Cougar Hill Training

12/15/2025

I hope you get a cupcake for National Cupcake Day! I had to share this cute video of Gabe helping to sing Happy Birthday for my cousin's toddler a few years ago.

12/12/2025

The average person spends $255 per year on hobbies.
The average horse person says 😂😂😂

12/10/2025

In light of the most recent EHV-1 outbreak, it might be a good time to talk about biosecurity again! Biosecurity means maintaining the biological health of an area. That might be like using a footbath before entering a food production facility or using a mask and washing your hands around a contagious illness.

For our horses it means things like: limiting horse to horse contact at competitions, not petting a horse on a showground and then petting another horse, or disinfecting stalls before using them.

These same ideas should be practiced by anyone going between facilities as well. Hands should be washed, outer layers of clothing changed, disinfect shoes, etc... to try to prevent the spread of any contagions, but most importantly, any stable with a horse that has a contagious illness should isolate the sick horse and alert any visitors to be aware to avoid contact.

12/08/2025

Water is the most important requirement for horses to be able to process their food safely and in winter their water intake may decrease if the water source is frozen or not kept clean. Providing clean water is probably one of the more challenging aspects of maintaining horses in the wintertime as just getting water from point A to point B becomes more difficult with the risk of frozen hoses, hydrants, and spigots.

- Be sure to keep your water hydrant clear and easily accessed.
- Consider wrapping the hydrant with a heating tape as even the "frost-free" designs sometimes need help!
- Make sure to disconnect the hose after use to prevent ice build-up in the hydrant and hose as well.
- Drain water from the hose before storing after use or move it into a heated area when not in use.
- A water tank with a heater can provide water by bucket in the event of a frozen hydrant.

12/05/2025

🙋‍♀️🤷‍♀️ It's me. I'm the problem. It's me. LOL

12/03/2025

To blanket or not to blanket? Tis the season for this question!

We've covered this many times before, but here's a recap!
We know there's folks in the never blanket camp and folks in the always blanket camp, but the reality is that it all depends on situation and circumstances as to whether your horse needs the assistance of a blanket. Healthy horses on good forage with sufficient cover from the wind will often be able to do just fine without a blanket, but in that scenario they should also have full access to areas with solid footing, adequate shelter from the elements, and they are likely not in any kind of work that would cause them to sweat so much as to then be chilled later on.

Why do we blanket? On our farm we have very little cover in the pastures or pens. The neighbor's forest of trees is to the north which is a fantastic wind block if that wind is coming out of the north and the sun beating off the trees adds warmth to that area, but if the wind is coming a different direction, there's nothing to slow its path. We house a lot of older horses who may need help regulating their temperature as well or just need help keeping those achy joints warm. The blanket can also allow them to be out in wet snow by keeping them dry.

Another reason to blanket is that the horse is in full-time work over the winter and must be kept clipped to enable them to dry quickly after a workout and avoid getting chilled. If we take away their fluffy winter coat, then of course something has to replace that to help keep them warm.

The important thing to remember is that blankets need to be managed. It's best to not throw the blanket on and never remove it again until March. You want to make sure that the horse isn't too warm under the blanket or still cold. The blanket should be regularly removed to check for any rubs, sores or injuries - which is also why the blanket needs to be well-fitted to the horse to prevent rubs from the blanket.

If your horse can go without blanketing, make sure to still continue to check that their coat is clean and able to provide insulation. A dirty coat that holds the hair down against the skin isn't able to insulate the horse as well as a clean, fluffy hair coat.

