Horse Hacks

I got to thinking the other day about all of the little hacks we use on a daily basis in the barn and on trail rides. Necessity is the mother of invention, after all. If horse people have a need, they will figure out the how – often in creative ways. I thought it would…



The Magic of Snow

If you live in the frozen north, to survive the coldest season you need at least one thing you enjoy about winter. It might be skiing, snowshoeing, dog-sledding, snowmobiling, horseback riding in snow, curling up in front of the fire with a good book, or boarding a plane to the Caribbean.I have lived most of…



Winter Riding Challenge

Last week Monica was talking about how she has begun working on liberty and bridleless riding to beat the winter blues. While I am doing that type of thing with Prophet as well, we are also participating in a winter riding challenge. In this challenge, participants are asked to complete horsemanship and riding time goals…



Cabin fever

When it’s snowing sideways in a 20 mph wind or sleeting here in Vermont I am not that inclined to head out from the barn on a trail ride. This time of year it’s dark by the time I get to the barn after work and – on weekends – between the weather, bad footing,…



SheNanigans, Part 2 – Living the Dream

As Monica introduced last week in our blog, this week I am going to be talking a little about our 2016 trip to The Outpost at Warden Rock in Alberta, Canada. Really, I can only tell you a little bit about the trip because the experience cannot easily be put into words. Beware – photo overload…



SheNanigans, Part 1 – Dreaming the Dream

Ever since my friend Nicole and I went on a horse camping trip in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona in 2006, we dreamed of going on another similar adventure. Since I had suffered terrible saddle-soreness as a result of not having access to a horse to get myself in shape for that trip, I promised myself…



Reflections and Resolutions

As the year is winding down and riding opportunities are dwindling, I think it’s important to look back on the year. I like to do this with a focus on two things: reflecting on progress and goals met and setting goals for the year ahead. Reflections: We have come a long way this year! One…



Precious Spines – Keeping your horse’s musculoskeletal system fit

I recently asked my horse’s chiropractor, Heather Beaudry, if I could interview her for a blog post and she readily agreed. The conversation did not go at all as I expected. I figured it would focus on how a chiropractor can help a horse and, though informative, would be pretty dry. Well, it was not…



Avoidance

Like most people, there are things that I don’t like doing and thus avoid. I’m very much on the introvert side of the spectrum, and I’m not the best with social skills or talking to people (see comic). I avoid making phone calls, public speaking, going to the dentist, and a bunch of other things….



The Power of the Mind

When I am mountain biking and come to a big obstacle or steep hill, if I say to myself “I can do it, I can do it” I will almost always make it through. If I allow even a glimmer of doubt to enter my mind, I will invariably fail. Such is the power of…