Wild Ridge Stables

08/07/2024

07/23/2024

https://madbarn.ca/farrier-care-for-horses/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMAABHSGL0q5DQ1amlOkFOg5LER_alKFCD_N-aAgBDWsz_4cERDeNRzWupnLtbg_aem_rdfnbGNSn3bOb2eY_GGu2Q

A strong hoof is the foundation of a sound horse. When it comes to proper hoof care, it's all about balance. All horses need regular farrier care, and working with an experienced farrier is one of the best investments you can make in your horse's soundness. Maintaining correct hoof balance with regu...

07/23/2024

https://madbarn.ca/how-to-feed-a-senior-horse/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMAABHb2luveoXTFjBrRMXE-6ZxlQBD9BJByYdbhorrAiv6D7bGtMVQAs2rjilw_aem_a7YfezsB5Av8CoCXrIgdlA

When it comes to feeding senior horses, there are many factors to consider to support longevity and healthy ageing. Making sure your horse’s core nutritional needs are met and keeping up with routine healthcare are critical to promoting optimal well-being for many more years to come.

07/23/2024

Of the many skin conditions horses can develop, sarcoids are the most common. The term "sarcoid" was first used in 1936 in South Africa as a way to distinguish this skin lesion from other tumors. Sarcoids are benign (nonmetastatic) skin cancer believed to be caused by papillomavirus infection. They

07/14/2024

https://equusmagazine.com/news/eqconsult369?tum_source=EQUUSFB

Matthew Mackay-Smith, DVM, EQUUS Magazine's Founding Medical Editor, discusses elbow injuries and how they can be prevented. The strategy for preventing elbow trauma is simple in concept, but challenging in application: keep the offending surface-the ground or shoe edge-away from the target area. I....

07/14/2024

https://equusmagazine.com/news/movement-sensors-show-promise-in-identifying-horses-at-injury-risk?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2hcXFd8UaUznhNUDXbTQAet43GXfxuFN-CrFuEzpjzSlW9AoiwA5OHyKM_aem_LE8m5HcpWjBKVtT7_bag_Q

Identifying miniscule stride changes associated with an increased risk of injury might allow intervention before a catastrophic breakdown.

07/14/2024

https://madbarn.ca/fructans-in-horse-forages/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMAABHSgKTgMDiHI8nPzuWcpOiW_K8zK5MmlUi0zbhEJIFk7obk4dgMHUFqqMSA_aem_BAbcWcYTEY1E2w5HoOoQwg

Fructans are a storage form of carbohydrate and a component of the non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) found in cool-season grasses, such as tall fescue, timothy, orchardgrass, and perennial ryegrass. Fructans are indigestible by horses, passing through the foregut to the hindgut where they are rapid...

07/14/2024

https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/hold-horse-for-farrier?tum_source=EQUUSFB&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0Mrff9wHppfwX2z2E9JVUYoyCKncvXyzf13uIutZEkMU74eyVdQUPw_PM_aem_if1M5gLUpTQcDqJD4DQH2Q

Don’t underestimate how important it is to keep your horse calm during farriery work. Here’s what you need to do.

07/14/2024

https://paulickreport.com/horse-care-category/janicki-i-walked-away-from-a-career-in-the-horse-feed-industry-heres-why?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0jvrUgH3WHiZOyYoCvrfKvJ81SD_qYWHu9dhKGWAEh_hJ_bnQS3xeEaiw_aem_iUJVfS9sFpIVI91wEvU83Q

Kristen Janicki writes the horse feed industry has been overtaken by a broadly unregulated supplement industry

07/14/2024

https://equusmagazine.com/behavior/break-your-horses-trail-snacking-habits-8530?tum_source=EQUUSFB&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0namUSG_1oBVneJZm8W1QURpds4SUBOIVMYydefGFH2E3TjKn_q4ORlY8_aem_Aai2ZySbrphjHyv4Px_KwaFD4Y3mtNZLpyJ2XDbBpZGDKLTMmiLJ650Zmbul1Hfa3sTUpLMWUg7-ChhLHB49Tthg

A horse who eats on the trail isn't paying attention to his rider. Here's how to redirect his focus. You see it as a trail surrounded by plentiful vegetation.

