Hidden Valley Ranch LLC

11/21/2025

Here is a great visual. EHV-1 is always around, but with social media it gets a lot more attention again.

11/20/2025

The conversation surrounding EHV-1 has sparked an urgent call for biosecurity among horse owners, highlighting the essential steps we can take to safeguard our beloved equines.
Every action we take matters in this collective effort. Have you considered who interacts with your horses?
This includes our farriers, veterinarians, chiropractors, and more. When we visit other barns or transport our horses off the property, it’s vital to remain vigilant.
We must ensure that our service providers are also committed to upholding stringent biosecurity practices.
When new horses arrive at our facility, I pay close attention to their origins and the individuals who transport them.
It’s concerning to see my boarders and their horses allowed to interact freely upon arrival.
Let’s remember: even a moment of oversight can have significant consequences.
Yet, many neglect to emphasize the importance of monitoring service providers.
As barn owners, we can only do so much individually.
This is a communal responsibility that requires all of us to be vigilant and proactive to keep our horses safe and thriving. Together, we can create a secure environment for our cherished companions.
It's a collective effort that requires all of us to be vigilant and responsible.

11/13/2025

Yup, we sports one of them here.

10/30/2025

Great read

🧥🐴 Blanketing Horses: When to Blanket — and When Not To

Every fall, horse owners debate: “Should I blanket my horse?”
Here’s what science says 👇

1️⃣ Horses have incredible built-in insulation.
Their winter coats trap air like a down jacket, and skin muscles lift the hairs (piloerection) to add warmth. A healthy, unclipped horse with access to shelter and adequate feed can stay comfortable in temperatures as low as 5°F (-15°C).
📚 Reference: Morgan et al., 2002, “Thermoregulation of Horses During Cold Exposure,” Equine Veterinary Journal.

2️⃣ Over-blanketing can make them colder.
If a blanket is too heavy, it flattens the coat, removing that insulating air layer — and can cause sweating, which chills the horse when it evaporates.
📚 Reference: Autio et al., 2007, “Response of Horses to Cold Weather and Blanketing,” Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

3️⃣ Energy from forage is the best heater.
Digesting hay produces internal heat — up to 30% more warmth than grain. That’s why free-choice hay is often better than a thick blanket.
📚 Reference: Cymbaluk & Christison, 1989, “Environmental Effects on Thermoregulation and Energy Balance in Horses,” Canadian Journal of Animal Science.

4️⃣ When blanketing is a good idea:
✅ Clipped horses (no natural coat)
✅ Senior or underweight horses
✅ Horses with chronic illness
✅ Wet, windy, or freezing rain conditions
✅ Horses newly moved from a warm to cold climate

5️⃣ When to skip the blanket:
🚫 Healthy horses with full winter coats and windbreaks
🚫 When daytime temperatures rise above freezing
🚫 If the horse is active and sweats under the blanket

Bottom line:
👉 Blanket for comfort, not out of guilt.
👉 Use your hands — if the horse’s chest, shoulder, and base of neck feel warm and dry, they’re managing just fine.

10/23/2025

Getting things winter ready... with these great Fall days, it's a joy besides more functional for winter. Our customers love ❤️ it.

10/18/2025

Ahhhhh so cute

10/10/2025

So cute

09/25/2025

🌻 Come join us on Saturday 10/4 for a memorial payday honoring Amelia! All proceeds will go to help support the Palmer family. 🌻

Western Riding Club
6630 W Riding Club Ln
Boise, ID 83709

Take Cole Road south of the 84 freeway to Amity. Turn east and follow the road around to the Indian Lakes Golf Course. Turn left just after the clubhouse onto Riding Club Lane.