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 ...

365 Days in Horse Country – The Lipizzan    The marriage of Berber and Arab blood with athletic Spanish horses during the Moorish occupation of Spain (711-1192) led to one of the most beautiful and athletic horses: the Lipizzan, or Lipizzaner, as it is also known.  Originally created as a light , fast war horse, the Spanish mounts were prized for their hardiness and intelligence as well as ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Planning a Riding Vacation     Riding vacations are designed for everyone from beginners to advanced equestrians.  Some destinations provide a horse for you to ride, and others require that you bring your own. Some riding vacations are hosted by resorts, and they offer other activities besides riding.  Others are serious horseback adventures that inclu ...

365 Days in Horse Country – 4-H: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health     If you have a child who loves horses, or even if you don’t, consider getting involved with a 4-H horse project in your area.  With activities that focus exclusively on a particular animal, 4-H club projects provide great opportunities for children to learn about livestock, especially horses.  You can also offer to ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Ride and Tie     Ride and Tie is an exciting equine activity that emphasizes teamwork between two humans and a horse.   The sport started in the United States, and it is getting interest in other parts of the world, particularly in Germany and Australia.  It is essentially an endurance race, but unlike regular endurance riding, Rid and Tie requires some o ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Equestrian Vaulting   Vaulting is not a typical equine sport, but it is one that is slowly growing in popularity.  Essentially gymnastics on horseback, vaulting requires a well-trained horse and a flexible and energetic equestrian. In vaulting, the horse canters on a lunge line while a vaulter performs a series of acrobatic maneuvers on the horse’s ba ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Acupuncture for Horses    Alternative therapies such as acupuncture have been growing in popularity for decades, an not only in the human marketplace.  Acupuncture for animal companions is also in greater demand, especially for horses. Horses can benefit in a number of ways from this ancient form of medicine.  Just about every equine malady can be treated w ...

365 Days in Horse Country – The Quarter Horse   The most populous breed of horse in the world is the American Quarter Horse, supported by the largest horse registry and association in North America, the American Quarter Horse Association. Developed in the American West in the 1800s as a working cow horse, the breed name comes from the fact that these horses can run a quarter o ...

365 Days in Horse Country – Aging Your Horse    Everyone knows that you can tell a horse’s age by her teeth, but do you know exactly how to do that? You can always just ask your vet to tell you your horse’s age, or you can just look at her registration certificate if she has one.  But it’s always a good idea to be able to judge for yourself.  Not only will it help you become a more kn ...