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 ...

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 ...