Music icon Willie Nelson shares the story behind his song, “A Horse Called Music.” The story couldn’t be simpler. Enjoy the music video! It also includes clips of a couple of Nelson’s heroes, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, and their horses Champion and Trigger, as well as some of his favorite scenes from his 1986 film, Red Headed Stranger. Source: Horse Network, June 8, … [Read more...]
K.I.S.S. horse care
Casie Bazay shares her journey back to simpler horse care. She is still learning and adjusting every day. But, she is less stressed and having fun with her horses again. This article makes good content for a website, blog, social media and a newsletter. Source: Horse Network, June 1, 2017. Bazay says she is very glad she took those equine nutrition courses. She learned a … [Read more...]
Healthy weeds for horses
Not all weeds are bad, according to Casie Bazay. To horses or other herbivores, they’re all simply plants. While it’s true that some plants are toxic and should be kept out of our pastures, others that may be considered weeds, can be beneficial for horses to consume. Articles like this make good content for blogs, newsletters, websites and information packets for horse … [Read more...]
Horses and food allergies
Eleanor Kellon, VMD, indicates true food allergy has never been formally proven in horses. A major difficulty is diagnostics. If only by chance, the blood IgE tests are bound to get it right sometimes but research really does not support their use as a diagnostic tool. Source: Horse Network, May 10, 2017. The horse cannot be allergic to a food he has never been exposed to, … [Read more...]
The art and humor of horseracing (includes videos)
Just for fun! Triple Crown season stirs interest in a whole population of persons who are not yearlong enthusiasts. This article offers a different twist on what makes the perfect racehorse. Source: Horse Network, May 8, 2014. Veteran British collage artist and filmmaker John Stezaker’s 2012 work, “Horse,” offered a rapid succession look of every racehorse advertised for … [Read more...]
Hobby horse competitions real (includes video)
Unlike other equestrian endeavors, this one does not require a big investment of money and time. Plus, safety risks are minimal. It does not even require an actual horse. Turns out, all you need is a stick…and a dream. Source: Horse Network, March 31, 2017. Welcome to the world of competitive hobbyhorsing. INSIGHTS: This looks like a good activity for a team building … [Read more...]
The white horses of Camargue
At some time in most animal health pros’ lives, a love of animals is born. It may have been a puppy or kitten, but for some, the horse was their inspiration. For renowned photographer Drew Doggett, a passion for horses developed, particularly with breeds that have overcome difficult circumstances or have an interesting lineage. The horses of Camargue fit that perfectly. We … [Read more...]
Spooking is not a natural reaction
“The message we hear is constant and insistent,” write Francesco De Giorgio and José De Giorgio-Schoorl. “‘Why does a horse spook? He spooks because it is the most natural thing for him to do.’ But it is not.” Challenging popular beliefs, the authors describe how those who define themselves as horse people need to be willing to change. Source: Horse Network, March 6, … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Here’s the deal with dewormers
Different horses have different deworming needs. The best treatment for any animal starts with a fecal egg count to determine if the horse is a high shedder, medium shedder or low shedder of eggs. This measurement helps determine how often a horse needs deworming and supports herd decisions. Source: Horse Network, February 6, 2017. For many years, horses were treated with a … [Read more...]
There are surprising benefits when keeping hens with horses
Casie Bazay shares her experiences with free-range chickens and horses. She describes a symbiotic existence that reduces flies, feed waste and breaks down manure so that it dries faster. Source: Horse Network, February 21, 2017. In addition to the bug-eating behaviors, Bazay shares these benefits: Chickens will eat the tiniest piece of grain or other feed dropped on … [Read more...]
Farriers, a necessary enigma
Nancy Rich-Gutierrez shares 5 Reasons You May Need a New Farrier with a tongue-in-cheek, experience-based overview of inappropriate farrier behavior. Source: Horse Network, January 24, 2017. Here are some examples that resulted in Nancy finding a new farrier: He compares his siring ability to that of a well-known stallion He shows up drunk He’s too rough He … [Read more...]
Kentucky Horse Park celebrates Man o’War centennial
2017 marks the 100th birthday of Man o’War, and the Kentucky Horse Park is honoring the legend with a yearlong series of events celebrating his centennial. They kick off March 29, the date Man o’ War was foaled. Source: Horse Network, January 25, 2017. Man o’ War is a true American icon, born in Kentucky before going on to capture the country’s imagination by winning 20 of … [Read more...]
