HORSE CARE & TRAINING
This is where you’ll find info, articles and videos on horse care, training, and recommendations for great horse products. More will be added so keep checking back!
GIVING HORSES A HAPPY LIFE
Since we’ve removed horses from their natural habitat and taken away their freedom, we owe them the best life we can give them.
Above all, horses are social animals who feel safe in a herd and spend a great deal of time interacting with their friends. One of the cruelest things you can do to a horse is keep them alone and isolated from other horses.
Horses are designed to move and spend hours foraging, and they require a source of fibre 24/7. Feeding a flake of hay twice a day is not adequate. A horse’s stomach constantly produces acid, and when empty for long periods of time between feedings, painful ulcers can result. Slow feeder nets are one of the best inventions to come along for horses!
Horses also rely on fermentation of fibre in the hind gut to produce heat in winter. This is how they stay warm. Horses can be completely comfortable in harsh climates as long as their “wood stove” is kept stoked.
Many people fear their horses will be injured if in with other horses, and unfortunately many horse properties are designs for disaster. Three-sided shelters, dead end alleyways, or any confined space where a less dominant horse could get trapped and kicked, are accidents waiting to happen. The more open space the horses have to escape other horses, with plenty of feeding stations, the more peaceful, safe and happy your herd will be.
Horses with hind shoes should never be housed together, and with the invention of hoof boots, shoes are rarely necessary. See more on this page if you’re interested in learning to trim your horse’s feet yourself!
When training your horse, trust is first and foremost. A training method should never involve fear or force. Never let anyone abuse your horse under the guise of training.
The horses will tell you if you’re on the right track. If your horse runs from the sight of you or the halter, time to go back to the drawing board! Listen to your horse.
If you can provide 24/7 access to forage, freedom of movement, and the company of other horses in a safe environment, your horses will thrive and experience few physical or behavioural issues. Many “problem horses” are a product of their environment. Horses will enjoy your company more when their needs have been met.
It is possible to set up a property where horses can thrive and human convenience isn’t sacrificed. See this page for tips and some great innovative products to make your life easier as well!
TRIMMING
Many horses are dumped at auctions and kill pens because their feet have been ruined by standard shoeing and trimming practices.
There is rarely a hoof problem that can’t be fixed. Yet many horses are put down due to lack of knowledge. Founder and other issues are most often completely curable.
The hoof is designed to expand and contract, absorb shock and act as a “second heart,” pumping blood back up the leg. As soon as a metal shoe is nailed on, all these functions cease.
While the barefoot movement has always had correct theory, there’s been a trend of cutting the heels out of horses to emulate the wild horse hoof. This too has caused the demise of many horses’ feet.
You can learn to evaluate and trim your own horse, with step by step instruction, and save hundreds of dollars and possibly your horse’s life!
If you’re not happy with the current state of your horse’s feet, or you’ve ever been interested in doing your own trimming, please see The Apex Trim Method.
By submitting photos of your horse’s feet, and receiving “markups” showing exactly where and how to trim, you can learn to correct almost any hoof problem. For a one-time fee you’ll receive all the markups you need for the lifetime of the horse.
“My old horse shoer just called after 6 months and asked if I put my mare down yet. Some nerve!!! I said no Lana Comeriato has her sound from barefoot trimming.”
~Apex Trim Client