May 08, 2007 04:30 AM
Natalma, the broodmare which was bred to Nearctic and produced Northern Dancer, influencing the development of thoroughbred breeding world-wide, and Jack McNiven, one of the leading breeders of standardbreds in Canada, are among the 15 nominations for this year’s election to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The results will be announced May 22.
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By Chris Irwin
When it comes to the relationship between people and horses the old saying of “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey that counts” couldn’t be more true. Horsemanship is a sport, a science, and an art, all rolled into one very challenging experience. (more…)

What causes that? The light in your eyes, I mean. It’s important we know – so we can have hope, so our spirit can be light, and so we can live our lives in the manner and direction we thought they might bend when we were young. I see some people truly enjoying their days, and sadly, others who seem only able to take one dread-filled step after another all day long. The eyes of those seem to have no light at all. Why is that? (more…)

The story about working hard being the way to get everything you ever dreamed about is a scam. The story is told and retold by those for whom you work; it’s their way of keeping you working. (more…)

To understand the importance of dental maintenance you have to first realize how the horse’s jaw moves while under saddle or masticating his food. Understanding the structural requirement for full and free movement of the jaw (forward/backward and side to side) is imperative if you are seeking to have a comfortable, willing riding companion. (more…)

Did you pay too much for your saddle? Or did you get a bargain?

Only you can answer; but maybe you don’t want to know. Ignorance is bliss so they say, and in this instance, it may be best to simply enjoy a state of blissfulness.

What might be more important than having gotten a bargain or having paid too much in the past, is how best to shop for your next saddle. (more…)

Devils Claw is an anti-inflammatory and blood cleansing herb, specifically used for joint pain relief. It is looked upon as a natural alternative to bute and cortisone, since it has many similar actions. There are no apparent adverse side effects with devils claw. (more…)

By Lyle Jackson
The horse will learn to guide if you start by giving him the signal with one hand and then use what ever else it takes to get him to move a little in the correct direction and then release the pressure. That means start with one hand and then use your other hand, your legs, your weight or whatever you want to achieve the correct direction. But do not forget to relieve the pressure after a very little success so the horse can associate the pressure release with the first signal. He needs to associate release with the signal that you want him to learn, the neck rein. If your horse has 100% confidence that the pressure in his mouth will be relieved when he turns, then he will always turn and you will be able to guide him around any pattern at any speed. Simple. The hard part is giving him the 100% confidence. You have to ride 100% consistently, at every speed. That is a people problem, not a horse problem. The horse does not have to be forced to learn to be willingly guided. They learn it if the pressure is always released when he first starts to move with the neck rein.
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By Stan Walchuk Jr.
Pete and I had been slowly picking our way up a remote mountain valley. The valley had narrowed. Alpine slopes ran down to the graveled stream bed that we rode on, which was actually smooth going considering the rugged mountains on either side. A ridge came down from the right and ended abruptly as a fifty foot cliff with the stream being forced around it in a curve. Half way around the bend my horses ears perked forward and his head came up. We could not see around the bend but the wind came from that direction. Something did not smell right. And we were in grizzly country.
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By Nickie Polson

Horses are built to eat grass. Their digestive systems are ideal for getting the most out of a fairly low energy food source.
Grazing horses eat slowly, chew carefully, and may eat for 16 – 18 hours a day. Food moves through them almost constantly, as anyone who has ever cleaned up after a horse will have noticed.
The health of a horse’s digestive system is crucial to the health of the animal. First, the mouth and teeth must be in fine working order. Then the stomach must do its part with acids and enzymes. The small intestine is where many nutrients are digested and absorbed into the blood. Finally the remaining material goes into the large intestine, where healthy bacteria digest what’s left of the food, so that the horse can make use of it. Anything left over gets pushed out the other end. (more…)