Questions (For answers, scroll down or click on question)

What type of wood shavings are acceptable to use in the stall? What kind should not be used?

How can you tell if a horse is lonely?

What is the best type of stable for a small sized Appaloosa?

Why is horse manure different from dogs or cats and why does it deteriorate rapidly?

A gelding at my barn of 6 horses is very attached to my yearling gelding. My horse is picking up his bad habits and they both get extremely worked up when they are apart. It has gotten worse since they have been out to pasture 24 hours a day. How can I get my young horse to accept being away for his pasture mate?

I have two mares, one of which just foaled.  How do I keep the urine down in the stalls?  They are never locked in, but always urinate in the stalls.  Is there a material that is super absorbent that I could put under the bedding in the "spot" that they urinate?

I have an 11 year old Morgan gelding.  I am using wood shavings as bedding and his stall does not stay dry.  Any suggestions?

I have a 14 year old flea bitten gray mare and would like to know if I can get her coat to be shiny and her tail white. Right now I can get her clean, but not shiny like other colors shine when the sun hits them and her tail never looks bright white.

I would like some insight into turning more than two horses out in an open area. What are the risks and tendencies of horses to herd others and turning younger horses out with older horses?

I have recently acquired two horses and would like to know what is the best way to start riding one without the other having a fit about being left alone?

My 18 year old quarterhorse foaled in August. She has since begun to chew the wooden fences of her corral. She has never chewed wood before. Could this be due to a change in her nutritional needs and if so what?

Do you know where I can find reviews that compare synthetic saddles?

What are some of the metabolic problems an old pony (32 yrs. old) might encounter?

Which winter blankets would you recommend for an Arabian gelding horse that lives in Florida (be specific)?

Please recommend the best size for a round pen.  We will be building one this spring.  We have Arabians and Morgans.

Can a round pen (a la John Lyons) be built on grass?

My appy mare is showing signs of sun exposure on her nose.  Is there a product out there that will protect her?

What does CRIBBING mean?

My pony keeps my 10 year old Arabian gelding from eating when I feed oats.  I can separate them but that's a hassle.   Any suggestions?

We recently purchased a 9 year old medium welsh show pony ... his weight has fluctuated up and down and our trainer has advised us to keep him in a small dirt pasture with lots of hay always available.  Is it too upsetting to his routine to alternate pastures (3 days of the week on grass and 4 days in the paddock)?  Will he be accepted into the herd if he alternates (he does get chewed on a bit)?  He loves grass and becomes very aggressive on show days to get to it.   But, week after week, he gets too chubby! 

How long must a horse stand after eating before he should be ridden?

What are some important factors in choosing an equine massage therapist and chiropractor?  Is it safe for the chiropractor to use a soft mallet?

I'm looking for any information I can find on the Gypsy Vanner Horse.  Can you help?

I have ridden and trained horses for over 30 years but am stumped on a non-riding problem.  I'm trying to integrate 2 two-year-old stud colts with my other 3 horses.  My dominant horse has seriously injured them both by chasing, biting, and kicking.  He will corner them and do it just for fun even though they have completely submitted and try to generally stay away from him.  He is a gelding (no mares present).  Any ideas would be appreciated.

We recently acquired, through donation, two quarter horses (geldings) with very, very badly matted tails.  Are there any suggestions and techniques for getting these mats out...?

I purchased a 14 year old Arabian mare a few months ago and have trouble catching her in the pasture ... Once she is caught she is wonderful.   Any suggestions on how to get her to come to me?

I am a new horse owner and a little nervous about picking up the back feet especially because my horse tries to pull her leg away.  Is there a way to train her to stop doing this?

I have a five year old AQHA Appendix gelding who used to pin his ears as you entered his stall with his feed. This has now progressed to rushing you at the stall door, biting, swinging and shaking his head, pawing, and/or striking, regardless of whether or not it is feeding time.  Where do I start to change this behavior?

