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By Carole Herder I was helping at a show recently and when things were a little quiet, I took a moment to look around at all the beautiful and varied four-legged equids. But instead of looking at their pretty heads and well-formed bodies, I took to noticing their behavior. Some were standing quietly by their…
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By Carole Herder People often ask me why I love horses so much. After all these years, I still find it a tricky question to answer. I think horses are incredibly noble and I have huge respect for them, but there is so much more to it than that. The exemplary set of characteristics that…
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By Carole Herder I think it is a great idea to have a basic understanding of your horse’s body. And I don’t just mean knowing which is the front and which is the back (although this helps of course!). Parts of the horse like coronary band, hock, croup, stifle, pastern and gaskin are some of…
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By Carole Herder Equine diet – for some it is very basic: grass. For others it is the bane of their existence: grass or hay, oats or barley, beet or alfafa, how much, how often, wet or dry, supplements or minerals? The questions are endless. Personally I believe much of it depends on your horse….
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By Carole Herder There are many physical issues we come across with our horses. Some of the most common hoof-related ones include laminitis, founder and navicular. But what is the difference between them all, how can we help our horses when these problems occur and how can we prevent them from happening in the first…
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By Carole Herder There is a difference in the walk and approach of prey and predator. As predators we walk in a direct line, with purpose and straight ahead to our destination. When we approach a horse directly it is perceived as if we are coming at him. Horses don’t like to walk in a…
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By Carole Herder Happy horses and happy hoofs don’t always go together. Our groovy little paddock paradise with its numerous fenced passageways that encourage the horses to move along, suits some horses and not others. Slash will tramp headlong over the various terrains we’ve set out without hesitation. He’s just looking for the next best…
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By Carole Herder All work and no play makes you a dull boy or at least that is how the saying goes. Just as play contributes to a well-rounded personality, so it helps create a well-rounded relationship for you and your horse. If you’re always asking your horse to work for you, always making demands…
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By Carole Herder You are a predator. It has nothing to do with your true intentions; it is your role in his natural world. Horses can be wary of us especially if the relationship is new, and sometimes even when it isn’t. If they’re afraid or unsure they will be on guard and react out…
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