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 […]