Why can’t we be kind to each other? For three years, I published a blog post every single week. Eventually, I needed a break, so I shifted to writing only when inspiration struck. Yesterday, that inspiration hit like a thunderbolt. A recent event in the horse community sparked such an outpouring of commentary that I […]
The Hostile Hypercritical Horse Community Read More »
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 »
Arizona is heating up, literally. It was time for our semi-annual trek from our winter home in Arizona to our summer home in Colorado. As we were preparing to leave Arizona, fires were burning in multiple locations. Additionally, fires were burning in Colorado, some with such intensity that they were reported on the news in
Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire! 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 »
According to Montana volunteer Mark Himmel, vice chairman of BCHA, every single trail you have ever ridden has been touched by the hands of a BCHA volunteer. Next year will be the 55th anniversary of Back Country Horsemen of America. Oh, and I should mention… about half of their members are women! Their website states:
The Incredible Back Country Horsemen Read More »
Let me start this post by stating that I am absolutely NOT a professional horse trainer. What I AM is an “aging horsewoman” who has been riding for over a half-century. Right now, I don’t need a show pony, I need a great trail horse. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t expect great things
Expect More From Your Trail Horse (and Yourself!) 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 the past three weeks, I have been writing about two of the most often diagnosed metabolic disorders of equines… Equine Cushings Disease or PPID (symptoms and treatment), and Equine Metabolic Syndrome. Getting a diagnosis is the first step. What are the rules of the road for the nutritional management of horses or ponies with
Nutritional Management of Horses With Metabolic Disorders Read More »
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Equine Cushing’s Disease (PPID) are the two most common metabolic disturbances in horses. I recently wrote a two-part blog about PPID (Part One and Part Two.) This post will be about EMS, and next week I will discuss dietary recommendations for horses with various metabolic challenges. Typically, EMS occurs in
Equine Metabolic Syndrome Read More »
Our Arizona home is located about 6 miles from trailheads into the Dragoons. Because the roads are so primitive in our area, it takes 15-20 minutes to get there! Other than a brief trip into the desert riding directly from our home, we hadn’t been on the horses since I contracted Covid at horse camp.
Back to the Beautiful Dragoons Read More »
Normally, Turkey Creek has water flowing in the creek bed. When our camp buddy and friend, Jim, took us there in mid-December, there wasn’t a drop of water to be seen. He commented that he had never been there when there was no water. Our almost-6 mile round trip ride wound through a pine forest.
Turkey Creek in Cochise County Read More »
Our first trailer ride off the property was to the Dragoon Mountains. It was only a 25-minute drive. We used the stock trailer here at Lazy Horse Ranch. Our guide was Ann, the owner of the place. Three of our dogs joined Ann, Alan, and me on this adventure. Prior to this trip, we had
The Dragoon Mountains, Cochise County, AZ Read More »
Our incredible equitrekking adventure was about to come to a close for the year 2020. We enjoyed the beautiful fall colors in multiple states over multiple weeks. After our stay at Midwest Horse Camp, we were essentially done riding until we arrived in Arizona. The horses were probably glad for a brief respite. They worked
Layovers Between TN and AZ Read More »
Our 12,000 mile, 13 state equitrekking adventure was nearing completion. After visiting Kentucky Horse Park, we headed for Natchez Trace State Park in Tennessee. The original plan was to set up camp, get the horses settled, and then spend a day in Nashville. I searched, and searched, and searched for a place to camp near
Natchez Trace State Park in Tennessee Read More »
Our trip to Lexington, Kentucky was certainly an eye-opener! We enjoyed a visit to Kentucky Horse Park. I will write about that next week. It was another horse-related adventure that I want to tell you about first. We left Midwest Horse Camp on Sunday and arrived at our home for four nights, Newtown Station Layover.
