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Recently, Greg and I were very personally touched after a visit to Rainier Therapeutic Riding in Yelm, Washington. We wanted to see firsthand the work being done at the center. Since beginning their program in 2010, they have focused solely on the rehabilitation of military service veterans who are facing physical and emotional challenges after…
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By Carole Herder One aspect of good horsemanship: ask questions. If we didn’t ask questions we would never learn, never invent, never progress. For me, the ‘what’ questions are the most important. What can I do to make life better for the horse? What can I do to improve his well-being? What can I do…
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By Carole Herder Which piece of equipment would you like to see on your horse’s hoof?? Believe it or not, the first image is a homemade hoof bandage made of cotton wool, brown paper and duct tape! It was ‘designed’ to keep poultices and wound dressings in place but as you can imagine, had…
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“The horse is sacred; they come from the sun….” – Lakota tribute to the Horse Nation. December 2014 saw more than 45 riders take part in a 16 day, 330 mile journey, barefoot. The event is the Dakota Wokiksuye Memorial Ride, also referred to as the Dakota 38+2 Memorial Ride, and commemorates the largest…
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“Nature will dictate the angle that is appropriate for the leg conformation that it compliments. The surface of the earth will do a better job of trimming than any trained farrier could ever do. The absence of shoes will tease and condition the foot to grow and produce the strongest possible tissues so as to…
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By Carole Herder I was wrong and Today is a Good Day. It’s always a good day when I learn something new. Today, I have an opportunity to practice what I preach. You know, I am a big advocate of changing through education. More education means more opportunity. Think of all the things we are…
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By Carole Herder What is your favorite piece of horse equipment? What could you not do without? I think we all have that ‘essential’ tool, the ‘must have’ aid. Excluding your bridle and saddle (if you use them!), is it your hoof pick? Your long-lines? Your neck rein/strap? Your rasp? Your plaiting bands?? For many…
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By Carole Herder So you want to go barefoot (or rather you want your horse to go barefoot!) but you are nervous. Will he be lame? Will I be able to ride? Will he damage himself? What will everyone think of me? How long will it take his hooves to be strong? So many questions,…
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By Carole Herder Cracks. Cruddy, cruel, conniving (yes, they do seem out to personally attack our horse’s beautiful hooves) hoof cracks. What causes them? And why are some horses prone to them but not others? Types of cracks: • Grass Crack – a superficial crack starting from the ground and moving up. Can be caused…
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