When spring is just around the corner, our thoughts turn to riding, riding, and more riding. While not nearly as enrapturing, save some consideration for that lonely chariot outside, which gets our beloved steeds to and from events, shows, and trails. Every trailer that has been parked or stored for the winter should undergo a methodical inspection and maintenance routine before hitting the road each year. Safety should always be of primary concern, but comfort is important as well – every time a horse has an unpleasant trailering experience, he or she will go through that much more stress on the next trip.

People often say, “a horse needs a job,” as though life as an equine couldn’t be complete without trotting into the office occasionally. Historically, horses really did take on essential work, from carrying soldiers into battle to driving the gentry around town (as anyone who’s watched The Gilded Age knows.) Even in our own times, when horses are less necessary for most human activities, they’re still sometimes pressed into service. Of course, it helps if a horse is well-suited to their assigned occupation. So, before recruiting a horse for any of the following positions, consider some of the necessary qualifications.

The immune system is the body’s defense against infection. Vaccines help the body to develop immunity by imitating an infection and are intended to create and maintain immunity against specific diseases for a period of time. Together with good management and biosecurity practices aimed at preventing and controlling infection, a vaccination program can minimize the horse’s risk of getting sick, as well as lessen the severity of sickness and reduce the risk of spread to other animals if sickness does occur.

It often feels practical to skip lunging your horse if riding time is limited. Cutting out groundwork fits easily into a culture focused on speed and convenience. For some riders, lunging appears redundant — an awkward task that offers less control than simply climbing on and letting the horse settle under saddle. Others dismiss it as dull or monotonous. At events, a difficult horse on the lunge can be a source of discomfort or even a safety concern in shared spaces. And doesn’t all that circling put strain on the horse’s limbs.

For thousands of years, the horse has been our trusted companion, serving as a worker, athlete, and partner in everything from agriculture to competition. Whether they’re a trail riding companion, school horse, ranch worker, or elite competitor, one thing remains constant—the need for proper hoof care. Without it, a horse’s soundness, performance, and well-being are at risk.

The field of equine medicine is experiencing a period of exciting growth, with significant advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic options available to horse owners. Over recent decades, equine healthcare has evolved to offer a broad range of services, from internal medicine, surgery, and reproductive management to lameness diagnostics, dental care, and neurologic treatment—available both in-hospital and on-farm. In addition to these traditional services, alternative therapies like acupuncture are gaining popularity for treating various conditions in horses.

Calgarian Karen Allen began volunteering at Bear Valley Rescue in Sundre, Alberta, a decade ago, to heal after her horse Mac, a 34-year-old Connemara, passed away. “It was healing to be with like-minded people who understood that the beauty, majesty, and true value of a horse was so much greater than the sum of what they could help us accomplish,” Allen says.

If you’re reading this, chances are you have a special horse (or two) in your life and are curious about enrichment — how to make their world more stimulating, playful, and fulfilling. My goal is to bring those two worlds together: your love for your horses and the concept of enrichment. With the right ideas, you can make their daily lives more interesting, movement-rich, and deeply worth living.

The relationship between our horses and their joints can feel scary, conjuring up words like “arthritis” and “lameness.” Our focus on joint function and integrity, including how this plays a role in a healthy hoof mechanism and legs, is designed to create a knowledgeable foundation to support your horse for years to come.