Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 42, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise chat with sidesaddle enthusiast and clinician Nicolle Glenn. Then, they talk with our sponsored guest Cassy Streeter, NIR Services manager for Dairy One/Equi-Analytical.

To end the episode, Susan and Holly chat with Jenna Sprague from Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, about Spinner, this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable equine.

Click here to listen on mobile.

Nicolle Glenn, Sidesaddle Enthusiast and Clinician

Barn Banter episode 42 guest Nicolle Glenn.

Nicolle Glenn is a passionate horsewoman who has become a sidesaddle aficionado. She foxhunts with a drag hunting pack in Illinois, riding in a sidesaddle, and she gives clinics to showcase the history, art, and athleticism of riding astride.

Follow Nicolle on Instagram here.

Sponsored Guest: Cassy Streeter, NIR Services manager for Dairy One/Equi-Analytical

Equi-Analytical Laboratory Services specialize in the most modern techniques for determining the nutrient content of forage and feed for horse owners. Because forage makes up at least 50% of a horse’s diet, knowing its nutritional make-up is essential for creating an optimum total feeding program. Thorough analysis is the only way to accurately evaluate your horse’s ration, allowing you to adjust both feed and forage for a healthy, balanced diet. This is vital to your horse’s well-being, because better nutrition means better health, stronger performance, and longer life.

Their facility, located in upstate New York, maintains an outstanding track record for accurate testing and responsive service. Their qualified staff are dedicated to meeting your analytical needs. Equi-Analytical offers a variety of analytical packages that are an indispensable part of the feeding program for all types of horses, from 4-H projects to championship-caliber performers.

Adoptable Equine of the Month, Spinner

Photo courtesy Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary

That’s right — this month’s featured equine is a Miniature Mule! Meet Spinner, who is ready to win you over.

Though that face is so innocent, Spinner is incredibly smart, and he knows it. Spinner is not for a beginner. He is quick, he can pull, he can bolt, he can spin… all of those funny silly quirks that these cute little fellas like to have.

If you are experienced and ready to take on quite a decent project, Spinner is for you. Happy Trails would love to find a confident home that will continue to explain to Spinner that humans are friends and that life can be fun.

Learn more about Spinner here.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 42, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 42 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo by Gudrun Braun

What we often forget is that we humans send a wide range of signals to the horse with our body language. Body language is the interplay of posture, movement, direction of the gaze, and gestures, in combination with facial expressions. We are often not aware of these nonverbal cues and tend to give them unknowingly.

During groundwork, you must learn to use these cues deliberately. That’s the only way you’ll be able to apply your aids in a manner precise enough for the horse to understand your request and respond willingly.

You shouldn’t underestimate the fact that your moods can be easily detected by your horse. Tone of voice and body language are strongly influenced by stress, unhappiness, restlessness, anger, agitation, and fear. Naturally, these emotions can be mirrored by the horse, with obvious tension or insecurity in response to the aids, and this often results in poor performance of the task at hand.

Therefore, it’s essential that we as equestrians learn to practice self-awareness and self-reflection. When handling a horse, you must remain calm and mentally balanced, and must act controlled and level-headed, even in stressful situations.

Posture

Walk naturally and give a competent, self-assured impression that the horse is drawn to and which he follows respectfully and trustingly. Photo by Pauline von Hardenberg

◆ During groundwork, you should walk naturally upright and with light tension through your body. A deliberately straight, tense posture is as bad as a lax, sluggish one.

◆ Your head should be carried upright, with eyes forward.

◆ Your shoulders should be set parallel to the direction of travel.

◆ Most of the time, your body should be positioned at a right angle to the horse.

◆ The horse should always maintain a distance of about half an arm’s length from you.

◆ You should walk naturally, with self-confidence, and give a competent, self-assured impression that the horse is drawn to and which he follows respectfully and trustingly.

Keep your body at a right angle to your horse. Keep your head up and your shoulders square to the direction of travel, with the horse about half an arm’s length away. Photo by Pauline von Hardenberg

Movement

◆ Your movements should be smooth and uniform, not hesitant or faltering.

◆ Your pace should clearly match the rhythm of the horse’s gait.

