Close-up image of three large round hay bales stacked together, showing their tightly packed straw texture and golden color.
Ask the Expert: Is Coastal Hay Safe for My Horse?

Because it can be produced locally, it is commonly fed to horses throughout the southeast. Many horse owners believe coastal bermudagrass hay can cause colic, or more specifically, ileal impaction colic.

Three horses looking out from the windows of a trailer, wearing halters and appearing calm during transport.
Ask the Expert: How Can I Keep My Horse Hydrated During Travel?

My mare refuses to drink adequate amounts of water when traveling to a show. She also doesn't have interest in her salt block. How can I keep her hydrated?

Two teal PetThrive packages of Resveratrol soft chews for joint care for dogs, with images of a small and large dog.
Petthrive Gets Even Better

  We’ll get to updates shortly, but first, we should mention what has not changed. Petthrive’s foundation formula of resveratrol and...

Racehorse with jockey in blue and white silks, number 3, galloping at high speed on a racetrack.
Thoroughbreds: Natural Born Runners

We all know thoroughbreds are specially bred for speed and stamina, but what exactly makes them biologically unique? What's under the hood? Let's take a look. 

Close-up of a horse’s legs mid-jump during an event, wearing protective boots & clearing a jump with powerful motion.
Inside the Joint: Cartilage

Years of research indicates joint-related problems are the main reason for performance loss in horses. It is estimated that 60% of equine lameness is caused by degenerative joint disease, which includes osteoarthritis (OA)--the imbalance between cartilage synthesis and degradation.

Horse and rider mid-jump over a wooden obstacle during an equestrian event, with the horse’s muscles & tack in sharp detail.
Nutrition for the Off-Track Thoroughbred

Off-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) are exceptional, and affordable, athletes. But transitioning an OTTB into a new career presents unique challenges, starting with nutrition. 

Brown horse wearing a black halter looking out from a trailer window with hay hanging nearby.
Take Out: Feeding Horses for Healthy Travel

Horses can be resilient creatures, but they are hardly designed for life on the highway. For competitive equestrians, there’s no avoiding travel, nor the stress it places on the horse. Good nutrition and planning will go a long way to keeping your horse healthy and happy during travel.  

Family dressed in western attire posing with a brown horse and small dog, with a rustic wooden fence in the background.
The Hand-Me-Down Horse

At age 14, the Barkemeyers keep Clark in top shape with consistent exercise, a good nutrition plan and of course, a whole lotta love. Ten years. Four Barkemeyers. Numerous lessons learned, and countless awards earned. A true horse of a lifetime.