Horses

With Christmas fast approaching, some of us are stumped on what to purchase for that special horse- person in our life. Below are a few suggestions, suited for horse folks.

Horses love to play with one another or alone. When horses gets bored, they are much like other animals, they will find ways to entertain themselves. Sometimes they will chew on their stalls. ...

Gentling a wild mustang is a life enriching experience. The first time that long whiskered beauty reaches his warm soft muzzle towards your extended hand is a magical moment you are not likely to...

Fescue is a form of hay fed to around 700,000 horses each year. It is not the most common fodder and has a reputation as poor fare, but much of this may be counteracted by early harvesting and...

If you are a horse owner, you are undoubtedly familiar with the term “horse poor.” Any extra income likely covers feeding, housing and vetting our equine friends. Many of these costs are...

Environmental triggers such as mold, dust and grass proteins are the most common causes of equine allergies. However, sometimes horses develop allergies with little or no warning. At the initial...

Insulin hormone is produced in the horse's pancreas to regulate the metabolism of glucose in the body. Insulin-resistant horses need more insulin than normal to facilitate this because their body...

Fescue Hay is a cool season grass typical in horse pastures. Fertilizing your Fescue Hay will help stimulate growth, producing bigger yields and healthier hay. Fertilization is needed multiple...

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) occurs when a horse or pony becomes insulin-resistant, often resulting in obesity. EMS is generally found in horses between the ages of 8 and 18 and is most common...

The contemporary horse evolved from ancestors who spent as many as 20 hours a day foraging for food. A horse's digestive system functions best on small portions, rather than a large meal once or...

During digestion food is broken down to its most basic form: glucose (sugars). Insulin produced by the pancreas regulates how much glucose is in the bloodstream and moves excess glucose from the...

Proper diet is an essential part of protecting the health of your horse. Whether your horse is in active competition or just used for light riding, it is important to follow a sensible feeding...

No matter the age of your horse, it is important that he receive proper nutrition for optimal health. Good nutrition is vital for any horse, but it is even more essential for performance horses....

Whether your goal is to become the next Roy Rogers or just chase some cows around the pasture, teaching your horse to rope can be a rewarding experience. Roping is a great sport, and knowing you...

Many horses are overweight. Diet, exercise, environment and health issues can all contribute to your draft horse's obesity. Horses are designed to eat all day, so it can be difficult to restrict...

If you have always wanted to keep your horse at home, you will first need to design a suitable home for him. A barn is the perfect place to keep your dream horse, but it is important to organize...

Horse allergies are difficult to diagnose because they can take years to develop. Healthy horses can be afflicted with allergies without warning. Symptoms of horse allergies include tearing eyes,...

Proper nutrition is essential to good horse health. Unlike other herbivores, such as cattle, horses have only one stomach, and their digestive systems can be delicate, so a nutritious and...

Horses, for all their size and strength, can actually be quite fragile. One of the most delicate parts of the equine system is its digestive tract. Colic, the No. 1 killer of horses, is a problem...

It's a common scenario: You want to take your horse to the park for a trail ride, but he refuses to get in the trailer. If you can't get him to cooperate, your plans will be ruined, and if you are...

A male miniature donkey is called a Jack while the female is called a Jennet and can begin breeding by 3 years old. The female will carry the foal for up to 13 months. If she delivers the foal...

More than 37,000 miniature donkeys are registered in the United States. The male miniature donkey is called a Jack, and the female is called a Jennet. Miniature donkeys are friendly and easily...

Horses don’t ask much of their human caretakers. They accept whatever conditions we provide and seem to be content with kindness, adequate food, water, stabling and a loving pat now and then. They...

Horses need roughage, meaning grass or hay, to keep their digestive tracts healthy. In the winter or for horses in small pastures with little or no grass, free access to hay should be offered at...

Horses are natural grazers and should be allowed free access to either grass or hay 24 hours a day. In the winter when grass isn't available, hay should be available but kept off the ground to...

