News
My Mini Highland Cow Journey: Raising 8 Fluffy Girls at Running Springs
Hi y'all, Katie Van Slyke here! Raising mini Highland cows has been the most surprising, rewarding, and humbling part of building Running Springs. Three years ago I brought home two...
Horse Terms Every Beginner Should Know
    Hi y'all, Katie Van Slyke here! If you have ever stood at a barn and felt completely lost while everyone else fired off horse terms you...
Horse Placenta 101: Anatomy, Foaling & Retained Placenta
Hi y'all, Katie Van Slyke here, and today I want to walk you through one of the most overlooked but critically important parts of horse breeding: the horse placenta. If...
Podcasts Katie Van Slyke Has Been Featured On
Over the years, Katie Van Slyke has had the opportunity to join a variety of podcasts as a guest, sharing her experiences in the equine industry, agriculture, outdoor life, and...
The Essentials For Foaling Season
Here at Running Springs, we are officially deep into foal watch, and if you have ever been through a foaling season, you know that preparation is everything. We are waiting...
How Many Animals Does Katie Van Slyke Have? The 2026 Count
As of my most recent count, we care for roughly 176 animals across the whole operation at Running Springs. That crew includes about 42 equines (full-sized Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds, miniature...
Bump Dates, Bellies, and Babies!
Hi y'all, Katie Van Slyke here, and I realized something recently. We have not done an official bump date yet going into the 2026 foaling season. So today felt like...
How to Measure a Horse and Identify Canter Leads in Equestrian
Working with horses is one of the most rewarding parts of life on a farm, whether you are involved in horse breeding, training young prospects, or simply improving your skills...
Horse Breeding Terms You Need To Know
I breed AQHA Quarter Horses at Running Springs and document every foaling season from the barn floor, so these are the terms I actually use around the farm, not textbook...
Cattle Terms Explained: 20+ Cow Terms Every Beginner Should Know
Cattle Terms Explained: 20+ Cow Terms Every Beginner Should Know October 29, 2025 · By Katie Van Slyke Cattle Terms Explained: 20+ Cow Terms Every Beginner Should Know Written from...
5 Creative Things to Do with Your Calendar (Besides Just Checking the Date)
A good wall calendar is more than just a place to mark birthdays and vet appointments, it's a fun, functional piece of your daily life. Whether yours features your favorite...
A Doozy of a Cattle Sale, New Calves, and Happy Accidents
Hey y'all, what a weekend it's been! Between the chaos of the cattle sale, some accidental bids (oops), and a brand-new baby calf born while we were gone, it's safe...
17 Amazon Prime Day Finds You'll Actually Use
It's that time again, Amazon Prime Day is here! Whether you're shopping for your home, barn, or beauty routine, I rounded up some of my absolute favorite finds that are...
7 Things Your Goats Will Love to Play With (And Why It Matters)
Goats are natural explorers, climbers, and mischief-makers. If they’re not nibbling on hay or testing your fences, they’re looking for something fun to get into. That’s why enrichment is such...
7 Things a Donkey Will Not Tolerate (They're Real Asses About It)
Donkeys may look calm and easygoing, but don't let those floppy ears fool you. These animals are smart, sassy, and very clear about what they will (and will not) tolerate....
11 Horse Facts You Probably Didn't Know
I breed and show AQHA Quarter Horses at Running Springs, our farm in Nolensville, Tennessee, so I get to watch most of these horse facts play out in real life...