Channel Archives: Opinion

Do you ever wonder what grooms talk about when they're alone? What kind of secrets do they keep? Well, we asked a few brushers to share some tidbits they wouldn't...

Almost everything I've ever posted, I published under a pen name. Gretchen is my real first name, and Lida is the first name of my great-grandmother. I am a big...

A response to US Equestrian (USEF) President Murray Kessler's letter to members on August 2, 2017.   Dear Mr. Kessler, I recently read your letter regarding the US Equestrian Board...

North Texas farrier Jessica Linder responds to L.C. Street's "Your Farrier Is Not a God." L.C, you are right about one thing—I am not a God. I am just a farrier....

You know what the best thing ever is at horse shows? The blue/red classes. If you haven't heard of these (and they're not a new phenomenon), here's the scoop: You...

Your farrier is not a god. You do not have to give him* offerings to keep him happy. You do not have to worry if your horse twitches at a...

Tendon and suspensory ligament injuries plague horses performing in all disciplines. Even pleasure horses and pasture ornaments may fall victim if they take the proverbial “bad step” over rough ground...

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 my savings account. Four and...

Usually, we tip people who do stuff for us. Bartenders and waitresses are high on the list. But unless you're flat-broke or unforgivably cheap, your hair stylist, pizza guy and...

July has been a very difficult month for the powers that be in Show Jumping in the United States. First, there was the fallout from the unprecedented lengthy suspension of...

So you want to become a horse trainer, huh? Sounds like fun—doing what you love and getting paid for it? Score! You are about to embark on a wonderful journey...but...

While scrolling through Facebook recently I came across a post titled “10 Reasons Not to Buy an Off-The-Track Thoroughbred”. You’ve got to be kidding me, I thought. Surely this is...

Stallions, in many ways, are like overgrown kids, and 'mom skills' can come in really handy. For instance, sensing when things are too quiet and having eyes in the back...

You know how sometimes you can't remember how to spell the word "the" or you say the word "fork" out loud and feel nearly certain it's not an actual word?...

If there is one simple change to your horsey routine that doesn’t get mentioned much but would really make your farrier’s (actually, everyone’s) life easier, it would be these three...

Look, I might have gotten (slightly) taller, a lot older, and perhaps a little squishier around the middle. But in my heart of hearts, I’m still a barn rat—through and through....

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 solid citizens at their discipline,...

We all know horsey folk are made of sterner stuff than the average person. “She’s as tough as old boots, that one” is a compliment considered high praise by most....

It’s perfectly natural to want a silver bullet that will instantly remove the threat of devastating health problems like laminitis, but it’s just not that simple. The latest proposed silver...

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 mane was streaked with white,...