MIDDLETON PLACE EQUESTRIAN CENTER
  • Home
  • Book your ride
  • Trail Ride Info
  • Horse Shows
  • Contact Us
  • Ship-Ins

Middleton Place Equestrian Center Blog

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

12/24/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
In part two of this blog series, we are going to finish talking about preparing your horses, barns, and stables for winter!

Hello trail friends, and welcome back to the blog! We hope that you've been working on going through the checklist we shared with you in part one of this blog and putting it to good use for your horses, stables, and barns! We also hope that it helped prepare you with any last-minute items you might have forgotten or might have not even thought about. For all of our first-time horse owners, we know that every changing season brings another lesson to learn, more excitement, and even more surprises. Owning a horse for the first time is very similar to having a child. It is a beautiful and magnificent creature that needs your help, dedication, and care. The longer you have your horse you find out more and more things that all the manuals and books never mentioned. They're worth it though, aren't they?

While so many people might hate the cold weather, especially for those not used to it here in Charleston or the South East, it might surprise you that it can still be a very wonderful and beautiful season with your horse. There is nothing quite like seeing a horse crunch its way through a frosty field in the morning while their breath puffs up around their head. There is also nothing like watching a horse play in the snow, but that might be an even rarer event here in Charleston. You might have to make a trip up north to see that! To make this winter season as special as it can be, make sure to take this blog to heart. Make sure to follow all of the tips, suggestions, and ideas we are providing in both of these checklists to allow both you and your horse to enjoy this chilly season. If you put the work in, this will be an easy winter to navigate and work through. After this crazy year, that is something we all need, right?

For all of our horse owners, don't forget that we have some of the best horse boardings right here in Charleston. We are here to help care for your horse when you need it most. If your stables are barns are ill equipt for the season, if you need to go out of town on an emergency, or just need an extra pair of hands Middleton Equestrian Center boarding is here for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out and talk with us if you have any questions or comments about our horse boarding! Also, we are still open for our historical trail rides! Dress in layers and come see the Lowcountry in a way you never have before! We are still following all COVID precautions, and what better way to adventure out and stay socially distant than on the back of a beautiful horse? If you are still looking for a wonderful holiday or end of the year gift, shop small and give big with Middleton this year! Gift cards are available to give to all of your loved ones. Introduce them to the best horseback riding in Charleston, and share some of the best horseback riding trails in Charleston with your loved ones. Make sure to visit our website to learn more, and we are always here for all of your questions!

Let's get back to the blog series, shall we? We still have a little wiggle room for these last-minute additions for winter preparations since it has been a mild winter here in the Lowcountry so far, but as we all know that can change in an instant. Let's get back to work!

COMFY AND COZY!
As we mentioned in the first part of this blog, your horse will be burning a lot more calories during the winter months to keep them warm. While they are burning these calories to stay warm and eating more to help with this, they will still need a little extra protection from the cold. Allow their natural coats to grow out as much as possible, but keep up with their grooming habits and schedules. If you plan or working or training your horses hard during these cooler months, keep them trimmed. This will make sure that they will not get overheated during their training and work sessions. In either of these situations, make sure to have warm, waterproof, and lightweight blankets to provide extra warmth throughout the winter. Make sure to check your horse's skin often when they wear their blankets for extended periods. Blankets, while extremely helpful, can cause irritation and sores from rubbing or long term wear if not properly taken care of. Before blanket wearing weather arrives, make sure to inspect and clean each of your blankets, since it has been almost a year since they were last used or touched. Replace and repair them if needed before it gets too cold. Also, make sure you have enough blankets for all of your horses. Your younger horses might have had a growth spurt since the last time they wore their blankets, and your older horses might have lost some weight due to their age. If more blankets need to be purchased for these reasons, make sure to do so! Blankets need to fit your horses properly. Ill fitted blankets can cause irritation, be unsafe, or not provide the warmth your horses need while wearing them.

