Category: Blog

9 Unique Gift Ideas For The Horse Lover In Your Life

Still scratching your head about what to gift the horse lover in your life? Well, we can sympathize with that. While there are tons and tons of gifts out there, finding a unique gift that shows the horse lover in your life that you’re thinking of them can be a challenge. In this article, we share 9 gift ideas for horse lovers to help you find something that will be received warmly.



Gift Idea #1: Equine Paintings & Vintage Signs

oil painting
Equine paintings are a great gift because they brighten a room and can be used as a statement piece. Equine paintings make a great gift for a number of different rooms including living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and so on and so your loved one will not be short of places to put it. Vintage signs are great inside or outside and add a little touch to the space around.
View On Amazon.com
 

Gift Idea #2: Equine Grooming Products

oil painting
Grooming products for horses make for great gifts as they are always needed. This can include items such as grooming brushes, shampoos, and even grooming gloves.
View On Amazon.com
 

Gift Idea #3: Horseshoe Wine Rack

oil painting
Wine racks are great gift pieces because almost everyone needs it but have not gotten around to buy. Wine racks are not only functional to store wine but also add to the decor of the house.
View On Amazon.com
 

Gift Idea #4: Horse-Opoly Board Game

oil painting
The holidays are a time to slow down, relax and spend quality time with family and friends. What a better way to do that than playing horsepoly! This board game is exciting to play and brings everyone together and away from their phones.
View On Amazon.com
 

Gift Idea #5: Horse Throw Blankets

oil painting
During this cold season, you can never have too many throw blankets. Equine printed throw blankets not only look great but also are very useful. This is a gift that will be used over and over.
View On Amazon.com
 

Gift Idea #6: The Horse Encyclopedia

oil painting
It seems like people are not reading anymore these days so this will make a special gift for the horse lover who is into reading and exploring. It makes for a great reference book and knowledgebase.
View On Amazon.com
 

Gift Idea #7: Horse Musical Jewelry Box

oil painting
For the young equestrians in your life, this is a perfect gift. It is sure to wow them and it’s something they’ll use for a few years.
View On Amazon.com
 

Gift Idea #8: Horseshoe Jewelry

oil painting
Horseshoe necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are a great gift idea. They come in different shapes and sizes so you’re sure to find something they’ll like.
View On Amazon.com
 

Gift Idea #9: Horse 3D Night Light

oil painting
Lastly, the 3d night light is a gift of all generations. It looks really cool and can be used to add light at any level of brightness because it is dimmable. The best part is that you can choose what color you want through the remote that comes with it.
View On Amazon.com
 
 

Thank you for going through this list. I hope it was useful to you and that you were able to find a gift idea. Please share this list with friends and family as they may be looking for the same.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 

Horse Boarding Facilities: All You Need To Know

Horse boarding facilities provide a place for horse owners to keep a horse for a fee.  While horse owners enjoy activities with their horses, they may have limited space to board a horse or maybe short on the skills required to properly take care of a horse. For this and other related reasons, horse boarding facilities got established. Horse boarding facilities provide boarding services to horse owners with varying differences in their amenities and services. Depending on your needs as a horse owner you are likely to find a horse boarding facility near you.



Types Of Horse Boarding Facilities

There are 3 main types of boarding facilities, offering a variety of services. Generally speaking, the 3 types of boarding facilities include:

Full-service boarding facilities: as the name suggests, these facilities provide a comprehensive set of services which includes cleaning and stocking the stable, caring and feeding the horse and even training in some cases. Full-service boarding facilities are great for horse owners with busy schedules as they don’t require the owner to come to the facility on a daily basis.

Self-care boarding facilities: these types of facilities provide only the facility to horse owners. The rest is up to the horse owner to do. This includes feeding the horse, cleaning the stable, and setting up bedding for the horse. This kind of boarding facility is great for horse owners who live close by because one would have to go every day to take care of the horse.

Part-boarding facilities: these types of facilities are where you share your horse with someone else for reduced boarding fees. This type of boarding facility brings together 2 parties in a contract where one has a horse and the other person wishes to use the horse for riding or training.

Pasture boarding facilities: these types of facilities offer basic care of the horse including feed and water but the key difference is that the horse lives outside all year round. Although the horse owner takes care of the horse on a daily basis, the staff will keep an eye on the horse.