What is the best shampoo and conditioner for my 8 year old mare's coat?

I have three horses in a pasture together.  They have become extremely herd bound. When they are separated, or even if the other member can be seen, they go completely nuts. Any suggestions?

We own a 6 year old Thoroughbred, off the track for one year, who shows in jumper classes twice a month. He is trained weekly, is used in my daughter's lessons twice per week, and hacked on days without lessons or shows. We just bought 3.5 wooded acres. Can I clear the woods, fence it in, and keep him outdoors on our land for the summer rather than pay board until the fall, prior to building a small barn?

What are the pros and cons of having horses in a mixed herd situation in a pasture? What, if anything, can I do to make it less traumatic for my 13 year old Arabian, who has never been in a mixed herd before, to move to a stable where this occurs?

Will approximately 3/4 of an acre of land be enough for a Quarter Horse that I want to purchase?

We just purchased a mare and when we leave her stall, she walks up to it and starts pawing at it. How can we stop her from doing this?

I have a 5 year old Quarter Horse gelding who has a good relationship with people. However, he is a bully in the pasture, even prevents other horses from getting water. He was abused previously. Any suggestions as to who to put him with or how to get him to get along?

We have been told that our new horse (in training and 3 years old) is very herd-bound and should be separated from our 12 year old gelding. Keeping them separate and alone does not seem a natural (or kind) solution to me. Can we improve this behavior with short/consistent separations to show the young mare that he will come home from these separations? And if so, how long and what regime would you suggest?

I just got a 4 month old quarter horse. My other two horses were extremely mean to him and ran him through the fence.  How can I introduce them so this does not happen again?

Are there any problems associated with using hardwood shavings (e.g. Oak, Ash, etc.) in our horses' stalls as compared to softwood (e.g. Pine)? I am aware there are problems using Walnut, but am not aware of any others. Is it true that pine is less harmful if ingested than hardwoods?

How can I break my Morgan mare from kicking the walls of her stall? The one year old 2x6 tongue & groove pine boards are about to give way and she routinely wakes us up 3 or 4 times a night. She is not confined to her stall, she has an open run into her paddock. We have tried switching her stall mates.

Can decomposed granite be used for stall bedding? I worry about sand colic and other complications.

My horse rubs her tail and is on stongide-2c. She is not wormy. Any suggestions?

My horses are chewing their stalls up. I have tried everything on the market. What can I do to stop this?

I may find myself riding in an outdoor arena for a couple of months this winter (temp. 20-45 degrees). I am accustomed to riding inside in the cold weather. How cold is too cold? Any suggestions to help the horse and me?

My pony lives in and I was wondering how long every day she should be exercised. She is not schooling or showing.

I am considering moving to another barn where there is not a cat to control the mouse population. I am worried that the mice will chew on my tack. What precautions can I (or the barn owner) take?

Is there a way to keep birds out of my barn that is cost effective? I have a center aisle barn and all stalls have dutch doors to the outside.

Could you please provide an information source or tips, recommendations, concerns, on the do's and don'ts of introducing a 20 year old stallion into a farm (not horse stable) that currently has 3 mares (ages 3, 15, & 19)?

Would you please give your advice on "blanketing" a horse during cold weather? My 9 year old Thoroughbred is stalled and turned out daily, but the turnout area offers no protection from really bad weather.

When I turn my 6 month old Dutch Warmblood filly out in our 65 foot round pen with 4.5 foot tall panels surrounding it, she sometimes acts as if she is thinking of trying to jump or climb out. How can I teach her to respect the barrier of the fence?

My 12 year old TB mare has been kept in an indoor stall with a fairly large run for the last 10 years. She has never been turned out in an area larger than about 30x60. I moved her to a facility where she is in a box stall at night and turned out in a one acre pasture during the day. Her first day out, she panicked and had a terrible accident becoming hung up on a metal pipe fence. How can we now make this transition safely? 

