Horse's personalities often mirror their owners!

Always testing authority. Severe ADD at times. Talented but not always focused. Enjoys being in control. Doesn't always play well with others. Kind. Respectful.

That is the description of one of my horses of 11 years, and his personality almost mirrors mine.

I can say that goes for every horse that has been mine. Not horses I've owned per' se, but horses that were mine; we had a lot in common. Were these horses a reflection of me? Did I create their similar personalities, or simply did I find a good match working with a like personality?

It's funny, but true, you can tell a lot about a person by getting to know their horse.

Think about it.

A horse pins his ears until eye contact is made, then the ears go forward. The owner happens to be a behind-the-back talker, but always has nothing but kind words to your face....

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The Ever Torturous Horseshoe

Believe it or not, they are calling it a movement. Barefoot, natural trimming franchises are the new hot trend in horse care. It is a beautiful scam that has been developed specifically to target the inexperienced horseman or horsewoman. The fad has swept the horse world off its shoes and into new barefoot ground where lots and lots of horses are gimping around wishing the pain would stop.

How this movement came to be is a mystery, but Dr. Hiltrud Strasser, a German veterinarian, has been credited as the first to develop this new, radical, strong woman craze on "natural" holistic hoof care. Dr. Strasser has been described as "a rebel". A woman who isn't afraid to stand up to conformity. A woman who created a system, of hoof care conformity, to break conformity. A woman with a method, no, a state of mind, that asks all horse owners to think alike on the care of their horse's feet.

Of course, those in the barefoot movement believe if you aren't following this new, trendy, horse care method, you must be abusing your horse (for more on that concept, if you haven't already, stop by the pro-clicker training comments). People who are completely brainwashed by a method or system see only black or white. Of course, if you aren't clicker training, you MUST be training your horse by brutally beating them. Again, if you aren't using natural barefoot trimming, you MUST be torturing your horse with horseshoes. Oh the humanity.....

To finish reading this article and submit your opinion on the Natural Barefoot Horse Movement visit Citizen Horse

Say NO to Dysfunctional Relationships!

I don't know if it's because the majority of horse people are women, or if it's just the environment, but I cannot believe the amount of dysfunctional relationships I have seen between trainers and their "students".

Don't get me wrong, I've been there myself. I remember as a child having an incredibly dysfunctional relationship with my trainer. Downright abusive. But, I was a kid and didn't necessarily have options. I just wanted to ride, and the abuse was worth it.....

To finish reading this article and submit your experiences with horse trainers visit Citizen Horse

Dressage Queens

Now, there are a lot of snobs out there. The hunter/jumper world is full of these snobs; people who wear a horse more than ride a horse; it's the image, the status, the gobs of money everyone knows you have (or at least spend) on one of your bigger accessories, the horse....

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Horses Keep Little Girls Out of Trouble!

....Horses are very empowering. Riding horses teaches girls to be natural leaders in societies where many stimulus shout the opposite. Horses require a "take charge" attitude from the rider. Horses need riders to stand up, take control, and be outspoken. Horses require character and confidence, and for a little girl, horses are the anti-timid medicine they crave.

Additionally, horses allow girls unique competitive experiences. Horse and rider are a TEAM. This team bond between horse and rider is one that is special, thoughtful, fulfilling, and in more ways that it isn't, SAFE. And though horse and rider are a team, the rider is in charge. The rider, in her ability to pilot, communicate, and command is responsible for the team's performance. With just proper training, horse riding is a very skilled activity little girls can do ALL BY THEMSELVES. Horse riding takes confidence, and it builds confidence....

To read this entire article and submit your opinion or experiences with kids and horses visit  Citizen Horse

Horse Psychics

Animal relationships can be tough. Veterinary care, handling environment, and training options can impact a horse's life dramatically. Eventually, ever horse rider reaches a point where equine progress slows or retards. It's a rider's fault, per se', just that one doesn't know what to do.

But when confusion sets in about "what's next" for you and your equine partner, and the typical horse health and training relationships are just leading to more questions, is it really time to turn to an animal communicator....

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Equine Veterinarians - New School Vs. Old School

In the past, I've always used seasoned horse veterinarians, not necessarily by choice, but just simply because that's how it worked out. I found long practicing horse vets an eclectic bunch; some gruff, cantankerous, or hollow, and others cool, calm, and simply amazing under fire.

Then one day I got hooked up with a new vet. My regular vet couldn't make it, so someone fresh out of school became my horse's savior. I was nervous.

And boy, was I wowed. This vet, from day one, was simply the best vet I've worked with. She was phenomenal. Boarded in internal equine medicine (a rarity), she was truly gifted with solving horse health problems.

That was in 1997.

Two years ago, I found myself in a new predicament. I moved. I needed a new vet. I had a couple weak experiences with local, been around forever vets, and after that, I decided to give some new blood a try.....

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Farriers and Blacksmiths: Find a Great One and Keep 'Em!

....No matter how many years of experience you have with horse owning, riding, training, and often times even equine medicine, your ability to evaluate your horses hoof balance, shoeing, and overall hoof health is minimal. Unless there are obvious hoof cracks, chips, thrush, or excessive shoe loss, you are not going to be able to tell if your horse is shod correctly, has healthy horn, or even has the correct hoof shape. This is where your farrier comes into play. But how do you know you have a good farrier....

Visit Citizen Horse to read this entire article and submit your experiences with finding a great farrier!

The Hypochondriac Horse Owner

You know you have seen them. You have dealt with them. And you have always pitied the poor horse owned by them.

The vet is out at the barn again, for the same grey mare that always looks healthy and happy, but is ailing from some serious condition. You wonder why the vet doesn't just tell the person to get a second opinion. Yet, you realize you have actually seen more than one vet looking at the horse....

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