Category: Adopting A Horse

Getting Ready for a Horsey Holiday and Horsey New Year! (Part One!)

12/18/2020

While we prepare for the holiday season and a brand New Year, don't forget about your checklist for preparing your horses, stables, and barns for the coming cold weather. Let's step into the New Year prepared and ready to keep you and your best friend happy and healthy!

Hello, trail friends! Welcome back to the blog! We hope this bright and brisk holiday season has been off to a good start for you and your loved ones. We are feeling very festive here at Middleton, and everyone on our staff and each of our horses is so excited to see the holidays this year! While it might feel a little different than holidays gone by, there is still so much to celebrate! Are you still looking for the perfect gifts to give? Shop small and give big, give the gift of Middleton this year! Introduce your loved ones to the joy of horses or surprise the horse lover in your life with the perfect gift! To purchase your gift cards follow the link below!

https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/middletonequestriancenter/items/

Are you looking for the best horseback riding in Charleston? You've found it! While you're shopping and running around for everyone else in your life, take a moment and give something back to yourself! We are currently offering our stunning historical trail rides, which we know you'll love. Enjoy the beautiful (brisk!) Lowcountry winter weather, and the wonderful Lowcountry landscape while social distancing on the back of a beautiful horse! While we are all preparing for the holidays in our unique ways, we still need to remember our horses and their barns or stables this time of year. It will get cold soon and we need to prepare for a brand new year that is coming right around the corner. As our gift to you this holiday season, we wanted to share a checklist and some ideas on how to prep for the coming cold weather, and how to prepare for this upcoming new year! In this two-part blog series, our goal is to help you make this the safest season for your horse and yourself. It's time to get started if you haven't begun your wintertime prep, so let's get started together!

WINTERTIME CARE CHECKLIST
We are big proponents of being prepared. Getting ready for the changing seasons as soon as you can, can help keep you and your horses safe and healthy, and it can also help you save a ton of money and worry. While we in the Southeast might not experience below zero temperatures, bad ice storms, and feet of snow, these things are still possibilities on a much smaller scale. Temperatures will still be cooler, lots of rain and mud are in our future, and frost and ice will still be lingering the deeper we get into December and January. Please take this checklist and these preparations seriously. Your horses will be all the better for it!

PRODUCT CHECK!

Medications can get a little tricky in the wintertime, some just can't withstand cooler temperatures. Go through all medications, supplements, and vitamins for your horses and bring the temperature-sensitive ones into your house or a temperature-controlled building or tack room. While you're doing this, take the time to do a little winter deep clean. Go through all of your perishable items, order new items, and get organized now. Make sure to do the same for any special food or treat items you have in storage for your horses. Dampness, bugs, and mold can creep in where you least expect it. Make sure you're paying very close attention through this process as not to lose money on expired medication or supplements, or to make your horse sick with bad products!
Food! One of the biggest ways a horse stays warm in the wintertime is by burning calories. As the temperature drops, your horse will be burning more calories and it will need to eat more food. If you haven't already, now is the time to buy your winter supply of food and treats. Equus Magazine and Equis Search both recommend that hay be the largest part of your horse's diet in the wintertime. They also urge their readers to remember that your horse will be eating about 2% of its body weight every day to stay warm. For an average 1000 pound horse, according to Equis Search, this will be about 20 pounds of hay per day and 600 pounds of hay per month. One ton of hay, weighing around 2000 pounds, will last a horse between two and three months.
According to Equus.com, it is best to buy about 10% more than you normally would in the wintertime. Stocking up ahead of time can help if deliveries or trips to the store can't be made due to bad weather. They also recommend having an extra two-week supply of feed and supplements on hand just in case too. Just make sure to stay on top of all of your expiration dates if you choose to do this!
Water! During these cold winter months, you'll need to pay closer attention to your horse's water supply than you might think. Typically, your horse will drink 8 to 12 gallons of water every day. According to research found on Equisearch.com, horses prefer to drink water that is about 45 degrees. However, they are drawn to icy water. Even though they are drawn to this icy water, that doesn't mean they will be drinking tons of it. If icy water is the only kind of water available to your horse, they will not be getting enough proper hydration. A decrease in water consumption, according to Equisearch, can lead to colic and other dehydration issues.
Make sure to provide a water source that allows your horses to get the proper hydration they need every day through the wintertime. Heaters, stock tank heaters, headed stall buckets, or heated troughs are great examples to help with this situation. Also, you can break and remove the ice on your horse's water supply in the morning and the evening if that is the only option available to you. Breaking the ice will allow water to naturally heat up a little bit, allowing your horse to drink more.
Older Horses! Please consider your older horses and your horses with dental problems this winter and consider them a little more when it comes to having warmer drinking water available. Cold water will be hard on their gums and sensitive teeth, and it will cause them to drink even less water than their younger companions. If heating elements or additions to your barn or stable aren't an option, warm water from an electric kettle or frost free hydrants can be a quick and cost-efficient addition to help care for your horses.
Storage Wars! You also need to consider storage for your horse's food source. Hay needs to be kept dry and clean, and it needs to be put in a convenient location to make feeding easy. Your hay needs to be stored off the ground, and you need to keep a few inches in between each stack of hay to help with ventilation and preventing rodent issues. Prepare for this storage early! As the weeks grow colder you'll be gathering extra hay in preparation for what's to come. Make sure you have enough storage space, but if you don't, start making room or arrangements for the room. If you don't think you are going to have enough room or space for your wintertime hay and supplies, discuss options with friends, neighbors, and other farmers and horse owners that are close. You can also consider adding to your current barns and stables as well!

