy their weekend uninterrupted by non-emergency texts. As a reminder, it's never a bad idea to ask your veterinarian about their after-hours emergency policies. With horses, emergencies are bound to happen; let's just be mindful of our vet's policies and on-call schedule before we send that text or call.

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has provided an important update on New World Screwworm which has been detected in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. Read the full press release here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-presence-new-world-screwworm-united-states

General information about New World Screwworm (NWS) can be found in the text below and in the attached infographic.

The adult screwworm fly is about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger), with orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along its back. It gets its name from the behavior of its larvae (maggots) as they burrow (screw) into the wound, feeding as they go. The maggots (larvae) cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts’ tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can quickly become enlarged and deeper as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue.

Because they feed on live flesh, NWS maggots may burrow deep into wounds or openings, while other species of maggots may appear around the outer surface of the wound. In addition, even the smallest wounds have the potential to attract flies, so it is imperative that you keep a close eye on your animals for any signs of wounds.

Lastly, NWS infestations are a reportable disease! Immediately report any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations to a local accredited veterinarian, your State Animal Health Official, or a USDA veterinarian.

For more information, reference this resource from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

06/02/2026