Galloping into a New Year and Fresh Beginnings

Happy New Year!

Another year of helping the horse world save on industry-leading equipment has flown by; 2023 was a year that had many ups and downs; with it behind us, we look forward to a bright year ahead in 2024.

Something new: our offerings have narrowed as we wish to focus on equipment; we eliminated one mower brand to focus on the one most used by professionals in the lawn care world, Exmark.

Exmark outsold others by a 6-1 margin here at Equine Equipment, they are built to last. Be sure to check out more information about Exmark below and enjoy some great tips for winter weather horse care.

As a small business, we rely on referrals, so we kindly ask you to share this newsletter with your friends who can benefit from our discounts.

Our equine incentives on New Holland tractors, hay equipment, and construction offerings are sure to impress. While Exmark remains our best-selling mower brand, it’s also the number one choice of landscape professionals. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 877-905-0004 if you have any questions or inquiries.

If you need equipment for any season of the year, we can help you!

Extra Equine Incentives on New Holland Tractors, Hay and Construction Equipment, plus the best Mowers ever, Exmark!

Winter is Here

Horses Get Cold Too!

Horses can get cold just like humans. However, they are able to withstand much colder temperatures and grow a winter coat that protects them from the cold and keeps them dry. It is important to note that horses prefer to be outside, so providing them with a run-in or trees to escape to is usually fine. However, when temperatures drop to frigid levels, it is important to offer shelter. 

To keep your horse warm during the winter, it is imperative that they have access to unfrozen drinking water and hay. When temperatures drop, horses begin to burn calories to create body heat. If they do not receive extra food, they will start using their body energy reserves, also known as fat, which can cause them to quickly drop weight in the winter.

Some alfalfa and extra feed is a great way to keep them warm. Providing them with shelter, unfrozen water, and extra food during critical temperatures will help keep them healthy and warm throughout the winter season.

No Hoof, No Horse!

Proper horse care during the winter season is essential.

Riding may slow down, but caring for your horse in winter should not be overlooked! Proper horse care and management during the winter is essential. As the temperature drops, your horse’s hoof care begins to change. 

The same amount of attention should be paid to your horse’s hooves, whether you are riding regularly or not. This is often one aspect of horse care that is overlooked in the winter. Horses’ hooves are still growing in the winter months, and they are walking on frozen, uneven, and sometimes slippery ground so timely and appropriate farrier work is important. Also, remember to continue to pick hooves regularly to remove dirt and debris, such as rocks and ice. 

Many horse owners prefer to pull shoes throughout this period of minimal riding. Most horses that are maintained outdoors should have their shoes removed. Shod feet can become ice packed, increasing the chance for slipping on snow and ice. Additionally, most horses have better traction on icy ground when shoes are removed. Care should be taken not to trim them too closely to prevent bruised, sore feet from the frozen ground. 

Be aware that Laminitis can occur from trauma to the sole due to walking on rough, frozen ground. Occasionally, if hooves are not maintained throughout the winter and allowed to break off, it may be difficult to have the horse shod when spring comes. However, the better horse hooves are maintained during the winter, the better condition they will be in once the weather warms and it is time to start riding again. 

A Warming Mash in Winter

Keep the Horses Fed

Warm mashes make the ideal feedstuff of a high moisture feed and improve its energy level by counteracting heat loss associated with cold water. There are lots of factors to consider when designing a diet for your horse.

Feed Cost-Effectively Through the Winter

the cost of raw materials and feedstuffs are rising we are now more than ever looking to feed more cost-effectively through winter. Feeding on a budget is not the same as feeding the cheapest materials, but ensuring feeding is as cost effective as possible and that we are providing the correct nutrients the horse needs.

Bran Mash Recipe

There are a variety of bran mash recipes commonly used, and most involve mixing warm water with roughly four to eight cups of bran until the bran is well saturated. The mixture should cling together when you squeeze it. If you can squeeze water out of it, it’s too wet, and more bran should be added. Then any number of ingredients can be added. 

Most horse owners add one tablespoon of salt (or electrolytes during hot weather). 

Steamed oats, molasses, flaxseed, chopped carrots, sliced apples or a combination can also be added to increase the nutritional value of the mash or to make it more appealing to the horse. Find what your horse likes and warm them up while hydrating them with a hot mash! (Pelleted feeds are not routinely added, as they make the mash “mushy.”)

Winter Tips for Around the Barn

Everyday barn chores become even more challenging when wind, freezing temperatures, ice and inclement weather are added to the mix. Read on for tips you can apply at your farm:

• It’s tempting to dress like the Michelin man to venture out for barn chores, mobility remains an issue. Layering is the key to comfort and maneuverability. Once you start mucking stalls and dumping buckets, you’ll warm up fast, so the ability to shed layers is important.
• Latex surgical gloves under your work gloves can help hands stay warm and dry. 
• Watering is one of the challenges in winter, whether horses live outside or come into stalls. Heated water buckets or insulated buckets will help to keep water from freezing solid.
• Replace your plastic pitchfork with a metal one for the winter. Metal tines will work better for picking up Wheelbarrow tires can lose air as well. Be sure all tires are well filled for better maneuverability on slippery footing. 
• Place snow shovels and salt, sand or kitty litter near barn doors so they are easy to locate once snowy weather strikes

Get to Know Exmark

From a 21” walk behind to the 144” Zero-turn and all the turf renovation goods you’d expect, Equine Equipment is proud to represent our partner, Exmark.

Exmark has been in business for over three decades, and every day, delivers innovation, quality of cut, durability, comfort, and customer service. They stand behind their products and back them with industry-leading warranties, plus a customer support team that’s equally impressive. 

The Equine Equipment Exmark program offers dedicated pricing in the USA and Canada, providing significant savings for active participants in the horse world. Exmark takes pride in an old-fashioned work ethic, which has allowed them to build the world’s finest commercial-grade mowers, these qualities make them a perfect fit for your family farm or facility. 

With over 1,500 factory-trained servicing dealers in the USA and Canada, Exmark ensures that customers receive the best-in-class innovation, cut quality, durability, comfort for the long haul and value. Invest your hard-earned money in the best, invest in Exmark and Save with Equine Equipment.

“I didn’t believe them. I’m always looking for the gimmick. I wanted a high-quality product and I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on it. I looked in several states, and I was stunned. I couldn’t come close to beating the prices of EQUINE EQUIPMENT. I was amazed.“

 – GAIL J., Exmark Purchaser