Raven Tree Stables LLC: Equine & K9 Education

07/01/2025

🐈‍⬛

06/24/2025

06/16/2025

We set up our at home obstacle course this weekend. Life has been quite busy keeping us from doing the fun stuff but we’re trying to get back into practice.

06/14/2025

05/16/2025

04/25/2025

04/23/2025

A Paddock Is Not Turnout

This one really gets to me.

“I give my horse turnout every day,” they say—then show me a paddock about the same size as the stall.

I get it. Space can be limited. I live in one of those areas too. That’s exactly why I tracked my own small rental property—to create real turnout.

But here’s the hard truth: a paddock does not meet the physical or psychological needs of a 1,000+ lb prey animal. So how did this become normal?

Most people would never dream of keeping a dog in a kennel for 22–23 hours a day. Yet somehow, it’s acceptable for a horse?

So what can you do if you can’t change your horse’s boarding situation?

First: acknowledge that your horse’s needs aren’t being met. And that means adjusting your expectations. You can’t blame them for expressing discomfort, frustration, or unwanted behaviours in this environment.

Instead, focus on doing what is possible.

That might mean committing to getting your horse out every day—not to lunge them or chase them around a pen, but simply to allow them to move. Freely. Naturally. Like a normal animal going for a walk.

If true turnout or pasture time is available—great. If not, get creative. Every bit of movement matters.

Ensure they have access to 24/7 forage. Use small-hole hay nets if you’re managing weight, but don’t let them go hours without food. Long gaps between feedings create stress, and stress leads to dysfunction.

Offer enrichment. Provide novelty. Give them something to interact with—something that mimics natural exploration and problem-solving.

And if you can modify the paddock, even just a little? Do it. Move the water to the opposite side. Add visual barriers or structures to encourage more movement. Small changes add up.

But if none of this is possible—if the environment truly can’t meet your horse’s basic needs—then it’s time to re-evaluate. It may be inconvenient to move. But their welfare has to come first.

And finally: please don’t get another horse if you can’t meet these fundamental needs. This isn’t just about ownership, it is about ethical stewardship of a sentient being.

Yes, even if they’re a show horse.

04/21/2025

04/06/2025

Today, firefighters from stations across Anchorage began cycling through “Tiny Town”. (Tiny Town is a bird's eye view of Anchorage.) This hands-on portion of the annual wildfire refresher training offers a strategic overview of wildfire progression, focusing on resource deployment, safety, interagency coordination, evacuations, and communication. It strengthens AFD’s wildfire readiness and exceeds national standards for wildfire training. All shifts will rotate through the training over the next two weeks.

"While Anchorage property owners are doing their part by making their properties Firewise, we’re implementing wildfire training earlier than ever in the history of the department to ensure we’re ready for the 2025 fire season,” said Wildfire Division Chief Jon Glover. “With record-low snowpack and an early melt, we have every reason to be proactive. We take this threat seriously and are more prepared now than ever before."

For the latest information regarding daily fire risks and prevention measures, visit wildfire.muni.org.

04/05/2025

04/04/2025

Friendly reminder that despite some wet spots across Southcentral, the fire danger remains elevated.

Anchorage and the Kenai are seeing high fire danger.
Mat-Su is seeing a moderate fire danger.
Valdez/Copper River Basin's fire danger remains low.

Keep in mind there will be pockets of areas within these locations that may be defying the odds, but the overall fire danger remains with the vast majority of Southcentral.