Happy Horses - Happy Humans

12/25/2024

Wishing everyone a Happy Holidays and a New Year that is better than the last!

12/07/2024

Gordy and I will be in the Townshend Horse parade tomorrow at 1! We'd love to see you!

11/30/2024

I'm a day late, but this year I'm extremely thankful for my clients, my mentors, and the many equines throughout my life that helped me get to this point.

I've been gifted opportunities to work with horses (and donkeys, ponies, mules, etc) of all breeds, ages, and training levels; from completely feral to high level show horses of multiple disciplines and most breeds imaginable. Through these opportunities I've been able to learn and grow my skill set to offer a variety of services to my clients.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well. ❤️

09/07/2024

While we love the cooler nights and quieter days, our horses )and especially minis, ponies, and donkeys) are at a higher risk for laminitis from August to November.

This article gives some basic information, but feel free to reach out for an in person or virtual consult about managing your equine to help prevent fall laminitis! Management includes diet, pasture/turnout, exercise, health and testing, farrier/trimmer care, and all around anxiety and stress levels for the animal.

Yes, spring brings an increased risk of endocrinopathic laminitis for susceptible horses—but so does autumn. Here’s why.

06/18/2024

SUMMER WEATHER REMINDER!

With heat advisories in our area this week, it's a good time to remind everyone about heat safety.

Beyond the choice to ride or not, remember to keep a close eye on your equine friends! Check them closely during the hottest parts of the day.

*Provide shade, fresh water, and good
ventilation! If your barn has no air flow and is hotter than outside, don't keep them in a stall for the hottest part of the day!

*Push electrolytes! Soupy grain mashes with electrolytes are a great treat in the morning or mid day before it gets too hot!

*Watch for colic signs, increased or decreased sweating, or heavy breathing. You can braid thick mains to help keep them cooler!

*If horses are overheating: cold hose, scrape them, and cold hose them again- leaving the water on the second time to help with evaporative cooling. Placing them wet in front of a fan will help further cool them down!

*When in doubt, call the vet! Heat stress and/or colic is an emergency!

And lastly, have a trusted horse friend you can call for help. We love our equine vets, but many are stretched thin these days. If your vet is 2 or 3 hours out before they can make it to you, have a few friends you can call in an emergency to come out and help you in an emergency, or to help you haul to an equine clinic. It could potentially save your horse's life.

04/27/2024

Summer is just around the corner and this weather has been perfect for trail riding!

I'm filling up summer consultation spots fast, but have a few openings left for new clients that are virtual or within an hours drive of Brattleboro, VT. (Further distances may be accepted as well, if they are grouped with existing clients.)

I specialize in giving owners the confidence and skill set they need to meet their goals with their equine partner, but I offer training of the equine as well.

See attached list of services for more information!

03/27/2024

Love this! Such a good reminder.

Have you ever worked for someone who constantly criticized you?

You might have done hundreds of things right in a day, but you never seemed to receive any praise for those things. You only heard about it when you did something wrong.

At the end of the day, you left work feeling defeated and unappreciated.

Now, think about your horses…

This is exactly how they feel when all you do is micromanage their every move.

When a horse is young and learning new skills, we are often quick to reward even the smallest effort in the right direction.

But, as a horse gets further along in its training and our expectations get higher, we often forget to reward them for doing the small things correctly.

We begin to nitpick their behavior and overlook the skills they have mastered.

We rush through the things that they do well so that we can spend more time on the things that they struggle with.

We think that, by focusing on their weaknesses, we will progress them through their training faster.

But, that’s not how it works…

If all we ever do is work on our horses’ weaknesses, they forget what it feels like to have strengths.

They start to feel like their efforts are unappreciated and unrewarded.

And, after a while, they lose their willingness to try.

Horses need positive affirmation. They need to know that their efforts are valued.

Don’t forget to remind your horses that they are doing a good job.

