Horse Freebies

Please let us know if there are any links that are no longer working!

Free SmartPak Taste Test sample

Free Pat Parelli Tickets!

Free horse nutrition sample from Foxden Equine

Free Bag of Purina Strategy Health Edge for horses

Free CocoSoya Horse Supplement

Free Dry Stall Sample

Free Stay Safe on your Horse Tips from the UK

Free Horse Software Trial

Free Leather Therapy Sample call 800-711-8225.

Free mane & tail conditioners & detanglers from Exhibitor Labs

Free Equine Chiropractic Technique Chart!

Free Web Page For Your Pet!

Hunter and Sport Horse Magazine - free 1 year subscription

Horse quencher for your horse - free sample of horse quencher

Head to Hoof - free sample horse treats

Ascend for horses , from Farnam - free sample, one per household

Nu-Image horse supplement - free sample

Horse birthday club - free horse treats sent to your horse on their birthday

Farnam giveaways, contests and rebates - one of the biggest horse supply companies in North America

Absobine Vet Liniment Gel - free sample

Free Winnies Horse Cookies sample

Free sample of Cool Calories 100

Free horse sound effects

Please let us know if there are any links that are no longer working!

Check out what else you can get free or for a discount for horses below!

English Horseback Riding Ladies Tall Leather Boots Dress Dressage Field Polo Show
5 Calf sizes [Slim, Regular, Wide, Plus, 2Plus] in all shoe sizes 6,6.5, 7,7.5, 8,8.5, 9,9.5, 10,10.5, 11,11.5, 12,

Study Shows That Air Quality In Horse Barns Is - Um, Not So Good

I’m shocked.

This study, done with just 13 people over two winters and one summer, shows that those who work in horse barns are exposed to not so good for your lungs kind of stuff. Of course it said it in a twelve page report and more elegantly than I, but basically what this long report said was the same thing I’m saying – the air quality in barns suck.

Wow, I could have told them that and for free, too!

It said the people working in horse barns were exposed to irritants such as, dust, mold and ammonia. I would like to add that you are also exposed to not only horse droppings, but bird, possum, raccoon, cat and mouse droppings as well. Not the cleanest place in the world, but we love our horses and a dusty, dirty environment is part of the deal.

What did they expect to find? A rose garden? The barn where I am at is relatively small. There are only 17 horses housed there and they go out to pasture for half the time during the day. The barn is kept amazingly clean and stalls are cleaned daily. Still, it smells like a barn. No big surprise there. A thousand pound animal eliminating tons of manure and gallons of urine tends to have the ability to cause a bit of odor. Multiply that by 17, well you get the picture. Add to it the dust and mold from hay, grain and shavings. Then add the smells of fly spray, leather cleaner, medicines and plain old sweat – both human and equine, and you have a concoction that says or rather smells, “Welcome to horses.”

I wonder how much money was spent on this study. It makes you wonder, with the world in a financial crisis, where do they get the money to fund studies like this? Why would anyone waste precious time and research money on something that most of us already knew? It’s not like people are going to get rid of their horses now because this study said the air in the barn is dusty. Aren’t there other, more worthwhile subjects that can be studied? I would rather see money and time being spent on research that shows where we can make improvements in our lives not state the obvious.

I feel I have learned about the same amount from this study as if they did one that stated they have now determined that when the sun goes down, it gets dark.

Self Defense From Horseback

Many of us like to go out riding the trails alone. The solitude of being alone with your horse can be very relaxing. Sometimes it's just nice to be alone.

Unfortunately though you can be seen as a target for a predator and I don't mean the four footed type.

The number one way to protect yourself is just not to ride alone. Even though it's nice it can be dangerous for many different reasons. I'm talking about both accidents and being attacked.

If you think you are always safe on horseback, think again. It is very easy to unseat someone especially if you are determined. And not everyone is afraid of horses.

Attached is a video I would like for you all to watch that shows some wonderful self defense moves you can do from horseback. Try and think of some other ways you can defend yourself and I highly recommend taking some self defense classes. They not only teach you how to defend yourself, but also how to be more assertive and self confident.

Thanks to Nan at The Ping Chronicles for sharing this video.

The World Equestrian Games are coming to the Kentucky Horse Park

If you love horses, if you are new to horses or you just love intense athletic competition, then you don't want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to see some of the best athletes in the world - both human and equine. Those involved in equine competition are some of the best performing athletes and watching the horses compete is something the whole family can enjoy. Plus, the Kentucky Horse Park is a beautiful place to take the family for a fun adventure.

The World Equestrian Games are comprised of the world championships for eight equestrian sports - Dressage; Driving; Endurance, Eventing; Jumping; Para Dressage; Reining; Vaulting. The Games are held every four years, two years prior to the Olympic Games, and are governed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

After years of planning, we are now in the final stretch to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The world’s most prestigious equestrian competition is coming to Kentucky in 2010—providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to see the best athletes in the world.