07/14/2024

https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/agerelated-stiffness-30813?tum_source=EQUUSFB&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3q8Zz6NECzb79M_ZIv1pxiGp5_GmFYK1B4XpVah49j7Ciz7wtro-1WkG4_aem_AQymb4wohxaEWJg756G8ir3qG8IszdfqwA4g8w6XWCPfkDPx7geLg6DjXE_-kYAKapgpdJzZRNpJYCYd2iu57HUI

Look for signs of joint trouble as your horse ages. As the years pass, you may find that you don’t leap out of bed feeling as spry as you once did. Likewise, it’s not unusual for an older horse to walk out of his stall or begin a ride feeling a bit stiffer than he did when he was younger.

07/14/2024

https://madbarn.ca/farrier-care-for-horses/?fbclid=IwAR17Acx49k_MG6Sk19nZVoqAo7LHGUUjcOPx1Pj5dtUCQLl9BnrnZFboPY0_aem_AWBTWFE1VpOEgW4kpv56-KrFR3NYY0i2gFdvzHdgzVcjlMVBy7I0cFCMSxMryqbyZ17Ic9G0yEYDw-F6fTgMCUfZ

A strong hoof is the foundation of a sound horse. When it comes to proper hoof care, it's all about balance. All horses need regular farrier care, and working with an experienced farrier is one of the best investments you can make in your horse's soundness. Maintaining correct hoof balance with regu...

07/13/2024

Have you got hay out for your pasture grazing horses?

Why is this important? Because grass has very little fibre, but a whole lot of sugar! And hay has a lot of fibre and way less sugar.

Fibre is required to slow down the absorption of all that sugar. This helps to reduce, prevent, or improve weight gain and Insulin Resistance. Extra fibre also stops them from eating wood, branches, or other inedibles, or stripping the bark off your trees.

Fibre also gives them energy, maintains a healthy digestive tract, helps detoxify the hindgut, improves liver function. and reduces the risk of certain types of cancer.

Give your horses fibre! You'll be surprised at how much hay they will eat even when they are out on grass. You can feed the hay in slow feeders or just let them free feed off the ground.

07/01/2024

Send a message to learn more

06/20/2024

Youth Bereavement July Day Camps for teens 12- 15yrs & 16-18yrs.

Grief is a natural response to loss. It doesn't need to be fixed and we aren't alone.

In the hard and messy parts of grief and loss, horses help lead us through.

Partnering with Horses...
Horses are non-judgemental and the HeartMath Institute shares from a study, that a human heart's energy field is up to eight to ten feet (measured by a magnetometer).

The horse’s heart electromagnetic field is five times larger!

So... when we find ourselves in the company of horses, we are literally held within their heart energy🥰. This can be so good for the human and their heart in many ways, such as, slowing our own heart rate, physically, and bringing us into the present moment.

Join us at the ranch for a day of remembering a loved one who has died, walking with everything this looks and feels like for a teen and to...
"Put your hand on your horse and your heart in your hand." Pat Parelli

To register your teen or connect with us for more info, please DM or call. Registration is necessary.

No horse experience... it's ok. Get your horse experience here😘

06/07/2024

In light of an accident that occurred while riding out from Hideaway Horse Camp, I feel it is important to pass this information along.

During a ride last September, after it had rained the night before, 2 of our guests experienced a rare event when riding under some power lines. The hair on their arms stood up, as did the mane hair on their horses. One horse reacted by striking out and the rider decided to get off. Considering how sensitive the skin on a horse is, it must have felt it was under attack by some unseen force.Although standing in a customarily safe spot beside her usually calm horse, it struck out lightening fast again, hitting its rider’s arm and breaking it.

Later, fearing that something was amiss with the power lines, I looked into what could have caused the event, which was under power lines that I had personally ridden under for years and had never experienced anything like this. In speaking with an Electrical Engineer experienced with high voltage transmission lines, I learned some interesting facts that everyone travelling under them should know:

-This type of event usually happens after a rain and especially if the grass under the lines is long.
-It does not make a difference if the horse is shod or not. In the above case, the horse had rubber boots on.

