We all understand that nature can be a mean beast, and sometimes a foal is left without a mother. Since a foal normally stays with the dam until about six months of age, any foal that loses its mother younger than that is considered “orphaned”. And we know that an orphan foal still needs another…
We’ve all seen the devastation that fires can cause and the terrifying images of barns and homes being consumed while people and animals alike run for their lives. We’ve seen the images of horses having to be turned loose by their owners in hopes that they can escape. Only to watch them run around in…
Both horses and cows are herd animals and prey animals, and they share a similar body communication. When we put one cow and one horse together, they can get along well enough. Similarly, if we put one horse and a herd of cows, or one cow and herd of horses, the lonely animal will try…
Horses, like humans, all have unique personalities, characteristics, and habits. They display responses to stimulants and experiences that can cause us to question the meaning behind them. Some of these tendencies like nudging or following you around are relatively easy to decipher. Licking, however, leaves many equestrians and horse lovers confused. Having your horse lick…
While not all accidents can be prevented, horses die every winter after becoming trapped in icy bodies of water. But horses owners can reduce the risk by taking steps to protect horses from icy surfaces or frozen ponds. If you have water bodies on your horse property, there are some tips on how to keep…
Floods are one of the more common natural disasters faced by horse owners. Many properties are in floodplains but some owners have a false sense of security. Floods can be slow or fast-rising. Slow-rising floods are typical as floodwaters move down a river or creek and can often be predicted to reach a certain height….
Did you know that horses have their own ‘GPS’ (Global Positioning System)? Wherever they are, horses can orientate themselves based on magnetic fields. Have you ever wondered why your horse is much more forward on the way home than when you are leaving the stable? Even when riding with loose reins in an unfamiliar area,…
Foals are spunky, gangly, occasionally mischievous, and downright adorable. They run around on their too-long legs reminding us all to never take ourselves too seriously and that life is always worth enjoying. It seems that no matter how a foal comes into this world – whether their birth was expected and surrounded by love or…
Did you know that horses can be taught to respond to verbal commands? They can pick up certain words and tones in the voice. It’s a great way to help your horse understand what you want from him. Short words can be used on the ground, such as when leading or lunging, and even in…
Horses have very distinct personalities, and most owners have at least one story about their equine counterpart doing something silly to keep himself entertained. This horse, for example, is drinking water so funnily, that you can’t help but laugh or at least smile while watching it. Though people tend to apply human emotions to their…
If your mare is expecting a foal, you are sure to be very excited and perhaps a bit worried about how to care for the new arrival. The good news is that if you have a healthy mare and a clean, spacious environment you won’t have to do much of anything. Your mare should be…
One day, Ashley and her mini dwarf pony, Pumpkin, had a very important vet appointment. She was going to have braces molded. Because of the way Pumpkin was bred, she ended up being a dwarf pony, and this caused some issues. Dwarfism is when a pony is short in stature because of its genes or…
If you’ve never encountered a stubborn horse, consider yourself lucky. These horses simply refuse to leave the vicinity of the barn or their favorite companions. Their refusals run the gamut from standing with their hooves “nailed to the ground” to jigging, bucking, backing up violently, rearing, or even throwing themselves on the ground. The good…
I’m sure this video will make your day, especially if you watch it with the volume on. Joey, the horse, starts to run away at the show and his owner tries to calm him down a bit. It’s his first show, so he was excused, which is good. And maybe the next time he will…
There is a great variety of personality types within the Friesian breed, which allows many types of owners to find the right match depending on their goals and riding levels. Friesians are described as being mischievous, loving, and playful. Horse lovers often describe them as being majestic with a commanding presence. Friesians are known for…
Did you know that horses should eat constantly because their GI tract is designed to always be digesting small amounts of forage as they graze nearly around the clock? The horse’s stomach is relatively small and can only hold so much at one time. Most of a horse’s energy comes from fermenting forages in the…
