If you have been a horse owner for any length of time, you have probably seen about every situation a horse can get its self into.     From running through a fence ending up with chest and leg wounds, getting kicked and coming up lame, don’t forget colic, or maybe they have even been cast in their stall.

Most of the time any savvy horse person can jump in and help out in a situation.   But if the horse’s owner isn’t there at the time their horse needs immediate attention, now what?  Having owned horses most of my life,  I wish the barns I boarded at would have had this solution to an all to common problem I’m about to share with you.  

Looking at your watch all good things must come to and end and you head toward the stall.   They follow you willingly down the aisle way and the other horses greet you with a soft nicker or two.   Just as you reach the stall door,  you hear it and your heart sinks.   The moan of an ailing horse in distress.   You’ve heard the combination of sounds before, a moan, hoof pawing and chances are it’s a case of  colic.

You quickly lead your horse into his clean stall, take off his halter, drop the feed (you so wisely mixed in the morning), fluff up the hay, check the water to make sure the bucket is clean and full, give him a big hug and thank God he’s safe, then you rush towards the sound.   

You locate the stall and there he is in a stretched out position nipping at his belly, and you feel for him. It’s not your horse, but nobody else is here.  Not recognizing the horse, your brain automatically starts to think if you have ever seen the owner?   How would you contact them?  I’ve got a cell phone but no number to call.   Lots of questions go through your mind and you know that you can’t just leave him like this until morning before people start arriving.    Do you take him out and walking him?   What do you do?  What are the barn rules?   Who’s responsible if something happens?

Let’s change this scenario around and make it your horse that is in trouble.   You are either out for the evening or at home sound asleep, without a care in the world.    What if nobody knew how to reach you? How would you feel the next day when you were face-to-face with a horse that should have had care 6-7 hours ago?    These are real fears and real situations.   

At one time I boarded my horse at a stable that had maybe 40 stalls along with pasture boarding.   The buildings were not all joined neatly together in one unit, as they were added on over the years .   The barn managers lived off premise and each person was pretty much responsible for their own horses care. There were always those willing to earn an extra buck or two during the day to drop your feed,  turn your horse out, or clean your stall.   

Some nights it wasn’t always possible to get the the barn when you wanted to and it ends up being late by the time you arrive.  That was my story plenty of times.   On those nights, you rush to get to the barn, change into your barn shoes, grab a lead rope and run to the pasture so you can take your faithful companion out.    They recognized the sound of your car when you pulled in and waiting eagerly for you.  You see them trying to make their way through the others that wish you were coming for them. The pecking order is apparent at the gate and it requires you to send the others away before you can click that lead line on.  

Now you’ve got your horse all to yourself, it seems that time doesn’t matter in those moments and long way back to the barn is what you need.   Those few precious minutes after a hectic day, makes everything right again.   You stroke their face, run your hands through their mane and of course it’s a must stop to let them eat at that small patch of clover before turning them in for the night.   

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In an emergency situation every minute counts.  You don’t want to waste precious time locating critical information about the horse and owner.   Know Me Know My Horse©  barn stall signs are designed to eliminate any time wasted.   All you do is fill in the information.   This is a  must have for every horse.

Knowing in those situations time matters and this is why I created Know Me Know My Horse© stall signs.    This sign is designed for critical information to be available at a glance.   Who is the owner, their phone number, who is the vet, his phone number, etc.  This sign takes the unknown and has ALL the information anyone would ever need to contact you in case of an emergency.    I included enough information not only for emergencies but for important reminders to help keep you up-to-date with your horse’s health care needs.

Know Me Know My Horse© stall signs are 6 x 12, screen printed on heavy weight plastic, they have 4 predrilled holes for easy hanging.     These were designed to last for many years.