The Meadow Farm

06/25/2025

Preventing colic in horses = managing their diet, environment, and stress levels.
Diet: decent hay, lots and lots of water. Grain (low sugar) is ok... with lots and lots of water.
Environment: Get them outside! Give them plenty of room to roam and graze a good quality grass pasture with friends. They also need decent shelter from the elements.
Stress: A horse's stress goes unseen for the most part until it rears it ugly head with ulcers, feet issues, colic, behavioral changes, and and and ..... Learn what keeps your horse sane and give it to him.
Pretty simple.
All the snake oil nonsense that is for sale is just that, nonsense. Keep it simple, clean and spacious. You'll do much better!

06/20/2025

It's going to be 98 degrees in Vermont on Monday June 23rd. PLEASE leave your dogs at home, make sure your livestock has shade and water and let your cats stay inside.
IF you think your dog is overheated (he's dizzy, won't stand, or is looking a "little pale" or a "little blue" (look at the pink parts in his mouth)...... DO THIS:
1. Move your pet indoors or to a shaded area quickly.
2. Apply cool wet towels to their head, neck, and chest.
3. Lightly spray their skin with cool (not cold) water.
4. Allow them to sip small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.
5. Put rubbing alcohol on their paw pads.
6. Take the dog's temperature, if it is above 104, GO to the veterinarian in an airconditioned car (blast the cold air) immediately.
Be safe everyone, and please remember dogs can not sweat as we do, and therefore have no way to "get cool". They depend on us ❤

06/10/2025

And it's that time of year. I find it so sad that I need "private property" and a "no trespassing" signs for the summer and fall. 🤦‍♀️ I really wonder what would happen if I was sitting by their pool in Jersey when they woke up.

As the weather warms up and people start getting out more, please remember just because you can see animals on a property does not mean you are invited to visit them.
Do not ever enter someone’s fields, barn, paddock or go anywhere near the animals unless you have explicit permission on that day. Not “oh it was ok last year, so this year should be fine”. You will need permission that day,. If you can not find someone,walk away. Being family or a close friend does not exclude you from this rule. You have no idea what is happening with those animals, on that day. Are they ill, recovering from something, on medicines that affect how they might respond to you? Was there a recent change in the herd that has made everyone in the field on edge? Uninvited guests are dangerous and unacceptable.
We had out of state individuals wandering our farm this afternoon. How would you feel if I was wandering around your backyard, feeding your children? You would not be pleased.
If we find you on our property without permission, it will not be pretty. Enjoy the weather and make sure you respect boundaries!

06/01/2025

Indie

01/11/2025

08/30/2024

😂

08/30/2024

https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/horse-safe-fencing

Whether you’re caring for your horses or taking in boarders, fences are a necessary investment for every stable. Even barns […]

08/29/2024

05/16/2024

Amy Skinner Horsemanship

You know how your great aunt can’t be around you without commenting on your weight?
You know how your mother in law can’t stop asking when you’re gonna have a baby because she’s dying for grandchildren?

You know how your mom licks that napkin and squeezes your face while she whipes dirt off your cheek?
You know how, when you were a child, your parents brushed your hair too fast, pulled on your hair, and your feelings were dismissed? “Oh you’re being such a baby!”

You know the way that family dinner is so stressful, but your aunts make amazing food- so you have the draw of the food, and the stress of the discord and passive aggressive comments? You know the pressure to have seconds, to not offend, coupled with a comment on your weight?

You know all those tiny, nitpicky, well meaning things that drive you crazy? You know how horrible the hands that fuss over you feel? You know how terrible the dissonance between what’s said and what’s felt is?

They’re made to sound like they’re for you, but they’re not- they’re for the person doing them.
Don’t be that guy with your horse.

Pinching, picking, constant cleaning, fussing
Nitpicking every little step
Fussing with buckles, forgetting about the horse and wrenching leather over soft, sensitize surfaces
Yelling, smacking, emotional corrections and making up for it with food

Those are not for the horse- they’re for you.

Every touch should be for the horse.
Touch with intention
Focus on the task AND the horse
Guide, with care
Say no when you have to, without judgement or emotion
Say yes when you can, without going off the rails
Bring the horse to center
And be someone they find peace standing next to.

03/12/2024

As the weather warms up and people start getting out more, please remember just because you can see animals on a property does not mean you are invited to visit them.
Do not ever enter someone’s fields, barn, paddock or go anywhere near the animals unless you have explicit permission on that day. Not “oh it was ok last year, so this year should be fine”. You will need permission that day,. If you can not find someone,walk away. Being family or a close friend does not exclude you from this rule. You have no idea what is happening with those animals, on that day. Are they ill, recovering from something, on medicines that affect how they might respond to you? Was there a recent change in the herd that has made everyone in the field on edge? Uninvited guests are dangerous and unacceptable.
We had out of state individuals wandering our farm this afternoon. How would you feel if I was wandering around your backyard, feeding your children? You would not be pleased.
If we find you on our property without permission, it will not be pretty. Enjoy the weather and make sure you respect boundaries!