Here comes the heat!

Although it seemed like winter would never end, parts of the country are already heating up into the 90s and beyond — and we’re not just talking about the hot places like Florida! If North America skipped spring and went straight into summer this year, we definitely need to keep an eye on ourselves and our animals for signs of heat stroke. Here are some tips on keeping your horse cool when the temperature is soaring.

Schedule Extra Cool-down Time: Make sure there’s enough time at the end of your […]

There’s nowhere you’d rather be during wet weather than indoors…

preferably someplace warm and comfortable, right?

Many horseowners assume their horse feels the same way. And, truth be told, some horses do feel that way. But for the most part, the average horse really doesn’t mind a little wind and rain. They’d just as soon be left out to enjoy their pasture time during a storm as during a bright sunny day.

Of course, horses can pick up all sorts of ailments from wet weather, too: skin fungus, hoof infections, even injury from blowing […]

They say there are two sure signs of spring: mud and shedding horses.

Only your drainage and your weather can help you with the mud. But here are a few tips for helping you deal with the fur factory — I mean shedding horse — in your barn.

The old-fashioned way: the rubber curry comb. Curry combs come in all shapes and sizes these days; if you’re feeling like a princess, try a crown-shaped curry comb. But what won’t change is the bicep-building elbow grease required to give a horse a good rubbing […]

Horse owners are traditionally the most DIY of animal-lovers.

Hands up if your vet has ever looked at you and said “You know how to take stitches out, right?” or if you see them more for a scheduled drop-off of prescription medicines than for emergencies.

But even if you prefer to let the professionals take care of the messy business of treating wounds and checking vitals, there are certain first aid must-haves that no stable can be without. Unless you have a veterinarian on staff, at some point you will find yourself with an emergency […]

Ah, it’s time for winter shoes.

Bring out the boots: waterproof, shearling-lined, insulated, bulky boots. The ones for stomping through mud and slush and snow for another season. Put away your flip-flops; hide them somewhere, you don’t want to be reminded of them mid-winter, or you’ll find yourself on a plane to the Caribbean before you’ve sorted out a barn-sitter.

But what about your horse? His winter boots need consideration, too. From occasional ice to heavy snows, no matter where you live, if the seasons are affecting your choice in […]