It's almost the middle of show season and after months of preparation, training and schooling, horses are expected to be at their best and perform unconditionally.  Many horse owners are quick (and excited!) to purchase new tack and equipment, new show clothing, take extra lessons and even switch up their feeds to get the extra edge.  However, no matter how good you…

Iron is an essential micromineral in the horse's diet and nature has provided an abundance of it in soils, plants and water.  Deficiencies in this mineral are very rare while excess amounts are all too common and can affect a horse's health in detrimental ways.  If your horse has any immune issues, metabolic conditions, infections, or laminitis pay extra…

A great way to stay in shape is to head outdoors on your favourite steed! Take extra time to warm up your horse's cold muscles by spending more time at the walk and trot before venturing into deep snow or at faster speeds. Cooling down also takes longer because of the heavier winter coat, especially if a sweat has broken, so take your time…

You are probably wondering what equine nutrition has to do with buying a new saddle.  Let me explain.... 

If you are anything like me I am really due for another saddle, but because of the big price tag that is usually attached to purchasing 'the right one', I knew I had to look at my budget and see the areas where I can trim back to jump-start my "saddle…

A horse's nutrition for the most part these days is largely dependent upon the experience, knowledge, but most importantly the "attitude" of its owner.  Attitude plays a key factor in almost everything we do, and often determines our successes or failures in our relationships, our work and, in this case, the horses we love and care for.

As I continue to work with horse owners in helping them with balanced nutrition plans for their horses, I find that it is…

Here are some quick and fun myths and facts to read about nutrition... enjoy!

"Bran Mashes are Good for Horses"

Research studies have proven that adding wheat bran to the diet does not have a laxative effect.  Loose stools because of a bran mash could be caused rather from digestive upset because of the high starch.  Wheat bran fed long-term can result in a higher phosphorous to calcium ratio…

Next time you are in the barn take a few minutes to look at your hay.  Are you familiar with the quality of it or guessing it?  What about the nutrient content?  "Forage Is First" rule applies to all horses - their digestive systems work the best when ample forage is supplied.  But not all forages are created equal.  Was it a good year or a stressful year for…

A horsewoman told me that, at sixty-three, she was the proud owner of her very first horse trailer. I let out a congratulatory yell and I’ve been smiling all day. Trailers add a layer of independence to the freedom we feel with horses.

Do you remember your first horse trailer? Mine was a navy blue two-horse straight load. It was the late ’80s and no one I knew wanted to…

“How much does a horse cost? Do you have to be rich to own one?”

I can tell you how much hay they eat, warn you about vet bills and farrier visits. There are many articles and books written about equine…

Are you happy with your veterinarian? It’s the question I ask when a client loses a horse or has a long-term issue. I’m not sure it’s important that they actually have the best vet in the world, but it is important that they think they do. The reason to talk about it now is obvious; there may not be time…

The very first time you…

Heard from the horse show bleachers: “Now that’s a happy horse that loves his job.”

In 2004,  FEI introduced into its dressage rules the phrase “happy athlete” to describe the ideal dressage horse.

But judging a horse’s happiness remains fairly subjective.

In a recent blog, I wrote about horse unhappiness – describing the Horse Grimace Scale… the…

High levels of stress are bad not only for humans, but also for our horses. Stress can cause issues such as ulcers, but it can also create an unhappy horse. If you want to minimize the stress in your horse’s life, consider the following ideas.

Buy Stalls with Open Front Designs

When building…

Before you know it, foaling season will be here. If you have broodmares in your barn, then it’s time to get ready for foaling season. Here’s a to-do list to make sure that you’re prepared for the busy season.

Assess Available Facilities

Before your mare gets closer to…

We all know that turnout is beneficial to horses, but sometimes it just isn’t possible to turn horses out. The encroaching winter weather often brings snow and ice storms, and these conditions may leave your pastures unsafe for turnout. These tips can help you to keep your horses happy and healthy when turnout isn’t possible.

Turn Horses Out in an Indoor…

We all know how sensitive equine digestive systems are. It’s important that we only put quality feed into our horses, and that all begins with how we store the feed once it enters our barns. Take a look at these tips for storing horse feed to make sure that you’re doing things right when it comes to…

Now is the time of year when wildlife starts to find its way into your barn. And while squirrels, mice, and birds might be enjoyable while they’re outside, when they come into your barn they become nuisances and even health hazards. Need to keep wildlife out of your barn this fall and winter? These tips can help you do…