Horsenista: Home + Fashion + Art
This week on Horsenista we feature a $50 million property up for auction with no reserve price, an equestrian fashion contest, and some horsey fine art. (more…)
Weekly Instagram Round-Up
The best of last week’s Instagram submissions, rounded up for your viewing pleasure. #horsenation (more…)
SmartPak: Using the Henneke Horse Body Scoring System
Using a scale of 1 (poor) to 9 (extremely fat), the Henneke Horse Body Scoring System is a standardized scale used to evaluate the amount of fat on a horse’s body. SmartPak staff veterinarian Dr. Lydia Gray shows us how it works.
The Most Interesting Horse in the World
Keep betting, my friends. (more…)
#TBT: The 7 Trainers You’ll Encounter in Your Life
The Mentor, the Motivator, the “Magical Unicorn”… which of the following best describes YOUR trainer? (more…)
Daily Dose of Cuteness: Tiny Horse, Big Celebrity
Say it with me: Awwww. (more…)
Your Cheat Sheet to College Riding Teams
Want to ride on a team in college? Here’s how to get started. (more…)
The Quick and Dirty Guide to Better Photos of Your Horse
Hint: Don’t do it like this guy.
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Test (and Improve) Your Lameness-spotting Skills
If a horse looks a little “off,” can you pinpoint what’s going on and where? A new video series by Equine Guelph shows us how, then puts us to the test. (more…)
Best of Craigslist: ‘That’s a Real Bargain!’ Edition
Today’s lineup: a $10,000 19-year-old greenbroke pony, a $700 horse halter that isn’t actually a halter, the perfect setup for a “horse walked into a bar” joke, a seller with a death wish, and more!
44 Barn Aisles That Will Take Your Breath Away
The sight of your horse’s head poked over its stall door, nickering for breakfast, is enough to make any equestrian happy. But if it just so happened to be in one of these barn aisles? Let the swooning commence.
Ovation Riding’s Friday Standing Ovation: MFFH
This week’s honoree: Maryland Fund for Horses.
When In Doubt, Just Go Under the Jump
This horse has the right idea. I wouldn’t want to jump that scary vertical either.
SpectraVET Performance of the Week: Avery Klunink’s Amazing AEC Save (As Seen on EN)
When her horse’s hackamore fell off mid-course at the American Eventing Championships last weekend, Avery knew what she had to do. From Eventing Nation…. (more…)
Use Blogging to Groom Your Equine Business for Success
Equestrian marketing specialist Emilie Jones shares some tips for getting started.
Thursday Morning Feed from Fleeceworks: 4 Extremely Self-motivated Jumpers
Don’t need no stinkin’ rider to tell these horses how to jump!
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Best of Craigslist: ‘You’re Doing It Wrong’ Edition
Today’s lineup: exercises in creative haltering, a bra that puts the “breast” in breast collar, a “filly colt,” a quarter horse that looks an awful lot like a mule, free horse boarding (but there’s a catch involving a foot fetish) and more! (more…)
Kaley Cuoco Jumps All The Thingz!
The Big Bang Theory actress, aboard her regular mount Thor, competed in the Longines Los Angeles Masters Charity Pro-Am in Los Angeles last weekend… dressed as Pocahontas.
14 Things I Hate About Braiding
Horse Nation’s illustrious illustrator Morgane Schmidt gives this tedious horse-show task the what-for.
From Morgane:
Braiding is one of those gross tasks that isn’t really that difficult in theory but in practice is actually just another form of masochism (ask my how I know). As I am one of those lucky souls who has braided enough to actually be good at it I thought I’d list some of the highlights (low lights?):
1. Pony manes.
2. Manes two feet long.
3. Yarn breaking.
4. Braids too loose — they fall out.
5. Braids too tight — horse tries to kills you.
6. Braids too long (they look sloppy).
7. Braids too thick (they look sloppy).
8. Blunt cut manes (OMFG kill me now).
9. Not having the right yarn type/color/length.
10. Horses who rub their braids ALL out.
11. Horses who will not stand still.
12. Broken latch hooks that get stuck going through the mane.
13. That person who tries to convince you that rubber band braids are acceptable. 
14. Running out of Quik Braid.
Go Riding!
Morgane Schmidt is a 29-year-old teacher/artist/dressage trainer/show announcer/ who still hasn’t quite decided what she wants to be when she grows up. A native Floridian, she now lives in Reno, NV, where she’s been able to confirm her suspicion that snow is utterly worthless. Though she has run the gamut of equestrian disciplines, her favorite is dressage. This year she was able to complete her USDF bronze medal and is now pursuing her silver. Generally speaking her life is largely ruled by Woody, a 14.2 hand beastly quarter horse, Willie, a gawky three year old Dutch gelding, and Stormy, her friend’s nearly all white paint gelding with a penchant for finding every mud hole and pee spot in existence. Visit her website at www.theideaoforder.com.
