Category: The Way of Horses

The ancient Greeks traded salt for slaves – hence the saying “worth his salt”.
Early Roman soldiers were partially paid in salt (salarium argentum, which is where the word “salary” originated).
A severe salt deficiency can cause your horse to die.
Napoleon had thousands of soldiers die during his retreat from Moscow when wounds would not heal due to a “salt deficiency”.

Water, water everywhere…and not a drop to drink!

An average 1,000-pound horse produces about 2 ½ gallons of urine a day.

So, how do you keep stalls dry?

A stall that drains properly is the first step.

Constructing a good base will allow the urine to drain. Poor drainage means the bedding must absorb all the moisture.

The definition of “trust” is to have confidence in something or believe in someone.
We are entrusted to care for our horses – to train with compassion and provide for their needs.
We trust others to provide us education, services and products to aid us in caring for our horses.

Protect valuables from theft and contamination.
Horse owners are discovering a trip to the feed store requires an armed guard.
But once the edible “gold” is safely transported to the stable, how is it protected and stored?

The mare lived in the perfect home – balanced diet, access to good quality forage, fresh clean water always available, adequate exercise and turn-out time with her friends; vaccinations were kept up-to-date, the farrier came on a regular schedule,

The 1916 United States Department of Agriculture book “Diseases of the Horse” describes how the roundworm affects the growth and health of horses – unthriftiness, diarrhea or constipation, colic and respiratory problems. Recommended treatment compounds were tartar emetic, turpentine or carbon bisulphid for the removal of the parasite.

“He was only in the pasture for three hours yesterday afternoon,” Concerned Horse Owner told her vet. “I thought he would enjoy some fresh green grass.”

The big bay gelding had laminitis.

Be prepared. That should be the motto of every horse owner expecting a mare to foal.

If you are one of the thousands expecting a foal this spring, are you prepared for the loss of the dam or the possibility she will have no milk?

A friend mentioned that she was having trouble keeping weight on her mare, Missy. Missy has always been an “easy-keeper”. I asked her a few questions which every horse owner should regularly review.