Kissing Spine (KSS), is the overriding or impinging of the dorsal spinous processes (DSPs). This means that either two or more vertebrae (DSPs) are touching or overlapping (Turner 2011). There are five different areas of the horse’s spine, including the cervical vertebrae, the thoracic vertebrae, the lumbar vertebrae, the sacral vertebrae, and the coccygeal vertebrae…. [Read More]
Benefits of the Cold Saltwater Spa
The cold saltwater spa works as a means of hydrotherapy. The spa is used more for healing, or recovery after a long workout, and the following information, according to CET Equine Spas and also a scientific article by Dr. Paul Van Dam, explains the effectiveness of the spa, how it can be beneficial to the… [Read More]
Caring for your Horse this Winter
Winter time horse care can be a tricky and even somewhat daunting ordeal times, especially when temperatures are particularly bitter. Here are a few important things to consider as we move into this chilly season… Food and Water: Fiber digestion is what keeps your horse warm when the weather gets cold. During especially frigid times… [Read More]
Is Your PA Horse Property Ready For Colder Weather?
Fall has flown by, and winter is coming quickly to Pennsylvania. Cold temperatures, ice, snow, and mud can make horsekeeping hard, but preparing your PA horse farm before bad weather hits can help make the cold, dark days of winter pass with a little more ease. Making sure you have enough hay stockpiled in your… [Read More]
Chester County Manure Management Workshops
Manure is an inevitable part of owning a PA horse farm, and what to do with all the stuff is a problem farm owners and managers face daily. What’s the best way to dispose of horse manure, and what are the most environmentally-friendly manure management practices to adopt? And just what is a manure management… [Read More]
Winter Is Coming: Preparing Horses For The Cold In Eastern PA
The holidays are fast approaching, and with them come colder temperatures, snow and ice. If you own a Pennsylvania horse farm or take care of horses, you’ll want to take some time during the rest of the fall season to prepare your barn and animals for winter. Snow is not just an inconvenience, it can… [Read More]
Protecting Your Well and Septic System
Most PA horse properties are serviced not by city water and sewage systems, but by individual wells and septic systems. These systems take some special care and management, and if you have horses or other livestock, you should take certain measures to make sure your well doesn’t become contaminated and your septic system stays functioning… [Read More]
Going Green: Tips For Your Horse Property
by Brigita McKelvie Many are looking for ways to save our earth and environment by going green. Those of us with horse properties can take these simple steps to help preserve this earth. Compost horse manure.Composted horse manure makes great fertilizer. It has lots of nutrients in it. Local gardeners are more than happy to… [Read More]
Keep Your Horses Hydrated As The Weather Heats Up
Adequate hydration is important for both human and equine athletes in the summer months. When riding in the heat and humidity of an Eastern PA summer, dehydration and heat exhaustion are real possibilities for horses and riders. Keeping yourself and your horse cool and hydrated will ensure that you can enjoy riding all summer long…. [Read More]
Spring Grass Safety For Horses
Your horses have been munching on dry hay all winter long, and they just can’t wait to have at the fresh new spring grass that’s starting to emerge on your Eastern PA horse farm. But before you turn them out to gobble up that grass, take a moment to learn about the potential health risks… [Read More]
Spring Is Here! Time To Get Your PA Horse Farm Ready For Better Weather
After what seems like an endless winter, we are finally starting to see some warmer temperatures here in Eastern PA. The trees are beginning to bud, daffodils are poking their heads out of the soil, and there’s mud everywhere! It’s time to do all the chores you’ve been waiting all winter to get done. If… [Read More]
Rider Concussions – Do You Know What To Do?
Falling off is an inevitable part of riding horses. At some point, we all hit the dirt. While properly-fitted safety helmets can do a lot to minimize the risk of concussion, head injuries can still occur if the impact is great enough. This helpful infographic, courtesy of Horse Nation, can be printed and posted in… [Read More]