Can horses swim? YES! All horses can swim, if they choose to.

Horses, by nature are afraid of water, as they associate it with danger. And because they are unaware of what is lurking beneath them, in the unknown watery depths below, they have a tendency to feel quite vulnerable at times. 
This feeling of uncertainty can then induce a panic state in your horse, which can alter your horse's behavior.
This fear can be greatly reduced, by offering your horse brief introductions to the water.
Always remember to start slow, when you are introducing your horse to anything new. 
When introducing them to water, you can easily take them by a small  mud puddle, and gently ask them to walk through it.
If they choose to smell it, versus step in it...let them pass by and then reintroduce them again.
Each time they come by the puddle, they will be more willing to step into the puddle. Reward them each time...and be patient! This allows your horse to easily adjust to the water, rather than be afraid of it.
Just remember, if you are afraid, they will be afraid...so, leave your feelings at the barn that day! LOL!!!
 
The first experience your horse has with the water is the most important one! It can easily determine how it will shape the horse’s actions and reactions around water in the future.
Always choose safety first!
Walking your horse through water, when you're on the ground first, can offer you and your horse a safe way to approach the water puddle, without the risk of you falling off your horse.

Once you conquer a puddle, you can easily walk through streams, ponds, rivers and more. Approach each water hole, like it was your first...quietly and comfortably. Never assume, just because your horse did it the first time, that he will do it again. 

However, if your horse has had a particularly bad experience with horse swimming, then it will be very difficult for your horse to overcome that bad experience.
Trauma of any kind, is real!
You can teach your horse to love water, with lots of patience and understanding.
Whatever you do, don't get upset if your horse chooses not to enter the water.
You will get further with kind words and gentle pats, which offers encouragement to your horse's fragile state of mind.
And before you know it, you'll both be 'swimmingly, happy' together!  

If you're liking our fun, educational weekly clips of knowledge, please feel free to leave us comments below! We love to 'WHINNEY', with you too!

Check out this trendy lookin' fly bonnet here, seen on one of our geldings, Mr. "O".
He absolutely hates flies...with a passion!
But he loves to wear his stylish looking fly net with ear covers.
He's as cool as a cucumber on the trails, all season long, when he's sportin' it on his head! 

If you're not an experienced crocheter, that's ok...because I found an easy-peasy pattern here, to share with you from Nordic Mart; Free for the makin'!
nordicmart.com/patterns/free-patterns/patterns-by-brand/NM/goose-horse-hat-in-cotton-linen/

However, before you begin making this bonnet, you might want to take some important measurements!
Here's is a great little article to help you figure out how big or how small to make your new horse bonnet...all you need is a soft measuring tape, and you're in business.
www.creativeseahorse.com/sizing/bonnets/

Then, when you begin crocheting this pattern, you can just make a few minor adjustments; by adding or subtracting a few starter chains right off the bat. And, WHALA...you have your own custom horse bonnet! 
(I took the liberty to post it here, for you to enjoy...or you can certainly share the link above. )

Goose - Horse Hat in cotton/ linen blend (or just cotton)

Size: One size fits all

Yarn: 
2 balls DROPS Bomull-Lin color no 03 linen; (or- any cotton yarn with do.)

Crochet hook size: 
G/6/4 mm - or the size needed to obtain correct crochet gauge.

Crochet gauge: 
19 sc in width x 11 rows = 4'' x 4'' (10 x 10 cm)

Crochet info: 
First dc on every row is substituted by ch 3.
This pattern is uses US crochet terms.

HAT 
With Bomull-Lin chain 86. 
Read crochet info above! 

