Blog Articles From The Trainer’s Loft

Best Winter Breeches and Gear for New England Riders Why Winter Riding Requires the Right Gear Riding through a New England winter demands more preparation and the right clothing to stay comfortable, warm, and safe. Freezing temperatures, icy footing, and harsh winds can make even a short ride challenging. Choosing the right gear helps you…

Winter Saddlery Care Tips for New England Riders Understanding Winter’s Impact on Tack New England winters are notoriously harsh, and the cold, dry air can take a serious toll on your leather goods. Riders often underestimate just how quickly winter weather can damage saddles, especially when tack is stored in unheated barns. Freezing temperatures cause…

Winter Horse Enrichment Ideas for Happy, Busy Horses When the pastures are frozen, the days are short, and turnout time is limited, keeping your horse happy and engaged can become a real challenge. Winter is often when horses spend more time indoors, which can lead to boredom and anxiety, and unwanted behaviors like cribbing, weaving,…

Winter Grooming Routine: Keep Coats Clean & Shiny When the temperatures drop and the water troughs start to freeze, bath time becomes a thing of the past. But that doesn’t mean your horse’s grooming routine should take a back seat. A consistent winter grooming routine is essential for maintaining a healthy coat, preventing skin issues,…

Winter Horse Blanket Guide: Choosing the Right Weight As temperatures drop, your horse’s comfort and health depend on choosing the right winter horse blanket. But with so many options – sheets, lightweights, medium weights, heavyweights, liners, and waterproof sprays, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. This ultimate guide breaks it all down so you can make…

Equestrian Holiday Gifts: Stunning Ideas Riders Actually Want The holiday season is here! It’s time for cozy barn mornings, festive rides, and finding the perfect presents for the horse lovers in your life. Whether you’re shopping for a dedicated rider, a young equestrian, or even your barn bestie, equestrian holiday gifts are a wonderful way…

6 Critical Winter Barn Safety Tips for Safer Storm Prep When winter storms roll through New England, horse owners know the drill: snow, ice, high winds, and the all-too-common power outage. Whether it lasts a few hours or several days, losing electricity can quickly turn into a serious situation in a barn setting. Without power,…

Must Have Essentials for Winter Horse Care As the temperatures drop and frosty mornings return it’s time to shift your focus from fall routines to full-on winter prep. Whether you board your horse or manage your own barn, having the right gear and tack ready before the first freeze can make all the difference. Winter…

7 Essential Tips for Effective Winter Hoof Care When winter settles in across New England, it brings its fair share of challenges for horse owners – frozen ground, muddy paddocks, icy paths, and long stretches of cold, damp weather. While it’s easy to focus on blanketing, feeding, and barn prep, one area that might get…

8 Essential Tips for Horse Barn Winter Care As the days get shorter and the temperatures start to dip, fall is the perfect time to prepare your barn for the challenges of winter. Taking a proactive approach now can help you avoid costly damage, protect your equipment, and ensure your horses stay comfortable and healthy…

7 Expert Tips for Cold Weather Horse Care and Winter Fitness Winter often brings a natural slowdown for both riders and horses. Shorter days, icy footing, and freezing temperatures make it harder to keep up with regular riding routines. But too much time off can leave your horse stiff, out of shape, and even restless….

4 Proven Horse Paddock Mud Control Strategies Mud season is one of the toughest times of the year for horse owners, and horse paddock mud control can feel overwhelming. The combination of rain, melting snow, and heavy turnout traffic can quickly turn paddocks into a mess. Beyond being inconvenient, mud can damage your horse’s hooves,…

4 Essential Used Tack Finds Every Rider Needs for Fall Fall brings cooler weather, shorter days, and new demands on your horse care routine. For many riders, that means swapping out summer gear for blankets, sturdier tack, and layers of riding apparel. But keeping your horse and you equipped for the weather doesn’t have to…

5 Types of Horse Bits Every Rider Should Know When it comes to riding and training, the bit is one of the most important tools you’ll use to communicate with your horse. With so many designs available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Understanding the different types of horse bits and how…

Horse Blanket Guide: How to Choose the Right Weight for Fall Nights As the crispness of autumn settles in, horse owners face one of the most common seasonal questions: does my horse need a blanket? If so, which type and what weight? Blanketing is not a one-size-fits-all decision. This horse blanket guide will walk you…

7 Smart Tips: Autumn Horse Care Guide for Winter Readiness Fall is a season of transition for both people and horses. As the temperatures drop, daylight shortens, and pastures fade, horses face a variety of new health challenges. Preparing in advance is one of the best ways to ensure your equine partner enters winter strong,…

Horse Care for Cooler Weather: Starting Fall Prep As the leaves begin to change and the temperatures drop, horse owners know it’s time to start adjusting routines, turnout schedules, and tack to keep horses comfortable and healthy. Seasonal changes can affect everything from your horse’s coat to their energy levels, so preparing in advance is…

8 Must Have Horse Training Gear Items Training a horse is more than just teaching commands, it is about building a relationship based on communication, trust, and consistency. Whether you are working with a young horse for the first time or refining an experienced partner’s skills, having the right tools makes the process safer and…

4 Must-Know Ways Western Safety Stirrups Protect You in the Saddle Whether you are hitting a trail through the mountains, working cattle, or competing in rodeos, safety should always come first in the saddle. One often-overlooked piece of tack that can have a major impact on rider safety is the stirrup. While traditional stirrups have…