Florida: bugs and bites the Northern horse may not be used to.

Spending the winter months in South Florida is certainly luxury. I have been bringing a horse down here for eight years now and I really enjoy it. I think the horses enjoy shedding their winter…

Have you started planning out your New Year’s Resolutions? Are you stumped on just what your goals for this next year should be? We’ve come up with some great ideas for barn-related New Year’s Resolutions. Take a look and see if one of these ideas might be right for you.

Upgrade Your Barn’s Stall Components This…

Before you know it, foaling season will be here. If you have broodmares in your barn, then it’s time to get ready for foaling season. Here’s a to-do list to make sure that you’re prepared for the busy season.

Assess Available Facilities

Before your mare gets closer to…

Does your dream barn seem like a far-off reality? Are you overwhelmed by the task of bringing your dream barn to life? It’s not that bad – these tips can help you to turn your dream barn into a reality.

Plan Early On In the Barn Building Process

It’s so important to create really detailed…

I Got to Ride Christmas Day!

The last two weeks have been sort of odd.  First, my gut decided that something was not right and acted up too much to ride, and when I did ride I got exhausted after only 20 minutes in the saddle.  I got my gut issues under control enough so I could go see my oldest son finally get his PhD degree, a process that has taken many years.  Between all of this I just got to ride twice, a much needed ride on Cider so I could get back to walking steadily on my…

I’ve been getting the stink eye from Preacher Man.

It happens. He’s a member of the Long and Low Club, and while charging through the yard, herding the indifferent ducks from outside their fence, he’s bound to kick up some debris. It’s important work; he’s moved around some in…

Storage always seems to be an issue in horse barns – it seems that no matter how much storage a barn offers, you always need more! Here are some great ways that you can maximize the amount of indoor storage offered by your barn.

Install Lockers and Closets

Installing a number of lockers…

We all know that turnout is beneficial to horses, but sometimes it just isn’t possible to turn horses out. The encroaching winter weather often brings snow and ice storms, and these conditions may leave your pastures unsafe for turnout. These tips can help you to keep your horses happy and healthy when turnout isn’t possible.

Turn Horses Out in an Indoor…

Have you been contemplating whether adding an indoor arena to your property is worth the investment? We’ve got the answer for you – it is! Here are some of the biggest advantages of an indoor arena that you can’t afford to ignore.

Increased Lesson Income

Do you live in a climate…

Were you born in a barn? Not me, but I wish. I lived in the tiny asphalt-shingle house just south of the barn.

The barn was huge and white, with doors that rolled open wide enough that even the big tractor passed through with room to spare. There were two tall silos on the east side,…

30+ hours on a transport to Florida. Is my horse prepared?

When I drive down to…

If you’re looking for a great memento of a beloved horse, or if you still need a creative Christmas gift for a horse-loving friend, then today’s blog is just for you! Have you ever wondered how to make a horsehair bracelet? We’ve got step-by-step directions so you can do this fun craft in your home this month.

Materials…

Yep, there’s an official tool to identify if that horse is really stressed. Last year, researchers developed The Horse Grimace Scale,  grading 6 facial action units (FAU) to determine horse pain, including ear position, muscle tension around the eyes and nostril shape. Good horse-people read horses well, don’t they?  Just helps to have a scientific tool to confirm we’re not…

Steering a horse with one hand is like adding another language to your horse’s education. Initially trained to speak “direct rein”, as the horse advances in his education you’ll begin to communicate with a curb bit and introduce pressure from the neck.



As an english rider, entering the western world, I felt awkward riding with one hand. So, like many riders, I’d…

Cider Responded, Mia Did Not

Last Sunday I told Shannon to pick me up at my mailbox because my driveway now has major difficulties where it was dug up, now there is no place to turn a vehicle around on my land unless the driver wants to risk getting stuck.  Since I was not able to carry my dressage saddle down I told Shannon I would ride in the EZ-Fit saddle I gave her, and I was so glad that I did not have to worry about bringing a saddle!  But Shannon turns out to be much better at…

We all know or have that one mare with the massive ears. We all love them to death but those ears bring us great joy and amusement. But why do they have these huge ears? Is it just a hereditary "ugly duckling trait from daddy" gene or are there actual reasons behind their size?  Here's what I dug up with a little research. 

A mare in the wild is the protector of the herd. Mare's ears are generally larger than a stallions as she protects the herd, so big ears are a necessity.…

If you live in an area which receives significant snowfall each winter, then it’s important to factor in the weight that your barn must be able to support when you’re planning the structure. Barn collapses can be devastating, but they’re also usually avoidable. These tips can help you to design your barn to…

Extracurricular activities are important for kids to take part in. A lot of time, we try our best to pick the right one that will fit their interests and abilities. Sometimes, it’s hard to narrow down the options to just a few that will give our children the right amount of responsibility and fun without weighing them down. Luckily, a lot of kids are game for anything having to do with animals, and a steady extracurricular relationship with a sturdy yet gentle creature like the horse is a…

12 signs you're having an affair