Everything about the Anderson Horse Farm

4-H is America’s largest youth development organization – empowering nearly six million young people with skills to lead for a lifetime. For me, 4-H was about the livestock showing, but it is so much more for other people. The amount of different skills, experiences and knowledge given through this community is empowering. Based on their interests and guided by adult mentors, youth develop their own pathway in 4‑H. They select from a broad menu of local 4‑H programs. There are hands-on, learn-by-doing, opportunities for everyone. To name a few there is civic eng agement, healthy living, agriculture, and STEM. There are also things that you can create to show at the county fair and could even go to the state fair with your project. They have rockets, sewing, legos , baking, arts and crafts and so much more. 4-H had a profound impact on me from age 8 to 18. I was introduced to a local club by my siblings and soon made friends my own age. Monthly meetings were held to share informatio...

Founder in horses is a serious condition. The technical term is laminitis, meaning inflammation of the laminae (cushion under the hoof wall). Horses bear weight on their hooves 95% of the time. A common phrase used among horse people is “no hoof, no horse ”, meaning a horse cannot live without healthy hooves.   Laminitis is a condition that occurs when the tissues that connect the hoof wall to the pedal bone become inflamed and weakened, which can cause the pedal bone to move or separate from the hoof wall. A diagnosis can be made by a veterinarian or farrier noting changes in the white line, the cream-colored area at the base of the foot where the sole and hoof wall meet.   Several factors can cause laminitis, including digestive issues such as too much grain or sudden diet changes. Access to lush grass containing high sugar content is one of the most common ways a horse can founder . Additional causes are high fever or illness, hormonal disorders such as equine metabolic ...

Transportation of horses is important whether you are going a short distance or across the country. The main goal is to give the animals a safe and comfortable ride. Horses are hauled for showing, riding or going to a clinic or veterinarian.   There are several types of horse trailers, and they can be sorted by hitch types, bumper pull, gooseneck, and semi-truck variants. Horse trailers are constructed with materials such as alloy steel, lightweight aluminum, composites and hybrid combinations. Factors to consider when choosing a horse trailer are how many animals to haul, how much room for tack and gear and are amenities needed such as living space and storage.   The most common horse trailer is the original bumper pull, also referred to as tag-alongs. These trailers are often lighter weight with a maximum capacity of 3 to 4 horses. They are best used for short-distance trips and can be towed by smaller pickup trucks, RVs or SUVs. Bumper pull trailers are good for navigat...

People see how large horses are and feel that they can withstand anything. That is true in some instances but they also have very sensitive skin and tack that is intended to be corrective can actually be borderline abusive.  Some horse bits can be considered abusive because they can cause pain and injury to horses. Twisted wire bit have sharp edges that can press into a horse's mouth, increasing pressure and pain. Chifney bits are made of thin metal and are shaped to depress a horse's tongue. They can cause severe injuries, including lacerated tongues, with little effort. Thinner bits spread out pressure less across a horse's mouth, making them harsher. A corrective bit goes up into the horses mouth with no break and has constant pressure.  Arabian horse trainers use halters with spikes behind the ears that forces the horse to keep its’ head at the perfect angle to release the pressure. Draw reins can put pressure on the horse's mouth and create discomfort if not used c...

Everyone’s experiences with horses can be different, whether it is how many years you have been around the animal or certain instances that stick out in your mind. Horses can do a lot for people, therapy riding centers have become very popular for treatment of certain “issues”. One person that knows this better than anyone else is Temple Grandin.  She wrote the article “Case Study: How Horses Helped a Teenager with Autism Make Friends and Learn How to Work” published July 1, 2019.  The article discusses Temple’s journey with autism, beginning with a speech delay and evolving into a successful career as a college professor of animal science. Born in 1947, Temple found comfort and social connection through horses during challenging school years due to bullying. She developed a close friendship with a girl who shared an interest in equine activities and engaging in craft projects centered around horses. Temple shows the significant benefits of equine activities for social skills ...