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Airflow is a top priority for horse owners, no matter the climate. The right stall front design can significantly impact ventilation, equine health, and overall barn comfort. In this article, we explore how different materials, especially mesh, influence airflow in horse stalls.

Horse stalls come in all sorts of designs and sizes.

Among all of the available options, it is certain that your horse will spend a lot of time in their horse stall. In addition to the basics for comfortable and safe horse stalls, there are a lot of add-ons that can add safety, elegance, and function.

During the purchasing process, we walk clients through a variety of add-ons. Although these add-ons drive up the cost upfront, they are priceless in the long run. These add-ons are valuable because they:

1. Fit your style of feeding and handling your horses
2. Allow your horse to have easier access to fresh water, fresh air, and socialization in the barn
3. Promote a healthy environment through ventilation and available sunlight

Here is a concise list of 5 upgrades to consider when making your upcoming horse stall purchase:

Mesh or Grilled Bottoms
Steel mesh or steel bars allow for optimal ventilation in a horse stall. Aside from ventilation, steel mesh and grilled bottoms also allow a horse owner to look down the aisle or into the stall as they walk down the aisle. This way, an owner can always maintain visibility of their horses. The only drawback is that bedding can be kicked into the aisles. To combat that, we recommend to add bedding guards to the bottom of each stall door.

Removable or Closable Yoke
A yoke is the opening in a horse stall door through which a horse can hang his or head outside of the horse stall. Yokes come in all sorts of styles including V-Shaped yokes, square yokes, rectangular yokes, and more.

Horse owners - especially in busier commercial barns - don't like the idea of allowing a horse to hang their head in the aisle-way. This is because some horse owners are concerned that their sale horse will bite incoming visitors.

One option to add function and versatility is a closable yoke.

You can add a closable yoke by either having a completely removable yoke piece or a hinged, drop down yoke. At American Stalls, we tend to recommend our clients to consider removable yokes as opposed to hinged, drop down yokes. This is because horses tend to be playful and play with the yoke that has folded down on the door. To avoid the playful nature and any shenanigans, we tend to recommend removable yokes.

Feed Doors
Feed doors come in the form of large-grilled feed doors that swing outwards. These doors are built into stall fronts so our clients can feed quicker and easier. These feed doors are especially helpful if you have barn help that is unfamiliar with horses. This way, the individual does not have to enter the horse stalls to provide feed or water.

Automatic Waterers
Automatic waterers are usually installed in either the horse stall's corner or mounted into the stall front. Automatic waters have the advantage as they allow for a constant source of clean water available to your horse. They are also easy to clean.

Sliding Stall Doors
This is not necessarily an "add-on," but we do tend to recommend sliding stall doors as opposed to hinged stall doors.

A sliding stall door allows you to save time in opening and closing the door every time the horse is turned out. In regards to safety, sliding horse stalls are easier to open and close. In the event of a fire or other emergency, a human handler can easily slide open the stall doors, lock them in place, and attend to other stalls. In contrast, hinged stall doors pose a safety hazard when left unlatched in an aisle. For these reasons, we strongly recommend that you consider a sliding horse stall door that can lots of long-term value.

Do you have more questions regarding your existing stall doors or a new stalls project? Contact us today and our team would be happy to assist with any questions and project planning.

Below are more helpful resources and articles recently shared by our American Stalls team:

As of September 2020, it is safe to say that we are living in unprecedented times with plenty of change. In the middle of this change, one thing does remain the same though. That one thing is barn safety protocols.

The fall season is the perfect time to start your preparations for winter. The days are usually cooler. There are less insects in the area or died off. In short, the fall time makes the perfect conditions for getting the barn ready for use over the winter. A simple, yet thorough inspection of your horse barn can help you keep your barn safe this winter.

Here are five things we recommend to do to prepare the barn for winter:

1. Deep Clean All Horse Stall Equipment
Clean horse stall equipment goes a long way in any season, but it is even more important to thoroughly clean in preparation for the winter. We recommend to remove bedding from the summer and early fall. Use agricultural lime or stall drying products to dry up any wet spots. Clean and remove all dangerous cobwebs, debris, and general clutter. Double check all electrical appliances (i.e. fans, heaters, etc) of any flammable buildup.