THE SAFEST WAY TO CROSS UNDER POWER LINES:

-Stay away from crossing under the lowest point in the slack of the power lines.
-Look for the nearest tower and travel along the side of the clear-cut right-of-way, as far as possible from the lines. When you reach the nearest tower, cross as close to it as you can.

Ride safe and return safe.

05/28/2024

Trailering horses in the summer months comes with some special concerns.>>>https://bit.ly/EQSummerTraileringTips

05/23/2024

Very good article. https://melnewton.com/2019/the-good-death/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0L9O_oYzG107GmSZIkbtZN7mMliuGwmxcNx8OH2OYiGrcdOnllijyXl80_aem_AeNPvFc1x-UuOsBx7mOuSftimQzy52YCbikBvW0A-PAfj7u6q_JB2AETY4AfFBpDV_x4IpiqmLeEw7n1rtmPBPXC

A good death. That is our responsibility to the animals under our care, if we can possibly give them one. It isn't always possible - they get lost, hit by a car, burned by a fire, swept away in a

05/23/2024

Not necessarily promoting the product.

05/23/2024

Excellent read. https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/training-advice/ride-by-the-seat-of-your-pants/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1qs5M2WKPylMlZiJ5OV-ODMAznCmBiQvTkwRiHHpHKjxMWu8nPGLGfONw_aem_AZOBORaPIorDvmbubeqoRGcqL2psdonfbNCPt5TJ7xVnTq1_zQb4_K_pwrnB0Y0xxHwSZRnR30IZfd7u0nGgtQpj

Dear Julie, I have been riding and taking lessons for two years. I am steadily progressing but sometimes it seems like the further I get, the less I know! I ...

05/23/2024

https://madbarn.ca/why-horse-is-hot/?fbclid=IwAR3THwIEZlrEpiFlKuqx3DNk82CzlRNTTkC-LFmsKI_a34fNI245yAT2XXs_aem_AZNVl0leD1Davu1yCZNFKcaLBDX2IQlOTlTqa8bmhzoSbStD0J1OvdmnQmky7KXMbZs_dZf8WtS94jrmtrWTjr8u

What makes a horse hot and how to calm a hot horse down? Feeding, supplement & management tips to reduce stress and promote calm behaviour in your horse.

05/23/2024

https://madbarn.ca/grazing-pastures-for-horses/?fbclid=IwAR1x6rVLrJzU17kC6LTnaicpyiF8_TPMuyXgucnzTyRKYA-mJTAmgMklR4k_aem_AQdnl484o04TL-jFHz_HZw4M-1w6hICqMo_FBPdxId0ByUYrn_1JHHdu6v0ybscjDjvEZRVY3-g4u2KpUhVWuP4f

Grazing fresh forage while out on pasture can provide excellent nutrition for horses. But environmental conditions and horse needs can make it challenging to maintain productive pastures. Some pastures require very little management to support a low density of horses. However, for horse owners with....

05/19/2024

05/17/2024

I apologize for my recent absence from my articles and interaction. Life as a retired guy can get pretty hectic around a property during spring construction/repair season.

I have to admit, though, that I am becoming just a bit depressed as time is catching up with my herd of geriatrics. Although death is an inevitable part of life it is never an easy experience especially when the decision falls upon you to be made.

My experience with horses is coming up on 25 years and in all that time I have only been part of one equine euthanasia and he wasn't even my horse. One of my boarder's 26 year old geldings decided that he couldn't get up for breakfast one morning and after an hour of superhuman efforts and vet intervention there was no other option.

Even though Generator wasn't my horse his death hit me hard. He may not have been my horse but he was my barn buddy who was always at my side and in the way whenever I tried to get work done.

It was doubly difficult because it was unexpected. Gen went to the pasture the night before slightly lame on his right hind which wasn't uncommon for him so I certainly didn't expect to be saying goodbye to him in 10 hours.

