Daily Equine Articles

Walking the Line: The Importance of Fence Selection for Horse Safety

2009-06-19T02:42:00.000-07:00

By: Darlene M. Cox (darlc5@aol.com)Many horse owners will agree that nothing sends one’s heart into your throat quicker than learning your horses have breeched the pasture or paddock fencing and are wandering, unprotected, along a busy road front or are running loose in the community. The safety of your horses is only as certain as the ability of your fencing to keep them safely confined within

New to the “Neigh”borhood: Safely introducing a new horse to an established herd

2009-06-19T02:40:00.000-07:00

By: Darlene M. Cox (darlc5@aol.com)Those of us who have been around horses for a number of years can attest to the trials and tribulations of introducing a new horse to an established equine community. I can attest I have held my breath many times watching a newly introduced horse fend for itself as it is loosed into the pasture and domain of a resident herd. Some horses have gotten off lucky by

Take Two Aspirin and Call me in the Morning: How to Administer Medications to your Horse

2009-06-19T02:38:00.000-07:00

By: Darlene M. Cox (darlc5@aol.com)Many who have had a sick or injured horse know that the fun really begins after the vet leaves, because then it is up to you to administer the prescribed medications to your horse. Giving the meds looked quite easy when the vet did it, you muse to yourself, surely I can do it without all those years of extra training. What may seem a daunting task can be

Manners on the Trail: Trail Riding Etiquette

2009-06-19T02:33:00.000-07:00

By: Darlene M. Cox, darlc5@aol.comThere are myriad ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Along with horse trail riders, hikers, bikers, joggers, 4-wheeler enthusiasts, packers (mules/llama), etc. can all be encountered along the vast trail systems that we frequent. Unlike driving a car, there are no official rules or laws in place for traversing our trails; however, we do have an “etiquette” system

Leading a Horse To Water: Prevention of Dehydration while Trail Riding

2008-09-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

By Darlene CoxOne of the most important requirements of your horse during trail riding is keeping him hydrated. Dehydration may lead to your horse to a bout of colic, tying-up (azoturia), or heat stroke. Dehydration severities can range from mild to life threatening, or even death. Maintaining the proper balance of water and electrolytes for your horse is imperative to his health and your peace

Shave and A Haircut: Teaching Your Horse to Stand for Clipping

2008-09-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. Cox---darlc5@aol.comIf you have been around horses for any length of time, you have probably encountered a horse that will not tolerate being clipped. Perhaps the horse believes those noisy, tingly clippers to be a horse-eating monster or perhaps the world's largest horsefly. Regardless, he's going to have none of it! Further attempts of clipping a horse that is fearful can be

Teaching Your Horse to Stand Tied

2008-09-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. Cox---darlc5@aol.com One of the most fundamental parts of training your horse is teaching him to stand tied. Regardless of the discipline in which you use your horse (showing, eventing, trail riding, etc.), standing quietly while tied is universal. I am sure many have heard the adage, "You must walk before you run". Well, in the horse world, your horse must learn to stand before he

Tying-Up: How to Identify, Manage, and Prevent this Condition in your Horse

2008-07-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com Now that warm weather has returned, we are all chomping at the bit to get our horses back into shape and ready to take on the many trail rides of the season. In our eagerness to return to the trails, we may skip a step or two in the conditioning process for our horses or perhaps speed up the process, working them a little longer and harder than what may

Open Wide and Say, "Ahhhhh" : A Guide To Equine Dental Health Care

2008-07-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com The one aspect of horse health care that is most widely overlooked by horsemen is dental health care. Some horse owners may have owned horses for many years and never once thought about having their horses' teeth examined. If you wait until there are obvious signs that a dental problem may exist, your horse has already had to endure a long period of pain.