2. Inspect Bulbs and Electrical Components
No matter the age (or condition) of your barn, we recommend to schedule inspections on your wiring and electrical outlets. A thorough inspection includes the clearing of dust, debris, and cobwebs. Replace any blown bulbs and check wires for fraying.

We also recommend to outfit your barn with battery-powered (or solar powered) flashlights to provide safe access to your barn during power outages. Please note that all outlets or frayed wiring should be immediately repaired by a licensed professional.

3. Inspect and Clean Your Feed Room
Chilly fall evenings are often a cue for rodents to look for extra food. Before you know, a horse barn's feed room can be an ideal outlet for rodent. For this reason, we recommend to clean up your feed room to help reduce the risk of rodents and insects. Sweep up spilled feed that will attract your unwanted guest.

Inspect your storage containers to make sure the lids seal tight. We recommend metal trash cans or metal bins instead of plastic bins that can be chewed through by rodents. Lastly, if you store hay in your feed room, use pallets that allow for better air circulation.

4. Prepare & Check Water Supply
Keep an eye on the water trough and take measures to prevent any and all freezing. A high-quality heating device is a sound investment and can help ensure your horse is well hydrated through the winter months.

Alternatively, if you use hoses, check the hoses for any leaks. Replace or add on to the existing hose length. Lastly, while the consumption of snow is generally not a health hazard for horses, it is not a good substitute for fresh water. It will not prevent your horse from getting dehydrated over the winter.

5. Check for Drafts and Superior Ventilation
Ventilation is essential for a horse's overall health and specifically lung health. However, large drafts can be dangerous in temperature regulation. For older barns, we recommend that your barn structure. This means to check Barn End Doors and Barn Windows to cover any holes that let in too much air. Replace any broken Barn Doors, Barn Windows, Dutch Doors, or faulty door latches.

That being said, please remember that airflow is still critical in any barn even during winter months. Good ventilation can help reduce respiratory ailments among your horses. For this reason, we also recommend to inspect your existing stall doors, stall fronts, and other components to ensure they allow for maximum ventilation within the barn.

This list is far from an exhaustive lists since you can always do more to get ready for the winter. That being said, we recommend to start here so we we aren’t playing catch up during a winter storm. A thorough and mindful inspection can make sure to keep your horses happy and healthy this winter!

Barn-entry doors are one of the first features you notice upon entering a horse farm, making them a crucial design element. Whether for a private or commercial barn, the right doors enhance both aesthetics and functionality. Key considerations include ventilation and natural light—both essential for horse health and barn comfort.

Horse stalls are one of the first things that our clients begin to think about when they plan their upcoming barn project. 

Chances are, you know exactly the look you'd like in your barn.

In the world of horse stalls, there are thousands of stall styles. In this ocean of choices, there are only two types of stall doors – sliding doors and hinged doors. Although it may not seem like it, your stall door choice is one the most important decisions when it comes to your horse barn. You will use your horse stall door thousands of times – opening it, closing it, leaving it open, and everything in-between.

That's why it's important to make a well-informed decision. As with any option, each door type comes with its pros and cons.

HINGED STALL DOORS

Hinged stall doors tend to be more common than sliding doors.

That being said, hinged stall doors tend to be less practical than sliding doors. This is because they must swing out into the barn aisle. This means that your barn aisle must be fairly wide to accommodate the standard 48" wide horse stall door. If you are considering hinged stall doors, we suggest to consider the following:

Aisle Width: The aisle should be wide enough to allow for the hinged door to safely open and close.

Aisle Leveling: The aisle needs to be tempered and leveled. This is crucial since the bottom of a stall door can get stuck on uneven flooring. This is why we recommend to allow for an inch of clearance between the barn floor and the horse stall door's bottom. If your barn aisle is full of hills and bumps, we would advise against a hinged horse stall door.

At the end of the day, hinged horse stalls can provide your barn that elegant and traditional look.

SLIDING STALL DOORS

While sliding doors don't have the open appearance of a European (hinged) stall door, they are still great investments for your horse barn.

