One morning I went down to the stables to give my horse his breakfast and take him to his pasture for the day. When I looked over his stable door, he was lying down, stretched out, and he was full of sweat and covered in sawdust flakes from his bedding. It looked as if he …
Donkeys are intelligent, curious animals that need toys to play with. In the wild, they spend most of their time exploring their environment for food and companionship. Domesticated donkeys constantly search their space for novel experiences to replicate that level of mental stimulation. Without it, they may become bored, disinterested, and depressed. Few of us …
Best Donkey Toys & Games for Donkeys (Adult, Baby, Mini Donkeys) Read More »
We’ve all grown up watching movies of cowboys racing their horses across open fields for miles without end, but how far can a horse really gallop without stopping? And how far can horses realistically travel in a day? The answer is nearly never the same and for a good reason. In this article, we will …
How Far Can A Horse Run Without Stopping, How Far, How Long? Read More »
While you’ve heard the adage that you can’t take a horse to water and make them drink, it’s sometimes necessary to make them drink. Horses need enough water to keep their gut hydrated and to ensure they have enough fluid in their large bodies to keep their systems functioning optimally. Sadly, some horses don’t want …
Walking past the stables one afternoon, I noticed Missy, one of our older mares, lying down in her stable, looking quite unhappy. Without even waiting to check for heave lines on her sides, I know that she’s got colic. The cause? Because she’s an old horse, she doesn’t drink enough water. You’d think that a …
Horse Hydration Danger: Is Your Horse Drinking Enough Daily? Read More »
Horse dehydration is a major, and deadly, problem for horse owners. And I didn’t know that until I brought my horse in from the pastures and noticed he was sweaty, lethargic, and slightly off-color. He wasn’t his usual happy self. I feared it was colic or some other digestive issue. I would have never considered …
Deadly Horse Dehydration: Hydrate Your Horse Fast To Save Its Life! Read More »
One early morning, I went down to the stables to feed my horses. My two horses were nickering and excited for breakfast, except I didn’t hear my third horse. I stuck my head over the stable door and saw he was lying down and looked very sweaty. I never used to worry and panic when …
When Your Horse Lying Down Is a Concern: Things to Know Read More »
Recently, my young filly was yawning a little more than usual. I had kept it in the back of my mind that my filly would start teething soon, but it still surprised me to see her yawning like she was. A little drool was coming from her mouth too, and when I felt her lips, …
Why Is My Horse Yawning? Causes, Concerns, and Treatments Read More »
This morning my horse came in for breakfast with a large wet patch on her one flank. It was clear from the ruffled hair that she’s been biting at herself. Why is my horse biting its sides? Horses bite each other and themselves all the time. They bite to establish their place in the herd …
Why Horses Bite Themselves: Understand, Treat Self-Mutilation Read More »
Ponies are small horses with spunky, feisty, and quirky personalities. What’s not to love? Before you get swept up in the thrills of buying your first pony, you first need to understand how to care for these special equines. Are ponies easy to care for? Ponies are notorious for being easy to care for and …
Beginner’s Guide to Raising Ponies: Care, Cost, Diet, More Read More »
Norwegian Fjords are one of the oldest horse breeds in the world. Domesticated some 3000 years ago, the Norwegian Fjord’s sturdy build and calm temperament have seen it excel in almost every discipline. Once a Viking war horse, the Norwegian Fjord became a highly valued draft horse, pulling heavy loads around the hilly farms across …
Can Norwegian Fjord Horses Barrel Race? All About the Breed Read More »
How we keep our horses often depends on the overriding philosophy of the yard they’re living in. If all the other horses in the yard are shod, chances are, you will also shoe your horse. In some instances, shoes are necessary to prevent excessive wear and provide stability for the horse. In others, they can be …
Should I Keep My Horse Barefoot? Can Horses Support Barefeet Read More »
Last year, Sweden’s showjumping team shone a spotlight on the controversial barefoot vs. shod debate. Two of three horses in the Swedish squad competed barefoot, securing gold and silver medals for their riders. If horses can compete at top international events without shoes, what does that mean for the future of shoeing? Do horses need …
I’ve witnessed hundreds of interactions between horses and dogs. Some have been gentle and companionable, while others have left me fearing for the dog’s life. Do horses like dogs? Horses are naturally afraid of dogs. Horses are a prey species, so even though dogs are much smaller than them, horses fear dogs because they are …
Donkeys are fun to have around and make excellent companions. Not only can they keep alpacas company, but they can also guard sheep and entertain ponies and children! Having descended from the desert-dwelling wild ass, the donkey is generally healthy, low maintenance, and resilient against many diseases and illnesses. Why does my donkey look …