Flair and Angel have been part of my life for nearly 20 years, Skip and Raven about 12. Over that time they have had their challenges, injuries, abscesses, laminitis and even mild colic. We met those challenges and returned them to their quality of life.

For the past three years Raven and Skippy have grown old gracefully. They slowed down but still had their zoomie days whooping it up in the pasture. Recently, they have both notably begun to show their ages, Raven more than Skippy.

Raven, pictured below, turned 28 this year which is an extraordinarily long life for an OTTB. Raven came to me 12 years ago with an injured DDFT which was reasonably managed with equioxx.

The injury prevented her from working but she mostly had good days with the occasional ouchy day or two especially after some whooping it up in the field.

Lately she has not had any good days and while she is still moving, has an excellent appetite and is otherwise healthy it is becoming obvious that she is irritably uncomfortable.

Increasing the NSAID offered no relief for her.

After discussing options with the vet and farrier we have decided to try some special shoes for her hoping to get her some relief.

At 28 there's no reason to go through the expense and put her through the recovery of surgery so if we can't relieve her discomfort with a mechanical solution I will make the decision to send her onward.

I remind myself that as recently as 40 or 50 years ago there would have been no doubt that none of my four mares would still be alive and supported as pasture ornaments. When age and injuries made it an impractical expense to keep a horse it was euthanized.

Today our horses have attained "companion animal" status because new, first time horse owners like me have never looked upon our horses as anything other than "big dogs". I never wonder why I spend huge sums of my retirement savings to provide these very expensive animals with the best possible natural life left to them. I just do it.

Keep in mind that it's not just the feed, hay, vet and farrier bills. My wife and I are empty nesters. There is no reason why WE need a horse property along with the $75,000 in tractors, trucks, attachments and tools to keep the place running.

I do it because the horses have given me purpose in my day, solace in my grief, contentment in my chaos. Now it's time to return their gift so I will wrap their feet, massage their legs, dispense their meds and watch their steady decline to their inevitable ends.

I have had dogs my entire life so saying goodbye to an animal is not a foreign experience for me. Horses, for me anyway, are proving to be a much different end of life experience.

All of my canine friends slowed down and they grew older, of course. They slept more, didn't play as much, lost interest in the frisbee. This was fine, they became cuddly couch potatoes and then they were ready to move onward.

Horses, because of their size and special construction seem to have a much longer period of geriatric care presenting a series of cascading conditions made worse by their age.

Expired teeth require special diets, PPID requires management, stressed joints and tendons make it difficult for them to be comfortable. Unlike and old Lab a horse can't simply lay in the sun on their favorite bed for an entire day.

Many years ago the end of the road was miles and miles distant. Now the "Exit" signs are coming into view and my days are becoming harder to face.

I remember the days when decisions revolved around tack choices, bits, training techniques and choosing which trial to ride or what course to set up. How do I get a shiny coat? Best way to braid mane and tail? Back then these were big decisions.

When there was an injury or an abscess it wasn't a big deal. A ten year old horse generally bounces right back from a minor injury. Now when one of the old gals resolves an abscess they are more comfortable but they never seem to click right back to their perky selves.

Anyway, I'm going to have to wrap it up now, it's hard to see the screen.

Thank you to all of you in the horse community. It is a pleasure to help you all with your nutrition and feed questions. I hope to continue to offer advice and guidance for some time to come.

I'm just having a moment here and need to get past it.

05/12/2024

Not necessarily promoting the product. https://madbarn.ca/grazing-pastures-for-horses/?fbclid=IwAR2itVZhDkNFqkMIQ7uaHqnS-VI6ic4qQC10ET__3hM6vlmLHbons1XpXVo_aem_ASNLzCEIYkUfQ-sv-PmhYIgn9vwF5a7Umkr1HMjFtfljkzdBqAc79joFkQ902eDV-ZGFNVegO0mtGMtb3e5MoCTS

Grazing fresh forage while out on pasture can provide excellent nutrition for horses. But environmental conditions and horse needs can make it challenging to maintain productive pastures. Some pastures require very little management to support a low density of horses. However, for horse owners with....