17 Reasons to Start (or Keep On) Horse Blogging

Blogger Susan Friedland-Smith offers a little encouragement if you were thinking about starting your very own horse blog — here are 17 good reasons to get started!

All photos courtesy of Susan Friedland-Smith.

We’re still at the beginning of a new year and it seems like goal setting is fresh. Have you decided what is important for you to accomplish, or at least attempt in 2017? For horse lovers, I have a recommendation: start a horse blog. I started my blog Saddle Seeks Horse when I was about to begin horse shopping, and even though I found the horse (a tall, dark, handsome OTTB named Knight), I have kept up the blog because it is really fun and I have learned so much from other bloggers and readers.

If you already have a horse blog but it’s been on the back burner because life gets in the way, keep on persevering because there are significant benefits to blogging about your equestrian passion. Here are 17 reasons to give horse blogging a try or renew your efforts in 2017.

1. You can keep a written record of rides, training and shows (if you show).

It’s so easy to pause and reflect on your growth a a rider and your horse’s progress–all it takes is a few clicks and you can go over what you learned at your lesson from months ago, the fun trail ride you went on or your results from last show season.

2. You’ll have a record of health.

I have recorded all the details surrounding that time when my horse Knight colicked on Thanksgiving and then colicked about a week later and was hospitalized, which led us to discover he had extreme ulcers!

3. Keep an online photo album of you and your horse.

4. Make new horse friends around the world.

A few of my early blogging friends I made right away were scattered in England, France, and South Africa. By following their adventures I gained perspective on just how widespread the horse craziness is and learned about other cultures. Win! (Also, my blogger friend in France recommended the best gelato in Paris which I got to try on a layover last summer.)

Taste testing gelato in Paris based on a recommendation from French horse blogger Martine from Tails from Provence.

5. Make horse friends in real life.

I have gotten to know the lovely ladies in real life behind Me Jump Pretty, Horses and Heels, Dressage Fundamentals and Sidelines. (lookin’ at you Carey, Raquel, Christy and Jan!).

My blog friend turned real-life friend (and horse show groupie) Carey of Me Jump Pretty One Day came to cheer Knight and me on at a show.

6. Hone your photography skills.

7. Become a better writer.

The more you write, the better you get at the craft.

8. Learn from the community of horse bloggers and readers.

Not only have I learned about gelato, ulcers, the accomplishments of other ammy owners’ green and seasoned horses, I have learned online horse shows are a thing in Europe, the latest in fashion, what various clinicians are like, locations of dream riding destinations, and the list goes on and on.

9. Support during times of crisis and joy.

Congrats after shows, commiserate with horse shopping doldrums, comfort when your horse is lame or sick. Fellow horse lovers/riders/owners “get” us. They understand your heart palpitations when you see your horse laying down in the stall (even if he’s just resting). They understand what it’s like to lose a bit of nerve after a fall or show ring anxiety.

10. Get free stuff (occasionally).

I’m kind of a bookworm and have been gifted with many awesome horse books to review for this blog like The Perfect Horse and Unrelenting (to name a few). And you can’t beat doing a product review of things such as this amazing LED horse breastplate – another freebie. This alone is not a strong enough reason to blog, but it is a nice perk every now and then.

Knight and I were sent a sample of the innovative Illumiseen high visibility breastplate to try out and review on the blog.

11. Segue to paid writing for other publications.

In 2017 both Sidelines and Horse Illustrated will feature more of my articles. I’m super excited about them with topics ranging from why partner dancing is relevant to horseback riding and vice versa to getting to know the founder of the Essex Classics show shirt line and an interview with @StyledEquestrian of Instagram. Having a chance to write for other publications also contributes to reasons number 4 and 5 — make friends online and real life!

12. Blogger equestrian secret Santa.

Did you know that every November for the past four years, Tracy from Fly On Over has hosted a horse bloggers gift exchange? This was my second year participating and it has been fun both playing Santa and being on the receiving end.

13. Horse Blogger Two Point Challenge in October.

As a precursor to No Stirrup November, there is a friendly competition to see who can two-point for the longest time at the end of the month. This year it was hosted by Emma at Fraidy Cat Eventing.

14. Help other people with things you’ve learned or experiences you’ve gained.

I have had Saddle Seeks Blog readers email me with questions such as, “How much did it cost to have your horse scoped for ulcers?” It’s really fun to connect on a more personal level and help fellow equestrians with the issues they are facing with their own horses.

15. Reconnect with old friends.

I found the woman who bought my first horse! I had her Wisconsin address and mailed her a letter a few years ago and never heard back. Flash forward to starting Saddle Seeks Horse. She found me (and had moved to Texas and never got my letter). We were able to fill in the blanks for how life had gone over the last twenty years. How cool is that?

16. Publish your own book.

Anna Blake, Carly Kade, and Alyssa Knee have done this. Why not you?

17. Win an award for your blog (and do good).

Last June Knight and I won Best Unconventional Pet Blog during the BlogPaws conference in Scottsdale. I was honored with the title and cool trophy, but even more excited that a donation was made in Saddle Seeks Horse’s name to a Thoroughbred rescue of my choice!

Knight was unable to attend the BlogPaws red carpet event, but we did win Best Unconventional Pet Blog.

If blogging about your horse passion sounds like fun but you’re not sure where to start, feel free to drop me a line at [email protected]. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned and encourage the horse craziness!

Your turn: What are the reasons you blog or read blogs about horses? If you have yet to start your own, which of these reasons make you excited about blogging?

About the Author: Susan Friedland-Smith is a middle school teacher who blogs at Saddle Seeks Horse about the everyday equestrian lifestyle, sharing product reviews and anecdotes about life with her off-track Thoroughbred Tiz A Knight. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and check out the blog at www.saddleseekshorse.com.