Our program starts with a safe environment and proper nutrition for horses of all ages. Our pastures are carefully maintained and each individual horse’s requirements are evaluated and monitored. Our grain is specifically tailored to complement our pasture and we test our grain, feed, pasture grass and soil semi-annually to ensure the best possible nutrition is being provided. We place a strong emphasis on our calcium/phosphorous, and copper/zinc ratios. We make any adjustments needed through fertilization and our grain ration to maintain the proper ratios. This effort and careful attention has produced remarkable radiographic results in yearlings preparing for sale. In addition we pay close attention to the social aspect. Horses that are content and happy with their companions tend to have less incidence of injury and tend to look and feel better. We feel these building blocks coupled with attention to detail make for our healthy and happy residents!
Mares and foals enjoy safe pastures with compatible company. Careful attention is paid to their nutritional and social health. Mares are monitored by teasing and ultrasound to determine when they need to be transported to stallion farms. Foals are handled daily and their leg and joint development is closely monitored.
Weanlings go through a two week weaning and schooling process. Although foals raised at Dahlberg Farms already know all the basics by weaning time, it is a good time to reinforce their foundation. Weanlings are groomed, feet picked up, ears rubbed, and hand walked all over the farm. It is at this time we also teach them to be bathed and walk in and out of the trailer safely and confidently. At the end of the two weeks they have gained the trust and respect needed for easy and safe handling and are ready to join their peers in the pasture.
YearlingsYearlings enjoy running, playing and developing social skills as they continue to grow. They are randomly bathed, groomed and walked on occasion to maintain their training. We continue to carefully monitor all aspects of development to give them the best chance of success going into training or preparing for a sale.
This is the time in which all your efforts raising a future athlete are to be showcased. You have put the time, money and effort in breeding, raising and caring for your horse therefore the two and a half to three months of preparing for the sale deserves the extra effort. In today’s market it is imperative your horse looks its absolute best for a sale.
Proper preparation for a sale is time consuming. The horse first needs to adjust to stalling and the rigors of sales prep. Daily grooming, exercising and feed adjustments are transitioned with care. All of our sales prospects are exercised by hand and by ponying off of a well- seasoned horse. We find this extra work and effort reaps many rewards. Not only does the natural movement put less stress on young horses that are still growing but it tends to make them better adjusted to different environments and easier to handle as they move to the track.
We take their presentation as a personal representation of the pride and care that goes into our horses and you deserve the best possible return on your investment. When they arrive at the sale you can be confident they will look their best and present themselves well.
Foaling services are provided with the utmost care. Mares are under constant observation in a clean, safe foaling stall and monitored with the Foal Alert electronic monitoring system. Shane personally tends to each and every mare during foaling and follow up care. There are multiple veterinarians within miles of Dahlberg Farms in the event of an emergency. Mares are carefully monitored post foaling and newborns receive plasma within 24-48 hours. Mares with newborns are turned out in an individual pasture for at least one week to give them time to bond and adjust before joining company.
Whether it is just time off or more extensive therapy necessary, we are passionate about the rewarding task of returning our equine athletes to their careers and soundness. Our veterinarians are equipped with digital radiography and ultrasound to diagnose and monitor healing and our facilities can accommodate different rehabilitation needs. Rehabilitation can be time and labor intensive depending on the injury. Most importantly we will commit the time and effort necessary to offer the best possible care to each individual.
We absolutely love and spoil your retirees. They have produced your babies, ran their hearts out, been your best riding or eventing partner, or your best friend. Whatever the case may be, we pride ourselves in keeping them looking and feeling their best. Professional management of your retirees is just as important to us as your breeding and racing stock. They have earned the best and we intend on providing that for them!