Sometime in the last month, I ran across an article about the best practices for feeding your horse. Unfortunately, I can’t find the original article in my inbox. However, it had enough impact on me that I decided to do a little more research. I learned about the equine gut and metabolism in veterinary school… […]
Best Practices for Feeding Your Horse Read More »
I subscribe to the Horse Network and a little while ago the story of Harry and Snowman showed up in my inbox. I don’t think I had ever heard or read about this amazing duo before that email appeared. I decided it would make a great blog post because it is a great story. In
Harry and Snowman, a Dynamic Duo Read More »
I have written several blogs in the past, addressing the need to have a relationship with your horse. We aren’t just passengers up there… To have a safe, enjoyable, and mutually beneficial ride, we need to be partners with our horse. That doesn’t mean it is a democracy, with each party having equal say. But
My Amazing Mane Man… My Relationship With My Horse Read More »
I am somewhat of a techie junkie. That is probably a bit unusual for someone in the Medicare age range! Nevertheless, I really like computers, smart phones, smart watches and other technological advances that provide me with data about what is going on around me. I like the concept that, “There is an app for
Equestrian Apps and Great Gadgets Read More »
Last summer, I became aware of a very special rescue organization. The Horses of Gili nonprofit rescue and rehabilitation operation serves the horses and people of 3 tiny islands that are part of Indonesia. This amazing and effective rescue operation was started by Tori Taylor, a veterinary technician who decided to “retire” on the islands.
The Horses of Gili Read More »
Most horses don’t have a view of whales spouting in the ocean behind them… but the horses of CJM Stables in Kauai do! “CJM” stands for Come Join Me, and Jimmy Miranda, the personable owner of the stables, really wants you to do just that. Jimmy started constructing CJM Stables over 30 years ago. He
A Paddock With a View… CJM Stables in Kauai Read More »
In Part One on this topic, I discussed the symptoms and diagnosis of Equine Cushing’s Disease, or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). In this second part, I’ll discuss treatment and management options. The two horses in the feature photo from Part One are both being treated for PPID. As you can see from the photo,
Equine Cushing’s Disease Treatment Read More »
According to this article by the Kentucky Equine Research Staff, it is believed that 20-33% of horses will develop Equine Cushing’s Disease in their lifetime. That is an incredibly high percentage! Most horses are over the age of 15 at diagnosis. Although Cushing’s Disease is the most commonly recognized name for this endocrine dysfunction, a
Equine Cushing’s Disease, Symptoms & Diagnosis Read More »
Now that Covid restrictions are easing a bit, and spring is in the air, people are starting to hit the road again. I thought perhaps both travelers and hosts at horse camps might benefit from some feedback on what makes a positive experience for both parties. Before I divorced and remarried (and retired), my previous
Sandra Sullivan has always had a passion for horses. She also has a passion for producing quality video programming related to her equine pursuits. She met a like-minded producer and they decided to come up with something new and unique. Sandra and her producer friend (a man) gathered together seven women involved with horses and
I can’t possibly count the number of times accomplished horsepeople told me I needed to relax to get my horse to relax! Sure, easy for you to say! How is a person supposed to relax when they are sitting astride a volcano about to erupt? A trip to Fort Robinson One of the first times
If You’re Riding a Volcano, Just RELAX! Read More »
Colorado, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming are all experiencing wildfires. Actually, those are not the only states, but some with the worst problem right now. Let me tell you, living on the bubble of imminent evacuation is super stressful. I have preempted several previously scheduled blogs these past few weeks to describe what is
On the Bubble for Fire Evacuation! Read More »