SOLD! For $600,000! Read More »
Last week, I wrote about our trip to Purdue University, prior to landing at Midwest Horse Camp in Norman, Indiana. I chose this place for many reasons, not the least of which was its proximity to Nashville, Indiana. I grew up in Indiana, and my family often visited the tourist town of Nashville. It was
Midwest Trail Ride Horseman’s Campground Read More »
Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote A Hole in Her Head, a blog about how our gelding kicked our new mare in the head. We sutured up the skin, but obviously, it was up to Mother Nature to deal with the rest. For the most part, Mother Nature did a great job. However, for
Detour to Purdue University Read More »
Last week I wrote about Coldwater Ranch in Eminence, Missouri. Alan and I left Missouri and headed to High Knob Campground in Equality, Illinois. JoJo is the lady in charge at this busy camp nestled in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest. The Cameron Peak fire was really blowing up when we left Coldwater
High Knob Campground in Equality, Illinois Read More »
My husband and I have been on the road since September 11th. Thus far we have driven through or stayed in 13 states, including Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, and finally Arizona. We spent about $1200 in gas during the month of October… blowing our gas
Coldwater Ranch in Eminence, Missouri Read More »
Pushing cows around can sure be a lot of fun! The last opportunity that Kadeen and I had to herd cattle was about 8 years ago. We don’t know much of anything about it, but we sure do have fun! He LOVES being the boss and makin’ those doggies move! Alan and I drove from
Daniel Boone Days in Virginia Read More »
The opportunity to participate in a “bucket list” ride-of-a-lifetime came at the end of my second summer in Estes Park, Colorado. Because my father resided in an Estes nursing home, I spent most of the summers of 2013 and 2014 riding in the Rockies and looking after him. My tall, leggy Arabian had more than
My Bucket List Ride… The Continental Divide Read More »
Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans! That was my thought when I read a post on the AHI Facebook page this past week. I know there will be ladies here who can relate to my latest (mis)adventure? while trail riding a week ago. I came off my steady Eddy Ace,
It Will Never Happen to Me… Read More »
Five years ago, when I lived in Estes for two summers, I rode many different trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. One of my riding buddies was the co-owner of the liveries, and she knew all the trails! My clear favorite at that time was the Bierstadt Lake trail to Bear Lake and back around to Sprague
Bierstadt Lake… My FAVORITE Trail in RMNP Read More »
I wrote a few weeks ago about selling my beloved barndominium. Quite often, my Facebook memories will pop up posts about the construction of this one-of-a-kind facility. My life was so upside down at that point, and this home was a refuge for me and my animals. I lived in my living quarters horse trailer
Beautiful Barndominium For Sale Read More »
It has been a little over a week since we arrived at our new home in Colorado. While there is still “stuff” scattered everywhere, I am no longer looking at piles of unpacked boxes. In my barndominium, I had built an awesome closet with tons of hanging space, shelving, and storage. Our closet here is
Living With the Wildlife (Human and Animal!) Read More »
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 »
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 »
Geronimo was a revered and respected chief and medicine man in the Apache tribe. He was born in 1829 and died in 1909. Did you know that he died as a result of falling off his horse? How many of us who ride horses have watched movies about the relationship the Indians had with their
How Did Geronimo Die? Read More »
Who likes to ride in the snow? Okay, maybe occasionally… but most of us throw feed to our horses and check for large areas of red (bleeding!) in the winter, and wait not-so-patiently for warmer weather. At least I do… However, this is the last year my guys get to loaf over the winter. Next
Arizona Snowbird Options Read More »
As I posted last week, my Arabian buddy Kadeen has been suffering from a seriously inflamed eye. I have been extremely diligent about treating him. At his ophthalmology recheck appointment last week, his eye showed significant improvement. When I heard that news, I had a bit of an emotional meltdown. Apparently, I was very tightly
Update on Kadeen’s Eye Read More »
This is the final installment of a blog series on neurological diseases in horses. Most of the posts have been about Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, or EPM. To summarize one of the main points of the previous four blogs, EPM is actually much rarer than most people believe. In fact, there are several rare neurological conditions
Vitamin E Supplement for Horses Read More »
Recently, a thread appeared on one of my Facebook groups. The initial poster discussed a visit to her MD about broken ribs. She talked about how much money she spent there, versus what she spent right after that getting veterinary services for her horse. She and her veterinarian discussed her broken ribs, and the poster
Vet School Vignettes… Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine 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 »
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 »