The cold weather will attack one of your horse's most fragile parts of their bodies, and that is their feet! Make sure if they are going to be shod all winter that you pick the proper shoe fittings with your Ferrier. You can choose shoes that will help them navigate the snow and ice much easier and help them prevent slipping. Regardless if you are going to be choosing to keep your horses shod or not, their hooves need to be cleaned of cold wet mud and ice every day to avoid infection and irritation. Make sure that they are also dry at the end of their day when they are put back into their stables. If you are choosing to go without shoes for the winter months, make sure to do so before it gets too cold, and give them time to acclimate to this change.

HEALTHY CHANGES!
Make sure your horse has a proper and thorough visit with the vet before the cold weather hits and stays around for a while. It might have been a minute since their winter or spring checkup, and this is a good opportunity to catch any early issues or help prevent anything that could potentially happen to them during the cold months. This can be a great time to ask for other supplements and additives for your horses from your vet to help make the winter months healthier and happier for them. Make sure you give your horse a good balance of indoor and outdoor time throughout the winter. However, it is important to make sure that they are kept away from deep snowdrifts and extra icy paths to prevent slipping and damage done to their legs. Make sure the ventilation in your barns and stables is enough to keep fresh air flowing throughout, enough to limit dust and debris build-up, but not enough to cause drafts in the barn. Your horse's skin can become extra sensitive through the harsh cold months so if it is possible, exercise them in a dry and clean area through the winter!

Also, consider your health, safety, and comfort this time of year. If you get sick and you're unable to care for your horses, what will they do without you?  Make sure you have the proper winter clothing to keep you warm and safe while being comfortable enough to do your job and daily tasks of caring for your horse.  Also, think about your day to day tasks and duties, and ways to make them easier. One way to help is to insulate your hand tools. You can cover them with blankets when they're not being used, store them in styrofoam, or you can even slip styrofoam pipes over the handles of all of your hand tools to create a little extra insulation. Grabbing or using very cold hand tools can be cold enough to burn, even when wearing gloves. Make sure to properly clean all of your hand tools before these winter months and before the new year. When you get into the depths of winter, you won't want to stop and make time for doing simple tasks like that, you will want to get your work done and get back inside.

This is also an excellent time to service all of your power equipment on your property. Check all of the engines, oil levels, lubricants, and tires on your tractors, mowers, trucks, snowblowers, and all of your powered equipment. When stocking up on equipment and supplies for the winter, don't forget back up items to help with broken hand tools, power tools, and all of your vehicles. Again, you want all of these items to be working properly so when the bad weather comes, you won't get stuck with a broken-down tractor, truck, or snowblower on the bad weather days.  

Time to get to work friends! We have been busily working on all of these things ourselves; preparing our horses, barns, stables, tools, equipment, and ourselves for what's to come. Our staff has been working as hard as ever to not only prepare for this but to keep up with keeping our stables and riding equipment sanitized to help keep us all safe during the cold weather. We are thankful that the temperatures during the first few weeks of December have felt more like fall, but who knows when that will change. We also want to thank each of you for what this year has been. You have helped us continue to share our passion and love for our horses and our horse trails. You have helped us continue to show off the beautiful land of the Lowcountry, and you helped keep all of our staff and fellow guests safe and happy. We couldn't be more thankful for all of that! We aren't sure what 2021 will bring, but we hope it's truly a year to celebrate. Stay safe and healthy friends, we can't wait to see you on our trails in the new year! From all of us at Middleton Equestrian Center, we wish you a very Horsey Holiday and a very Horsey New Year!


0 Comments

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

12/18/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture
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! 

1 Comment

Thankful for Our Horses

11/25/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
It's the season to be thankful and we have more reasons to be thankful than we can count. Through this crazy year, we wanted to make sure to pause and take a moment of reflection on why we are so thankful for our horses and our wonderful company! 

Hello, trail friends! Welcome back to our blog. We are taking a break from the trails, and while the horses take a rest and get a snack, we wanted to hop out of our saddles and back into our writing chair. We wanted to check in with all of our readers and supporters, too. We hope you're doing well, spending time with your horses as much as you can, and learning more about our favorite animals every day! With the holidays right around the corner, don't forget to support and love your favorite local small Charleston business. Give the gift of something unique and different this year! Give your loved ones an experience of a lifetime, and gift them with a ride on our amazing trails and the best horseback riding in Charleston! Or even gift yourself with something unique and special this year. Are you visiting our amazing city sometime soon or are you local and looking for something special to experience this holiday season? We can help with that! Make sure to check out the main page of our website and reach out to us to talk about all of your gift-giving needs. We are so excited to speak with you and to have you on our horseback riding trails soon! 

