Soil is made up of organic matter, air, water and minerals. It provides nutrients for plants, which are the cornerstone of your horse’s diet. For desirable grazing to thrive, the soil must have the proper pH level. "pH” is...
Q: I have a coming 3-year-old Quarter Horse gelding that is doing great with training, but I have noticed that he has an underbite. Is there a certain way that I should have the bit fitted? Will he be...
If you’re new to horses, it can take some time to learn all the ins-and-outs of routine equine vet care. From vaccinations and hoof care to feed, supplements, and exercise, equine health is a complex subject. Dental care in...
Horses bite and kick at each other in the herd. That’s appropriate behavior for them when turned out together. But that’s not appropriate behavior when humans are present, and you have to teach your horse what isn’t acceptable in...
Allergies 101
Horses experience allergies that are generated by the same mechanisms as those in humans. An allergic reaction occurs when your horse’s immune system overreacts to something it determines is foreign to the body. When this happens, certain cells...
Q: After every lesson I dutifully cool out my horse. But while my instructors have all told me that this is very important, no one has told me why. What are the dangers of putting a hot horse into...
The time had come to bring the horses home to our small farm in Piedmont, S.C. The barn was ready, the fences were installed, and a brand new arena completed my childhood dream. Months of planning and learning about...
Q: I have a mare that has rubbed spots on her hocks and on the front of her fetlocks. Sometimes they bleed and I have to doctor them. They go away for a while but keep coming back. She...
To many horse owners, it seems that horses lose shoes more frequently when their pastures and paddocks are muddy, or when the weather alternates between very dry to very wet. But is there really one season in which it’s...
