Doc's Haven Farm, LLC

03/09/2025

https://coloradohorseforum.com/the-truth-about-boarding-facilities/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI69WJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQjj_Px5PbMuTgXRCoxUIgGXaSiu9QuqZjuyFa3P_9kEDauYOVF6-xqL5Q_aem_9z5Bc1yNHnIZOwH56oe7SA

Let's face it, as a horse owner, we have all relied on a boarding facility at some point to be able to enjoy our equine friends. Here are some facts a

02/20/2025

👍👍

02/19/2025

02/17/2025

ISO reliable barn help in Poolesville Weekday and weekend am and pm shifts opening up for the right individuals. Duties include t/o, mucking/bedding, feeding,cleaning auto waters, blanket changes, Administering basic meds and first aid.
Must be over 18, have reliable transportation, a minimum of two years prior experience and good communication skills The ability to occasionally farm sit would be a bonus.
Stall and training could also be available in exchange for reduced board. 301-452-6420

02/11/2025

Tall, Grande and Venti chestnut geldings

02/09/2025

Equine surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage says the type and length of turnout a horse gets when healing makes a crucial difference: https://bit.ly/4gpsMnT

02/08/2025

💯 this. One of the reasons why I started breeding for myself. Not the only reason, but one of them.

I don’t think people realize just how many horses out there carry trauma with them.

With that, I don’t even mean severely abused horses that have been starved, or beaten heavily. There are plenty of those around, and those usually cause a lot of outrage (as they should).

What I am talking about though, is the horses whose trauma is never really recognized as such. The ones who tolerate humans and their requests, but never learned to trust them. Those who get extremely obsessive about food which are labelled as “bossy” or ”dominant”. Those who deal with severe Separation anxiety, which are said to be “dramatic”. Those who cannot self-regulate, or co-regulate and constantly carry tension. Those who try to express their pain, which get punished for it because “just a mare”.
Those who are “perfect” until they finally get a choice.

Between Unethical weaning practices, unsuitable welfare, constantly moving homes & and ownership, and aversive training/handling approaches, most horses at some point experience trauma. And this trauma can present itself in a variety of ways. Some are more subtle than others.
Trauma doesn’t have to be this huge explosive reaction. Just like people, horses can carry trauma and move on with their lives fairly normally. It can shape their personality just like it can shape ours.
However, that doesn’t mean doing so is healthy.

The horse that has been in 6+ homes before the age of 10, and thus can’t cope with changes. That is Trauma.
The horse that has never had consistent companionship and becomes obsessive with certain herd mates. That is Trauma
The horse that has only known corrections when they tried to express their confusion, fear, or dislike, and turns from “a perfect beginner’s horse” to “Don’t touch me” the moment you stop using corrections. That is Trauma.
The horse that never had a chance to learn from other horses or connect with people and thus can’t trust people to make good choices for them, can’t self-regulate or co-regulate, and can’t think their way through a situation. That is Trauma.
The horse who was only ever fed 2 times a day and was left without food for 6 hours each night, and has thus become food-aggressive. That is Trauma.
The horse who experienced highly aversive training techniques, and thus now gets frustrated, tense and severely stressed out anytime they are handled in a similar manner. That. Is. Trauma.

Sometimes, awareness of this can be a frustration and defeating realization. I think as equestrians we are often blind to this reality, because sadly, it’s just so common to see horses like that.
It’s not until you work with young, untraumatized horses, or rehabilitated horses, that you realize: “Oh! This is how it should be!”

01/18/2025

👍👍

𝑻𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓: 𝑨 𝑲𝒆𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈

By understanding and practicing the concept of turning from the center, riders can significantly improve their horsemanship skills and build a stronger partnership with their horse.

01/03/2025

💯

12/12/2024

I’m just paying it forward. You’re welcome. 😉

Caring is sharing 😆

12/02/2024

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/horse-brain-human-brain/202411/horse-sports-high-risk-low-control?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2tBoQ7dHJespIJIF43xd39fq8qo8XSj-MUDqfQqcq_vh0q6ubuwBgGlek_aem_AZ-xsNlkI368HD0DV-daqg

Assumptions about the similarity between animals and humans can increase risk, especially in equestrian sports, where control is low or illusory.

12/02/2024

11/13/2024

Foam pads of varying levels of firmness are marketed to help improve equine balance, with veterinarians and owners reporting anecdotal success. Now, a scientific study on the use of balance pads has been published, and shows promising results.

11/09/2024

https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/news/new-study-identifies-distinct-gray-alleles-contributing-difference-rate-depigmentation?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2VHuz0JBb97moxorI-E205r6rWKlQaSIQo14EVb9sb6Nw7KQNgCEmVvSc_aem_vfHcDScYCO-3Yr4PYUi05g

A newly published study led by Dr. Leif Andersson and colleagues at Uppsala University in collaboration with researchers at the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) discovered the existence of two different Gray alleles, one of which is associated with fast graying and increased risk for me...

11/04/2024

Yes

11/04/2024

11/01/2024

❤️

I see you out there, and I love you for every sacrifice you have made.
I've mentioned it before--I adore shooting elderly horses. Not so much for the actual horse--i love the grumpy dudes and dudettes who are stingey with their ears, of course--but my absolute adoration comes from the people behind every single grey hair. Every single dropped back. Every single ridge in a carefully managed foot.
I see you, old horse owners. I see the promise you made your old friend--that he'd never leave your side again, that he'd never have to worry about a next owner. That he'd never load on a trailer bound for the unknown.
I see the expense it takes in dollars and worry. The careful diet you obsess over, the careful turnout buddies and just the right pasture with the perfectly not-too-big rolling pit.
I see you beaming at your old horse--proud and happy they are still proud and happy, despite not having sat on their backs for sometimes decades.
I see you-sometimes barely scraping by with two horses, sometimes barely scraping by with one. I see what you've done--the bills you've paid month after month because your old friend is still happy to live.
I see the joy your old friend brings you when he tilts his head just this way, and the way he stands just inches from your hair-both of you breathing one another in.
I see your impending heartbreak for the day you may have to make that final decision. I see your internal struggle--is he happy? Is he ok? Am I keeping him around for him or me?
I see your tears thinking about that day, and the tears of joy reliving his youth.
To everyone with an old horse, I see you, and I respect and love you. 💕