Tackling Tails: Protection for Bugs and Breakage
Follow SmartPaker Kit's step-by-step guide with an easy braid-and-bandage routine to help protect horses' tails from breakage while still allowing them to swish away insects.
SmartPaker Stories & Adventures
The 7-Step Summertime Routine
SmartPaker Danielle's 7-step summertime routine includes hosing, sweat scraping, shade, airflow, fly protection, and hydration tips to help her horses stay comfortable during the hottest days of the year. Plus, see which products have become go-to favorites around her barn!
Navigating Fear on Trail Rides
Every trail ride brings something new, and sometimes that "something" is a spooky surprise. SmartPaker Gina shares how patience, calm leadership, and allowing her horse time to process unfamiliar situations have built trust and confidence on trail rides.
3-Ingredient Dog Treats for Sensitive Stomachs
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, finding treats that won't cause digestive upset can be a challenge. In this blog, SmartPaker Gina shares her simple, homemade 3-ingredient dog treat recipe inspired by her Bernese Mountain Dog, Argos. These easy treats are quick to make, customizable, and a great option for pet parents who want to know exactly what's going into their dog's snacks. Perfect for dogs who need a little extra care.
Grace, Grit & Chivalry: Celebrating the Ladies of the Joust
The thunder of hooves and clash of lances may steal the spotlight, but the women of the joust play an equally important role in creating the magic audiences love. This behind-the-scenes look with SmartPaker Nancy celebrates the grace, grit, and dedication that bring Renaissance Faire jousting to life.
Bugs Inbound: More About Insect Control Supplements
Fly control supplements are an easy and effective way to add more support for fly season to your horse’s program. There’s a lot of variety in this category, and supplements work in different ways to help mitigate those pesky bugs! SmartPaker Kit has tried many of these supplements with many different horses, and he's sharing his three favorite options that show the different support methods along with his personal experience with each!
Barn Boots, Big Hearts, and Backyard Horses
Not all horse barns are big, but the heart behind them always is. Backyard horse ownership can sometimes feel isolated, but what began as casual conversations between local small-farm owners quickly grew into something much more, a powerful support group and resource for backyard animal owners. The Backyard Barn Girls.
SmartPaker Kit's Top 5 Bathing Tips for Spring
Warmer days have inspired SmartPaker Kit to start dreaming of clean ponies in the future! He's planning ahead with grand ideas for the first spring bath for his Quarter Horse, Truffles. Check out the blog to see his top products for spring bathing!
SmartPaker Kit's Top Five Mud Busting Tools
For many riders, spring means snow, thaw, and plenty of mud. When SmartPaker Kit's mud-loving mare Truffles comes in caked from nose to tail, he relies on five grooming essentials to get her clean and ride-ready. Read more to find out his must-haves!
Weathering the Storm: Preparing My Horse for a New England Winter
Recently, our area was warned that we could receive anywhere from 12 to 24 inches of snow over the course of two days. While storms like this aren’t unusual for us, preparing for one of this magnitude does require some extra foresight, especially when you have horses.
Winter Hydration Solutions
Wintertime water woes are a thing. While you may be in a part of the country that rarely sees anything below freezing, I am currently struggling with frozen water buckets during the wintertime. The magical solution? Well, I wish there were one, I'd share it with you right here and now! But for now, I can at least share some solutions that I've used in the past and still use today! (Like literally today, it is SO cold out!)
Winter Slow Down: Tips and Tricks for Equine Snow Days
This winter in New England has been freezing and snowing, plus it's the first winter I’ve boarded at a barn that doesn’t have an indoor arena! It's been a learning curve on how to keep her brain stimulated while riding is not an option. I’ve come up with a few ideas, and a few coping mechanisms along the way, that I’m going to share with you.
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3-Ingredient Dog Treats for Sensitive Stomachs
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, finding treats that won't cause digestive upset can be a challenge. In this blog, SmartPaker Gina shares her simple, homemade 3-ingredient dog treat recipe inspired by her Bernese Mountain Dog, Argos. These easy treats are quick to make, customizable, and a great option for pet parents who want to know exactly what's going into their dog's snacks. Perfect for dogs who need a little extra care.
The Horse HealthCast by SmartEquine: Giveaways!
Do you listen to The HorseHealthCast podcast by SmartEquine? Do you like giveaways? This one's for you!
The Best Weekend All Year: SmartPak at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event
SmartPak shares highlights from the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The recap includes top finishes by sponsored riders Boyd Martin, Jennie Brannigan, and Allison Springer, insights from SmartPak's staff veterinarian Dr. Liz Schatz, and takeaways from the company’s renewed focus on equine health and wellness. Learn how SmartPak engaged with horse owners, barn professionals, and the broader equestrian community during this premier 5-star eventing competition.
We Asked, You Answered: Grooming Tools
SmartPak asked 'what's the best way to bring a horse back into riding after winter'. Here's what our community had to say!
We Asked, You Answered: Spring Conditioning
SmartPak asked 'what's the best way to bring a horse back into riding after winter'. Here's what our community had to say!