For starters, sliding doors are a fantastic because they save valuable space. This is because the sliding horse stall door doesn't swing outward into the barn aisle. This space-saving feature makes sliding doors a perfect fit for busy facilities including horse boarding barns, training barns, and large venues.

Most importantly, we recommend sliding horse stall doors because of their safety advantage. Below are some thoughts and considerations:

1. A hinged door can get caught by the wind. This can injure a horse or human if the stall door is left open in the aisle.
2. A hinged door needs to be closed when the horse is note in the horse stall. Therefore, the handler has one more additional action to do when leading a horse out of its stall to close or open a latch. Ideally, a safe design ensures that least amount of handling and steps.
3. If a hinged door is closed, a horse can potentially get loose from the stall if the door does not latch for some reason.
4. When horses are turned out and a sliding door has been left open, a human can simply look down the aisle and tell who is out and who is not.
5. As noted above, when you are leading the horse back into the stall and the sliding door has been left open, there is less action involved to ultimately close the stall door.
6. Lastly, sliding doors are recommended from a fire safety standpoint. In the case of a fire, you have very little time to make crucial, life-saving decisions. In this case, you simply pull the pin latch or push up the latch and slide open the door as you move to the next stall.

Learn more reasons why you should choose a sliding horse stalls.

Despite the pros and cons, each horse stall door can function at a high level in terms of safety, day-to-day operations, and the overall look. Do you have more questions about stall components or barn safety in general? Contact an American Stalls team member today! 

Did you miss our previous' Small Business Spotlight Series spotlights? If so, below are more spotlights on some of our favorite equine businesses and professionals:
1) Equivont – An Online Marketplace
2) Rose of Sharon Equestrian School – Therapeutic Riding Facility
3) StableStyle – Online resource for inspiration and dream barns.

There are two types of photos in the world of horses. The first type is a quick iPhone photo – whether it is of rolling hills, the barn, action shots of yourself at a competition, or simply a photo of your horse being a goofball.

The second type is a professional photograph.

The differences between an "amateur" photo and a professional photo go beyond just the photo quality and file. A high quality, professional equestrian photo captures details such as the human-horse bond, the variety of emotions, and other intricate details.

In this week's Small Business Spotlight Series feature, we're proud to feature one of our fellow clients, Bethany Pastorial who runs Bethany P Photography.

Bethany P Photography is more than just a photography business. During projects, Bethany becomes your creative director. She becomes who can take all your Pinterest boards, unicorn fantasies, and love you have for your horse and translate it into heartfelt, genuine photos. Bethany is the storyteller passionate about capturing your relationship with your horse.

We recently had a chance to sit down with Bethany to learn more about her journey, how she is handling COVID-19, and more!

Q: What is your background?
A: I was the stereotypical horse crazy girl growing up in the suburbs with Breyer models and a ton of Saddle Club books. Every time we passed a horse farm I’d press my nose to the car window - you can still catch me doing that!

I started riding lessons when I was 6 on the old grey Arabian mare and “the phase” has never left. From Arabians to cutting horses to the IHSA, I’ve hopped from English to western and back to English again. After college, I bought my first horse, Riptide. He’s my personal version of my favorite movie - The Black Stallion. We’ve shown all over the east coast in the Arabian breed circuit, but these days we’re a retired team doing what I call “backyard dressage.”

Photography has me on the road several weeks of the year so I enjoy pleasure riding my horses at home when I can on my farm in Missouri.

Q: Do you have any horses yourself? If so, what kind?
A: Yes! I have two horses - a 21 year old half Arabian gelding named Riptide and a 7 year old off track Thoroughbred named Morris.

This past November we purchased a 28 acre farm and turned a 30 x 50 cattle shed into a modest two stall barn. The day we brought the boys home fulfilled every childhood dream I had.

Q: How did your photography business begin?
A: I’d always loved horses and photography, but it wasn’t until 2014 that I put the two together when my horse, Riptide, foundered.

