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S
e q u i n e
FEATURE | 






SOMETIMES “GOOD” is a way of life. Such is the case 
at Barthle Brothers Ranch in Dade City, where you’ll ind 

cattle, quail, and turkey hunting, some timber, and a lot of
good horses. American Quarter Horses, to be exact. he 

bread and butter of the ranching and rodeo world, Quarter 
Horses are prized for their toughness, stamina, agility, and 

speed, as well as for their American heritage. At Barthle 

Brothers Ranch, the Quarter Horses are the ranch; they are 
found both in the ranch’s history and here in the present, 

completing the day-to-day operations at this very moment, 
as important as they have ever been.





RIDING THROUGH LIFE

on a Trusted Breed










Barthle Brothers Ranch and the 


American Quarter Horse



story by ERIKA ALDRICH 

photos courtesy of BARTHLE FAMILY







RAISING YOUR FOAL


FOALS CAN BE a lot of work, but it is from the mare’s colostrum. Over time, (Strongyloides westeri) are transmitted 

important to monitor them closely. Foals this protection wanes and the foal will through milk and foals are exposed to 

should drink up to 25 percent of their need its own protection. Timing of other parasite eggs in the mare’s feces.
body weight in milk daily with an average vaccinations are critical in ensuring Vaccination, nutrition and 

weight gain of one to two lb/day. he that your foal is completely protected. deworming schedules should be 
main component of a foal’s diet is milk, If they are given too early, maternal designed with your veterinarian 

but they will oten try sampling the mares antibodies from the colostrum make the to ensure that your foal stays 
feed in the irst few months. At about vaccines less efective but given too late, happy and healthy.

three months of age, you should begin the the foal can be unprotected from deadly 
transition onto a solid diet (creep feeding). diseases. Another critical factor is that the Useful Links 
by DR. KATIE HENNESSY
Talk with your veterinarian and feed store vaccination schedule difers for the foal, www.thehorse.com 

about the type of creep feed you need. It is depending on if the mare was up to date www.aaep.org
important that your foal's diet is balanced on vaccinations or not when the foal was 

to avoid excess growth/weight gain and born.
BIO: Dr. Katie Hennessy graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 with 
progression of developmental diseases.
A regular deworming schedule for both a degree in large animal health and equine medicine. Ater completing an advanced internship and working as 
an Associate Veterinarian, she is currently practicing at Polk Equine, LLC. Her expertise ranges from small and 
Foals receive protection from disease
mare and foal is important. hreadworms
exotic creatures to large animals, specializing in equine medicine.


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