New Beginnings

In the homestretch of winter, it seems like this cold, dark season is especially endless. When the first warm, sunny day shows its face, you suddenly feel happy and optimistic again about choosing this “horse life” for yourself.

With the arrival of my baby in December, there was a lot to be happy about over the winter holidays. But the shorter days and new responsibilities made getting out to care for my horse that much harder. Thankfully baby Giovanni had been doing horse chores in my belly for many months, so he adjusted to the fresh air and barn routine pretty quickly. His big equine brother Artie was more interested in his pile of hay than the baby, though! As we round the corner out of winter, it’s time to brush up on your horse wellness knowledge for the season and prepare for the worms and bugs that will soon be accosting your horse. Check out “Flies and Worms, Oh My!” on pg. 32 to be one step ahead.

Spring pasture is another looming danger for some horses, so don’t miss Dr. Loving’s expert nutrition advice on pg. 38 to steer clear of potential problems and keep your horse at a good weight this season. If your horse has experienced pain in his past, maybe before he came into your life, you’ll also want to read “Forgetting a Painful Past” on pg. 14 for some great tips on moving past these triggers in your horse’s memory.