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The Ladies Take Over the Racetrack
Monmouth County, New Jersey is horse country. We have a rich history of equestrian sports, the most notable of which is horse racing. Whether you support thoroughbred racing or not, it’s hard not to run into someone that rides a thoroughbred, lives near a horse farm, or even owns a racehorse. The racetrack brings an interesting array of people from all over. People watching is almost as fun as the horse racing. On a cloudy, Saturday in July, the ladies take back the racetrack for Ladies Day at Monmouth Park, sponsored by Lilly Pulitzer. Now for those of you who know me well, I am the opposite of…
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My Daughter is My Equestrian Hero
Equestrian and Otherwise This was easy for me to write but extremely difficult to share. My daughter insisted it would help others and was determined that I share her story. After all, that’s the kind of person she is. Cameron is special, as all children are in their own way. She is sassy, confident, and intelligent. She also has cerebral palsy. We don’t know when she had the stroke, or “brain bleed” as she calls it, but she was diagnosed at 18 months old. She met every developmental milestone and can do anything. The only difference is she has to work harder than others. For those of you…
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The Perks and Pitfalls of Working with Horses in Summer
Summer is finally here. Although we had a mild winter here in New Jersey, many prayed for warm weather. And June has been unseasonably cold until the recent heat wave in July. The temperature soared from 65 degrees to 98 degrees in a matter of a day- and no one was ready. Especially my dogs, and the horses. It got me thinking, equestrians all wish for warm weather until we have it. So what are the perks and pitfalls of working with horses in summer? Perks Riding Outdoors Not all equestrians are lucky enough to have an indoor riding arena, it’s true. My barn has a Kentucky-style indoor with outside…
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Equestrian Excuses for Why You Can’t Ride
As equestrians we are united by our love of horses. Whether you own, lease, or borrow sometimes you don’t feel like riding and need an excuse. I had my own riding funk over the winter. Horse riding is my favorite way to spend a day. I’m pretty steadfast in my passion and will spend all my spare time at the barn, preferably a top a handsome equine named Delight. I remember coming to the barn in the middle of a snow storm to ride. The barn owner said, “Well I guess you aren’t a fair weather rider.”. I just laughed because it’s true. Even on my worst days…
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Building Trust in An Anxious Horse
Today was a great day. For the last several months I’ve been working with a high-strung horse providing massage. He has been a bit of a challenge, and has been hesitant to trust me. Sunny is a beautiful appendix palomino at our local therapeutic riding center. He works with veterans and kids with special needs, and takes great care of his riders. My daughter has ridden him! But Sunny is always thinking and internalizes it. As a result, he has incredible muscle tension. When I first began working with Sunny, he was extremely head shy and wary of me. My hand, placed inches from his body would result in him…
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Interview – Heather Wallace — The Small Town Equestrian
A few months ago, Natalie Cockram of The Small Town Equestrian interviewed me for her blog. Natalie was very interested in my occupation as an equine sports massage therapist and I was happy to share with her. Read on for the full interview, which was published on her blog, The Small Town Equestrian, June 25, 2017. Heather Wallace is a jack-of-all-trades. She originally attended the University of Delaware as a young adult, where she received degrees in English and History. After graduating, she worked in publishing for twelve years before deciding to take on a new career – Equine and Canine Sports Massage Therapy. Heather studied massage therapy under…
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What Can I Give My Dog to Reduce His Anxiety?
Treatibles Product Review and Giveaway Summer is here. It is such a wonderful time of year where we can take our dogs for long walks, hikes in the woods, or walks on the beach. But for those of us with fearful, anxious, or reactive dogs, we have to take the utmost care for our animal’s well being. The upcoming July 4th holiday is a prime example. Even in the comfort of their own homes, many dogs become terrified of the fireworks and revelry. Often we see notices on Facebook the following day about dogs that broke loose from their leash or yard because they panicked at the noise. Alternatively, photos…
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The Haskell Hunt: A Piece of History in My Backyard
Local legends abound everywhere. Weird NJ is a semi-annual magazine dedicated to folklore and legends here in New Jersey. It’s hard to live in Monmouth County and not hear about the haunted woods of Whipporwhill Road. Funnily enough, the two most haunted roads in Monmouth County border the old Amory Haskell estate, Woodland Farm, now Lancaster Equestrian Stables.
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Why Every Child Should Ride Horses
I’m an honest parent, or at the very least I try to be. Perhaps too much so at times. I’ll be honest with you, my friends- I’m not a helicopter mom. My children are hilariously funny, smart, and keep me on my toes. I’m just of the opinion that sometimes learning who you are and who you will become, happens when you are given a chance. Keep yourself busy, make your own decisions, and make mistakes. Every Child Should Ride Horses My favorite time together is taking my daughters with me to the barn. When I used to do turnout and feeding, my little ones…
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The Amateur Equestrian Tack Room
What happens when you don't own a horse but live an equestrian lifestyle? Lots and lots of tack and no where to keep it.
Equestrian Author and Podcast Host