MAINTENANCE!

Not only do you need to prepare your horses for the coming months, everything involving them needs a little TLC and attention before it gets too cold and too late into the winter season. Cleaning out your gutters and drain ditches in your barns and stables needs to one of your top priorities. If they're left clogged and dirty, piles of snow and ice will have nowhere to go when they begin to melt. This can cause extreme damage to your roofs, it can tear off your gutters, damage your foundation, and lead to all kinds of structural issues come spring.
Make sure to check all of the ventilation coming in and out of your barn, and to check all electrical systems and lighting systems. Make any repairs and stock up on what other products your barn will need to remain operational through the wintertime.
Give the roof of your horse barn or stables a good look over, and make sure it's ready for any coming weather and repaired from any summer storms.
Heavy snow and ice can bring down a weak section of fencing and can lead to a much bigger headache than just a new repair. Equus Magazine recommends that you spend some time mowing and dragging your fields now before they go to seed and heavy snow takes over. This will help make springtime much more pleasant and manageable for you and your horses. Dragging your fields will also help decompose the manure leftover from the spring and summer months.
Preparations for working in and around your barn are also needed during these cooler months. To help limit the amount of water, snow, ice, and mud that is brought into your barn or stables, bring in footing materials. This can also prevent you and your horses from slipping during these months. It can also help prevent erosion in high traffic areas and help chores and daily tasks be simple and easy to accomplish during these colder and sometimes harsh months.
Also, don't forget about being prepared for winter storms and emergencies. Power could be lost and other dangers could be right around the corner. Make sure you have everything you and your horses need to stay safe and healthy in these situations. Have battery-operated tools and flashlights handy, generators gassed up and ready to go, and make sure your emergency contact list has been made and is stored in an easy access area.

These items and this check-off list should be a good place to get help get you started. If you have any questions between now and part two of this blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to us! If you have any questions about quality products, care products, tools, or grooming products, please also don't hesitate to reach out. We are excited to help make this holiday a special one for you, your horses, and your loved ones. Maybe start by purchasing a gift card for your loved ones, check off as many of these to-do list items as you can between now and our next blog, and come visit us in the meantime. Even in these chilly temperatures, our trails are beautiful. Just wear a few layers, and you'll be all set to go! Don't forget, if your barn or stables aren't ready or equipped for the winter weather, we do offer boarding options for your horses and offer some of the best horse boarding's in South Carolina. If you're interested or have questions, please visit our website now or give us a call! Until we follow up with part two of this blog series, stay safe, and be well. We look forward to seeing you on our trails soon!

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Caring for Your Horses Tail and Mane (Part Two)

10/28/2020

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In the second part of this blog, we will be continuing our discussion on how to properly care for your horse's mane and tail.