Do you know what makes a horse crib and how to stop it?

What is the best way to pull a mane?

Questions and Answers

Q: I would like some insight into turning more than two horses out in an open area. What are the risks and tendencies of horses to herd others and turning younger horses out with older horses?

A: You are always at risk for injuring a horse when you're turning out several horses in an open area. However, if you turn the horses out in pairs and be observant of their temperament (watching that they are not aggressive or showing signs of fighting another horse), it probably will be okay. Do not change horses around too often. They like to be handled and taken care of with consistency. One older horse with younger horses can sometimes work out to be an excellent babysitter, but again you need to check the horses temperament.

Q: I have recently acquired two horses and would like to know what is the best way to start riding one without the other having a fit about being left alone?

A: Try to schedule riding the one horse when it is feeding time for the horse staying in. That will keep his attention on his feeding and he won't notice the horse going out. It is also good to have someone stay inside with him to watch that he doesn't get hurt while you are out with the other horse. He will get used to it in time and will accept being alone.

Q: My 18 year old quarterhorse foaled in August. She has since begun to chew the wooden fences of her corral. She has never chewed wood before. Could this be due to a change in her nutritional needs and if so what?

A: Your horse could be restless because she misses her foal. She may need other horses with her in the corral if there are none. You probably should check with your veterinarian to see if she needs any extra supplements (nutrients) that are not included in her feed (grain and forage). Does she have enough with forage? Does she have salt and electrolytes (mineral block)?

Q: Do you know where I can find reviews that compare synthetic saddles?

A: I recommend that you look in Michael Plumb's "Horse Journal", 203-661-6111 and John Lyons "Perfect Horse", 1-800-829-2521.

Q: What are some of the metabolic problems an old pony (32 yrs. old) might encounter?

A: Older horses cannot digest protein, phosphorus, and fiber as well as younger horses.  You should avoid feeding pelleted hay.  Their hay should be high quality, leafy, and fine-stemmed (easy to chew and more nutrition).  The liver is an organ vital to an animal's metabolism.  Consult your veterinarian about supplementation, it can be dangerous if overdone.

Q: Which winter blankets would you recommend for an Arabian gelding horse that lives in Florida (be specific)?

A: We use Wilson DryHorse - it is a turnout rug (but used as a stable blanket)   It is 100% waterproof, windproof, breathable, and made of durable 1000 Denier Cordura Nylon.  Other good choices include: Miller's Weather Beeta, Triplecrown, Classic Cover-ups, Rambo, and Dovers - "Riders International".  Anything that is breathable will be good.

Q: Please recommend the best size for a round pen.  We will be building one this spring.  We have Arabians and Morgans.

A: We are using a John Lyons 60' portable round pen and are very pleased with it.

Q: Can a round pen (a la John Lyons) be built on grass?

A: We have one of John Lyons round pens that we set up in a small indoor with sand footing.  You can set one of these up anywhere that is relatively flat.  They measure 60 feet across, but sections can be taken out to make them smaller. 

We also have a permanent round pen.  It has a mixture of sand and rubber for footing that works well.  It is made out of 4x4 and 6x6 posts with plywood from the ground up 4 feet and 2x6 boards on the top 3 feet. 

Q: My appy mare is showing signs of sun exposure on her nose.  Is there a product out there that will protect her?  As of now, I'm using my children's Water Babies 45 on her.

A: Try one of the following:  Zinc oxide (lifeguards use it), Desitin (diaper rash cream), Equi-Shade (includes Zinc oxide). 

Q: What does CRIBBING mean?

A: Cribbing is a vice in which the horse bites or places its upper incisor teeth on some solid object, pulls down, arches his neck, and swallows gulps of air which go into the stomach, not the lungs. 

Q: My pony keeps my 10 year old Arabian gelding from eating when I feed oats.  I can separate them but that's a hassle.   Any suggestions?