How Much Do Horse Boarding Facilities Cost?

Generally speaking, the cost horse boarding facilities in the United States ranges from $225 – $750. The main factors that affect the cost of boarding facilities are location, facility amenities and services provided.

Location

Location plays an important role and is one that can be hard to deal with. For one, different regions have different costs for such things as land use which factor into the cost of running a boarding facility.

Facility Amenities

Horse boarding facilities come with a wide range of amenities such as training arenas, stalls, hacking trails, dressage arenas, and indoor arenas. These amenities usually cost to maintain and this is reflected on your bill. When searching for a facility, it’s a good idea to know what amenities you’re paying for and which ones are unnecessary for your particular needs.

Facility Services

In addition to amenities, horse boarding facilities provide services that are charged to your final bill. Such services include boarding, coaching, stable & pen cleaning,  blanketing, repellant application, and showing. You don’t always have to pay all the services provided. Some boarding facilities allow you to choose from a menu of services which can help you save money.

When researching horse boarding facilities, be sure to ask about the cost of amenities and services and ways you can keep your bill low. You’ll find that some boarding facilities are willing to lower the cost if you can take on some chores.

How To Select A Horse Boarding Facility

Choosing where to board your horse is an important decision. Because boarding facilities come in all sizes and styles, it’s important to have a checklist that you can use as a guide. Here are some important aspects that you need to think about:

  1. Location factors in a number of ways. For one, you’ll be traveling to the facility to be with your horse. The far the facility is the less time you’ll have to spend with your horse. Location also plays a role in the cost of horse boarding. Certain regions tend to cost more than others so it’s important to compare costs in different locations.
  2. Choose a boarding facility that matches closely with the services that you need. While some facilities offer an extensive list of services, others tend to be simple in form and provide just basic services. Others provide a little bit of both.
  3. It helps to know the people running the facility. Are they horsemen or just businessmen that saw an opportunity and opened up the facility? How long have they been in business? Are they well-staffed? Knowing answers to these questions will allow you to best gauge who should care for your horse.
  4. Once you have a shortlist of boarding facilities that you’re interested in, plan to visit the facilities. While there, take a look around and see how well or poorly the facility is being cared for. A facility that seems to be falling apart could be an indication that they won’t take good care of your horse.

Conclusion

Horse boarding facilities provide an important service to horse owners. The best way to get the most out of these facilities is to first understand your needs then search for the facility that will meet thee needs. Be sure to not only talk to the owners but also visit the facilities before committing to any one of them. This way, you ensure the best opportunity for your horse.

Helpful Guide To Buying Your First Horse

Are you considering buying your first horse? Well, it is an exciting feeling to think about all the fun you’ll have. Some compare it to getting that first car that was truly yours. Before you do anything else, please go through this helpful guide so you’re better informed about what all you’re getting into. While a horse can bring joy and companionship to you, buying the wrong horse can lead to months or even years of frustrations.

When looking to buy your first horse, you need to consider these 7 things:

  1. Your ‘why’ for wanting to own a horse,
  2. Your knowledge and experience with horses,
  3. The cost of a horse,
  4. The breed of horse that matches your needs and personality,
  5. The cost of owning a horse,
  6. Land/space considerations,
  7. Consider the services of a local horse dealer

We’ll look at each item on the above list shortly. At the end of this article, we’ve put together a step-by-step checklist for looking buying the right horse.



Why Are You Buying A Horse

To start off right, you should be very clear about why you want to buy a horse. The specific reason you want a horse can lead you down a very different path and will be an important factor when searching through horse for sale ads.

There are many reasons why people own horses. Here are some top reasons:

  1. The pleasure of riding and other recreational activities,
  2. Equine sports/showings such as dressage and eventing,
  3. As an investment in the future either after training or breeding,
  4. For doing certain tasks around the farm,
  5. For the emotional well being and as a stress reliever

Your Knowledge & Experience About Horses

Your reason for buying a horse should match your knowledge and experience with horses. For example, if you’re planning to buy a horse for breeding, you should be familiar with the breeding process and cycles. Otherwise, you’ll have to rely on professional help to accomplish your goal. This is not necessarily a deal-breaker but you should consider this when looking to buy your first horse. If you’re lacking in skills, consider taking lessons or working under a professional to build up the experience you need.