I was prepared to write about something else this week… but then this amazing article appeared in my inbox. Two weeks ago, I wrote about Fire in My Backyard! As of this writing, firefighters have zero containment of the Cameron Peak fire. Briefly, a second fire threatened our safety. Fortunately, they got that one extinguished. However,
What Should You Do if Faced With an Advancing Fire? Read More »
Last week, I blogged about a gal who had a serious horse wreck. She remembers nothing about what happened. Just as I was completing that blog, I received a Nextdoor neighborhood alert that one of my neighbors had lost her horse at a local trailhead. Both scenarios exemplified for me why having medical information on your
Are Microchips the Answer? Read More »
Aging Horsewomen International Last weekend, Alan and I had the opportunity to attend the first-ever gathering of a chapter of Aging Horsewomen, International. To be sure, Alan doesn’t qualify… but he got to go as an old lady’s sidekick! AHI is primarily a Facebook group, although their newly renovated website offers some amazing perks! While I have
AHI, the Horse Whisperer, and Seven Read More »
My new husband and I are thoroughly enjoying life in the Rocky Mountains. But I was unprepared for the viciousness of the fly population here. I spent two summers living in Estes Park 6 years ago, another 1000 feet higher than I am in Drake. I’m not sure if that extra thousand feet made a big
Those Pesky Flies… Does Anything Work? Read More »
I have written several blogs in the past about the need to develop a relationship with your horse. I believe this is true for just about every horse. However, I think it is practically mandatory with Arabians (and Mustangs from what I have read.) Two years ago I wrote a 5 part blog series titled Does
Building a Relationship With Your Horse Read More »
More than once, I have seen a reference in a Facebook group about someone’s “heart horse” or “heart dog”. Have you had a heart horse or dog yourself? I have lived with dogs since I was a baby, and I have many, many incredible memories of incredible dogs. I loved them all fiercely. However, two
That HEART Horse or Dog Read More »
One day morphs into the next. No point in straightening my hair, putting on makeup, even wearing a bra! I have no idea what day of the week it is. The highlight of my week is going to the grocery store, decked out like a wild-west bandit with my bandana over my nose and mouth. (Alan
This is the fourth and final installment about scammer activity in the equine world. Parts One, Two, and Three discuss one individual who has perpetrated numerous scams on many unsuspecting people. A Google search provides numerous articles by reputable horse businesses about how to avoid being scammed. Equine.com, Dreamhorse.com, MyHorseForSale.com, TheHorse.com, HorseTrailerWorld.com, and SavvyHorsewoman.com all
Tips For Spotting a Scam Read More »
As a victim of an online equine scam, I’d like to make sure it doesn’t happen to you… Part One and Part Two on this topic discuss the bogus Equine Mall, a scam perpetrated by Maryann Pattyn, aka Maryann Montour, aka Dedy Pattyn. I was supposed to get married in early May. The pandemic has
Equine Scams! Beware! Part Three Read More »
Last week I wrote a blog about my recent victimization by “Maryann Pattyn” of “The Equine Mall”. I promised you that this week I’d write about online equine sale scams. But so much information has surfaced about “Maryann” that I need to devote at least one more blog to her activities. Who knows what “Maryann’s”
Equine Scams! Beware! Part Two Read More »
I am a recent victim of a scam. A horse-related scam. I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent person. I am not overly suspicious, by any means. However, I have seen, heard, and personally experienced scams in the past, and I am teachable! Currently, I am typing on my old computer as my regular one
Equine Scams! Beware! Read More »
I just returned from a 3-day ride organized by Tom Seay of Best of America by Horseback. We stayed at a palatial estate that was originally built by Don Imus of morning talk show fame. There were ten guests at this event. Tom and Pat Seay were our hosts. Del Shields provides the music for
Sleeping in a Saloon! Read More »
I have written many blogs over the past year about my ongoing education of Finn, aka the Finnster. He turned 7 this year, and he is part Arabian, part QH/Thoroughbred. I maintain all the goofiness comes from the Thoroughbred side. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! He most definitely has a young brain.
