How-To

Lindsay Grice, horse and winter, bond with horse, getting most out of winter horse, winter horse riding, riding horses in winter, winter trail riding, winter horse training

Although there is no shortage of year round American show circuits to choose from, here in Canada, during the winter months the show season comes to a halt for most people. The benefit is that it gives us an opportunity to assess our goals and make whatever changes are necessary.

treathing thrush horses, preventing thrush horses, symptoms of horse thrush, anatomy of horse hoof, equine guelph

Thrush is a common hoof condition caused by a fungal infection that eats away at the tissues of the frog. It is found in the grooves alongside the frog and the cleft in the centre of the frog. If left untreated, thrush will advance deeper into the sensitive areas of the hoof and cause lameness.

exercises for horse riders, dressage riding exercises, fitness for horse riders, equestrian fitness

Many people enjoy setting goals to help give focus and guidance to the year ahead. If we map out our desired goals appropriately, make them realistic and attainable, then initiate them with baby steps, there is a greater likelihood we will achieve success. When we write down our goals we are, in essence, making a commitment and a contract with ourselves.

how to clip horse's tail, grooming tail of horse, using clippers on horse

Clipping is one of those jobs that many horse owners despise — it’s messy, time consuming, and too often can be stressful for both horse and owner. But you don’t have to dread clipping your horse. If you know how to use the clippers correctly and keep the horse calm and relaxed throughout the experience, you can end up with a horse that looks like he’s been to the groomers, rather than just having survived a fight with a lawnmower.

how to store horse hay, make horse hay last long, beet pulp horses, horse's forage, hay feeders

When hay becomes scarce, especially during late winter and early spring, horse owners become resourceful. With the majority of your horse’s diet consisting of forage, your hay provider and equine nutritionist are vital members of your horse’s health care team.

Farrier, Farriey, Ben Yager, American Farrier’s Association, equine trimming techniques, hoof-pastern alignment, farrier apprenticeship

Is your farrier certified with the American Farrier’s Association (AFA)? Did he or she serve an extensive apprenticeship at the beginning of their career? Does your farrier pursue additional education?

how to properly clip your horse's face, how to clip horse's Bridle, path, how to clip horse's legs

The first step to any clipping job, whether a full body clip or just a quick tidy up, should be proper clipper maintenance. Using clean, sharp blades that are well-oiled will improve the results of your clip and increase the lifespan of your clippers. Always inspect the clipper and any extension cords you are using to ensure they are in good repair.

how to make horse first aid kid, equine first aid kit

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.

Acera Insurance, how to claim equine insurance, how do I use horse insurance, getting horse insurance, how to buy horse insurance, capricmw, equicare, equine insurance

Horses are masters at becoming injured, which is why many owners choose to purchase insurance. But working through an insurance claim while already dealing with an injured horse — or worse — can be highly stressful. So, I asked Mike King to provide some tips on making an insurance claim. He’s a partner at Acera Insurance (formerly CapriCMW) and the national lead for equine insurance and risk management programs, so he oversees claims across the country.

horse-related contracts, buying a horse, legal documents horse sale, horse insurance contracts, horse breeding contract, karen weslowski

Traditionally, business in the horse industry has been conducted on the basis of a handshake. However, written contracts are becoming more common in the purchase and sale of horses as well as the provision of services such as training, leasing, breeding and boarding. Depending upon the wording of the contract, written contracts can provide greater certainty as to the rights and obligations of all parties involved. Given the increasing use of contracts in the horse business, horse owners may find it useful to arm themselves with some basic knowledge of contract law. This article will discuss the basic elements of a contract, provide readers with some tips on drafting a contract for the purchase and sale of a horse and finally, discuss one of the most commonly used contracts in the horse business, the breeding contract.

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