Dilly Dally Farm

Dilly Dally Farm Our happy place with horses, mini horses, dairy goats, dogs, cats, chickens and honeybees.

01/03/2026

All the big gang (and Sweetpea) are tucked in and ready for the cold rain overnight. The minis are tucked in as well but in their new digs in back 😊

12/11/2025

𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬, 𝐬𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. . .

If I had a dollar for every time someone pulled out this tired argument, I could finally build that new barn I have been dreaming about.

So I am here to set the record straight. Comparing domestic horses to wild horses is not the slam-dunk some people think it is. Rather, it falls apart once you get past the surface because it was never solid logic to begin with.

Yes, ‘wild’ horses, moose, elk, antelope, and whatever other critters people like to use in this argument don’t wear blankets. But here’s the part that is conveniently left out: they survive by paying a price. There is no safety net. Nature is not kind. And when a wild horse isn’t thriving, nature removes it. And it can be a painful and drawn out process.

Thankfully, domestic horses don’t live this way. But the trade off is that they are required to live within the constraints of human expectations.

They live in limited space, depend entirely on what we provide, and do not have the ability to roam miles to find shelter, better forage, or protection from the elements. Some drop weight dramatically in winter. Some have metabolic disorders, clipped coats, low body conditions, or age-related problems. We groom them, ride them, and many have been bred for refinement and traits that excel in the show pen, not rugged survival.

And here’s the biggest difference: our responsibility to domestic horses is not to simply allow them to survive but rather we have a responsibility to help them thrive.

I am a huge advocate for letting a horse be a horse. But it is not always that simple. Humans domesticated them so it has become our duty to manage them.

Blanketing is not about pampering. It’s not about fashion. It’s not about treating horses like fragile glass figurines. It’s about understanding the individual needs of the animal in front of you. Some horses will be perfectly fine naked all winter. Others will burn calories they don’t have, shiver for hours, lose weight, or struggle quietly.

Will they survive without a blanket?
Most likely.

But will they thrive?
That depends on the horse. And as their caretakers, it’s our job to know the difference.

So stop using that lazy “wild horses don’t need blankets” line.

We’re in the 21st century. We have knowledge, tools, and compassion. Use them. Do what’s best for your horse, not what a wild animal has no choice but to endure solely based on principle.

And I want to be clear. I think MANY horses do just fine without blankets, just not ALL horses. And that is the distinction I am trying to make here.

Cheers,
Dr. DeBoer

I am also super grateful for Untamed Souls Photography (link to their page in the comments!) for letting me use their picture in this post. While I pride myself in creating my own visuals, I didn’t have anything I loved for this post and her picture captured my vision perfectly!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cmm3YCV3q/?mibextid=wwXIfr

12/10/2025

NORTH CAROLINA! The wild horses and burros are coming! 🐎🐎

Come see us in the new year from February 19-21 at the Simpson Event Center in Monroe, NC! Around 150 animals (120 horses, 30 burros) are expected to be available for adoption.

This will be a great opportunity to find your new friend, since none of the animals at the event have been preplaced in the Online Corral. 🍀

Get the details👉 https://ow.ly/A4QY50XCQSw

Happy gotcha day to this amazing guy! 10 years ago today Chief came to live with us. He was an absolute mess, but today ...
11/21/2025

Happy gotcha day to this amazing guy!

10 years ago today Chief came to live with us. He was an absolute mess, but today we can’t imagine our farm without him.

A little about Medicine Hat horses:

Believed to have special powers, the Medicine Hat horse is a sight to be seen. These beautiful animals are noted for their markings. They have a white face with a colored patch covering their ears and head. This special color was prized in Native American tribes.

Native American legends say that Medicine Hat horses were believed to have the magical ability to protect their riders from injury and death in battle. Additionally, they were said to warn their riders of danger. Other tribes would try to steal these horses in hopes of getting their good luck. For this reason, they were closely guarded.

10/29/2025

🐴 UGA's Equine Welfare Assessment Skills Certification Course is back!
Join us January 21–23, 2026 (8 AM–5 PM daily) at the SC Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe for an updated and expanded version of our popular Equine Welfare Assessment Skills course.

This three-day certification program provides hands-on training in equine welfare and management practices common across the Southeast. It’s ideal for:
👮‍♂️ Law enforcement officers
🐎 Humane society & rescue personnel
🏛️ State agency employees
🐾 Veterinarians, vet techs & students
🐴 501(c)(3) owners and operators

Participants earn 12 ARPAS CEUs and 12 hours of Georgia Board of Veterinary Medicine CE credit, along with a certification upon completion.

💲Registration: $150 per person (includes program binder and course materials, snacks, and lunch each day)
🔗 Sign up today: https://tinyurl.com/EWAS2026

We can’t wait to welcome you for another great year of hands-on, science-based equine welfare education!

DG Mowgli receiving a much deserved massage…
10/28/2025

DG Mowgli receiving a much deserved massage…

IYKYK ❤️
10/25/2025

IYKYK ❤️

All is well with BatCat (Binx) on duty.
10/25/2025

All is well with BatCat (Binx) on duty.

Our girl Lucy turns 11 today!
10/14/2025

Our girl Lucy turns 11 today!

Our end of the day appreciation. On the left looking to the east and on the right to the west. His presence couldnt b...
09/27/2025

Our end of the day appreciation. On the left looking to the east and on the right to the west.

His presence couldnt be any clearer. 🙏

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Jersey, GA

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