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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Keep Your Horse Cool: Summer Tips for Comfort

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 […]

Selecting Hay for your Horse

7:31 pm
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Choosing the Right Hay for Your Horse

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Book Review: Falling for Eli

How I Lost Heart, Then Gained Hope Through the Love of a Singular Horse

By Nancy Shulins,  258 pages, 2012 Da Capo Press

The author, an accomplished correspondent for the Associated Press, fills an unfulfilled need for children she is not biologically able to have, with of all things, a horse.  The story follows her angst from making peace with what cannot be, through her angst in the adventure of first time horse ownership from 1996 through 2008.

I found the book so relatable on many levels.  Her horse, a thoroughbred she names Eli […]

Health Tips for Horses in Muddy Conditions

Is your farm muddy?

Summer mud. Winter mud. Spring mud. Fall mud. No matter what the season, mud is a part of a horseman’s life. Whether you live in a part of the country with a rainy season that makes mud a daily nuisance, or you just don’t have the best drainage in the world, mud happens.

And mud is more than just a tedious mess that ends up all over your boots. Mud can cause a host of health problems, from soft feet to skin infections. So what should horse owners be aware of when […]

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