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Feeding Horses

Horse Hay: An Owner’s Guide

Picture of a horse eating hay from a hay bag

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…

Miles Henry

Feeding Horses

Which Grass Is Right for Your Horse Pasture?

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…

Miles Henry

Racehorse Health

How Many Teeth do Horses Have? Equine dental facts.

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…

Miles Henry

Horse Racing

Is Horse Racing Dying, or Just Changing?

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.…

Miles Henry

Horses

What Do You Call Horse Riders and Their Horses?

Picture of a woman horse riding on a Palomino

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…

Miles Henry

Draft Horses

Draft Horse Breeds: From Gentle Giants to the Smallest Draft Horses

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…

Miles Henry

Feeding Horses

How Many Flakes Are in a Hay Bale, and How Long Will It Last Your Horse?

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…

Miles Henry

Feeding Horses

Horse Joint Supplements: Worth the Money or a Waste?

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…

Miles Henry

Horses

Old Horse Names and Sayings: What Do They Mean?

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…

Miles Henry

Horse Racing

Is Horse Racing Good or Bad for Horses? A Real Answer From a 30-Year Owner

Picture of two racehorses racing down a dirt track.

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…

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