◆ There shouldn’t be any rushing in the movement of your arms or legs.

◆ Especially while you’re walking, your arms need to be kept still; otherwise, they become driving aids.

◆ Your overall appearance to horse and observers alike should radiate self-assuredness and confidence in handling equines.

The Direction of the Gaze

◆ Your eyes should be looking ahead in the direction of travel, not at the ground.

◆ Even on bending lines or over obstacles, always look where you want to go.

◆ Try to avoid looking directly at your horse. Particularly in tense situations, this can make him feel threatened. Only in relaxed situations do horses appreciate direct eye contact.

Look ahead in the direction you want to go. Avoid looking at your horse, as this increases tension. Photo by Gudrun Braun

Gestures

◆ You should avoid unintentional movement of your arms and hands; it unsettles the horse.

◆ Your leading hand should be relaxed and slightly open. Closing it into a fist gives the horse an impression of tension.

◆ The guidance of the lead rope or the whip should always be applied in a controlled manner and slowly increase in intensity. The horse can tell which direction he’s supposed to go based on your body language. He must be able to understand the application of the aids. The aids should not suddenly startle the horse, and they should always be given with soft pressure at first.

◆ You should only apply specific cues, not create continuous noise.

◆ You should always apply touch precisely—in front of the shoulder joint, on the shoulder, on the back, or on the hindquarters, but never around the head.

◆ You should move only as much as you need to in order to act clearly and consistently, with the necessary inner calm.

The guidance of the lead rope or the whip should always be applied in a controlled manner. Photo by Gudrun Braun

Tarp & Slalom Game

Now you’re ready to try your first ground game! This sample exercise is executed at the walk.

Equipment:

◆ 5 cones

◆ 1 tarp

◆ 3 ground poles for the walk pole section

◆ 1 ground pole for the halt

◆ 11 ground poles for the U-shaped maze

◆ 30 ground pole anchors

Setup:

◆ Weaving section: cones 23 feet (7 meters) apart

◆ U-shaped maze: sides 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 meters) apart

◆ Walk poles: about 2.5 feet (0.8 meters) apart

How-to:

1. Enter at a walk, leading with the right hand on the left side of the horse.

2. Walk, tracking left, weaving through the cones on the long side.

3. Halt over the pole, and then walk off.

4. Proceed through the U-shaped maze of poles.

5. Change direction across the long diagonal, and then lead the horse over the walk poles.

6. Walk across the tarp.

7. Halt and end the exercise

This excerpt from Ground Games for Horses by Waltraud Böhmke is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books and originally appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Ground Equitation for Equestrians appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 41, sponsored by CareCredit, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise chat with author Natalie Keller Reinert.

To end the episode, Susan and Holly chat with April Perry, equine technician for Kentucky Humane Society in Simpsonville, Ky., about Demara, this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse.

Click here to listen on mobile.

Barn Banter Episode 41 Sponsor

The CareCredit credit card is a friendly, flexible way to pay over time for veterinary care for your horse, dog, cat and other animals in your family. It’s your card for a Lifetime of Care. Subject to credit approval. To learn more visit carecredit.com/3day.

Natalie Keller Reinert, Author

Barn Banter episode 41 guest Natalie Keller Reinert.

Natalie is a full-time author whose work has been featured in People, Variety, EQUUS, and Sidelines. Her fiction is deeply rooted in real-life horse culture, written for readers who crave authenticity, emotional honesty, and complex characters. She writes for the young women who never stopped loving horses, for the professionals keeping barn life alive, and for anyone who’s ever tried to make sense of their identity through the things they love.

Natalie’s new book The Jump from Flatiron Press is releasing March 24.

◆ Natalie’s Website

Adoptable Horse of the Month, Demara

Photo courtesy Kentucky Humane Society

Demara came to Kentucky Humane Society from a case where her owner couldn’t afford to meet her needs anymore, so she was very underweight and a State Investigator recommended the horses be signed over to KHS. With a dental, deworming, and a bit of pasture/hay/feed, Demara is much healthier and is even ready to be ridden again. She was good for her evaluation ride and seems to be a gaited Saddlebred. Demara would make a nice occasional leisure riding horse, or with a little bit of tuning back into a routine she could be a star on your lesson string (for someone kind, who doesn’t “use up” their lesson horses, of course). She clearly knows her way around the arena and just needs somebody to kindly bring her back into the swing of under saddle work.

