I am fortunate enough to have the services of an excellent farrier in central Florida. He has a long list of clients, and I was only able to squeeze my little barn into his schedule because I know (was recommended by) a good farrier friend of his in Kentucky. Finding a good farrier can be a tough challenge, and the best ones are worth their weight in gold. The saying “no hoof, no horse,” is undoubtedly true. One time after my farrier was done with my horses, I asked him what would make his job easier; what he wished…

  Owning and riding horses is incredibly fun and rewarding but it can also be equally stressful. Looking after a horse is a huge responsibility, it’s like raising a 1200 lb. super accident-prone toddler. Equestrian sports are definitely not for the fainthearted, but no matter how brave you are, you’ll still end up having some fears. Many of your fears are a bit irrational and on the weird side. Here they are, bizarre fears that all riders have that no non-horsey person could ever comprehend: 1) Going to a show and forgetting your horse. 2) Your horse’s automatic waterer randomly…

  Your average equestrian spends more time grooming horses than riding them. Over the years we all learn new, exciting and revolutionary grooming tips and tactics. Check back regularly for more grooming tips as we are on the hunt for the best.  Summer is well underway, and with the hot, humid and sometimes wet weather comes an array of equine skin conditions. From rain rot to scratches, to sweet itch, to unidentified fungus – there are a lot of horse owners trying to combat some form of skin problem. There are heaps of anti-fungal products for horses on the market,…

  Competing in three different phases dressage, cross-country and show jumping requires Eventers to be well-rounded riders. Many of the same fundamentals and principles apply to all three phases. For example, you need to be able to ride your horse straight in dressage for movements such as the centerline. Your horse has to be straight on cross-country or else you will have run outs at narrow fences. Straightness is equally important in show jumping because drifting down lines messes up distances and a crooked horse is more likely to pull a rail. Although the basics apply for all of Eventing’s…

  You apply for a Working Student (WS) position with the rider who you have idolized for years and you get the job. You have fantasies about exercising their top horses and travelling with them to big events to help groom… But in reality, a WS mucks stalls, tacks up horses, washes horses, blankets horses, turns horses out, sets jumps, and performs various other unglamorous tasks. Nonetheless, being a WS is an opportunity that will teach you how top riders train and manage their entire operations. If you take on the job of being someone’s WS, you surely want to…

  The ‘horse world’ is a lot different than the ‘real world’. Sadly, the horse world’s population dwindles in comparison to that of the real world. The majority of political leaders and persons of authority on planet earth are non-horsey. Non-horsey mortals currently outnumber equestrians but if the tables were turned Earth would be a much different place…. A way better place to be exact. If equestrians ruled the world here are the big changes that would rock this planet: 1. Golf courses are transformed into cross-country courses.   2. Tack stores occupy most of the space in all shopping…

  Your average equestrian spends more time grooming horses than riding them. Over the years we all learn new, exciting and revolutionary grooming tips and tactics. Check back regularly for more grooming tips as we are on the hunt for the best.  A highlighter is an essential in every girl’s makeup collection and your horse’s competition grooming kit is no exception. Trotting into the show ring on a horse with a glistening face will set you apart from your competitors. Silverado Face Glo highlighter is perfect to make your horse’s face, ears and muzzle glow. You can easily apply this product…

  Do you hate trotting fences? Me too. At least on most horses. It’s so much easier to be in sync with the horse over a fence when you canter on approach, as a jump is nothing more than an exaggerated canter stride. However, trotting fences is an important skill that should be practiced by everyone, even Advanced horses and riders. For beginning riders and green horses, trotting in slows things down, allowing more time to process the obstacle and organize all body parts to negotiate the jump successfully. A spooky horse may feel more confident approaching from the trot,…

Competition season is well underway and everyone wants to have the best turned out horse on the showgrounds. If you want your horse to look professionally groomed then it’s important you implement some good daily grooming habits. It barely takes any extra time and it requires no extra money to up your day-to-day grooming game. Work on adopting these grooming habits to take your horse’s appearance to the next level: 1) Pick your horse’s feet before and after every ride: Keeping your horse’s hooves clean and picked will prevent stone bruises and thrush. No one wants to see a horse…

  Horse people love what they do; there is no better way to spend time than being at the barn or better yet, on the back of a horse. But let’s be real, numerous unavoidable barn and riding tasks bore you out of your mind. For example, cross-country schooling is AWESOME but mucking stalls sucks. The majority of an average rider’s time at the barn is spent performing mindless tasks. These jobs are not awful, but after a while, they evoke high levels of boredom. Audiobooks to the rescue Escape the barn while you are performing repetitive tasks with your…