Row 1-4: crochet 1 dc in each ch = 86 dc. 
These 4 rows are the front headband.
Row 5 (RS): crochet 16 dc over the first 16 dc on headband, turn.
Row 6 (WS): skip 1st dc and crochet 15 dc, turn.
Row 7-10: crochet 14 dc, turn.
Row 11 (RS): crochet 13 dc, in last dc crochet 2 dc = 15 dc, turn.
Row 12 (WS): crochet 15 dc, turn.
Row 13 (RS): crochet 14 dc, in last dc crochet 2 dc = 16 dc, ch 10, turn.
Row 14-26: crochet 1 dc in each st = 26 dc.
Row 27 (RS): crochet 16 dc, turn.
Row 28 (WS): skip 1st dc and crochet 15 dc, turn.
Row 29 (RS): crochet 15 dc, turn.
Row 30-33: crochet 14 dc, turn.
Row 34 (WS): Crochet 2 dc in 1st dc, then 13 dc = 15 dc, turn.
Row 35 (RS): Crochet 14 dc, in last dc crochet 2 dc = 16 dc, cut thread.
Sew the last 16 dc towards the last 16 dc on the other side of headband.
Sew the middle 13 rows towards the middle on the headband, and there are now two openings for the ears.

FRONT BRIM
Take the hat and point the edge on the headband away from you.
Row 1: Skip first 19 dc, then crochet 1 sl st in the gap between 19th and 20th dc. 
Ch 3 and then crochet 1 dc in the same gap, skip 3 dc, *in next gap crochet 2 dc, 1 ch, skip 3 dc*, repeat *-*. End with 2 dc when 19 dc rem on headband = 17 dc groups,  turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, * 2 dc in next ch, ch 1*, repeat *-* and end with 2 dc in last ch, turn = 16 dc groups, turn.
Row 3 - 13: Repeat 2nd row. After a total of 13 rows there are 4 dc groups and the brim measures approx 4 3/4'' (12 cm).

EDGE
Crochet two rounds of sc around the whole hat, make sure the rows are not too tight or too loose. 
Then crochet along the front edge like this (start in the back corner): *ch 6, 3 sc*, repeat *-* and end with ch 6 and a sc in the last sc in the corner on the other side, turn.
Crochet sl st to top of first ch 6 from prev row, *ch 7, 1 sc in 2nd ch, ch 1, 1 sc in the next ch 6 from prev row*, repeat *-*. 
Cut thread and fasten.

Want to try a few more horse lover patterns?
Try this link out below, and get DIYin' today!
www.crochetdodads.com/site/home

Have a great fall day, wherever you are...and remember, a happy horse, is a fly free horse. "Happy Trails"!

Apples, Carrots, Graham Crackers & Marshmallows...OH MY! Yes....your horse can eat all that...but hold the chocolate!
Keep the candy bars for yourself, and enjoy!

Why, oh why does it have to be that way? 

As most people know, you should always avoid giving chocolate to your dogs. But did you know that your horses are also sensitive to the toxic chemical found in chocolate called theobromine?

You should also keep your horse away from milk products —like:  ice cream, cheese, and even yogurt.

I know, right?  Yikes! Of course, if you're anything like us, you’ve perhaps heard that yogurt is good for your horse because it’s a probiotic. But it does contain lactose and grown horses are lactose intolerant.
In turn, it can cause your horse to get diarrhea! And that can cause other serious complications, that can lead to severe dehydration and even death. 
Want to learn more about what to feed and what not to feed your horse this holiday season, for that fun filled treat?
Take heart, and read up on this great article from: The Saddlebox, found here: https://www.saddlebox.net/a-list-of-foods-that-horses-can-and-should-not-eat/
And yes, even marshmallows made the list!
Whoop! What fun it is to eat and share treats with your horse this fall!
I truly believe, that every horse girl or guy needs to stay on their hooves, if they're going to stay healthy all year round!

Want to try a simple recipe that your horses will really love?
Try these "BRIDLE BITES" & give them something to Whinney about tonight! 
https://www.saddlebox.net/gourmet-horse-treat-recipe-bridle-bites-horse-cookies/
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Go ahead...keep trottin' along, and have a great FALL, ya'll!