Bridling: How to Achieve this Simple Task

2008-07-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com Throughout my many years of being in and among various horsemen, I have noticed how some riders will make the simple task of bridling into a complex and, often times, aggravating experience for both horse and rider, with the end result being a hanked-off rider and a horse with banged-up teeth after having a bit forced into his mouth. Each time I've seen

Horse Health - It's no "Choking" Matter

2008-03-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

Choke in Horses: Emergency Handling and Prevention By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com Choke is, as its name implies, a condition that occurs when the esophagus of a horse becomes blocked by a substance (normally poorly-chewed and hastily swallowed grain or hay, but can also include pieces of wood/bark, or other debris the horse may get in its mouth) and renders the horse unable to swallow and

Every Time, Every Ride, Helmets Save Lives

2008-02-25T04:56:00.000-08:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com Whenever we saddle up and head out on the trails for a nice relaxing ride, the furthest thing from our mind is that we may end up having to spend time in a hospital emergency room due to a fall from our horse; however, those of us who are seasoned riders know that it is not a matter of "if" I fall from the saddle, but "when". We are subject to possible

Recognizing the Signs of Laminitis

2008-01-23T03:11:00.000-08:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com Laminitis is most likely the disease for which veterinarian treatment is most often sought by horse owners of every ilk and discipline. While laminitis is a very painful disease that affects a horse's feet, the exact cause for it may lie in another part of the horse's body or it can be a result of stress. Laminitis is believed by some to only affect the front

The HorseSaddleShop.com Staff Reveal their Top Christmas Gifts for Horse Lovers

2007-12-13T03:16:00.000-08:00

If you don’t own a horse, you might sympathize with Mark Twain when he said, “I can always tell which is the front end of a horse, but beyond that, my art is not above the ordinary.” Many people are purchasing a gift for a horse lover this Christmas season. Yet it’s difficult to buy for these recipients without a western enthusiast’s heart. That’s why HorseSaddleShop.com has put together a

Before the Snow Falls: Getting Your Barn Ready for the Winter

2007-10-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com While it may be hard to fathom during late summer or early fall that snow will be blowing; winter will be here before you know it. Now is the time to prepare your barn for the winter months. Anticipation for the cold season ahead and advanced preparation for such will make the transition into the winter season much easier and safer for you and your horses.

The Assurance of Insurance: Should you Carry Insurance on your Horse?

2007-10-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxRecreational riding and horse ownership has seen exponential growth over the past few years. Young and old alike enjoy horseback riding and are always looking forward to the next opportunity to throw a leg over the saddle and enjoy the special connection that exists between rider and horse. Your horse, although a cohort and compatriot to countless hours of enjoyment, is a

Choosing a Boarding Facility

2007-07-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

By: Darlene M. Coxdarlc5@aol.comWhile the perfect horse ownership scenario would have your horse happily ensconced in his pasture or barn right outside your backdoor, many horse owners do not own a farm or other sufficient land and find it necessary to locate a boarding facility to house their horse. But how do you go about selecting a boarding facility and how do you know if it is the right one?

The Old Gray Mare, She Ain't What She Used to Be - She's Much Better: Caring for the Geriatric Horse

2007-07-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

By: Darlene M. Coxdarlc5@aol.comAlong with today's increase in recreational horse ownership also comes an increase in the number of geriatric-aged horses who now easily live well into their 30's. This increase in aged equine longevity can be attributed to the better knowledge of horse health management that responsible horse owners have obtained and applied through their many years of horse

Effective Pasture Management for Small Acreage Farms

2007-07-28T03:07:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxLiving close to and working in the Horse Capital of the World (Lexington, Kentucky) provides me many opportunities to drive through 'horse country' and enjoy the beautiful picturesque views of horses grazing on rolling carpets of thick, lush, green grass from virtually weed-free pastures. These beautifully maintained pastures are in stark contrast to

Foal Watch: The Signs of Foaling

2007-07-28T03:05:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxMany of us who have owned broodmares can attest that there are certain signs that indicate foaling time is near. These signs most generally will fit into a time frame ranging from weeks, days, and hours to foaling. It is best to start out with a general knowledge of when a mare was bred. Foaling is most likely to occur when a pregnancy

Answering a Cast(ing) Call

2007-07-28T03:04:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxAs a horse owner, one circumstance you will most likely encounter will be assisting your horse when he becomes ‘cast’, which means when he has laid down in some fashion and is unable to get his feet under him in order to stand. A horse can be severely injured and even die if he lays cast for a long period of time. Horses are not designed

Think Before You Dose

2007-07-28T03:02:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxIt is interesting how we horse lovers and owners can equate human-related health incidents into equine-related health issues. Recently, my daughter had a throat infection for which the doctor did not prescribe antibiotics, as he thought the infection was viral. Viral infections, caused by viruses, do not respond to antibiotics as these

Sarcoids in Horses

2007-07-28T03:01:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxWhen I purchased my appaloosa gelding five years ago, he had a warty-like blemish under his eye. At the pre-purchase exam, my vet told me this was a sarcoid, which is the most highly diagnosed type of benign (non-cancerous) tumor a horse can have. A second sarcoid later appeared on his canthus. Some breeds of horses are more prone to sarcoids, and of course, appaloosa was amongst

Have You Seen My Horse?