The Cost Of A Horse

The cost of a horse can vary greatly and is a key consideration when choosing your first horse. There are many factors that go into the price of a horse and as you evaluate the different horse ads, you will get a sense of what you’re likely to spend. Here are some factors that go into the price of a horse:

  • The breed of the horse. Some breeds like the Friesians and Warmbloods tend to cost higher than the Appaloosas,
  • The age of the horse. Usually, the younger horses would cost less than mature ones and older horses tend to cost less than those in their prime,
  • Horse training does factor in especially when a horse has been trained in specialized skills,
  • Potential for breeding

You can get a feel for what you’d pay for by looking at existing horses for sale and choosing the breed you want. When looking at horse ads, be careful to not be enticed by very low prices because they may indicate a scam ad or there may be something wrong with the horse.

Horse Breeds Vary In Personality & Care

Another thing to keep in mind is that the various horse breeds have different personalities. Generally speaking, horse breeds can be classified as being cold-blooded or warm-blooded. The cold-blooded are generally calm and not easily spooked. They make great horses for beginners. Warm-blooded horses are easily spooked and usually require a skilled rider to handle them.

One feature of horses that you’ll see often in the horse ads is horse temperament, which is a measure from 1 – 10 (or 1 – 5) of how cold or warm a horse is, referring to their personality. You should pay close attention to this number as it gives you a general idea of how a horse behaves in certain situations. Sometimes horse sellers don’t accurately label the horse temperaments so it’s important to ask for more details when you chat with the horse seller.



The Cost Of Owning A Horse

Purchasing a horse is only part of the cost of owning a horse. Owning a horse comes with a number of expenses that you need to be aware of. A good way to plan for these expenses is to try and look at them on a monthly schedule or 2-week schedule depending on how you get your income. That way, you are able to anticipate the needs of your horse.

Here’s a list of expenses that you need to factor into the cost of owning the horse. This list is by no means complete so it’s important to do your research.

  • Cost of feed for the horse including grain mix, hay, salt and minerals,
  • Cost of shelter. If you have enough land you can put up a barn but there’s also the option of using a boarding service and for that, you may need to budget for boarding fees and service charges,
  • Healthcare costs for medical checkup, vaccines, professional consultation, medicine, and hoof care,
  • Horse equipment including supplies and tack,
  • Stable bedding and cleanup,
  • Professional training if you’d like to train your horse. If you buy a horse that has been trained/does not need training then you can skip this,
  • Transportation costs whenever you want to travel with your horse

In addition to the items above, you should set aside some money for emergencies. When life happens, you need to be ready to handle any issues that may come up and usually, that requires money.

Keep a list of the various equine professionals so that when you actually need their services you know who to call. Ask for referrals for veterinaries, farriers, barn/stable keepers, and other professionals and have a chat with them so that when you need them, you’ve already had a conversation with them.

Land Considerations

Horses need enough land for a stable and to exercise in at the very least. Generally speaking, 2 acres of land will serve many horse breeds well but may not provide enough ground for the forage needs of your horse. Horses have a lot of energy that should be put to use whether through riding or other physical tasks around the farm. Thankfully, there’s an option for those who don’t have enough land. There are stabling companies in many areas that provide boarding services for horses. These companies do increase the cost of horse ownership quite a bit but they provide much-needed services.

Consider hiring a horse dealer

Being your first horse, it may be best to hire a horse dealer to help you with the process of buying a horse. Horse dealers not only have experience looking for the perfect horse for their clients but also are connected to the local equine community which helps get better deals.

The best place to start looking for a horse dealer is your local equine organization or have your friends suggest someone they’ve used before. It’s important to deal locally because it reduces the chances of being scammed or getting a bad fit for a horse. Insist of meeting face-to-face with the horse dealer to get a feel for who they are and if they have what it takes to find a good horse for you.

Now that we’ve gone through the important aspects of horse ownership, let’s look at how to shop for a horse, do a trial run, and bring him/her home.