03/27/2024

Booking summer clients! 💝

As I start to plan my summer schedule, I have had a few requests for assisting with sales horses. At Happy Horses - Happy Humans, I offer assistance with:
💥 photographing
💥 sales videos
💥 marketing
💥 client trials
💥 and general conditioning/tune ups

If you aren't sure where to start in finding the perfect new home for your horse, or you need a little help with the process, reach out by email or message!

02/22/2024

CALLING MINI, PONY, AND DONKEY OWNERS!

Do you have a small friend with some big fears? Are you looking for help and guidance with socializing, halterbreaking, or working through specific issues such as trailering or standing for the vet and farrier?

I have lots of experience with unhandled and fearful littles (and the full sized ones too) and love being a part of the transformation! I first met this cute face below as an unhandled, in tact, feral 2.5 year old c**t still nursing off his mother! He was aggressively defensive of himself and his mother and had been running in a wild breeding herd before ending up in a kill pen. Fast forward several months later and he turned into this cuddly, sweet gelding that was ready for his new home! He was trusting and friendly and had many new skills such as the ability to lead, tie, bathe, stand for vet and farrier, trailer, and loved a good grooming!

If you have a small friend with some big fears and are looking for help reaching their full potential, pm or email me today to schedule a consultation!

02/11/2024

The recent beautiful weather has us thinking of spring!

Do you have big goals for 2024? Are you in need of a little guidance to reach those goals? Whether you're hoping to improve your technique or work on new skills, now is a great time to set up a consultation and make a plan!

I would love to help you reach your goals- from ground work to riding or driving. Email ([email protected]) or message for more information!

01/30/2024

While it may be cold and snowy outside, spring is coming and with it breeding and foaling season!

Are you a small time breeder needing an extra set of hands to get through breeding and foaling season? New to the world of breeding and foaling and looking for virtual or in person guidance? Or are you a little unsure of the foaling process and want someone to go to with questions and concerns?

I have experience foaling out hundreds of mares of all breeds and sizes, scanning mares, handling and collecting stallions, breeding mares, caring for compromised foals, and managing a breeding farm. I've managed dystocias, red bags, pr*****ed uteruses, and other such emergencies. I would love to help ease the stress of your breeding and foaling season!

*In the state of Vermont it is not legal to perform veterinary procedures without a veterinary license on non-owned horses, but I am happy to give hands on handling assistance as well as guidance and advice based on my experience. *

01/26/2024

Hello, and thank you for joining. I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce myself and the services I will be offering!

My name is Dylan Burguard and I have been involved in the horse industry my entire life. I am a Michigan State University (MSU) graduate with a bachelors in Animal Science- specializing in equine studies. I have also completed a Horse Management certificate program at MSU and an Equine Reproduction certificate program at Colorado State University.

Since graduation, I have worked in many aspects of the equine industry and have a wide array of skills and abilities. I have bred, managed, and foaled out hundreds of horses and ponies of many breeds. I have managed horses, ponies, and donkeys from many different backgrounds. I have created and taught university classes in breeding, training, management, health, and handling. I have taught private riding lessons. I have created and orchestrated public events and clinics. I have trained and worked with un-handled and feral horses, foals and weanlings, started horses in cart and under saddle, and more. I have helped clients both find new equine partners and market and sell horses. I have also created nutritional and exercise plans for horses of all ages and abilities. I have the most experience with fearful, abused or neglected horses and donkeys and all aspects of their care.

As an equine consultant, my goal is to assist owners and their horses with living happier, fuller lives. I offer services that apply to all aspects of equine ownership including but not limited to:

*Training and guidance for specific behavioral problems
*Training and guidance for goals: including halter breaking, long-lining, riding, and driving (in multiple disciplines)
*Feed and management recommendations for behavior or health issues
*Handling assistance for trailering, vet or farrier procedures, breeding/foaling practices, and more
*Event planning and management
*Guidance with horses sales and purchases
*Guidance when planning and building your own farm
*Mentoring beginners into the process of horse ownership and care

I aim to help others enjoy and love their animals as much as I do and to guide both owners and their horses through any issues they may face along the way. I truly believe that Happy Horses make Happy Humans and the partnership between horse and human often needs training and guidance for both sides to reach its full potential.