Most horse owners spend a lot of time thinking about fencing, but gates are often what make a horse property either easy to work with — or frustrating every single day. You usually don’t notice a badly placed gate until you’re hauling hay, pushing a wheelbarrow through mud, trying to … Read More
Every horse owner knows the feeling. You finally get a warm stretch of weather, the horses are shedding out, pasture season is starting to look good… and suddenly the bugs arrive in full force. Flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and biting midges can make horses absolutely miserable this time of year. And … Read More
A lot of horse owners learn the hard way that not all fencing holds up to daily ranch life — or determined horses. If you’ve been weighing durability, safety, appearance, and long-term maintenance, this article brings up some things worth thinking about before you invest. There’s a reason more horse … Read More
By the middle of summer, I’ll take any excuse to bathe horses outside instead of inside the barn. There’s usually better airflow, more room to work, and honestly, most horses seem more relaxed out in the open. But I’ve also learned the hard way that simply dragging a hose into … Read More
A Trainer’s Perspective on Arena Surfaces Few things are more important for the soundness of our horses than the arena footing we ride on. Years of training horses and teaching lessons has given me some strong opinions about what’s best. If you pay attention to horses as they work, it’s … Read More
Trail Obstacles Produce Training Opportunities for Horses and Riders Trail courses have many benefits. Primarily, they create interest for horses and riders and provide positive training opportunities. They can also be beneficial for the natural environment around us. Landscaping a trail course with a few native plants or a pollinator … Read More
Portable, Short-Term Fences Help Manage Equine Properties It’s important to begin a discussion about temporary fencing by saying that this type of fence should only be used inside the perimeters of solid, safe, permanent fencing. Temporary fencing is a good way to divide pastures quickly and easily. It’s a way … Read More
Material and Technique Choices Save Time and Money We’re all interested in finding ways to save money while still providing our horses good care. Purchasing bedding is an essential expense horse owners face and is especially important during the wet, frozen, winter months. Horses need a soft, dry place to … Read More
Keeping Barns Organized and Clutter-Free Aids Safety and Sanity Norma Stein has ridden and owned horses for over 50 years. She started out in hunters and transitioned to eventing, eventually spending most of her years in dressage. Now she thinks of herself as “a retired dressage rider who trail rides … Read More
Consider Natural Solutions Fall is a good time to consider rodent control plans as that’s when mice and rats really start showing up in our barns looking for a warm, dry place to hang out for the winter. Rodents are probably one of the toughest challenges to deal with on … Read More