Buying Your First Horse, The Checklist

  1. Search online for horses for sale in your area. It’s important to limit your search within driving distance so that if you like the horse you can drive to the location for a physical look. Online platforms such as MyHorseForSale.com allow you to search by breed, location and even price range which will save you time.
  2. Before contacting a horse seller, decide if you’d like to open a separate email account or get a phone number just for the purpose of communicating with sellers. The problem with giving your personal email or phone number online is that you open yourself to unwanted spam. I recommend you open a free account. It’ll save you a lot of frustrations after the fact.
  3. Contact sellers, taking note of which ad goes with which seller. You can add the name of the horse in your communications to easily remember which ad you’re referring to.
  4. Ask a lot of questions. Don’t be shy to ask the seller questions. Ask about why they are selling, how long they’ve had the horse, and any health issues in the past. Only sellers who answer your questions should be considered for the next round of communication.
  5. At this point, you’ll have a few good leads. Schedule a physical look and ride. This is an important step as it’ll help you confirm things that the seller has told you up to this point. Take an experienced horseman with you when you go to look at the horse. They can spot something that may not be apparent to your untrained eyes.
  6. If you like what you see and the experience of riding the horse, put together a written offer. This offer should be made contingent upon a health inspection and verification of the paperwork the seller has supplied. It’s important at this point to consult with an equestrian attorney and veterinary to make sure everything is in order.
  7. Lastly, the close. If everything checks out, it’s time to close the deal. By this time you or the seller has arranged transportation and your farm is ready for your new horse.

That’s it! Your horse will change your life in ways you can’t imagine right now. Follow this guide for the best success.

[Guide] How To Sell Your Horse Fast

Looking for a guide on how to sell your horse? This is it! Selling your horse can be a challenging experience. For one, getting to the decision of selling your horse is emotionally difficult given the connection that you have built with the horse. To be successful at selling your horse fast, you need to know all the options available to you and the steps you should take.

In this article, we’ll cover the following:

Why sell your horse

The 3 ways to sell your horse

Required preparations

Steps to advertise your horse

Horse for sale scams to watch out for in the process

Be sure to bookmark this page so that you can easily come back to it in the future as you gather all that you need. At the end of this article, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to sell your horse with confidence.

Why Sell Your Horse

You may have your reasons for selling your horse but in case you’re still on the fence, here are some reasons why you may want to sell your horse. No one can tell you when to sell your horse but here are some reasons why people sell their horses.

  • Selling your horse because you can no longer take care of him. Life happens and we’re put in a position where we cannot fulfill our obligations. This could be because of an illness, family/job commitments or even moving. In such cases, you may want to sell your horse so he can be cared for by someone else.
  • Selling your horse to recoup your investment. There’s nothing wrong with selling your horse in order to put the money into something else. Breeding horses can be viewed as an investment and by selling, you get the money to use for paying for medical bills or other things.
  • Selling your horse because you no longer need him. When you no longer need your horse for the task you have been using him for, it’s ok to sell him.
  • Selling your horse because he is injured or sick. In certain special cases, you may want to sell your horse to a buyer who can provide your horse with the care required after an injury or illness. Be sure to disclose the health status of the horse to potential buyers.


Ways To Sell A Horse

Before you market your horse, it’s important to know all the available channels that you can use. In our world today there are a few ways that you can sell a horse. Each of these channels has its pros and cons so it’s important to understand them and figure out what options will work for you in your area and situation.

Sell your horse privately

Selling your horse privately is usually the easiest way to get started for many horse owners. It is simple and straight-forward and thanks to the Internet, it can be done at any time of day or night. Selling a horse privately gives you the most control over every aspect of your advertising and should be used to gauge the market.

Pros:

  • When you sell privately, you get to control all aspects of the transaction including the price you set and all the details you share through your horse for sale ads,
  • You get to interact with potential buyers and get a feel for who they are and if they will be a good fit for your horse,
  • You can quickly determine the price and demand for your horse and adjust your advertisement accordingly.

Cons:

  • It can be time-consuming setting up advertisements online and offline. You’ll also need to spend time replying to dozens of potential buyers.
  • Advertising online in horse for sale platforms brings you head-to-head with competition with other horse owners selling their horses and this can bring down the cost/interest of your horse.

Selling your horse through a dealer

Horse dealers are professional horse sellers who are knowledgeable and have local connections in the industry. Over the years horse dealers have gotten a bad reputation because of misrepresentation of their clients’ interests so it’s important to do your due diligence before committing to working with one. Still, local horse dealers offer valuable help when you are selling your horse.

