Care & Management

Learning how to lead a horse is one of the first skills of good horsemanship. A horse that leads calmly and confidently is easier to groom, load, tie, and train. Horses who pull, drag, or crowd the handler can turn...

Approaching a horse safely is the foundation of horsemanship. Handlers and caretakers set the tone for equine interactions before any handling, routine care, training or riding takes place. Horses are sensitive animals, and a human's speed, path, and posture when...

Setting up a pasture for horses means turning an empty field into a safe, functional space that supports grazing, movement, and turnout. The process involves determining how much land you need, where to place fence lines, how to supply water...

Learning how to give a horse an injection can help owners safely administer certain veterinarian-prescribed medications and vaccines at home. Proper training is essential, as the injection route, medication instructions, and handling technique all affect the safety of the procedure....

Carbon dioxide therapy for horses, also known as transcutaneous carbon dioxide (CO₂) therapy, is an emerging, non-invasive treatment currently under study as an adjunct therapy to veterinary wound care. The therapy exposes affected tissues to medical-grade carbon dioxide gas to...

Mane pulling is a grooming technique for horses that shortens and thins a horse's mane by removing small sections of hair at the root. It creates the neat, tapered finish traditionally expected in many English show disciplines, helping the mane...

Horse clipping patterns determine which areas of a horse's winter coat are removed and which are left intact to balance cooling needs with natural protection. Many patterns target areas where horses sweat most during exercise while retaining hair where warmth...

A horse bill of sale documents the transfer of ownership from a seller to a buyer, whether the horse is sold or transferred at no cost. Horse sales involve numerous questions, procedures and conditions to ensure there are no disputes...

Choosing a reliable horse and farm sitter can feel daunting, even when you are leaving for only a short trip. With careful planning, the right person can maintain your horses' normal routines and monitor your property while you are away....

How far a horse can travel in a day depends on far more than speed. Fitness, riding conditions, and careful management all help determine a safe and comfortable distance. Many pleasure horses can comfortably travel 10 to 20 miles (16...

A bronco horse is an unbroken, hard-to-ride, or purpose-bred rodeo horse known for its strong tendency to buck. Although the term is closely associated with Western culture, it describes a horse's behavior and temperament rather than a specific breed. Bucking...

Braiding horse manes is a practical grooming skill that creates a neat, polished appearance while supporting discipline-specific turnout and mane management. Whether you are preparing for a hunter round, dressage test, breed show, or simply keeping a long mane tidy,...

Winter diarrhea in horses is a common concern, as seasonal changes in feeding, management, and daily routines can affect a horse's digestive health during the colder months. Although diarrhea can occur at any time of year, it may become more...

Finding a missing horse is an urgent and stressful situation for any owner or caretaker, but a calm, organized response can improve the chances of a safe recovery. Horses most often go missing after escaping from a pasture, paddock, stable,...

Keeping horses at home is a goal for many equestrians, offering more control over daily care, routines, and the environment their horses live in. Compared to boarding, at-home horsekeeping allows owners to tailor feeding, turnout, exercise, and management decisions while...

Stallions and geldings differ in more than reproductive status. Their differences can affect temperament, daily care, training, housing, and long-term management. Although both are male horses, stallions are intact and influenced by reproductive hormones, while geldings have been castrated and...

A tracheostomy in horses refers to a surgical opening created in the windpipe to help a horse breathe when airflow through the upper airway is severely restricted. It may be performed as an emergency procedure for sudden airway obstruction or...

A well-designed feed board, or feed chart, is essential for maintaining accurate and consistent feeding routines for horses. It guides barn staff decisions and helps ensure that every horse receives the diet they need. When feed boards are unclear, outdated,...

Horse height is one of the most important and widely used measurements for describing horses. Measured from the ground to the top of the withers, height provides a standardized reference point for comparing horses of different breeds, body types, and...

Aging horses by their teeth is a practical way to estimate a horse's age by evaluating patterns of tooth eruption, replacement, and wear. Because equine teeth change throughout life, they can provide useful clues about a horse's stage of development,...

Global horse populations are shaped by agriculture, transportation, sport, recreation, and cultural traditions across many regions of the world. For horse owners, understanding where horses live and how their numbers are changing provides useful insight into the broader role of...

Owning a mare can be a deeply rewarding experience. Mares are often intelligent, expressive, and highly responsive partners, but their behaviour and care needs are sometimes misunderstood or oversimplified. Good mare management starts with knowing what is normal for the...

Horse sheets can be useful tools for protecting your horse from rain, wind, insects, and temperature changes while supporting comfort in different conditions. From lightweight fly sheets to waterproof turnout options and moisture-wicking coolers, the right sheet or blanket can...

Ear plugs for horses are a simple tool designed to reduce noise and help horses stay focused in stimulating environments. Whether used during competitions, trailering, clipping, or other high-noise situations, they work by dampening sound rather than completely blocking it....

Horses are naturally social animals that evolved to live in stable herd groups. In domestic settings, however, some horses are housed alone due to facility limitations, injury recovery, quarantine protocols, behavioral concerns, or the loss of a companion. While short-term...

A horse’s mane and tail require a different grooming approach than the body coat. Long hair is more prone to tangling, breakage, and thinning, especially when knots are brushed from the roots or handled without a detangler. Choosing the right...

Beer is sometimes discussed in horse care, particularly in working barns and hot climates where it has been used as a traditional remedy. Horse owners may offer small amounts for reasons such as encouraging appetite, supporting digestion, or mitigating heat...

A wide range of grooming brushes are available for horses, but choosing the right one is not always straightforward. While most grooming kits include several standard tools, selecting the best brush for your horse depends on factors such as coat...

Training is a central aspect of the horse-handler relationship, ensuring clear communication and quicker, more reliable responses. An understanding of how horses process information allows handlers to build stronger connections and achieve consistent results across various training activities. Horses learn...

Administering oral medication is a routine part of horse care, but it isn't always straightforward. Many treatments for conditions such as gastric ulcers, infections, respiratory disease, or parasite control are delivered as liquids, tablets, or powders. While the instructions for...