Hooked on Horses

09/23/2026

🤓 Did You Know? A horse’s brain weighs about 1.5 pounds (700 grams), roughly the size of a grapefruit.

🧠 The equine brain has three main regions. The forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain work together to process information and coordinate everything from decision-making and sensory input to movement, breathing, heart rate, and digestion.

👀 Horses rely heavily on their senses. As prey animals, their brains are wired to constantly assess their surroundings for potential threats. Visual, auditory, and smell information helps horses detect changes in their environment and respond quickly.

🐴 Research suggests horses can learn, remember, solve problems, communicate preferences using symbols, and even seek help from people when faced with a problem. Their intelligence relies heavily on sensory awareness, experience, and rapid responses to their environment.

📚 Want to learn more about the horse’s brain?
🇨🇦 CA: https://madbarn.ca/horse-brain-anatomy/
🇺🇸 US: https://madbarn.com/horse-brain-anatomy/

09/23/2026

This Sunday

09/23/2026

Happy fall, ya'll! The horses are loving these cooler temps. Lots of green grass and play days without the humidity!

09/23/2026

So true

09/15/2026

🇫🇷 Developed in Normandy, France, the Norman Cob is a rare light draft breed originally bred for carriage work, agriculture, transport, and other practical roles. Combining draft strength with more activity and refinement than heavier draft breeds, Norman Cobs are known for their compact build, expressive trot, and steady temperament.

✨ Norman Cob Highlights:
• Typically stand between 15.1 and 16.3 hh
• Compact and muscular, with a strong neck, broad chest, short back, and powerful hindquarters
• Known for a calm, willing, adaptable, and straightforward temperament
• Historically used for carriage work, agriculture, transport, and military roles
• Today, they are used for driving, pleasure and trail riding, police patrol, equine-assisted therapy, and general leisure

🌾 Norman Cobs are typically easy keepers, and many can meet their energy and protein requirements on a high-quality, forage-based diet. Because they can gain weight easily, forage intake and calorie levels should be adjusted according to body weight, body condition, and workload.

🐎 Strong, sensible, and versatile, the Norman Cob has transitioned from a traditional working horse into an adaptable partner for riding, driving, and recreation. Their combination of draft-type substance, active movement, and willing temperament continues to make this rare French breed unique.

🐴 Have you ever owned or worked with a Norman Cob? We'd love to hear about your experience! 👇

📚 Want to learn more about the Norman Cob?
🇨🇦 CA: https://madbarn.ca/norman-cob-horse-breed-profile/
🇺🇸 US: https://madbarn.com/norman-cob-horse-breed-profile/

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

🐴 What does your horse need to thrive, not just physically, but mentally and socially?

Many common management practices are based on what is convenient or comfortable from a human perspective. But horses evolved to spend much of their day moving, foraging, and interacting with other horses, and restricting these opportunities can influence both physical and behavioral health.

For example, horses naturally spend approximately 16–18 hours per day foraging, and regular chewing helps produce saliva that buffers stomach acid. Social restriction can also contribute to stress and abnormal behaviors, while limited turnout reduces opportunities for movement, exploration, and choice.

The Three Fs (Friends, Forage, and Freedom) provide a practical framework for evaluating your horse’s daily routine and identifying areas where management can better support their natural needs.

💙 Looking at the whole picture can help us identify where changes may improve quality of life while still considering each horse’s individual needs and circumstances.

👉 To learn more about the 3 Fs, check out this article: https://madbarn.com/equine-welfare

08/27/2026

08/27/2026

🇺🇸 Recognized as a North American color breed, the Pinto Horse is known for its eye-catching tobiano and overo coat patterns. Unlike breeds defined by a specific ancestry, registered Pintos can come from a wide variety of bloodlines and body types, making them incredibly diverse and versatile.

✨ Pinto Horse Highlights:

• Recognized for tobiano, overo, and tovero coat patterns
• Classified as Miniature, Pony, Horse, or Utility types, with Horse Pintos further divided into Stock, Hunter, Pleasure, and Saddle types

Because Pintos come from many different genetic backgrounds, their nutritional needs can vary significantly. A balanced, forage-based diet should form the foundation of their feeding program, with calorie intake adjusted to workload, genetics, and body condition. Some Pinto types are efficient easy keepers, while other horses may require additional dietary energy to maintain condition.

Their distinctive coloring can also come with some unique management considerations. Areas of pink skin are more susceptible to sunburn and photosensitization, making UV protection especially important for some Pintos. Certain coat-pattern genetics are also associated with health concerns such as Lethal White Overo and an increased risk of deafness in some overo-patterned horses.

From Western ranch horses to English show horses, driving horses, trail partners, and everything in between, the Pinto’s diversity means there really is a type for almost every rider. 🐴

Do you own a Pinto? Post a picture below and tell us what discipline you do together! 👇

Want to learn more about this colorful and versatile breed?
🇨🇦 https://madbarn.ca/pinto-horse-breed-profile/
🇺🇸 https://madbarn.com/pinto-horse-breed-profile/