Pros:

  • Horse dealers are experienced and know people in the horse industry and that can make the process of selling your horse easier.
  • Because horse dealers handle the selling for you, you don’t need to devote time out of your day to answer potential buyers.

Cons:

  • You need to take extra precaution when hiring horse dealers otherwise you may end up with a bad deal.
  • You will generally make less money because you will be paying commission to the horse dealer.

Selling your horse through auctions

Horse auctions have existed for a very long time and are a great way to sell your horse. Although horse auctions happen locally, you can also participate in online auctions. Horse auctions attract huge groups of potential buyers and this increases the chance that you’ll sell your horse.

Pros:

  • Your horse gets great exposure during the auction which increases the likelihood of selling your horse,
  • You are likely to sell the horse at a higher price due to the demand at the auction

Cons:

  • Horse auctions have listing fees and when you actually sell your horse there will be a sale fee (usually 5.5% – 10%) which can cut into your profits,
  • You have to travel to the horse auction which, depending on where you live can be quite far

Preparations Before Selling A Horse

Now let’s look at the preparations you need to do to get your horse ready for sale. Here’ what you need to have:

  1. Determine the price of your horse. This can be a big challenge because there are a lot of factors that determine what you’ll price your horse. A simple way to determine the price is by looking at comparable horses for sale in your area as listed on online platforms.
  2. Gather all the horse documents including registration paperwork and health checkups,
  3. Take the best photos of your horse. Thankfully many smartphones can take very good pictures. Before you take pictures, it’s important to clean and groom your horse and get him show-ready.
  4. Record an action video showing your horse’s gait, discipline, and tasks that he’s used to doing. This gives potential users a chance to see what your horse in action.

Steps To Advertise A Horse Online

Selling your horse online is the easiest and most straightforward way to get exposure for your horse. There are a number of great platforms that you can list your horse for sale and have all communications come to your email or phone as you engage potential users. To get the most out of your horse for sale ads, follow these steps:

  1. Determine the 2 or 3 horse for sale platforms that you’ll list your horse on. For example, MyHorseForSale.com serves US and Canada while Horse & Hound serves the UK. There are other smaller horse for sale sites that serve smaller regions that you can use as well. Once you decide on the platforms you’ll use, move to step #2.
  2. Register on the platform and create your ad. Your horse for sale ad should have all the important details about your horse. Take extra time to craft a great title because this is what people will see first before they click to view the ad details. Next, focus on the description of your horse. Instead of just mere descriptions, tell the story of your horse, what makes him great and who will make a good fit for your horse.
  3. Once your horse ad has been published, keep an eye on your email and/or phone for messages from potential buyers. Set aside time to respond to your prospects promptly so that they know you’re still interested.
  4. By this time you have a few serious inquiries. Serious buyers will want to come to see the horse. Set up trial sessions where prospects can come to examine and ride the horse. Be sure to have signed waivers from each person before they get on the horse to cover you in case of any accidents in the process.
  5. Next, negotiate the price, shipping (if required) and closing date with the potential buyer. Get the agreement in writing. It’s important to use the services of an equestrian attorney to put together a purchase contract so that you’re legally covered. Discuss the transfer of funds and ownership of the horse, at which point the sale is complete.

Seller Beware

While advertising your horse online is pretty easy, so is being scammed. We have an excellent article on horse for sale scams which you should check out but here are the main points:

  • Deal locally as much as possible because it’s easier to verify and qualify potential buyers.
  • If the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Insist on verifying potential buyers’ information and contacts. If a potential buyer sounds flaky about providing information, move on to the next buyer.
  • Avoid buyers who are trying to rush a sale. Genuine buyers take their time to check out the horse and go through due diligence.
  • Insist on getting paid in full and let the check clear before transferring ownership of the horse. Alternatively, you can use a local escrow service.

Conclusion

I hope you find this article useful. Whether you use our platform or not, I wish you all the best. Please share this article with friends and family so they too can have success selling their horses.

7 Horse For Sale Scams You Need To Know

While the Internet has made it easier to transact with people far from you, it has also led to an increase in scams, especially in the horse for sale space. At MyHorseForSale.com we see all kinds of horse for sale scams from both buyers and sellers and we’ll share the most common trait of these scams.

