Horses must be permanently identified. The preferred method is radiofrequency identification (microchip) for management, registration, traceability and identification purposes. Where branding is considered necessary in addition to electronic identification, freeze branding must be used. What is the point of branding horses? Horse branding allows horse owners to easily identify and Read more…
In the wild, horses have access to hours of grazing to trim their own teeth. Our domestic horses don’t have that, so they need dental help. Do wild horses have sharp teeth? In the wild horses spend a large proportion of their time eating and this constant chewing action generally Read more…
As days get shorter and nights become cooler, horses grow a new, longer hair coat. These winter hairs stand up, trapping tiny air pockets between them. The effect is like that of a thick, down-filled comforter, with tremendous insulating quality. How do horses legs not freeze? Though horses sometimes stand Read more…
Horses chew on other horses, because (1) it is insubordinate behavior, (2) it is playful behavior between horses that know each other, or (3) mutual grooming is a social bond. Why do horses eat other horses manes? Mane and tail biting is most common in foals and yearlings and may Read more…
One white foot—buy him. Two white feet—try him. Three white feet—look well about him. Four white feet—go without him. What is the saying about white socks on horses? One white foot, keep him not a day, Two white feet, send him far away, Three white feet, sell him to a Read more…
One white foot, keep him not a day, Two white feet, send him far away, Three white feet, sell him to a friend, Four white feet, keep him to the end. Whatever the intent behind the rhyme, we’ve learned that hoof color is not as important as we once thought Read more…
Braid and/or bag it. These options offer additional protection. One long braid or, for thicker tails, two or three braids hanging down work well for some horses in some environments. Always start a braid below the tailbone, keeping the braids relaxed to avoid discomfort and rubbing. How can I protect Read more…
All horses, when they die, must be disposed of immediately with very few exceptions and they must be delivered to a premises approved for proper collection and disposal of animal carcasses. What do most people do with a dead horse? The most common way to dispose of a horses’ body Read more…
Whether to clip a tail or braid it is often a decision that is made for each horse that we present for the show ring. You may clip because it suits the horse better or because you don’t like braiding. A well clipped tail looks smart and enhances the horses Read more…
They do have emotions, and they certainly can interact with their environment and feel things. When horses die, other horses close to them exhibit grief-like behavior, which can become excessive at times. How do horses react when one dies? If a horse’s companion has died, it is important to let Read more…