Horse management is never a "one and done" kind of deal. We manage blanketing on a daily basis here. Some days they all go without if it's warm enough, other days are so sunny that the dark horses are hot under their blankets, while the lighter colored horses still need their coats on for the day, and other days I have to keep them inside because the wind is whipping so hard that the wind chill temperature is even too cold for a blanket to make it better. ❄

The final word is: blankets are just another aspect of horse care that may or may not be needed by your personal horse. Each season brings different challenges that are entirely dependent on your climate, so be sure to have a chat with your vet and/or trainer if you have questions! 🐴

11/28/2025

11/27/2025

The young Gatz, making an excellent turkey in costume! 🦃

11/26/2025

In winter the temptation for humans is to close things up and get cozy, but for horses this can result in two hazards: lack of adequate fresh air creating upper respiratory issues and heating elements causing fire potential whether it's from a heating source or a wet hay bale heating up as mold grows inside. Remember to keep your barn clean, free from potential hazards, and make sure there's air flow for those horses to breathe easy!

11/24/2025

I haven't had to deal with this in a while thankfully!! Rain rot is a pain for both horse and rider as it is contagious and uncomfortable.

Here's more from AAEP:

IS RAIN ROT A FUNGAL OR A BACTERIAL DISEASE?

Rain rot (or rain scald) is the common name for a contagious BACTERIAL skin disease called dermatophilosis. It's caused by the bacterium "Dermatophilus congolensis," which thrives during wet seasons and in geographical locations with high precipitation and humidity. It can also develop after horses have sweat under blankets or tack, and equines with compromised immune systems are more susceptible.

Why should you not mistake rain rot for a fungal disease?

Antifungal medications and topicals have no effect on the bacteria responsible for rain rot, therefore diagnosing the condition correctly is very important!

How does rain rot happen?

The bacteria infects the hair follicles and damages the hair follicle and shaft; the hair will then pull out in small clumps leaving pink skin or purulent scabs behind (pro tip: your horse will NOT thank you for picking at them!) If you do not address the factors that promote the right bacterial environment (for example, you always leave your horse to stand outside in the rain without shelter or the protection of a waterproof rug), rain rot can keep recurring. If left untreated, the condition can even progress to a point where it opens the door for more serious, secondary skin infections.

If you suspect your horse has rain rot, be sure to consult your veterinarian on the best treatment plan based on the severity of your horse's case. While there are a million products that can be found in your local tack store, your horse doctor may have cause to prescribe a specific course of action.

11/21/2025

As the days get shorter and weather may make it difficult to get horses outside, depending on your set-up, I start looking for "enrichment" toys to help alleviate the boredom for the horses that need more daily stimulation. Gatsby was my extremely active child who needed lots of interaction and games daily, so I discovered the Holey Roller dog balls were perfect for stuffing with hay, big carrots, or treats so he would have something to work on besides my stalls! 😂🐴⭐ Another option if you still have them around are pumpkins as many horses like playing with them or chewing on them. Pumpkins are safe for horse consumption if they have not been treated with any chemicals or painted. Be sure to remove any toothpicks that might have been holding a carved pumpkin together or pieces that the horse could choke on.

11/19/2025

Who's heard of entroliths? Unfortunately we lost my favorite lesson horse to an entrolith when I worked in Montana. These are more or less stones that the body creates around a foreign object which can grow in size to obstruct the intestines if they aren't passed before they get too large to get outside of the body.

From AAEP:

WHAT ARE ENTEROLITHS?

Enteroliths are “stones” that can form inside a horse’s intestine, mostly in the large colon. They’re made up of minerals (mainly magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate) that slowly build up around a small object, like a piece of metal, a pebble, or even a bit of twine the horse has swallowed. Over time, these minerals form a hard stone, sometimes growing large enough to block the intestine.

Why do they form?

• Diets high in alfalfa hay (which is rich in magnesium and protein) and low in grass hay can increase the risk.
• Horses that spend less time outside or have limited access to pasture are also at higher risk.
• Certain breeds, like Arabians, can be more prone to developing enteroliths.

What are the signs?

• Horses with enteroliths may show signs of colic (abdominal pain), such as rolling, pawing, or looking at their belly.
• Sometimes, small stones may pass in the manure, but larger ones can cause serious blockages that require surgery.

How can you help prevent them?

• Feed more grass or oat hay and limit alfalfa hay to