How-To

Wrapping and Unwrapping a Horse's Legs

Updated:

April 9, 2026

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Knowing how to wrap your horse's legs is an essential skill for the attentive horse owner. Questions such as What thickness of bandage should I use on my horse's leg? How do I know when wrapping my horse's leg is appropriate? What supplies do I need? are all very important. With help from this article, and a little practice, you will master these skills in no time.

Rethinking Horse Paddocks: A Natural Setup Changes Everything

Updated:

April 8, 2026

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Fifteen years ago, a friend asked if I’d house- and horse-sit for her at her farm in the Cowichan Valley. The property featured open turnout, natural forage, and the companionship of other horses. I accepted, unsure how it would affect my mare, Diva—who had been struggling. But the results were immediate and profound. We never left. Years later, we still live in the Cowichan Valley, and Diva continues to thrive.

Prepare for Trail Riding Season: Plan, Build Fitness, Sharpen Skills

Updated:

April 7, 2026

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With winter fading and longer, warmer days ahead, now is the ideal time to plan for a standout trail riding season. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or new to the trail, these steps will help you make the most of your summer trail riding season and build a strong partnership with your horse.

How to Create a Greener Horse Property

Updated:

April 1, 2026

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For many horse owners, the dream property includes lush, rolling pastures, tidy and efficient barns, well-drained turnout spaces, and a practical manure composting system. Add in nearby riding trails and scenic surroundings—perhaps with a creek and wooded areas—and it creates an image of horses thriving in a natural, balanced environment.

Clicker Training – Reward-Based Training for Horses

Updated:

March 24, 2026

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Three decades ago, stepping into the world of riding meant entering a system where pressure-based methods were simply the norm. Training approaches were built around negative reinforcement, and there was far less awareness of how horses think, learn, and respond. At the time, efficiency and compliance were often valued above understanding. Looking back, unlearning those habits — ones that had been repeated and reinforced for years without question — has been one of the most challenging aspects of my development as a rider.

How to Make a First Aid Kit for Horses

Updated:

March 16, 2026

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Generally, first aid equipment is inexpensive, and you can create a comprehensive kit for a reasonable cost, saving yourself hundreds of dollars in unnecessary vet calls.

Thrush in Horses: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment

Updated:

March 12, 2026

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Thrush is a prevalent hoof ailment in horses, typically resulting from a fungal infection that deteriorates the frog's tissue. This condition primarily develops in the sulci (grooves) on either side of the frog and in the central cleft. If neglected, thrush can spread to the deeper, more sensitive structures within the hoof, potentially leading to lameness.

Testing Horse Hay: From Sampling to Analysis

Updated:

March 4, 2026

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Buying hay for your horse can be a challenge whether you buy it a few bales at a time or purchase a year’s supply when it becomes available in the summer. Supply, price, and quality have always been important parameters to consider when buying hay for horses, but now, more than ever before, horse owners are becoming aware of the importance of the nutritional components of the hay they feed.

How to Choose a Commercial Horse Hauler

Updated:

March 3, 2026

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Of the various forms of commercial transport, one of the most demanding is arguably that of horse transport. Strangely, it also attracts the least qualified, the most poorly equipped, and the most fraudulent and dishonest operators. How does one wade through the ethical minefield created by illegitimate wannabes and scammers? I will offer a handful of tips to keep you and your horses safe...

Healing the Injured Horse with Fitness

Updated:

March 3, 2026

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When a horse suffers an injury, it’s essential to allow for a brief time of rest to aid in recovery. However, in many cases, movement itself can be a form of therapy. Not all exercise negatively impacts a horse's health—on the contrary, it can often enhance overall well-being. Therefore, restricting movement should only be considered in extreme situations.