2007-07-28T02:59:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxRecreational trail riding and camping has increased exponentially over the last few years, with many avid horse lovers making the necessary purchases to enjoy the welcoming pleasures that exist for them in the numerous state and federal forests. Those who delve into this wonderful past time spend a fair amount of money on the required wares; namely, horse(s), truck, trailer,

Santa, I Want a Horse for Christmas

2007-07-28T02:57:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxYes, mom and dad, your little one may indeed be considering asking the jolly, old elf to bring him a horse this Christmas. But, how do you know he is really ready to have a horse of his own? Is he ready for the responsibility of horse ownership? A horse isn’t like the bicycle he received for his birthday that now forlornly sits resting awkwardly against the side of the garage,

I’d Rather be an Honest Loser than a Sore Winner

2007-07-28T02:54:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxThe recent news stories declaring that for the first time in 62 years a World Grand Champion was not crowned at this year’s walking horse Celebration in Shelbyville , Tennessee has prompted me to write this article on the soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For those who may not know the

Conditioning Your Horse for Trail Riding

2007-07-28T02:53:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxTrail riding is fast becoming a great American past-time and recreation. Many people who have always possessed a love for horses and nature have combined these two wonderful elements into beautiful camping and trail riding weekends or vacations. Trail riding is an event that allows whole family participation. With time being a limited commodity in our lives, we may find ourselves

To Breed or Not to Breed; That is the Question

2007-07-28T02:50:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxYou know spring has come not only with the arrival of longer, warmer days, greener grass, blooming flowers and budding trees, but also when you start seeing the beautiful foals dot the countryside. If you happen to live in Central Kentucky, as I do, you see quite a few of those. Ahhh, there’s nothing like seeing those playful little fillies and colts cavorting around the pastures

Have Horse, Will Travel

2007-07-28T02:47:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxThe 2006 riding season has arrived, and I am sure many of us are chomping at the bit to load our horses in the trailer and hit the road destined for our favorite riding spots. It is important that you keep trailer and hauling safety in mind each time you hitch up. Following are some guidelines that will assure your trailer is safe to use throughout the season. Also thrown in are

It’s Spring . . .Time to Vaccinate Your Horses

2007-07-28T02:46:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxSpring has arrived and with its glorious return the time has rolled around again for annual vaccinations for our equine friends. Following an annual protocol of vaccinating your horses will assure them a healthy life in which they are protected from many potentially costly, if not fatal, diseases. These diseases are: Equine Encephalomyelitis (Eastern, Western and Venezuelan),

Congratulations! It’s a . . .Preparing for a Foal's Arrival

2007-07-28T02:39:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxI can think of no other time, other than when I was having my own child, when I was as anxious for the new baby’s arrival as I was my mare’s foal. This was the first time I had a pregnant mare, and while I knew some things, I was ignorant of others. I watched for all of the signs and stalled her at the appropriate time. Of course, I didn’t want to miss a thing so I set

The Grass is Always Greener Outside the Stall Door

2007-07-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxThe snow has all but gone as spring has arrived with its seasonal showing of budding trees, blooming flowers, and lush pasture grasses. Your horses are eager to leave their stalls and dine on the vegetative growth and you are anxious to cut down your mounting feed bill. However, if you don’t want to trade that feed bill for possible major veterinarian expenses, be prudent about

Planning for the Riding Season

2007-07-27T11:40:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxIt may be blustery and cold outside with ice rings sitting atop water buckets, but it’s none too early to begin the planning phase for your 2006 riding season. Do you plan on staying with the ‘tried and true’ trails that you have come to know and love, or is this the year you will venture out and visit other campgrounds and trails you have heard about? If you’re like me, you

Don't 'Horse Around' with Your Horse

2007-07-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. Cox All of us who are avid horse lovers and riders can identify with how good it feels to be in the company of our beloved equine friends, whether it is from sitting atop our trusty mount enjoying the beauty of nature’s best or gently stroking a soft face and muzzle as it hangs over a stall door. There is a connectivity of soul and spirit that most horse people understand.