Hello, trail friends! Welcome back to the blog! We are thrilled you decided to come pay another visit to our blogs and continue to learn more about the care and maintenance that your horse's mane and tail requires. The end of October is right around the corner, so make sure you come and learn more about the history of our beautiful trails and the land we are connected to. There might even be a ghost story or two lurking in the shadows waiting to be told! Make sure to schedule your rides with us ahead of time and get ready for the best horseback riding trail in Charleston! We can't wait to see you soon!

As we mentioned in our last blog, caring for your horse's mane and tail comes with a huge responsibility. This is just one of the multitude of things you need to take care of and care for when it comes to owning a single horse. We urge you to remember this when thinking about purchasing your very first horse or perhaps even your second. Every horse deserves every moment of meticulous and well-planned care as the next. We hope that you take these two blogs and every blog dedicated to the care of your horse to heart. We want both you and your horse to have an incredible life together. Please remember too that a horse is going to be a full life commitment, many of them live to be 20 years of age if not older. They will need your constant love, support, and care for every single one of those years! So, let's hop back into the barn and talk more about the care and maintenance of our beautiful horse's manes and tails!

Braiding

The last tip for mane and tail care in our last blog talked about how to wash, how frequently to wash, and the best ways to wash your horse's tails and manes. One of the most important things you can do for your horse once both tail and mane have been properly washed, dried, and brushed is to braid them. This isn't just a fashion choice or for show purposes, although beautiful braids do help with both of those things. A good braid goes far beyond just looks. While a horse with a braided mane and tail does look stunning, it does more than just leave your horse looking pretty out on the field. Braiding helps keep your horse's mane and tails clean and helps prevent them from snagging, ripping, matting, or breaking. Also, according to US Equestrian, it protects the mane and tail from bleaching out in the sun, causing severe damage and change to their look and presentation. US Equestrian does recommend that you start with a loose braid at the base of both the hair of the mane and tail and grow into a tighter braid as you move down each section of hair. This helps relieve tension on the hair and from pulling on the roots. For the mane, you will separate the hair into one to two-inch sections and braid each section. For the tail, you traditionally only have one long braid, but you can do multiple if you so choose. Braids can also help keep your horses cool in hotter months, keeping the hair away from their skin and removing the extra weight it can cause off their bodies. You can secure the braids with either a rubber band or electrical tape, it is your choice. Either option won't tangle in your horse's mane or tail between cleanings.

Frequency

We've mentioned a couple of times that to keep your horse looking and feeling its best, a consistent regime of care is necessary. This doesn't mean you should be washing, drying, and braiding their mane and tails every day. It's recommended by US Equestrian to wash and braid every 14 to 19 days. When it comes to spraying your horse's coats down, that will be done much more frequently but should be done and met with the same amount of importance, care, and dedication that you give to your horse's mane's and tails. All the tools you use for grooming your horse's manes and tails should be clean and up to date. If they're getting rusty and old, please replace them. After you use them, clean them, and leave them to dry for their next use. It is also recommended by Horse and Rider to use all-natural products. The more natural they are, the less likely they are to harm or strip the hair and the more likely to help nourish and care for your horse's mane and tail. Also, just like you do in training and daily care, be consistent in the bathing process. Once you find a system that works well for you and your horse, consistently stick with it and repeat it with every wash! Also, don't let your horse's manes and tails grow too long. You don't want them stepping on their manes and tails or allow them to become a danger to them. you want them to look great, but you also want them to freely be able to train, live happily, ride well, and do all of their tricks and maneuvers without harming themselves or their hair.

Keeping your horse healthy, clean, and looking gorgeous is a multi-staged approach. It does take time and dedication that every horse deserves. Just caring for their mains and tails is complex, don't forget about every other aspect of caring for them too! This needs to be considered when you are thinking about buying a horse of your own, can you handle this kind of responsibility? Of course, as fellow horse lovers, you know they are worth the time and care and to look and feel their best, always! We hope this how-to guide was helpful, and we look forward to seeing you on the trails very soon! If you have any questions about the care of your horse between now our next blog, don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to help you care for your horses as best as possible. Until next time, stay safe and stay hopeful everyone!

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Adopting A Horse in South Carolina

6/29/2020

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Becoming a forever home for a horse in need can be a dream come true for you and your new horse. How do you go about adopting a horse here in the Lowcountry?

