Maybe you’ve got a good mare, a little land, and friends who keep telling you what her foals would bring. Sooner or later the bigger question comes up: could breeding horses actually pay its own way as a business? Quick answer: Horse breeding can work, but only if you know three things before you breed …
How do you start breeding horses? Start by setting a clear goal — racing, sport, ranch work, or rare breed preservation. Then select a healthy, well-conformed mare, choose a stallion with proven genetics and a compatible pedigree, confirm breeding dates with a reproductive veterinarian, and decide between natural cover and artificial insemination. Expect a gestation …
If you’ve ever watched the Kentucky Derby and asked yourself, “Why are racehorse names so strange—or just plain weird?” you aren’t alone. After more than 30 years naming horses through The Jockey Club registry, I can tell you—it’s a mix of strict rules, creative wordplay, and a lot of trial and error. In short, racehorse …
🚨 CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY IF: Bleeding soaks through a firmly-held towel within 5 minutes (indicates possible arterial involvement). You see exposed white/silver tissue (visible tendon, ligament, or bone). Puncture wound exceeds ½ inch deep or is located near a joint or tendon sheath. Joint involvement is suspected: Heat, massive swelling, or thick, clear “joint …
You run your hand down your horse’s leg after a hard workout, and something stops you—a warm spot that wasn’t there yesterday, a little more filling than usual, or tenderness he didn’t have last week. Is it nothing, or the start of a problem that could sideline him for months? Quick answer: Lower-leg tendon and …
Many assume that horses solely graze on grass and hay, but some unexpected information about their dietary habits challenges this belief. The idea that “horses eat meat” might seem surprising, but there’s more to their nutrition than initially meets the eye. Although horses are primarily herbivores, there have been instances where they’ve consumed meat. However, …
As a horse owner with seven racehorses in training, I’ve seen how stress can jeopardize a horse’s health and performance. Recognizing stress early and implementing effective strategies can transform it from a challenge into an opportunity to enhance your horse’s well-being and performance. Recognizing Stress in Horses Identifying the signs of stress is the first …
Like us, horses get health issues as they age. Arthritis is one of these issues, making it tough for them to move around comfortably. They might also face other problems like trouble with their teeth, losing their sight, or getting a disease called Cushing’s. It’s important to catch these problems early. Regular vet visits, knowing …
A horse doesn’t always tell you where a problem starts. Sometimes the first sign is subtle – refusing a lead, acting differently under saddle, or just not moving the way you know that horse normally moves. When that happens, owners start looking at everything: feet, tack, training, soreness, fitness, and sometimes chiropractic care. Chiropractic care …
Raising a baby horse is a fun and educational adventure. However, before embarking on this journey, it’s important to learn about foal development to keep them healthy and happy as they grow. Knowing the different stages of growth helps you understand the changes in your foal’s body and behavior. From the first wobbly steps to …
