horse Articles

Beautiful Appaloosa stallion

A Funny Story about a Serious Subject – Equine Colic

Colic is the number one cause of death in horses. It is always a serious matter, whether caused by a gas bubble, looped intestine, impaction, or other issue with the gut of a horse. Over the years and hundreds of horses, we’ve only lost one mare and one foal to colic even when surgery was required. I just read a story about a mare that colics each spring when she begins to cycle. It reminded me of our Gentle Giant, a gorgeous champion stallion who is the subject of my most unusual colic experience.

What could possibly be funny about colic? As Paul Harvey would say, you have to read the rest of our story…

Burned out horse

Grace in your saddle-bags kicks Frustration to the curb

In one simple word, “grace” defines the Golden Rule of Christian Horse Training. Some horses seem to have real difficulty staying focused, consistent, or have what seems like a major case of bull-headed resistance. Every “No” your horse gives you is caused by one of two situations; he is either unwilling to do as you ask or is unable to comply. When asked, most owners are certain their darling equine’s response is not that he can’t, but that he WON’T! Do you think your horse is being a pain in your saddle-sitter just to be annoying?

Enter the Golden Rule.

RJ - Swanson Peterson Productions

An Outlaw In Need of Redemption

Redemption produces fruit from a barren tree. Reformation is the visible fruit of new birth. The only thing that separates the rankest nastiest horse from serving its owner in willing obedience is right relationship. But there is a caveat…

Saul of Tarsus was a dangerous man. Christians who crossed his path were persecuted, trampled, and killed. What caused the miraculous transformation that resulted in the ‘birth’ of the Apostle Paul? Relationship with the only One who could touch his soul – Jesus Christ

Priefert hay ring

Best Round Bale Hay Ring for Horses

Feeding horses keeps getting more expensive, consuming a larger part of many owner’s monthly budgets. Using round hay bales saves us a good deal of money, but those savings didn’t fully materialize until we found the right combination of hay net and hay ring. How can you know which bale ring is best for you and for your horses? Read this comparison of round hay bale rings – cost, waste, safety, convenience, and a bit about hay nets.

round pen

5 Unbreakable Rules of Beginning Round Pen Training

Learn the 5 Unbreakable Rules of beginning round pen training. Only two things matter when you begin playing with your horse in the round pen – FOCUS and FEET. Beginning round pen training is done at liberty, with no halter, line, or tack on the horse. There are many ways to balance a horse, correct a canter issue, or introduce collection, from the ground in a round pen. Since you can’t build on a foundation that doesn’t exist, your first goal is to get your horse to focus on YOU and not confuse the issue with the pressure of a bit, reins, cavesson, girth, or rope.

Following the article is a recap of the 10 points of beginning round pen training.

snaffle bit on horse

Difference between Snaffle and Leveraged Bits – Take the quiz

Ask 100 people to explain to you what a snaffle bit is and you will get a whole bunch of wrong answers. In fact, the majority of answers may well be incorrect. Most people think that a snaffle bit is a snaffle bit because it has a broken mouthpiece. And that would be the wrong answer. Take the Quiz… see if you can tell which are snaffles and which are not.

Horse crazy girls

Wonderful Christian Books for Horse Crazy Kids

Exceptional books for tweens and teens that offer great story lines as well as sound teaching about both horses and Christian life are few and far between. Author Vicki Watson offers a series of novels specifically targeted to horse crazy girls and the Christian home schooling market. The Sonrise Stables series includes four titles, with more planned for the future.

It’s been four decades since I was a tween or teen, but reading the third book in the series, “Clothed With Thunder”, kept me turning pages until I finished in one sitting. The fourth book, “Tender Mercies”, is on my shelf waiting for my next indulgent interlude.

Review and endorsement…

China-at-full-run2

Speed Control – Train Your Horse to Slow Down

Practical and easy exercises to slow your horse at the trot and canter.

Round Pen Focus

Day One: How to Establish Leadership in the Round Pen with Your Horse

The first instant you step into the round pen with a horse you are either teaching it to trust you, to fear you, or to ignore you. This is true for professional trainers as well as the newest horse owners.

It is possible to establish a new beginning whether you already have a 10 year relationship with your horse or this is your first day together. These steps and concepts are the foundation of my programs with troubled horses as well as to maintain right relationship with my own.

Will man and dog share heaven?

Animals in Eternity – Romans 8

Will our beloved pets share eternity with us? It’s a question near and dear to my heart as well as millions of other folks. I have two manuscripts going on the topic but neither has been “cleared” yet for takeoff. There are numerous scriptures that must be considered when searching for an answer to the question of animals in heaven.