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Summer can be a great time for riding, with longer days and more time to explore a variety of trails, work on new skills, or prepare for upcoming shows and competitions. Riding in hot weather risks illness and injury, however, so it is important to practice safe riding to keep cool when the temperatures rise. Risks of Hot Weather Riding Because of their thick body core, powerful muscles, and overall proportions, horses feel heat much faster than humans. This makes them susceptible to a wide range of health hazards in hot weather, including dehydration, muscle spasms, heat stress, heat stroke,...

Licking is one way a dog senses its world, and occasional licking is perfectly normal behavior and nothing to be concerned about. When your dog licks excessively, however, it can be an indication of underlying problems, or the licking itself could cause problems and injuries. Understanding why your dog licks can help you identify any potential difficulties and redirect your dog’s behavior. How Much Licking Is Too Much? Licking is normal behavior for a dog to groom itself, express affection, and taste objects, and some casual licking can be comforting and soothing to the animal. Too much licking, however, is...

Cattle may seem hardy, but newborn calves can be weak and delicate, and proper care in the first few hours of their lives will greatly improve survival rates and the overall health of newborns. 5 Essential Steps in Newborn Calf Care Calving season can be hectic, with cows giving birth at all hours of the day and night, often in adverse conditions or inconvenient locations. These five key steps will help protect newborn calves, improving their chances of survival and helping them take strong steps into their new lives. Keep WarmCalves are highly susceptible to chills and hypothermia, particularly right...

As daylight lengthens and temperatures warm, gardeners are always eager to get right into spring planting. If you look past the first flush of spring, however, you can take easy steps early in the season to give your garden a great summer. 10 Spring Steps for a Great Summer Garden It doesn’t matter how large your garden may be, whether you plant in containers, raised beds, small plots, or longer rows, or whether you grow vegetables, fruits, flowers, or herbs. These simple steps can help you prepare your garden in spring so the summer growing season will be easier, healthier,...

Dogs are friendly, social animals, and a proper greeting is essential to establish and maintain the correct, safe human-dog relationship in a pack hierarchy. Whether you are greeting your own pet, a friend’s familiar dog, a working animal, or any other dog, knowing how to greet a dog the right way can make introductions much smoother for you and the animal. Why the Greeting Matters How you greet a dog is your first impression on the animal and helps establish your place in the dog’s pack. This will influence how the dog may respond to your voice, gestures, and commands,...