Horse Care Guides
15 in-depth, start-to-finish guides that tie our calculators, finders and converters together.
How to Estimate Your Horse's Weight Without a Scale
Measure heart girth and length, use the formula, and know what the number is good for.
Feeding Horses: Hay, Grain and Supplements
How much forage a horse needs, when grain and supplements help and how to change feed safely.
Body Condition Scoring with the Henneke Scale
Score six body areas from 1 to 9, and know what to change when a horse is too thin or heavy.
Deworming Strategy for Horses: Fecal Egg Counts and Targeted Treatment
Why fecal egg counts replaced fixed rotations, and how to plan treatment for each horse.
Heat Stress: Using the Equine Heat Index to Keep Horses Safe
Use temperature plus humidity to judge risk, and know how to cool and hydrate a hot horse.
Blankets and Keeping Horses Warm in Winter
When to blanket, how to measure for size and fill weight, and how to check fit.
Saddle Fit and Choosing a Seat Size
Choose a saddle type, find a seat size and check fit on both horse and rider.
Choosing and Fitting a Bit
Measure for bit width, compare snaffles, curbs and bitless options, and check fit.
Rider Weight and How Much a Horse Can Carry
The 20 percent guideline, how to work out your ratio and what else matters.
Arena Footing and Stall Bedding: How Much to Buy
Calculate cubic yards and tons for an arena and estimate bedding use per stall.
Pasture, Acreage, Fencing and Turnout Planning
How many acres per horse, how to manage turnout and how to compare fence types and cost.
The Real Cost of Owning a Horse
Board, feed, farrier, vet, tack and surprises, and how to budget for them.
Hauling and Towing Horses Safely
Match the trailer to the tow vehicle, plan the trip and estimate shipping cost.
Breeding and Foaling Basics: Gestation, Due Dates and Coat Color
Gestation length, due dates, the 1-2-3 foaling rule and the basics of foal color.
Getting Your First Horse: A Readiness and Buying Guide
Decide if you are ready, choose a suitable horse and plan the first month.
How to use the guides
Each guide takes one subject from start to finish: the decisions to make first, the arithmetic behind them, worked examples and the mistakes that cost horse owners time and money. They link to the calculators, finders and converters that do the numbers for you, so you can read a guide once to understand the whole picture and then use the tools when your own measurements are in hand.
What the guides cover
Feeding and health: estimating weight, feeding hay, grain and supplements, body condition scoring, deworming strategy and heat stress.
Tack and riding: saddle fit and seat size, choosing and fitting a bit, blankets and winter care and rider weight and carrying capacity.
Barn, land and travel: arena footing and bedding, pasture, acreage and fencing, the real cost of owning a horse and hauling and towing.
Breeding and getting started: breeding and foaling basics and getting your first horse.
A note on accuracy
The guides give general planning figures and explain where the numbers come from. They do not replace the advice of your veterinarian, farrier, saddle fitter or trainer, who can see your horse. Where a subject carries risk, such as colic, heat stroke, foaling problems or hauling, the guide says so and tells you when to call a professional. If you spot an error, please tell us through the Report an Issue form.