A safer, healthier plan for horses, people and facilities - Winter can transform a barn and property almost overnight. A little advance preparation will help keep horses comfortable, daily chores manageable, and everyone safer when severe weather arrives. Use the quieter days before winter to inspect your setup, complete necessary repairs, and make sure essential systems are ready for the season ahead.

Essential Workers - Farm dogs and barn cats are indispensable team members at many horse farms. Dogs protect the farm, help round up livestock, keep predators away, tell their owners if a horse is in trouble, and are cherished companions. Meanwhile, barn cats prevent mice and other rodents from taking over the grain bins and hay storage, plus entertain their owners with funny antics. But not every dog or cat is suitable for a horse farm.

Those who primarily work in riding arenas or round pens with sand footing, such as equestrian riding coaches, riding instructors, and horse trainers, are at an higher risk of respiratory issues.

It wasn't that long ago that little research had been done on how travel impacts horses. Most advice came from the shared experiences of other horse owners and commercial transporters. That’s why research findings from the University of California, Davis, are particularly significant. Their research has essentially confirmed the good practices for travel that trustworthy transporters of horses have followed for years, validating these practices and making the information public for all to benefit from.