My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
I frequently see questions on on-line forums where people ask if they are too large or too heavy for their horse. I’ve also seen some flat out misstatements such as, “Thoroughbreds can only carry 145 pounds.” If that were true, mine would have collapsed a long time ago right along with a number of small […]
Read MoreToday I received a call from Tufts with the final necropsy report on Kroni. He died from a “vascular accident,” a blood clot near his poll. He basically had a stroke. In many ways, learning this has given me relief. Since he died, I have spent many hours wondering what I could have done differently. […]
Read MoreOne of the secrets to maintaining an elastic connection with your horse’s mouth is to ride with a soft, bent elbow. When you straighten your arms and brace you are unable to follow the movement of the horse’s mouth so you are holding rather than supporting. You also lose the benefit of your body’s core. […]
Read MoreAlmost every week I see horse owners asking in on-line forums whether or not their saddle fits their horse or, knowing that the saddle doesn’t fit, asking what type of padding can be used to make it fit. Saddle fit is both an art and a science. By working with a saddle fitter regularly, you […]
Read MoreYesterday I was riding my OTTB , Freedom, after he’d had 10 days off recovering from a ding on his leg. Needless to say he was a hot tamale and had the attention span of a gnat. Even worse, he was pulling like a freight train. My ride gave me the chance to reflect on […]
Read MoreWhen I got the fixture card in the mail, a few weeks back, I was grinning from ear to ear. Spring hunting is the perfect antidote for chasing out the blahs of winter. After much anticipation, opening day did not disappoint. The weather has been incredible here in the Northeast and the footing was excellent. […]
Read MoreThe Barnes Buckle is an innovation that doesn’t get much mention here in the U.S. — but it should. The Barnes Buckle is a stirrup release mechanism that fits between the stirrup and the leather and releases the stirrup should the rider’s foot become trapped during a fall thus preventing the rider from being dragged. […]
Read MoreThanks to Lynda Polk at Hoofbeats for compiling some of the wackiest equine-related laws ever on the books. The links below will take you to her entire lists. Strange horse laws More strange horse laws My personal favorites are: It’s illegal in Marion, South Carolina, to tickle a female under her chin with a feather […]
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