Winterizing Your Horse

2007-07-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

By Darlene M. CoxAs the winter months begin we need to make sure that our horses are ‘winterized’ and best able to adapt to and be comfortable with whatever nature presents. Special attention should be

What To Do Before the Snow Falls

2007-07-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

By MaryKay RubleAs the leaves change color, and a chill wind begins to blow, a few simple steps need to be taken before winter snows fall. While this may not be a complete list, it is intended to be a starting point, and certainly, different areas with varying weather conditions will prepare in manners specific to impending conditions. 1) Move all liquids, sprays and

Horse Flies

2007-07-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

By Mary Kay RubleHorse flies and deer flies, which fall into the same fly family, are the bane of many horse-people’s existence, with their biting, buzzing and usual annoying dive-bombing tactics. It seems that not only must we worry about ourselves and our horses being bitten, but we also worry about what our horses will do to evade the bite itself, sometimes putting us at risk of being

House and Stable...Flies

2007-07-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

By MaryKay RubleThe common house fly, which is a non-biting fly, and the stable fly, both found world-wide, not only closely resemble one another, but are also in the same family. In the case of the stable fly, both the males and females bite and suck blood, and although it can spread diseases found in animals, it is not as capable of spreading human diseases. The house fly, despite the

Buying Your First (or 2nd) Horse - at the Auction

2007-07-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

By MaryKay RubleYou are at the point in your life (and equine education) that you want a horse of your own. You have studied breed standards, taken riding and ground lessons, and fully understand the care, feeding, housing and medical needs of an animal as big as….well, a horse! You have a support staff, including veterinarian and farrier waiting in the wings. You know exactly what “job”

Rhetorical Look at Horse Ads

2007-07-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

By MaryKay Ruble Most horse owners, and certainly all horse lovers, have at some time perused classified ads in search of a horse, or merely scanned the ads as a source of entertainment. Entertainment? Well, yes. Have you seen the lengths that sellers are willing to go to when trying to move “Pretty, Pretty Pony”, (barn name: 3P-CO ), down the road? And all the lingo that goes with it?!

Wrapped for Travel

2007-07-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

By MaryKay Ruble Scan any catalog, on-line vendor or real-life tack shop and you will find a plethora of equine leg wraps and protective boots for almost every use in the horse-world. For a horse’s trailer ride, consider the length of the trip, and the necessary support for all the structures in the lower leg. For a short trailer-ride of less than 20 miles, shipping boots and bell boots may

Shedding Light On Shedding-Out

2007-07-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

By MaryKay Ruble Contrary to what some old tales tell us, it is not the warming temperatures in the early spring months that signal our horses to begin the shedding process. The cue to our horses to begin this sloughing of hair is the lengthening of daylight hours. We can assure that this shedding-out progresses as intended with a couple of minor changes to our routines. On days that

Preparing for the Ice(less) Age

2007-07-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

As first-time or long-time horse owners, or anyone in between, we all know how important it is for our horses to drink water during colder weather. If you choose not to purchase a handy-dandy heated or insulated bucket for Dandy Handy III to drink from, or if you’ve missed the proverbial feed-store boat, and they’ve been sold out for weeks, here is a relatively inexpensive option. It may

Supplementing Salt- Summer and Winter

2007-07-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

By MaryKay RubleSalt is a necessary mineral to every living being on our earth, including our horses. A horse deficient in salt may chew wood, trees, stalls and fencing, and may lick dirt and other objects in its search for sodium. A young horse whose diet is lacking sufficient salt may not reach its full growth potential. These horses may also appear rough coated, and suffer from fatigue and

First Aid Kit for the Barn

2007-07-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

ByMaryKay RubleAs every horse ownerknows, we are not engaged in a low-cost hobby or business. Over the lifetime of a horse, you will spend many times over what youoriginally paid in purchase price. Ihave perfected a polite smile, and head nod when a seller has tried to show me a“really cheap” horse, while in my mind I’m multiplying monthly upkeep,veterinarian care