Terry Golson

Tonka has a reputation at the boarding stable for being a quiet, well-behaved horse. Among the staff, he’s a favorite. What’s not to love? Tonka is adorable, affectionate and easy to handle. Which is why it surprised the heck out of the barn girl on Friday morning when Tonka pranced […]

Keeping My Horse Mellow

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I am always mindful that horses have the potential to hurt their handlers. There are horses who are obviously dangerous, who threaten and use their bodies to inflict harm. But most aren’t like that. Most are amenable and cooperative beings. Still, horses are big, and they can move quickly and […]

A Break In Stride

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Tonka has been a bit balky lately. Instead of moving willingly forward from my leg, he’s been hesitating. I questioned whether the physical exertion that I was asking for was reasonable. It seemed to be. Tonka would work out of it, and I kept riding. On Friday we went for […]

Ulcers?

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Two years ago, Steve started planning our trip to see the total eclipse. He looked at charts and weather reports and concluded that Casper, Wyoming had the best chance of clear skies. He booked a room at a Best Western on the outskirts of town. If the weather didn’t cooperate, we could […]

It Pays To Stop At Tack Shops

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Each sport has it’s look. With just a glance, you know if someone is a golfer, a fencer, or a rugby player. Within the horse world, the same holds true. The tack that the horse wears, the rider’s clothes, and how the horse is “turned out” all reflect your choice of activity. I ride dressage, […]

Braiding a Paint Horse Mane

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After the accident in June (which could have been much worse), I’ve been thinking about trailer safety. I keep my trailer in perfect working condition. I have a check list that I follow every time that I hitch up. I’m a careful driver and I make sure that I use my turn […]

Horse Trailer Visibility

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While my saddle is being adjusted for Tonka’s more athletic physique, I have been riding bareback (with a pad, which, honestly, doesn’t do much!) Riding bareback has kept Tonka and I at a walk. There’s a lot that can be accomplished at this gait. Dressage is all about fine-tuning communication and developing […]

Schooling Dressage Bareback

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While Tonka’s saddle is off getting widened, (he’s put on muscles like the Incredible Hulk, and the saddle was pinching his shoulders) I am borrowing a friend’s bareback pad. Tonka is not thrilled about this. The pad does not have the fleece-covered girth that he is used to. Tonka is […]

Getting On Bareback

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Just when the weather gets good, the horse flies come out. There are big nasty ones, but the bane of our existence are the smaller deer flies.   They are golden, buzzing, dive bombers. Attracted to movement and to dark coats, they see Tonka coming and go in for the blood. […]

Deer Flies – The Bane Of Our Existence

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