Cascade Equine Services

02/04/2026

Calling all horse people 👋
If your “system” is sticky notes, screenshots, and random notebooks… this is for you!

I just released my Horse Owner Management System. A printable + digital PDF that keeps all your horse info in one easy place.

It’s cute, simple, and actually works.
Less chaos, more horse time 💕

https://www.cascadeequineservices.com/shop/p/horse-owner-management-system?fbclid=IwY2xjawPwc_FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFHZWFYZ0F4Sjcxa1dzNWV0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvyTZOgZKBktP3FBZF5PbBd58JVA3b4mzMaV5y84Lk7MIznbyyxvHjUSj7b5_aem_wCzuWGO4jQW2TDwkGbRjNA

Caring for a horse means keeping track of a lot. Feeding schedules, vet visits, supplements, training progress, expenses, and emergency information. The Horse Owner Management System was created to take the stress out of managing it all, so you can spend more time enjoying your horse and

01/27/2026

🐴✨ Exciting News for Horse Owners! ✨🐴

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my Horse Owner Management System! Designed with horse owners and trainers in mind, this system helps you stay organized, track your horse’s training, manage budgets, monitor weight and condition, and much more. All in one easy to use place.

Whether you’re managing one horse or several, this system is here to make your life simpler and your routines more efficient.

Let’s make horse care easier and more organized together!

Visit: https://www.cascadeequineservices.com/shop/p/horse-owner-management-system

12/17/2025

As the cold winter weather trudges on, here are some important tips and reminders to keep your equine companions safe during extreme weather. ❄️

1. While lots of hay is ideal for horses to eat to keep warm, now is NOT the time to introduce a round bale if they’ve never had access to one before. It may be more work, but keep throwing them their normal hay source, just more frequently.

2. Similarly, if your horse is not used to being in a stall, now is NOT the time. The stress of a major change and the decreased activity can be risk factors for colic. Be sure they have access to shelter, hay, and drinkable water but let them move around if they choose to do so.

3. Horses that are thin, older, or fully body clipped are those most at risk in extreme weather.

4. Well-fitting blankets are great but be sure that horses do not get sweaty under them, or that the blankets don’t soak through if snow or rain covered. Wet, cold and covered is worse than dry, cold and naked.

5. Some of the highest risk times are when the temperatures hover right around freezing, as that can result in sleet/freezing rain/ice that can make horses wet and therefore colder. Slippery footing is a concern, too.

6. If using electric water heaters, be sure they are functioning and not shocking horses. Take your gloves off and stick your hand in the water (briefly!!!) to double check.

7. Entice your horses to consume extra water by flavoring a bucket, adding electrolytes to their meals, or soaking their meals in warm water.

8. The tips of your horses' ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting on a WATERPROOF ear bonnet or other WATERPROOF ear covering can protect them from wind chills.

If you have any questions or concerns about keeping your horses safe this winter, contact your veterinarian for advice.

12/02/2025

Water remains as important for your horse in cold weather as it is in the summer. As a matter of fact, decreased water consumption in the winter is thought to be the primary inducing factor for impaction colic — although there are other predisposing factors such as poor hay quality, lack of exercise, internal parasites and dental problems.

Impaction colic is essentially constipation and most often includes the accumulation of hard, dry f***l material in the colon. The usual signs of impending impaction colic are depression, a decreased appetite, and decreased production and dryness of manure.

Studies demonstrate that you can increase your horse's winter water consumption if you provide access to heated water, but ONLY if that is the only source of water available. As always, if you have any questions about preventing colic in your horse, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!

11/27/2025

🦃🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from Our Family to Yours! 🍁🧡

This season, we’re feeling especially grateful for our amazing clients, supportive community, and the opportunity to do what we love every day. Your trust means the world to us, and we’re thankful for each and every one of you!

Wishing you a day filled with good food, warm hearts, and peaceful moments — whether you’re spending it with family, friends, or your beloved animals. 🐾🐴

🍽️🧡 Happy Thanksgiving!

11/20/2025

As we continue to monitor the current outbreak of the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus infection (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, EHM), let's take this opportunity to discuss once more the importance of biosecurity measures to stop disease spread. We recommend the following biosecurity precautions for horse owners, particularly if their horses have recently traveled to horse shows or were exposed to horses that have traveled:

1) Monitor horses for clinical signs (including fever, discharge from the nostrils, toe-dragging or a lack of balance) and take the temperature twice daily. Temperature greater than 101.5 F is considered a fever.
2) Immediately isolate any horse(s) showing clinical signs. Equine herpesvirus is an aerosolized virus and is spread through shared airspace, direct contact, and contaminated caretakers or equipment. A good isolation area is a separate barn or shelter that does not share airspace with healthy horses.
3) Implement movement restrictions until the situation is evaluated.
4) Contact your veterinarian to evaluate your horse and to propose a comprehensive biosecurity protocol.
5) Increase biosecurity measures that include extensive cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment that come in contact with affected horses: wash or sanitize your hands between interacting with horses; take time while filling water buckets and feed tubs, do not cross contaminate; minimize the use of shared equipment and tack.
6) Make sure your horse is up to date on vaccinations.
7) Establish communication with all parties involved (owners, boarders, trainers, etc.).

More resources and information regarding biosecurity are available on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website at https://equinediseasecc.org/biosecurity

To learn more Equine Herpesvirus (EHV), visit: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-herpesvirus

For outbreak updates, check the post here: https://equinediseasecc.org/news/article/Equine-Herpesvirus-Myeloencephalopathy-(EHM)-Outbreak

10/31/2025

10/22/2025

10/19/2025

Happy Thursday! We loved seeing all of the participation and responses on Tuesday's post! Here's the answer to the TRUE or FALSE question:

You may have heard the blanket statement that first-cutting grass hay is poor quality, and second cutting is the best.

The truth is that quality depends on several factors, and any cutting of grass hay can be high or low quality regardless of if it was a first or second cutting.

Quality depends on:

Stage of maturity: The more mature the plant, the lower its energy content and the more stemmy and indigestible it becomes.

Type of grass: Different grasses (warm vs. cool season types) vary in nutrient content.

Presence of w**ds or mold: Both reduce hay quality.

Geographic location: Determines how many cuttings are possible and the length of the growing season. Typically, two cuttings, sometimes three, for grass hay.

First Cutting:
First-cuttings happens early in spring, when frequent rain can delay harvest. This delay allows plants to mature, resulting in more fiber, fewer nutrients, and a higher chance of w**ds or mold. Early-season w**ds are more common since they haven’t yet been outcompeted by grasses.

Second Cutting:
Second cutting usually occurs 6–8 weeks later. Fields typically have fewer w**ds, and mixed fields often contain more legumes at this time of year, increasing nutrient content.

Quality Varies:
Any cutting can produce high or low-quality grass hay. Weather, timing, and management determine quality, not just which cutting it is. Perfectly timed, w**d and mold-free first-cuttings can be excellent, while poorly handled second-cutting can be low quality.

Matching Hay to Horses:
Lower-nutrient first-cuttings can be ideal for easy keepers or horses prone to obesity. Nutrient-dense second cuttings can suit performance horses with higher energy needs. Your equine veterinarian is a great resource to advise which types of hay will be best for your particular horse's needs.

Ultimately, you can't accurately make a blanket statement saying first-cutting grass hay is poor quality and second cutting is best. The only way to know quality for sure is through a hay analysis.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.