Spring is always an interesting time of year in Oklahoma. In the last several days, we’ve had severe storms producing high winds, tornadoes, and flooding, and of course, in the aftermath, pictures of damaged barns and flooded pastures have been making their way around social media. It’s difficult seeing horses in the midst of these…
The training pyramid in classical dressage can be seen as an outline for your horse’s training journey. It begins with their first few days under saddle and continues for several years later. This process doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, classical dressage maintains the philosophy slower is better than faster. The horse prospers on the ground,…
If you work your horses in an outdoor or indoor arena, getting ready to ride is a matter of saddling up and then schooling your horse. But if you are a bit more adventurous or would like to change up the pace, trail riding is the way to go. Horses love to get out…
Riding into the backcountry far away from roads and civilization—and even emergency help if you need it—demands a partnership between horse and rider like no other. If you’ve ever splurged on one of those weeklong equestrian vacations, you’ve experienced the bond that develops between you and your borrowed horse. Most likely, the outfitter’s horse was…
I’ve never been a podcast person until recently. More than not you’ll find me listening to music and singing to myself or my horses. One of my horses was recovering from an injury and required hand walking. I decided to try a podcast for our walk and found I really enjoyed it. It made our…
Tyron International Equestrian Center, also known as TIEC for short, is any horse show competitor’s dream. Actually, I revise that to be “any horse show competitor’s, trainer’s, parent’s, cheering squad’s, or groom’s dream”. When my younger brother visited me there, he was walking around with his mouth wide open. He is quite familiar with the…
. I still remember the dream that I had at five, even though I am now sixty three. A pony of my own in a pony sized barn. And I never was so happy than in that dream. I begged my parents for a horse and he arrived when I was five. My…
Whether your horse show mom is your actual mom, someone else’s mom, your friend, your trainer, or a fellow competitor you have teamed up with, show them some love this Mother’s Day with some special gifts that are not only useful but also very thoughtful. Gift Certificate for a Massage or a Day at the…
Chances are you’ve come across a miniature horse or two. This popular breed of horse has been around for quite a long time. They are frequently seen as family pets or companions, but did you know there’s a competitive show type, as well. Miniature horses are very versatile. Test your knowledge and see much you…
Most people turn their noses up at the sight of weeds in their yard or pasture, immediately setting out to spray or mow them down. But before doing that, you might want to determine exactly what type of plants they are. Believe it or not, some weeds are actually beneficial for horses! While they…