Tickets for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games go on sale September 25, 2009. All ticket sales will be facilitated online at http://www.alltechfeigames.com.

With eight world championships to be contested, more sessions of competition than ever before, and tickets prices as low as $25, there is something for everyone.

Brown Recluse Spider Bite?

Last night we had to take my 17 month old son to the doctor on a late night emergency appointment. Earlier that morning I had noticed two bites on his thigh, which looked at first like mosquito bites. As the day progressed however the swelling and redness continued to get bigger till it was the size of a silver dollar. There was also a blister in the center the size of my thumbnail. I called the doctor and we took him in. The theory they told us is they think the bite is from a brown recluse spider. I pray not. I was up most of the night keeping an eye on him and looking for worsening symptoms. He is on antibiotics and prescription topical cream and this morning the wound does not look any worse. It just looks the same.

The reason I am telling you all this is to let you know to be careful when you are both inside and out. Wood piles, playground equipment, bushes, rocks, storage sheds, just about anywhere you can find brown recluse and black widow spiders, the two venomous spiders in this part of the country. They also like to live indoors in dark places like closets, boxes, just about anywhere that is dark and out of the way.

Barns are also the perfect place for brown recluse and black widow spiders. Shavings bins are one place of choice for the brown recluse and corners and dark spaces are another place of choice for both spiders. So please be careful. Be watchful when handling shavings and look carefully before grabbing that piece of wood to toss out of them. Shake out boots/shoes before putting them on and squish gloves before putting them on. Watch when picking up your saddles and saddle blankets as they like to nest in dark spaces. Generally just be careful wherever you are when pulling things out especially if they haven’t been pulled out in a while. They are not aggressive spiders and usually only bite when pressed against the skin.

I don’t want to scare anyone, just inform you. I am guilty myself for not being careful when it comes to checking for venomous spiders. I will be more now. Some people don’t have much a reaction to brown recluse spider bites other than a little soreness and redness, others require extensive hospital stays due to large wounds coming from the dying tissue. Death has been reported very rarely. They aren’t sure if the severe loss of tissue is from the bite itself or an infection that set in.

The Internet is full of information and I spent most of the night last night trying to educate myself. Not sure if all the info made me feel better or worse! Just please be aware and listen to your gut feelings if you are bit and seek medical attention as soon as symptoms appear if they are unusual.
I am so glad I listened to my mom voice and took him in when I did. We feel early treatment is why his symptoms haven't become worse. But I am still very worried.

The Use (or misuse) of Shavings in Stalls

Wood shavings are the choice of most horse owners. They are more absorbent than straw; cheaper and easier to use as well. Most barns order them in bulk and have them delivered on a regular basis. Lately, the price of shavings has gone up as well as demand. Not sure why since due to this economy there are less people who can afford horses. Maybe it’s because people are wasting more lately. I’ll tell you what I mean.

I am surprised at how many horse owners have no clue on how to clean a stall and utilize shavings effectively. The amount of good shavings being wasted is shocking to me. There have been times that I have noticed large amounts of good shavings in the manure pile and I think,”What a waste.” The only times shavings should hit the wheel barrow is if they are soiled from manure or wet from urine. Due to the horse walking around in his stall, good, dry shavings will not hold their lily white appearance for long. But that does not mean the shavings aren’t good.

Manure forks are designed as to pick up the piles and to shake loose the good dry shavings. Most people seem to use them as shovels though instead, throwing good, dry shavings out with the manure. They also fail to rake back the dry shavings over the wet areas. You need to pull back the good, dry shavings before you scoop up the wet, urine soaked bedding.

It’s amazing how many people think they would be harming their horse’s health if they don’t strip out their stall, taking everything with it every three days! Not only is this a waste of materials, but it is more labor intensive.

We had a boarder who just left that the manager was going to fine because she refused to head the warnings of her using too many shavings when there was a shortage. Many horses were going without much bedding at all while her horse was standing ankle deep in them. Contrary to popular belief, bedding your horse deep is not healthy, but you do need some! She was hoarding while many of us were using old hay as bedding or buying our own in bags.

When I was asked by the manager for suggestions on how to solve the shavings misuse dilemma, I suggested that everyone have to buy their own for a while to teach them the art of conservation. I told her I would much rather pay less in board and have to buy my own shavings than have the price of board raised just because there are some people here who don’t know how to clean stalls. I know that many may disagree with me, but unless people realize how expensive bedding can be they won’t learn to conserve.

Happy mucking!

Horse Tip-Bringing Horses In With Just A Rope

Do you bring your horse in from the field or take him out with just a rope around his neck?

Many people do and I used to, but I don’t anymore and I haven’t in a long time. I’ll tell you why I stopped doing it.

I have always insisted that my horses have good ground manners and listen to me both on the lead and loose. They get so well mannered that I tend to get complacent and forget sometimes that things can get out of hand in a blink of an eye. Let me share a story of an incident that fortunately didn’t happen to me, but I witnessed.