A: My recommendation is to tie up the pony when the gelding eats or put a muzzle on him. 

Q: We recently purchased a 9 year old medium welsh show pony for our 8 year old daughter and he quickly became the love of our life.  We board him at a great facility that provides daily turnout to multiple acres of great fields and pastures.  He is turned out with other geldings (horses - no other ponies) and for the most part has adjusted well to his new barn buddies.   However, his weight has fluctuated up and down and our trainer has advised us to keep him in a small dirt pasture with lots of hay always available.  Is it too upsetting to his routine to alternate pastures (3 days of the week on grass and 4 days in the paddock)?  Will he be accepted into the herd if he alternates (he does get chewed on a bit)?  He loves grass and becomes very aggressive on show days to get to it.   But, week after week, he gets too chubby!  He only has a small handful of pellets in the morning and evening.

A: Ponies have a tendency to founder very easily.  I would be very careful that you do not have him on grass too much.  We have two ponies here at Hilltop.  They got overweight on grass and we had to move them to a dirt pasture.  I would recommend that you take your pony off the grass and preferably have another horse with him to keep him company. 

Q: How long must a horse stand after eating before he should be ridden?

A: He should stand one hour. 

Q: What are some important factors in choosing an equine massage therapist and chiropractor?  Is it safe for the chiropractor to use a soft mallet?

A: [Russell] Choosing an equine massage therapist is based in the first place on the training they had.  I have seen first hand how a so-called school trains people who never had anatomy or physiology.  They started on Wednesday with instruction and ended on Friday.  During this time, "students" were taken to a race track and a tack shop.  The instruction was very skimpy and at the end they were presented with a diploma with a seal.  They were advised to charge $60 an hour.

Basic training takes at least 250 hours of lecture and hands-on experience.  So, look for someone who has had the proper training.

My opinion is that use of any sort of mallet is taboo.   I have seen some of the best therapists and chiropractors at work.  Their technique is based on their ability to feel and correct by quick manipulation, never with a mallet.  

Q: I'm looking for any information I can find on the Gypsy Vanner Horse.  Can you help?

A: I'm sorry but I do not have any information on the Gypsy Vanner Horse.  I believe this is an English or Irish horse.  

Q: I have ridden and trained horses for over 30 years but am stumped on a non-riding problem.  I'm trying to integrate 2 two-year-old stud colts with my other 3 horses.  My dominant horse has seriously injured them both by chasing, biting, and kicking.  He will corner them and do it just for fun even though they have completely submitted and try to generally stay away from him.  He is a gelding (no mares present).  Any ideas would be appreciated.

A: First, try taking two geldings away and turn out your two colts with the dominant horse.  If all goes OK, turn out the two geldings with them.

Second choice is to take your dominant horse away from the field and turn out the two colts with the other two horses.  Let the four be together for a week or so.  If all is OK with these, turn out the dominant horse with them.  If he gets nasty, you will need to put him somewhere else before someone gets hurt.

At Hilltop, we don't allow the mixing of colts and geldings.  At two years old, our colts come into the main barn to live.  We will use a babysitter in some cases. Otherwise, they are alone (day or night turnout).  

Q: We recently acquired, through donation, two quarter horses (geldings) with very, very badly matted tails.  Are there any suggestions and techniques for getting these mats out?  We have attempted to use a hair pick after soaking the mats with conditioner, to no avail.  These mats are terrible and must be very uncomfortable for the horses.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

A:  There is no easy way to unknot tails, but time and patience is the key.  You can spray show sheen in tail and let it dry.   Start at the bottom and work your way up, using your fingers to pick through the tail (hair by hair).  As the knots start to come apart, use a wide-tooth comb.  

Q: I purchased a 14 year old Arabian mare a few months ago and have trouble catching her in the pasture.  I have tried the "join-up" in the round pen, tried keeping her away from her friends in the pasture, kept her in the stall (which drives her crazy), not letting her in to eat unless she is caught, but to no avail.

