Tag Archives: horse care

Tips and more information for horse care from Klene Pipe Structures, creator of the Hay Saver Hay Feeder for horses and cattle.

portable shades for horses

The Benefits of Portable Shades for Horses

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Portable shades for horses offer several benefits, both for the well-being of the horses and the convenience of horse owners and caretakers. Here are some of the key benefits:

Sun Protection: One of the most notable benefits is that portable shades provide essential protection against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Horses, like humans, can suffer from sunburn, which can be painful and lead to skin issues. Prolonged sun exposure can also increase the risk of skin cancer in horses.

Temperature Regulation: Portable shades help horses stay cooler during hot weather. Excessive heat can lead to heat stress and dehydration in horses, and providing shade can mitigate these risks.

Stress Reduction: Horses can become stressed when exposed to extreme weather conditions. Providing shade allows horses to seek refuge from the sun and heat reducing their stress levels.

Health and Comfort: Shade can help prevent heat-related health issues like heatstroke or exhaustion. It also keeps the ground in the shaded area cooler and more comfortable for the horse to stand or lie down on.

Versatility and Mobility: Portable shades are easily moved and can be set up in different areas of a pasture as needed. This flexibility allows horse owners to rotate grazing areas and prevents overgrazing in one spot.

Convenient Management: Portable shades can be set up and taken down relatively easily, making them a convenient option for horse owners who may not want to invest in permanent structures. They can also be used at horse shows, events, or temporary stables.

Happy and Healthy Horses: Ultimately, the well-being of the horses is the most significant benefit. Providing them with shade ensures they are more comfortable, happier, and healthier.

Klene Pipe’s portable horse shades provide the protection your horse needs from the sun and heat to stay happy and healthy. See one of our customers talk about her experience with our portable shade:

round hay bale

Square Hay Bales vs. Round Hay Bales

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The choice between square hay bales and round hay bales for feeding your horses depends on a variety of factors, including your specific needs and preferences. Here are some considerations for both types:

Square Hay Bales:

Handling and Storage: Square hay bales are typically smaller and more manageable in size and weight compared to round bales. They are easier to handle, stack, and transport manually, making them a good option for smaller operations or when mechanized equipment is not available.

Portion Control: Square bales allow for better portion control, especially if you need to limit hay intake for individual horses. It is easier to measure and distribute specific amounts of hay with square bales.

Reduced Hay Waste: Square bales often result in less hay waste compared to round bales. The rectangular shape and uniform size make it easier to control access and reduce trampling and spoilage.

Versatility: Square hay bales can be fed in a variety of hay feeders, including square bale feeders, racks, or simply placed on the ground. They also work well in certain feeding systems, such as stanchions or feeding stations.

Round Hay Bales:

Cost Efficiency: Round hay bales are generally more cost-effective, especially when feeding larger numbers of horses. They require less labor and time during the baling process, and mechanized equipment, such as round balers and bale wrappers, can be used to improve efficiency.

Weather Resistance: Round hay bales have better natural shedding capabilities due to their shape, which can help shed rainwater and reduce spoilage. This can be beneficial if you have limited storage options or live in areas with frequent rainfall.

Feeding Efficiency: Round hay bales can be rolled or unrolled in feeding areas, providing a continuous source of hay for animals. This reduces the need for frequent refilling and can be advantageous in situations where animals have constant access to hay.

Durability: Round hay bales are typically more durable and can withstand outdoor storage for longer periods if they are protected from direct ground contact and moisture.

When deciding between square and round hay bales, it’s important to consider your available equipment, storage space, feeding system, livestock size, and local climate. You may also want to consult with local farmers or agricultural experts for advice based on your specific circumstances. Klene Pipe’s Hay Saver Horse Hay Feeders can accommodate both square and round hay bales.

Keep your horses healthy and well-fed throughout the winter. Give us a call today to learn more about our quality hay feeders for horses!

Horse care in spring and summer

Preparing Your Horse for Spring & Summer

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Winter is finally (almost) behind us and it’s time to make sure your horse is ready for the warmer weather that’s on the way. Before you let your horse roam free underneath the spring sun, consider the following to keep them comfortable and protected for the next few months: 

Preparing your horse for spring 

Spring is here – is your horse ready? Since colder temperatures are finally on their way out, your horse will be able to comfortably run free and enjoy the warm and refreshing breeze of spring. Before you can both take advantage of this nice weather, you might want to consider some of the following to help make the transition enjoyable for your horse(s). 

  • Call your veterinarian – It’s a good idea to give your vet a call prior to any changing of the seasons just to make sure everything is up-to-date. You can go over vaccination records and check to see if your horse is due for any annual or biannual shots. If needed, schedule these appointments well in advance so your horse can get active and enjoy the weather! 
  • Slowly adjust to the heat and humidity – Since your horses likely had a reduced riding schedule during the colder winter months, it’s important to help rebuild their stamina prior to the warmer weather conditions. Take some time and develop a careful conditioning plan and take it one day at a time. 

Preparing your horse for summer 

For some people, summer means relaxing by the pool, vacations, and beach days. For horse owners, however, it means bugs, exhaustion, and much longer days. Make sure you’re aware of how to properly care for your horse during the hotter temperatures, as well. 

  • Insect proof everything – Insects can be annoying, sure, but they can also lead to serious health options for your horses. Make sure you’re properly treating run-in shelters, square and round bale feeders, and anywhere else your horse spends time. 
  • Provide adequate shade from the sun – The best method for preventing the sun-bleaching of your horse’s coat is to minimize sun exposure. Do your best to stable your horse during the hours when the sun is the hottest. Instead, let them out and get their exercise in during the early morning and evening hours.   

