Swiss Lady Ranch

01/04/2026

Caring for an animal is an act of love that comes from God. When we protect a life, we are also transformed by that divine light. 🤍🐴✨

12/24/2025

Choose wisely this week, my fellow equestrians! 🖤

12/18/2025

12/17/2025

It tugs at my heart. 😞

This is what many people don’t want to deal with: aging, the slowing down and the extra steps it takes each day to keep an older horse going. It’s sitting in the barn long after the rest of the chores are done, waiting patiently while they work through their warm mash, knowing their teeth aren’t what they used to be and their body needs more time than it once did. It’s listening to the steady sound of them chewing while the world slows down around you. It’s realizing that what used to take minutes now takes patience.

It’s watching joints stiffen on cold mornings and standing there longer than planned, giving them time to loosen up before asking anything of them. It’s layering blankets just right, checking weather reports more closely than ever, adjusting and readjusting because comfort matters now more than convenience. It’s scooping supplements, soaking feed, scheduling farrier visits more carefully, and noticing every small change, because the small things matter most.

It isn’t always easy. Some days it’s exhausting. Some days it hurts to see the years written so clearly on a body that once felt unstoppable. But they gave you everything they had. They gave you their best year, their strength, their soundness, their heart. They carried you when they didn’t have to. They trusted you without hesitation. They showed up on days when you didn’t deserve it and forgave you when you made mistakes. They taught you patience, courage, and humility long before they ever needed it in return. They gave without question or complaint.

So when their steps slow and their needs grow, this is where we show who we really are. This is where love looks like time, like consistency, like choosing them even when it’s inconvenient. Love looks like staying late, spending more, doing more, and asking for nothing back.

The least we can do is give them patience, kindness, and dignity in their twilight years. To make sure they are warm, comfortable and safe. To let them age without fear or neglect, surrounded by the same care they gave us so freely.

Because they carried us.
Because they earned It
Because they deserve nothing less.

12/03/2025

12/02/2025

Snow and ice change far more than the surface your horse stands on. They change the shape of the hoof, the way the limb loads, and the confidence a horse feels in their own body. Understanding this gives us a clearer picture of how winter footing influences movement, balance, and comfort.

Horses stabilise themselves through small adjustments in the foot and lower limb. The hoof is designed to land, flatten, absorb shock, and give clear feedback about the ground. This feedback keeps them balanced and confident.

Snowballs interrupt this system.
When snow packs into the sole it forms a hard rounded block that lifts the hoof off the ground. This takes away natural traction and removes the frog from contact with the ground. It alters limb angles, changes breakover, and increases the effort needed for every step.

Healthy horses are built to handle winter conditions, but packed snow creates a mechanical problem they cannot solve on their own. Snow compacts differently depending on hoof shape, moisture levels, trim cycle, and the type of snow. Some horses build snowballs quickly while others rarely do.

Problems increase when the snow hardens.
A soft snowball can still cause instability. A frozen one can feel like a rock glued to the hoof. This changes weight bearing and increases strain on joints and tendons with every step.

The best time to help is before the snowball forms.
Pick the feet often.
Check hooves at the gate or before coming in so they don’t slide.

Prevention depends on the individual horse and the conditions.

• Regular trims help reduce how tightly snow packs
• The shape and balance of the hoof can influence how easily snow packs, so a well-balanced trim can reduce snowball formation.
• Horses who wear shoes may benefit from snowball pads or specific pads for snow
• Vets and some studies recommend using safe non-stick coatings like petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or some cooking oil sprays (such as Pam)

One thing that consistently comes up in research is avoiding harsh chemicals like motor oil or WD forty. These can irritate skin and hoof tissue and are not recommended.

Winter adds challenges that some horses cannot change on their own. A few small checks help keep their movement comfortable, confident, and supported. As always it’s about paying attention to the individual horse infront of you.

11/30/2025

💋 Pucker up. Giving your horse a quick kiss on the muzzle can reveal important information about his health. Click the link in the comments to learn more.

11/29/2025

Yes, women having freedom and the ability to own their own property versus being a man’s property truly is the greatest psyop. Jfcccccccc

11/29/2025

Lol! Those are fighting words 😆 🤣