A UGA Extension Agents’ Newsletter for Horse Owners and Professionals
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Stubborn as a mule? Is a mule really that stubborn? As a 6 year old girl riding her small donkey “Poncho”, I would have most certainly said, “Yes.” On a hot summer day I was riding Poncho around the yard bareback having a grand time until the brakes went on. Poncho had decided his entertainment…
Posted in: Vol. 3 | March 2021 -
It is always best to be prepared when traveling with horses. Always pack at least one day ahead to ensure you have time to locate all items needed. The last thing you want to do is be scrambling the night before (or the morning of)! Here are some essential items to have in your horse…
Posted in: Vol. 3 | March 2021 -
As show season and warmer weather approaches, traveling with your horses to shows or trail rides will become a regular occurrence. The safety of you, the horse and the equipment is important to focus on before traveling and trailering your horse. By being unprepared and not performing routine maintenance, you can become stranded and as…
Posted in: Vol. 3 | March 2021 -
Raising a healthy foal starts with the foaling process. During and immediately after foaling are the two most critical points in that foals’ life. Start by considering the actual foaling process in stages. As the expected birth date closes in, start bringing the mare in at night to give her a large, clean, safe stall…
Posted in: Vol. 3 | March 2021 -
Don’t get caught trying to play catch up this year when it comes to pasture management. Think about setting your pasture up for a successful spring and summer. The best first step is the all-important soil sample. Though a large portion of agricultural operations choose to soil test in the fall, it is never too…
Posted in: Vol. 3 | March 2021 -
Check it Out Help students bring concepts to life by evaluating saddle fit with their horse and tack. Include this as a follow up activity to a group trail ride or practice. Have them find evidence of poor or proper fit by looking at sweat patterns on their horse. Discuss potential changes to make to…
Posted in: Vol. 2 | December 2020 -
The saying goes, “You’re only as old as you feel.” The same applies to our equine partners. Horses in today’s world are living longer because of the research and improvements in nutrition and care. The chronological age of a senior horse is any horse over the age of 18 years old. The horse’s physiological age…
Posted in: Vol. 2 | December 2020 -
Saddle fit… This is a subject that looms in the horse industry. Something to be so highly politicized is really very simple. A saddle that fits will make you more correct in riding and allow the horse to perform properly. There are many theories from all aspects of the industry, with gullet width being the…
Posted in: Vol. 2 | December 2020 -
Every year when the weather starts to get chilly I always get a few calls asking if and when owners should begin blanketing their horses. Horses are naturally equipped to deal with all the seasons, so the decision to blanket your horse should be based on their living environment and level of competitive activities. It…
Posted in: Vol. 2 | December 2020 -
You might not even realize you are doing it, but when you glance at your horse and start to put hands on them to get a general feel of their health, you are well on your way to determining their body condition score. Body condition score is a great way to evaluate overall health. Body…
Posted in: Vol. 2 | December 2020