Spring is a season of renewal on the horse farm — but it’s also a time when risk rises sharply. Melting snow, saturated ground, drying grass, and volatile weather patterns can quickly turn routine days into emergency situations. Gradual flooding and flash floods, grass and structure fires, severe storms, rapid snow melt, and ice jams that block water flow can threaten horses, people, and infrastructure with little warning. Add in secondary risks such as power outages, water contamination, disease outbreaks, and damaged fencing, and it becomes clear that emergency preparedness isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Dry leaves scatter behind the SUV as it travels along a quiet, tree-lined country road. Nearby horses pause from grazing to watch the arrival before settling back into the calm rhythm of pasture life, while a Golden Lab races across the yard, eager to welcome its family home.

The more your horse sweats, the greater the risk of electrolyte imbalance and thumps. Also known as synchronous diaphragmatic flutter, thumps looks alarmingly like hiccups in humans — a rhythmic “thump” or twitch of the horse’s flank that often matches its heartbeat.

Being a parent in a demanding horse industry career is challenging and incredibly rewarding at the same time. Many horse industry parents are making it work, but no one really knows what it takes and how they’ll balance the concurrent demands of parenting with the obligations of their career until they’re actually doing it.

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.

Blanketing your horse in winter might seem straightforward — just throw on a cover when the temperature drops and you’re done. In reality, it’s a far more nuanced decision. From choosing the right type of blanket to understanding when and how to use it, there’s a balance between keeping your horse comfortable, preventing health issues, and avoiding unnecessary wear or overheating. Add in the swirl of advice from seasoned barn hands, online forums, and long-held myths, and it’s no wonder many horse owners find themselves second-guessing their choices. This guide will cut through the confusion, explore the facts, and help you develop a practical blanketing routine tailored to your horse’s needs and your local climate.

It’s now nearly 150 years since the Great Chicago Fire, which, according to popular legend, broke out after Catherine O’Leary’s infamous milking cow kicked over a lantern in the barn on the night of October 8, 1871. The resulting barn fire, aided by the wind, destroyed three square miles of the City of Chicago, killing approximately 300 people, destroying 18,000 buildings, and leaving 100,000 people – a third of the city’s population – homeless before it was finally brought under control the next day.

Summer brings with it a surge in insect activity, and flies can quickly become a serious source of discomfort for horses. These pests are more than just irritating—they can transmit disease and provoke allergic responses.

On April 2, 2025, United States President Donald Trump announced a sweeping expansion of global tariffs, including reciprocal tariffs aimed at countries that currently impose trade restrictions on U.S. goods. The announcement stirred immediate concern in Canada, especially within the horse industry, where speculation had been growing for months about the possible implications of such trade measures.