“Fall” Into This Seasonally Themed Braiding Contest
At the Maryland Horse and Pony Show, competitors in two arenas took the concept of turnout to the next level. Putting on a "fall"-themed braiding contest, exhibitors and braiders got creative and welcomed in...
Smart Earth Research Study Puts Focus on Camelina Oil’s Effects on Horses and Dogs
Kate Shoveller: My name is Kate Shoveller, and I'm an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Bio-sciences. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Animal Biology from the University of Guelph and my PhD from...
Catching Up with the Herd (of Zebras)
By Forest Franzoi
We can’t believe it’s been four years since our first ever blog post in The Plaid Horse! The Herd has come a long way since then, and we’re excited to fill you...
The Science Behind Why Riding is So Therapeutic
BY LAUREN MAULDIN
Mindfulness is a word that gets tossed around a lot lately. I originally threw it into the same bucket that holds a lot of other new-age ideas I consider "granola." You know,...
My Husband Drove Me to See My Boyfriend
BY GLORIA SCHRAMM
I met him four years ago. It didn’t matter that I was already married many years. I stood in front of where he was and waited for him to acknowledge me.
When he turned...
‘He Is Happiest at the Horse Shows’
Hadley Zeavin on Why Her 27-Year-Old Horse Griffin Is Still Thriving
BY HADLEY ZEAVIN
The eighteen months before I got Griffin in 2013 were the hardest of my life due to a bad riding accident and...
Not Your Ordinary Day at the Fair
“Horses have the power to bring us joy and join us together.”
That's the message the Schuster Foundation, which works to enrich the lives of children from disadvantaged neighborhoods in Baltimore, promoted following its special...
‘ParaGold’ Documentary to Follow Paralympic Equestrian Athletes on the Road to Tokyo
Ron Davis is hard at work on his next project. The director of Harry and the Snowman and Life in the Doghouse, Davis has announced his next film will be a documentary on Para...
Valuing Your Team: More Than a ‘Thank You’
By Kara Pinato Scro/Jump Media
As an owner, trainer, or manager of an equestrian operation, your team extends beyond your day-to-day staff. Veterinarians, farriers, bodyworkers, and part-time help all play an integral part in...
“Horse Grrls,” Get Ready to Sing Along
If you liked James Crosby's "Grand Prix Girl," get ready for a playlist.
The "American indie punk rock quartet" Tacocat's catchy tune "Horse Grrls" is an anthem.
From Seattle, WA, Tacocat was founded in...
The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation: Benefiting the Health of ALL Horses
By Erin Gibbs
I purchased Norsk out of a herd of low-level racehorses—2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds—who didn’t make the cut as winners. He was one of the few in the field without “racing jewelry” on his...
Kyniska of Sparta: The Olympic Equestrian Hero You’ve Never Heard Of
BY NOA LEIBSON
These days the Olympics look far different from how they began thousands of years ago. But how beloved they are hasn’t changed. Countries from around the world meet to compete and pursue...
History, Heroines & Saving Species: Horseback Vacations That Take the High Road
BY L.A. SAKOLOWSKI
Bucket lists are out and life lists are in, according to experts with a finger on the pulse of a reawakening travel industry. Elizabeth Blount McCormick, president of the international travel management...
Are Negative Core Beliefs Holding Your Riding Back?
BY LAUREN MAULDIN
Core beliefs aren’t about religion, though I imagine most of us have cantered to a single oxer in a “Jesus take the wheel” situation at least once. I’d be lying if this...
Horse Assisted Camaraderie: Life Lessons From a Wild Horse
BY ANDREA LONDON
At age 68, with 2 elderly retired show horses, my competitive equestrian days were over. I had neither the physical nor financial resources to start over with a young horse, so I...
Why Your Horse is Almost Certainly Lacking Omega 3 Fats
Today's domesticated horses are very different than the few that remain truly wild.
The way we keep sport and performance horses today limits their access to pasture, which would normally be their source of Omegas.
Most...
TPH Review: HERD Documentary
BY MIA JONES
I have known for all of my life that horses can heal. In the past, I have seen horses help people through hard times both mentally and physically. And every kid or...
The Smiles are Priceless
Wynmore Farm’s Sybil Greene and Melanie Wright share their philosophies on teaching, showing, and diversity in our sport
By Rennie Dyball
When Melanie Wright was 14 years old, she began riding with Patty Foster and Mary...
What I’m Listening To Fuel My Riding Confidence
BY GAIL REZENDES
Like many adult amateur riders who either returned to riding after a long absence or starting riding in middle age or later, my confidence in the saddle needed some attention. I decided...
Reduce Your Risk of Injury and Improve Your Recovery Rate
BY CHUKKA WELLNESS
Regardless of what discipline you are in, it is essential to maximize recovery in-between competitions and events to regain mental focus and revive the body. Many equestrians forget that to enhance the...
Rain Gear for Every Horse Show
When it comes to working with horses, preparation is key. Yes, proper training at home and placing yourself and your horse in a suitable division is paramountly important. But you must also be prepared...
Riders Working the Rust Breeches Look
Love them or hate them, rust breeches are a real trend with a strong following. These vintage-look breeches even at one point had their own dedicated active Facebook page, "Bring Back RUST Breeches."
For those...
