Category: Horse Care Tips

Equine veterinarians in today’s industry are equipped with several tools to assist in pinpointing problem areas and diagnose issues. There are a variety of diagnostic technologies which are available, some of which are portable and can be used in the field, while others require a visit to a clinic or hospital. Each technology was created […]

As equine enthusiasts, most can probably say they have dealt with a horse with some type of injury or lameness. Owning, caring for, or working with horses is difficult. Profound issues can be overlooked if only the surface-level details are being recognized. Healthy and physically strong horses should move easily; however, it is  inevitable that […]

Nutrition is a broad concept that is commonly overlooked or misunderstood, even though it serves as the foundation of a healthy and happy horse. Knowing the correct decisions to make regarding your horse’s diet might feel like a difficult task, but there are several things to consider or learn to assist you in making the […]

Whether you’re preparing for your very first horse show, attending a competition, or grooming your horse who is living its best-retired life, it’s likely that you want your horse to shine. Is grooming something you routinely make time to do, even if you’re not prepping for a show? There are several tips to add to […]

Winter brings cold, wet weather that means the headache of skin conditions, adding and removing blankets, coordinating show travel, keeping up with clipping, and a whole lot more for all the horses in your care. To keep up with the individual requirements of every horse, communication, scheduling, and organized records are key!   Keep Organized […]

January is the season of resolutions and the time most people dedicate to setting goals for the year ahead, but whether it’s the start of the year or not, dedicating time to mapping out your goals is the most effective way to achieve your expectations. For equestrians, goals could range anywhere from aiming for specific […]

  Give your horse a break. If you and your horse have a strict schedule for training and competing throughout the year, the colder months can be a great opportunity to give your horse some time off to rest and recover. While some people feel their horse can’t mentally handle down time of more than […]

The feed room is a vital part of a horse facility. It’s a place visited at least twice a day (although usually more) by a farm manager and staff. Whether your feed room is a corner of your garage or a full room in your barn, keeping things neat and tidy is important to ensuring […]

How much time do you spend sitting behind your desk staring at the numbers that sum up the workings of your facility? Bookkeeping is integral to keeping your horse farm running, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming and disorganized. While many professional facilities can (and should) hire a professional to handle the complex parts of […]

Whether you’re just getting back into a riding routine after summer vacation or have been doggedly working all season on improving in the saddle, incorporating lessons into your training plan means you get the opportunity to check in on your progress and benefit from the eyes of a more experienced rider. While taking lessons can […]

1. Take advantage of scheduling tools. Carrying around a physical calendar isn’t an option for most managers, which is why digital scheduling tools are crucial for optimizing organization. Keeping your appointments, reminders, and tasks all in one place will help you maintain a more regulated barn and allow you to plan your days and weeks. […]

Every spring, home owners flock to greenhouses and garden stores to stock up on colorful plants to brighten their outdoor living – unsurprisingly, barn owners are often right there with them! Whether you have a green thumb or just love the look of a freshly planted bed outside your barn, we have a few suggestions […]

Every horse owner knows the dietary dangers of grazing horses on lush, spring pastures, but many forget the other dangers that come with warm weather. Here are a few other issues lurking around the farm during the spring months.   Ticks If you live in an area that doesn’t see ticks often, count yourself lucky! […]

Most of us have experienced that heart dropping moment when your horse suddenly isn’t moving right. Whether it’s a slight misstep every few strides or finding your horse three-legged in the field, lameness is defined as any alteration to a horse’s natural gait and signals that it’s time to call your veterinarian. While many horse […]

The leafy, lush trees lining the pasture’s edge are quickly giving way to bare branches, and your green pasture often starts out the day with a coat of silver frost. This can only mean one thing – winter is on its way! Whether you keep a couple of horses at home or manage a large […]

The high-level preventative and recovery treatments that used to be reserved for horses in the strings of upper-level riders are becoming more widely available to competitive horses of all levels. As research and understanding of performance and recovery in horse sports improves, there has been greater use of treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic […]

Ear plugs, most commonly seen in the hunter ring, are an often brought up topic at shows. If they can be used is regulated by the rules of the discipline at the level of competition, however when they should be used is another question entirely.  Ear plugs for horses are usually soft, squishy (and sometimes […]

As one of the top event riders in the US, Jennie Brannigan operates Brannigan Eventing at a high-quality facility in Coatesville, PA with a winter base in Ocala, FL. Brannigan coaches, teaches clinics, produces horses and competes year-round. With such a busy schedule, she depends on her team of professionals to maintain her business and […]

While most horse farms have settled into a “new normal” for rider safety in a pandemic-filled world, after a year of precaution it’s easy to slowly start letting things slip. Strict protocol is easy to maintain when the outbreak is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, but as some states remove mask mandates and the […]

It happens every year, and yet it still seems that most horse people are surprised when winter weather really sets in. Days of snow, slippery footing, and freezing temperatures are all an unfortunate symptom of the winter season, but with a few tricks, you can make caring for horses in the winter less of a […]