November is here and Thanksgiving is on our minds. Our horses are dreaming of some extra hay and maybe a few special treats or two. We are all dreaming about our turkey dinners and all the delicious fixings that come with it! Being thankful is also on our minds, and what we've been talking about a lot recently are all the reasons we are thankful for horses and our own personal list of thanksgivings that we've been able to get out of 2020. We thought we'd share our thanksgiving state of mind and pay it forward. In this week's blog, we are going to be talking about all the reasons we're thankful for horses and much more! 

  • First Of All
While 2020 has given us all a mountain of issues and things we didn't expect to overcome, we have all been pushing to see the silver linings that we can still all celebrate. First and foremost we are so thankful to you, our patrons, and supporters. For all of those who have ridden with us this year to everyone who has supported from afar reading our blogs and who have taken time to check in on us has meant so much. Secondly, we are so thankful to every member of our incredible staff. Without you, Middleton Equestrian Center wouldn't be what it is. Your hard work and dedication makes every day possible, and we are so thankful for each of you. We are also so thankful for our beautiful and stunning horses; their health, their joy, and the happiness they give to each of our trail riders is so special. Here is to every one of you, you have made everything possible up to this point and we look forward to all the thanksgivings 2021 will give us! 

  • Stress Relief
We all know how hard this year has been, but there is just something so calming and peaceful about being around horses. When you look into their big beautiful eyes, and they trust and love you, nothing else could go wrong. If you've had a stressful day, there is nothing like spending a few hours on their backs riding through some of the most beautiful parts of Charleston. There is also nothing like spending a few hours grooming, caring for, and mucking out their stalls to distract you from anything you're going through. Plus, just standing next to such a large and powerful animal can bring a true sense of peace and calm that you can't compare to anything else. 

  • Forever Friend
If you've been lucky enough to own a horse in your lifetime, then you understand the statement when we say a horse can be the best friend you'll ever have. Growing that incredible friendship and trust over what could be up to 20 to 25 years of a horse's lifetime is incredible. You learn together, grow together, depend on one another, and love one another. Falling in love with a horse and with your horse, in particular, is a once in a lifetime experience. Horses can also bring family members together. For some, sharing and creating memories and Middleton Equestrian Center are some of their most treasured with their loved ones. Others get to experience horses with their families for a lifetime. Many horse lovers out there are introduced to horses for the first time because a parent or grandparent put them in the saddle at a very young age. From that moment on, these family members share time in the saddle together and create a very special bond with one another and with their horses. 

  • Believe In Yourself! 
When you're galloping on the back of a horse or you just successfully completed a difficult jump or trick you've been working on, there is nothing like that rush of confidence and success. In all honesty, there is no other confidence builder like being on the back of a horse. No matter what you're going through in your life, you can find some strength and power while you're riding and spending time with your horse. You can even take this power and confidence and apply it to many different aspects of your life. 

  • History Says It All
From the very beginning, horses have been there for us. Before the invention of cars, modern farming, and modern construction, we had horses to help us get from point A to point B. We also had horses to help build and farm the world around us. Like we mentioned in our last blog, horses were there to help American's first colonists break into the brand new world, and then break into the wild west. If it weren't for these incredible animals, so much of American's early success and progress wouldn't have been possible or as prolific without them. This is something we can all be thankful for, without our horses today and their powerful ancestors, who knows where we would be! They not only helped us build America and transport our ancestors for hundreds of years, they also were a huge help in the early wars of our country up to WWI and WWII. 

