Are you one of the many equine enthusiasts who either loves showing your horse or would like to be able to show your horse? Taking your horse to a horse show can be a lot of fun. It’s a great way to test your skills and continue to work on becoming a better rider. You may be eager and ready to show your horse at an in-person horse show, but you might quickly find out that it’s not quite as simple as it sounds. One major obstacle that you might run into, especially if you live in a rural area, … [Read more...]

Whether you keep your horse inside a barn, or he lives outside in a pasture with his buddies, your horse is going to need access to clean, fresh water at all times. Depending on his size, his activity level and also the weather conditions in your area, the amount of water that your horse consumes each day is going to vary. During the summer months when it’s typically hot or humid, your horse is probably going to drink a lot more water than he would during the cold, winter months. On average, … [Read more...]

It’s not surprising that trail riding is such a popular equestrian activity -  it gives you the opportunity to relax, unwind and spend quality time with your friends, your family and of course, with your horse. When you’re out trail riding with your horse, you get to discover all sorts of new exciting places and enjoy the beautiful scenery of rolling hills and winding trails. Your horse, too, can benefit from being on a trail ride, especially since it’s something new and different for him and is … [Read more...]

As a horse owner, you’re not only concerned about proper nutrition and quality care for your horse, but you also want him to look and feel his best at all times. Whether you’re preparing for a horse show or you simply like your horse to look like a champion at home, grooming your horse is an important part of horse care.  From long flowing manes and silky smooth tails to sleek shiny coats, here are some insider tips you can use when you groom your horse that’ll help make him look his best all … [Read more...]

As a horse owner, you probably want to spend as much time as you can with your horse. Feeding, grooming and of course riding are all activities that you truly enjoy. And the more time that you’re able to be outside with your horse the better, right? This is probably true all year long…except when winter arrives with cold wind, freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and slippery ice. Even those every day simple barn chores can become increasingly challenging as the temperatures start to drop. You … [Read more...]

At some point during his life, your horse quite possibly will experience an injury, illness or surgical procedure that is going to require stall rest. It could be a soft tissue injury to a tendon or ligament, or maybe he had surgery that is going to require some extra quiet time so he can recuperate and heal. Depending on the nature of your horse’s injury, his age and the amount of time needed for recovery, your vet may want to put your horse on stall rest for a period of days, weeks, or even … [Read more...]

Thanks to advances in equine medicine, good nutrition and proper management care, horses are now living longer, healthier lives. Many horses are still being ridden and have productive show careers in their 20’s and, in many riding disciplines, horses are considered to be at their prime when they are well into their teens. Just like people, horses age at different rates – you might have a 13 year old horse who is slowing down and is starting to show signs of aging, or you might have one in his … [Read more...]

If you are a horse owner, sooner or later you’re going to need to trailer your horse somewhere. It could be that you’re headed off to a horse show, going out for a relaxing trail ride or a weekend camping trip, or it could be for a veterinarian or farrier appointment.  Knowing how to safely trailer your horse is important for any horse owner, and proper planning and preparation before the trip will help you arrive safely to your destination. Whether you’ve been transporting your horse for years … [Read more...]

Taking care of your horse during the cold winter months is quite different than any other time of the year. You are now faced with the extra challenges of shorter days and cold temperatures, mixed with rain, snow, below freezing temperatures and whole a lot of mud! Plus now your horse has a thick, woolly winter coat, so grooming your horse in the winter can be a little tricky and you might need to get creative in order to keep him clean. Of course regular grooming will remove dirt and mud and … [Read more...]

Summer has officially ended and we can already feel the shifting of the seasons; the leaves are changing into their spectacular autumn colors and there is a cool, crisp breeze in the air. And before we know it, winter will be here along with cold, wet weather. Just like older people, many senior horses are faced with extra challenges as they try to handle the cold weather that winter presents. Your horse’s body condition, nutrition, dental care and shelter are all issues that you’ll need to … [Read more...]