

Owning horses in Colorado comes with incredible opportunitiesโand unique challenges. Our Horse Ownership in Colorado category covers everything local equestrians need to know, from seasonal care and regional health concerns to trail access, weather tips, laws, resources, and community news. As our primary and most comprehensive category, itโs the best place to explore all things related to thriving as a horse owner in the Centennial State.

US Equestrian (USEF) has announced important updates to its competition medication rules, making cetirizine (commonly known by the human brand name Zyrtecยฎ) a permitted substance in USEF-licensed competition and issuing revised withdrawal recommendations for methocarbamol (Robaxinยฎ). The changes took effect immediately and are intended to address questions raised by veterinarians, trainers, and competitors regarding the…

Horse owners in Colorado should remain vigilant as two new equine premises have been confirmed positive for Vesicular Stomatitis (VSV), expanding the state’s list of affected counties. According to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), the newly confirmed cases are located in Archuleta County and…

Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) remains one of the most concerning infectious diseases in the horse industry. While many horses exposed to the virus develop only mild respiratory illnessโor no obvious signs at allโsome go on to develop Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic form of the disease that can lead to severe disability or euthanasia. A…

Choosing a horse trainer is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a horse owner. Whether you’re sending a young horse out for its first rides, trying to improve your own riding, or preparing for competition, the person you trust with your horse becomes an important part of your team. The right trainer can…

A pest that many veterinarians, ranchers, and livestock producers hoped would remain a chapter in history books has officially returned to the United States. On June 3, 2026, the USDA confirmed the first U.S. animal case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Zavala County, Texas. While the immediate risk to Colorado horse and livestock owners…

Colorado horse owners now have more access to a highly specialized equine surgical procedure that, until recently, has only been available at a small number of veterinary facilities across the United States. Previously only available at CSU here in Colorado. Through a partnership between VetweRx and Vizion Equine, horses suffering from certain types of neck-related…

5/15/2026 Update: Reports Suggest Dover Saddlery May Be Facing Company-Wide Liquidation Colorado Horse Forum has received additional information from a source who wishes to remain anonymous indicating that Dover Saddlery may currently be operating in liquidation mode across the company. According to the source, unless a buyer steps in to purchase some or all of…

Colorado animal health officials have confirmed a new case of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS or VSV) in Montezuma County, prompting an official quarantine and renewed concern for horse and livestock owners as vector season ramps up. According to the USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services report released May 8, 2026, the affected Colorado premises is currently the only confirmed…

Colorado horse owners are no strangers to dramatic weather changes. One day might bring sunshine and mild temperatures, while the next could deliver snow, wind, and a sudden drop of 30 degrees or more. While horses are generally hardy animals (ok, who are we kidding LOL), rapid weather swings can increase the risk of gastric…

Adding water to feedโwhether through soaked concentrates, beet pulp mashes, or wet hayโis a common management strategy in the horse world. Itโs often recommended to support hydration, particularly in winter, during travel, or for horses that are poor drinkers. But while this practice is widespread, the science behind how soaking feed affects overall water intake…

Una moved to Colorado in 2007 and started the Colorado Horse Forum as a way to meet other equestrians in the area. Una now rides and competes in dressage. She operates a small dressage horse breeding program in Castle Rock.