Q: Does my horse recognize me from other people? A: We all get a sense that our horses recognize us by our appearance or the sound of our voice, and that they can distinguish us from strangers or less familiar people. Certainly we know horses learn associations between a person coming around an expected time […]
Planning: Set your horse up for success An important first step is to set-up suitable water challenges. One option is to build a water obstacle, but because it bears little resemblance to a moving stream, you’ll also need access to natural bodies of water. Training involves introducing the horse to the water, and the starting […]
If you’re spending time with your horse on the trail, it’s important to do so responsibly. Below are many ways in which you can be sure that you ride responsibly. Travel responsibly Stay on designated roads, trails and other areas open to horses. Ride single file to reduce trail damage. Spread out in open country […]
Horses have been called the noblest of creatures, and it’s easy to see why. Depending on which scientific accounts you believe, they’ve been man’s original best friend since anywhere from 4000 to 2000 B.C. They’ve taken us wherever we’ve asked them to including the fields of battle. Yet here we are in the 21st Century, […]
NOTE: This transcript is from an online, live chat. The major topics have been captured in the material below. If you have further questions, please search the eXtension Horses page for more in-depth and detailed information. NUTRITION Q: When should I start increasing the amount I feed when I start to condition my horse for the […]
The bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses that colonize the equine gastrointestinal tract, collectively known as the microbiota, play a crucial role in the horse’s health. The bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses that colonize the equine gastrointestinal tract, collectively known as the microbiota, play a crucial role in the horse’s health. Microbiota is involved in numerous […]
Research shows equine influenza vaccines and vaccination practices must evolve to keep up with changing flu strains. There’s much ado about flu of late and with good reason. The incidence of equine influenza virus (EIV) has trended upward since 2008. It was the most common infectious upper respiratory disease of the horse in 2019.¹,² Of the […]
Learn about forage types and how to select the right one for your horse’s pasture. Healthy pastures filled with dense, nutritive grasses can be excellent forage sources for horses. In fact, some horses can meet all their nutrient needs on good-quality pasture alone. The key to establishing good pasture, however, is planting the appropriate forage […]
Description: The old adage “you’re only as old as you feel,” is especially applicable to horses. Many senior horses have productive careers well into their late twenties. Research suggests that the secret to maintaining a serviceable older horse is to make proactive management changes in their health care, diet and exercise. Signs of aging include dental […]
Whether you are designing your perfect stable yard, renovating an existing stable yard, or simply looking for inspiration, this article is packed full of useful stable yard design information and ideas to help you achieve your dream horse barn. I’ve always been obsessed with the design and functionality of stable yards – I find it […]