  • Continue to Push & Learn
Learning how to ride a horse and all the different skills, abilities, and competitions that can come with becoming a proficient and successful rider is a lifelong process. There is never a point in your time as a rider that you know everything or you stop learning. It is a constantly growing journey. You can always learn more, become a better rider, learn a new trick, discover new tools, or new ways of how to care for your horse. Don't forget, they are living breathing animals with personalities all their own. They will keep you on your toes and keep you guessing for years to come! Being in the world of horses, regardless of being a horse owner or horse lover, it is a world that is always changing and growing with more information than you might be able to digest in your lifetime. 

  • Love is Forever
When you're a horse owner or a lover of horses, you know that this kind of love is lifelong and unconditional. As long as your horses are alive and vice versa, they will always love and depend on you, and once you fall in love with these very special animals, that is a love that will never go away. 

What are your favorite reasons that you're thankful for horses? We know the list is endless, and these are just a few of our favorite reasons that we are thankful for every day. Love and thanksgivings have no definition or an end when it comes to horses, and we are sure you understand that. We hope this is a joyful and loving Thanksgiving season for you and yours. Until next time, we look forward to seeing you on our trails soon! 

2 Comments

Caring for Your Horses Tail and Mane (Part Two)

10/28/2020

5 Comments

 
Picture
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!

5 Comments

The Blessing of The Hounds

2/13/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
We are going to take a break from the subjects our last few blogs focused on, and visit one of the most unique and interesting traditions celebrated by horse lovers and traditional English hunters alike here in the Southeast!

Traditions are a beautiful thing and something we are all very proud of here in the Southeast. We have some of the oldest and most special traditions to be found. Being horse people, we, of course, love to celebrate traditions that include our favorite beautiful animals. In this blog, we will be celebrating and discussing The Blessing Of the Hounds, the opening meeting of the Moore County Hounds, which is the oldest Fox Hunting Clubs in North Carolina.

Every year on Thanksgiving Morning, excited riders, onlookers, horses, and hounds gather in Buchanan Field in Southern Pines, North Carolina. For many families, it has become a tradition that starts their Thanksgiving holiday. The tradition has been going on for more than 100 years and has continued to grow in numbers as the years have passed. Members of the Moore County Hounds appear and come dressed in formal hunters attire, atop their beautiful horses. Formal hunters attire is the classic and signature red hunting jackets called "Pinks", white riding pants, black leather riding boots, and hunt caps. The riders gather early in the morning, and before the hounds are released to follow the fox scent placed along the hunting trail (it is a mock fox hunt, no animals are hurt!), they all receive a blessing from the local Episcopal Priest while the hundreds of onlookers watch from the sidelines. The tradition and its blessing go way back to very early medieval times when hunters believed that Saint Hubert of Liege, the patron saint of hunters, would protect them and their hounds and keep them safe during the hunt.

As we mentioned above, this tradition is no longer just for the riders and the horses. It has expanded and has become a huge traditional gathering and tailgating event for hundreds of spectators that attend the event every year. Many families have been apart of it for generations. Every year, 150 riders and horses are a part of the hunt. The spectators start arriving before 8 AM to claim their perfect tailgating spot, to start cooking, and to pop the bubbly for their morning mimosas. To get the best tailgating spots today, you will have to pay a pretty penny to reserve it. The official blessing begins at 10 AM and right after the ceremony, about 60 hounds are released on the trail. The whole event takes about an hour or so and is full of excitement.

The equestrian community has always been strong in Moore County and Southern Pines, but it continues to be nurtured and flourishes and thrives with traditions like The Blessing of the Hounds. This celebration is proof of the immense support of the community and how loved it is by all. The club continues to care for the tradition, the riders, and animals alike. A tradition like this keeps the community close-knit and brings it together, even if it is just once a year.

The tradition of The Blessing of the Hounds made its way to Moore County thanks to author James Boyd. He started the Moore County Hounds after he fell in love with fox hunting while he was a student at Cambridge. The club was recognized and made official in 1920, and the blessing is the oldest hunt in North Carolina and one of the oldest in the country. The hounds that have been used in the hunt have been living at the foundation's farm since 1942. Their care and breeding have been one of their primary focuses. The blessing was held on its original land until 2015 and was then moved to Buchanan Field.

