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Summer Hazards for Horses

Posted on July 1, 2019

Summer is a welcomed time for horse owners, as it means more rides and better quality grass. With the warm weather comes a few issues that can impact your horse’s overall health. Many of these risks are due to heat and its impact on a horse’s body. Here are the most common examples of summer hazards for horses, and some ways you can prevent them. Pest Control In the summer parasites become more of an issue to your horse’s health. Flies, ticks, and other types of bug bites can transfer diseases to your horse, or cause discomfort and irritation. … Continue reading →

Money Saving Tips and Tricks For A Horse Owner

Posted on June 14, 2019

Owning Horses can be an expensive lifestyle to maintain. From steep veterinary bills to food costs, horse owners have many expenses that simply need to be fulfilled to maintain a healthy animal. With all of these expenses, it’s helpful to find ways to save without cutting corners. In this blog, we’ll explore some tips to help you save money on your horse. Products What is the number one way to save money at the doctor? Not going to the doctor! This concept is the same with horses. To maintain your horse’s health and avoid the steep veterinary costs, your horse … Continue reading →

Must-Have Summer Gear To Keep The Horse And Rider Comfortable

Posted on June 1, 2019

The sun is out, and horses everywhere are ready to be ridden. With the better weather comes more opportunities to ride your horse outdoors. The heat and humidity of the warm months are just as dangerous to you and your horse as the cold can be in the winter. Since we have covered the gear to have during the winter, we only see it fit that we elaborate on the best summer gear for horseback riding. For The Rider Heat regulation with adequate protection from falls, rubbing against your horse, and protection from the sun are priorities for you … Continue reading →

How To Make Your Horse Stand Out This Show Season

Posted on May 16, 2019

Show season is underway! This is the time to showcase all of your hard work on the stadium field. Whether it is an open or an all-breed show, to stand out from the crowd, your horse will need some extra flair. Here are some tips guaranteed to keep you and your horse in the spotlight all show season long! A neat braid goes a long way at shows! Braiding goes a long way when it is done right, but it is very noticeable when done wrong. Opting for braids can change a regular horse into a show winning one, … Continue reading →

How To Avoid Spring Laminitis Flare Ups

Posted on May 2, 2019

Laminitis is universally hated by both horses and their owners, and when you think of your horse’s health, this condition may be one of the first on your mind. Laminitis is common because it can be triggered by a variety of factors, such as dietary changes, excessive concussion on the hoof of the horse, sickness, stress on your horse’s body or emotional stress, sugar intake, etc. The causes of laminitis are so omnipresent that they can seem overwhelming, especially when coupled with the transitionary period that spring causes in your horse’s diet. In this post, we will highlight several concrete … Continue reading →

Importance Of Pest Control For Horses

Posted on April 16, 2019

We all know that feeling; you’re sitting outside on one of the first warm weeks of spring and you feel a bite on your neck. We love the warm temperatures, but not so much the pests that come with it. Your horse is no exception. The most common of these pests are ticks, mosquitoes, gnats, and flies. These insects are parasites to horses, (which is why you see their tails swatting them away and them stomping in the field so often) but these annoyances can be managed with RK Topical Spray and these tips and tricks. Dangers of Parasites The … Continue reading →

Spring Horse Care Checklist

Posted on April 2, 2019

The end of winter is a welcomed change for horses and their owners as they can begin riding, training, and exercising again. Maintaining your horse’s health in the winter is no easy task, so it is a relief that Spring horse care is much easier. Don’t forget any of these items on the list when taking care of your horse this Spring. Health The first step for a horse owner in the Spring is to schedule a physical examination for your horse. This will address any problems the winter has left and assess its overall health. Make sure you communicate … Continue reading →

Transitional Hoof Care In Spring

Posted on March 5, 2019

The end of the winter allows horse owners to hop back on the saddle and start more vigorous riding and training. Spring is one of the most pleasant times of the year to ride, but it comes with its own struggles as well. Your horse’s hooves may experience a litany of problems that come with the transitioning temperatures and an increase in mud and wetness. The most common of these conditions is mud fever, which can be recognized by scabbing and infections on your horse’s hooves and legs. The wet ground in springtime may actually be detrimental to your horse’s … Continue reading →

5 Signs Your Horse Might Be Vitamin E Deficient

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Being one of two vitamins that horses cannot produce with their own bodies, vitamin E is a vital part of a horse’s diet. It is paramount for nerve and muscle functions, immune response, and antioxidant action in horses. A deficiency of vitamin E causes muscular dystrophy; or weak muscles that aren’t receiving enough oxygen. It also leads to further complications, such as Tie-up, Polysaccharide storage problems, liver problems, eye disorders, and immunity issues. Because of this, vitamin E in dietary supplementation is a necessity for any horse owner. While horses generally receive their vitamin E from grass, studies have shown … Continue reading →

Equine Cushings: What It Is And How To Manage It.

