If you are hooked into YouTube or the reining horse world at all, chances are pretty good that you’ve seen Stacy Westfall’s 2006 Championship Freestyle run aboard Whizards Baby Doll, affectionately known as Roxy. Her run, done without a bridle or saddle, incited a worldwide response via the internet. To see a video of her … Continue Reading »
With over 170,000 unwanted horses in the United States, according to the American Horse Council, the number of horses showing up at horse sales and horse rescues, or simply “turned loose on the range,” is increasing. As a result, the number of malnourished and skinny horses is also on the rise. Luckily, some of … Continue Reading »
Nutrition is critical for a holistic horse health program. When evaluating the cost of feed for horses you have to consider quality over price. I recently bought 2 bales of alfalfa hay for horses and I paid $15 for one bale and $12 for the other. The $15 bale was expensive but very green and … Continue Reading »
“This horse is an idiot!” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard this statement about a horse only to find that when I handled the horse he gave me no trouble. To this unexpected good behavior, the owner usually says, “He must really like you!” Well, I don’t think horses particularly like … Continue Reading »
Horse health care is one thing. Caring for a horse who has a history of ulcers is something else altogether. Owners of horses who have had ulcers in the past are super-sensitive to any signs of possible new ulcers forming, whether it be a horse leaving his feed or experiencing a mild colic. These owners … Continue Reading »
Have you ever met a horse who will do just about anything to please you but can’t thrive unless conditions are just perfect? If so, you have just met the prototypical Shao Yin (Fire/Water) temperament horse. The Shao Yin horse is the perfect show horse, hubby horse, kid’s horse and school master, but ONLY after … Continue Reading »
I decided to write Horse Harmony, a book about horse temperament, after experiencing a bad match with a tough mule named Jake. Up until Jake came into my life I assumed a good training program was the answer to all behavior issues. After working with several of the best trainers in the country I came … Continue Reading »
I was talking with a good friend who was having trouble getting his horse to go away from the other horses. Having a herd or barn sour horse is such a common problem and I wondered what could be done to improve this situation. The late, great horseman, Ray Hunt, always said, “Make the wrong … Continue Reading »