The Balanced Equine, LLC

🚨 Colic doesn’t discriminate. 🚨
(Long but important read alert!)

Last night reminded me of something every horse owner needs to remember:

Colic can happen to any horse, at any time, for any reason.

Even horses with consistent management, turnout, quality hay, and attentive owners can have an episode.

One of my own horses started showing subtle signs that quickly progressed. He wanted to lie down repeatedly, stretched frequently, seemed uncomfortable, and just wasn’t himself. We administered Banamine, called the veterinarian immediately, and prepared for the possibility of an emergency visit.

Thankfully, by the time we loaded him on the trailer, he had passed manure, began acting brighter, and continued improving. Today, he’s back to his normal self. 💙

While we may never know the exact cause, this was a great reminder that recognizing the early signs and acting quickly matters.

🐴 Repeatedly lying down or trying to roll
🐴 Pawing or looking at the flank
🐴 Stretching as if trying to urinate
🐴 Decreased interest in food
🐴 Restlessness or not acting like themselves
🐴 Changes in manure production

Colic isn’t always dramatic, and it’s not always catastrophic, but it should always be taken seriously.

Early intervention can:
✔️ Reduce your horse’s discomfort.
✔️ Give your veterinarian the best chance to intervene early.
✔️ Potentially save you significant time, stress, and expense if the problem is addressed before it worsens.

📌 Every horse owner should have a plan before an emergency happens:
• Know your veterinarian’s emergency number.
• Keep Banamine available (only if your veterinarian has instructed you on when and how to use it.)
• Learn your horse’s normal vital signs.
• Trust your instincts, if your horse isn’t acting right, call.

I’m incredibly thankful this story had a happy ending. Hopefully it serves as a reminder that being prepared isn’t about expecting the worst—it’s about giving our horses the best chance when they need us most.

👉 Have you ever dealt with a colic scare? What signs did your horse show first? Share your experience below so others can learn from it.

Please share this post if you think it could help someone. Knowledge is one of the most valuable tools we have as horse owners. The more we learn, the better we can advocate for our horses when it matters most.

Thank you Dorset Equine for all that you do!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying the 4th! 🎆🇺🇸

💦 Why do horses need electrolytes when they sweat?

Unlike us, horses can lose large amounts of electrolytes through sweat. Especially sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

These minerals are essential for:
🐴 Muscle function
💧 Hydration
❤️ Nerve function
⚡ Recovery after exercise

Water replaces the fluid, but it doesn’t replace what was lost in sweat.

If your horse is working hard, sweating heavily, traveling, or dealing with a 🔥heat wave🔥, an electrolyte supplement can help replenish those losses and support recovery.

❗️Remember: Electrolytes should always be paired with unlimited access to fresh water.

Hey, I’m Meagan! Below is a compilation of photos of my three OTTBs 🐎

Two bay mares and a grey gelding who have taught me more in our time together than I could have ever imagined possible! Thanks to them, The Balanced Equine has grown and is something I am very passionate about!

I am building this page for horse owners who are doing their best and still feel like they’re constantly behind. You’re reading everything, asking everyone, and somehow you’re still ending up more confused. That’s not a you problem… that’s just what it’s like to love your horse and care deeply about getting things right.

Especially if you’ve got an OTTB. Absolutely especially then.

• I’m here to help you trust what you already know & fill in the gaps where you aren’t totally sure •

My mission is to help OTTBs and their owners get transitioned from racetrack life to equestrian life, whatever that looks like for you and your horse.

Stick around. Ask questions. Share your chaos. That’s what this space is for. 🤍

Building a new foundation with your OTTB doesn’t have to be difficult. Sometimes, we just need to simplify it.

They aren’t starting over—they’re learning a completely new language. OTTBs come out of a world where everything is built around forward motion, routine, and very different cues than what we ask in riding horses.

So when things feel confusing in the beginning like standing still, softening, responding to light pressure, it’s not coming from resistance or your horse being stubborn. It’s translation.

Progress with an OTTB rarely looks big or dramatic at first. It’s the small moments: a quieter walk, a softer response, a breath instead of a brace. That’s where the real foundation gets built.

Answer time: what do you see and how does this relate to saddle fit?

In this case, the horse has a stress line along the flank. While this can result from many causes in both ridden and non-ridden horses, this particular horse had a saddle that put pressure on the withers and spinal column. Constant, uncomfortable pressure causes the muscles to contract repeatedly, producing a defined line through the muscling in the horse’s flank. This is similar to when the horse repeatedly twitches away flies as a reflex, which is part of why you might see a stress line in a non-ridden horse. If you see a stress line in a horse that is ridden, be sure to investigate your saddle fit and determine if that could be the root of the problem. Your horse’s health, welfare, comfort and performance all depend on proper fit!

Let us know - did you guess correctly?

Baby G reminded me of something this week:

Not every OTTB transition looks the same.

Some walk off the trailer and act like they’ve lived there forever.

Others need time to figure out their new routine, new friends, and new life.

Neither is wrong.

Sometimes the best thing we can do is stop asking them to settle faster and start giving them the space to settle well and find their confidence.

You asked a question in a group page and got 150 comments…

Half of them contradict each other. Some are confident, some are scary. None of them know YOUR horse.

Now you’re more confused than when you started!

This is exactly what my Clarity Sessions are for. I’ll evaluate your situation with you, determine what’s actually going on, what details matter, and what to do next.

No overwhelm. No opinions. Just a clear path forward for you and your horse.

Let’s chat!!