It’s important to understand the mindset of scammers. Many scammers are really just opportunists who are trying to make a quick buck. Hiding behind their screens, these scammers try to attract unsuspecting shoppers with good-to-be-true deals. Then they have a short window to close these deals to make that quick buck. If you don’t get anything else from this article, just remember to take your time when buying a horse.



#1: Location Sudden Change

The first scam is where the seller suddenly changes the location of the horse when you contact them. For example, the seller may have Houston Texas listed as the location of the horse but when you contact him, he tells you that the horse is in Toledo, Ohio. This is a classic move where the scammer wants to “ship” you the horse and all you have to do is pay a small fee. If a seller changes the location on you, you need to keep searching other horse for sale deals.

#2: Google Phone Numbers

This scam has become popular just in the last year. The scammer wants to hide his identity so instead of using their own phone number, they’ll sign up for a free number from Google Phone or other web IP phones. The way you can tell it’s this type of phone is when you call, you’re immediately asked to say your name so you can be directed. A genuine horse seller will list their mobile number or landline that they can respond to quickly.

You should also look out for horse sellers that only want to text. As you can imagine, there are so many questions that you need to ask before you commit to buy a horse and it’ll be almost impossible to text all this information. Texting provides a great buffer with the scammer, which is why scammers prefer it. Insist on talking to the seller or even do a video chat if they’re not close to you.

#3: The Price Is Too Good (Salting The Mine)

Horses for sale for under $2000 may sound like a good deal but you need to tread carefully. For starters, some breeds such as Friesians, Warmbloods, and Gypsy Vanners are just not going for under $5,000. Scammers lure horse buyers who feel like they just got a diamond in the rough in the form of a great horse for sale deal. Even if you can purchase a Friesian for $5,000, other upkeep costs will just be too costly for many people. Don’t fall for this too-good-to-be-true scam.

#4: Deposit Check & Send Balance

A potential horse buyer wants to quickly pay you for your horse by sending you a check that is more than you asked for and then you, in turn, send the balance. This is one scam that can easily get you in trouble because you may be participating in bank fraud. If someone offers you more money than you asked, it’s a sign you are being scammed. Insist on other forms of payment such as a bank check which is easily verifiable.

#5: Paypal Scam

Horse sellers that accept only Paypal or other online options that cannot be easily tracked may be running a scam. On the other hand,  potential buyers who ask about Paypal very early on could be planning to scam you. Paypal has been especially difficult to deal with especially where they detect fraud so you’re better off with local payment options.

#6: Poor Grammar/Spellings

When looking at horse for sale ads, always pay attention to the attributes of the horse and the description presented because we’ve found that scam ads have weird grammar that you can easily pick up on. The description doesn’t have to use perfect grammar but if you see excessive use of punctuation, indentation or sentences that don’t make sense then it could be a scam ad.

#7: Always Ask For More Photos

Another scam that goes around is where a scammer copies a horse ad from one site and posts it to another site. By asking for more photos and videos, you can easily figure out if the buyer has the horse or not. Nowadays most phones have cameras that can take a decent video so you should insist on one.

Conclusion

When dealing online, be aware that not everyone has the best intentions. As a matter of fact, the internet provides a cover that makes people behave dishonestly. Look out for the scams mentioned here and take your time when looking for your next horse. Buying a horse is an important decision that should not be rushed.

5 Warning Signs Your Horse Is Sick

Horses, like humans, are prone to getting sick. Sometimes it may just be that we need more rest or perhaps we are dehydrated. Other times it may be tell-tale signs of a much bigger problem. Not all concerns are cause for panic or warrant a call or visit from the vet. However, if you notice these signs, then your horse may need professional care.

Horses are majestic and powerful creatures, but they can also be quite delicate. As a horse owner, it is important to know the signs that your horse may be sick so that you can take action quickly. In this blog post, we will discuss the 5 most common signs that your horse may be unwell, so that you can be on the lookout for them and take appropriate action. From changes in appetite and behavior to physical symptoms such as lethargy and difficulty breathing, we will cover everything you need to know to keep your horse healthy and happy. So, let’s get started!

Blood in urine

It’s always a good idea to inspect the horse’s urine. The color of urine can tell you a lot about the health of the horse. If your horse’s urine has blood, it could mean that it has some infection or has suffered a bladder injury. Either way, this is an issue that needs to be addressed quickly.



