Having a family horse is a wonderful thing. Before you head out and pick up the first horse you see, you’ll want to think a bit about what kind of horse it is that you need.
Listening to your horse: can you hear a whisper or does your horse need to shout?
An idea begins to form in your mind: there’s something off with your horse. You can’t say where exactly this hunch is coming from because your horse isn’t thrashing or wriggling in pain. A quick once over doesn’t turn up anything obviously wrong. But you’re sure that everything isn’t as …
Help! I think my horse’s passport is a fake
The intent of having a horse passport system is a good one: ideally, each horse should be matched to a passport that details the important information regarding that horse. This, in theory, would prevent stolen horses from being sold. However, this system can in practice be chaotic and is subject …
What are stable vices and how do you fix them?
What kind of problems do horse owners experience and how should they be addressed? Horses can come with problems and they can develop problems even after many years. Whether the problem is physical or psychological there is always a reason and it’s the job of a responsible horse owner to take the time to get to the root of the problem and not just treat the symptoms.
How much money does it cost to buy a horse? + 4 ways to buy one
Usually, the smallest cost of a horse is the purchase price. There are also costs involved in purchasing a horse other than the purchase price itself. This article will help you discern the different steps and ways of buying a horse and help you add up an estimate of what it’ll cost to do it all.
How much does a horse cost to keep?
The upkeep and maintenance of a horse are what take the most money from a horse owner. Take a look at this section to get an idea of the financial cost of owning a horse; from buying, stabling, tacking, farrier and vet costs, to worming, training and insurance.
The realities of owning a horse: the good, the ugly and the dirty truth
There are few things in life that equal a rein-swinging walk to the rhythmic beat of horse hooves lulling you into a calm, meditative mood. A long trail ride is an excellent stress-reliever that quiets all those little coversations in your mind and puts you firmly back in the present …
What does it mean to vet a horse and what is the difference between a 2 and 5 stage vetting?
You should always vet a horse before buying. Especially, when you’re inexperienced with horses or are buying from a seller that isn’t too familiar with the horse’s history. However, a vetting is only a snapshot of how the horse is on the day and time of the vetting. Vetting doesn’t …
Everything you need to know about horse passports
A horse passport is for accurately identifying animals and making international transport easier. In the UK and EU, all equines (horses, ponies, donkeys, mules etc.) must have passports by law and cannot be sold without one. In the US passports are primarily intended for animals competing in international Federation for …
10 common mistakes you can easily avoid when taking your horse’s vitals
Some of the most common mistakes made when taking the vital signs of horses are oversights and stem from trying to do things in a rush. When taking the vitals on your horse pay attention and don’t make these easily avoidable mistakes. Having the normal values and behaviour recorded in …
How to always be prepared for an emergency with your horse (with free emergency info sheet for your stable)
Your horse suddenly getting ill is a very distressing thing. You might notice small signs, like discharge from the eyes or nostrils, a dull coat or hanging the head and not responding to food. Or you might walk into the stables one day and find your horse is bleeding, having a …
How to take the vital signs of your horse yourself (step-by-step instructions with pictures)
Knowing how to take your horse’s vital signs is an essential skill for any owner, handler or rider. Knowing how to measure the vital signs of your horse will allow you to check if your horse is healthy, and give the vet more accurate information over the phone in case of …