Horses are seriously just accidents waiting to happen. There’s been so much talk about the dangers of eventing to both horses and humans. Several high profile riders and horses have been killed or injured already this spring season, bringing eventing safety to national attention.
Then today, Theodore O’Connor (or Teddy) who was only 14.1 hands tall [...]

Posted in Horse News, Jackie's Thoughts 8 Comments »

Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown experienced a supposedly minor setback this weekend when he developed a slight quarter crack on the inside of his front left foot. It has since been treated, and his farrier and trainer are confident that he will be in shape to run in the upcoming Belmont Stakes.
And he might even [...]

Posted in Horse Care, Horse News, Horse Racing, Jackie's Thoughts 13 Comments »

I’ve been reading Jim Wofford’s cross-country column in Practical Horseman for the last year, and I’ve slowly warmed up to him. I wasn’t sure I liked him at first, because he’s raw, opinionated, and tells it like it is — sometimes a little too bluntly.
But I’ve found that I can’t really disagree with him, and [...]

Posted in General 7 Comments »

There’s a reason that it has been 30 long years since a horse has won the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing: it’s nearly impossible.
In the 130 plus years that the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes have been run, only 11 horses have managed to capture all three. Secretariat may be the most remembered [...]

Posted in Horse News, Horse Racing, Jackie's Thoughts 7 Comments »

With so much talk of the dangers of thoroughbred racing and eventing and the cruel training practices littered across all equestrian disciplines, it’s easy to lose sight of how many people go above and beyond to take care of their horses.
We see the tragedy of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby and want to blame [...]

Posted in Horse Care, Horse News, Jackie's Thoughts 3 Comments »

Blogosphere, meet Poke. Poke is a 10-year-old, 14.3 hand (ish) quarter horse. He’s hamming it up for the camera with his mom, Lea.
Lea is somewhat new to horses, and Poke is her first equine baby. He was bought for her by a former trainer, and she hasn’t done a whole lot with him yet. I [...]

Posted in Riding and showing, Women and Horses 4 Comments »

This is Penny, aka Princess L’Heureux of A Thoroughbred Family Affair fame performing her special trick–bowing. She’s a diva. But she’s not a diva who is above begging.
A good 13 years ago, I taught Penny to bow. I took her favorite treat, a peppermint, and would place it between her front legs up by her [...]

Posted in Horsin' Around, Training, Women and Horses 2 Comments »