As I sat there icing his hooves, I scrolled through my phone at all the photos I had of him - selfies with his goofy nose on my shoulder, videos from our riding lessons, photos bought at horse shows. None of them really represented what it was like to love this horse, so the first thing I did when we were out of the woods was schedule a photo shoot. I realized no one should have to feel that way about a horse they love, so I married my two passions into Bethany P Photography.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your business and profession?
A: Every client - whether a private owner or a business - has an incredible story to tell and every story is completely different. I love the creative challenge of bringing that story to life. When my clients get excited looking at the back of my camera, it brings me the biggest sense of fulfillment because I know I’m nailing their vision.

I’m so humbled when someone decides I’m the right person to tell their story because as a horse lover myself I 100% understand the emotions that come with it.

Q: How has COVID-19 affected Bethany P Photography so far?
A: It’s certainly an anxious time to be a creative sole member entrepreneur right now, especially since my business relies very heavily on meeting someone face to face.

Several sessions have had to be rescheduled or placed on hold until it’s safe to travel as I take clients all over the country. So COVID-19 has made an impact on my business’s schedule for sure.

But one positive outcome from COVID-19 has been the influx of online communication which has never before been so frequent of candid. I’m not a fan of the term “social distancing” as I feel it’s really more “physical distancing,” and there are still plenty of opportunities to connect with others outside the four walls of our homes.

So while my business has certainly pumped the brakes on what is normally a busy season, I’ve tried to remain positive and continue talking to my clients and audiences - keeping the lines of communication open and honest while sharing in the common plight we’re all in.

Q: What tip would you give other businesses similar to Bethany P Photography (i.e. professional photographers, branding and marketing agencies, etc) during these tough times?
A: Stay positive and continue communicating with your audience. As creatives within the industry, we’re really supplying others with a distraction during tough times. Being that positive element will not only support your community but also position yourself as a leader when we emerge from this storm.

Just remember, it will be over one day, and we will return to the world with cameras in hand ready to capture the joy of returning to the ring, spending time with our four legged friends, and the industry’s road to recovery.

You can learn more about what is the heart and soul of Bethany P Photography in the video below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2020

Contact:
American Stalls, LLC
(855) 957-8255
sales@americanstalls.com

American Stalls, an industry leader in custom equine equipment, is proud to announce its supreme level sponsorship of the League of Agricultural and Equine Centers.

The Sponsorship will start effective immediately on April 16, 2020 and extend through the remainder of the 2020 calendar year.

"The League of Agricultural and Equine Centers is excited about our newest Sponsor American Stalls joining the League. We rely on sponsors to support our mission and to provide information and quality products to our members,” said The League’s Executive Administrator Lynne Dickinson.

The move to sponsor the League was a natural transition for American Stalls. The company has worked with several member organizations of the League since the company’s original inception in 2006. This sponsorship demonstrates the strong alignment between our two organizations’ and a commitment to promote a mutual interest and passion: the promotion of high-quality equine equipment to meet the highest standards and safety of the equestrian community.

About American Stalls
Established in 2005, American Stalls is a leader in supplying innovative equine equipment to private barn owners and large commercial facilities across the world. American Stalls is a family owned and operated business to this day. We have more than 30 years of experience in the global steel industry – supplying high-quality products to the construction, electrical, and steel making industries. The American Stalls combines this steel background with our 15 years of trusted experience in the equestrian world. Over the past 15 years, we have worked with thousands of clients and manufactured over 8,500 horse stalls.

Today, American Stalls designs and manufactures custom made equine equipment including stall fronts, stall partitions, wash bays, grooming bays, portable horse stall systems, and flooring solutions. Our mission is to supply high-quality infrastructure that enables sustainable, long-term growth at equestrian facilities.

About The League of Agricultural and Equine Centers
The League of Agricultural and Equine Centers is a recognized professional organization that supports and promotes management personnel and maintenance procedures at agricultural and equine facilities. We are a primary resource for industry education, networking and advocacy for our members.

Did you miss previous weeks' Small Business Spotlight Series? If so, not to worry! Please see below for prior weeks' spotlight pieces:
1) Equivont – An Online Marketplace
2) Rose of Sharon Equestrian School – Therapeutic Riding Facility

Have you ever found yourself on Instagram? You swear to yourself that you'll limit your usage to five minutes – only to find yourself mindlessly scrolling through dream barns two hours later.

We often have a similar experience with Pinterest. We promise to limit our screen time, but end up pinning 200 pins and creating six boards full of home decor ideas, dream barn ideas, and more!