Feeding your horse with square or round bale feeders 

During every season – rain or shine – make sure you’re providing your horse with quality hay and clean water. Whether you’re using legumes to provide higher protein and calcium content or grass hay for digestion help, round bale feeders are great for ensuring horses are well-fed and getting enough necessary nutrients. 

Keep your horses comfortable, energized, and well-fed during the spring and summer months. Contact us today and ask about our quality hay feeders for horses!

horse eating hay over the winter

Horse Feeding Over the Winter: Use the Right Hay Feeders!

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No matter the season, you should always be focusing on doing all you can to keep your horses happy, healthy, and well-fed. But this is especially true during those frigid winter months.

The changes in weather can impact how you feed your horses hay, how much you should be feeding, and how often you feed them.

Energize your horses with hay

Hay is the primary energy source and calorie source for horses and since the winter limits the amount of pasture grass available to horses, you’ll need to supplement a lot more calories in the form of hay.

And not just any hay. You need quality hay. Hay offers higher protein stability, stimulates salivation, promotes digestion, and provides horses with all the necessary nutrients. Because of these benefits of quality hay, it also has a great warming effect on horses.

To properly energize your horses, start by feeding between 1.5% and 2.5% of your horse’s total body weight per day in hay. If your horse is 1,100 pounds, start by feeding between 16.5 and 27.5 pounds of hay each day.

It’s crucial to monitor severe weather changes during these winter months, including 10-degree temperature drops and high wind speeds. Each will require an additional intake of between 2 to 8 pounds of hay per day to meet your horse’s increased energy requirements.

But what about storing all this hay? You don’t want to waste a lot of the extra hay you’ll be providing, so you need to make sure it’s being held in quality hay feeders.

Hay feeders for horses

Make sure you’re using the best kind of hay feeders year-round. The highest quality products, including round bale feeders and square bale feeders, allow for easy access, minimize hay waste, and slow down feeding time, which helps your horses properly digest hay.

Round bale feeders are great options due to their lower cost and overall convenience. Plus, these hay feeders allow you to always keep your hay available, which is important because you should be feeding your horses hay at least three times a day over the winter.

Finally, especially during rough winter conditions, make sure you’re keeping your square or round bale feeder sheltered. Not only do horses need to stay warm to maintain their internal temperatures, but your hay feeders also need to be protected from the elements, as well. To prevent mildew and mold spores from building up, use quality tarps specifically designed to store hay to cover your round bale feeders.  

Keep your horses healthy and well-fed throughout the winter. Give us a call today to learn more about our quality hay feeders for horses!

horses in the hot sun

6 Ways to Keep Your Horse Cool This Summer

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Those hot summer days are approaching and it’s important you know how to properly care for your horse when temperatures near triple digits. Neglecting to do some of these tips could not only be extremely uncomfortable for your horse but also cause some serious health concerns.

Here are some of the best tips for keeping your horse cool and comfortable during those hot summer months:

1. Quality Horse Shelter Kits

On those brutal summer days, any kind of shade is a relief for your horse. Besides drinking water, shelter is the most important aspect of caring for your horse in the summer. Trees with large foliage can be great for a quick rest but if the heat is too much, quality horse shelter kits are great for keeping horses cool, comfortable, and out of the heat.

Make sure you’re taking the sun’s positioning into account so that your horse can always have protection from the sun. To maximize comfort inside these horse shelter kits, place fans, light sheets, and a cool water source.

2. Never Overdo it in the Heat

According to the University of Guelph, horses can get heat stress 10 times faster than humans during a workout.

If you’re going out riding, especially during the middle of the day, be sure to keep the session short. You should never push your horse beyond his or her fitness level, but it’s imperative to be extra cautious during extremely hot days.

3. Keep Them Hydrated and Well-Fed

It’s crucial your horse remains strong throughout those hot summer days. Keeping your horse hydrated and well-fed will ensure they’re getting enough nutrients and will be able to better manage excessive temperatures.

Provide cool water and make sure your horse is drinking it. If they’re refusing, try placing a block of salt nearby (horses love it) – that should encourage them to rehydrate afterward. Also, make sure you’re using quality square or round bale feeders. Certain horse hay feeders are great for helping your horse eat freely, preventing overeating and other issues.

4. Frequent Baths, Mist, and Fans

Though providing frequent drinking water breaks during the summer is crucial, keeping your horse cool with baths, mist, and fans is just as important. After your (brief) ride, consider spraying your horse with a cool hose to help.

When misting or bathing your horse, it’s recommended to start with the chest and neck areas to cool the veins near the heart, which can help cool off the rest of the body quicker.  

5. Trim Any Excess Hair

Although clipping horses is most common in the winter because of the extra layers of coat, keeping them well-groomed in the summer is a great way to help them stay cool. Removing sections of your horse’s coat can reduce sweating during exercise and keep them comfortable throughout the day. Make sure you’re using quality clippers, too. Use clippers that can remove hair underneath the tact, which prevents irritation and constant rubbing.

6. Pay Attention to Signs of Heatstroke

Overall, make sure you’re paying attention to your horse’s mood, appearance, and movements as much as you can when it’s extremely hot. Give your vet a call right away if you notice any of the following signs of heatstroke:

  • Elevated heart rate
  • Temperatures above 103 degrees
  • Exhaustion or lethargy
  • Excessive sweating
  • Dehydration

Make sure you’re prepared for the heat. Contact us today if you want to find some great horse shelter kits, round bale feeders, and more!