As horse owners, we enjoy sharing our love of horses, and we sometimes even let our friends ride our horse. What happens if a person is injured while riding your horse on your property? Many factors influence whether you will be held liable for those injuries. A recently-decided case in England highlights some of the important points to keep in mind. While British law is…

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Midlife Crisis?  Maybe a Horse Will Help,” reported that women in their midlife years are returning to horses and horseback riding. Such a phenomenon is no surprise to horsewomen. But having this issue addressed in a well-respected,…

Let’s be honest. When you think of riding your horse, the last thing that enters your mind is an attorney. And that’s how it should be. But we have all heard of someone with a horrible horse experience that might have gone much better if they had known an equine attorney to talk to about the situation.

Maybe you know someone who sold a horse on payments, with no…

Florida: bugs and bites the Northern horse may not be used to.

Spending the winter months in South Florida is certainly luxury. I have been bringing a horse down here for eight years now and I really enjoy it. I think the horses enjoy shedding their winter…

30+ hours on a transport to Florida. Is my horse prepared?

When I drive down to Florida…

If you’re looking for a great memento of a beloved horse, or if you still need a creative Christmas gift for a horse-loving friend, then today’s blog is just for you! Have you ever wondered how to make a horsehair bracelet? We’ve got step-by-step directions so you can do this fun craft in your home this month.

Materials…

If you live in an area which receives significant snowfall each winter, then it’s important to factor in the weight that your barn must be able to support when you’re planning the structure. Barn collapses can be devastating, but they’re also usually avoidable. These tips can help you to design your barn to…

Latest post from Horse Companion

I was thrilled to interview another inventor on my podcast Straight From the Horse's Mouth Radio Show…

"I want a pony for Christmas."  The phrase uttered by little girls everywhere and feared by parents across the world.  The "Christmas Pony" novelty has been mocked by TV and social media for years, but is it really as bad as the eBay commercial would have you believe?…

FREE Marketing action that really works!!

It works because it's FREE

That “Free” word really grabs our attention – that is because we all like to get something for nothing.

It is a universal fact of life – no exceptions.

So how can Equine Business owners use that knowledge to their advantage and ultimately increase their customer base and bottom line?

Good question  - I am glad you…

Just posted the first part of my new blog series.  The trials and trip ups of a trainer with the best intentions.

http://www.greathorsestories.ca/site/blog

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…

Do you find that when you ask your horse to perform haunches in or travers, the forward movement tends to get a little 'stuck'?  It feels as though he is on his tippy toes, pottering along with no inclination to get to the other end of the arena?!

The Daily Strides Podcast on this topic is …

Do you find that when asking your horse for canter, you tend to 'over do' some aspects of your aids?  Perhaps you throw your reins at your horse, or you try to 'push' too much with your seat or upper body...  You are shoving and bumping about in the saddle and when your horse eventually 'strikes' the canter, you are so far from where you want to be position wise, that it takes the first 5 to 10 strides just to get your limbs back listening to you before you can even begin to turn your mind…

Have you ever ridden a horse and they feel so wonderfully loose and pliable underneath you?  Perhaps you can remember how your horse was able to really and truly use his body and how the suppleness made it feel like he was performing movements in the best possible way that his body, fitness and confirmation allowed?

The Daily Strides Podcast episode on this topic is …

Have you ever owned a buddy sour horse? A buddy sour horse can make doing anything without his buddy difficult. Luckily, buddy sour behavior can be cured, and you can enjoy peaceful rides with your horse again.

Start Separation at Home

The first thing to do when dealing with a buddy sour horse is to start by breaking…

Riding through a bend is something you will have to do every time you get in the saddle, whether it be the 4 corners of your arena or just the route you take to get from point A to point B.  It therefore makes good sense to work on your ability to navigate those bends successfully, without losing balance, rhythm, energy and focus each time you encounter a bend.

The Daily Strides Podcast episode for this topic is …