Obsessive blanketing disorder is real
Jorna Taylor shares her #OBD in a whimsical fashion while reminding us of the need to protect horses and pets from the winter weather in a two-article series. Source: Horse Network, December 2016. I Suffer from OBD—Obsessive Blanketing Disorder (Part I) Because #OBD Is Real (Part II) … [Read more...]
5 winter horse sports that haven’t been invented yet (but totally should)
Just for fun! The staff at the Horse Network got carried away and created some new winter horse sport ideas. Source: Horse Network, December 12, 2016. Skijoring and snow polo. Horse racing skiers and sledding. Every sport is improved by adding a little horse. Some we just haven’t gotten around to inventing — until now. … [Read more...]
Dogs and horses don extreme Halloween costumes
Just for fun! It is almost Halloween. Whether your customers are having a barn party or attending a holiday horse show, some of the most creative horse and dog costumes are about to emerge. Source: Horse Network, October 13, 2017. Photo essay of 28 Halloween horse (and dog) costumes that prove you aren’t trying hard enough. … [Read more...]
International travel for horses planned far in advance
If you think international travel is hard on you, ask your horses how it affects them. Last week, 43 of the world’s most athletic horses competing in the Longines Masters of Los Angeles, landed at LAX in a cargo plane after an 11-hour flight from Liege, Belgium. Source: Horse Network, September 28, 2016. The horses traveled on board the aircraft in custom designed horse … [Read more...]
Editorial – Wild horse advocates respond to BLM advisory board
The wild horse debate continues. Clearly, the overpopulation of wild horses on public lands is a problem. The challenges are ecological, geological and economical, all compounded by weather patterns. From one perspective, wild horses never seem to be labeled as feral. It may be time to look at their management and control as we manage feral hogs, feral dogs, feral cats and … [Read more...]
Human-animal bond helps with empty nest syndrome
Facing an empty nest at home, author and mother Ashley Collins shares her experience and realizations of how her horse is part of her emotional support network. She also acknowledges how the family dog reacts to college preparations taking place in the home. This article supports the increasing discussions about the human-animal bond and one-health initiatives. Source: Horse … [Read more...]
Riding to the hounds
Fox hunting or riding to the hounds is a long-held tradition of the fall. Riders gather, don stock ties, jackets and tall boots, then tote traditional whiskey flasks to ward off chills or the discomfort of a spill. Many hunts no longer chase live animals. They instead follow a pre-determined drag scent trail. Source: Horse Network, August 24, 2016. It may sound extreme, but … [Read more...]
Jockey cams film race experiences
Take a virtual ride as if you were a racehorse jockey. See what a jockey sees and the decisions required as the race progresses. Source: Horse Network, June 17, 2016. There is so much you simply cannot see and hear unless you are actually in the saddle yourself. Equine Productions strapped cameras on the helmets of a few jockeys at Belmont Park last week and the result is … [Read more...]
One woman. One horse. One goal.
Raise awareness of domestic violence in 48 states. Meredith Cherry embarks on the Centauride this fall to visit domestic violence centers, women’s shelters, schools and community centers. The objective is to raise awareness about the realities of domestic violence and provide hope to women dealing with its effects. She will begin her ride will depart in Grass Valley, … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – 100 years of horse history
We found this content and video fun. It also offers a historical pictorial. Source: Horse Network, May 3, 2016. Look back at how the events, horses and Absorbine® products that shaped the way we live and ride today. … [Read more...]
Horseboarding, a growing new sport
Under the category of what will they think of next, horse enthusiasts in the UK have a new sport. It combines a form of skateboarding, a piece of rope, obstacle courses and horses. Source: Horse Network, April 22, 2016. A Horseboarding “team” is comprised of one horse and two riders: the equestrian and a mountainboard rider, who’s towed behind the horse on a quick-release … [Read more...]
Fact or fiction – hind gut ulcers in horses
Disturbances of the hind gut/large intestine definitely exist but the correct treatment is to find the cause and correct it. “Hind gut ulcers” is not a real disease, says Eleanor Kellon, VMD. In her opinion, there is no such thing as “hindgut ulcer syndrome” that is a correlate of gastric ulcer syndrome, and certainly no cause that a supplement would correctly treat. Source: … [Read more...]