The Finnster is Improving! Read More »
As I mentioned in last week’s blog, Alan and I had a riding lesson with my awesome young instructor, Erin. Kadeen has been taking excellent care of Alan when we are walking on the trail. However, trotting and cantering under different conditions can result in a “different” horse. Alan has had only a minor glimpse
Never Too Old to Learn Read More »
I mentioned in my previous post that my gelding Finn was in serious need of a spring tune-up after hanging out undisturbed in the dry lot all winter. Recently I hauled him to my equine vet friend for his vaccinations. Getting into the trailer is one of his favorite forms of resistance. I attempted to
In Part One and Part Two of this series, I am referencing this article that discusses how horses think. Part one discussed a horse’s propensity for flight, their incredibly well developed senses, and how they learn to become desensitized to non-threatening stimuli. Part Two reminded us that our horses remember everything and they have super-fast
Inside the Mind of a Horse Part Three Read More »
Communication is a vital component of any relationship, whether between two people or a person and an animal. A spouse or friend who understands how their partner responds will have better communication. Trainers who understand how the horse thinks will have better results, as well as a better relationship with the horse. In Part One
Inside the Mind of a Horse Part Two Read More »
I have been training dogs since I was a very little child. Decades after I grew up and moved away, the neighbors talked about my family’s 40 pound Cocker Spaniel mix pulling me down the sidewalk on my skateboard. Using a neighbor’s dog (because our family dog was too old) I won the 4-H Dog
Inside the Mind of a Horse Read More »
Traumatized Children Recently I hosted a dinner party at my home, My guests and I celebrated the 25 year anniversary of an organization I started in the mid-90’s. The Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN) serves families parenting children with attachment or trauma-related behaviors and challenges. All three of my internationally adopted children exhibit many behaviors
A Steel Box With a Velvet Lining Read More »
When computers first came on the scene for the average consumer in the ’90s, I had absolutely no idea what to do with one. Fast forward a few years and I was confident enough to rebuild the hard drive when the thing crashed. I LOVE computers! And I love my mobile phone. So much so
Equestrian Apps… Technology Rocks! Read More »
If I hadn’t seen it happen every year for the past 9 years, I wouldn’t recognize one of the two horses that greet me when I throw open the barn door. My beauty truly becomes a beast! My gorgeous, refined Arabian gelding turns into a woolly mammoth every winter. I have never seen a horse
Beauty Becomes the Beast Read More »
This is not a post I intended to write. It is a post that will likely generate some criticism and negative comments, but it is absolutely not my intent to offend anyone or “take advantage” of a horrible situation. This is a post about the horrific events occurring in California and my heartache over the
The Crisis in California Read More »
Preview in new tab I am way past due for another blog, but it has been a very, very busy 6 weeks. I started a blog a couple of weeks ago but didn’t get it completed before heading out for a week of horse camping at 4-J Big Piney Horse camp. This past 6 months
Splints, Spoons and Snots Read More »
“Ruh-Roh!” Do you remember Astro from the Jetsons? Probably only if you were born in the hippie era… I had a client in yesterday with an adorable Black Lab named Duke, but she very much reminded me of George walking Astro on the treadmill after Astro spies the cat. Duke was dragging her all over
“Jane, Stop This Crazy Thing!” Read More »
At the end of Part Four (read Parts One, Two, and Three) I decided to once again test Finn’s compliance by “sacking” him with a rattling hula hoop. At some point, the plan is to put it over his head, but we are nowhere near that point yet. His response was similar to all the
Does Your Horse Respect You? Part 5 in a Series Read More »
This is the fourth blog in a series about my education as it pertains to my horse’s education. If you haven’t read Part One, Part Two, and Part Three I would encourage you to start there. In this post, we pick up the story after two long, hard days of lunging 2 hours in order to get the most basic compliance from Finn,
Does Your Horse Respect You? Part 4 in a Series Read More »
In Part One and Part Two of this series, I described how I learned the hard way about the need for groundwork to develop relationship and respect between my horse and me. At least, I had figured it out with my Arabian Kadeen, but I had to have a blunt reminder to address it with
Does Your Horse Respect You? Part 3 in a Series Read More »
In Part One I described my “A-ha!” moment when I realized what my young trainer had been trying to tell me all along…. I did not have the respect and the relationship with my gray Arabian, Kadeen, that I needed to be successful. Once I figured that out and “raised the bar,” things really started
Does Your Horse Respect You? Part 2 in a Series Read More »
This is the first in a series of blogs I am going to write about the need to have your horse respect you. It won’t be as much a “how to make it happen” blog as it will be an overview of what I have personally learned about gaining my horse’s respect, and what that
Does Your Horse Respect You? Part 1 in a Series Read More »
Recently I participated in a refresher course for both CPR and First Aid. I am a member of a very large church. We have a medical response team available for every service and event. Although my veterinary training has rendered me more medically savvy than the average bear, I consider myself more of a “gopher”
First Aid and CPR on the Trail Read More »
Here in the Midwest I don’t think we are ever going to get out of winter. Maybe I shouldn’t be so myopic and include much of the country in my lament, as it appears winter is hanging on nearly everywhere. I am so anxious to get back to some regular riding. My two geldings have
More on Microchipping Horses Read More »
Although this article from Equus magazine is almost exactly a decade old, I found it extremely interesting and informative. In a “True or False?” format, it addresses pressing issues in the equine industry ten years ago…. and many are still hot topics today. It discusses veterinary medicine and the shortage of equine practitioners. Equine slaughter
