Dutch Cross Stables

11/10/2024

It’s a great day to be a fish

10/24/2024

Pictures never do the colors justice.

10/02/2024

Yin and Yang. That’s the best way to describe Chip and Savvy. Savvy is spicy, has moments of complete insanity and has vowed that he can actually be immature forever. Chip is like a warm mug of hot chocolate. Gets along with everyone, would never hurt a fly. He’s the horse you want your kids to experience. It boggles my mind that these two are friends but they really are.

09/22/2024

Someone fb messaged me about boarding 2 horses and after reading it, I can’t find it anywhere to respond. If it was you, please email me at: [email protected].

05/29/2024

This herd opted for a tree to shelter from a spring shower instead of walking back to the barn where their shelter is. Guess they knew it wasn’t worth the walk back?

05/11/2024

Beau takes retirement naps very seriously

04/19/2024

04/17/2024

Chip just turned 31!! He got a whole handful of treats to celebrate. He’s our oldest known resident as he has papers to prove it!

04/10/2024

So thankful to Purina Horse Feed for the tour of the original Budweiser Clydesdale Stable! If you ever get a chance to go, you won’t be sorry.

02/27/2024

Dutch Cross Stables (Centerburg, Ohio) is currently welcoming applications for horse boarding. We are a small privately owned horse farm on 21 acres just northeast of Columbus, OH.

Dutch Cross Stables specializes in the care and management of senior and retired horses. Owner Sarah Smith is a registered nurse who lives on site.

Sarah works closely with local professionals, including:
* equine veterinary dentists ()
* equine nutritionist (.0nutrition)
* farrier
* veterinarians ()
* HayChix (), SmartPak (), and Purina ()

Horses at Dutch Cross Stables are allowed to “be horses” and have access to freedom, forage, and friends (the three F’s!). They spend most of their time outside, and those that require concentrates or supplements are brought inside and fed in separate stalls once a day.

Horses are blanketed when they need it, or left “nude” if they are fuzzy and comfortable in the weather. In summer, horses wear fly masks and have fans under a run-in shed. The horses are brought inside during especially bad weather.

We have a few different selections of pasture/friend options to best match with your horse or pony. We try to place them in the best situation based on feeding requirements, health, and energy level.

Dutch Cross amenities:
- stalls and run in sheds
- 15 acres of various pasture
- quality hay that is tested annually and forage (in slow feeder nets)
- access to wooded trails
- all-weather outdoor arena (enclosed)
- 60’ round pen
- wash stalls
- friendly, inviting atmosphere

We are very familiar with many of the extra needs that senior horses have, including equine metabolic syndrome, Cushing’s disease, laminitis/ founder, dental issues or trouble eating, weight loss, skin issues (e.g., susceptibility to rain rot), and other conditions. We work closely with professionals to help get your friend in the best condition.

All breeds welcome!!

Please contact [email protected] if you’re interested or would like to inquire about more details (pricing, availability, etc.).

02/21/2024

We love Chip💙

02/21/2024

Our beautiful senior horse Rosie was not feeling well over the weekend. Barn owner/manager Sarah noticed she didn’t come in for breakfast with the rest of the horses one morning, and quickly noted something was very wrong.

Rosie was not placing weight on her right front leg, and was reluctant to move in any way. It was clear from her muddy wet sides that she’d been lying down a long time at some point. Sarah got a warm blanket on her, brought hay and a bucket of water, and called the vet.

An obvious thought was a broken leg or other injury, but palpation and hoof testers didn’t show any sensitivity, wounds, swelling, or other injury. The vet Dr. Jennings () took a blood sample, and the results indicated that Rosie was fighting a serious infection. Rosie quickly got pain meds and her first dose of antibiotic.

The weather changed during the day producing a wet snowfall and high winds. Rosie still was refusing to move and we had no way of getting her back to the barn. The thought of Rosie out in the field by herself all night was heartbreaking. 🥺

The good news is that a few hours after the first dose of antibiotics, when Sarah checked on Rosie out in the field one more time before bed, she seemed willing to walk back to the barn. Rosie was stiff, cold and weak, but she made it all the way back to her dry stall in the barn.

Sarah and helper Emma got Rosie a warm mash, a fresh dry wool cooler draped over her, and clean shavings.

We were all thrilled to see that Rosie was still on her feet the next morning, and by the third dose of antibiotics, she was looking bright and happy! (That’s when the pic was taken.)

Rosie seems to be continuing to improve steadily and we’re so thankful for that. Thanks to Dr. Jennings at Bella Vista for her quick and careful expertise.

Horses are prey animals and are very sensitive to pain and environmental conditions - especially senior horses. Things like a warm safe place to rest, dry footing to lie down, consistent forage, or pain management can go a long way to their recovery.

02/07/2024

All of our horses now have bale nets out in the pastures! These are basically extra large hay nets that can contain a half bale or even an entire bale. Instead of tossing loose hay out onto the field, now it’s nearly contained and they hardly waste any of it.

Unlike most hay nets (which are honestly a nightmare to fill), the Haychix ones have an extra-wide opening and a large rope for cinching them up, which makes it so much easier.

Pro tip: leave the strings on the hay bale when you fill the net, then cut them and remove (much easier than trying to stuff with loose hay, the bane of every horse person’s existence).

Since none of our horses have shoes currently, the bales are safe to be left out on the field. If your horse has shoes, hang the bale up at head height to avoid any chance for a shoe getting caught.

Overall very happy with these. So much less wastage and it helps our fatties eat more slowly. 🙌 Not an ad, just super stoked. 😅

Btw if anyone has any suggestions for FINDING the hay nets out in the muddy field once they’re empty, that would be most welcome. 🕵🏻‍♂️

02/05/2024

Fuzzy had a small visitor this weekend. ❤️

01/30/2024

Ernie, best barn cat ever 🧡

01/24/2024

Fluffy Tonto and his bff TJ the pony. Tonto has had some tender feet lately, and the soft horse boots have really been helping. These senior horses need a little extra TLC sometimes, especially in winter. 👐🩷

01/23/2024

Pretty girl Rosie has plenty of fluff to keep herself warm in winter.