Recent content by Horse News

  1. Horse News

    Horse Lameness Lingo (Simple Beginner’s Glossary)

    Equine Lameness for Rookies Lameness: a word all horse owners fear. Lameness is a symptom, not a condition, so knowing what to look for can help pinpoint the cause and get your horse sound again. Lameness can stem from muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, skin infections, bones, or hooves...
  2. Horse News

    Smart Safety Equipment for Equestrians

    Top Safety Gear for Horses & Their Riders If you’ve spent time around horses, you’re probably aware of all the various equipment and gadgets designed to help keep both you and your horse safe in and around the barn. But what is a “nice to have” versus a “need to have?” And what equipment can be...
  3. Horse News

    Equine Physiology & Psychology

    Speaking Their Language: Equine Physiology and Psychology for Crystal-Clear Communication In order to successfully (and safely) work with horses, we need to understand how their bodies and brains work. Physiology and psychology influence each other and will be discussed concurrently...
  4. Horse News

    The Bright Side of Positive Reinforcement Horse Training

    Training Your Horse the Happier, Healthier Way As a youngster, my Percheron cross mare would not leave the yard to go out for a trail ride. She was extremely buddy sour and would rear and spin in her effort to stay close to her friends. I was almost at the end of my tether when I decided to...
  5. Horse News

    Tips for Finding a Fantastic Farrier

    A Good Farrier: Hard to Find? Back in the 1908’s, Feargal Sharkey thought a good heart was hard to find, and others have written stories about how hard it is to find a good man/woman. As far as I’m concerned, both those challenges are a lot easier than finding a good farrier. A good farrier...
  6. Horse News

    Love & Let Go: Saying Goodbye to Your Heart Horse

    Finding & Losing the Horse Who Has Your Heart Some of us are fortunate enough to forge a special bond with a horse. These horses are commonly referred to as “heart horses” (or your equestrian soulmate). Because of this unique bond, it can be difficult to navigate their loss. And I would know...
  7. Horse News

    How to Balance Horses and Life Without Losing Your Mind

    Honing In On Horse/Life Balance Horses can quickly overtake your life, especially if you’re an active competitor or if you keep them at home. While being involved is a good thing, it’s important to find your balance (and not just in the saddle). Finding balance with horses can be a challenge...
  8. Horse News

    Barefoot Horses 101: Why You *May* Want to Go Barefoot

    Barefoot Benefits for Horses For the past 20 years, I’ve exclusively worked with, ridden, and owned barefoot horses. I’ve been around barefoot horses so long that it comes as a bit of a surprise when I see a horse wearing shoes! Although there are many advantages to going barefoot, it’s not...
  9. Horse News

    Horse Boarding Basics (Etiquette *Everyone* Should Know)

    Equestrian Boarder Do’s & Don’ts There are many “common sense” factors with horse boarding… that aren’t always common. While some people have had wonderful boarding experiences, others…not so much. How do you ensure a top-notch boarding experience? By learning how to be an exceptional boarder...
  10. Horse News

    Horse Calming Supplements 101: Tips for Low-Stress Strides

    Calm, Cool and Collected Horses are perplexing creatures. Some seem unflappable, while others are easily spooked by things like shadows and plastic bags. If your horse leans more towards “flight” in scary situations (like mine does), a calming supplement may be just what the doctor ordered to...
  11. Horse News

    Come Clean: What to Know About Horse Wash Racks

    Equine Bath Time Basics Have you ever tied your horse to a fence and attempted to wash them off using a hose, while simultaneously creating a mud pit? I sure have! There’s good news though—horse wash racks are a great way to make bath time better for you and your horse. Situated close to, or...
  12. Horse News

    Hoof Talk: Tackling Seedy Toe, Thrush, Mud Fever & More

    Addressing Common Equine Hoof Ailments While you should never look a gift horse in the mouth, you might want to check out its hooves before you take it home. I was fortunate enough to be given a horse (well, a fat pony) earlier this year. He’s in good health overall, although he would benefit...
  13. Horse News

    Putting the Horse Straw vs. Shavings Debate to Bed

    Selecting Horse Stall Bedding If cleaning stalls is part of your routine, too, you might be wondering if you’re using quality bedding. Most owners are torn between two types: wood shavings and straw—and I was one of them. I want my horse to be super comfortable and happy, so I researched the...
  14. Horse News

    Best Portable Horse Feeder? It’s in the (Nose) Bag.

    Make Feed Time Simpler Horse nose bag feeders may seem a bit old-fashioned, but they can be a convenient method to feed your horse grain or supplements. Horse feed bags, also called nose bags, were once commonplace on farms and in the military. They are designed to fit over a horse’s muzzle...
  15. Horse News

    3 Easy (Nicker-Worthy!) Homemade Horse Treats

    Make your own horse treats from the heart While store-bought horse treats are readily available, they can often come at a hefty cost and are not always the healthiest option for our equine companions. We all love to treat our horses and give them the best possible care we can afford, and...
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