I set out to begin my morning routine; I was anxious to check on my new horse, Jimmy, to ensure he was happy and comfortable in his home. But as I approached his stall, I was concerned. The horse was not acting right, he was a lively and playful horse yesterday, but this morning he …
As I strut down the street, the sound of my cowboy boots hitting the pavement echoes around me. People turn to stare, some with admiration and some with disbelief. But I don’t mind. I know what wearing these boots says about me: I’m independent, strong-willed, and unafraid to stand out from the crowd. Growing up …
As a young boy, I was curious why horses’ joints clicked in their back legs. My grandfather always said it’s just something horses do, and there’s no real reason behind it. But as I got older, I knew there had to be a reason, so I researched the issue and learned a lot of interesting …
Quick Answer: Steel vs. Composite ONE-LINE ANSWER: Composite toes are lighter and better for mobility; steel toes offer maximum rigidity—both meet identical ASTM safety standards. Best Steel Toe Pick Ariat Sierra Steel Toe – The heavy-duty “tank” for industrial ranch work. Best Composite Toe Pick Ariat Rebar Flex Western – Waterproof, flexible, and superior for …
Horses can be anxious, reactive, and downright unsafe when the wrong situation pushes them too far. Standing for the farrier or dentist, accepting clipping, or loading into a trailer are all things some horses struggle with — and that is where calming supplements or prescription sedation may come into the conversation. This article explains when …
I often see overweight horses pushed too hard in an effort to get weight off quickly. A horse may start breathing easier and feeling fresher before his joints, tendons, ligaments, and other supporting tissues have fully adapted to the increased workload. That mismatch can turn a well-intended conditioning program into soreness, lameness, or a longer …
I backed up our trailer to the barn door and began unloading pine shavings for the horse stalls. While working that morning with my son, we talked about ways to improve our shavings management while maintaining high-quality bedding for the horses. Our top option is bedding pellets. Pelletized bedding for horses is a highly absorbent …
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. The withers are the highest point of a horse’s back, right between the shoulder blades. This …
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 …
