If you have a performance horse, then wear and tear on the joints is going to occur at some point in time. Of course, some disciplines are harder on the joints than others, especially those where the horse is stopping and turning quickly or jumping. Many horses can benefit from a joint support supplement, and…
I have always been a long-time fan of the American Paint Horse. Maybe that’s because my heart horse is a Paint and has left an undeniable mark on my soul or maybe it’s because I’ve always been obsessed with the relationship Native American Indians have had with these horses over the generations. Regardless of the…
There is always one resource that is in short supply- time! Horse owners can’t seem to get enough. Between caring for your horse and riding them, the hours seems to disappear in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, some tasks like cleaning stalls and refilling hay nets can’t be neglected. That often means skipping your…
I was heavy into barrel racing and swore that even the birth of my first child wouldn’t change my ways. But fate had other ideas. It wasn’t a sudden shift, like one day I decided I no longer had time to ride. Rather, this life adjustment came about slowly and rather painfully. When my heart…
You’re grooming your horse before an evening ride when you spot it: an ugly, wart-like growth on your horse’s leg. How did it get there and more importantly, how can you get it to go away? These wart-like growths are known as sarcoids, and they are a common equine skin disorder often appearing in young…
I’ve never paid much attention to them but I’ve become more curious about the topic recently. What is a swirl? A swirl or whorl is a patch of hair that grows in the opposite direction of the hair that surrounds it. These swirls are commonly found on the horses forehead and face. If these patches…
During the month of July, the Saltwater Cowboys gear up for the annual Pony Swim celebration in Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Those that enjoyed Marguerite Henry’s popular book, Misty of Chincoteague, may already be familiar with this spectacular event. The main attraction is a bunch of shaggy yet sturdy wild horses known as the Chincoteague Ponies….
which means we may be seeking air conditioning and ice cream rather than spending long hours at the barn. But while you’re inside, you might consider whipping up some cool treats for your horse. I’m sure they’ll be much appreciated on a hot summer day. Here are a several recipes to try: Horse Popsicles For…
I remember delivering my first foal when I was around twelve or thirteen-years-old and being absolutely mesmerized by the process. Since then, I have aided in multiple equine births and find the process just as intriguing as the first time. At the time, my mare and I were competing in local gymkhana’s and spending our…
Summer isn’t always the easiest for our equine friends. When temperatures soar and the sun blazes, it can make your horse very uncomfortable. It can also be risky for their health. Dehydration and heat stress are just two common conditions brought on by these hot summer days. You’ll want to make sure your horse is…