The diet of a horse with insulin resistance needs to be carefully monitored, just like a person with insulin resistance. Having insulin resistance seems to predispose horses to Equine Metabolic...

Does your horse get bored in his/her stall? Do they even get bored with their toys? If so, then here’s a fun a quirky way to entertain your horse anytime, a Hay Hunt! A Hay Hunt consists of taking...

How do you know what to feed a horse? Feeding is important, not only for its nutritional benefit, but also for your horse's digestive health. What and how much to feed depends on a number of...

A horse's digestive tract is designed to accommodate a certain amount of feed based on his weight. Though this provides a foundation for determining the amount of feed to give a horse, the final...

If you own a horse - you realize that you have a nearly limitless amount of feed and supplement items to choose from. Finding the RIGHT plan for your horses specific needs can not only be...

choosing healthy hay for your horse.

Hay Testing - How and Why you need to know the sugar of your feed!!! This is a detailed description of how to pull a field sample from your pasture as well as how to test your hay supply!

Gastric ulcers are caused when acid levels in the horse's stomach rise to reach the upper stomach lining, which has little protection. This can happen any time a horse is stressed, such as when...

Horses in the wild get all of the nutrients they need through grazing and drinking water. However, because of the limited access kept horses have to natural foods, these nutrients need to be...

After a long recovery from injury or illness, even the best-trained horses can be unruly when you first take them out of their stalls. Prevention is the best way to keep yourself and your horse...

Heaves can effect any horse regardless of breed, training, or age. Heaves is often compared to asthma in humans. The horse's lungs become hyper-sensitive to allergens like the mold and dust found...

Horse colic is not a disease; it's a set of symptoms that indicate a pain in your horse's abdominal area. Symptoms of colic include signs of anxiety and nervousness, including tail twitching,...

Pinworms are not the most dangerous equine parasite, but they do cause severe itching which can be unpleasant for your horse. The constant rubbing can result in irritated, broken skin that can...

Feed a stabled horse grain twice a day and supply them with ample hay. Find out more about feeding a stabled horse with tips from an equestrian team coach in this free video on horseback riding.

Choosing the right food for your horse may not be as simple as you think. There are several factors to be taken into consideration. Individual horses may require variations in diet. For example,...

Horses have a food pyramid just like humans, though theirs includes dry, cured hay and food formula in pellets. Feed a horse healthy, nutritious food with tips from a ranch owner in this free...

Many quarter horses can do with one scoop of feed in each of the morning and night and hay for grazing during the day. Feed a horse enough to maintain weight with tips from a ranch owner in this...

Nutrition for a pregnant horse includes clean alfalfa hay given at least two or three times a day equaling at least two percent of the mare's body weight. Provide adequate nutrition for an...

Horses are herbivores, meaning they eat grass and other plants. The typical diet for a normal, healthy horse is a combination of roughage (hay) and concentrates (grains).

Colic causes abdominal pain in a horse and can become dangerous when the pain causes the horse to roll on the ground, which can result in the twisting of the intestines. If the blood supply is cut...

A horse hay feeder is a slotted rack mounted to the wall of a horse's stall, usually made of metal but sometimes made of wood. The feeder keeps hay off the ground and allows hay to be dropped...

Horse Barns have all of the elements needed for a fire to occur. Oxygen, Fuel and Heat can start a fire and keep it going. Your Horse Barn has proper ventilation to provide oxygen to your horse,...

Colic occurs in approximately 10 percent of horses annually, and ranges from mild severity to potentially deadly. It's essential that people who own and work with horses can not only recognize the...

Winter is the hardest time of the year to take care of your horses properly. Not only do you want them to stay warm and healthy, but you also want to be sure that they're hydrated and have plenty...

Winter can be difficult for your horse. The low temperatures, wind, and dampness can effect the health of horses. Here are a few tips to keep your horse healthy and ready to hit the trails come...