It usually takes me about 2 hours to chase her in the pasture (which is approximately 20 acres).  I work during the day, so during the week when I get out to her she is already in her stall, it's just the weekends that I have to deal with this problem.  Once she is caught she is wonderful.   Any suggestions on how to get her to come to me?

A: When we have trouble catching one of our horses in the paddock, we use feed in a bucket to get them to come to us.  As soon as she comes to you, give her some grain.  This way she will associate the catching with something positive.  You can leave the halter on her when you turn her out.  Then it is easy to just snap the lead rope on to the halter.  

Q: I am a new horse owner and a little nervous about picking up the back feet especially because my horse tries to pull her leg away.  Is there a way to train her to stop doing this?

A: Please ask your trainer or instructor to help you.  Your farrier could also teach you the proper way to pick out her feet.  It is important that your horse gets proper training to pick her feet out.  

Q: I have a five year old AQHA Appendix gelding who used to pin his ears as you entered his stall with his feed. This has now progressed to rushing you at the stall door, biting, swinging and shaking his head, pawing, and/or striking, regardless of whether or not it is feeding time.  Where do I start to change this behavior?

A: Some horses are very protective of their feed and will charge towards you when they get the feed.  However, it is not safe and the behavior has to be corrected.  Look for some information on problem behaviors in horses, such as John Lyons' books or tapes.  

Q: What is the best shampoo and conditioner for my 8 year old mare's coat?

A: Check to see what brands your local tack shop offers and what they recommend. You will want a shampoo that will be best for the condition of your mare's coat.   

Q: I have three horses in a pasture together.  They have become extremely herd bound. When they are separated, or even if the other member can be seen, they go completely nuts. Any suggestions?

A: If they are so bad that they are hurting themselves, bring them into the barn and separate them in stalls. They will be upset, but at least they cannot run and get hurt. In time, they may get use to being separated.  

Q: We own a 6 year old Thoroughbred, off the track for one year, who shows in jumper classes twice a month. He is trained weekly, is used in my daughter's lessons twice per week, and hacked on days without lessons or shows. We just bought 3.5 wooded acres. Can I clear the woods, fence it in, and keep him outdoors on our land for the summer rather than pay board until the fall, prior to building a small barn?

A: Yes, I think this is a very good idea. Make sure the paddock is safe. Have a run-in shed or trees to protect him from the sun. It is really healthier and more natural for horses to live outside.  

Q: What are the pros and cons of having horses in a mixed herd situation in a pasture? What, if anything, can I do to make it less traumatic for my 13 year old Arabian, who has never been in a mixed herd before, to move to a stable where this occurs?

A: There is always a greater risk of your horse getting hurt in a mixed herd. If possible, ask to turn him out with just a few of the other horses to let him get used to being with them. Then, have him turned out with all of the other horses. It is better if they are not fed too close to each other if the feeding is done in the field. They will establish their own pecking order which is natural for horses. Horses prefer to be with other horses so it can be a good move for him.  

Q: Will approximately 3/4 of an acre of land be enough for a Quarter Horse that I want to purchase?

A: Check on the restrictions in the township where you live. 3/4 of an acre would be enough for a Quarter horse with hay and supplement. 

Q: We just purchased a mare and when we leave her stall, she walks up to it and starts pawing at it. How can we stop her from doing this?

A: It always takes time for horses to adjust to a new place. Make sure she has plenty of hay to keep herself busy and that she is getting regular exercise. Does she have any other horses next to her? With time she will get used to her new home and stop pawing. 

Q: I have a 5 year old Quarter Horse gelding who has a good relationship with people. However, he is a bully in the pasture, even prevents other horses from getting water. He was abused previously. Any suggestions as to who to put him with or how to get him to get along?

