Equine Balanced Support

06/23/2026

There is still time to order medication from your vet for the 4th is July weekend! You don’t want to wait until the last minute and add to the stress for everyone.

Ace is not the only option, so chat with your vet to make a plan, and be sure you know how long it will take the chosen medication to take effect.

06/23/2026

Building Trust and Understanding

At the heart of it, my practice is about working with—not against—these innate behaviors. By bridging what we know of wild equines to the lives of domestic ones, Bodhi Horse Practice supports equines in feeling more at ease, and ultimately, more themselves. Ethology isn’t just an academic idea for me; it’s a way to build mutual safety, trust and understanding with every horse I meet.

Explore the fascinating world of equine ethology and its impact on domestic horses. This article by Dr. Désirée Braganza dives into the natural behaviors of wild and semi-wild equines—like grazing, social bonds, and communication—and explains how understanding these instincts can help create h...

06/22/2026

🎉 Happy birthday to everyone celebrating this week

06/21/2026

Check out some of this week’s top sellers

06/21/2026

One of the exciting connections we have made along the way is with TCRBK Knabsruppers, a farm dedicated to preserving this rare and amazing breed! They are truly focused on helping their individual horses thrive through high-quality care and nutrition, it is so rewarding to meet people with shared high standards and lofty goals.

Read on to learn more about this versatile breed and the focused effort being put into building the breed for more people to enjoy!

Knabstrupper horses are more than their striking coats—they’re a rare, historic breed known for intelligence, versatility, and a deep human connection. Meet a breeder preserving their legacy.

06/20/2026

Grooming with Grooming Tools and Sensory Enrichment

Your grooming kit is more than a tool for coat care; it’s an opportunity for multi‑sensory enrichment. Try varied grooming tools such as soft rubber curry combs, shedding blades, and gentle sponges or brushes to engage different tactile responses. Many horses enjoy the pressure and rhythm of a curry comb, while sponging around the face and ears can become peaceful moments of connection.

Instead of approaching grooming as a checklist, slow down and create a calming routine that incorporates touch and voice. Combine grooming with light scratching in favorite areas, and observe your horse’s breathing and body language. These sessions give you real‑time feedback about comfort, preference, and emotional state.

Sensory grooming encourages relaxation, reduces stress, and reinforces that your presence is comforting. For horses with anxious or busy dispositions, these moments help associate human touch with positive feelings. Grooming rituals become a shared language that enriches your bond outside the demands of riding.

06/19/2026

Hydration, Manure Quality, and Gut Motility

Water is essential for every stage of digestion in the horse. From moistening saliva to supporting microbial fermentation in the hindgut, adequate water intake ensures smooth gut motility and prevents impactions. Water deficiency can contribute to dry, firm manure and an increased risk of impaction colic, especially in horses consuming dry hay or kept in cold conditions without frequent water offering. You will notice horses drink less when the majority of their fiber intake is coming from fresh grass rather than hay.

Manure quality is a practical indicator of digestive function. Well‑formed, moist f***l balls moving consistently indicate healthy transit time and balanced fermentation. Conversely, very dry, hard f***s may reflect inadequate water or fiber intake, while excessively loose manure may indicate rapid transit or a microbial imbalance.

Encouraging consistent water intake — by providing fresh, clean troughs, using warm water in cold seasons, and offering salt or electrolyte blocks — supports overall gut health. Combined with consistent forage access, water is a foundational element that keeps the digestive system moving, microbes balanced, and overall health optimized.

06/18/2026

Obstacle Courses and Trail Obstacles

Building a simple obstacle course or navigating natural elements (bridges, poles, tarps, cones) together is a fun, low‑pressure way to enhance trust. These exercises ask your horse to think, make choices, and rely on your cues while navigating challenges. Accomplishing elements together, calmly and at the horse’s pace, reinforces teamwork and boosts confidence.

Begin with easy obstacles that build on your horse’s curiosity rather than fear—reward calm exploration and progress with praise, a gentle scratch, or a small treat. Trail obstacles can help desensitize horses to new footing, narrow lanes, and movement underfoot — all valuable experiences, especially if you plan to ride someday.

Approaching obstacles together and negotiating challenges that require focus and trust strengthen the emotional connection. Your horse learns to look to you for guidance in unfamiliar situations, deepening reliance and partnership.

06/17/2026

More and more horses are being diagnosed with metabolic issues than ever before. Changes in how horses are feed, managed, and worked, all contribute to this overwhelming problem. PPID, EMS, IR, read below to get a better understanding of what these terms actually mean and how your horse may be affected.

Understanding equine metabolic disorders and their associated terminology can be challenging due to the evolving nature of research in the field. Terms like