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
Simple Ways to Make a Difference When it comes to climate change, many feel that things are beyond our control—that we are living on a planet rocketing towards a brave new world of environmental change. While this is true in part, there still are several simple practices we horse owners … Read More
Biting Insects Can Lead to Serious Health Problems in Horses and Humans Ahh, summer… the long days, the sun and warmth. The season is wonderful in so many ways, except when it comes to those annoying bugs. Flies, gnats, and mosquitoes can make our horses’ lives miserable (ours too), and … Read More
Keep Your Equines Safe and Where They Belong Few things are more important on a horse property than good fencing. Well-constructed, safe, effective fences give you the peace of mind to know your horses will stay home and add value to your property. Fencing represents a huge financial outlay, so … Read More
