The Ohio State University Large Animal Services at Marysville

05/13/2026

Dehorning is a common herd management practice used to prevent horn growth, ideally at an early age.

This quick and routine procedure improves safety for both the cattle and the herdsmen.

05/05/2026

Plan A:
1. Cute patients
2. Smooth schedule
3. Get it all done

Plan B:

1. Cute patients
2. Controlled chaos
3. Get it all done

04/24/2026

Calf scours can turn serious FAST.

Electrolytes are critical, but they have selected carefully and be used correctly:
• They don’t replace milk
• Milk doesn’t replace electrolytes
• Timing matters more than most people realize

In this video we break down what to look for in an electrolyte that calves actually need to stay stable.

04/21/2026

This little one is feeling good again!

04/20/2026

The Ohio State University Marysville Large Animal Services facility, where education and real world veterinary medicine come together.

From horses and cattle to goats, pigs, camelids, captive deer, and backyard poultry. We provide comprehensive preventative, medical, emergency, diagnostic, and surgical care.

With faculty veterinarians, residents, interns, and dedicated staff working alongside fourth-year veterinary students.

04/13/2026

Having your calves looking AND moving their best starts at the foundation 🐄👇

🔥 Bovine Show Hoof Trims – Now Only $80/trim
📅 for the months of May & June ONLY

✔️ Professionally balanced
✔️ Stress-free handling
✔️ Advanced diagnostics available (not included in trim price)

📍 OSU Large Animal Services – Marysville, OH
📞 937-642-2936 (Option 1) Mon - Fri 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM

👉 Schedule now before spots fill!

03/03/2026

Dr. Jacque gave a short presentation to cattle producers in Logan County last week. The topic was “You’re still doing that?” and it evaluated old things that you may do that aren’t needed anymore. There was great attendance and interaction. A fun night!

02/07/2026

Our thoughts are with the entire Woodland Run Equine team and everyone affected by the devastating fire. We know how deeply this impacts all involved.

We are holding the Woodland Run community in our hearts during this incredibly difficult time.

01/26/2026

❄️ Union County Level 3 Snow Emergency ❄️
Snow or no snow, emergencies don’t take a day off! We will be here for emergencies only today.
Stay safe, and we’ll be ready if your animals need urgent care! 937-642-2936

01/25/2026

Keeping horses hydrated in weather like today is vital in helping prevent gastric disruption. How can mash help?

💧 𝐃𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬?

Soaking feed or utilizing mashes is a common practice intended to increase water intake in horses - but does it actually help?

I decided to take a dive into the research, as many horse owners soak feed in the winter, particularly during cold weather snaps, to encourage water intake. And while digging, I came across two studies you may find interesting!

🧪𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝟏 (𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐚 𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐥., 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓)
The first study took place in Florida, where the average ambient temperature during the study was 55°F (13°C). This research evaluated horses consuming soaked pelleted feed, alfalfa cubes, or beet pulp in a 2:1 ratio of water to concentrate.

This study found that horses rapidly self-regulated voluntary water intake based on the amount of water provided in the meal. This means, when water was added to their feed, they voluntarily drank less so total water consumption remained the same.

This was shown as horses on dry feed had a voluntary water intake of 32.2 L while horses on soaked feed reduced voluntary water intake to 25.4 L to accommodate the ~6 L of water provided in the mash, for a total water intake of 31.5 L.

But that brings us to the second study 👇

❄️ 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝟐 (𝐑𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐲, 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟑)
This study evaluated seasonal differences in water intake during the fall (55°F; 12.8 °C) and winter (-4 to 33°F; -20 to 0.67°C) in Wisconsin. Horses were fed a pelleted concentrate at 0.5% body weight, with soaked feed provided at 2 L water/kg feed.

This study found that horses drank:
🍁 29.3 L/day in the fall
❄️ 24.7 L/day in the winter

This decrease supports previous findings that water intake drops by approximately 6–12% during the cold winter months.

However, this study also evaluated soaked vs dry feed.

While no difference in voluntary water intake was observed during the fall trial, horses in the winter consumed more water when eating a mash (26.9 L) compared to when consuming dry feed (22.4 L), a difference of about 1.2 gallons per day. The study found that horses consuming the mash drank equal to or more water than horses consuming the dry grain, in addition to the water they consumed in their feed.

✨𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞
Cold weather can reduce voluntary water intake in horses, but feeding a mash during winter can help combat that decline. In more mild weather, however, soaking feeds likely does not increase total water intake, as horses will self-regulate.

Will these studies make you more likely to soak you feeds - why or why not?

Stay warm out there!
Dr. DeBoer

Ferreira N, Binder D, Garbati IH, Lance JM, Warren LK. Effect of soaking feed on water intake and hydration in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2025 May 1;148:105449.

Rucker NK, Hiney KM. Voluntary water intake in horses when fed a dry versus mash grain in two different seasons. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2013 May;33(5):355-6.

01/23/2026

Just a few days left to reserve your spot for the 2026 cattle meeting. Please call the office to reserve your spot! Enjoy delicious food, fellowship, and a learning opportunity!

🐄✨ Calling Ohio Cattle Producers! ✨🐄

Join us for the 2026 Cattle Producer Meeting - an evening packed with timely topics, expert speakers, and great food!

📅 January 29, 2026
📍 Der Dutchman
445 Jefferson Ave, Plain City, OH 43064

🕔 Doors open: 5:00 PM
🍽️ Dinner served: 5:30 PM

🔍 What’s on the agenda?
Dinner Session
• Vector-borne cattle diseases: What’s happening in Ohio & what you need to know
• Emerging disease & regulatory updates

Breakout Sessions
🥩 Beef: Trace minerals in beef cattle production
🥛 Dairy: Adult dairy cow respiratory disease

🎤 Featuring experts from Ohio State, including Dr. Risa Pesapane, Dr. Dennis Summers (State Veterinarian), Dr. Craig Louder (Axiota Animal Health), and OSU LAS Faculty.

📞 RSVP by January 26
Call 937-642-2936 (Option 1)

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed, ask questions, and connect with fellow producers and veterinary professionals. We hope to see you there! 🌾🐂l