Kritter Ridge Equine

07/18/2026

Good Evening from
Kritter Ridge Equine
❤️💫🐎💫❤️

07/18/2026

Sometimes, owners are led to believe that setting up and using a track system is simple, easy and comes with a very long list of benefits.

Whilst the benefits are certainly long, using a track system is much more than just the track itself. In fact, some owners are led to believe that simply putting up their fencing in a certain way will suddenly create this enriching, healthy environment that they've been promised, without any real thought, research or consideration.

The truth is that this concept, paddock paradise, was formed from research and the observation of how wild horses in their adaptive environment live. There is intention and purpose behind this concept, and it is meant to be used with those things in mind.

Fundamentally, a track system should optimise your horses physical and mental health in domestic settings.

✅ Thoughtful design

➡️ This means observing your land and horses, and intentionally setting up your track system that encourages movement and natural behaviours, but reduces anxiety, vices and common health conditions. A badly designed track system will never work the way we want it to.

✅ Herd living & socialisation

➡️ A fundamental, core need for our horses is to live amongst others of their own species. Without companionship or herd living, they will never be at their healthiest. Natural herd behaviours and patterns is also a large portion of what encourages them to move, directly impacting their physical health.

✅ Patient, open-minded owners

➡️ The adjustment from traditional to track is often hardest on the owner, as opposed to the horse. Using a track system should be accompanied by a lifestyle change, one that challenges owners to admit when things need changing and to be adaptable, with an eagerness to constantly learn for their horse’s best interest.

✅ Enrichment

➡️ Enriching environments aren’t automatically created with a change in fencing, yet is fundamental to our horse’s mental health. Curiosity and seeking various types of enrichment is important to the success of the track system, be it a happier horse, increased movement or something to do besides seek forage.

✅ Adlib forage

➡️ Continual access to suitable forage (normally netted) can be the difference between a stressed, anxious horses always waiting for their next meal and a horse who can use their track system to it’s full potential. Whilst it may take some horses time to adjust, it is without doubt a must-have if you want your track system to work.

✅ A whole horse approach

➡️ Targeting individual parts of the horse often comes with restriction in some form or another, or simply overlooking important areas of care. Track systems prioritise whole horse health when used properly, producing results in a multitude of ways. However, this approach must be used in our management too, or the track will not work to it’s full potential.

✅ Species appropriate diet

➡️ Our horse’s diet has a huge say in how well they do, and fundamentally, how healthy they are. Without providing a suitable diet, the risk of metabolic disease, laminitis, colic, ulcers and grass related issues are all still a big risk, despite the fact that when used correctly, track systems work incredibly well at preventing said conditions. A poor diet is also often reflected in the hooves which can make healthy amounts of movement a struggle for some horses.

✅ Natural hoof care

➡️ Whether or not our horses are shod is a huge factor in how their entire body responds to increased movement, muscle and navigating terrain and land changes. Shoes and poor trimming have a direct impact on how well the hooves function and grow, potentially impacting their ability to move comfortably and reap the full benefits of track life itself. Healthy hooves, free of pathology, help to create healthy horses and vis versa.

Do you think I missed any? Let me know!

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For all your paddock paradise track system and natural horse care content, visit www.happytrackinmagazine.com

07/17/2026

My horse cannot go out in a herd because:

“They always get beat up.”

“They’re too aggressive to live with other horses.”

“Every time I try, someone gets hurt.”

“The horses are always covered in wounds, so I can’t risk it.”

I hear variations of this every single time I talk about horses being social animals.

Conflict within a herd is not the norm. A healthy herd shouldn’t have horses routinely coming in with bleeding wounds, significant swelling, or repeated injuries. Some superficial nip marks or the occasional scrape can happen, but the number of people who talk about horses constantly injuring one another as though that’s simply “normal herd behaviour” or what happens when horses are kept together is concerning.

In reality, healthy herds spend much of their time engaging in affiliative behaviours. They choose to rest together, groom one another, move as a group, and maintain preferred social relationships. Conflict can occur, but persistent aggression and repeated injuries shouldn’t be the expectation.

