Is Horse Care More Complicated Today?
By Karen Pickering
The topic of equine wellness is on my mind a lot lately. I’m down to two horses—April and my mini, Chloe. It seems my current horses have more health issues than those I owned as a kid. My parents didn’t have money to spend on supplements or any extras. We fed the basics: hay and cob. I administered my own shots and worming.
It’s not the same these days. As an adult, I’ve spent untold dollars on supplements and tools to take care of my horses. I seem to have more issues with respiratory problems, lameness and colic than ever before. What is causing this?
Part of the challenge of living in the Pacific Northwest is our lush pastures. Would my horses do better in a drier climate? Probably so. Still, today’s issues seemed non-existent for me 35 years ago. Has our weather gotten wetter (not counting this unusually dry year)? Could it be the breed of horses I’ve had in the past? Arabians and Standardbreds versus Quarter Horses?
Both my horses are improving but I’m cutting back on everything and making it simple again. As a kid I rode more. Now, I’m busy. I leave my riding until the end of the day, which means my horses don’t always get ridden. I think my lack of consistency getting my horses worked has played a big part in their health problems. So what’s the answer?
The answer for me is to be more attentive to testing and isolating new products and feed. I need to make one change at a time, evaluate, and decide whether to keep it or discard. As publisher of this magazine I have the opportunity to try many new products, which is awesome…but I have to be careful and take more time to test each thing and see if it really makes a difference. Not every product will work with every horse.
Watch for information on another product I’m testing. I’ve just received a Haygain Steamer. I’ll be reviewing this product and bringing it with me to the expos in 2019.
I am glad we have the resources to research and connect with people with similar issues. My desire is to give you helpful information each month supported by some of the best products in the industry. Enjoy this issue as we’re featuring a brand-new company to our magazine, Spurr’s Big Fix. This amazing product is something you’ll want to try. Read about them on page 6.
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and remember to ride!
You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.
Jim Rohn -1930-2009, Author and Speaker
Owner / Publisher | Canfield Certified Trainer
Karen Pickering is a lifelong horsewoman and the founder of The Northwest Horse Source, which began in 1995 as a small equine newsletter and grew into a respected industry publication. With more than 30 years of experience serving the horse community, Karen now focuses on helping equine businesses and organizations build visibility, credibility, and lasting relationships through online marketing, digital promotion, and educational platforms.
As a Canfield Certified Trainer, she blends proven success principles with real-world industry experience, supporting both businesses and individuals navigating change in today’s digital landscape. Karen remains deeply connected to the horse industry and is passionate about serving the community she has helped build for over three decades.