If you're nodding your head, chances are that you're familiar with this week's Small Business Spotlight Series feature – the popular Stable Style blog.

Stable Style, founded by Raquel Lynn, is a website dedicated to inspiring you as a reader with beautiful barns and stables. The goal is to excite you with barn and stable tours, renovations, and more.

Our team has enjoyed working with Stable Style in creating pieces about our American Stalls equine equipment. Over the years, we've found that Stable Style delivers tremendous value and inspiration to its readers.

We recently had a chance to sit down with Raquel and ask a few questions about her story. Read more below!

Q: What is your background?
A: I'm a full-time blogger and freelance writer for several equestrian publications. My first blog, Horses & Heels has been around for ten years. It started out as a passion project which I was able to monetize and turn into a career.

I grew up on a 400-acre dairy farm in northeast Ohio. I was lucky enough to be one of those girls who grew up with a pony. My mom rode and passed on the horse crazy genes. I grew up showing just about every discipline. Eventually I decided just to stick to barrel racing and competed throughout Ohio with the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA). My whole life has been based around horses and so is my career.

Q: Do you have any horses yourself? If so, what kind?
A: I have a registered Paint Horse, HH Indys Nu Daisy aka Fira. I'm lucky to keep her at home in my urban neighborhood in Los Angeles.

Q: How did Stable Style begin?
A: Stable Style started out as a section on my blog, Horses & Heels. I loved sharing my "Stable Style" content so much that inspired me to create a dedicated platform for it. I realized it was a popular niche and that I wanted to start its own blog.

I grabbed the Instagram handle in December of 2015 and launched Stablestyle.net in the spring of 2016. I've always loved interior design and architecture - this is the way I fuse that passion together with horses.

Q: What products/services does Stable Style offer?
A: Stable Style generates free content for readers all around the world. I offer a variety of advertising packages and listings for equestrian brands, especially barn related niches.

Q: What do you enjoy most about operating Stable Style?
A: I enjoy sharing barn tours, chatting with owners, architects and owning a happy platform. My goal is to be a source of inspiration for every equestrian.

“A barn is a sanctuary in an unsettled world, a sheltered place where life’s true priorities are clear. When you take a step back, it’s not just about horses — it’s about love, life, and learning. We honor our horses for their brave hearts, courage and willingness to give. Indeed, horses have the hearts of warriors and often carry us into and out fields of personal battles. Those who know them understand how fully a horse can hold a human heart.”

– Lauren Davis Baker

Q: How has COVID-19 affected Stable Style so far?
A: My blog traffic is up 40% right now, so that's wonderful. Advertising network rates have dropped over 50% which is taking a toll on revenue for me. However my private advertisers are benefiting from the traffic. I am lucky enough to always work from home so that hasn't changed for me.

Q: What tip would you give other businesses similar to StableStyle (i.e. online retailers, online tack shops, etc) during these tough times?
A: Remain active on Instagram and social media during this time. Your customers are spending more time online right now. While sales might be down, there are still lots of active shoppers looking for a deal. Take the time to tackle projects you wouldn't normally get to do during this time.

To learn more about Stable Style and its fantastic barn resources, please check out the website here.

Last week, we kicked off the first round of our Small Business Spotlight Series on Equivont. As our equine community navigates COVID-19, we wanted to continue to spotlight equine businesses that do tremendous work.

This week, we'd love to feature one of our lovely clients: Rose of Sharon Equestrian School (ROSES) located in Glen Arm, MD.

ROSES, founded by Joan Marie Twining, provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to develop basic horsemanship and stable management skills in a uniquely therapeutic environment.

In 2019, our American Stalls team had the opportunity of working with Joan when ROSES purchased an Elite Show Series MINI stall.

Ever since, we have seen firsthand the impact that ROSES makes to the local Maryland community.

We recently had a chance to sit down with Joan and ask a few questions about their story. Read more below!

Q: How did Rose of Sharon Equestrian School (ROSES) begin?
A: The planning of ROSES began in 1993, when a carpenter with 12 acres of family farmland married a special educator who had a dream to help students with disabilities through her love of horses.