A: Horses are herd animals and will always have a natural pecking order in the pasture. There is no way to train a more dominant horse to be less so. However, when two dominant horses are turned out together, they will usually get along very well. If it is possible to turn your gelding out with another dominant horse, try to do so. Give them time to work the kinks out of their new relationship. If they become the best of friends, wonderful! If things do not work out (one prevents the other from eating or drinking or they are constantly injuring each other), you may just have to turn your gelding out by himself. Horses will always reinforce the hierarchy in their herds. Only when one horse begins to constantly bully the others and prevent them from eating or drinking does it become a problem. 

Q: We have been told that our new horse (in training and 3 years old) is very herd-bound and should be separated from our 12 year old gelding. Keeping them separate and alone does not seem a natural (or kind) solution to me. Can we improve this behavior with short/consistent separations to show the young mare that he will come home from these separations? And if so, how long and what regime would you suggest?

A: While horses are herd animals, those living on a farm in a domesticated situation must be willing to accept the fact that there will be times when they will not be with their herd mates. While separating your horses may not seem kind, you need to keep in mind that your young mare must get used to being alone or with different horses if she is to have complete and positive training. Your gelding cannot always be in the arena with her for training or go to shows with her. If either of them are ever sold, she will have to accept that. Try separating them for short periods of time (keep them out of eyesight and earshot of each other, if possible). Have a competent handler stay with your young horse and do things she enjoys (grooming, massage) and easy training goals you know she can do well. Be sure to constantly talk quietly to her, praise her, but don't let her get away with bad behavior - she still needs to respect you! Start with 15-20 minute periods and gradually increase them as your mare reacts calmer and calmer until you can work with your mare for an hour or more. Then you can try keeping them separate for much longer periods. Perhaps you can trailer one or the other to another farm for a few hours or the day or take your mare to a show (even if you are not competing) and walk her around, however, if she becomes very unruly and is disrupting the show or other competitors, it would be best to leave and try another time.

Q: I just got a 4 month old quarter horse. My other two horses were extremely mean to him and ran him through the fence.  How can I introduce them so this does not happen again?

A: Turn him out with only one of the horses. If they are fine together, keep doing that for about one week. Then, turn him out for a while with the other horse. If that goes fine, try again with all three together. Your Quarter horse is still very young and has no chance to protect himself. Make sure you do not feed them too close to each other.

Q: Are there any problems associated with using hardwood shavings (e.g. Oak, Ash, etc.) in our horses' stalls as compared to softwood (e.g. Pine)? I am aware there are problems using Walnut, but am not aware of any others. Is it true that pine is less harmful if ingested than hardwoods?

A: We are not aware of any problems, but we recommend that you check with your vet.

Q: How can I break my Morgan mare from kicking the walls of her stall? The one year old 2x6 tongue & groove pine boards are about to give way and she routinely wakes us up 3 or 4 times a night. She is not confined to her stall, she has an open run into her paddock. We have tried switching her stall mates.

A: A lot of times when horses kick the walls of their stalls it is to protect their feed. So, try doing her feedings outside of her stall in her paddock. Some people will put rubber tires on the walls of a stall to protect both the horse and the walls. It is important to try and find out the reason she is kicking in the stall.

Q: Can decomposed granite be used for stall bedding? I worry about sand colic and other complications.

A: I would use it only as a base with straw or shavings on top. Check with your vet for more information.

Q: My horse rubs her tail and is on stongide-2c. She is not wormy. Any suggestions?

A: Make sure her tail is clean, even underneath. We worm our horses 3 times a year along with our strongid 2x program. Have your vet check her tail. She may have some dermatitis. If so, we use Equis anti-fungal shampoo along with F.A.B. - Fungal Anti-Bacterial Liquid. This should be available through your vet. If her tail is just dry, try a good moisturizing lotion or Vaseline.

Q: My horses are chewing their stalls up. I have tried everything on the market. What can I do to stop this?

