My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
Despite the publicity surrounding the wide-spread drugging revealed by an FBI investigation, an inquiry from the California Racing Board has revealed no illegal medications or procedures were involved with the 23 Santa Anita fatalities; instead, 21 of the horses had evidence pre-existing pathology at the site of their fatal injury. In plain English, the horses […]
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The most recent horse racing scandal sounds like a plot out of a Dick Francis novel: 27 professionals in the horse racing industry including Jason Servis, who trains Maximum Security, and trainer Jorge Navarro, were indicted today on federal charges for using performance-enhancing drugs on racehorses. You can read the full indictment here. The cast […]
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After a rider dies from a rotational fall, one of the top questions is whether protective vests really work. When I first started riding after my accident, I pulled out my Charles Owen protective vest. Sometimes you want to have a little extra padding if you have an unscheduled dismount. When I started eventing, back […]
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There are lots of reasons to love a draft (or draft x). They are smart, comfortable, sensible and yes, they make your butt look smaller.
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Every time there is a rotational fall where a rider dies, the headlines across the equine media proclaim it’s time to make eventing safer. I think the first time I saw the headline, “Eventing in Crisis” was back in 2008. Unfortunately, over the weekend there was another rotational fall. Another death. This time it cost […]
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While the mantra for real estate success may be location, location, location, when it comes to horses I think the most important element of a boarding facility is turnout. Like pasta, horses need space to move around. It’s good for their joints and good for their minds. My horses are extremely lucky (IMO), as they […]
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A lone rider gallops across rolling hills of prairie grass and sagebrush. The sound of approaching hoofbeats is heard from afar. Another rider and horse awaits in the shade of a tree. The incoming rider reins in and greetings are exchanged. Dismounting, the incoming courier lifts a leather mochila from the saddle. It is placed […]
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We’ve had a few nice warm days and it’s been time to start Zelda back into regular work. When it’s in the 50s, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to be outside in the sun. Not that she agrees. Yesterday, we had a few, well, disagreements about her work ethic. We had been out […]
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