If you live in an area with real winters or just have a horse that grows in a super heavy winter coat you know that riding and conditioning this time of year can be a challenge. It’s hard to get in good rides not just because of the shorter daylight but because you don’t want to bring back a sweaty horse that is going to stay wet for hours, often past dark if you aren’t able to ride early in the day.
Those of you that have indoor barns are sure lucky but since I know many don’t here are a couple of tips from an endurance rider on how to manage keeping or getting your horse conditioned through the winter months. Read More
One of the favorites of the herd is Donkey. He came to The Barn when he was five months old. He was a rescue. He was being fed 4 squares of dry hay blocks a day, had had no vaccines, vet checks or hoof care. The vet said he hadn’t grown appropriately because he was severely underfed. He was also dehydrated. We put him on free feed, scattered salt rocks, added Daily Gold and Redmond Rock Crushed salt to his morning supplements. Before long, he was healthy, hydrated and well fed. This was extremely lucky for Santos. Santos was a reservist in the National Healer Competition. He loved his job and had won a lot of money. Then he was put into a slide stop without his slide boots. He was permanently disabled. Everyone who came on the property said he was depressed. Who wouldn’t be? In one moment he lost his health, his job, his herd, his home and his leader. He was donated to our non-profit when it became clear he would never fully recover. 