Her DNA was sponsored by a kind person, and KHS found out she is registered as “Early Girl Tomato.”

Learn more about Demara here.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 41, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 41: Sponsored by CareCredit appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 40, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise chat with Olissio Zoppe, founder, director, and performer in Cirque Ma’Ceo.

To end the episode, Susan and Holly chat with Angela (Angie) Alspaugh, Executive Director of Easy R Equine Rescue, about Jake, this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse.

Click here to listen on mobile.

Barn Banter Episode 40 Sponsor: 4CYTE

Interpath Global, the makers of 4CYTE Epiitalis® Forte for horses is a revolution in joint care. Epiitalis® is their patented ingredient which is scientifically proven to enhance joint health in horses. Supported by world-class research, it is easily digestible and readily absorbed into the body.

How 4CYTE supports your horse:

◆ Supports normal joint function, mobility, and flexibility
◆ Helps maintain the health and resiliency of joints and connective tissue
◆ Supports normal recovery capacity post-work
◆ Aids with maintaining healthy cartilage development
◆ May help address occasional gait irregularity and unwillingness to travel forward
◆ Supports normal movement patterns
◆ Helps maintain career longevity and competitive edge
◆ Eases joint stiffness due to normal daily exercise and activity
◆ Supports ability to meet performance demands

An innovative approach to joint health made possible through research, dedication, and continued improvement. Now available through Allivet, Amazon, Chewy, Smart Equine and Tractor Supply.

Learn more about 4CYTE here.

Olissio Zoppe, Founder, Director, and Performer in Cirque Ma’Ceo

Photo by Stunning Steeds Photography

Cirque Ma’Ceo’s Creator and Director, Olissio Zoppe, hails from a rich Italian line of eighth and ninth generation bareback riders and equestrian performers, the Zoppes and the Zamperlas. He has been performing since the age of four. Olissio is one of the most well-rounded equestrian performers to grace the stage today. Throughout his varied experiences, he has mastered the arts of liberty, dressage, cossack riding, Roman riding, and the rare and dangerous art of bareback riding.

Cirque Ma’Ceo is an emotionally charging, up-close and personal, luxurious experience. The custom-designed Italian Big Top theater features brand-new, state of the art seating. The world of Ma’Ceo is proud to showcase mesmerizing acrobatic feats, aerial dancing, and exotic horses.

Find tickets for upcoming tour dates for Cirque Ma’Ceo February — through April, in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Madison Wisconsin’s Midwest Horse Fair — here.

◆ Cirque Ma’Ceo Website
◆ Follow Cirque Ma’Ceo on Instagram
◆ Follow Cirque Ma’Ceo on Facebook

Adoptable Horse of the Month, Jake

Photo courtesy Easy R Equine Rescue

Jake is quite the horse! He came to Easy R in November 2024 when a small long-standing rescue close in the Texas Panhandle. He was one of the last two horses left at the rescue.

A young Gypsy Vanner cross, Jake is a large, stout guy. He is friendly, curious, and is called an “overgrown toddler” by his foster mom. He is always into something; his personality is as large as he is.

The heartbreaking part of his story is that, even though he was trained under saddle several years ago, he has already developed Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD). At this point, it’s just in his back legs and the condition is not causing him any lameness. However, riding him would be unsafe for both Jake and a rider. Easy R is saddened by this because he has so much potential.

Of course, Jake is totally OK with just being an incredibly handsome yard ornament who loves his food and playing (a little hard sometimes) with his horse friends. His future adoptive parents will have to establish firm but fair boundaries with him so he doesn’t use his size and enthusiasm to push limits. He is ready to provide lots of laughs and eye rolls to his future family.

Learn more about Jake here.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 40, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 40: Sponsored by 4CYTE appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 39, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise chat with Linda Nelson, a relatable adult amateur who returned to riding after a 30-year hiatus.

To end the episode, Susan and Holly chat with Carrie Wood, executive director of Kentucky Equine Adoption Center about Cyclone, this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse.

