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There are some nutritional concerns during winter that should be addressed to ensure the health and performance of our horses.As we start working our horses more, we must increase the plane of nutrition to ensure that the horse’s increased requirements are met. Energy is possibly the most important nutrient to consider in a working horse. As a horse works harder, its energy (calorie) requirement increases, and we must supply those additional calories in a form that will not compromise the horse’s digestive health. We can add more calories by increasing the amount of grain in the ration, but grain is...

Spring is the busiest season of all on the farm, and understanding spring farm tasks is the first step in being ready to tackle each one for a productive and prosperous season. In spring… Snow melts and fields and roads flood.Moisture is essential for seeds to sprout and crops to grow, but the deluge of moisture in spring can wash out roads and flood fields. Inspecting roads and pathways for appropriate drainage is essential, and livestock should be examined so they do not suffer from moisture-related food trouble. Weather warms and animals are turned outside.After a long winter indoors, livestock...

It can be exciting to start a new flock of chickens, and the benefits – entertaining pets, unique company, fresh eggs and healthy meat – are equally exciting, but it is important to start the flock carefully so your poultry will be happy in their new home. Happy chickens suffer less from behavioral and health problems, and everyone who keeps chickens should take steps to be sure they start their flock the right way.Check Your Local LawsWhile keeping chickens is not usually a problem in rural communities, urban and suburban areas may have different regulations that prohibit barnyard poultry or...

A well groomed horse not only looks good, but also enjoys the attention he receives while being groomed.• Untangling a Matted Tail: Wash the tail thoroughly with soap and water. Liquid soap will work best. After rinsing, apply an equine hair conditioner. Once the tail is dry, carefully untangle the matted strands. A plastic comb with large teeth might be helpful. You may lose tail hair as you work on the tangle. For bad tangles, you might want to repeat the process.• Bathing: Shampooing your horse too often will cut out the natural oil in the coat which will result...

Housetraining a puppy can be a challenge, but what about an adult dog? No matter what the age of your canine companion, there are ways to housetrain an adult dog and help improve their potty habits. Why an Older Dog May Need Housetraining An adult dog may need housetraining for many reasons. If the dog has been adopted, it may never have been housetrained previously, or it may have spent a long period in a kennel or shelter and lost its housetraining habits. Dogs that have always lived outdoors may not have been formally housetrained, or older dogs may need...