The hardest decision I think you’ll ever make as a horse owner is choosing the right time to let go.
Sometimes horses get sick or old or injured and go on their own. But other times, we have to make the responsible, kind decision to euthanize. But how do you know when the time is right?
I grew up in a barn that averaged around 35 horses, and we lost quite a few for different reasons over the years. When I was 10, my mom bought the first horse she’d had in …

Another round of Olympic show jumping was held today in Hong Kong. These scores are combined with those from the qualifying round as the riders move forward in individual competition. This is also the first of two rounds that will determine the team medals.
The USA and Switzerland are tied for first, each with 12 total faults, followed by Sweden with 13. The US’s McLain Ward and Sapphire are tied for the invididual lead with Eric Lamaze and Hickstead of Canada.
The course was tough, with tight turns, tricky verticals, a water …

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 I’ve grown a very deep respect for him. If I hadn’t developed that already, I would now that I’ve read an online exclusive article he wrote regarding Eventing Lives in the Balance.
I’ve been waiting to …

I’m still alive!
I left super early Thursday morning on a bus trip to New York City as a chaperone with a high school band and choir. We got home late Saturday night after a whirlwind tour, and Sunday afternoon I flew out for Houston for the Small Business Unleashed internet marketing conference I told you about a while ago.
So I’m here in Houston, Texas (enjoying warmth and green!) getting to know some awesome people and filling my head with lots of good information.
Once I get a chance, I’ll fill …

While I actually watch the big game for the football and not just the funny Superbowl commercials, I am always drawn to the Budweiser Clydesdale commercials. The one where the horses are kicking the football for an extra point has always been one of my favorites.

As I was walking with the volunteer coordinator at Pegasus Farms therapeutic riding facility a few weeks ago, I learned how they trained the horses to perform part of this commercial. I always wondered how they got the 22 horses (I didn’t count, I just …

Here are some more great Christmas gift ideas for that horse-crazed loved one. This set includes a variety of practical items that are good quality riding equipment and apparel. I’ve had many horsey Christmases myself and have tried a variety of brands of each of these products, and the following are my top picks.
Riding Gloves

Warm Weather: Crochet-backed, leather (deerskin preffered)
These come in a variety of styles and a variety of colors. The better the leather, the better the glove. Some have elastic wrists and some have velcro; I prefer …

Amazon.com Widgets
As a general rule, kids in school (and even once we get to be adults) are either science/math minded or literary minded. The scientific kids are good with numbers and equations and the logical ordering of the world. They excel in things that require attention to detail and are rooted in proven fact. Those of us who are more literary-minded tended to get our best grades in classes like English or journalism or communication. We like to read and we like to write (and blog!) and we …