To our horses, and to many horse people as well, the barn is home. This often simple building is a place of rest, relaxation, and recuperation, of learning and training, of health and security, and of friendship and bonding. But if not built or managed properly, the barn can also become a danger; and even if we try our hardest to be vigilant, accidents and emergencies can and do happen.

For horse people, nothing is more beautiful than a horse with a gleaming, dappled coat and a freely flowing mane and tail. Creating such a look is not impossible, but does require some effort. Following are nine tips for making your horse both eye-catching and the picture of health, all year round.

Helping a horse that is fearful and claustrophobic around his legs to become confident and respectful for grooming, veterinary, and farrier work is a delicate process. If done wrong, the result can be a more fearful horse. Horses are flight animals and their legs provide the means for their primary survival tactic.