Vol. 4 | June 2021
This Summer edition of The Leading Rein is designed to ensure the summer riding season is safe. Learn about heat stress, proper tying of a rope halter, and how to control those pesky flies. This issue will give you some management practices to consider when moving forward with breeding your favorite mare. Common myths and mistakes are addressed about pastures and forages, as well as tips for choosing to supplement your horse or not. By keeping these summer season safety tips in mind, your horse will be ready to tackle any adventure you have planned.
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Steps to tie a rope halter
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You’re dripping sweat from cleaning stalls and it’s only 8:30 a.m. Welcome to summertime in Georgia. As the sun gets higher, so does the temperature and we all know our horses begin hunting the trees and shade. Horse will often adjust on their own to the heat and rising temperatures, but owners still need to…
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The most common fly on horses is the stable fly. This bloodsucking fly looks like a house fly – it’s the same size and coloration – and has even been called the “biting house fly.” But, of course, house flies can’t bite. If you look closely, you’ll see the mouthpart projecting from the front of…
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The six basic equine nutrient categories are simple: carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Water intake is self-regulated and horses on average drink 5-15 (or more) gallons of water per day depending on temperature, humidity, and activity level. That leaves the horse owner being responsible for ensuring a balanced diet based off the other…
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Spring is here and we often think about breeding season as new life pops up everywhere. The first question to ask isn’t, “Will my mare breed?” but “Should my mare be bred?” It’s possible you would be happier with adopting or rescuing an unwanted horse that you can ride now rather than breeding and waiting…
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Yes, admittedly I do love the show, but that’s not what I wanted to discuss today. In the horse world, we tend to readily share our thoughts, opinions, experiences, and anything else that comes to mind. In many cases, this is one of the best parts of our equine community, but it can also be…
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Does it get more basic horsemanship than safely haltering a horse? Probably not, yet this portion is often glazed over to “get to the good stuff.” Spend some time in club discussing the importance of safely approaching and catching a horse. Demonstrate the different types of halters and their pressure points. A rope halter has…