Bringing a new horse home is often an exciting time, but introducing that horse to your herd can also be quite challenging and risky. Horses rely on the hierarchy of the herd for their security, social status, and safety. During the weeks following the introduction of a new horse, the herd must redefine their social rankings, leading to an increased risk of injury and stress for the newcomer as well as the established herd members. There are several steps you can take however, to help assure the transition is made safely and with minimum risk of injury.

The first and […]

Springtime is the traditional foaling season, but your mare could be expecting a foal at any time of year. Your foaling kit should be ready to go at a moment’s notice, because once the mare’s water breaks, you should have a foal on the ground within thirty minutes. That means the time to prepare is well before your mare’s due date. So how should you stock your foaling kit?

Here are some of the essential elements of a foaling kit:

Flashlight, battery-powered lantern, or head lamp, with extra batteries: Sure, it would be best […]

Soap suds and bubbles in the wash-rack: in some barns it’s a daily sight. In others, horses might only get a bath before special occasions like shows or parades. Determining how often you should bathe your horse is often based upon personal preference and need, or even industry practice. If you run a racing stable, you’re probably giving your horse a soapy bath after every ride, but if you’re managing a hunter/jumper barn, it’s more likely to be once a week. So when it comes to bathing your horse, what’s really best for […]

What’s your favorite treat for your horses? Is it healthy? Finding healthy treats for horses can be challenging. Commercial treats might look pretty and fun to share, but they might also be loaded with sugar, or even allergens that upset your horse’s stomach. As a follow up to our posts Refreshing and Entertaining Horse Treats, and Healthy Treats for Horses, we have some additional tips on finding the best healthy treats for your horse.

Stay Natural
If you have good storage options for fresh fruits and vegetables, why not stick with natural treats? Horses are prone […]

Feeling the winter blues around your barn already? It might not be the weather — your horse is probably enjoying the chill in the air! Winter is a prime time for boredom, though, and it can affect both horse and rider. If you’ve been riding twenty-meter circles until you’re dizzy, it might be time for a little shake-up to your riding routine. You can fight the winter training doldrums with some fun cross-training for you and your horse.

Why is cross-training is important for your horse? It’s more than just boredom, although […]