Capital CowHorse came up significantly lame a few weeks ago. Her toes were long and the left front shoe was loose. The vet pulled her shoes for a thorough exam and recommended a decent trim. We discussed whether to reset and decided that if she can be barefoot, she should. I called the farrier, and left […]
My horse became the smelly kid this winter. I’m embarrassed, but I might as well own it. I am a disciplined groomer. But with the unusually long and intense winter and the copious mud, she became a dusty smelly fur-ball. Exhibit A: I coat her legs in poultice at the slightest hint of heat. It gives […]
Growing up in Florida, I very rarely wore gloves. I would throw on a lightweight pair for horse-shows only. I couldn’t stand them. My blistered hands wanted glove love, but I felt so far from the bit when wearing them. Over the last five years living in the Arctic North Mid-Atlantic, I’m learning to tolerate them. This winter […]
Chances are, your horse either has “feathers” year-round, or only during the coldest winters (depending on the breed). The fact that I left these “hairy heels” unclipped used to send my trainer over the edge. And with a little Irish draft in her blood, my mare sports perennial leg-hair. But feathers do serve a purpose. First, […]
This may not look like much. But it took two-and-a-half years, several vet bills, sleepless nights, and lots of tears to get here. Prior to this moment, the last time we rode a centerline to a judge was November 2011. I haven’t been taking lessons, but I felt it was time for an independent third party […]
Lots going on in the Capital Cow-house. Stay tuned. In the meantime, we’ve had dressage on the brain. And we are praying for spring. After a very wintry day and two successful dressage tests, here’s a new seasonal recipe. Your horse won’t complain if the Easter bunny hides these at the barn… Dressage Nests […]
I try to avoid making this blog discipline-specific. The truth is, good horsemanship has no discipline. My equi-love began on a blind therapy pony named Santa Claus. The flames were fanned on summer western trail rides. And a full-blown fire started in the hunter world as an “up-downer” (you know, where your trainer’s only words […]
Horses don’t speak human. But if you “listen” with all of your senses, they absolutely communicate. Nothing will teach a rider to listen to their horse quite like prolonged lameness. Each time I approach my mare, my mind starts a checklist. “Is she bright-eyed? Was that a little swelling on her leg? Did she take […]
Memorizing a dressage test, or anything for that matter, was so much easier when I was little. And even then, I can’t say I didn’t get lost every now and then. I’m sure I’m not the only one. March 30th will be our first show in a very long time. I’m getting started early. While […]
What’s the one thing you should do more regularly but don’t? Whether it’s riding more, eating right, cursing less, exercising, cleaning tack, or writing blog posts, this simple trick will help keep you motivated. Intention+Motivation=Action I began this practice in 2012 while training for my first half-marathon. I’m using it now to track exercise in […]
Everything takes longer in winter. Us humans are putting on and taking off outerwear all day. And we’re doing the same for our horses. Once blankets get muddy, the task is even less appealing. Here’s a quick trick: Undo all straps and stand on the near side of the horse (the horse’s left side) Grab […]
Merriam-Webster defines amateur as a noun meaning “a person who does something for pleasure and not as a job.” I write and I ride for the sheer joy of it. So this post is my sincere thanks to the friends, family, and followers who join my adventures in text, and to those who nominated Capital […]
Am I right in saying that retired horses rule the roost? They have often won our loyalty with years of faithful companionship. My retired off-the-track-thoroughbred-turned-Pony-Club-championship-novice-level-eventing horse owns my heart and I will forever love him. Remember the song “Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold”? That’s my mare […]
My mare has not truly been sound in a very long time. 2013 was not a great year for us. Two ligament injuries, stall-rest, and arthritis left her quite lame. Read more about our soundness struggle here. Just before Christmas, she came down with a respiratory infection that resulted in a week of stall rest and […]
It’s a belated Christmas and Year of the Horse gift to myself! My bridle and saddle are brand new. Scratch that. The leather looks brand new. For a fraction of the price. The buckles? My bit? Reins? Stirrups? Those will have to be the subject of another post. And the tack certainly doesn’t feel brand new […]
My mare’s been sick. I’ve been sick. And it’s been brutally cold out. Here’s how the horses are holding up:
Capital Cowgirl 