✅ The Bottom Line Horses can safely enjoy most fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and watermelon as treats. However, for a horse’s sensitive digestive system, the “10% rule” is vital—treats should never exceed 10% of their daily forage. Avoid the “Nightshade” and “Allium” families (onions, garlic, potatoes, and green/unripe tomato parts), which are toxic …
The driving force of a horse comes from its hocks. Think about how the horse’s leg contracts and pushes the horse forward in a gallop or how a horse sits into his movements in dressage, carrying most of the pressure in his hocks. A horse’s hock is a complex joint between the upper and lower …
Boots for horses solve specific problems — and when there is no problem, they create new ones. After 30 years of managing racehorses, performance horses, and trail horses in Louisiana, the most expensive boot mistakes I see come from using the right boot for the wrong horse, or booting horses that didn’t need any protection …
Have you ever wondered what the funny noises your mare makes from behind when working or galloping are? Why she gets so many vaginal infections and discharges? Then the likelihood is that she is wind-sucking or aspirating air into her vagina. Wind sucking is a condition that affects mares and is known as pneumovagina. The …
Quick Look: Wild vs. Domestic Reality Natural Trim: Wild horses travel 10–20 miles daily over abrasive terrain, naturally wearing down their hooves. Circulation: Constant movement pumps blood through the hoof, stimulating growth and toughness. Genetics: Nature selects for survival; we select for speed or jumping, sometimes at the cost of hoof quality. Diet: Low-sugar forage …
My niece’s horse gets anxious whenever she travels in a trailer. By the time we get to a show, her horse is washed out from the stress, definitely not in the best condition to compete. She asked me if I knew anything she could use to calm her horse. Recognizing stress indicators, letting your horse …
Fetlock boots are one of the most misunderstood pieces of leg protection in the barn. Riders put them on the wrong legs, confuse them with tendon boots, or skip them entirely because they are not sure what problem they are actually solving. After 30 years managing Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, I’ve seen that confusion lead …
My son is looking at some land to build a house and wants to ensure he has enough acreage to keep at least one horse. So, he did some research on the topic and also asked for my opinion. In general, most horses require at least one to two acres of land per horse. One …
When my granddaughter and I went to the racehorse barn, she noticed that the trainer secured the horses differently from us at home. We typically use a single lead rope, while he uses cross ties. On our way home, she wanted to know all about cross ties and if we could set some up for …
Whenever I attend horse auctions, my initial step is to approach each horse that has caught my interest. I kindly request their handlers to lead them out of their stalls. Once they are out in the open, I scrutinize them from all angles. Unfailingly, this provokes the question: “What are you looking at so intently?” …