Dan Barker Training Services LLC

08/26/2024

When horses are together, they may engage in mutual grooming, with one horse starting the scratching and the other unable to resist returning the favor. This behavior may have inspired the saying, 'I'll scratch your back while you scratch mine.' Horses groom for various reasons, including hygiene, temperature regulation, social bonding, and stress relief, making it crucial to their overall well-being and interactions within the herd. By understanding why horses groom, we can better appreciate their remarkable social and physical abilities.

08/25/2024

At the stable, one can experience a sense of calm, watching horses graze peacefully in the pasture.

06/23/2024

The Advantages of Enclosed Equine Arenas: Comfort, Safety, and Uninterrupted Training for Horses

06/23/2024

06/21/2024

The legs of a horse have no muscles below the knees and hocks, resulting in limited blood flow to these areas. This can lead to slower healing times for injuries in the lower limbs, with a higher likelihood of scar tissue formation compared to injuries higher up the limb. The legs of horses are subjected to significant stress, making them prone to injury.

06/17/2024

"I'm not fat, I'm an easy keeper"...

06/16/2024

Two remarkable young ladies here! Enjoyable moments...

06/16/2024

Slobbers in Horses: Horses on pasture may start salivating excessively due to irritation from plant awns or slaframine poisoning, often associated with clover pasture or hay. Symptoms include excess salivation, lacrimation, colic, and diarrhea, typically appearing 1-3 hours after consuming contaminated forage and subsiding 48-72 hours after removal from the affected forage. Clovers can be a good nutrient source but may become infected with fungus causing slobbers...

06/16/2024

Region X Sport Horse Championship Show is a wrap! Congratulations to Kristin, Megan, Angelena on a great show! Special thanks to Jeana for managing the show/riders and taking good care of Magalier and Bug. ~Safe Travels & Happy Father's Day

06/16/2024

Horses are pretty cool because they walk on their tippy toes, using a method called digitigrade locomotion. This means they need a tough, hard surface to hold their weight and protect their sensitive toe tips. Hooves are like their built-in shoes that help them move fast over rough ground.

06/12/2024

All set up for Region X Sport Horse Championships! Good luck to all exhibitors

06/10/2024

Perfect day to mulch! Love the crisp grass-to-mulch lines. Beautiful! Thanks Dave and Micheal...

06/10/2024

Welcome to the farm, Dove! She seems to be enjoying it. Beautiful Purebred Arabian Mare...

06/09/2024

Fuel your soul with positivity and appreciate the abundance of blessings in your life, and never take them for granted.

06/09/2024

Beautiful day filled with progress! Fence painting continues, thanks to this awesome crew!

06/07/2024

Horses have eyes eight times larger than humans located on the sides of their heads for maximum movement detection. They adjust head position to use their binocular field, enhancing depth perception and providing an advantage in their surroundings.

06/06/2024

Meet Mr. Will Barrow

Maintaining clean horse stalls is crucial for the health of the animals. Dirty stalls can lead to various health issues such as thrush, cellulitis, respiratory problems, skin conditions, exposure to ammonia fumes, and skin irritations for the horses. It's important to remember that horses produce around 50 pounds of waste per day, along with other potentially harmful bodily fluids.

06/06/2024

The obsession with hay fields is real, folks! It's like a never-ending quest for the perfect sniff.

06/06/2024

Arabian horses exhibit a distinguished tail carriage known as 'flagging.' This breed carries their tails high and in an arched manner, reflecting their elegant and regal demeanor. This unique characteristic, referred to as 'flagging,' is often connected to their confident and proud temperament.

06/03/2024

Welcome to the farm, Evander! Such a handsome Friesian gelding.

06/01/2024

'The Gelding Noise'
A squeaking sound coming from the sheath can occur when a gelding or stallion trots. It's thought to be caused by a tensing of the abdominal muscles, causing air to be sucked into the sheath. It is considered a normal finding. It may or may not lessen or disappear after sheath cleaning. People think, well, it's making a sound so I should clean it, which is a reasonable conclusion - but not every squeaky wheel needs grease

06/01/2024

The height of horses is measured in hands, equivalent to 4 inches. Ponies fall below 14.2 hands, and miniature horses are measured in a different way using inches or centimeters.

06/01/2024

It's nice to stop and take it 'all-in' sometimes...

05/29/2024

All ready to go! Good luck to all exhibitors at the Region XI Championship!

05/29/2024

Horses require regular dental examinations with an equine dentist/veterinarian to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Brushing their teeth is not necessary, but removing tartar between appointments is recommended. Horses' teeth are covered in cementum, a softer material that can become stained, and their herbivorous diet creates an alkaline oral environment. As horses age, they may experience tooth loss and decay, emphasizing the importance of consistent dental care.

05/26/2024

Memories of showing horses at the State Fair grounds in West Allis in the 90's flood back on this cold, rainy Memorial Day weekend. We braved the elements, using tarps and heat lamps to stay warm. Bathtime for the halter horses was at 4am, with heated water to combat the chill. It was a wild but rewarding experience that I'm forever grateful for. As we set aside this Memorial Day to honor and thank our veterans, let us be mindful that we should do this every day of the year and not just one. 🇺🇲

05/26/2024

The "frog," a triangular feature located on the underside of a horse's hoof, plays a pivotal role. It efficiently absorbs shock upon ground contact, reducing the stress on the hoof. Additionally, it is a vital component of the horse's circulatory system, contributing significantly to the overall health of its feet.