Your child wants to learn to ride a horse. Great! Your first task will be to find a riding instructor who is a great fit for your child. This can be a little bit of a challenge, because every child and every instructor won’t necessarily be a great match. Put these tips to work to help find the right riding instructor for your…

It used to be that high school guidance counselors would tell women, "You cannot be a veterinarian, there's no way it's happening", and women didn't try.

In 1957 Dr. Lose(rhymes with dose), a woman, graduated…

I was privileged with the ability to once again job shadow a large animal veterinarian, this time a woman named Dr. Shrader. She was a very friendly vet who explained a lot and even allowed me some hands-on experience. My day wasn't as long as it was when I was with Dr. Esterline, but I still learned and experienced a lot and it was great fun.…

The Changing Seasons Always Mess Up My Riding    

Some mornings are cooler, and then other mornings are warmer.  Which breeches and shirts should I choose?  If my clothes make me feel too cool my muscles start moving slowly and it takes me more effort to move.  If my clothes make me feel too warm everything gets worse, balance, coordination, timing, and my stamina disappears.  The worst are the mornings that start out cool and then rapidly heat up, oh my, whatever can I do so I can…

Believe it or not, winter is just around the corner and it’s time to start preparing your barn. These tips will help you to get your barn ready to weather the coming winter.

Make Paint…

When you think about it, we spend a LOT of money on horse supplies every year. From tack to grooming supplies to barn supplies, it can quickly add up. Knowing how to find a great deal on horse supplies online can save you a lot of money – here are some great tips to get you started.

Buy in Bulk

Whenever possibly, try…

Building your dream barn gives you the chance to express your own individual style. There are many design features you can use to add a bit of character to your barn. Here are just a few ideas.

Cupola and Weathervane

The cupola and weathervane that you select for your barn go far in…

We all remember the first time we met a real, live horse. It’s a memory that stays ingrained with us forever, and it was enough to generate a lifetime with these beautiful animals. Introducing a child to horses is a special moment, but it’s also important to make sure the introduction is done well. If you want to…

Last Saturday, after reflecting on how good it felt to ride in my Crosby again I decided to ask Shannon if she would let me use my dressage saddle on Cider.  I had used my dressage saddle on Cider many years ago, before I got my Wintec Wide and EZ-Fit saddles.  Cider and I were only making teeny-tiny improvements during our rides the last few months and I was getting frustrated while Cider essentially plodded around the ring.  Shannon and I discussed this a little, and…

Your wooden horse stalls are a highlight of your barn, but if they’re not cared for properly, they may need replacing sooner than you’d anticipated. Here are some tips to prolong the life of your wooden stalls.

Start With Quality Wood

Using quality wood to build your stalls is the first step to prolonging the wood’s life. …

Have you ever gotten out onto the trails, only to discover you left something important back in the horse barn? Here’s a list of items to make sure you have in your trail riding saddle bags the next time you head out.

First-Aid Kit

Hopefully you’ll…

Do you dream of having your horses in your own backyard? Having your own barn is a dream for many horse owners, but how do you know when it’s time to bring your horses home and build a barn? Consider these factors when making…

It’s back to school time, and everyone seems to be learning something new. Now is the perfect time to teach yourself new riding skills. Whether or not you have a trainer, these tips can help you to facilitate your own riding progress.

Audit Clinics

Head out to audit local clinics for…

First, some very good news, Mia did not cough at all when I rode her on Tuesday!  Mia is looking chirpier and she is ignoring every previous trigger for coughing fits.  I am still just walking her to build her up gradually from her 6 weeks of sick leave, but Mia no longer acts as if she is waiting for death.  And what caused this big change?  The remedies just helped her get the phlegm out of her lungs, what REALLY helped her was that Debbie could not find any round bales to…

Now that summer is coming to a close, it’s important to turn your attention to your riding arena footing. Your arena has likely seen lots of use over the past few months, and that increased use can leave your footing in need of a little extra care. Put these tips…

When you own horses, especially those who are injury prone, you will probably accumulate quite a bit of medication. Whether bought over the counter or from your veterinarian, medications need to be handled and stored properly. Here’s how:

Create a Medication Cabinet

One of the most important precautions you should…