I had a lot of “learn as I went” moments at my first barn job, including what items I actually needed for working at the barn. I learned that sneakers aren’t great foot protection, they don’t hold up well in certain elements, and they aren’t waterproof. Also even though a rain suit may look kind…
Welcome 2022! Our arms are open and we’re ready for a fresh start. It’s nearly impossible to enter the new year without at least some excitement. Everyone is making goals and plans! As horse owners and riders, naturally your resolutions probably center around your barn life. Will you ride…
Riding horses is exciting, and riders can experience a wide range of emotions within the short duration of their lessons. However, riders who maintain a relaxed mindset while training can begin their journey of feeling their horse and becoming influential. The relaxation element for riders starts at the beginning…
If you’re like me, then you probably prefer warm weather over cold weather. At the barn, cold weather usually means more work—putting out hay, blanketing, breaking ice, and often more stall mucking.
But what about our horses? How do they feel about cold weather?
We tend to anthropomorphize our horses, meaning…
Some horse owners live in areas where temperatures plummet to the single digits if not colder! They have to worry about freezing water buckets, icy conditions, and keeping their horse warm. In the winter months, they’re constantly concerned as to whether their horse is cold or not. Depending on…
Quality horse hay should be free of mold, dust, and noxious weeds. The earlier a hay is harvested (within the life cycle of the grass), the more nutrients will be available for your horse. Late-harvested hays can be coarse and thick, as well as lower in nutrients and palatability than…
More and more people are looking for ranch horses. It’s not necessarily because they live on large cattle farms, but rather these horses are incredibly versatile and have winning personalities. Classes like ranch riding, versatility ranch horse, and ranch trail are growing tremendously in popularity. They allow you to…
You’re in the barn doing chores or maybe even riding when you hear your horse coughing. This scenario is all too common, but if you’re like me, you’re likely wondering: is this normal or could my horse be sick?
Coughing is the body’s way of removing foreign material or mucous from the lungs…
Thinking towards the month of giving and receiving, I think that it is important for equestrians to really embrace giving. Every day we receive, the ability to climb up on a horses’ back and go for a ride. It is arguably the best thing to receive, and equestrians are…
