De-icing water buckets, hauling water by hand and pushing heavy wheelbarrows through deep snow or heavy rain are just a few of the things that many horse owners have to look forward to in the winter months. We do them willingly to ensure the good health of our horses during a season that brings equine health issues such as thrush, mud fever, colic from dehydration, and respiratory illnesses. Even in Southern California, winters can be quite chilly, especially if you live in the mountains. [...]
A horse barn is a large investment, regardless of how big or small it is. When a horse barn is designed with longevity and horse safety in mind, a well-built horse barn grows in value over time while providing your horses with a safe and comfortable environment. Horses need a suitable environment to live happily, and this access to pasture for grazing and of course, the right kind of stabling. What are the best types of horse stables? And which type of horse barn is right for you? Common[...]
There are many decisions to make when building a new horse barn, and one of the most overlooked decisions is often the barn color. The selection of the perfect exterior color for your new barn at your property hinges primarily on the other structures that exist in the vicinity that it should complement. But color can also affect the use of the building and the comfort of your horses. Long ago, horse barns, and agricultural buildings in general, were not painted at all. Early settlers [...]
Most people only see horses alone in a stable, rarely in a field with other horses or animals. For this reason, it is very easy for some to see them as solitary animals. But as horse lovers, we know this is not the case. As with humans, horses are social animals that need contact with others to maintain their well being. Ever wonder what your horse body language is and what it means? Finding the answers may be easier than you think! Horses may not be able to speak to us, but they can tell us [...]
Flies are enemies that inevitably come with being a horse owner. Unfortunately, you will never be able to eliminate every single fly, but you can educate yourself on ways to keep them under control and manage the harm they can cause. Flies can cause your horse more than discomfort. Flies spread such diseases as salmonella, equine infectious anemia, vesicular stomatitis, pigeon fever, as well as influenza. They can cause allergies, dermatitis and eye ailments (such as conjunctivitis). Constant[...]
As horse owners, we know that the risk of fire, especially in California, is both high and terrifying. Preparing horses for a wildfire or barn fire evacuation requires an additional level of planning, preparedness and practice. Building an evacuation plan and practicing that plan increases the potential that your horses will be able to leave safely if and when the time arrives. If you have a barn filled with horses, it is essential that you understand how fires start and how to deal with[...]
The question of whether or not a horse owner should shoe his or her horse comes up now and then and the discussion may get heated! Those who advocate on the barefoot side believe that many, if not most, horses will do just fine going without being shoed. On the shod side, advocates may say that most horses can be improved by shoeing or that all horses should be trimmed regardless of their environment or occupation. The reality, however, is somewhere in between. Horses are as [...]
The comfort and safety of your horses must be your foremost concern when designing a new barn. If a horse barn is designed and built properly, it should be a light, airy, easy to clean and a pleasant home for your animals, along with being a place you will enjoy visiting and working. The barn design process begins by determining the right size stalls to meet your needs and the proper width of the aisleway. The balance of the barn features can be accommodated around these basic parameters. [...]
Any horse owner knows that horses are not the cleanest animals. They sweat and get muddy, which leads to them needing a bath. There is no better way to wash your horse and keep them clean, than with a functional wash stall. A well-designed area for bathing horses and treating injuries can do wonders for a busy farm’s work flow. Your horse-washing area sees lots of use year-round. It is best to decide if you want something as simple as a bucket, sponge and tree to tie the horse to, or if you[...]
Horses are most comfortable in well-ventilated barns with proper air temperature and humidity, and few air contaminants and drafts. Stabled horses are exposed to a higher level of dust in their environment than horses living outdoors. Even if a barn is properly ventilated, there is more dust trapped in an enclosure than in an open environment. Due to this, proper barn ventilation is extremely crucial to your horse’s respiratory health. To improve ventilation in your barn, air movement[...]