Friends, we have to say it. We LOVE when you visit and take one of our historical tours. Please know you are always getting the best trail rides and horseback riding experience in Charleston every time you visit. But, we know the truth of how it feels to fall in love with horses and wanting one for your very own. It comes with a big-time commitment, a big responsibility, and a can be very expensive. But, they are worth every moment and every penny. With that in mind, we wanted to share a few tips and suggestions on how and where to adopt a horse of very own here in the Charleston. Choosing to adopt and buy one from a breeder is a personal choice, and whichever you decide is perfectly fine. We just wanted to share the adoption process with you first, and talk about some wonderful organizations that can help your dreams come true.

L.E.A.R.N Horse Rescue (Livestock, Equine Awareness, and Rescue Network)

Located right here in the Lowcountry, LEARN is dedicated to not just finding someone to adopt their rehabilitated horses, they are dedicated to finding the best forever home. Since their founding in 2009, LEARN has "successfully rescued, rehabilitated, and re-homed" over 300 neglected horses. They are an all-volunteer organization that takes in and rehabilitate horses that have had to endure the worst. Their adoption process is not one they take lightly. They take the necessary and needed amount of time to help heal, rehabilitate, and train the horses that come to them, and never rush the process. They make it very clear that the love and care they provide these horses is not just to get the adoption fee. The fee is nowhere near what is spent on the care of the horse during its rehabilitation. They have you fill out a very detailed adoption application and you must provide references. Your knowledge of horses, the facilities you have to house them in, your financial situation, and your ability to care for your adopted horse determines if you are a good potential or not. They will also speak to your references before beginning the process. You must provide pictures of the horse's new potential home, too. If all of these requirements are met, you get a 30 day trial period with your horse. If it is a success, you officially get to adopt. If a lifetime commitment cannot be filled after adoption, the horse is returned to LEARN. These horses are not allowed to be sold or used commercially once adopted, and some can be ridden while others are just meant to be companions. To learn more, apply for adoption, or donate visit their website below.
https://learnhorserescue.org/adoption-application%2Finfo

2. Big Oakes Rescue FarmLocated in Hodges, SC this rescue farm is dedicated to the care of horses, donkeys, mules, and more! The sanctuary was founded in 2007 by Joe Mann, who has a passion for saving animals. They strive to give these animals a new life and home along with providing education to the public about awareness of animal care, welfare, and abuse. Since 2010, they have also rescued and rehabilitated over 300 horses and found them brand new homes. Big Oakes also has an extensive application that you must fill out before an adoption can happen. You have to describe where the horse will be living, along with providing pictures of where they will be living, where they will be fed, and where they will exercise. You must provide your personal information, along with your farrier's and vet's information. They will also be calling your vet as part of the application process to talk about your history with animals and if you would be a good potential horse owner. To learn more, begin the application process, or donate to their cause visit their website below!
https://www.bigoaksrescuefarm.org/

3. H.O.P.E ACRES RESCUE (Helping Our Precious Equines) Located in Berkeley County, SC they provide rescue services to horses across the country. Thanks to community, country, state, and donation support they can save, rehabilitate,and give a safe home to horses in need. From the very beginning of the adoption process, HOPE makes it very clear that every potential family must understand the financial and physical demands of owning a horse. Their multipage application is also very detailed. The questions range from wanting to know about you, your knowledge of horses, who will be riding and caring for the horses, what your style of riding is, what activities you have planned for your horses, and more. The HOPE farm also has very specific requirements that must bet met before being considered for adoption including:

A visit to the farm.
At least two references, a vet, and a farrier.
At least one other horse at your home.
At least two acres of pasture space for the horses to roam.
A donation between $400-$600 depending on how much care and rehabilitation the horse has been through.

To learn more, speak with their adoption coordinator Becky Strong, begin the adoption process, or donate, visit their website below!
http://www.hopeacresrescue.org/

Horses are magical creatures and those who take the time to save and care for ones who have been through the worst are heroes. Consider donating, learning more about horse welfare education, and maybe even adopt one someday. Until you join us for your next ride, please continue to stay safe! We are Charleston's premier horseback riding trail, dedicated to keeping you safe while exploring the beauty of the Lowcountry.

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Middleton Place Equestrian Center Blog

Getting Ready for a Horsey Holiday and Horsey New Year! (Part One!)

Caring for Your Horses Tail and Mane (Part Two)

Adopting A Horse in South Carolina

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