365 Days in Horse Country – Chiropractic Treatment for Horses     Horse are great candidates for chiropractic treatments.  Equine chiropractic therapies are based on the theory that spinal and joint dysfunction can affect the overall physical well-being of horses.  Chiropractors believe that the spine and all its associated structures (including nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lig ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Horseback Archery    The practice of shooting arrows from horseback is older than the saddle, going back thousands of years.  The Greeks and Romans practiced this form of warfare, as did the peoples of Mongolia, China, and Japan.  The Plains Indians of the American West were also skilled horseback archers. Recently, this ancient art has been revived, and ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Tack Crack     Any horse person will tell you that their local tack store is like crack cocaine.  In fact, it’s hard to find a self-respecting horseperson who doesn’t enjoy a visit to the tack store for both pleasure and practicality.  Not only is it fun to see all the different horse stuff for sale, but people who own horses are always in need of supplies ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Traveller   Behind every great general, you’ll find a great horse…. At least that was true when horses were the sole means of transportation during pre-industrial wartime. One of these great horses was Traveller, an American Saddlebred gelding owned by Confederate General Robert E. Lee.  Memorialised in a 1988 book called “Traveller” by Richard Adams, who a ...

365 Days in Horse Country – The Welsh Pony     One of the most popular pony breeds in the world, the Welsh Pony originally comes from Wales.  More than 2,000 years ago, Welsh Ponies lived in the valleys of this northern European landscape, braving harsh winters and living off what little plant life grew in the cold environment.  These Ponies lived almost wild, in herds that were forc ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Fire Prevention  One of the most tragic events that could happen to a horse owner is a barn fire.  Barn fires have killed many horses, from famous racehorses to treasured pets. Barns are particularly susceptible to fire because of the many flammable items kept in their vicinity.  Hay, straw, and bedding ignite easily, and horse blankets and other tack go ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Team Penning  One of the most popular Western sports these days is team penning. In team penning classes, three horses and riders make up a team and sort three designated cows from a small herd.  Once the cows are sorted, the riders must pen them in a corral located at the opposite end of the arena.  The event is timed, and the fastest, most accurate tea ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Arena Maintenance If you are among the lucky and fortunate enough to have a riding arena on your property so that you can work your horse on a regular basis, you also have a responsibility to keep it in good condition.  In order to keep your horse comfortable and safe, your arena will require some regular routine maintenance.  Here is what you can do; Mak ...

365 Days in Horse Country – The Art of Dressage  Dressage is among the oldest riding disciplines in the world, dating back to ancient Greece.  Classical dressage is still practiced much in the way it was originally performed in ancient times, while a more modern version of the discipline is also practiced.  The sport has long been popular Europe, and it has gained a lot of fame in No ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Fitting  Your Helmet  It’s important to make sure a helmet fits you right so you’ll get the best protection in the event of a fall. Before purchasing a helmet, try it on.  The helmet should fit snugly on your head.  You shouldn’t be able to move it on your head; either in a front to back or in a side to side motion.  Remember, you want it to stay in place ...