Horse

Hoof boots for horses are an increasingly popular way to protect horses’ hooves, either when riding or around the clock. From competitive endurance horses to pasture pals recovering from laminitis, many horses stand to benefit from a set of well-fitted hoof boots.

Every horse tack purchase is an investment. Whether for daily trail rides, training sessions, or competitions, buying the right supplies for a horse is essential.   Properly fitted tack allows horses to feel comfortable and improves communication between you and your horse through hand, seat, and leg cues. Good-quality, properly fitted tack also increases safety for both the horse and rider. 

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Horse clipping, or removing part or all of its coat, is a valuable grooming skill. It doesn’t just help keep horses from overheating or excessively sweating during exercise—it can also play an important role in addressing skin health issues and preparing for a show.   Learning how to clip a horse takes some practice, but it’s a valuable skill that can help you prepare for shows, stay on top of your horse’s health, and keep them comfortable during winter rides.   

Image via iStock.com/castenoid By Cheryl Lock As many equestrians already know, keeping horse tack in top shape is an essential part of horseback riding. Taking good care of bridles, saddles, girths and other pieces of equipment by keeping them clean and conditioned will keep them in working order for as long as possible. Stephenie Hoke, DVM, MF, of Dark Horse Veterinary Service, explains, “I think different disciplines and different practices are all different from the next in terms of cleaning needs … I’ve seen dressage riders clean their tack inch by inch every single time it was used.” But she’s also seen those who use a saddle “eight to 12 hours a day and won’t do hardly anything to it, but they’re made of a different grade and different materials.” In general, Dr. Hoke believes that a lot of people aren’t familiar with the basics of how to clean a saddle or how to take care of horse tack. The Worst Offenders for Horse Tack Wear and Tear Dust and UV light are the number one offenders, says Dr. Hoke, and over-oiling can potentially rot the stitching. That’s why it’s important to keep things covered. “If they accumulate dust, don’t just throw more conditioner on it; clean it first,” she says. One other common factor that many people don’t consider when it comes to horse tack care is the impact of climate— humidity levels in particular. “People don’t understand in general that you have to clean leather periodically, but that how often also depends on your environment,” she says. “Humid places need a different type of help because of fungus and leather rot, so it’s important to check your environment and learn about the specific type of care your products need accordingly.”

Jump to section What Do Horse Vaccines Do? What Are the Different Types of Horse Vaccines? Multi-Vaccines for Horses

According to Dr. Laura Pylman, DVM, at Mid-Michigan Equine Services, PLLC, in Laingsburg, Michigan, the basic water requirement for an average size horse is about 30 liters, or just under 8 gallons of water per day. The amount of water that an individual horse needs daily depends on several factors, including: The horse’s diet Their weight Their age Their activity level The climate (temperature and humidity level) of their environment Dr. Pylman says that certain health conditions, such as lactation in mares or Cushing’s disease, can also play a role in how much water an individual horse needs to drink daily.,Jump to section How Much Water Do Horses Need? Horse Watering Supplies Dehydration in Horses Horse Watering Tips for Cold Weather Horse Watering Tips for Hot Weather Horse Watering Tips for Traveling FAQs About Watering Horses

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