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 »

The New York Times ran a well-written, well-researched article today on eventing and equestrian deaths spreading unease in the sport as one of their top stories. Former Olympian and top rider Darren Chiacchia’s recent accident on a cross-country course has really brought this discussion to the forefront. Ironically, Darren was chairman of a [...]

Posted in Horse News, Jackie's Thoughts, Riding and showing 15 Comments »

I went riding Saturday after about a month off (I was busy and done with the cold). I started off with Marahute, a large Appy/Arab pony who is my little project horse. We’re working on basics like balance, collection, bend, response to leg aids and we’ve started working over trot poles so we can eventually [...]

Posted in Jackie's Thoughts, Riding and showing 3 Comments »

This is one of my most favorite pictures in the whole world. I love it for three reasons:

I was a darn cute, sweet 11-year-old
That was my first tail braid ever for a show and it totally rocked
And that’s my non-horsey horse show dad cheesin’ it in the background.

Not only was I fortunate enough to have [...]

Posted in Jackie's Thoughts, Riding and showing, Women and Horses 12 Comments »

Through the global community of the internet, I have had the distinct pleasure of “meeting” TJ Holmes and learning more about the plight and lives of American horses in the wild. TJ grew up with horses. And since 2002, she has visited the wild mustangs living in the Spring Creek Basin of the Disappointment Valley [...]

Posted in Horses In The Wild, Jackie's Thoughts, Making a Difference 3 Comments »