Saddle pads have always been a big question mark for me. There are so many options, all of them claiming they do kind of the same things. How do you know which one will actually be the best choice for your horse? [Update at the end of the post!]
Category: Horse Keeping
Omega Field’s HorseShine Supplement to Provide Omega 3’s
The well-being of my horses is the most important responsibility of my life. Well, perhaps it is among the most important, but sometimes the stress of figuring out what to feed them can make it seem that way! I am so thankful that I've again solved their need for forage, and so grateful that I have been confident in their nutrition while figuring that out thanks to Horseshine.
Trying Hay Nets as Slow Feeders
At my previous location, I had the horses set up with their own slow-feeders and it was a perfect system! I loved the feeders for the ease of filling, and how they kept hay off the ground. At our current location, however, the noise they made by kicking the feeders as they ate caused a problem. So, we switched to a hay net!
No Thrush and Dust On! Review
I was sent some No Thrush and Dust On! to try last year, but not paid for this review! I quickly learned that the products are absolute essentials to keep around. My favorite parts about these products are that they do not cause any damage or irritation to healthy tissue. The powder is also a cleaner substance to use than oily creams or gels, since the powder can be brushed off clothes or fur without fuss. And, they work very well.
What I’ve Learned About Treat Rewards for Horses
Using treats when training horses is often frowned upon. People especially associate clicker training type methods that use treats as rewards with greedy, pushy horses that people might label as aggressive. If the aggression is the symptom, what is the cause?
Benefits of Slow-Feeders for Horses
Horses are grazing creatures - in their natural environment, they would be eating small amounts of feed almost constantly. Their feed would consist of grasses and other plants that they would seek out, then bite and pull from the ground. So what happens when we feed our horses large amounts of hay twice a day?
Beach Days with the Horses
About a week ago, the horses and I had an incredible experience. We met up with some photographers/cinematographers at the beach and ended up getting so many beautiful shots! We've never been around so many people taking our picture all at once. The horses LOVED all the attention. I was usually doing things with one horse while the other stood with the girl who helps me take care of them. She didn't even have to hold on; the horse that was off-camera was always happy to stand for other photographers to take their pictures! So they were both constantly in front of someone's lens 🙂
Cavallo Horse Boots: The best horse hoof boot
I've never had a particular desire to "shoe" my horse. Tucker was barefoot when I met him and I had every intention of keeping him that way! I tried some horse hoof boots once, and loved them for the one ride before they broke. The only negative things were that they were super difficult to put on...and that they broke after a couple uses. Fast forward several years, and I am presented with a semi-crippled Trubee!
Hug Tutorial
One of my personal favorite tricks is the “hug”. I like it because it really feels like a hug, and it also seems like Tucker understands that I enjoy it more than just as a trick. It is something that seems to make him happy as a way of expressing affection in a language we both understand, along with "kiss."
The Ugly Side of Clicker Training
Clicker training is awesome. I can 100% vouch for that, because I see the results firsthand every day. But like all things, it can be a bad thing in the wrong hands. The bad reputation that clicker training has earned is due to the technique that uses a clicker, not because of the clicker itself. Just like the classic "the bit is not a weapon, it is the hand that wields it" or however those things go! Here is some information on how to keep clicker training a positive experience, and some stories about some struggles I've had to figure out.