Maybe not to the actual riding part, because we all know she has zero work ethic, but to all the rest that comes with horseback riding: grooming, treats, attention, etc. I remember feeling her eyes on me every time I went to retrieve Hamster from his separate paddock. I would turn and look towards her…
Some studies have shown that as much as 90% of race horses, 70% of endurance horses, and 60% of show horses are affected by this condition at some point in their lives. The way we manage our horses is a huge factor associated with this condition. Unfortunately, equine ulcers are a manmade problem, but as…
Working with horses in winter time can wreak havoc on our hands! The temperatures are cold and the air is dry. If you’re like me I wash my hands multiple times a day after cleaning the barn, riding my horses, and after general farm work. This, along with a winter climate, results in our skin…
The most common concern I have heard about Winter riding is the cold air damaging the horse’s lungs. One article from a 2014 SmartPak Ask The Vet blog mentioned that studies have shown breathing cold air repeatedly and rapidly can cause significant stress on the horse’s airways. The horse’s respiratory tract is designed to warm…
Half halts are used in abundance within the dressage world, but the reality is all riding disciplines can benefit from their application. In simple terms, a half halt is a specific riding aid. This tool can transform your horse into an elegant and willing partner. Unfortunately, the aid is often used incorrectly. It can also…
One of the best habits I formed early in my years of horse keeping was writing daily notes about my horses in a journal. If my horses were ever acting “off”, I could go back through my notes to find clues about what might be the cause. Now with a fresh new year (a new…
What better way to start a new year then with some riding goals! People make various resolutions to change their eating habits, exercise more, or finish a few books. So, why not bring that energy into your barn life. Set goals for your horse and yourself! These short- and long-term plans can make you have…
When I was barrel racing competitively, I know I certainly was. In the beginning, I’d often set smaller goals such as riding five times a week, beating my previous time at a specific arena, placing a jackpot, etc. But as my horse and I improved, my goals expanded to things like winning a jackpot series…
The first blank page in a new journal or sketchbook begging to have words or pictures etched into its surface. A fresh start. A new beginning. A new year. The end of one decade and the beginning of another. Except this isn’t your typical ‘new year new me’ type of post. I have an idea…
Slow feeders are all the hay-feeding rage these days . . . and for good reason. Because of their design (and as the name indicates), they slow down a horse’s hay consumption rate and mimic natural foraging behavior, better supporting digestive health. In the wild, horses spend 16-20 hours grazing on sparse vegetation, but…
