Summer is the best time to own a horse, but we have been getting some real scorchers these last few weeks. Here are some tips on keeping your horse cool this summer.

Did you know that your horse can get sunburn and damage his skin just like humans do? And like humans, sunburn can occur even on cloudy days. Light-colored horses and horses with white markings can get quite badly sunburned, especially on the muzzle and around the eyes, and need extra protection. Dark colored horses, however may not be as prone to sunburn, but their coat color can get bleached, turning your beautiful bay to mousy brown.

Knowing how your horse acts when he is feeling good will help you better realize when there is something wrong. Every horse owner needs to know what “normal” is for their horse. Being able to report abnormal behavior can help your veterinarian diagnose your horse in the future if there is ever something wrong. 

When it’s time to bed your horse, there are a wide variety of options to use. Here are some things to consider when deciding on what your horse will stand and sleep on.

Thinking of remodeling or building a new barn? One of your big decisions (and biggest expense) may be the type of wood you use. There are several types of wood available  and it can be daunting to figure out which one to use. The general answer? It depends on what’s most available in your area as well as your area’s weather conditions. Heavy snows may require one type of wood while areas with insect issues might be best with another. Whatever you choose, if you’re building your walls with wood, use pressure treated wood whenever it’s in contact with earth or steel. However, keep in mind pressure-treated wood should never be placed where horses are in close contact.

For riders, spring means many things – some of them good, some of them not so great. Here are some of the things that we love – and hate – about spring!

Spring is right around the corner, making now a great time to collect all those seed catalogs and gardening books and start thinking of creating or upgrading the landscape around your barn.

When Spring finally arrives – and stays– your horse will be more than ready for some turnout with lots of room to run. But before you let him go, don't forget to ensure his safety by checking the “3 F’s”.

With lots of rain comes muddy pastures and muddy horses. There are several months throughout the year when mud can become a stressful problem. In the spring months, rain can fall for long periods of time causing a huge muddy mess.

From money saving alternatives to super smart moves, we’ve gathered some helpful barn hacks to save you time and improve the function of your barn.