What a beautiful way to celebrate horses and bring a community together! We love sharing traditions like this and love learning about them too. Do you have a favorite tradition celebrating these majestic creatures and their incredible histories? Share them with us! Until next time, come ride horses with us on our beautiful trails. We can't wait to see you!

0 Comments

Holiday's for Horses

12/24/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
he festive season may be upon us, but that doesn't mean you forget about your beautiful horses! This can be one of the most exciting times to share with your horses and those who help care for them. 

Happy December everyone! Can you believe it's already here and that Christmas is just days away? Where did 2019 go? As we have been keeping a steady eye on our beautiful horses and making sure Santa pays a visit to Middleton, we have been thinking about some of the best ways to celebrate with your horses! That's right! We celebrate with our beautiful horses, so there is no reason for you not to! Are you stumped on ideas on how to celebrate this time of year with your majestic four-legged family member? Here are ten ideas to help you make this holiday the best year yet! 
​
  • Give your beautiful horses a day off, and come visit us! Our beautiful horses are so excited to share this time of year with you, and so are we! We have rides available up until Christmas Eve! 
  • The holidays give you a little time away from your normal schedule, don't give it all to your friends and family! Save some for your horse too! They need extra love and a few extra carrots this time of year. 
  • Don't hit the snooze button all through your holiday. Get up early and muck out the stables, go for an extra long ride, schedule those extra training sessions, and start planning for next year. 
  • You do family photos during the holidays, why not extend this to your beautiful horses? Take advantage of the snow, some jingle bells, a horse safe wreath, and maybe some matching Christmas plaids? What a perfect Christmas card! 
  • On the days you celebrate your holidays, take advantage of nape time. While everyone else takes their afternoon nap, take a special picnic snack (some for you, and some for your horse) to hive them a little extra love. That's what the holidays are all about, right? 
  • Everyone loves presents or a day at the spa this time of year! In our recent blog discussing horse care in cold weather, we talked about safe grooming, horse hoof care, and blanket use. Why not use the holidays to get a jumpstart on all these things? Bring in the groomer one extra time to make their coats and manes shine. Spend a few extra minutes caring for their winter coats. Get a new set of horseshoes. Finally, get that extra cozy and handsome horse blanket you've had your eye on for them. It's the holidays, and your horse can and should enjoy it with you. 
  • In safe conditions, have a play date. Build a snowman and let them join. Crunch through the snow together. Explore the new sights and smells together. 
  • Let them rest, but not too long! If you do get snow this Christmas, hitch up your horses to a sleigh or a carriage that can handle snow. Decorate them with garlands, bells, blankets, and take a ride. "Jingle Bells" makes it sound like so much fun, add it on to your list of holiday traditions. 
  • If you have a barn or stable staffed with amazing employees, it's time to celebrate with and for them. With the entrance of cold weather, show season and other activities have slowed or ended for the year. Host a barn isle party, and let your holiday begin! Have a potluck, music, and games. Have a stall decorating contest, surprise everyone with a new horse for the family, and don't forget to bring treats for the horses! 
  • Give back! There are so many amazing foundations to help horses in need for a multitude of reasons. During this festive time, it can get harder for these horses and those who care for them. During your time of celebration, pause to give back. 

See? The holidays are the reason for the season and you can enjoy them with your horses too! From the Middleton Equestrian Center family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 
0 Comments