Click here to listen on mobile.

Linda Nelson

Barn Banter episode 39 guest, Linda Nelson. Photo by Josa Comstock Photography

Linda Nelson is a recently retired teacher who found her way back into the saddle after a 30-year hiatus. She has been tracking each ride since April 2022 with a convenient riding app and then online journaling. Her goal is to assess progress and remember the fun as she learns the art of dressage on a leased Lipizzan.

Adoptable Horse of the Month, Cyclone

Cyclone. Photo courtesy Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

Meet Cyclone, a charming filly rescued from the feral herds of eastern Kentucky. She is just beginning her training, but she already shows a big personality and a zest for life, especially when food is involved!

Though still young, Cyclone is already proving to be a willing and engaged partner. She ties well, picks up her feet, and has been excellent for our farrier. She also enjoys a rinse with the hose and accepts fly spray and fly masks without issue.

Cyclone is gaited but has also trotted and cantered freely in the field, and her trainer can encourage either direction. With her intelligence, energy, and eagerness to learn, Cyclone has a bright future ahead and is ready to grow alongside the right person.

Learn more about Cyclone here.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 39, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 39 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 38, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise chat with Raquel Lynn—equestrian blogger, entrepreneur, and former co-host of Barn Banter.

To end the episode, Susan and Holly chat with Maya Proulx, founder and executive director of Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, Inc.,  about Uncle Timmy, this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse.

Click here to listen on mobile.

Susan’s Equine Affaire booth.

Raquel Lynn, Equestrian Blogger and Entrepreneur

Raquel Lynn with her daughter, London, and her Paint mare, Fira.

Raquel Lynn lives in an equestrian neighborhood in Los Angeles with her husband Adam, daughter London, Paint mare Fira, Mango the Pomeranian, and six Silkie chickens. She runs two blogs: Stable Style and Horses & Heels. When she’s not riding through the hills, she’s sharing barn tours on Stable Style or packing up candles.

With an eye for design and a passion for candles, Raquel launched the Stable Style home collection in 2020. The collection includes luxurious candles with beautiful ombre painted jars, wooden wicks, thoughtful packaging and scrumptious scents. Named after the barn, but meant to be enjoyed at home, these candles make perfect gifts for equestrians.

Raquel also enjoys freelancing for a handful of popular equine magazines, including Horse Illustrated. She is the author of Stable Style: Barn Inspiration for All Equestrians (2020) and Stable Style Volume II (2024), both available on Amazon or stablestyle.shop.

◆ Follow Stable Style on Instagram
◆ Follow Horses & Heels on Instagram

Adoptable Horse of the Month, Uncle Timmy

Uncle Timmy. Photo courtesy Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, Inc.

Uncle Timmy is a 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding who raced three times, most recently September 2024. He came to Hope’s Legacy through a seizure as a stallion and was castrated mid-September 2025. He is good for the vet and farrier, and relatively easy to handle. It is believed he has not been restarted under saddle, but there are no known physical limitations so Uncle Timmy is available as a training project with an experienced rider.

Learn more about Uncle Timmy here.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 38, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 38 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 37, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise chat with Coagi Long, president and owner of Equine Affaire.

To end the episode, Susan and Holly chat with Simon d’Unienville of Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship about Win Often (“Whinny”), Sweetheart, and Virulente (FR) (“Violet”), this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horses.

Click here to listen on mobile.

Coagi Long, President & Owner of Equine Affaire

Barn Banter episode 37 guest Coagi Long.

Coagi Long, president and owner of Equine Affaire, Inc. has more than 20 years of experience with the company in a variety of areas. She joined Equine Affaire in 2003 as a member of the marketing department, where she facilitated numerous promotional projects. She also served as Program Director, and Vice President & Executive Producer between 2006 and 2018.

Coagi now manages the production elements of each event, supervises the day-to-day operations of Equine Affaire, Inc., organizes the extensive program of clinics, seminars, and demonstrations, and coordinates the Fantasia performers and production for each Equine Affaire.

