Saddlepoint Farms

Excellent information!

Midges may be tiny, but they can cause major discomfort for horses—especially during the warm months. Excessive tail swishing, itching, rubbing, and irritated skin can all be signs that biting midges are becoming a problem.

A few simple management practices, such as reducing standing water, using fly protection, and providing good airflow, can help keep your horse more comfortable throughout the season.

Knowledge is one of the best tools we have for keeping our horses healthy, happy, and thriving.

If you believe that horses need grain in their diet to meet their nutritional needs, you are not alone. However, horses should get most of their nutrients from a good quality forage source such as grass, hay, hay pellets, or a complete feed.

Horses generally eat between 1.5-2% of their body weight each day, so an average size 1,000 lbs horse should eat 15- 20 lbs of hay daily. To help fill any nutrient gaps such as essential vitamins or minerals, a ration balancer may be beneficial. Depending on breed, body condition, and exercise level, concentrates may be added in to provide additional energy but are often not needed.

When deciding on what to feed your horse, it is best to invest in high quality forages as the foundation of your feeding plan. You can even have your hay tested to see exactly what nutrients it is providing.

Please consult with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist about your horse's diet before making any major changes, and remember that any changes should be made gradually over time to avoid GI upset.

Thank you to the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

Summer care isn’t just comfort—it’s essential.
Protecting your horse from heat stress starts with knowing the signs and providing thoughtful, consistent care.

Did You Know?
Laminitis is one of the most serious and painful conditions a horse can develop and it can happen fast. It’s inflammation inside the hoof that can affect how the bone is supported. Often linked to rich grass, grain overload, or metabolic issues.
Early signs include:
Warm hooves
Reluctance to move
Leaning back to take weight off front feet
Quick action matters early care can make a huge difference

DO YOU KNOW WHAT CAUSES GRASS FOUNDER?

Spring is a wonderful time of the year, but it may be the beginning of some serious problems for horses vulnerable to grass founder — like horses that are over the age of 10, easy keepers, overweight or cresty-necked.

Laminitis or founder, as it is commonly called, is inflammation of the laminae of the horse’s foot. Laminae are the delicate, accordion-like tissues that attach the inner surface of the hoof wall to the coffin bone (the bone in the foot). A horse suffering from laminitis experiences a decrease in blood flow to the laminae, which in turn begin to die and separate. The final result is hoof wall separation, rotation of the coffin bone and extreme pain. In severe cases, the coffin bone will actually rotate through the sole of the horse’s hoof where it becomes infected and can ultimately lead to the horse having to be euthanized.

Laminitis can be triggered by different causes, like repeated concussion on hard ground (road founder), grain overload, retained placenta, hormonal imbalance (Cushing’s syndrome), obesity, and lush grass.

In cases of grass founder, the sugar fructans produced by rapidly growing grass stimulates an overgrowth of bacteria in the horse’s large intestine. The bacteria produce and release toxins (endotoxins) that are carried by the bloodstream to the foot where they cause damage to the laminae and small blood vessels.

The best way to deal with laminitis is preventing and managing the causes under your control. Consult your equine practitioner for further information and to formulate a plan tailored to your horse's individual situation. If you suspect laminitis, consider it a medical emergency and notify your veterinarian immediately.

Hi all!! We are pleased to announce that we have a couple stalls available and we also have spots available for full care pasture board. We are a fun and drama free community! Everyone from staff, owner and clients are knowledgeable and friendly.
Come join our amazing farm family!

-12x12 stalls with wall to wall matting and deep bedding
-Spacious center aisle
-Custom feeding program per horse
-Meals are thoroughly soaked
-Imported Timothy Alfalfa
-Climate controlled tack room
-Gated with 24 hour video surveillance
-Hold for vet, farrier and chiropractor/bodywork
-Supplements and medications distributed as prescribed by vet
-Hot and cold wash racks
-Multiple sets of crossties
-Small or large group turnout
-Four board fences throughout the property
-Sand filled lighted riding arena
-4 acre grass conditioning field
-Outside trainers, vets, and farriers are welcome
-Trailer parking available
- 70+ acres of trails for hacking out
- Property is back dropped by 40 acrenatural spring fed private lake
-Blanketing and fly gear services
-Large pastures with shelters and lush green grass
-Knowledgeable and kind staff
-Owner and trainer on site
-Quick haul to Georgia International Horse Park, Ashland and Hard Labor Creek

Please PM for additional information or to set up a private tour of our facility!

Hi all! We have stalls available for full care stall board! We also have several spots full care pasture board in Covington, GA.

Exclusive privately owned farm.

Services and amenities include:

-12x12 stalls with wall to wall matting and deep bedding
-Spacious center aisle
-Custom feeding program per horse
-Meals are thoroughly soaked
-Imported Timothy Alfalfa
-Climate controlled tack room
-Gated with 24 hour video surveillance
-Hold for vet, farrier and chiropractor/bodywork
-Supplements and medications distributed as prescribed by vet
-Hot and cold wash racks
-Multiple sets of crossties
-Small or large group turnout
-Four board fences throughout the property
-Sand filled lighted riding arena
-4 acre grass conditioning field
-Outside trainers, vets, and farriers are welcome
-Trailer parking available
- 70+ acres of trails for hacking out
- Property is back dropped by 40 acrenatural spring fed private lake
-Blanketing and fly gear services
-Large pastures with shelters and lush green grass
-Knowledgeable and kind staff
-Owner and trainer on site
-Quick haul to Georgia International Horse Park, Ashland and Hard Labor Creek

Please PM for additional information or to set up a private tour of our facility!