Winds of Thunder Farm

10/24/2026

10/21/2026

10/10/2026

When your horse suddenly develops colic signs, choke, or a painful eye, your job is not to diagnose or treat. It is to stay safe, observe, and call your veterinarian promptly.

Note when the signs began, what has changed, and any vital signs you can safely collect. Do not give medication unless instructed.

For choke, remove feed and water and never syringe oil or fluids. For an eye injury, prevent rubbing and do not apply unprescribed drops or ointments.

The right first steps can give your veterinarian a valuable head start.

Read the full article and prepare before an emergency happens. Check the link below!

10/06/2026

What does your check list and plan look like. Don’t have one, get one. There are a lot of great resources out there.

Fire Prevention Week and the Fall season are an excellent time to review your barn's and livestock's fire safety plans.

09/25/2026

🇬🇧 The art of making a mess: creating enriched environments for optimum wellbeing and results

On Wednesday, October 14 at 7:30 PM CEST, our next webinar with Rachaël Draaisma will take place. This time, we’ll dive into the world of Enriched Environments.
An Enriched Environment offers your horse opportunities to explore independently, make choices and use different senses. By introducing objects, scents, textures and other stimuli, you can encourage curiosity and exploration.
But simply putting a few objects in an arena doesn’t necessarily create a well-designed Enriched Environment. Which objects do you choose? How do you continue to stimulate the senses in follow-up sessions? When do you use food? And how to tell the difference between a horse that is not interested, or one that is super careful and is taking his time. What can you do when your horse seems too tense or has physical limitations?

Rachaël will take you into the art of creating an Enriched Environment that suits the individual horse. We’ll also look at your own role: when is your presence supportive, and when might it interfere?

This webinar is free for participants of the online community. Not a member, but would still like to attend? You can! https://calmingsignalsofhorses.com/en/product/webinar-enriched-environment/

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🇳🇱 De kunst van het creëren van een verrijkte omgeving

Op woensdag 14 oktober om 19:30 vindt het volgende webinar met Rachaël Draaisma plaats. Dit keer duiken we in de wereld van Enriched Environments.
Een verrijkte omgeving biedt je paard mogelijkheden om zelfstandig op onderzoek uit te gaan, keuzes te maken en verschillende zintuigen te gebruiken. Door objecten, geuren, structuren en andere prikkels aan te bieden, kun je nieuwsgierigheid en exploratie stimuleren.
Maar simpelweg wat spullen neerleggen is nog geen goed opgebouwde Enriched Environment. Welke objecten kies je? Hoe blijf je de zintuigen uitdagen tijdens vervolgsessies? Wanneer gebruik je voer? En hoe zie je het verschil tussen een paard dat niet geïnteresseerd lijkt of juist super voorzichtig is. Wat doe je wanneer je paard fysieke beperkingen heeft?

Rachaël neemt je mee in de kunst achter het creëren van een Enriched Environment die past bij het individuele paard. Ook kijken we naar jouw eigen rol: wanneer is jouw aanwezigheid ondersteunend en wanneer kan deze juist belemmerend zijn?

Dit webinar is gratis voor deelnemers van de online community. Geen lid, maar wil je het webinar wel bijwonen? Dat kan! https://calmingsignalsofhorses.com/nl/product/webinar-verrijkte-omgevingen/

🇬🇧 Let op: dit webinar is in het Engels!

09/25/2026

🐴 KNOW YOUR HAY: Plan ahead for colder months!

Your hay may look good—but appearance alone can’t tell you its nutritional value. A laboratory forage analysis helps you understand the energy, protein, and fiber your hay provides so you can make informed feeding decisions.

As colder conditions are coming soon, your horse may need additional energy to maintain body warmth. Knowing what’s in your hay helps you plan before changing the ration.

✅ Test your hay rather than guessing its nutrient content.
✅ Match your feeding plan to your horse’s individual needs and local conditions.
✅ Monitor body condition regularly-a thick winter coat can hide weight loss.

Have you tested this year’s hay?

Learn more:
Extension Horses: Hay Analysis—Its Importance and Interpretation
University of Minnesota Extension: Caring for Your Horse in the Winter

09/24/2026

🐴⚠️ Confined Spaces: Loading & Unloading Horses Safely

Loading and unloading a horse from a trailer can put people in a tight, unpredictable space, where a few seconds of inattention can lead to injury. Here are a few safety tips to consider.

🔦 Check the trailer first. Make sure flooring, ramps, doors, dividers, and lighting are safe and functioning properly. Address any hazards like wasp nests or sharp edges.
🗣 Communicate clearly. Always let someone know when you're loading or unloading horses. If something goes wrong, they can respond quickly and get help.
🚪 Know your escape route. Keep the trailer door, ramp, and your exit path clear. Stop and reposition yourself if you lose your escape route.
👀 Stay aware of your horse's position and body language. Avoid being in the horse's direct path. Position yourself where you have room to move easily. Do not rush.
🐴 Always use a well-fitted halter with a lead rope to load and unload horses. Never wrap the lead rope around your hands or body.
👥 Don't overcrowd the trailer. Keep the areas in and around the trailer clear of unnecessary people and other horses. If someone is helping, communicate their role (e.g., securing the butt bar) beforehand and identify a safe position, where they can stay out of the horse's path and maintain their own escape route.

The goal isn't just to get the horse loaded or unloaded; it's to make sure everyone walks away safely. Slow down. Think twice. Be safe.

09/18/2026

Fall is for Learning! Try out an short online course!

Coming up in Fall 2026:
The Senior Horse: Sep 21-Oct 2
Horse Care & Welfare: Oct 19-30
Equine First Aid: Nov 9-16

Common-sense approach on practical horse health and welfare topics.

Flexible online format for busy horse owners. Check out our full fall and winter course line-up .ca

Gain practical knowledge you can use right away. Learn with us .ca