A typical day of watching horses at the training center took an unexpected turn when one trotted by with a noticeable limp. Upon closer inspection, her leg was warm and swollen, clearly in need of attention. Thankfully, the trainer contacted a vet immediately for evaluation and treatment – he prescribed rest and gave her some …
If you’ve ever ridden a horse bareback that has exceptionally high withers, then you probably know exactly where it is. But horse withers come in different shapes and sizes and play a critical role in horse conformation and performance. Horse withers are an integral part of the horse’s anatomy. It connects ligaments and muscles from …
When I was younger, I used to ask my grandfather why cowboy hats were so expensive. He would always tell me the same thing: “because they’re worth it.” I never understood what he meant until I met a man that explained the in and outs of making cowboy hats. Cowboy hats are expensive because of …
If you have ever had the joy and experience of dealing with a horse’s snotty nose, you know it can get messy. Never mind the free showers they offer with every sneeze. Mucus can be a healthy sign or something to take seriously. Horses can get snotty noses from playing energetically or having a strenuous …
My son and I were at the racetrack, watching as horses were led into their paddocks. One person caught my son’s eye; she was rubbing a wand on each of the horses. He asked me what she was doing, and I explained that each horse had a chip implanted in it, and she was scanning …
Some horses are known for being calm and serene. But just like any other animal, most enjoy playing around and having fun. Sometimes, they’ll roll around in the dirt or chase each other. There are many things horses do for fun. No one knows the definition of fun like a horse. Horses are always looking …
The younger generation seems to be educated about the importance of taking care of their bodies today to prevent chronic health issues later. For example, a young exercise jockey requested I buy him a back brace even though he currently doesn’t suffer from back pain. I agreed and bought two Equestorian back braces, one for …
I was brushing my horse’s back when I noticed an area that caused him pain. So I rubbed my hand over the location and got the same reaction. I quickly realized something was wrong and called a friend to come over to check the horse. After carefully rubbing his back for a few minutes, he …
I was working with some horses when my cousin and his son stopped by to visit. His youngest son was absolutely fascinated by the horses and wanted to know how he could become a trainer. I told him it takes a lot of hard work, but if he was dedicated enough, he could definitely make …
There was a time when everyone I knew kept their horses shod. But over time, people began questioning whether it was necessary, and some horse owners stopped shoeing their horses. After all, many wild horses manage just fine without shoes. However, I believe there are many important reasons why horses need shoes. Horseshoes are used …