WEG 2010 in Photos and Video

In 2010, Kristine won a contest to live-blog the Altec World Equestrian Games from the Kentucky Horse Park. Purina sent her there with an all access paid trip to experince the spectacle and cover the ground, festivities and events. The website Purina used to catalouge the events is now defunct; instead of recaputring that text, here are some photos and videos of the experience.  Read More

A Hard Lesson is Good to Find

One of the greatest attributes of horseback riding is that there is always more to learn. Something I had been struggling with for some time with Frankie was our learning curve. We had hit a plateau. Sure we could jump around big fences, our flat work wasn’t bad, but we weren’t progressing. We weren’t “finished”. Something I needed, as a rider, was... Read More

A Bit of Control

Lots of equestrians seem to be looking for that magical piece of equipment that is going to fix everything. I know this because I’m asked a lot. About THE ONE thing that’s OMGTODESAWSUMMUSTHAV! There are a ton of gadgets, bits, devices, and tricks that are supposed to make your horse do everything correctly. Problem is, if you rode well and asked correctly, most likely... Read More

Ride

I ride. I ride at least six days a week, and I ride seriously. By seriously, I mean when I get on, I’m not just lackadaisically roaming around the ring for 15 minutes and hopping off. I get on, I work my horse, I work myself, and we usually both get sweaty. Even when it’s 20 degrees. I find though, most people whom consider themselves riders, don’t. Whether... Read More

How Much Will You Pay? Part Four

QUESTION: How come it’s easier to sell a $90k horse than a $1200 horse? ANSWER: Money, trainer’s influence, and the power of persuasion Lets face it, the industry is what it is because of the people who are involved. Horses are much like cars. People want the Ferrari, but can’t afford it, and there are just too few Ferraris out there. That, and those people... Read More

How Much Will You Pay? Part Three

When it comes to buying and selling horses, it would be nice if not everyone had to watch their backs and pocketbooks. The reality is anyone can come across a bad deal even when they have their wits about them, frankly, because sometimes, buyers are hunted. All that sharing can get you in trouble. Every piece of personal information spoken about at the barn can make its way... Read More

Days of our Equestrian Lives

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our equestrian lives. Seriously. Why is it that there is so much drama in the equestrian world? My husband thinks it has something to do with the large amount of women involved. I think he is right. What is the point of the drama and who gains from the drama? I think people like to create drama to feel important. It’s... Read More

How Much Will You Pay? Part Two

In the mid ’80s, one of my first jobs was at a very well known hunter/jumper barn. This was a show barn; big jumpers, fancy hunters, all going to the Indoors for winter. Remember when Madison Square Garden was bigger than Florida? Well, it was then. They, of course, dabbled in horse sales. I was a groom, I also hacked sale horses, and I occasionally showed sale horses... Read More

How Much Will You Pay? Part One

The thought of buying a new horse is overwhelming, exhausting, and downright scary. Luckily, I am not in the market for a new horse. But even in this economy, people are buying and selling horses. Believe it or not, the high end of the sport horse market is still seeing inconceivable prices. This all hit me, a few days ago, when I received an anonymous phone call from someone... Read More

Show Jumping: Bringing Elite to Everyday

Apparently, I’m a little behind the times when it comes to TV. I don’t watch television, primarily because it is mind numbing, but also because I have better things to do with my time than stare at a light box. The computer lightbox, at least, requires some interaction on my part, besides just sitting and shoving food in my face. Too bad though, had I been a television... Read More

The Fashionable Horseback Rider

New Equine fashion I'm happy to see. Recently, I have run into more and more people that put a higher importance on their equestrian fashion than their riding ability or horse sense. I don’t think this is a new phonomenon; in fact it is something that has driven and even standardized the industry in so many ways. Of course, I’m speaking primarily of the... Read More

Clipping – Fashion or Function

Okay, okay for all those natural horse people, yes I clip my horse’s whiskers. Believe it or not, they still are able to keep their balance, avoid hitting their head (even in the dark!), and still have not lost their eyes to dragonflies (no, not making that up – actually heard this once). I am the first to admit I am a little lax in the horse grooming/polishing department.... Read More

Horse Lunging & Fighting Agents of Dumb

Lunging is a skill every horse should know how to do, and do controlled. Controlled lunging is an absolute must if other riders are around. A MUST. And, depending on the reasons for lunging, it might be best, for the fresh horse, to be lunged alone, with NO other riders in the ring. Though the act of lunging a horse is fairly simple, it is much more than putting a lung line... Read More

Horse Colic – Something Every Horse Owner Should Know More About!

Colic is one of the many horse wonders and is something every horse owner should think about even if their horse has never had a colic episode. Colic can happen and does happen when least expected. Colic is definitely on the top of the list for health risks to horses, and being prepared to care for a horse that is colicing is essential. There are a multitude of preventative... Read More