Donkeys: “We don’t need no stinkin’ blankets!”
In winter, equines are generally best off if you provide them with plenty of hay and the option of shelter. More specifically, Best Horse Practices views blanketing as not only unnecessary but potentially harmful in most horse-keeping situations. Read more about that here. What, then, […]
Read more
Save the Date! Early Details for the Summit
On October 7-9, 2018, the Summit returns to Durango’s Strater Hotel for another exciting series of academic and arena presentations. Dr. Temple Grandin, known worldwide for her expertise in livestock handling as well as autism issues, will deliver the Summit keynote address. Dr. Rebecca Gimenez, […]
Read more
When it comes to “problem” horses, take the challenge
Katrin Silva grew up riding dressage in Germany before moving to the United States at age 19 to learn to ride Western. She’s been riding both disciplines for the last twenty years. Read her article on Contact here. Silva has competed successfully through fourth […]
Read more
When it comes to fitness, are you an equal partner for your horse?
Editor’s Note: Amy Skinner is a regular guest columnist and has been a horse gal since age six. She works with owner/operator Jim Thomas as a trainer at Bar T Horsemanship where she rides and teaches English and Western. She also maintains Essence Horsemanship. Skinner […]
Read moreIs Stress Good or Bad?
Recent research on stress and learning in horses, conducted by a group of French scientists, has made a splash in horse media. The study, titled “Stress Affects Instrumental Learning Based on Positive or Negative Reinforcement in Interaction with Personality in Domestic Horses” involved work with […]
Read moreHorses Want Fewer Gifts, Better Care
Editor’s Note: Dr. Sheryl King is professor emeritus of Southern Illinois University, a Fellow of the Equine Science Society, a Best Horse Practices Summit board member, and lifelong horsewoman. In this guest column, she writes about the range of benefits from working and owning horses. […]
Read moreIntroducing the Dopamine Counter
No one’s doing a better job of connecting brain science with horsemanship in an innovative, easy-to-grasp, fashion than West Taylor. Recently, Taylor released this video of his work with a challenging horse from Colorado. Even by horsemanship video standards, “Flagging on the Fence: Downregulating a […]
Read more6 Roadblocks to Lightness, Part II
Editor’s Note: Amy Skinner is a regular guest columnist and has been a horse gal since age six. She works with owner/operator Jim Thomas as a trainer at Bar T Horsemanship where she rides and teaches English and Western. She has studied at the Royal Andalusian School […]
Read more6 Roadblocks to Lightness
Editor’s Note: Amy Skinner is a regular guest columnist and has been a horse gal since age six. She works with owner/operator Jim Thomas as a trainer at Bar T Horsemanship where she rides and teaches English and Western. She has studied at the Royal Andalusian School […]
Read moreWomen in today’s world and the horse world
One of the silver linings of these contentious times is the intense, widespread examination of fairness in our culture and workplace – specifically, fairness as it relates to gender equality. Perhaps like many of you, I entered the workplace as a teenager in the late […]
Read more