Common Sense Horse Keeping

Common Sense Horse Keeping Because it should always be about the horse! The essential guide for caring for horses. I have over 40 years of experience with horses.

I have leased my own farm or been involved as a partial boarder, as well as worked as a stable manager. Now I finally own my own farm and bring all I have learned to running my own stable as efficiently as possible without sacrificing quality of care for my animals. I have been involved with the United States Pony Club for over 10 years, and I compete in eventing: both pony clubbers and eventers a

re known for their excellent care of their horses. My goal is in putting the care and safety of my horses first, as in the long run, that is how you save money. Compomising on feed and care results in costly vet bills and lousy performance at competitions. I hope to share what I have learned over the years with barn owners, managers, and boarders alike.

How disappointing that the USHJA board of directors decided against passing the proposal that would prohibit the possess...
02/01/2025

How disappointing that the USHJA board of directors decided against passing the proposal that would prohibit the possession of drugs, which include pentobarbital, formaldehyde and liquid nitrogen.

The latest blog is the first of a series that discusses equine nutrition!
02/01/2025

The latest blog is the first of a series that discusses equine nutrition!

01/24/2025

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lori Tankel...

https://commonsensehorsekeeping.beehiiv.com/p/equine-nutrition?_bhlid=e55918130c4a87b53f6e922ab80f66b8d6ba67c9&last_reso...
01/24/2025

https://commonsensehorsekeeping.beehiiv.com/p/equine-nutrition?_bhlid=e55918130c4a87b53f6e922ab80f66b8d6ba67c9&last_resource_guid=Post%3A1939e9f7-4b62-47e4-8b35-3040b9b6a6d0&utm_campaign=equine-nutrition&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=commonsensehorsekeeping.beehiiv.com

equine nutrition stable managment horses horse care stable manager common sense horse keeping equine nutrition equines feeding horses stable manager stables feed room horse feed metabolic disorders in horses EPSM Cushings Insulin Resistance sweet feed oats corn for horses

Keep them hydrated!
01/19/2025

Keep them hydrated!

01/19/2025
01/15/2025

Hello "Beyond the Herd" family- Michelle (director) here, dropping in from Los Angeles. It has been a turbulent week in LA, the fires have been devastating and relentless, but our equine community here has been nothing short of amazing. For those looking to help, I wanted to share two vetted options for ways to donate directly to the relief efforts:

FLEET OF ANGELS, directed by Elaine Nash, is directly distributing money to where it is most needed for feed and care for equine victims of our devastating fires here. Please go to http://www.fleetofangels.org/ and click the DONATE button!

There's also a local feed and tack store, DaMoors, which is collecting monetary donations to help feed and bring supplies directly to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. They are also taking pre-orders for crewneck sweatshirts that say "Equestrian Strong"

I just received my copy of the Christmas issue COTH ( and judging from its appearance, it appears to have circled the gl...
01/14/2025

I just received my copy of the Christmas issue COTH ( and judging from its appearance, it appears to have circled the globe to get here a month late)
I wrote my blog last week before I saw the editorial in COTH and was pleased to see that what I wrote was so similar! Compassionate horsemen apparently think and write the same way. Here is a list of the substances and drugs that USEF is proposing to ban. It’s unconscionable to think that anyone would think it’s a good idea to inject a horse with any of these substances.
Shame on you and shame on the vets who are making these drugs readily available.
Get out of this industry, you don’t belong.

I have not shaved whiskers or the insides of ears in many years. This is great news and should be followed at all levels...
01/12/2025

I have not shaved whiskers or the insides of ears in many years. This is great news and should be followed at all levels.

SENSORY HAIRS

The FEI has determined that any measures to trim or shave off a horse's sensory hairs, including whiskers, eyelashes and the hairs of the inner ear, is not permitted and shall lead to an elimination of the combination for the competition's duration.

Sensory hairs are of extreme importance for proprioception for the horse. They aid the horse's ability to judge distance and navigate in the dark. It has been shown that trimming or shaving these hairs leads to increased susceptibility to injury.

Common Sense Horse Keeping can now be found at WEC at the I Love My Horse boutique!
01/07/2025

Common Sense Horse Keeping can now be found at WEC at the I Love My Horse boutique!

01/02/2025

If you have purchased Common Sense Horse Keeping, please leave a review on GoodReads and Amazon! Thank you!

Address

Calypso Ridge Farm
De Leon Springs, FL
32130

Website

https://commonsensehorsekeeping.com/

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Videos

What a year it’s been!
What a year it’s been!

What a year it’s been!

Even donkeys should be able to to be stimulated! An empty feed or in this case, rye seed bag, provides lots of entertainment to Blossom!

Prepping the barn and animals for Hurricane Milton, part 2
Prepping the barn and animals for Hurricane Milton, part 2

Prepping for Hurricane Milton, part 2

Prepping the barn for Hurricane Milton. Part 1

I just saw this commercial and about spit out my tea! Oh, if only it was about not texting and riding! I hate watching riders on the phone and not paying attention to their horse. Phones have no place in riding, unless you have fallen off and need it to call for help! You should be in the moment with your horse, not distracted by your phone! #donttextandride

This is why you don’t leave bucket heaters unattended! I feed a wet mash every day for lunch and since it’s in the 40’s at noon, I decided to use my relatively new bucket heater to warm up some water, rather than adding cold water. As I removed the heater and walked over to the metal plant holder where I always hang it to cool down, I saw flames coming from it! Had I been lazy and just draped it over the closest barn door or on the wood table I had the bucket sitting on, the results would have been devastating. Luckily our ground was still wet from yesterday's torrential downpour (hence, the displaced rocks!)

Why do horsemen do that? #horsesofinstagram #stablemanagement #stablestylelifestyle #stabkestyle #goriding #barnmanager #safetyfirst #horseblogger #horseblogger #commonsensehorsemanship #commonsensehorsekeeping #ponyclub @commonsensehorsekeeping

Recapping the four part series on preventing barn fires. This is such an important topic. Please share! #Horses #horsesofinstagram #horselovers #ottbsofinstagram #fireprevention #firesafety #stabledesign #stablelifestyle #stablemanagement #stablemanager #barnmanager #barnmanagement #commonsensehorsekeeping

Part 3 of the Fire Prevention blog is available to read. @commonsensehorsekeeping #commonsensehorsekeeping #horsesofinstagram #barnmanager #stablemanagement #stablestylelifestyle #stablesofinstagram #horsestable #fireprevention #barnfire

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