If your horses are constantly getting hurt, something needs to be investigated.

———

INTEGRATION:

Horses need to be integrated correctly.

I have written articles on this topic and developed many successful integration plans for clients.

You do not just throw a new horse into a herd and hope for the best, especially when you don’t know the herd, don’t know how they will react, and cannot safely intervene if needed.

I know people who successfully use this approach, but it requires a very stable herd, thoughtful management, and a good understanding of the individual horses. It isn’t the right approach for every situation.

Proper herd integration needs to be thought out. Standing in the field with a whip and intervening once conflict escalates into actual fighting is a little too late.

——

FOOD SOURCES:

If you only have one round bale in the field, you’re setting your horses up for an argument.

My professional preference is one feeding location per horse, plus one additional feeding location for every three horses added to the herd. That’s my minimum, especially when integrating new horses or managing a socially unstable herd.

Having ENOUGH hay IS NOT the same as every horse having ACCESS to hay. If you take anything away from this post, this matters A LOT.

——

SPACE & DESIGN

Horses need enough space to avoid conflict, but it’s not just about acreage.

They need to be able to move away from another horse while still accessing food, water, shelter, and other important resources.

The layout matters too. Narrow gates, dead ends, single entry shelters, and resources placed in sharp corners can create bottlenecks that force horses into conflict.

A horse can’t avoid conflict if the environment repeatedly funnels them back into it.

——

WHEN THINGS CHANGE:

If conflict suddenly appears in a herd that was previously stable, pay attention.

In my experience, when significant conflict shows up “out of nowhere,” there’s often an underlying cause.

Consider pain, lameness, illness, hormonal changes, changes in herd dynamics, resource availability, or environmental changes.

A bite that bleeds, unexplained swelling, any kicks, or a horse suddenly being driven away from resources is information that needs to be investigated immediately.

One injury may be an accident.
A pattern deserves immediate investigation.

——

Too often, the conclusion is simply:

“My horse just can’t live with other horses.”

Sometimes that’s true.

But often, the problem isn’t the horse.

It’s the way the herd has been managed.

Social contact is a FUNDAMENTAL behavioural need.

I think it should be much harder for us to accept lifelong social isolation as the solution to herd conflict without first making a serious effort to understand why group living is failing for that horse and whether there are management changes that could allow them to safely live with other horses.

07/15/2026

One of our recent rescues, Miles, tested positive for a severe case of Lyme disease. Because of the extent of the infection, our veterinarian determined that he needed a more aggressive start to treatment before transitioning to a course of oral antibiotics.

Beginning today, our veterinarian will visit the rescue every day for five consecutive days to administer injectable antibiotics. This intensive “jump-start” treatment helps achieve therapeutic levels of medication quickly, giving Miles the best possible chance for a successful recovery.

Miles was not showing the classic signs many people associate with Lyme disease, such as fever or obvious lameness. We only discovered the infection because every horse that arrives at The Dorset Equine Rescue receives a comprehensive veterinary examination and bloodwork. Since Lyme disease is so common in Vermont, we routinely include Lyme testing as part of our intake screening.

Miles arrived with a body condition score of just 1 out of 9 and has a long road ahead in his rehabilitation. Identifying the Lyme disease early allows us to begin treating it before it causes even more serious complications. Cases like his are a reminder of why thorough veterinary evaluations are such an important part of every rescue horse’s recovery.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Miles’ journey so far. Your generosity makes lifesaving diagnostics, veterinary care, and rehabilitation possible, giving horses like Miles a second chance at a healthy future. ❤️

07/15/2026

It's National I Love Horses Day
July 15, 2026
❤️💫🐎💫❤️

07/15/2026

Another new face here at the farm is Motion, a 5 year old TB mare from the MSSPA. This beautiful girl is ready to start the next phase of her journey and be started under saddle, we cannot wait to get to know her better!

07/15/2026