The shorter, cooler days of autumn herald the approach of the cold winter months. Starting with the spring season, we all race around to participate in shows, rodeos, or backcountry camping trips. When those exciting events wind down, we can focus on all the tasks we’ve put off — those “before winter rolls around” jobs.

Each of the horse’s gaits offers a unique tool when conditioning for performance and, used correctly, can accomplish results that might otherwise be missed. Optimally, horses should spent equal time in all three gaits during training sessions in order to achieve both looseness and strength. Certain conditioning phases, though, sometimes necessitate prioritizing one gait over another. This article will clarify how and when individual gaits can serve the equine athlete, especially the way he uses his back, and how cavalletti routines can help.

During periods of heavy rainfall, many horse owners may notice the emergence of rain rot in their horses. This skin condition can be frustrating, but with proper care, it is often manageable.

Keep an eye out for the three most common skin cancers in horses and reach out to your veterinarian if you notice any unusual lumps or bumps.

A close look at teff as a forage option for horses. Hay comprises the majority of a horse’s diet. Therefore, when owners are able to source a forage that complements their horse’s nutritional requirements, there are numerous benefits. These benefits range from ease of management to better equine health and even lower feed bills. Teff is a species of grass that is gaining popularity for use as horse hay. It is thought to be a great option for both easy-keepers and metabolic horses.