Taylor Fabus, Michigan State University Extension, and Chelsea Southard, MSU - April 28, 2017The halter discipline is one that still confuses many horse enthusiasts; even some of the most active horse show participants don’t have a firm grasp on how judges evaluate the class. Halter is the judging of a horse’s conformation, or how the horse is built. The ideal build of the horse in question is determined by a standard set by each breed organization. While the act of judging horses isn’t an exact...

You can reduce your horse’s risk of choke, colic and respiratory disorders and increase the amount of nutrients he gets from his ration by doing nothing more than eliminating chest- or head-high feed tubs and hay racks.Floor-level feeding of both hay and feed mimics the natural heads-down grazing posture, which brings with it several health benefits: Slowed rate of consumption–The horse must be more meticulous in his chewing to hold onto the hay and grain he’s processing. Compared to chest-high...

April 16, 2015 Posted by Maureen Blaney FlietnerPregnancy failure in mares is a very real risk; here’s how to prevent or handle itYou’ve picked out a stallion who’s a lovely match for your mare. You have set money aside for the breeding and associated exams. Soon you’ll simply sit back and wait about 340 days before you can welcome your new arrival, right?Oh, if only! Mare owners need to consider far more contingencies and have realistic expectations about breeding than simply setting a date and...