When is a horse considered old? The answer depends on the individual. Some horses show signs of age as early as 15, while others remain active and healthy well into their 20s. Just like people, factors such as overall health, workload, management, body structure, and genetics all play a role in how a horse ages.

Running a family farm or ranch can be both demanding and rewarding. For these three Canadian families, the challenges of farm life are balanced by the many benefits of working together as a family.

Our Miniature horse, Winston, likes to please us all the time, including in the winter when he likes to pull us for a ride. Winston is my wife Lyne’s horse. She has had horses throughout her adult life and likes a multi-discipline horse that will do dressage, tricks, jump, go for long free-walks in the morning, and also pull a little sleigh in the winter.

When it comes to stimulating broodmares to cycle early using artificial lighting, which is more effective — overhead lights or light masks? And why do they work?

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a horse show — the impeccably groomed horses, the polished riders, the vibrant atmosphere, the thrill of victory. A ribbon passed from one hand to another becomes a shining testament to hours of dedication, passion, and commitment. Amidst the buzz, it might also be easy to overlook the lady holding the basket of ribbons, who is smiling ear to ear as she celebrates your victory. You might not realize that it is her victory, too.

Immobilization or stall rest is sometimes necessary for a horse's injury to heal, especially in cases of severe tissue damage (such as tendon or ligament damage and fractures), but other times keeping horses moving is actually a better approach. The key is choosing the right exercise for the type and location of the injury. We cannot just tell horses, for example, to engage their core. We have to design exercises that achieve the desired result.

Electrotherapy, directing small currents of electricity through the skin for medical treatment, has been widely used in human sports medicine and rehabilitation to treat injuries and optimize performance. Various modalities have made their way into sport horse medicine and rehabilitation. Electrotherapies are built around energy sources that range from acoustics to vibrations.

Each year, I host a unique and transformative event with one simple idea: variety creates purpose. Purpose camp at James Creek Ranch introduces diverse experiences into our horses’ training keeps them engaged, confident, and willing to learn. Repetitive drills can lead to sour attitudes, but when exercises have meaning, both horse and rider benefit.

Helping horses load into a trailer with confidence is a common challenge, and I am often called upon to assist with both young horses learning to load and those struggling with trailer anxiety. Over the years, I’ve shared insights on horse trailer training, covering why it’s essential and how to approach it with the right techniques. However, this time, I want to shift the focus away from technique and explore the underlying factors that influence a horse’s willingness (or refusal) to load.