This speaks directly to the owners of stables and boarding facilities, like myself, who have a human community to nurture right now in addition to their herd of horses.As barn owners, we are already busy from the crack of dawn to the crack of the next dawn with the daily responsibilities of caring for our clients’ horses. Even if we had oodles of time to prep our management strategies for unprecedented crisis situations, such as a global pandemic, it’s hard to pin down the specifics without really knowing what’s coming.To be honest, this is the first pandemic I’ve lived through... continue reading

The last thing we want during our barn remodel is to have our progress waylaid by an accident to horses or humans that could put someone on your team out of commission and incur vet or medical bills that can consume your project budget - or worse!! That’s why it’s a good idea to go into any project with a careful site review and keeping these safety considerations in mind. The best time to do safety planning is at the start of your project during your design and scheduling phase. For more info on project planning your barn remodel, see... continue reading

Paddock drainage is a major buzz word in the mud management world. However, as we discuss in our article on ground stability, drainage is not actually the most important factor in keeping mud from forming in your horses’ high traffic areas. In fact, even a paddock that’s graded for drainage can turn into a mud pit as the water moves across unstable ground that is being churned up by the plunger action of hooves. But we know that all of the water that falls on your paddock (either directly from the sky or as runoff from other areas) has to... continue reading

When shopping for gravel to fill your Lighthoof panels, choose wisely for the best possible results. Do not fill Lighthoof panels with pea gravel, drain gravel, or other rounded rock or sand infill. You may use any footing product you would like over the top of the cells, but you will want to use the correct material for filling the cells. Since gravel types and availability vary so much from region to region, look for these three characteristics to determine which product at your local gravel yard will work. 1. Angular Chose a gravel that is angular in particle shape.... continue reading

Keeping your horses off the pastures at certain times of the year and when grass height is shorter than 3” is the only way to get lush green pastures on your farm. But your horses still need to be able to go outside and get some fresh air, so this is where your HUA is crucial.

Here are some considerations for setting up a Heavy Use Area (HUA) for your horses.

You have enough to think about when it comes to the perfect lush pasture. Seeding, irrigation, overgrazing, weeds...the list goes on. Nothing adds insult to injury quite like watching all your hard work overrun by scurrying, scampering burrowing rodents. It doesn’t take long, either. From one nest to an entire network, burrowing rodents in pastures move in with lightning speed and create hazards for your horses while destroying your root systems, causing soil erosion issues and setting you up for run off problems and mud when the wet months set in. We know just how frustrating it can be, so... continue reading

This weekend we had the chance to travel from our west coast base out to The Plains, Virginia for the only Nations Cup event on American soil. It was also our first major event as vendors where we also debuted our new mascot, Superhorse (who by the way, needs a name - more on that in a few). Meet Superhorse! Photo credit CJ Millar. The weather was amazing and the show went off without a hitch. We had a great location, and while originally we were concerned that we couldn’t figure out a good way to show the “before” of... continue reading

Well it’s finally here - that time of year every equestrian has been longing for. Long, warm, dry days and endless time on horseback! Summer show season, perfect summer evening rides, potlucks at the barn and all those great equestrian summer memories in the making are finally at our doorsteps. Spending time with horses in summer may very well be the highlight of being a horse owner, but it doesn’t come without it’s own set of battles to overcome. Heat related illnesses affect both people and equines, so we’ve got some great summer horse tips to help you beat the... continue reading

Whether you’re already boots deep in homesteading and are successfully self sustained on your backyard homestead or your big picture dream includes turning that rough patch of side-yard into the perfect veggie garden, modern homesteading is becoming a way life for many. It doesn’t require large acreage to fulfil your homesteading dreams; it’s impressive what a small vegetable garden can bring to your table. If you’re plans consist of animals, bigger crops, water storage and canning (to name a few chores), summer can be a season filled to the brim with projects to get you set up for cooler months... continue reading

Hopefully now that spring is nearing an end and summer is starting to get underway, your horse property should be drying out, but that doesn’t mean a break from pasture management. If it’s not one problem to fix, it’s another; from mud and hay issues in the winter and spring, to pasture and pest problems in the heat of summer. There are a lot of interesting factors when it comes to managing pests on your farm. Before the barn flies and mosquitos become unbearable this year, let’s see give you some tips to get a jump on pest control for... continue reading

As equestrians, we spend most of our time making sure our four-legged beasts have all the comforts and amenities we can possibly provide. Their health and wellbeing are our top priorities; usually even over our own. While we do our best to mitigate the effects of unplanned events, we still do everything in our power to control what we can control. In that sense, our tireless efforts to create the perfect living conditions for optimal horse health means a never ending search for knowledge and efficiency. Barn safety and healthy horses are, after all, the desired status quo, right? Let... continue reading

Layer upon layer of gravel and mud might make for a temporary fix, but what about your long term cost savings? Utilizing our innovative mud management panels, Lighthoof's design keeps your gravel in place while giving moisture and precipitation a place to go, keeping your soil where it belongs.  It's totally easy, too. Keep your cost down with a one time install! Maintenance is minimal and you're checkbook will thank you in the long run!   continue reading

Well everyone, we asked, and boy did you deliver! If it’s new and innovative barn lifehacks you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.  We wrapped up our #Barnlifehack contest  a few weeks ago, and now, after waiting with baited breath, we’ve got the top ten awesome barn hacks we didn’t even know we were missing out on! It’s always fun hearing about new tricks and tips to help your barn run a bit smoother. Get a jump start on a busy summer at the barn with some great tips to organize your barn this spring. The Top 10 Barn... continue reading