Forever Free Equine's
Blog Page
Blog #1
How It All Started
Forever Free Equine didn’t begin with a big facility, a perfect arena, or a polished plan. It began with a lifelong love for horses, a shared dream between two people, and the belief that horses deserve kindness—and so do the people who love them. From the very beginning, horses have been at the heart of everything we do. They were there through the lessons learned the hard way, the early mornings and late nights, the injuries, the growth, and the healing. Horses taught us responsibility, patience, resilience, and how powerful a quiet moment of connection can be. Over time, that love grew into a dream: to one day create a place where horses are cared for with compassion and where people feel safe, encouraged, and supported as they learn. Forever Free Equine was built by a young married couple starting out their life together, turning a shared passion into a purpose. What began as conversations, goals, and late-night planning slowly turned into action. We didn’t want just another barn—we wanted a facility that stood for something. A place where bullying, drama, and negativity have no place. A place where learning is encouraged, mistakes are part of growth, and kindness is the foundation of everything.
Our vision has always been simple: put the horses first and create an environment where people can grow alongside them. Whether someone comes to us to learn basic horse care, improve their riding, build confidence, or simply find peace around horses, they are welcomed as they are. We believe horses have a unique ability to heal, teach, and connect, and we strive to honor that bond every single day. Forever Free Equine is more than a name—it’s a mindset. It represents freedom, trust, patience, and respect. It’s about doing things the right way, even when it’s not the easiest way. As we continue to grow, our mission remains the same as it was at the start: to create a positive, drama-free, supportive space where both horses and humans can thrive. This is only the beginning of our story—but it’s one built on heart, hard work, and an unbreakable love for horses. 🐎🤍
Blog #2
What It's Like Facing Equine Influenza
Equine influenza (often called equine flu) is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease that affects horses, donkeys, and other equids. While it is rarely fatal in healthy adult horses, it can spread extremely fast and cause serious disruption to barns, boarding facilities, lesson programs, and competitions. Understanding how equine influenza works—and how to prevent it—is essential for anyone involved in horse care.
What Is Equine Influenza?
Equine influenza is caused by influenza A viruses that specifically infect horses. It spreads primarily through:
-
Direct horse-to-horse contact
-
Aerosolized droplets from coughing or snorting
-
Contaminated equipment, hands, clothing, and tack
-
Shared airspace in barns and trailers
Because the virus travels easily through the air, one infected horse can quickly expose an entire facility—sometimes before obvious symptoms even appear.
How It Affects Horses
Symptoms typically appear 1–3 days after exposure and may include:
-
Fever (often the first sign)
-
Dry, harsh cough
-
Nasal discharge (clear to thick)
-
Lethargy and depression
-
Loss of appetite
-
Swollen lymph nodes
-
Muscle soreness
While many horses recover within 2–3 weeks, rest is critical. Returning to work too soon can lead to complications such as pneumonia or long-term respiratory damage. Young horses, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness.
How It Impacts Boarding Facilities
Equine influenza doesn’t just affect individual horses—it can shut down an entire facility.
Common impacts on boarding barns include:
-
Mandatory quarantine of exposed or symptomatic horses
-
No horse movement on or off the property
-
Cancelled lessons, clinics, and shows
-
Increased labor for disinfecting and monitoring
-
Financial loss for barn owners and trainers
-
Stress for owners whose horses cannot be ridden or moved
Because boarding facilities involve shared spaces, equipment, and frequent horse traffic, they are especially vulnerable to rapid spread if biosecurity measures aren’t strictly followed.
Biosecurity & Prevention in Boarding Barns
Prevention is the most powerful tool against equine influenza. Responsible facilities and horse owners should work together to reduce risk.
Key prevention strategies include:
-
Keeping horses up-to-date on vaccinations
-
Quarantining new arrivals for 7–14 days
-
Isolating any horse showing symptoms immediately
-
Using separate equipment for quarantined horses
-
Regularly disinfecting stalls, buckets, cross-ties, and grooming tools
-
Encouraging hand washing and clothing changes between horses
-
Limiting unnecessary visitors and horse traffic during outbreaks
Clear communication between barn management and boarders is essential during any suspected or confirmed case.
Why Vaccination Matters
Vaccination does not always prevent infection entirely, but it greatly reduces severity, viral shedding, and spread. In boarding environments—where horses are constantly exposed to others—vaccination is one of the most important layers of protection.
Many boarding facilities require proof of influenza vaccination as part of their health and safety protocols, helping protect every horse on the property.
