Agistment
Agistment costs: how to compare quotes like with like
Two agistment quotes can look miles apart and cost the same once you add hay, rugging and farrier visits. How to compare them like with like.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read
Cara Grace
Writer, horse.work
Articles by Cara Grace
Health
Colic in horses: the signs, when to call the vet and what to note while you wait
Colic can be mild or life-threatening, and you can't tell which from the paddock. The signs, what to do while the vet is on the way, and what to note down.
Cara Grace · · 7 min read
Feeding
Hay nets and slow feeders: what the research says about waste, eating time and safety
Small-holed hay nets can stretch a hay meal out by hours, and a good feeder can cut waste sharply. What university trials found, and how to hang a net safely.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read
Health
Hendra virus in horses: signs, the vaccine, flying-fox risk and who to call
Hendra is rare but kills most horses it infects and can spread to people. The signs, the flying-fox link, the vaccine, and who to call in your state.
Cara Grace · · 8 min read
Transport
Horse float hire vs buying: how to decide, and the towing rules to check first
Hire a float, buy one, or book a transporter? How to weigh it up, plus official towing rules on weights, brakes, licences and loading.
Cara Grace · · 7 min read
Costs
Horse insurance in Australia: how it works and what to check before you buy
Horse insurance can cover death, theft, vet bills, liability and gear, but policies vary a lot. How cover works and what to check before you sign.
Cara Grace · · 7 min read
Gear
Horse rug size chart: how to measure, and feet-inches-cm conversions
Rug sizes come in feet and inches, but brands measure differently. How to measure, a conversion table from two makers' size guides, and how to check fit.
Cara Grace · · 5 min read
Feeding
Horse supplements: what the labels mean and what the evidence says
What a supplement label can legally claim in Australia and NZ, what the research says about joint and hoof products, and questions to ask before you buy.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read
Health
Queensland itch in horses: what causes it and how to manage the midge season
Queensland itch is an allergy to biting midges that returns every summer. How to recognise it, why dawn and dusk protection matters most, and when to see a vet.
Cara Grace · · 7 min read
News
Waikato strangles outbreak 2026: where things stand and what horse owners should do
The 2026 strangles outbreak has stayed in Waikato thoroughbreds and racing's emergency rules are lifted. The latest official updates and biosecurity basics.
Cara Grace · · 7 min read
Agistment
Agistment agreement checklist: what to put in writing before your horse moves in
A handshake deal rarely covers injury, unpaid fees or a bushfire. What owners and landholders should agree in writing, based on Agriculture Victoria's guidance.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read
Safety
Bushfire plan for horses: a step-by-step guide for the 2026–27 fire season
Leave early or have a safe paddock ready: how to write a bushfire plan for your horses, what goes in the evacuation kit, and what to check after the fire.
Cara Grace · · 7 min read
Transport
Floating a horse long distance: rest stops, water and planning the trip
How often to stop, how long horses can legally go without water, how to load the float, and the signs of travel sickness to watch for after a long trip.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read
Hooves & teeth
Horse teeth age chart (with pictures): how to estimate a horse's age
An illustrated guide to ageing a horse by its lower front teeth, from foal to 20, and why the estimate gets rougher after five. Galvayne's groove explained.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read
Health
Horse vaccination schedule in Australia: tetanus, strangles, Hendra and herpes
A plain-English vaccination schedule for foals and adult horses with an unknown history, plus where Hendra and herpes vaccines fit. Check it with your vet.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read
Health
Horse worming schedule in Australia: what the 2025 vet guidelines say
Worming every 6–8 weeks is no longer recommended for adult horses. How the 2025 Australian guidelines use faecal egg counts to decide who gets wormed.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read
Costs
How much does a horse cost per year in Australia? Build your own budget
An 'average' hides the gap between a paddock pony and a full-care competition horse. What you'll pay for, published ranges, and how to budget for your horse.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read
Feeding
How to weigh a horse without scales: tape, formula and condition score
No weighbridge? Use a tape and Agriculture Victoria's girth-and-length formula, or the height and condition score table. Worked examples and limits explained.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read
Health
Paralysis ticks and horses: signs, foals at risk and what to do
Paralysis ticks are active on the east coast from late winter through summer. Why foals are most at risk, early signs of paralysis, and when to call the vet.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read
Health
Spring laminitis in horses and ponies: signs, causes and how to prevent it
Lush spring grass is the classic laminitis trigger for fat ponies. How to spot the early signs, what to do straight away, and ways to cut the risk this season.
Cara Grace · · 6 min read