Pay attention during winter months to water tank heaters and heated buckets—they continue to generate heat even if there is no water present, which can cause the plastic to melt and a fire to ignite bedding and hay. If you are using electrical cords, make sure that they are professional grade, inspected often and are not overloaded. Keep lights caged and only use lights that are designed for barn use.

Topics to include: Building a Successful Equestrian Business; Jobs Panel – So You’re Not a Pro Rider. Job Searches Off the Saddle; Social Media Panel – Do You Really Need Snapchat? What’s Your Social Strategy?; Work/Life Balance Panel – Put the Phone Down. Finding Balance in a Connected World.

Equine veterinarians learned about the “Madigan Foal Squeeze Technique”—a life-saving procedure to immediately treat Maladjustment Syndrome in newborn foals—in the presentation UC Davis Distinguished Professor John Madigan gave at the 64th Annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention & Trade Show, held this past week in San Francisco.

With more than 200 educational sessions, clinics, and demonstrations on the schedule, the Ride with a Pro program offers novices and experts alike the opportunity to learn something new. This year’s clinicians are seeking participants of all skill levels and interests, as well as horses and riders with specific issues. Presenters include Guy McLean and Julie Goodnight (natural horsemanship), Steve Lantvit (general training and horsemanship), Jason Irwin (foundation training and general horsemanship), Neil Davies (fear-free horse training), Mette Rosencrantz (dressage), Candice King (hunter/jumper), Sandy Collier (reined cow horse), Jesse Westfall (reining), Jane Melby (barrel racing), Dana Hokana (western horsemanship and hunter under saddle), Muffy Seaton (driving), and Michael Gascon (easy gaited horses). More presenters will be announced soon, so check equineaffaire.com often for updates.

The two-step process imbeds the yeast in a protective matrix of proteins, polysaccharides and other substances. This protects and maintains the integrity of the Saccharomyces boulardii during passage through the digestive tract.

Horses settle much more quickly if there is another horse in proximity on their arrival. As you may want to quarantine your new horse for a while before introducing him to any other horses on the property, you may not want to stall a compatriot close by. As long as the new arrival can see another horse in a paddock or field on the property, it will be a beneficial calming influence. Don’t fret if whinnying erupts when the horses see each other. Just ignore it. It will soon stop.

Like many horse owners, I was under the assumption that freezing temperatures in winter would kill off any small strongyle worm eggs or larvae on horse pastures, and stop the life cycle of these parasites when they are outside of their equine host. Apparently that is not the case.

Recently, a process called “gene doping” has come to light*. This illegal and unethical, yet scientifically remarkable, process involves injecting horses with small pieces of genetic material, referred to as “transgenes,” which have been linked to athletic performance. Once these transgenes have been injected, they integrate into the horse’s own DNA, presumably giving the horses an athletic advantage.