Blacksmith Buddy

Contrary to popular belief, your horse is at risk of laminitis year-round, not just in the lush spring months.

Laminitis as common as colic, research shows - Horse & Hound There is no time of year at which equines are not at risk

Good joint care starts from the ground up with tailored farrier visits!

Joint Care to Preserve Your Horse's Legs Preventive joint care can help preserve the function of your horse’s legs regardless of the type of riding you do.

An expert vet weighs in on why you should always get a radiograph during a prepurchase exam.

5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Horse – The Horse Purchasing a horse is primarily about risk assessment. Here are five things to keep in mind.

“Dreams don't work unless you do.” ~ John C. Maxwell

Don’t Abandon Your Skills Recently, I competed at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC with my mare, Fire. It’s by far the biggest show we have done to date and leading up to it I was as excited as I was nervous. After showing in the Baby Green Hunters for the past year we planned to move up in height and likely go into th...

Your horse is unique, and her workout should be as well. Here's an expert trainer's thoughts on how to pick the best speed when under the saddle.

Muscles: Should you Ride Fast or Slow? By Jec A. Ballou Perhaps one of the most delightful aspects of riding is the way it steadies and focuses our human minds in those moments we sit astride. For myself, anyway, I savour the monastic contemplation of the first minutes of a ride as I consider: What does this horse need? Every session ori...

Often difficult to detect, Pyramidal Hoof Disease is common in horses with poor leg conformation.

Does My Horse Have Pyramidal Hoof Disease? – The Horse Also known as “buttress foot,” this condition primarily affects horses with poor leg conformation in high-impact disciplines. A veterinary podiatry expert explains.

Injuries from compacted ice in your horse's hooves can be catastrophic. Protect your horse during the winter season with these tips.

4 easy ways to ice-proof your horse's hooves One winter hazard that riders in northern climes know well is ice balls. When snow and ice get packed under a horse’s hoof, it warms up slightly against the

If your horse is suffering from persistent lameness or soundness issues, it may be time to talk to your farrier about therapeutic horseshoes.

Therapeutic Horseshoeing If you’re lucky, you and your horse see your farrier once every six weeks or so, and these visits involve a simple trim or standard shoeing. If your horse has always been sound and performed well, it is likely that regular, routine care by a qualified farrier is more than sufficient to keep his fe...

"No hour of life is lost that is spent in the saddle."

15 of the greatest horse quotes of all time (from Churchill to Shakespeare) If you need perk yourself up and inject some motivation into your equestrian life, check out these legendary horse quotes from famous faces...

Humans aren't the only ones who have to watch their sugar intake. Here's a recipe for a healthy treat many horses love.

Healthy Horse Treat Recipe - Horse Illustrated I own a 20-year-old Welsh Pony that recently had laminitis. She’s fine now, but the vet says she can’t have much sugar. My pony loves treats though, and I was wondering if you know of any substitutes.

They're usually harmless, but hoof capsule distortions can be a real pain in the foot to manage.

Managing Horse Hoof Balance and Capsule Distortion – The Horse Hoof capsule distortions associated with hoof imbalance typically aren’t severe, they can affect horses’ comfort and be challenging for owners and their farriers to manage.

A dry summer can mean drastic hay shortages in the winter.

How to Feed When Hay is in Low Supply or of Poor Quality This past summer had no shortage of sunny, dry days. While the weather may have been ideal for the show season, or for trail riding with your favourite horse, 2018 was not a great summer for growing hay in Ontario and parts of Quebec. With only around half the normal days of rain between May and Aug...