Most of the horses in today’s modern world spend at least some of their time in stalls. Whether it’s due to land constraints and limited pasture, to keep a working horse handy and clean during the day, or to protect valuable horses from injuring themselves during unsupervised playtime, stalling horses is a reality we all face. At the same time, as horsemen we are tasked with keeping our horses healthy and happy–and we know that social interaction with other horses is important to this mission. How do you keep your stalled horses happy? Providing social stimulation is […]
Tips for Taking Great Horse Photos
No matter what you do in the horse business — training, sales, breeding, instruction — you probably find yourself regularly in need of some decent photos of your horses. Equine photography is a challenging practice, which is why there are so many professional photographers out there just waiting to take your next conformation shot. So what are some great ways to improve your eye for equine photography? We have some tips for taking great horse photos.
Pick your lighting: Either full shade or full sun, there is no in-between. Camera light meters, even relatively basic ones like your smartphone […]
Ice-Free Strategies for Keeping Your Horse’s Water from Freezing
Frozen water buckets: they can affect your life almost anywhere in the United States. Even in the warmest winter refuges of Florida, a freeze can sweep over your farm and harden your horse’s water buckets or trough to a solid mass overnight, leaving your horse without water, and you with the unpleasant task of breaking all that ice. In extreme climates, when the air temperature drops well below zero for extended periods of time, it can be hard to get by without purpose made bucket warmers. For those times when it isn’t an arctic blast, however, you might […]
4 Bandages Every Horse Owner Needs
We all keep horses for different reasons, but whether your horse lives out on pasture and goes for occasional trail rides, or spends most of his time working in an indoor and eating hay in a stall, there are certain necessities every horse owner must keep around the barn. These are the four bandages every horse owner needs on hand… just in case!
1: Self-adhesive wrap. With brand names like Vetrap, self-adhesive wrap might be the one of the most important things in your emergency kit. It’s useful in a pinch when you need to […]
Why Natural Light Matters to Your Stable (And How to Get It)
Horses are outdoor creatures. Frequently, however, they’re living indoor lives. And while some horses will let you know they really prefer the sheltered experience — we’ve all known that horse who demands to be returned to his stall the moment a cloud appears in the sky — the fact is, their physiology is still designed for wide open spaces. They require motion, fresh air, and natural light.
Natural light is superior to electric light for a number of reasons, and its effects on both horses and humans is well-documented. Exposure to unfiltered natural light allows the development of Vitamin […]
Should Your Barn Include a Loft?
Hay lofts and other overhead spaces are a historically proven way to add valuable storage space to your barn without eating up square footage that you can devote to your horses’ living space, working space, and paddocks. There are also conveniences to keeping bulky items like hay on the second level — once you’ve got it up there, of course! But there are some cons to lofts as well. Let’s dive in and take a look at the pros and cons of hay lofts and overhead storage in your barn.
Hay loft pro: An easy hay-to […]
The Real Cost of Owning a Horse
Our friends at Diamond Trailers have put together the real cost of owning a horse, as it’s every little girl or boys dream to own one. Think back to your childhood and you probably though about it at least once. Probably asked your parents for one at Christmas or a birthday? Well, it sounds great. Until you look at the cost of owning a horse in the long run, it’s a huge financial commitment and not one that should be taken lightly. Here’s a infographic showing the initial cost of owning a horse and the yearly cost […]
Should My Indoor Arena Connect to my Stable?
Indoor and covered arenas are becoming increasingly popular for horsemen across the country. There’s really no climate in which a trainer or even casual rider can’t take advantage of a roof over their head while riding. Protection from rain, snow, and blazing hot sun — all of these conditions can significantly impact your training calendar, as well as your enjoyment of your horses. They also come in handy for turn-out when paddocks are inaccessible or unsafe.
To maximize the benefits of covered or indoor arenas, many barn owners are opting to connect them to their stable, or even […]