Coagi graduated summa cum laude from the University of Findlay, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a dual major in marketing and equestrian studies and a minor in operations and logistics management. With a love for riding and training since her early childhood, she has primarily concentrated on dressage and hunt seat. While at Findlay, she earned several awards, including three consecutive Intercollegiate Hunt Seat National Championship titles and 2003 Intercollegiate Dressage Association Reserve National Champion. Coagi is a member of the United States Dressage Federation and the United States Equestrian Federation. She continues to pursue her competitive career in dressage and trains Warmbloods at her farm in West Mansfield, Ohio.

◆ The Equine Affaire Website
◆ Follow Equine Affaire on Facebook
◆ Follow Equine Affaire on Instagram

Adoptable Horse of the Month from Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship

Win Often (“Whinny”)

Win Often (“Whinny”). Photo courtesy Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship

After 12 starts on the track, with an impressive 9 podium finishes, Whinny retired to a well-earned second career as a broodmare. Now, after raising several lovely foals, this striking and intelligent mare is back under saddle and easing into light work in both English and western tack. She’s the type who knows her job and prefers to take things at her own pace.

Whinny is happiest in a quiet, consistent environment with minimal fuss — enjoying the simple things like turnout time with friends and leisurely trail rides with a calm rider she trusts. She’s not one for endless drilling or pampering sessions, but she appreciates calm, kind handling and clear boundaries.

Her ideal home is one where she can live outdoors most of the time, whether in a small herd or larger group pasture, with someone who values companionship over performance. She would make a wonderful pasture partner, light trail companion, or gentle riding horse for an experienced novice to intermediate who appreciates a mare with personality.

Learn more about Win Often (“Whinny”) here.

Sweetheart

Sweetheart. Photo courtesy Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship

Sweetheart is a 2018 mare whose name truly says it all. After just three starts on the track, it was clear that racing wasn’t her calling. But with her excellent bloodlines and kind temperament, she transitioned naturally into a successful broodmare career, raising three beautiful foals.

Now back under saddle, Sweetheart is showing a willing attitude and a calm, steady nature as she begins her retraining in both English and western tack. She takes each new experience in stride and continues to grow in confidence with consistent handling and patient guidance.

With her conformation, elegant movement, and easygoing disposition, Sweetheart has the potential to shine in a variety of disciplines, whether that’s hunter/jumper, English or western pleasure, trail or more.

True to her name, she’s gentle, level-headed, and a pleasure to have in the barn. She gets along well in a herd, stands quietly for the vet and farrier, and enjoys attention without being pushy. Sweetheart is the kind of mare who makes every day a little brighter — soft-natured, willing, and ready to make someone very happy in her next chapter.

Learn more about Sweetheart here.

Virulente (FR) (“Violet”)

Virulente (FR) (“Violet”). Photo courtesy Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship

Violet is a 2019 mare with an impressive international background and all the elegance you’d expect from her Irish lineage. Born, raised, and started under saddle in France, she showed early talent on the track, earning five in-the-money finishes in just nine starts and breaking her maiden with a win before being imported to California.

After retiring from racing, Violet produced two lovely foals and is now beginning her transition back under saddle. Though still early in her retraining, she’s already showing glimpses of natural balance, scope, and athleticism that suggest real promise for a future in eventing or other sport horse disciplines.

Violet combines refined conformation with a smart, forward-thinking temperament. She’s curious, willing, and enjoys having a job, making her a rewarding prospect for someone who appreciates a talented mare with both class and character.

With her strong European bloodlines, quality movement, and eager attitude, Violet is poised to make an exceptional partner for an experienced rider looking to develop a versatile and athletic prospect.

Learn more about Virulente (FR) (“Violet”) here.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 37, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 37 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 36, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise chat with Gideon Kotkowski of Horse People Podcast. Plus, tune in as they talk with sponsored guest Jackie Jolie of EquiSol.

To end the episode, Susan and Holly chat with Amanda Tucker of New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program about Dennison Girls (AKA Denise), this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse.

Click here to listen on mobile.

Gideon Kotkowski of Horse People Podcast

Barn Banter episode 36 guest Gideon Kotkowski.

Gideon Kotkowski is the host of the Horse People Podcast, where he explores cross-discipline stories from the equestrian world. From authors to entrepreneurs, artists to farriers, veterinarians to professional athletes, his conversations highlight the passion, grit, and creativity that connect everyday horse people. The show resonates with anyone who believes that horses shape not only how we ride, but also how we live.

