The Basics of Horse Care, Pt. 3

Today I conclude my interview with Professional Hunt Seat Horse Trainer Holly Stello on the basics of horse care, and why anyone who wants to can own a horse. You can work your way up to having the knowledge needed to have a horse as a pet. Having that knowledge influences the cost, because then you could pay less to board it by doing more for your horse on your own. Or you could always just be a working student and still get to spend a lot of time around horses. Holly says working students are common in the equestrian … Continue reading →

The Basics of Horse Care, Pt. 2

On Tuesday I started a blog on the basics of horse care, as described to me by my friend Professional Hunt Seat Horse Trainer Holly Stello. Today the article continues with more of a horse’s fundamental needs, and the costs owning one will accrue. Horses are not as social of a breed as other animals; however, Holly recommends buying a buddy for a lone horse. But she admits that “horses, like dogs, have personalities. Some are total loners, and some will have separation anxiety and need a friend.” You should spend 20 minutes minimum interacting with your horse every day, … Continue reading →

The Basics of Horse Care, Pt. 1

With the Christmas season approaching many of us might be considering giving pets as gifts. I’ve always been clear on my stance: don’t give any animal as a surprise present. Make sure the giftee knows what he or she is receiving and is ready and willing for the responsibilities which come with that particular animal. Maybe some of you are actually thinking about purchasing a particular pet that was always my special holidays dream: a horse. Sure I wanted a dog, but I always thought that might be within the realm of possibility. A horse is what I always wanted … Continue reading →

Learning about Horses and Ponies

Yesterday I wrote about how shopping for a birthday present for a friend’s daughter made me realize how many types of horses there are. Growing up, our family had a horse for all of about five minutes. His name was Saberjolt and I was over the moon for him. But, thanks to my allergies, we had to give Saberjolt up. (At least that’s how family legend tells it. More than likely it was because we couldn’t afford him. I don’t remember ever coughing, sneezing or wheezing either during or after any Saberjolt outings.) However, I couldn’t tell you what kind … Continue reading →

Pony in My Pockets Teach Horse Breeds

When I was growing up, I knew girls who were into horses. They literally had stables full of different breeds, but in the form of toy representations. Still, they knew what type each horse was and could tell you all kinds of interesting facts about the different breeds. I was reminded of this because the other day I was in Target looking for a birthday gift to send to my friend’s daughter. When we all lived in Jacksonville, I was around Brenda’s oldest daughter all the time. We moved when her youngest was just shy of two, so I haven’t … Continue reading →

Purina’s Precautionary Pet Food Recall Affects Horses, Goats, Pigs

Right now I’m watching the evening news while working on my new laptop and saw that pet owners have another pet food recall to worry about. This time Purina is doing a precautionary recall because of concerns some of their food has been contaminated or exposed to aflatoxin. However, this time it’s not dogs and cats affected. It’s horses, pigs, and goats. No animals have fallen ill yet according to the newscast. The recall is a precautionary measure on Purina’s part. Unfortunately I wasn’t quick enough to note the particular Purina brands that were affected. But aflatoxin was the cause … Continue reading →

Raced to Death: Is the Kentucky Derby Cursed?

I wonder if that’s what the horses whisper amongst themselves in their stables. “Who’s it going to be next?” they might whinny to each other. If I was a racehorse being groomed to run the Kentucky Derby next year I might wonder such a thing. Especially after the bad luck that befell Barbaro a couple of years ago and then Eight Bells this year. (Although Barbaro didn’t sustain his career-ending injuries at the Kentucky Derby. That happened two weeks later at the Preakness.) Or maybe the track at Churchill Downs isn’t cursed. Maybe racehorses die every day, and not necessarily … Continue reading →

If the Shoe Fits: Celebrating National Farriers Week

We’re smack dab in the middle of National Farriers Week, which this year runs from July 9 through July 15. I don’t own a horse myself, although when I was about five I had a horse called Saberjolt. (I say he was mine because that’s how my mom and dad referred to him, but really he belonged to our entire family.) I have no idea what kind of horse he was. I just remember he was brown with a diamond-shaped patch of white on his forehead and he was very gentle. We didn’t own him long because apparently he aggravated … Continue reading →

Horse Auctions

Horse auctions are held across the United States — there are hundreds of horse auctions held ever year. Mathematically speaking, the most horses are auctioned in Texas, California, Kansas, and New Mexico. And while you may imagine an elite sales ring featuring one winning racehorse and treasured breed after another… there is another side to horse auctions. You may be more likely to see losers than winners at the auction. Some of the ponies and horses that appear at auctions arrive in good health and are obviously well cared for. Their owners may be present, looking for buyers who will … Continue reading →

Eleven Ways To Help Stop Horse Slaughtering

The Humane Society of the United States would like to see an end to horse slaughter for human consumption. Congress seems to be in favor of this effort, but progress is slow in coming. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to help. Write to your local and state government officials and ask them to support state and national efforts to ban horse slaughter. Write to your local and state government officials and ask them for stronger protections for slaughter-bound horses until horse slaughter is banned entirely. If you are a horse owner, don’t send your ill … Continue reading →