The Mill Equine

03/20/2026

Longer days. Warmer sun. Shedding coats and muddy boots. The first day of spring is a reminder that preparation pays off. As you groom and evaluate, ask yourself how your horse came through winter and what adjustments will support a strong season ahead.

03/17/2026

It's Saint Patrick's Day and fresh green grass is coming! It is richer and often higher in sugar than most realize. Even healthy horses benefit from a slow transition from hay to pasture. Start with short turnout periods and gradually increase exposure. For metabolic or metabolic-prone horses, consider additional management tools. Prevention is key to avoiding future health/medical problems.

03/11/2026

Oil, extruded nuggets, pellets, or highly concentrated powders. Each option fits a different management style and individual horse preferences. Oils add moisture and typically are pure with no added sugars, but can be messy. Nuggets and pellets are dry alternatives, but they add bulk and typically have a small level of sugar. Highly concentrated powders offer calories without extra volume, but some horses can sift the powder out. If you want bloom and shine without weight gain, try feeding at half the recommended rate. Choosing the right form makes implementation easier in your barn.

Contact our equine experts at The Mill to learn more about what's best for your horse!

https://www.themillstores.com/pages/department/horse

03/10/2026

Now is the time for feed-thru fly control. These programs need a 2 to 3 week head start before flies emerge, so manure is treated before larvae develop into adults. If you wait until you see flies, you are already behind. Feed daily to every horse on the property for best results. Simplifly is 20% OFF this month, making now the ideal time to start your program.

03/06/2026

Protection is proactive. In spring, that means managing fresh grass carefully, starting fly control early, monitoring skin during mud season, and rechecking body condition. Reach out to our equine experts to get a comprehensive analysis of your horse's needs this spring.

https://www.themillstores.com/pages/department/horse

03/06/2026

Fat supplements are not just for weight gain. They can help maintain hard keepers, improve overall body condition, provide non-heating energy, and encourage bloom and shine heading into show season. Added calories from fat supply energy without increasing sugars and starches, which is especially helpful for sensitive or excitable horses. If your horse needs more calories but cannot handle more grain, fat may be the right tool. Our Fat Supplement Extravaganza is happening all month.

03/03/2026

We made it through winter. Now it is time to take a closer look at how your horse actually weathered the season. As blankets come off for longer grooming sessions, use your hands, not just your eyes. Feel along the ribs, topline, and hindquarters. Some horses may have gained too much weight, while others may have lost condition. If your horse is too heavy, consider a diet balancer, a higher fiber approach, and reducing sugars and starches. If too thin, evaluate forage quality first, then consider alfalfa or a strategic fat supplement. Small adjustments now set the tone for a stronger fall.

03/03/2026

02/27/2026

Spring may still be weeks away, but preparations start now.

Thinking ahead about forage transitions, feed-thru fly control, and grazing management can help make the shift into spring smoother for both horses and owners.

02/25/2026

February is a good month to be looking forward in anticipation of the changes that spring will bring.

Unless dealing with a medical emergency, major feed changes are not advised. However, good management practices allow for minor diet tweaks to be made along the way to compensate for changes in body condition. Mid to late winter is a good time to evaluate how your horse has weathered the winter, make necessary adjustments (if needed), and prepare for the forage change as spring grass is right around the corner.

02/21/2026

Why does my horse tend to lose weight in the winter?

Cold temperatures and inclement weather conditions can increase calorie demand. Keeping a close eye on body condition, providing quality hay, and a balanced diet can help horses to weather the winter.

02/20/2026

Cold Weather Tips:
1) Protection from the elements - whether a barn, lean-to or run-in shed, ensure that horses have a way to get out of the wind, snow and rain.
2) Provide high-quality hay. Horses are known for their internal furnace that comes from the energy created during digestion. Ensure horses have access to high-quality hay to help them stay warm in the winter. A little alfalfa can also be helpful, as alfalfa tends to be more calorically dense than grass hays.
3) Consider adding a fat supplement to give the horse a boost of additional energy without the sugars and starches that can come from increasing grain amounts.
4) Keep water sources thawed and open for free-choice access.
5) Encourage water consumption with multiple water source options, different water tempurature options, salt and mineral and electrolytes.
6) Utilize stable and turn-out blankets if and when needed.