Horsemanship
Where Have All the Horsemen Gone?
I hum this in my head to the tune of “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” by Paula Cole at least once a week, and…
Author:
Carleigh Fedorka
Carleigh Fedorka is a Ph.D. student at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center. A Pennsylvania native, she moved to Kentucky after graduating from St. Lawrence University and has worked closely in all aspects of the thoroughbred industry. She spends her free time eventing as well as training, selling, and rehoming OTTBs. Read more about her horse life at her blog, A Yankee in Paris.
Eventing
For the Record
I walked off my XC course on Sunday and just shook my head. A grimace was plastered across my face and my reins draped across…
3 weeks ago
OTTB
The Horse I Can’t Quit
Five years ago I took on an off-the-track-thoroughbred with the idea that he would be an easy flip. Some quick cash. A safety net for…
2 months ago
Horse Health
The Pre-Purchase Exam and YOU
I have sold quite a few horses. Some for a lot of money, some for a little. Some which had training for years and are…
3 months ago
Eventing
Full of Firsts
I walked to the start box today and stared down at my horse’s neck, trying to calm my nerves and relax my core. His black…
4 months ago
Eventing
Worth Her Weight In Gold
I can remember moving to Lexington, KY a decade ago and thinking: “Now. Now is when I finally learn to ride.” I grew up in…
4 months ago
Eventing
My Two Left Feet
I strive for perfection… But I own horses. There is a duality in this lifestyle that is so hard for people like me. And by…
5 months ago
Eventing
A Perfect Day For Lemonade
A year ago today, I loaded the love of my life onto a trailer bound for his new home. He was off to the hunter…
5 months ago
Aftercare
The Untold Stories About Thoroughbred Breeders
A few weeks ago, I received a Facebook message. It was a screen-shot of a comment written in a lot of rage; a comment about…
5 months ago
Eventing
Big Horse, Little Human
I have a big horse. Heck, he’s not just a big horse, he’s one of the tallest thoroughbreds I have had the pleasure to work…
6 months ago
Life
Stuck in the Rat Race
I remember being 16 years old and feeling the tears streaming down my face. I remember walking off the cross country course with my head…
6 months ago
Eventing
The Happiest Loser in the Barn
I left the ring with a huge grin on my face and signaled my student with a thumbs up as we made eye contact. I…
6 months ago
Breeding
The Stallion Shuttle Show
Social media is a frenzy of opinions, from politics to ponies, and everything in between. But one abnormal topic recently caught fire in the frenzy…
6 months ago
Life
Riding High, Crashing Hard
A month ago I wrote about my struggle setting goals, and how for the first time in a long time I was forcing myself to. I…
6 months ago
OTTB
The Thoroughbred Cycle
I was once told I was anti-racing. That because I was a part of the second career movement I obviously didn’t respect the first, and…
7 months ago
Life
The Dirty Life of a Clipper
“How much will it cost if you do the whole thing?” “About $150. I’m just doing this to pay my way through grad school.” “Uh-huh.…
7 months ago
OTTB
More Leg. More Cowbell. Rock On.
“What do we need?” “MORE COWBELL!” These are the words that echo in my mind each time I ride Nixon when he’s in one of…
7 months ago
Life
The Struggle Bus
In most aspects of life I am an extremely goal oriented person. I am as competitive as they come, constantly striving to better myself. I…
8 months ago
Life
The Vicious Cycle
One of my students came up to me a few weeks ago and started listing her goals for the season. Being a goal oriented person…
8 months ago
Horsemanship
Humble Pie
I woke up at 6am this morning and refused to leave my bed. It was a bitter 8 degrees outside in Lexington so instead I…