    Author

    Middleton Place Team

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019

    Categories

    All
    2026
    Adopting A Horse
    American Quarter Horse
    Anna Sewell
    Authentic
    Barn
    Barn Care
    Belmont Stakes
    Belmont Stakes 2020
    Best Horseback Riding In Charleston
    Best Horseback Trails In Charleston
    Best Horse Trail Riding In Charleston
    Bits
    Black Beauty
    Blessing Of The Hounds
    Boarding Your Horse
    Board Your Horse At Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Board Your Horse With Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Bob Baffert
    Buffalo Bill Cody
    Burmese
    Buying A Horse
    Caring For Your Horses In The Winter
    Caring For Your Horse's Mane
    Caring For Your Horse's Tail
    Chariot Racing
    Charleston
    Christmas And Your Horse
    Chuckwagon Racing
    Clean Your Barn
    Cold Weather Care
    Corolla Wild Horses
    Covid 19
    Cowboy Mounted Shooting
    Deep Clean Your Barn
    Dennis And Cindy Thompson
    Derby
    Ecosystem
    Equestrian Sports
    Famous Horse Races
    Famous Horses
    Feed Bags
    Fox Hunting
    Green Energy
    Gypsy Vanner
    Gypsy Vanner Horse
    Halters
    Hippogriff
    Historic Horseback Riding Trails
    Historic Trail Ride
    Historic Trail Rides
    History Of Sidesaddle
    History Of The American Quarter Horse
    Holidays
    Holidays And Horses
    Hong Kong Derby
    Horse
    Horse Adoption
    Horse Agility
    Horseback Charleston
    Horseback Riding
    Horseback Riding Charleston South Carolina
    Horseback Riding In Charleston
    Horseback Riding Safety
    Horseback Riding South Carolina
    Horseback Riding Trail
    Horseback Trail
    Horse Boarding
    Horse Boarding In South Carolina
    Horse Boarding South Carolina
    Horse Care
    Horse Facts
    Horse History
    Horse In Winter
    Horse Knowledge
    Horse Mane
    Horse Ownership
    Horse Pulling
    Horse Racing
    Horses
    Horses And Thanksgiving
    Horses And Thanksgiving 2020
    Horses At Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Horses In The Wintertime
    Horses In Winter
    Horse Sports
    Horse Supplies
    Horse Tail
    Horse Tracks
    Horse Trail Charleston
    Horse Trail Ride Charleston
    Horse Trail Rides Charleston
    Horse Trail Riding Charleston
    Horse Trainging
    Hurricane
    Hurricane Prep
    Hurricane Preparedness
    Jousting
    Keeneland Race Course
    Kentucky Derby 2020
    Know Your Horse
    Lexington Race Track
    Mane
    Man O' War
    Marguerite Henry
    Meydan UAE
    Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Middleton Place Horses
    Middleton Trail Rides
    Misty Of Chincoteague
    Mounted Horseback Archery
    Movie Horses
    Mr. Ed
    Mythical Horses
    National Pony Express
    Natural Disaster
    Nature
    North Carolina
    Owning A Horse
    Pandemic
    Pegasus
    Preakness Stakes
    Preakness Stakes 2020
    Quarter Horse
    Quarter Mile Run Horse
    Queen Elizabeth
    Race
    Racing Victoria
    Renewable Energy
    Research Your Horse
    Resources
    Riding Horses In Charleston
    Riding Horses In Charleston South Carolina
    Riding Sidesaddle
    Roy Rogers
    Saddle
    Saddle Bags
    Sanitizing Your Barn
    SC
    Scurry Driving
    Seabiscut
    Seattle Slew
    Secretariat
    Sidesaddle
    Sidesaddle Riding
    South Carolina
    Stable
    Stable Care
    Steeplechase
    Steven Farley
    Sunland Park
    Tack Room
    Tail
    Thankful For Our Horses
    Thanksgiving 2020
    Thanksgiving With Your Horses
    The Black Stallion
    The Dubai World Cup
    The Grand National
    The Gypsy Vanner Horse Society
    The Kentucky Derby
    The Louisiana Derby
    The Outerbanks
    The Pony Express
    Tiz The Law
    Trail Rides Charleston
    Trail Riding Etiquette
    Trigger The Horse
    Triple Crown
    TV Horses
    Types Of Saddle
    Unicorns
    Walter Farley
    Why We Are Thankful For Our Horses
    Why We Love Horses
    Wild West
    Wild West Shows
    Winter For Horses
    Year Of The Horse
    Zodiac

    RSS Feed

4280 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414
​middletonplaceequestriancenter@outlook.com
​
843-735-0709
Please also visit: Middleton Place  | The Inn at Middleton Place 
Picture
Site powered by MadeSimply
  • Home
  • Book your ride
  • Trail Ride Info
  • Horse Shows
  • Contact Us
  • Ship-Ins