PETA seriously needs to find something more productive to do than bother Eight Belles’ poor owners and trainer. I came across this today on the PETA site:
“Eight Belles’ trainer, Larry Jones, has admitted injecting the horse with Phenylbutazone–a powerful anti-inflammatory drug–just 27 hours before the Kentucky Derby, but no investigation has been undertaken to determine [...]

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

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 »

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 »

It’s no secret that I’m incredibly partial to thoroughbreds, especially giving new life (over jumps!) to ones off the track. I don’t know if I was born with that passion. But if I wasn’t, I certainly gained it through plain old experience.
Without tons of money to spend on our equestrian endeavors, I suppose my range [...]

Posted in Jackie's Thoughts, Riding and showing, Women and Horses 5 Comments »

Three years ago, after graduating college, getting a full-time job, and getting ready to get married I was settling down officially in my college town. And I decided it was high time that I found some horses to ride in the area.
I managed to connect with Dave and Tracie Cross, who were beside themselves to [...]

Posted in Horse Care, Jackie's Thoughts 6 Comments »