Colic

If your horse is pawing, rolling, and sometimes has an inability to defecate, sweating profusely, lying down and getting up, then they may be showing a condition known as Colic which is a condition of severe abdominal discomfort. If you see some signs of colic but aren’t sure whether your horse is actually sick, a good way to tell is to offer your horse a carrot. No healthy horse ever turns down a carrot. If your horse refuses it, he is suffering from abdominal distress or some other health problem and needs to see a vet right away.

Inability to stand

If you see your horse having problems standing then there may be a number of causes, including injury, abdominal distress, and joint pain. You may also notice that your horse has a problem staying on his feet or staggers while walking. This could mean serious structural issues and it is best to seek advice from the vet.

Painful eye

A horse shows signs of teary eyes, the horse holds the lids partially or completely closed, the white part of the eye is red, or the surface of the eye is cloudy. This could be caused by an infection or the surroundings due to chemicals sprayed in the air in the area. A horse with a painful eye can be very restless because, well, it is painful. Eye infections tend to progress much faster making this sign an urgent one for you to address.

Diarrhea

If the horse feces change from soft balls to runny, inconsistent, watery feces then that’s a sign that all is not well with the horse. It could be a temporary problem of what the horse ate but if it persists, could mean a number of things. There are times when the horse is simply reacting to changes in the environment,  their daily feed or even workload but if it goes on for more than a day then it needs to be looked at.

This does not qualify as medical advice. It is intended as informational only. Take the necessary steps to protect and care for your horse. 

It’s your turn now

Share your thoughts on our Facebook community page here: https://www.facebook.com/MyHorseForSale and let us know what you think and please share this article with your friends and family.

Should You Blanket Your Horses In Winter?

This article is sponsored by Breeches.com, the leading supplier of affordable, quality equestrian apparel. They stock everything that the equestrian needs, except for actual horses! From breeches to saddles to horse grooming supplies and horse apparel, Breeches.com is your online one-stop equine shop.

Use coupon code: HFSBLANKET20 to get 20% off any blankets on the website

THE GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!

The winner will be announced on our Facebook page on Tuesday.

Blanketing your horse is one of those things that people just can’t seem to agree on. Many people who think all horses should be blanketed will often talk about the “poor horse” covered in snow. Most horses can go with or without a blanket with no issues. Making that decision should be based on a number of things.

Most horses are fine, even in the coldest weather, without a horse blanket. When they are used to winters in your area horses will grow a winter coat that will keep them safe and warm. Even in the coldest weather, they will be safe as long as they have adequate shelter from the elements. Some horses, however, require a blanket over the winter for both comfort and health.

Rescue horses are one category of horses that should be given a blanket for the winter. Horses that are malnourished have a harder time maintaining their weight in the best of times. These horses often have thin, poor quality coats. This makes them unable to maintain heat like a healthy coat. Without a blanket, the horse spends extra calories trying to keep the horse warm and alive. This slows their weight gain and can set rehabilitation back.

Show horses that have been clipped are another example of horses that should be blanketed over the winter. Since their winter coat is shaved off, they have little to no natural protection from the elements.

Other horses, such as those that are not used to cold weather or those that are commonly blanketed, should also be given the courtesy of a blanket. They will often not grow a full winter coat leaving them very cold without one.

When blanketing horses, you should remember that it is all or nothing when it comes to blankets. If you plan on having your horse go without a blanket all winter, do not give them one in the fall. It will cause their coat to come in thinner, and they will be unprepared for the colder weather.

You should also remember to remove the blanket on a regular basis and groom your horse thoroughly. Not only does this increase your horse’s circulation and feel good, but it also prevents moisture build up under the blanket. This moisture build-up can lead to horrible skin conditions.

You will want to make sure that you have a blanket that is appropriate for the temperature and moisture levels that your horse is exposed to. If you have your horse in a barn, a winter rug without waterproofing is often acceptable. Should they be outside this will quickly get saturated with water and be extremely detrimental to your horse’s health. You also do not want a heavy blanket on your horse while the weather is relatively warm. You only need a light blanket if your weather stays above 30ºF.  Any colder than that and you will want to make sure you have a heavy blanket for the colder days.

Again, in most cases, blanketing is a personal choice and many horses are fine with or without. In cases where blanketing is needed, however, make sure that you have one available for your horse that fits properly, is in good condition, and is appropriate for the weather your horse is exposed to.