By the summer of 1997, ground was broken for the construction of an ADA-compliant Therapeutic Horsemanship Program. ROSES was granted IRS 501(c)(3) status in 1998. By the spring of the following year, the equine portion of the stable was completed, and two donated horses, Merlin and Fancy, made ROSES their home.

Over the course of the next two years, on nights and weekends, construction continued, with the addition of an accessible restroom, tack room, feed room, mounting ramp, and outdoor riding ring – designed and surfaced with the special needs horse and rider in mind.

At last, in the fall of 2001, ROSES welcomed the school’s first two therapeutic riding students.

Q: What is ROSES's mission?
A: ROSES’s mission is to partner with horses to facilitate change, growth and healing in individuals with special needs. It’s the change, growth and healing we have been privileged to witness over the last 20 years that is at the heart of our mission and the most rewarding aspect of our work.

The benefits transfer to our students’ lives beyond the scope of the School as we continue to see the way the program positively impacts not only the students, but everyone involved, from our horses to our volunteers, to our board members and beyond.

Q: What do you enjoy most about operating ROSES?
A: The most enjoyable thing about operating ROSES is the way the life of everyone involved seems to be so deeply enriched by that involvement. People who have been students or volunteers from a decade ago will pop back around and feel as though they never left.

Q: How has COVID-19 impacted ROSES so far?
A: COVID-19 has seriously impacted ROSES in that classes are cancelled, fundraising parties are postponed, and donations have dried up. This is anxiety producing for a small charitable organization. We do not receive government funding and rely on individual contributions, fundraising proceeds, and minimal fees for service in order to operate.

While we realize we are not as vital a need as food and shelter, we believe human needs include physical, mental and social/emotional well-being, as well. We are doing all we can to hold steady until students can return to the farm or we can travel to them. We have been approached by a local hospital to develop a program for patients and their families, as well as one to help address staff morale.

Q: What are you most excited about the future?
A: I am excited to see how the next chapter of ROSES will unfold. Our facility has room to grow in terms of the number of people served. We were prepared to embark on a mobile program with our two miniature horses, Cooper and Ginger, before the pandemic hit.

We will be ready to go once restrictions are lifted and we all believe that our services will be needed more than ever once that happens.

Q: What tip would you give other businesses (similar to ROSES) during these tough times?
A: Don’t panic, don’t get bogged down in catastrophic thinking. Try to remain creative, seek advice from and consider partnerships with others...I read something recently by the economist/philosopher Michael Singer. He said: “No solution can possibly exist while you’re lost in the energy of a problem.” We are holding onto that bit of advice at ROSES and believing that there are better days ahead!

“No solution can possibly exist while you’re lost in the energy of a problem.”

- Michael Singer

To learn more about Rose of Sharon Equestrian School and it’s fantastic Therapeutic Horsemanship Program, please check out their website here.

Welcome to the first round of our Small Business Spotlight Series at American Stalls!

It's currently April 7, 2020 – a time where we are dealing with the ramifications of COVID-19. We are not only dealing with this virus as individuals, but as a greater equine community. Our American Stalls team realizes just how much this virus will impact our communities, our businesses, and our day-to-day lives. For this reason, we wanted to begin this Small Business Feature Series to help feature fantastic equine businesses.

This week, we'd like to feature one of our e-commerce partners: Equivont.

Equivont, founded by Jaclyn and Jessica, is an online marketplace and directory service created by equestrians for equestrians.

Our American Stalls team began to advertise and sell our select product line on Equivont during the early Winter of 2019. Their online marketplace is a fantastic platform for other equine product businesses, sales and training operations, and a wide variety of equine businesses. Below is an example profile that one can set up on Equivont user friendly website:

We've had a wonderful experience with Equivont and believe it is a huge asset for many other equine businesses.

We recently had a chance to sit down with Equivont's founders, Jessica and Jaclyn, and ask a few questions about their story. Read more below!

Q: What are your backgrounds?

A: Jaclyn – I have been riding since I could walk! After college, I rode professionally for several years before joining Jessica in the tech world. I now enjoy riding as an amateur in hunter/jumper divisions and love connecting with other passionate equestrians! 

