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Franciscan Acres Welfare-Based Track System Boarding and Equine Nutrition Consultations

05/01/2026

Day 12 of our 12 Days of Enrichment. Today's enrichment is fun for our herd but would have extra special application for a horse on stall rest or travelling without herd mates.

I present the Franciscan Acres family scent community board! In addition to a centralized mirror, there is a small scent box containing hair from each of our herd members.

This is both a social and cognitive enrichment, and its been interesting to watch individual impressions.

Auditor, but far, was most intent, and it was interesting to see her trying so hard to make eye contact with herself in the mirror.

I hope you've enjoyed these twelve ideas and can find a way to incorporate them - or even something better - with your own horses to enrich their experience.

05/01/2026

Day 11 of our 12 Days of Enrichment! Today's activity is obstacles.

We have some very cool obstacles and horse play grounds nearby, but setting up an obstacle doesn't have to be expensive or complicated.

Today we set up a simple challenge composed of a tarp, some cones, poles, sparklers and a $14 yoga mat.

Even one obstacle can be fun to play with as you teach your horse to approach from various directions, or at different gaits.

Obstacles are a great way to bond with your horse, increase proprioception, and encourage your horse to use cognitive skills while approaching new experiences.

Bonus, did you know your trailer can be an obstacle? At the end of tonight's video, you'll see how Beau responds to our new trailer. He has yet to ride on it, and while he is a pretty stellar loader, this was the first time in his life he has
encountered a trailer with a ramp.

How did we do? 😊

03/01/2026

Day 10 of our 12 Days of Enrichment!
Scent Options

Anyone who has spent significant time with horses agrees they are incredibly sensitive animals. However, most studies quantifying the sensory abilities of horses are limited to vision and hearing. Sadly, there are limited studies available on the olfactory abilities of the equine.

Today we focused on the sense of smell, as we offered an enrichment activity that exposed our herd to some familiar and not-so familiar scents.

Here are a few fascinating facts about our equine partners' olfactory system:

1. The tip of the olfactory bulb aligns with your horse's forehead whorl

2. When a horse turns up his lip to trap a scent, this is known as the flehmen response

3. During the flehmen response, the nostrils close and air pressure increases, allowing horses to better process the molecules that make up a scent.

4. Horses can distinguish individuals through the scent of urine.

5. In preliminary studies, horses could be drawn to an area by a calming or familiar smell.

We should be asking horses more questions about their preferences and abilities when it comes to smell, and offering scent options is a great place to start.

During our grooming enrichment, I used essential oil on one of the brushes Cass selected. I used an oil he self selected from 4 choices.

Things don't always go according to plan, but things do happen for a reason. 😊Dreamer returned to us today in perfect he...
03/01/2026

Things don't always go according to plan, but things do happen for a reason. 😊

Dreamer returned to us today in perfect health, thanks to the diligent care of his temporary home. Unfortunately, it turned out not to be an ideal fit, no fault of horse or human. So, until his perfect home comes along... 🙏

You're welcome here as long as needed, Dreamer!

02/01/2026

Its day 9 of our 12 Days and Enrichment and today we rolled out the tarps!

We commonly see tarps used in activities geared toward desensitizing horses. The crinkle sound, billowing movements and unique feel make them great for that purpose. Using this method of adding them to the environment allows the horses to approach at their own pace. Adding food rewards their bravery and interest.

In the past we have also hung tarps from the fence line with pellets or hay behind for the same reason.

What novel ways can you thing of to use tarps as Enrichment?

01/01/2026

Day 8 of our 12 Days of Enrichment is here!

Today was spectacular, hard to believe it's January 1st! To celebrate a new year, we took Castiel, Valentine and Jabbar on a little outing.

Sensory walks should be fun and engaging - unlike a "working" walk, we let the horses stop, look, listen, smell and taste. This is all about taking in the world around them and allowing time for processing. Allowing these enriching outings to be enjoyable helps create a horse more willing to leave the herd, and builds confidence in unique places.

Well there goes the neighborhood. Goats have been released from their paddock for the day to wreak their havoc.
01/01/2026

Well there goes the neighborhood. Goats have been released from their paddock for the day to wreak their havoc.

31/12/2025

Day 7 of our 12 Days of Enrichment!

Targeting is both a social and cognitive enrichment activity. You can really see things "clicking" as the horses work through what is being asked. I have posted these videos in the past, but we stepped up a notch today. Beau has become an expert, and I have a few additional targed related activities we will share over the course of the next few days involving him.

Auditor is fairly new to this game, and is still making the connection. I've decided I would like to teach her to "fetch", so I changed the game a little, and you can see I'm starting to introduce the first components of this in our enrichment today.

Targeting is not only a fun brain game, but can be a valuable tool. Horses can be lead at liberty with a target, and even be taught to stand ground tied at a target. We use targets to take the focus off of something difficult (like trailer loading) so the horse can focus in a skill he is confident with - following the target.

31/12/2025

Day 6 of our 12 Days of Enrichment!

The water buffet is just in time to encourage hydration on this cold evening. We choose herbs and minerals that can prove valuable in this weather, but choices are endless! You can use teas, bentonite clay, feeds and forage to flavor water and see what your horse prefers!

Day 6 of our 12 Days Of Enrichment!Michael Makropoulos was a huge help in filming today since I arrived well after dark!...
31/12/2025

Day 6 of our 12 Days Of Enrichment!

Michael Makropoulos was a huge help in filming today since I arrived well after dark!

Day 6 is our water buffet! This is another food enrichment where we can offer new and unique flavors. We like choosing natural flavoring options that also have healthy benefits. Tonight our buffet includes:

- Salt
- Magnesium
- Jiaogulan
- Spirulina

While I planned this for later in the week, our sudden extreme temperature changes had me thinking its a great time to encourage water intake, and this always draws them in!

Stay tuned for results!

30/12/2025

Day 5 of our 12 Days Of Enrichment!

Deep, Deep Bedding

Any time we alter the environment with something novel, we can create an enrichment opportunity!

29/12/2025

Day 5 of our 12 Days Of Enrichment

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