If you’ve never built a horse barn before, then when you set out to build your first barn you will be in unfamiliar territory. While building a barn will require some research and question asking on your part, we thought we’d give you a little help now with these common barn-building mistakes that you will want to avoid.

Entrusting the Project to a…

The New Year is a perfect time for self-reflection and making changes for improvement. If you board your horse, would your barn owner consider you a good boarder? Have you ever thought about it before? Following these tips can help you to stay on good terms with your barn’s manager.

Read Your Boarding Contract

Before you sign any contract, you…

Many horse owners have one – the horse who, either due to injury or old age, can no longer be ridden. If your horse is unrideable, you will face some decisions about his future. There are a few different options for unrideable horses that may work for your situation.

Keep as a Companion

The most obvious, and often most desirable option…

Owning and managing your own barn is a dream of many horse owners. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have horses in your backyard? When Karen Rudolph of Frost Hill Farm Miniatures in Hampstead, New Hampshire, partnered with Classic Equine Equipment to build her very own…

On January 23, 1994, jockey Pat Day achieved a major milestone in his impressive racing career: While riding Miss Popsnorkle at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Day won his 6,000^th race. In doing so, Day became the 10^th Thoroughbred jockey to win 6,000 races during his career. Day went on to win two additional races that same…

If you're thinking of breeding your mare for the first time, you’ll be journeying into new territory. It can mean big changes for you, your finances, and your free time. If you’re thinking of breeding your mare, this advice can help you get started.

Choose a Mare Worth Being Bred

One of the most common mistakes that…

Safety is always a consideration when transporting your horse, but winter weather adds an extra challenge to trailering your horse. When you have to transport your horse during the winter, you will have additional factors to consider with each trip.

Keep a Close Eye on the Weather

When scheduling your trip, closely monitor…

When sending a horse away for training, that horse may be away for a few weeks or even a few months. And while you may have done your homework before sending your horse away for training, there’s still room for things to go wrong. Monitoring your horse when he’s not at home can be tricky, but it’s also important to ensure that he is safe and training is…

Are you lucky enough to have a Hackney Pony in your barn? This flashy, high-stepping pony has an intriguing history and makes a popular horse show competitor.

History

The Hackney originated from Norfolk, England. Norfolk Trotters, a popular breed of horse, were used in the region and were bred to emphasize both speed…

Continuing our theme of new beginnings, you could give a horse a new beginning this year! Fostering a rescue horse is a great way to help out a horse in need. If you think you’d like to give fostering a try, here are the basics that you will need to know.

Read the Fine Print

Every horse rescue has…

Sending a horse away to a trainer requires a good deal of trust, since your horse’s care and wellbeing will be in the trainer’s hands. If you’re planning to send your horse away for training, you will want to make sure that the horse will be safe and that the training will be a positive experience. Here are some factors you’ll want to…

For most horse owners, having their horses at home in their backyard is the ultimate dream come true. Finding good boarding barns can be a challenge, and nothing can beat the convenience of being able to walk into your backyard to tack up your horse. But for many people, building a barn on their own is a big, often years-long process when it comes to planning,…

January 12, 1998 marked a significant date in equine history, as Quarter Horse lovers mourned the passing of legendary sire Zippo Pine Bar. Zippo Pine Bar’s breeding career was remarkable, and he had a monumental influence on the Quarter Horse Breed.

The sorrel stallion Zippo Pine Bar was born in 1969 by Zippo Pat Bars out of Dollie Pine. His bloodlines…

Years of use can take a toll on your horse barn, but luckily big improvements don’t have to mean big renovations. If you’re looking to give your barn a new beginning in 2015 but don’t want to do a full renovation, there are still many ways that you can improve it.

Horse Stalls

Adding…

As January hits, winter may be taking a toll on your blanketing morale. Are you tired of changing blankets and dealing with tears and rips? We’ve come up with some great tips to make blanketing easier for you.

Invest in Separate Sets of Blankets

If your horse is turned out during the winter but also spends time in his…

Winter can be rough on horses, especially those with arthritis. The cold, coupled with the reduced workload and frozen ground can leave your arthritic horse stiff and sore. Luckily there are a number of ways that you can keep your arthritic horse comfortable during the winter.

Provide Plenty of…

Few draft horses are as iconic as the Clydesdale. Whether pulling a classic rig or the famous Budweiser wagon, the Clydesdale is a breed that is recognizable in most American homes. Want to learn more about this beautiful breed?

History

The Clydesdale owes its origins to the region of Clydesdale, Scotland. Flemish…

Happy New Year! We’re fresh into 2015, and now is the perfect time for change. This month we’ll be showcasing a series of “New Beginnings” blogs, each of which will give you a look at a potential area of change in your life with horses. Today’s blog focuses on a change that can be both exciting and intimidating: choosing a new…