Hometown Horses

25/12/2024

Happy Holidays!

17/12/2024

As the cold winter weather trudges on, Dr. Sarah Reuss, AAEP Vice President and a horse owner herself, shares the following advice to keep your horse safe during extreme weather.

1. While lots of hay is ideal for horses to eat to keep warm, now is NOT the time to introduce a round bale if they’ve never had access to one before. It may be more work, but keep throwing them their normal hay source, just more frequently.

2. Similarly, if your horse is not used to being in a stall, now is NOT the time. The stress of a major change and the decreased activity can be risk factors for colic. Be sure they have access to shelter, hay, and drinkable water but let them move around if they choose to do so.

3. Horses that are thin, older, or fully body clipped are those most at risk in extreme weather.

4. Well-fitting blankets are great but be sure that horses do not get sweaty under them, or that the blankets don’t soak through if snow or rain covered. Wet, cold and covered is worse that dry, cold and naked.

5. Some of the highest risk times are when the temperatures hover right around freezing, as that can result in sleet/freezing rain/ice that can make horses wet and therefore colder. Slippery footing is a concern, too.

6. If using electric water heaters, be sure they are functioning and not shocking horses. Take your gloves off and stick your hand in the water (briefly!!!) to double check.

7. Entice your horses to consume extra water by flavoring a bucket, adding electrolytes to their meals, or soaking their meals in warm water. If you’ve never fed beet pulp before, be sure to add LOTS of warm water. Dry beet pulp is a common source of choke.

8. The tips of your horses' ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting on a waterproof, jumper-style ear bonnet or other waterproof ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

If you have any questions or concerns about keeping your horses safe this winter, contact your veterinarian for advice.

16/12/2024

We have just a few events over the next week. Please take a look. We are starting to enter 2025 Events so if you know of an event or a club that would like to be entered in our calendar and featured in our newsletter in the week of the event, please email us. https://www.hometownhorses.com/blog/horse-events-around-town-for-december-17-23-2024

09/12/2024

Gallop into the future of equestrian excellence with our virtual horse show series. Ride, compete, and win from the comfort of your barn.

09/12/2024

Here's a few events happening over the next week. If you know of anything else, please let us know at [email protected] https://www.hometownhorses.com/blog/events-around-colorado

08/12/2024

Please keep an eye out for this horses.

04/12/2024

Free roundtable discussion for equestrians.

In this roundtable discussion led by Dr. Julia Miller, three experts cover common types of wounds seen in horses, complications with wound healing, and the most effective treatment options.

02/12/2024

We have a beautiful week ahead. Will you be taking your horse to any of these events? https://www.hometownhorses.com/blog/horse-events-in-colorado-for-december-3rd-to-9th-2024

28/11/2024

We would like to wish ever a very Happy Thanksgiving!

25/11/2024

Colorado Horse Council Memberships are available now.
Learn more about who they are and what they do for our horse community at:
https://www.facebook.com/coloradohorsecouncil

25/11/2024

25/11/2024

This weekend our Women’s Varsity team went to New York and played against University of Virginia and University of Kentucky. They put up a good fight against UVA, and brought home the win, 14-9, against UK on Saturday!

25/11/2024

Beginner Roping is starting this Thursday! We are starting with Dummy Roping and the heel o’ matic. We will add live cattle in a couple of weeks!

24/11/2024

Join us on Tuesdays for Open Ride from 3PM to 8PM!
Only $15 for your first horse and $10 for each additional horse!

24/11/2024

EPM is widely considered the most important infectious neurologic disease of horses in North America and is caused by protozoal infection of the central nervous system. Horses are infected by consuming food or water contaminated with opossum s**t containing sporocysts.

Horses with EPM do not present a biosecurity risk to other animals because the disease is not transmissible between horses. An effective vaccine has yet to be developed, so the best preventative approach includes eliminating access of opossums to feed and water in order to minimize contact with opossum s**t and improving your horse's immune defenses by decreasing stress and optimizing health.

To learn more about EPM, visit the following resources:
https://aaep.org/resource/equine-protozoal-myeloencephalitis-epm/
&
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/EPM

As always, consult your veterinarian for more information and for advice tailored to your horse's specific circumstances.