A: Chewing is caused by boredom and/or hunger. Make sure your horses have quality time out of their stalls (riding/turnout). When in their stalls, they should have free choice of a quality hay. We have large windows and open bars all around our barn so our horses can see other horses and what's going on outside. When we still have one that chews or cribs, we use "Chew Stop". It's available at most tack shops.

Q: I may find myself riding in an outdoor arena for a couple of months this winter (temp. 20-45 degrees). I am accustomed to riding inside in the cold weather. How cold is too cold? Any suggestions to help the horse and me?

A: I am from Sweden and used to ride outside all the time. I think it is wonderful and healthy. Just be careful and mindful of these things. Watch that you or your horse do not breathe in too much cold air. When you do not feel your toes or fingers, it is time to stop. You can protect your horse's back with a quarter sheet. Be careful of the footing and don't let ice or snow build up in the horse's feet.

Q: My pony lives in and I was wondering how long every day she should be exercised. She is not schooling or showing.

A: Does your pony get turn out? If not, I think it is important she gets ridden at least 30 minutes each day.  Build up a consistent program which will fit yours and your horse's goals. If she has turn out, she probably doesn't need to be ridden every day. But, still the consistency of a regular program is very important. 

Q: I am considering moving to another barn where there is not a cat to control the mouse population. I am worried that the mice will chew on my tack. What precautions can I (or the barn owner) take?

A: Use poison or have a pest control company, such as Terminex come in regularly to help with the problem. Be sure to keep feed in proper storage, and avoid spilling feed that will attract the mice. 

Q: Is there a way to keep birds out of my barn that is cost effective? I have a center aisle barn and all stalls have dutch doors to the outside.

A: A good barn cat works great. 

Q: Could you please provide an information source or tips, recommendations, concerns, on the do's and don'ts of introducing a 20 year old stallion into a farm (not horse stable) that currently has 3 mares (ages 3, 15, & 19)?

A: [Susanne Hassler] The big question is "how" has this stallion been kept in the past? And, how will he be kept on the farm in the future? If the stallion will be kept in a pasture with the mares as his herd, he may need to have an introductory period with each mare over the fence or in a separate field. Contact Sue McDonald, an equine behavior specialist, at the U of PA New Bolton Center to trouble shoot your specific situation. 

Q: Would you please give your advice on "blanketing" a horse during cold weather? My 9 year old Thoroughbred is stalled and turned out daily, but the turnout area offers no protection from really bad weather.

A: I would recommend blanketing him if he doesn't have any protection from the wind, snow, and rain. Be consistent with keeping a blanket on when cold if you decide to blanket your horse. Also, get a good quality waterproof blanket. If you use a blanket on your horse in the barn, definitely use one when you turn out your horse. 

Q: When I turn my 6 month old Dutch Warmblood filly out in our 65 foot round pen with 4.5 foot tall panels surrounding it, she sometimes acts as if she is thinking of trying to jump or climb out. How can I teach her to respect the barrier of the fence?

A: It sounds like she is not very happy with her turn out. Is she out alone? She is very young and I would recommend you to turn her out with a quiet horse to "babysit" her. Also, give her some hay to eat and keep her busy. Does she get any other turn out, the round pen seems small for turn out. She might be bored and need more space to run and play in. 

Q: My 12 year old TB mare has been kept in an indoor stall with a fairly large run for the last 10 years. She has never been turned out in an area larger than about 30x60. I moved her to a facility where she is in a box stall at night and turned out in a one acre pasture during the day. Her first day out, she panicked and had a terrible accident becoming hung up on a metal pipe fence. How can we now make this transition safely? 

A: I recommend you turn out your mare with a very quiet horse. Many times horses panic in a new environment. A quiet "buddy" will make her feel more comfortable. If you cannot turn her out with anybody, you can sedate her lightly to get the "edge" off. Make sure she can see other horses. Turn her out for a short time and gradually let her be out for a longer period of time. Make sure she has plenty of hay to keep her busy. 