Posted on February 12, 2019

Cushing’s disease can be a scary condition for a horse owner to manage and can often be difficult to diagnose. Older, overweight, and horses with trouble regulating insulin are at risk for the disease, which can cause recurrent infections, and even neurological problems if it worsens. Recognizing the signs and managing your horse’s Cushing’s disease is difficult, which is why recent studies show that the disease is actually massively undiagnosed. Here are some tips to understanding Cushing’s. What Is Cushing’s Disease? Cushing’s disease affects a horse’s pituitary gland, which regulates the horse’s hormones, specifically dopamine. A horse with Cushing’s disease … Continue reading →

Safety Tips For Riding Your Horse In The Winter

Posted on February 8, 2019

Riding your horse may be more difficult in the winter due to the slippery ground and dropping temperatures, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. Keeping your horse in shape and entertained is still necessary, even in the winter months. When you are going for a winter ride, whether indoors or outdoors, remember to use these safety precautions to ensure a safe experience for you and your horse. Warm Up Regardless of if you are riding indoors or outdoors, it is important that your horse gets a proper warm up. This ensures a better quality ride, alleviates some of the … Continue reading →

5 Activities to do With Your Horse This Winter

Posted on January 29, 2019

With the cold and snow of the winter months, a horse owner may find it hard to maintain a healthy and balanced amount of fun and exercise with their four-legged friends. Horses experience their own daunting problems during the winter months, such as Laminitis, joint stiffness and pain, and seasonal respiratory problems. To keep your horse active, warm, and happy during the winter months, check out these fun activities you can do with them. Sleigh Rides Nothing says winter more than a sleigh ride. Bundle up with your partner and enjoy a serene ride through the snow covered pines, or … Continue reading →

4 Common Winter Hoof Problems & How to Treat Them

Posted on December 21, 2018

The winter is one of the more challenging times of year to be a horse owner. Between the cold temperatures and icy conditions, it can be challenging to spend quality time with our four-legged friends. With decreased outdoor time and activity coupled with slow hoof growth during the winter months, you may be tempted to push much of your horse’s hoof care needs to the spring, but, the reality is that the winter is hard on your horse’s hooves. Cold, wet, ice, snow and hard ground all take a toll on your horse’s feet. If you’re already looking toward the … Continue reading →

5 Winter Health Challenges for Horses

Posted on December 18, 2018

Winter is here, the weather outside is less than delightful, and we are not spending as much time with our horses as we would like. Limited horse activity and been kept penned up comes with specific challenges. Here is our look at the five most common winter health challenges for horses. Dehydration Most people only worry about dehydration during the hot and humid summer months. Keeping your horse hydrated when it’s cold outside can be a challenge as well. Freezing water is an issue as well as resistance to drinking the cold water. Dehydration can contribute to serious health issues … Continue reading →

Treating Equine COPD in Winter

Posted on November 23, 2018

Equine Heaves/COPD is a condition that affects 25 to 80% of stabled horses in the United States. Typical onset occurs when a horse is between 8 and 10 years old. There are many names for this airway problem. They include Equine Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), Equine Small Airway Inflammatory Disease (SAID), Equine Asthma, Equine Allergic Airway, and Broken Wind. Early Signs of Trouble Signs of heaves or COPD may be easily missed at onset. In the early stages, your horse may have no energy at the end of a ride, or be coughing more. You may notice a mild nasal … Continue reading →

Bathing Your Horse in the Winter: How to Make it Easy for You and Them

Posted on November 15, 2018

Bathing a horse in the winter isn’t a lot of fun for the horse or the owner. Cold temperatures and cold water just don’t go together! Eventually, the mud will dry and disappear, but if you can’t wait for that to happen because you have a show or event, follow these steps to make that winter bath session a little more tolerable. Plan Ahead Prepare yourself for the task by gathering a large bucket with warm water, a sponge or washcloth, shampoo, old towels, sweat scraper, and a cooler. Avoid shampoos that need to sit on the horse for a … Continue reading →