Unfortunately, one of the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is that most stores are either running low on stock or closing their store altogether. Thank goodness for online shopping and home delivery! From tack to grooming supplies to barn supplies, you can find a great selection online and maybe even save some money with better pricing.

One of the best ways to attract more boarders to your stable is to hire a good trainer to help your riders achieve their goals. Plus, it can add additional income to your revenue stream as trainers usually pay a percentage of their lesson fees or a flat fee for the use of your facilities.

Finding a great trainer who is a good fit for your barn can be a challenge. But most any trainer would love to work out of a barn that has the following amenities:

Over the years we have become masters of multi-tasking - watching a video while cooking dinner, answering an email while on the phone, creating tomorrow’s “to do” list while listening to your kids tell you about their day. We go through each day and each task only half there because we’re focusing on something else at the same time. And so mistakes get made, things get forgotten, feelings get hurt. All this could be eliminated by simply becoming more “mindful”.

If you watch the news or read any story in the last few weeks, you can’t help to have learned about the widespread and potentially dangerous coronavirus that is affecting every country in the world, except, at least for now, Antarctica. Coronaviruses get their name for the crown-like spikes on their surface as seen under a microscope.

 If you feed your horses grain or give them treats, chances are you have unwanted visitors coming into your barn, namely mice. There are special feeders that help keep grain in your horse’s bucket during feeding, but most horses tend to drop grain on their stall floor when eating. And that grain is a perfect way to get mice in your barn. In addition to an almost constant food supply, most barns are quiet with piles of hay to hide and keep warm in.

Are your paddocks or barn entrances a muddy mess? Do you have horses who dig holes in their stalls? Do you have trouble maintaining your dirt barn aisle? All of these are common issues for barn owners and can be solved with the Classic Equine Equipment’s Stable-ity Grid.

When you own or manage horses, over time you will probably accumulate quite a few medications. Whether bought over the counter or from your veterinarian, medications need to be handled and stored properly.

The perfect gift for your horse this Valentine’s Day may be as simple as giving him a little bit of pampering. OK, we know you already pamper your horse with good food, a great stall and lots of treats, but these are some additional ways to make him feel extra special.

Let him enjoy a nice long turnout. Outside with grass to graze on would be ideal, but often difficult to find in the winter. But a turnout in the arena can be just as relaxing and is good both physically and mentally.

Spend time with him. You don’t always have to ride your horse to interact with him. Talk to him. Groom him. Do carrot stretches or a bit of clicker training. Practice ground tying. You can even just sit outside his stall and read a book while he enjoys his hay – it’s the connection with you that your horse really wants.

You can also hand walk your horse around your barn or on a nearby trail. It’s a great way for both of you to relax and enjoy nature. A little grazing along the way will be especially appreciated. For extra relaxation, get your horse a massage by a trained equine massage therapist. If you can’t afford a massage therapist, you can do some gentle massaging yourself. Stay away from the muscles on his back and legs and concentrate on his neck. Many horses carry tension there. Start at the top of the crest of the main and place your hands next to each other with your 4 fingers on one side of the crest and your thumb on the other. Gently rock that small section of your horse’s neck back and forth. After a few little rocks, move down a bit on the crest. When you get to the bottom, move back up again. Go slow and be gentle.

For a warm and wonderful treat for your horse, consider making him a bran mash – the horse version of a box of chocolates. While the occasional bran mash won’t hurt your horse, giving them too frequently can sometimes cause issues so check with your vet if you want to do them more often. You can also share an apple with him.

Give your horse a pat, hug or a kiss before you leave.

And wish him a Happy Valentine’s Day.

It’s only February, but horse owners across the country have had enough of riding in mud, snow or rain, dark days and cold weather. Is this the year you say “Enough is enough!” and finally build an indoor arena? Classic Equine Equipment can help.

We all know that turnout is beneficial to horses, but sometimes it just isn’t possible. Winter weather often brings rain, cold, snow and ice storms, and these conditions may leave your pastures unsafe for turnout. The following tips can keep your horses happy and healthy when turnout isn’t possible.

Use an Indoor Arena

If you’re lucky enough to have access to an indoor arena, then you might use this space to provide your horses with some turnout time. If you need to feed hay, then it’s a good idea to hang a hay net and put a rubber stall mat underneath to prevent the hay from being mixed into the arena footing. Make sure that you clean up the manure regularly to further preserve the quality of the footing.

Hand Walk Horses Outside

You may be able to hand walk your horses outside to help stretch their legs and make them more comfortable. If you have areas outside where the ground is safe for walking, then try to get your horses out for a brief stroll at least once a day.

Clean Stalls More Than Once a Day

When your horses are cooped up inside, stall cleaning becomes more important than ever. Clean stalls at least twice a day to reduce the chance of thrush and minimize the effect that the ammonia in urine will have on your horse’s respiratory system.

If you anticipate that your horses will need to stay in their stalls for a long period of time, you might consider investing in the StableComfort stall mattress system, which can help create a comfortable stall base and reduce the amount of bedding that you need to use.

Groom and Massage Horses

Good, thorough grooming sessions can help to reduce your horse’s boredom and keep him healthier during a period in his stall. Grooming helps to break up boredom, but it’s also an important tool in promoting good circulation throughout your horse’s entire body. Make a point of picking your horse’s feet regularly, since the chance of him developing thrush is increased with long periods in his stall.

Additionally, doing some basic massages on your horse can help to increase circulation and improve or maintain muscle tone. If you don’t know equine massage, then look into having an equine massage therapist come out to the barn to teach you and your friends the basics of the craft.

Use a Small Hole Hay Net

Boredom can become a major issue when horses are confined for long periods of time, but food can help to break up boredom for horses. Invest in a small hole hay net to make your horse’s meals last longer, reducing his boredom. You might also look into the iFeed feeder, which can provide your horse with multiple smaller meals throughout the day to keep him entertained.