365 Days in Horse Country – The Hackney   A horse called the Norfolk Trotter was the predecessor of the modern day Hackney, which is a high-stepped show horse considered rare by the Livestock Conservancy.  The Norfolk Trotter was bred for style and speed, pulling fancy carriages in England during Georgian times.  In the mid-1700s, breeders put Norfolk mares to Thoroughbreds, and the found ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Rodeos   One of the most loved spectator sports in the horse world is the rodeo.  The event started in the 1800s in the Western United States, where cowboys (and cowgirls) worked day in and day out handling cattle.  Rodeos were a way for these folks to show off their skills and their horses.  By the 1900s, this casual event grew into a professional sport. Toda ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Should I Blanket My Horse?     As the Canadian winter continues to gain a deeper foothold, you are probably wondering whether or not you should be blanketing your horse. This age –old question stumps horse owners the world over whenever winter blows into town.  The answer depends on your horse and just how cold he really is. Although the air may be quite chi ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Three-Day Eventing  An exciting equine sport known as three-day eventing, or combined training, is an Olympic discipline that commands tremendous athleticism from both horse and rider. Essentially a triathlon on horseback, three-day eventing consists of three days of competition in three different disciplines: cross-country jumping, show jumping, and dressage.  ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)   If horses could get asthma, It would be called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  This oftentimes, debilitating disease causes difficulty breathing in, and more difficulty breathing out.  Horses with this condition can often be heard wheezing loudly, coughing, or experiencing shortness of breath. Horse ...

Believe: A Holiday Wish As many of you who know me, already know, “believe” is a word that I use often.  In fact, as the ever-optimistic person I am, it is has become a state of being.  In my view, the word “believe” is at the root of all faith and its powers are beyond all comprehension.  I believe in believing, and I believe in it so passionately, that it is a word that is ever-present i ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Horse Expo   For horse lovers, one of the closest things to paradise is an equine expo.  These celebratory fairs, which are centered on the horse, feature everything from equine-related vendors to breed exhibitions to educational clinics. Expos are a great way to spend a day with your horsy friends, learn how to better handle your horse, and learn more about hors ...

365 Days in Horse Country – The Saddlebred  The Saddlebred’s origins were in a horse breed called the Narragansett Pacer (see my May 31st, 2013 blog entitled; 365 Days in Horse Country – The Narragansett Pacer, for more information on this breed).  The Narragansett Pacer was created in the Narragansett area of Rhode Island.  British colonists in the New World used Galloway and Hobbie horses ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Take in a Horse Show   Horse shows are both entertaining and educational, they are also a must for every horse lover.  Whether you are an avid competitor or just a casual rider, you can learn a lot by being a spectator at a show. Get a copy of a local equine publication or find a local equine community calendar on the internet to get a list of upcoming shows in ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Composting Manure   Horse manure makes great fertilizer, but you have to know how to compost it first.  Composting is the bacterial decomposition of organic matter by placing it in a pile or composting bin to speed along the process. Spread uncomposted horse manure on your vegetable garden, and you’ll kill your garden in no time.  Use composted manure ...