Three miles into a trail ride on the Bogue Chitto, my gelding threw a front shoe on a cypress root. The way back was gravel and rock. Luckily, I had a hoof boot in my saddlebag to protect that foot. Quick answer: Hoof boots are removable hoof protection for barefoot horses on rough ground, horses …
If your horse is ready for saddle training, that means you’ve established your leadership role, bonded with the horse, and taught it a few things through regular groundwork. You’ve accomplished a lot, and now it is time to start saddle training. To saddle train a horse, you should be patient and progress in steps. First, …
A horse that crowds you at the gate, leans into your space, drags on the lead rope, or nudges for treats needs clear boundaries – not a fight over who is “boss.” Horses don’t need harsh handling to develop good manners, but they do need predictable rules. Protect your personal space, teach a simple back-up …
Horse training for beginners follows four steps: calm control on the ground, groundwork, saddle introduction, and first mounting. When you follow that order, you reduce confusion, prevent dangerous habits, and give the horse a clear path from basic handling to being ridden. Most training mistakes happen when beginners rush or skip a step — not …
My grandson and I recently visited a friend who specializes in ground training young horses. Watching him work with his horses and see how much he could teach them without getting on their backs was a treat. After watching him, we realized we should focus more on groundwork exercises with our horses. Ground training is …
If you’re looking at horse breeds for the first time, the names can get confusing fast. Understanding what each breed was developed to do makes the differences easier to follow. Quick answer: There are hundreds of horse breeds, including the Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Arabian, Morgan, and Clydesdale. A breed describes a horse’s ancestry and inherited …
For horse owners, hay is a cornerstone of horse care and a major expense. With over 25 years in the horse racing industry and decades of managing horses in Louisiana, I’ve seen firsthand how choosing the best hay for horses can impact both budgets and equine health. This guide will help you navigate the many …
If you’re wondering what to do with a dead horse, you’re facing a hard loss and a practical problem. The calls you make now can help you figure out your options. Quick answer: Call your vet first. Your options may include burial where it’s allowed, pickup by a removal service or renderer, a landfill that …
For years I assumed feeding horses was straightforward — hay, grain, water, and the occasional treat. Then I started managing racehorses alongside broodmares, easy keepers, and hard keepers, and realized something important: two horses standing side by side can need completely different diets. What horses eat depends on age, workload, health status, and access to …
Did you know that hay makes up the bulk of most horses’ diets, often providing 80–100% of their daily fiber needs? As a long-time horse owner with experience across Louisiana tracks like Fair Grounds and Delta Downs, I’ve learned that choosing the right hay is one of the most important decisions for your horse’s health, …
