horse care

Yesterday Scooter went to the veterinarian.   He has gnarly big teeth in a little mouth. I confess to not brushing them enough. Scooter needed dental work. He was sedated, the plaque scraped off, and one loose incisor was removed. The bill was $380. My first reaction? That’s not much! […]

Horse Math

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Last January, Tonka started to twitch his head, but only when ridden, and only in a specific posture. I called on my veterinarian. Whatever it was that was bothering him seemed to be a small issue. Tonka was otherwise sound. We checked his bridle and saddle fit, which were fine. […]

The Culprit is the Sacroiliac Joint

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It’s been six weeks since that Quarter Horse ran over my foot and broke it. My orthopedist says that I’m healing right on schedule and that I no longer have to wear the walking cast. I’m back to my regular shoes – which means my barn boots. However, the bone […]

Horse Enrichment!

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For the last six weeks, I’ve been limping around with a broken foot. I haven’t been able to get on Tonka. I have been going to the barn daily and grooming him. He loves that interaction. I take him out to the big field. We wander around (slowly!)   and […]

Horse Enrichment?

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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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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 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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