Nobody is perfect—statement of fact. We are all guilty of occasionally cutting corners or running out of time and brushing something off with a muttered, "Urgh, it’ll be fine." That...
I want to talk about that person behind the scenes who does her best to hold the sh*t show that is my show career together while working her tail off...
Before I started grooming for amateurs, I thought I knew stuff. I thought that horses were amazing creatures with saintly souls and we should honor them for the fact that...
You have exactly one hour to groom, saddle, and ride your horse before you need to get back to other life duties. Only when you call your horse up from...
If you want to learn how to ride, get a horse. If you want to learn how to fall, get a pony. That’s the advice I’ve given countless starry-eyed parents...
Owning a horse is like having an addiction. One is never enough and you frequently find yourself coming up with a series of outlandish excuses that justify the extortionate expense to...
If your child rides horses there will come a time when you realize horses have infiltrated every aspect of your family’s life. These are some warning signs that you’ve hit...
Is there a National Barn Owner Day? If not, there should be. I think it should be a Friday (or whatever your barn version of a Friday is), so all...
There are a number of prestigious competitions held throughout the world, where the best of the best can compete in every imaginable discipline. Rolex. WEG. Tevis Cup. NBHA World Championships....
In 1885, the first Tennessee Walking Horse was bred—for what purpose, people no longer remember. The animal required extensive training and upkeep, and it possessed only one sales point: the...
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 with—and that’s saying something. "Kennedy"...
Show barn absolutely desperate for staff after yet another new person quit. Preferably someone with grooming experience, but we're at the point that we can't afford to be picky. If...
As relatively affordable and extremely versatile athletes, off-track-thoroughbreds are a great option for just about anyone in need of horse power. Taking in a retired racehorse is a real win/win. The...
I have noticed a disturbing trend among a few show barns out there that needs to be stopped. These stables are paying their grooms a salary that is actually proportional...
You know it. I know it. Your trainer and even your horse know it. Riding is not a sport for the faint of heart. It’s a constant grind of pushing...
You will be told many things when you first embark on purchasing tack. You just won't be told these things. 1. You will start out riding in whatever saddle and bridle...
Saddle seat riding is fun, but it isn't for the faint of heart. It combines powerful, animated horses, tough competition and, sometimes, a lot of (self-imposed) pressure. Things don't always...
“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 his "moods". I own a...
The great thing about telling yourself lies is that you can just pretend to believe yourself. The lie you tell you today can directly contradict the one from yesterday. What are...
We all know that drinking and horseback riding have a long and distinguished history together. Whether it’s a sip of a flask on a fox hunt, or a beer on...