Jessica - I grew up riding horses in Southern California. During high school and college, I rode professionally and decided to take a stab at the tech world after graduating. I spent many years in sales, business development, customer success  and marketing roles in marketing software companies and would “sneak away” to ride horses early in the morning or late in the evening. I wanted a way to merge my software background with my passion for horses. 

Q: How did Equivont begin?
A: Out of selfish need! We got frustrated trying to research equestrian services online when word of mouth didn’t work. We quickly realized how outdated information was. Searching on Google or Yelp were too broad for our needs. We partnered up to create an environment where equestrians could find what they are looking for by partnering with reputable service providers and businesses with high quality products. 

Q: What products/services does Equivont offer?
A: Everything you would need for you or your horse. Trainers, stable supplies, farriers, vets, tack, apparel, equipment, horses for sale/lease, events and jobs. 

"Now is the time to evolve and be creative. We get to help one another through these uncertain times. Now is the time to decide what really matters in life and in business."

Q: What do you enjoy most about operating Equivont?
A: Helping small equestrian businesses be found by the people who are looking for them. Oh! And talking about horses. 

Q: How has COVID-19 affected Equivont so far?
A: So far we have seen an increase in traffic- people who aren’t used to working from home or having time off are spending more time on their computers and phones. Some businesses are having to pause production or the services they provide due to the COVID restrictions. A lot of these businesses are using this time to get organized and finally tackle the marketing/website development/etc that has been put on the back burner.

Q: What tip would you give other businesses similar to Equivont (i.e. online retailers, online tack shops, etc) during these tough times?
A: Keep going! Worrying has never solved any problems. Now is the time to evolve and be creative. We get to help one another through these uncertain times. Now is the time to decide what really matters in life and in business.

To learn more about Equivont and it's fantastic online marketplace, please check out the informational video below and check out their website here.

Temperature.

Humidity.

Wind.

Wind direction.

Sunrise and sunset times.

Thanks to fantastic weather apps, we all have expert weather information at the palm of our hands.

Yet, there's more to consider than the above elements when determining if it’s too hot to ride this summer.

Here are some practical tips to help you make the call when you ask, “how hot is too hot?” for equestrian activities:

1. Horses that already live in warm climates are at least somewhat acclimated to the environment. However, we advise you to use precaution if you have a horse that has recently arrived from a cooler, drier climate. This is because it can take 21 days for the horse to get used to the new climate. Leading experts advise light workloads during this period of time as horses adjust to their new environment.
   
   
2. As mentioned above, horses have to acclimatize to their workloads under their new, hotter, and stickier environment. If a horse is already fit going into summer, he’s more likely to tolerate the heat in an effective manner. If not, we recommend to gradually add exercise into the horse's routine – while also lowering it down when the temperatures soar.
   
   
3. Sweat – otherwise known as evaporation – is a horse’s primary means of cooling himself. There are other methods of heat dissipation though including convection, radiation, and even conduction — all of which play a role too. Finding a cool breeze and seeking shade is key when the Summer heat begins to feel burdensome. Offer horses a drink before, during, and after exercise and apply/scrape/repeat with cool water.
   
   
4. Avoid hauling in a trailer during those extremely hot Summer days. The combination of additional sun rays and reduced air movement around your horse creates a highly uncomfortable environment. If you must haul, we highly recommend to go early in the morning, late in the evening, or even overnight. This allows your horse to benefit from cooler weather and less sun rays.
   
   
5. Similar to the above, if your horse must be worked, choose a time earlier or later in the day – avoiding the middle of the day. This helps account for temperature, humidity, and the sun.
   
   
6. Normal equine feedstuffs (hay, pasture, grain) don’t meet horses’ daily requirements for sodium. Additionally, horses tend to sweat a lot of sodium and chloride during the Summer heat. Hence, horses can become even deficient in essential minerals. For this reason, don't forget to add salt and other electrolytes to the feed – or even to a second bucket of water.

Maybe on those really hot, humid days where there’s no wind, no cloud cover, and the sun is beating down, it’s time for an easy groundwork review, an extra grooming session, or a thorough tack cleaning!

Read more on Summer Care – 9 Essential Summer Care Tips For Your Horse