Fly Control for Stables

9:33 pm
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Flies and other biting insects are a constant part of a horse-owner’s life.

No one wants to see their horses stamping and swishing their tails at flies all day, not to mention the very real threat of insect-borne illnesses like equine encephalitis, West Nile Virus, and equine infectious anemia.

Often, the first thing a horse-owner turns to when they are trying to fight biting insects around the barn is fly-spray. Repellents and insecticides, however, should be the last line of defense in the battle against bugs. The real key to your horse’s […]

The Five Tools You Should Have in Your Grooming Kit

6:26 pm
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Grooming is part of daily life with horses.

When we groom our horses, we aren’t just making them neat and pretty — we are finding their sore spots, locating hidden injuries, identifying muscles which need toning, working on stretches and obedience. And we’re also offering our horses a sign of our affection, by acting as member of the herd, giving out scratches in all the itchy places.

So even if your horse is neatly clipped and steps out of his stall like a fashion model, or lives out in the pasture and is rarely, or never, ridden […]

Keep Your Horse Cool: Summer Cool-Down Tips

4:21 am
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The hottest days of the year are upon us. And if you think you’re hot on a sticky, ninety-degree day, imagine how your horse feels!

Horses and humans come from two different worlds. Horses were adapted to the arctic climes: between thirty and sixty degrees Fahrenheit, horses don’t expend energy to stay warm or cool. Humans come from the warm equatorial regions of the earth: until they figured out clothes, they were pretty much relegated to staying someplace warm. And now, North America, we all live together in varying degrees of temperate zones, from the […]

Selecting Hay for your Horse

7:31 pm
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In summertime, a farmer’s thoughts turn to thoughts of hay-cutting, and horse owners are eager to get their hands on the season’s best forage for their horses.

What are some things you should look out for when buying hay? Whether you wander a warehouse and order a truckload or go to the feedstore once a week with your pick-up truck, there are certain qualities to good hay that you should always watch for. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and make sure your sinuses are clear, because you’re going to use […]

Bringing the Horses Home: Are You Ready?

It’s the dream of many horse owners: to look out the window and see their horses grazing right outside.

Although boarding at a stable is a convenience some can’t imagine living without, there’s definitely something about keeping one’s horse at home that keeps people gazing at real estate ads or imagining just how their little acreage could be turned into farm of their own.

But keeping horses at home is a big step. Here are three things to consider before you decide to fire your barn manager and bring the horses home.

1 […]

Choosing a Riding Instructor for Your Child

5:06 am
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Thinking of starting your child in horseback riding lessons?

Congratulations! Riding is a skill that your child will keep forever. Like riding a bike, riding a horse is something you just don’t forget how to do.

Choosing a riding instructor for your child isn’t always simple. It’s important to find a safe lesson program where education and horsemanship are always at the forefront. Blue ribbons are nice, but without a safety-first, horse-first mentality, your child won’t learn the fundamentals that will make him or her a true equestrian. Fortunately, even if you […]

Equine Disaster Plans

12:37 am
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Do you have a disaster plan for your horses?

Government agencies advocate having an emergency plan in place for your family, but if you own horses, you know: you have family members that you can’t just bundle into the backseat if a natural disaster is looming.

No matter where you and your horses live, there is the potential for a disaster that could force evacuation or the possibility of living without supplies or electricity for a period of time. Whether it’s a hurricane, a flood, a tornado, or a wildfire, it pays […]

Keeping Your Tack Clean and Healthy

11:14 pm
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Cleaning tack. It’s a dirty job, but we all have to do it.

Saddles, bridles, and all the other bits of leather that we use on our horses can cost a fortune. Luckily, with proper care and storage, tack can last, if not forever, a very, very long time.

Climate control: Leather is just like you: it hates humidity. Saddles in humid, sub-tropical climates like the Southeast are always at risk for mold and mildew. You know that wonderful scent of leather that comes wafting out of a clean tack room? The odor of […]

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