Q: Do you know what makes a horse crib and how to stop it?

A: Boredom can be a reason. Be sure you don't put a horse next to a cribber. They will copy really fast, especially young horses. If a horse starts to crib, you cannot stop it. But, you can use cribbing straps and sprays to stop them from trying to crib. Be sure to look in our Equerry Bookstore for stable management books with more info.

Q: What is the best way to pull a mane?

A: Start at the top and work your way down. Don't take too much hair at a time. No shorter than a hand's width in case you would like to braid the mane. You can get some good details and photos from books listed in the Equerry Bookstore on grooming. 

Q: I have a 14 year old flea bitten gray mare and would like to know if I can get her coat to be shiny and her tail white. Right now I can get her clean, but not shiny like other colors shine when the sun hits them and her tail never looks bright white.

A: As with people, beauty comes from within. First, check with your vet about proper diet and a worming program. Then, try some of the shampoos like Quick Silver and Orvus. For the tail, you can do a bleach rinse below the tailbone. Make sure you rinse thoroughly. 

Q: I have an 11 year old Morgan gelding.  I am using wood shavings as bedding and his stall does not stay dry.  Any suggestions?

A: Daily cleaning of your stall is an absolute must if you are not already doing so.  In fact, many stables try to clean twice a day if they can to make the job easier and the stall cleaner and drier for the horses.  Another important aspect is to always clean your stall about the same time each day.  This will keep your work load consistent and won't allow the stall to become too wet.  If you are getting extremely wet spots or puddles in the stall, add more bedding throughout the stall. 

Q: I have two mares, one of which just foaled.  How do I keep the urine down in the stalls?  They are never locked in, but always urinate in the stalls.  Is there a material that is super absorbent that I could put under the bedding in the "spot" that they urinate?

A: Make sure your stalls are level as uneven flooring can contribute to pooling of urine.  Having extra bedding will help absorb some of the extra moisture.  Other than that, you must just be meticulous on the cleaning of your stalls.  Try cleaning twice daily if at all possible.  Otherwise, thoroughly clean the stalls at the same time every day. 

Q: A gelding at my barn of 6 horses is very attached to my yearling gelding. My horse is picking up his bad habits and they both get extremely worked up when they are apart. It has gotten worse since they have been out to pasture 24 hours a day. How can I get my young horse to accept being away for his pasture mate?

A: Is it possible to separate the two horses into different fields or different turn-out rotations? If so, that would probably be your best option. Often horses can become extremely attached to other horses and separation is necessary. If this is not an option, you can try separating them during daily routines such as feeding time. Then the yearling will associate the separation with something pleasant - feeding time. This could be a long training process. Take your time, be patient, and good luck. 

Q: Why is horse manure different from dogs or cats and why does it deteriorate rapidly?

A: I am sorry but I do not know this. Perhaps your local vet can explain the differences. 

Q: What is the best type of stable for a small sized Appaloosa?

A: Minimum stall size is 10 x 10, but we always recommend a 12 x 12 stall. Particulars beyond that will depend on your specific horse and his specific needs. There are some general things to keep in mind that would apply to all horses. Make sure your stable has plenty of natural light, excellent ventilation, and an even/level floor. Horses need lots of turn-out time (as much as possible) and contact with other horses to remain content in their environment. 

Q: How can you tell if a horse is lonely?

A: Just like people, each horse will express this in their own way and will have different companionship needs. Horses are herd animals and need contact with other horses. When this is absolutely not possible, they need more interaction with humans to fulfill their companionship needs. Signs that a horse is lonely could include a loss of appetite, dull or lethargic attitude, and disinterest in surroundings. Other horses can become very nervous and unsettled when left alone. 

Q: What type of wood shavings are acceptable to use in the stall? What kind should not be used?

A: Most common bedding is pine shavings. Be sure to specify wood SHAVINGS and not sawdust which is too small and dusty. Cedar shavings should not be used for horse bedding.