You know what’s great? When you can put your hands on your horse and make him feel better: rejuvenated when he’s tired, calm when he’s under stress, and comforted when...
You step outside and lovingly gaze into the pasture only to find your horse lying flat on his side. Your heartbeat quickens. OH MY GADS—HE’S DEAD! How many of us...
There are few things in the news that affect horsemen more than reading about yet another barn fire in which multiple horses have perished. More so than from other tragedies,...
When the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) first introduced the Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series in 2012, it was heralded as "D.C.'s newest—and cutest—sport" by the Washington Post. For some of...
Growing up, did you save your babysitting money to buy expensive veterinary textbooks? Did you spend your free time memorizing the bones in the horse's hoof and the names of all ligaments...
High performance sport is a complex construct of many individual parts. Understanding and describing the holistic picture of an athlete’s performance requires: science, intuition and experience. Only when we optimize...
The sport of show jumping has evolved dramatically in the last 20 years. Some notable changes include: An increase in the number of FEI ranking classes offered worldwide More ‘high-quality’ competition...
If you are thinking ahead to the imminent summer heat by looking at electrolyte supplements, good for you. Horses lose massive amounts of electrolytes (and water) in sweat, putting them...
I’m temporarily out of the saddle due to a freak accident. The initial tears I cried were not of pain, but fear as the image sank in of "Knight" spiraling...
A correctly structured yearly training plan induces physiological adaptation and allows a horse to peak for important competitions. At the same time, the proper scheduling of rest and therapeutic interventions...
It was early in our equine education that we learned the terms for the common white markings found on the head and legs of the horse. At five it’s pretty...
I’ve noticed there are two kinds of people who can talk about poop without so much as batting an eye: moms and horse owners. And since I belong to both...
Remember that ridiculous Monty Python comedy sketch “The Ministry of Silly Walks”? It has inspired all manner of copycat moments over the years, and while this might be neither the...
Once upon a time, my horse keeping methods were simple. My horses lived in a pasture. I fed them a concentrated feed, maybe added in a supplement or two, and...
I remember the first time I ever sat on a horse. I was completely terrified! But I was also completely in awe of these majestic, gentle creatures and begged my...
What if I told you that with patient, conscientious placement of your hands on specific areas of the horse's body, you can bring about profound change in his physical and...
Healthy weeds. It sounds like an oxymoron, but it doesn’t have to be. You see, we, humans are quick to label any undesirable-looking plant as a weed. But to a horse or...
How well do you handle the pressures of equestrian? Do emotions in your riding prevent you from achieving your goals? Do they prevent you from enjoying your experience in the...
Your immediate response would probably be, "Sure, why not?" That may well be true, but you might be surprised to find out that a true food allergy has never been formally...
