A friend recently asked me about the use of stall mats. They told me they had seen them in stalls with clay floors and wondered if this is necessary or just more waste of their money, so I researched it. Horse stall mats are needed when you have hard flooring in your stalls. These durable …
Many people are interested in owning horses but aren’t knowledgeable when it comes to caring for them. I often hear, “I would love to have a horse, but I just don’t have enough time to care for one.” Taking care of a horse is a big responsibility, but it’s not too difficult or time-consuming. The …
Miles’ Quick Answer: The 20°F Rule The Bottom Line: Blanket an unclipped, healthy horse once it drops below 20°F (−7°C). If your horse is clipped, senior, or struggling to hold weight, blanket them below 40°F (4°C). Louisiana Insight: Down here, it’s the damp that gets you. A 35°F rain is often more dangerous than a …
Do Horseshoes Hurt? It’s a common question among horse enthusiasts and those new to the equine world. The simple answer is no; when done correctly by a skilled farrier, horseshoeing should not hurt horses. Let’s delve deeper into the world of horseshoes, hoof anatomy, and the shoeing process to understand why. When Horseshoes Hurt: Potential …
Grooming a horse is an essential task for responsible owners. It may seem daunting at first, but when you have a good grooming kit and plan, even someone just starting can groom their horse without any difficulty at all. Good horse grooming kits include a hoof pick, currycomb, shedding combs, soft brush, stiff bristle brush, …
Cancer, in general, is a scary word. Horses are no exception to this rule! However, it’s important to know the facts about cancer and horse health so that you can stay informed and keep your horse healthy. Horses, like humans, can get a variety of cancers. The most common are sarcoids (tumors), lymphoma, and melanomas …
Most horses don’t need bell boots — but the ones that do can end up with torn coronary bands, pulled shoes, and expensive vet bills if you get it wrong. Bell boots are a targeted tool, not a routine accessory. They protect the heel bulbs and coronary band from hind hoof strikes — especially in …
If your horse dies: call your veterinarian, arrange disposal within 24 hours, and choose between burial (if legal in your area), landfill, cremation, rendering, or composting. Losing a horse is like losing a member of the family — and the practical decisions that follow can feel overwhelming at one of the worst possible times. The …
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 …
How old can a horse breed? Most mares remain productive until their mid-to-late teens, with some producing foals into their early twenties. Stallions generally stay fertile much longer and may continue breeding into their mid-twenties or beyond. But breeding age isn’t determined by a number alone. Fertility depends on reproductive health, breeding history, genetics, and …