At this one stable I was boarding at a woman was bringing in her well mannered horse like she had done countless times before. She just had the rope around his neck as usual. He wasn’t rushing or pulling her. He was walking calmly as usual when all of a sudden something fell behind him. Though this horse wasn’t one that spooked at everything, this did scare him. He lunged forward and because she didn’t have control of his head she wasn’t able to turn him. This scared him more and he knocked her down. It gets worse. Now the horse is running back to his stall. Her 3 year old son was standing off to the side by some buckets and a wheel barrow. He was not in the way, but it didn’t matter. The horse headed straight for him as the direct line to the stall.

The horse ran full tilt into the area the little boy was in. Buckets, wheel barrow and what seemed like the little boy went flying in all directions. Thankfully the little guy wasn’t hurt, just terrified. We think the buckets and wheel barrow hit him, but the horse missed him. It could have been a lot worse, but to me and all who witnessed it, it taught us all a valuable lesson. Always spend a little extra time to put a halter and a lead rope on when leading your horse. It only takes a few seconds and it is ultimately safer. If she had a halter on her horse she may have been able to get him turned and slowed before he would have bolted and picked up any speed causing the horse to run blindly through the barn.

Now I understand the accident could have happened anyway even with a halter on, but we all know you have no control whatsoever with just a rope around the neck. So please, for everyone’s safety in the barn, including your own, don’t fall into a lazy habit. Spend the extra few seconds it takes to put a halter on and lead your horse in properly. I do now.

Horse Tips: Bits

When trying to choose the right bit, go for the lightest, easiest bit first.
The majority of horses, even ones with issues will respond to a light snaffle. Remember the mouth is a very sensitive place. Severe bits are not needed and should be avoided at all costs. After all, your goal is to have your horse go willingly, quietly and softly, right?

When starting horses for the first time or even when working with an older horse that has issues we need to overcome I actually prefer a side pull bridle which has no bit at all. Below is a picture of one.

When starting a young horse, I work him only in the side pull first then when he is going good I will introduce him to the snaffle. Usually just a D-ring or sometimes a full cheek snaffle which also puts pressure against the side of the mouth helping him to bend his head.

Now the bridle with the bit is worn under the side pull bridle at the same time. I do not however use the bridle with the bit’s reins. I tie them off loosely on the horn. I just want him to carry the bit in his mouth for a while and get used to it. When he is at ease with it, then I may pick up the reins, but only at the halt at first. I put pressure on only one rein and release the very moment he gives his head, even if it’s only a fraction of an inch. The idea here is reward him for “giving in” to the bit and build on it. It is very important you release the rein at the very moment he gives so he can learn the reward system. I will repeat it a few times on that side than switch to the other rein. Then pick up the side pull’s reins and work on the lesson for the day. The next lesson will have more bit work and I then build on it slowly till I am working solely with the bridle with the bit’s reins and then I no longer need the side pull.

I pretty much may do the same with the older horse unless he responds well to the snaffle. If he goes well with the snaffle then that’s where I start. I will use the side pull though if he has trouble responding to rein cues or does not give well to the bit.

Remember, the key is very small steps done in short increments rather than long, tiring lessons. Horses are like children and can absorb only so much at one time till they get overloaded and their brains shut down. Keep your lessons short and sweet and always try and end on a good note. Even if that means going back to a maneuver he knows well.

I rarely go over an hour with a lesson and most are under an hour especially when working with young horses. There have been a few exceptions to this when I am working a horse that is being stubborn, I am trying to find a good note to end on and he is unwilling to give me that. Then I will keep going to we can reach a good compromise for both sides.

It makes him feel good that he can do something that pleases you and he will remember that the next time you are ready to work. You want your horse to look forward to the next lesson, not dread it. You also want to look forward to the next lesson and not dread it yourself, right?

Happy Trails

Horse Tip – You Are Your Horse’s Trainer

One thing most people who have horses forget is we are all horse trainers.

Yes, even you.
Having a horse that is well behaved is a joy isn’t it? Just like having a horse that is hard to handle is stressful.


Every time you handle your horse you are training him. You are either training him to do what you want or you are training him to do what you don’t want. This is more than just when you are riding. It’s when you put his halter on, when you bring him in from the field, leading him to the barn and making him wait while you stop and talk with a friend. It’s when you are picking his feet, grooming him or entering his stall to feed and water him.


All those “little” times are training times. So try and be conscious of this every time you are handling your horse. Take advantage of these short moments to instill good manners or reinforce training already established. It is these types of “training” moments that add up. Letting him get away with bad things now also add up over time and before you know it you have a monster on your hands.


So remember, you are your horse’s trainer. Go out and evaluate his manners today. Is he behaving the way you want or are there areas that need your attention? Small steps over time add up to bigger accomplishments.

Happy Trails!