The best grass for a horse pasture has to do more than look green. It has to grow in your climate, stand up to hooves and grazing, and suit the horses you’re turning out on it. Quick answer: There isn’t one best grass for every pasture. In much of the South, bermudagrass and bahiagrass are …
You may have heard the saying, “Never look a gift horse in the mouth.” But when you’re trying to guess an animal’s age or assess oral health issues, it is precisely what you should do! We recently had an equine dentist come check our horse’s teeth, and I took the opportunity to ask a lot …
If you only follow horse racing on Kentucky Derby day, it’s fair to wonder whether anyone still cares about the sport the rest of the year. Track closures, smaller fields, and headlines about racehorse deaths haven’t exactly helped its image. Quick answer: Horse racing is still popular on its biggest days, but U.S. Thoroughbred racing …
You’ll hear riders called equestrians, horsemen, and jockeys, but those names don’t all mean the same thing, and horse people notice when they get mixed up. Quick answer: Someone who rides horses is a rider, horseback rider, or equestrian. A horse used for riding is a saddle horse or mount. Steed is an older, more …
Draft horses (also spelled “draught horses”) are large, heavy-boned breeds developed for pulling and heavy farm work, typically standing 13–19 hands with calm, steady “cold-blooded” temperaments. The smallest draft horse breeds in common use include compact workers like the Haflinger and Gypsy Vanner, both under 16 hands, while the largest draft horse breeds, such as …
If you buy hay by the bale but feed it by the flake, it’s easy to lose track of how much your horse is really eating and how long your hay will last. Quick answer: Most small square hay bales contain about 12 to 16 flakes, but there’s no fixed count or weight per flake. …
Your horse seems stiff or sore, and someone at the barn suggests a joint supplement. But do horse joint supplements work, and how do you decide whether one is worth trying? Quick answer: Some oral joint supplements may help, but research in horses is limited and results are mixed. There’s little evidence that a healthy …
Has someone called your horse a nag, or have you heard the term and wondered what it means? What is an old horse called, anyway? The answer depends on context. Quick answer: Nag is an informal word usually used for an old horse or one in poor condition. A scrawny nag is a skinny horse. …
Is horse racing good or bad for horses? Honest answer: both, depending on the barn, the trainer, and the level of the sport. The best-cared-for racehorses receive elite veterinary attention, daily conditioning, and close human bonds that most horses never experience. The worst cases involve injury, drug misuse, and uncertain retirement. Key points: Good: Many …
We hooked our horse to an old-style plow and worked the ground for a small garden. The neighborhood kids were amazed at how easily she pulled it through the dirt, and one asked me, “How strong are horses?” I’ve spent 30+ years around Thoroughbreds and other breeds at Louisiana tracks and on the farm, and …
