War Horse Hoofcare

By Eliza

First, I have to admit that I have not seen or read War Horse. I am dying to, however, and I already have a large interest in this epoch of equestrian history--see here for an article I wrote about the Remount Depot in Front Royal, Virginia. (And my obsession, wonder horse Exterminator, was an at-home World War I phenomenon.) So I was very interested in this post on Fran Jurga's Hoof Blog (she's doing a whole War Horse week)--it is all about the way cavalry horses were shoed during the Great War. Check it out here. Fascinating stuff. Thank you, Fran.

Christmas Treasures

Artwork from Small Medium and Large, courtesy of Jane Monroe Donovan

By Kitson

Last week, a beautiful picture book called Small Medium and Large jumped off the shelf at the elementary school book fair, straight into my hands. What a treasure! I’m not sure I’ve ever seen illustrations that more beautifully articulate the connection between a child and her animals. It's about a girl who wishes for three best friends for Christmas.

Fictional Horses--Special Guest Stars

By Eliza

I was following a Twitter conversation recently that had to do with favorite fictional horses. The Black Stallion, Black Beauty, Misty of Chincoteague, and so on. As a horse-crazy kid, I read all the books in which these horses starred. But there are also the horses who appear in books--written for children and adults--that offer more cameo appearances, but are still key figures. I was always scouting for the stray horse in any book I picked up as a kid, and I still do it.

Here are some of my favorite books that include "special guest star" horses, in no particular order.

Racing Luck post up at Raceday 360

I had a great time researching and writing this piece on racetrack superstition for Raceday 360.

Please click here to read it.

Poster Child

By Kitson

So the glossy two-sided poster from the Jan/Feb 2012 Young Rider is in my hands and, as I’m looking for the tape to put it up on the wall of my sons’ room, I need to decide: galloping Haflinger or saucy Icelandic foal close up? As documented before on TheSweetFeed.com, I love Haflingers, but this time I’m going to go with the Icelandic. There’s something irresistible about that wind-blasted forelock, those impulsive eyes and the sharp contrast between his brown and white markings. Which would you choose?

Two New Books: Riding Free and The Smart Woman's Guide To Midlife Horses

By Eliza

Riding Free

I used to ride my sometimes high-headed gelding with a martingale and a gentle enough bit, but it did have cheekpieces. I rode bareback sometimes, but for the most part, I schooled him in full tack. These days, however, my life is different. Our family's 19-year-old Paint mare, Sugar, is not really in training. She just exists to please. My young daughter rides Sugar the most, and her preferred mode is with a bitless Dr. Cook bridle and no tack. Very low-key.