 

Feeding Your Horse in Winter

Winter changes many things, but the most noticeable of them all is feeding. Horses require more food to make it through the winter happy, healthy, and proper weight. While every horse handles winter differently depending on factors such as breed, exercise, weight before winter, blanketing, etc. These will often be affected by your region and the weather you receive as well as areas that receive temperate weather with no snow are not nearly as hard on your horse as an area that receives 4+ feet of snow.

You should plan on feeding your horse an extra 1% of their daily calories for every degree below freezing (30 degrees). In places like Florida, where the temperature rarely drops below 40, this means that there is no real reason to up their feed by much other than to give them something to chew on. In North Dakota, however, where temperatures can reach a frigid -60, you would almost have to double your horse’s caloric intake daily.



If we take a 1,000-pound horse that is lightly ridden, they would require approximately 15,000 calories a day. If they are given 1% of their body weight in hay a day, that would be 10 pounds of hay per day. If they are on an Orchard Grass Hay, that would mean that they would require an additional 6,300 calories approximately. If you were to add a complete feed to that, you would need to use 4.2 pounds.

Hay

Since horses can only eat so much hay, it is unrealistic to think that you can simply feed hay in the winter, and the horse won’t be short a few calories. You can up the horse’s hay intake to 2.5% of their body weight which would provide approximately 22,000 calories a day, leaving a mere 6,500 calories remaining. This could be made up in grains or complete feeds.

Grain

If you were to increase the horse’s hay to 2.5% of their body weight, in this case, they would require approximately the same amount of complete feed to meet their daily needs. You can also add beet pulp, sweet feed, or rice bran for additional calories.

Supplements

Many horses end up low on nutrients over the winter. It is important to make sure that these needs are met, and there are many options available when it comes to supplements. Your veterinarian and local feed store would be able to give you advice suited to your horse.

Things to take into consideration

Not all bales of hay are the same. While one flake may weigh 6 pounds, others in the bale may only weigh 3-4 pounds. This can alter your calculations when it comes to how much food they are actually receiving. This is why it is very important to weigh your food, not just measure.

I hope this helps. If this has been helpful, please consider sharing with others in your social network.

SCAM ALERT – The Friesian Scam is back

“The Friesian Scam” – This is one of the most popular horse scams currently circulating internet classified websites. The seller is always offering a very expensive breed of horse for $1000 or even Free. Common other breeds used are Gypsy Vanners, American Walking Ponies, various Warmblood breeds, and others. They specifically target more expensive breeds and make the buyer think they are getting a real bargain.   Common terms used in these types of scams are: “Loving horse for adoption”, “Friendly horse for re-homing”, and frequent mentions in the description about the horse having had all of his shots and friendly for family use. If you see an ad of this nature, please email us at support@myhorseforsale.com and we will assess whether the ad is valid, and remove the ad if it is found to be fraudulent.  For many of the horse scam ads, what the scammer does is copy someone’s legitimate classified ad and then just change the price to free or $1000.  Beware if they want to rush a sale as quickly as possible – this is a big tip-off that you might be dealing with a scammer.



We monitor the site for scammers but also rely on you our customers to inform us of ads you think my be fraudulent.  Our goal is to remove scam ads within 24 hours of posting.  Some scammers may post innocent looking ads and then try to convince buyers that they work for myhorseforsale.com as an agent.   We never have and never will be part of your purchase transaction, we sell classified ads and do NOT provide financial services of any kind.  We are not a “safe harbor” company or agent, and have nothing to do with any transactions outside of sellers purchasing a classified ad with photos to list on our site.

Flag a suspicious ad

When viewing a horse ad details, you can flag a horse by clicking on the warning icon on the top right (report/flag ad) as shown below. Fill out the information and send to us and we’ll start looking into the issue.

Friesian Scam Alert

What to Do if You Think You’ve Been Scammed:

  • Contact us at support@myhorseforsale.com so we can pull the ad immediately.  Please provide a link to the ad itself, or the seller’s username.
  • http://www.IC3.gov is a government-regulated agency that handles fraud across the Internet. Be sure to file a complaint with them so they can investigate the matter.
  • We will work w/state and federal organizations by providing them the necessary information to help your case.