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To All The Horses I’ve Loved Before
Dear Friends, October is Horse Appreciation Month (or it should be) *These photos are old and have withstood many years and low image resolution. Apologies in advance! I have learned something from the people around me yet, even more from the animals I choose to spend my time with daily. Horses. Horses have been a part of my life since I can remember. My passion for these noble creatures began the day I saw a horse and rider walking down my suburban street in Washington State. The velvety muzzle and the gentle exhalation of breathe made me fall in love. A love that has lasted and will continue to last forever.…
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Fowl Dog for Life is En Pointe!
Autumn is finally here and instead of heading to the barn I was very excited to visit The French Market in Rumson, New Jersey to meet fellow equestrian and small business owner, Melissa Woodson of Fowl Dog. We sat at a small bistro table sipping our coffee and tea and had a lovely conversation. I had intended an interview, but we have a lot in common and talked about so many things. Apparently my interview technique stinks when we start talking animals because I get excited! Melissa is the proud owner of Fowl Dog, which she started in 2015 to fulfill a personal need. She has very active dogs…
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Saddle Box Surprises in a Subscription Box
Nothing says an amazing birthday gift than a subscription box from Saddle Box! This month I turned 40, and I was very excited to receive this beautiful blue box in the mail just a week or so before. Much of the excitement is not knowing what items are included for you and your horse. Saddle Box is a family-owned equestrian subscription box company based in the United States. Their circulation is growing every month and is quite a popular gift option for horse lovers. This is an overview of the September Saddle Box. Better Shedder Grooming Tool This handy tool plays double duty. Not only does it help to…
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Saddle Seeks Horse: An Interview with Susan Friedland-Smith
Susan Friedland-Smith may not be aware (yet) but she has been a bit of a mentor to me as an equestrian writer and blogger. I fell in love first with her Instagram and there a was a lot that struck a chord with me. An adult equestrian with horse show anxiety, loving her OTTB and also working a full time job. I can relate! It was through Susan’s social media that I first learned of BlogPaws pet blogger network and subsequently through our interaction she recommended American Horse Publications. Both of which I since joined and have had wonderful experiences. In many ways, she has been an inspiration to…
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When You Are At Odds with Your Horse
Confession of a Timid Rider: Delight and I are out of sync since my injury. Hmmm. I know I only took about three weeks off riding but boy did I backslide. I never realized just how much my physical fitness affected my communication with my horse. We’re completely out of sync. My first ride back was great with the exception of my being ridiculously out of shape and unable to lift my saddle onto Delight’s back easily. But I did it. My second and third rides? A mess. Delight regressed into an adolescent little brat. I would try to transition from walk to trot and he would stop, pinning his…
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The Ultimate Guide to Phytocannabinoids for Horses
Last night I had trouble sleeping. I had so many thoughts running through my brain. The focus of my thoughts was, unsurprisingly, horses and how to best keep them calm. Yes, I realize the irony. A few of my equestrian friends around the world have been dealing with kissing spine, stall rest, and pent-up horses. Others have been dealing with trailering problems. Even the most bombproof horse has their moments. The bottom line is that equestrians are looking for safe and natural ways to reduce anxiety, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain in their animals. As an equine massage therapist, I suggest sports massage relieves tension, reduce toxins, and stimulate endorphin…
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To Collar, Harness or Prong- That is the Question
Collars, Harnesses, Chains, or Prongs- What is the Best Solution for your Pet’s Health? Pet supply stores carry a wide range of walking aids for dogs. Often I receive questions from my client’s owners regarding what type of lead is best- using a leash attached to a collar, front lead harness, back lead harness, chain collar, prong collar- the list goes on. There are so many options, and the perfect lead for you may not be the perfect lead for your pet. Many new dog owners will enroll their pets in training, which I highly recommend. A good dog trainer will point you in the right direction for aids and teach…
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Horse Show Mom
Confessions of a Timid Rider: I Became a “Horse Show Mom” My youngest daughters, age 6, had their first horse show. They’ve been riding horses for three months, and were so excited to have their first schooling show at our barn. I confess I was a little nervous for them. After all, I get terrible show nerves. Do these look like nervous riders to you? I’ve technically been a horse show mom a few times with my oldest daughter. She is my hero, strong, courageous, and cool as a cucumber. The twins are another story. They are much more high maintenance and one of them struggles with…
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Holistic Veterinarians: What to Expect
Source: Published originally in Good Dog Magazine, September 16, 2017 by Heather Wallace. This week I’m taking my dog to our local holistic veterinarian. We are so lucky to have a few in our area! While I do respect traditional medicine when it comes to my dog’s wellbeing, I prefer a more integrative approach. After all, I’m a canine sports massage therapist and see the benefits of non-invasive therapeutic techniques on a daily basis. My 5-year old mixed breed Gonzo has been injured twice this summer due to rough play with his brother. Our “typical” veterinarian is concerned that he is showing early signs of arthritis, and wants to have scans…
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Rider Safety: Education and High Visibility Clothing
There has been a growing movement in the UK to raise awareness for rider safety with motorists. How often have you ridden on trails, woods, or roads and asked a car, cyclist, or runner to slow down because they were going too fast or passing too close? I have. And I’ve been the motorist that has stopped for a horse and been thanked by the rider for being the only motorist to slow. All equestrians can agree there is an inherent risk to riding horses. Fortunately, educating non-equestrians about horse safety can greatly reduce this risk. A personal example: My husband runs in the woods. We’ve been together 14…
Equestrian Author and Podcast Host
