Every horse has something to teach us; my accident-prone mare has made a point to teach me a number of lessons (most of which I was not expecting to learn). (more…)
Horse Nation would like to bid farewell and pay our respects to a legend — Bugsy the one-eyed wonder pony. He passed away Tuesday, apparently quietly and at peace. (more…)
Winter blues got you down? Horse Nation writer Kristen Brennan is no stranger to that feeling, but this year she is approaching the cold season with a glass-half-full mentality. (more…)
When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. And when life (or your poor decision making ability) hands you a tree too big for your house, you get two trees! (more…)
When Casey French first got Joe, she knew he could be competitive at the highest levels of barrel racing. However, a series of mystery ailments and a gut feeling let Casey know that something just wasn’t right. Here’s the second part of Joe’s journey. (more…)
When Casey French first got Packin French Socks (“Joe”), she knew he could be competitive at the highest levels of barrel racing. However, a series of mystery ailments and a gut feeling let Casey know that something just wasn’t right. Read the first part of Joe’s journey. (more…)
Laura Emert recounts the importance of horses — and haircuts! — as she works to stay sane after contracting COVID-19 and dealing with the subsequent lockdown. (more…)
“Rather than wearing umbrage like a shield, and retreating behind our screens and into the barn aisles, let’s try to do better. Let’s try to talk to each other, to listen to each other and to trust each other.” (more…)
“The thing about fire is, you never know where it will start, where the dry, hot winds will blow it, when those winds might change, and how much time you have. The time to prepare is limited.”
Much of being a horsewoman is hard work, dedication and learning from your mistakes. I have a remarkable mare who has allowed me to grow and go on to be successful with other horses. She deserves more recognition than I give her.
“The realization that I handled the entire horse responsibility on my own with no missteps was joyous and revelatory. The what-to-do-with-a-horse instinct was firm within me. I did it all – even while carrying sorrow. I was going to be okay, no, I was okay.” (more…)
A beloved, quirky racehorse named “The Player” makes a comeback from what could have been a life-ending injury to a new life because of his determination, the love and dedication of those around him and the expert care at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. (more…)
“Everyone has a story. A story of the one horse that saved them, that taught them how to ride, or was just perfect in every way. This is my story of my perfect horse. The twist in the plot is that I never once sat on him.” (more…)
“My childhood wasn’t always easy. We didn’t have lots of ‘things.’ We didn’t have fashionable clothing or the leading brand names. We always had horses though. We always had a full life of adventure.”
“Horseback riding is a relationship and … should be pleasant for all parties involved. There should be mutual give and take and if the relationship turns toxic, you should have the opportunity to step away without being ostracized by other people in our community.”
“My COVID apprehension melted after having time in open space and having safe-distance time around people who nurture my healthy soul.” Barn closures vary from state to state and barn to barn. Here’s a brief look at what some barns are doing and how it affects riders. (more…)
“Despite all the turmoil and anxiety and restlessness and Facebook overshares, I have been so completely and utterly surprised by the good I see people doing… For every person looking to profit from the woes of the world, I see so many more who are working to do genuine good.” (more…)
I spent 11 months waiting in anticipation for the birth of my mare’s foal. Now reality has reared its ugly head. This foal is the reason prayer chains get sent around in your social media PMs. Quite frankly, I think she may need an exorcism.
“I could not comprehend that I had been awake, had had previous conversations about this with my mother and husband and had lost several days worth of time and memories.” In honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month, Ashley shares her account of how a major concussion affected her life. (more…)
“These tapes were mostly of my high school rodeos — they were the long-lost and forgotten videos of my first ‘real’ barrel racing horse. The one to whom really I attribute everything.” Most of us can look back at the horse that taught us the most and turned us into the horse people we are today. Casey French talks about hers. (more…)
