Ring the bells! Set off the fireworks! Break out the beer and put on your party clothes, because at long last the Great Search is over!

After weeks of answering ads, studying videotapes and following up on possible leads, my daughter Jamie finally found a new horse. And now, the oppressive gloom that hung over our family for as long as Jamie faced the unthinkable prospect of spending the summer without a horse has been lifted. Hallelujah! We have been delivered from the darkness and a new era has begun. (more…)

A young gelding in training suddenly becomes surly and difficult during workouts. An aged mare consumes ample portions of good quality hay and grass, but loses weight. A weanling has some nasal discharge and is fussy about drinking cold water.

Although the clinical signs for these horses are dissimilar, the cause of the problems is the same: dental disorders. (more…)

Tim Johnston is not just a horse trainer. He also works with the horse’s owner at the same time to create a strong and productive partnership between horse and owner.

Johnston believes that without focusing on the way the handler interacts with their horse, there really isn’t much point to “training” the horse because when they go home the problems will return. (more…)

His heart attack was thought to be related to a condition that developed over a period of time, and was ultimately a result of arterial blockage, which led to cardiac arrest. He collapsed while standing in the Annex schooling area (the closest ring to the EMT station). (more…)

The CHA presented AQHA with the award at the 2007 Certified Horsemanship Association’s international conference, held in Orlando, Florida. (more…)

The major milestone came just over one year after reaching the $4-million-dollar mark. (more…)

The Youth Extravaganza was held October 26 during the Wheat City Stampede – a weekend of equine activities and attractions, at the Agricultural Centre of Excellence Arena at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. (more…)

While many adult riders were fortunate enough as kids to have a wonderful pony who took care of them as they were learning, there are plenty of other former-children out there who have less-than-fond memories of that first mount.

Many of these kids from a few decades ago are not even involved with horses anymore –that’s how unhappy their pony recollections are.

You may have run across these people in your travels. They have no shortage of pony horror stories to share. Tales of being bitten, kicked and stepped on by their ponies are common. And they have even more details of being dumped from the saddle at a young age than you can even imagine. (more…)

Half of the funding — $100,000 — came from more than 100 individuals, organizations and companies whose contributions “triggered” a successful match from the fundraising incentive during its first 12 months of operation. (more…)

If you are like many riders, there are times when you wish you could relax on command. Like those times when your nerves are making your head spin and your stomach impersonate a tsunami. Or when your horse is so tense and fresh it feels like he is practically vibrating.

Of course, it’s very difficult to will yourself into a pleasant lull when you most need to.

Fortunately, you can learn how to truly relax your body so you can “push the relax button” in times of stress. It just takes a little, um, work. (more…)