Winter snow may still blanket the ground, but foaling season will be here before we know it. If you have a pregnant mare in your barn, plan ahead to collect and freeze some of her colostrum — that all-important first milk — so you have it on hand if a foal is born without access to this essential liquid.

By Anna Carner Blangiforti - Tack made from hides that were poorly tanned in caustic solutions, made from hides given bad dye jobs, made using leather cut from the stretchy belly portion of a hide, or made cutting any other manufacturing corners cannot be improved by after-market cleaners or conditioners. If you buy tack at a bargain price, be prepared to get what you pay for.

With Matthew Hudson - When a horse is collected – which means that he is engaged from behind and elevated up front and light in the mouth – it is much easier for him to perform any required task, especially the demanding manoeuvres of a reining pattern. If we can make it easier for the horse, then, in turn, he will be more willing mentally to try. If you try to get your horse to spin or do a sliding stop when he is strung out, hollow-backed with most of his weight on the forehand, high-headed, and heavy in your hands, it won’t be easy for you or the horse, and it definitely won’t be pretty.

The oldest continuously operating dude ranch in Arizona (since the 1920s), Circle Z Ranch in Patagonia is a 6500-acre oasis of peace and calm, perfect for a relaxing retreat. Managers Jock and Pamela Soper began visiting Circle Z in the 1980s as guests, fell in love with the ranch, land, and people, and are now in their third season as staff.

By Ceileidh Sager - The cooler temperatures that accompany the arrival of winter should be a reminder that the season’s rain, wind, and snow can wreak havoc on your tack. Saddles, bridles, and other leather equipment represent important investments, and preventing leather from cracking, drying, or becoming moldy is crucial to its longevity. Here are some guidelines for keeping your tack in tip-top shape throughout the winter.

By Kentucky Equine Research - Horse owners want to provide their horses with adequate nourishment, but they may be confused about the best way to meet the protein requirements of equines with varying workloads or those of different ages. While each horse needs to be considered on an individual basis, these basic guidelines may help you ascertain your horse’s protein requirements.

When it comes to using saddle pad dust patterns to determine saddle fit, the dirt should accumulate in the areas of the saddle pad that experience the most movement: at the front of the saddle (where the shoulder moves up and back) and at the back (where horse’s back swings). No dirt should show in the areas where the saddle doesn’t come in contact with the horse’s back, such as the gullet or at the transition between sweat flap and panel.

Our 2013 Celebration of Horses Photo Contest welcomed hundreds of entries from all across Canada and the United States. The quality of photos we received and the unique equine moments captured made judging delightfully challenging. Thank you to everyone who shared with us the special moments and memories of their beautiful babies, hardworking heroes, and beloved equine friends, and congratulations to our winners.

Suspensory ligament injuries are a common cause of lameness in the horse, particularly athletic horses and those involved in competitive events. Often these injuries are chronic and have a high probability of reccurrence, which makes them a significant concern for horse owners.