Thoughts on AQHA's lip chain rule…I'm all for policy developed on evidence – which often collides with emotion In the horse biz, where we can get stuck in "we've always done it this way" kinda thinking.

Glad to see AQHA committee members consulted with animal welfare, vet, and professionals in their decision to eliminate lip chains. So this is how the…

There seems to be two types of riders in the world, those that love an OTTB and those that don't!  I am squarely in the former category and if you are also there, well make yourself comfortable because this week on Daily Strides we are focusing on basic exercises you can begin implementing with your OTTB today that will help lay a solid foundation for future schooling, regardless of the discipline.

You can read the original post & listen to the…

If you operate a boarding barn, managing that barn carefully is important to its success. Are you wondering how you could be better at your barn management job? One of these five tips might help.

1. Check…

With spring’s arrival and the start of show season upon us, it’s the perfect time to bathe your horse. Regular bathing can actually strip your horse’s coat of its natural oils, so it’s important to make each bath count. These tips will help you get a better, more thorough clean when you bathe your horse.

Use Color Enhancing…

If you’ve ever set foot on a property dedicated to housing and training Thoroughbred racehorses, you quickly realized that the facilities are very different from those of your typical horse barn. Thoroughbred barns need to fulfill a unique set of demands in order to develop top racehorses. Let’s take a look at what makes Thoroughbred facilities, like the Kentucky-based …

Just because high-goal polo season is over at International Polo Club, Palm Beach, that doesn't mean that the polo season ends. Chukker.TV live streams polo through the end of May for the Spring season at Grand Champions Polo Club. Don't miss a single second of the spring polo season with live, up-to-the-minute streaming game coverage. Chukker.TV is the leader in polo broadcasting and brings the game directly into your living room. Watch the games via chukkertv.com or on-demand with our Roku…

Trail Riding – Expect the Unexpected

Our trails are fairly close to the street in places and fairly close to the river in others.  There is one spot that it is close to both.  It is so close the river that each year, the trail is washed out—leaving large rocks.  It usually takes months for the park to repair it, so Kevin created a trail that is right to the side of it where the river washed up a lot of sand.  It has small trees on the river side—that can hit your kneecaps if…

Our horse hobby is an expensive one, but did you know that you can actually use your love of horses to earn a little extra money on the side? If picking up a part-time job isn’t for you, perhaps one of these money earning activities could help, instead.

Be a Ring Steward

Many horse shows need extra staff. Acting as a ring steward can be…

Protect Your Horses from Wildfire

According to the Predictive Services National Interagency Fire Center, the potential for wildfires will be above normal in multiple areas of the country this year. In the North-Central US, this…

I did not get to ride Cider last week, it rained.

So on Tuesday I called up Debbie to see who I would be riding for my lesson on Wednesday, and I found out she was still up at her mother’s and I would not get my lesson.  At least I found out before I got to the stable with the wrong tack.

I just got to ride Mia this week.  Luckily both rides were with ideal spring weather, sort of cool in the mornings (upper 40’s F), sunny, and rapidly warming.   On…

Radios are common in many barns, and some barns even play music in riding arenas during rides. But does playing music actually benefit your horse? You’ll find differing opinions, but here are some factors to consider when making up your own mind.

Calming…

A lack of confidence when riding your horse is a significant and widespread issue. A fall, an injury, or even riding a spooky horse can quickly shatter what confidence you have, and even aging often results in reduced confidence. If you find that you’re lacking…

Good Morning,

Today I am asking you to take a good look at how you see yourself?  What's your take on you and where you are at, in your life, relationships, career, and horse life and work.

How do you rate your potential right now - a 5* Ten or a knock down 3.5?   Well today I am going to show you how to start thinking…

There are two things to aim at in life; first to get what you want, and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind has achieved the second.

Logan Pearsall Smith

A while back Julie suggested and then ordered I make a goal chart for myself since I was being a little hard when I rode. I suffer from chronic perfectionism 100x over the…

Chances are that your hay bill is one of your highest bills in caring for your horse. The last thing that anyone wants to do is to waste hay, especially when the cost of hay is so high. Luckily for you, we’ve got some great tips to minimize hay wastage in your barn.

Store Hay Correctly

Did you know that before you even feed hay, you may…

As horse owners are getting ready to hit the road this spring, they should keep in mind the risk that traveling to new locations could pose to a horse’s health.



The frequent travel of horses during show season allows horses from many different places to congregate with each other, often providing opportunities to be in contact. Understanding how animals are kept,…

Just outside of historic Midway, Kentucky, lies a very unique Thoroughbred racehorse facility. Margaux Farm, an expansive 640-acre farm, focuses on Thoroughbred starting and training, rehabilitation, layup, and boarding. With eight barns spread across the property and two more in development, this impressive facility houses approximately 115…

There is so much talk about vulnerability, authenticity and self-acceptance these days. I love it. In case you haven’t seen the (by now famous) TED Talk by Brene Brown yet or want to see it again, I'll post the link below.

The process of becoming a horseman is the epitome of the vulnerability, authenticity and self-acceptance trifecta. Living the truth of it……

It isn't natural for a horse to back up. If you look at horses out in pasture or in the wild you won't see any backing away from a situation. When that alpha mare comes barreling on down on a young horse, you won't see it back away. Usually the horse in trouble will pivot and turn away or rush past quickly,but not back up. So why do we bother teaching our horse to go backwards in the first place? 

I don't…