Provide the Best Care: To ensure a healthy and sound athlete, the foal must be provided with the best care while growing up as well as while still in the womb. At Hof Mendenhall we provide top quality hay and feeds which were specially designed for the broodmare and the growing warmblood foal. We use Poulin Grain and consult with their nutritionists regularly to stay up to date on the latest research. The proper balance of vitamins, minerals and protein is essential for bone and muscle developement. In addition to excellent nutrition, we believe turn-out in fields is crucial. All of our horses go out for 12+ hours a day. This provides fresh air and excerise as well as the necessary bone loading required for the formation of healthy joints. It also provides a happy horse. All horses receive regular farrier care, yearly dental care and regular routine vet care. Along the same lines, they all receive a daily wormer. It is important to attend to our horses physical, mental and emotional health.

 

 

Provide the Best Education: We believe in teaching them about life as an adult early on. All of our horses come in at night, because we feel that is an important part of a normal equine athletes life. They are used to being stalled and enjoy the downtime it provides. This also ensures that they are haltered and lead multiple times a day, everyday! During the summer, the foals wear fly masks and as the weather gets cold, we also blanket our babies. During their performance career they will wear a varity of sheets and blankets, so we introduce that to them as foals/weanlings. It is just a normal part of life. Our youngsters also receive a fair dose of love. They learn about proper manners and when they are good, they are rewarded with scratches and hugs which feel great. We also believe in showing the foals in-hand. It teaches them about trailering and busy show environments while still within the comfort of their mother's presence. Through this process, they also learn excellent ground manners and respect for their handler.

 

 

Learn from the Best: We are very grateful for the mentorship we have received from Hof Brüning in Ochtmannien, Germany. Also for entrusting us with some of their beautiful mares. Our German based mares are located at Hof Brüning, where their every need is attended to...breeding, foaling, raising, training. We go to Germany at least twice a year to see our horses there, but also to see the stallions first hand, to see the foals they are producing and to learn from the experienced German breeders. It is also important to constantly educate your 'eye' for judging horses conformation and movement. By attending the Hannoveraner Stallion Licensing, Performance Tests and Mare Shows, we work to further educate ourselves on what the 'ideal' is. By seeing what stallions are consistently passing on to their foals, we are better able to make the best breeding choices for our mares.