Gideon’s own background began in polo, where he developed a deep respect for the partnership between horse and rider. That foundation carried him into the Mongol Derby—the world’s longest and toughest horse race—where he tested his horsemanship and endurance across the vast steppes of Mongolia. He finished among the top competitors and was awarded the coveted Spirit of the Derby, the highest honor given to a rider.

When not in the saddle or behind the microphone, Gideon works in the tech industry, helping companies measure, report, and reduce their carbon emissions.

◆ Listen to Horse People Podcast on Apple Podcasts
◆ Listen to Horse People Podcast on Spotify
◆ Follow Horse People Podcast on Instagram

Sponsored Guest: Jackie Jolie of EquiSol

Jackie Jolie of EquiSol.

Meet Jackie Jolie, whose lifelong dedication to animals, especially horses, led her to a distinguished career in equine and canine bodywork. With a Bachelor’s in Equine Health and Rehabilitation, Jackie’s 15-year journey has been shaped by her belief in natural healing processes. Her personal turning point came in 2018 after a diagnosis of Lyme disease, which she overcame through natural treatments and learning all about quantum healing through light, water, and magnetism. Getting certified in Quantum Biology to be able to learn on a deeper level along with using red and infrared light therapy during her recovery led her to a bigger mission. This experience, along with her professional observations, inspired the creation of EquiSol and DogSol: red/infrared light therapy blankets for animals. Jackie’s vision for EquiSol transcends animal healthcare; it’s about enlightening others on the transformative effects of light on overall wellness.

◆ EquiSol Website
◆ Follow EquiSol on Facebook
◆ Follow EquiSol on Instagram

Adoptable Horse of the Month, Dennison Girls (AKA Denise)

Dennison Girls AKA Denise. Photo courtesy New Vocations

Meet Dennison Girls (AKA Denise) a 4-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred mare. Located in Lexington, Ky., Denise is available for adoption for a non-riding second career as a part of New Vocations’ Pasture Potatoes program for companion Thoroughbreds.

Denise leads well in a plain halter and lead rope. She is forward-thinking while leading, but listens very well to correction and will happily follow us around on a loopy lead. She would prefer to walk over logs and bridges, but is not pushy when asked to stand still, either.

Denise is happiest outside with her friends. She is quiet in her stall but can get antsy in the crossties. Like many former racehorses, Denise does well being groomed tied to the wall of her stall.

Denise is barefoot and eats our normal grain ration. She lives outside full-time in a herd of mares and is very easy to manage.

Learn more about Denise here.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 36, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 36 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Now secured in crossties, Blackie tried to stand still, but he could not help himself from twisting his lithe body ever so slightly left to right, assessing all that was going on around him. Meanwhile, I gently stroked his supple neck and massaged his firm withers as I spoke softly into his furry ears and kissed his velvety muzzle. With these small gestures, I wanted to see if I could build my own bond with him, to observe if, with time, he might respond to and trust me like he did Gail. Quickly realizing that there was an immediate connection, Gail embraced the opportunity, saying, “Would you like to try Blackie? He moves as good as he looks.” 

Of course, I wanted to ride him, but in refusing to acknowledge this instinctive impulse, I clung to some semblance of my rational self and respectfully declined the generous offer.  

“Thank you, Gail, but no, not today,” I said. “I don’t have that ‘I’m ready to jump on a racehorse’ frame of mind.” 

Even though Blackie had already gripped my imagination, I held back from mounting him upon that spur-of-the-moment invitation, because I was afraid of this undeveloped prospect, unsure that I should or could accept such a splendid dare. While concerned about compatibility, I was mostly preoccupied with where such a big step might lead me. Before experiencing that closest of rapports between horses and humans that riding represents, I needed to pause, to ask myself if I should curb my quickening fancy and first consider the implications of a spirited horse like Blackie. Would he be too much for me? On many levels? Could I handle him? Could I train him? I pondered privately. Most importantly, though, I wondered, Could I manage him and my demanding job at the same time? What if this capricious creature upset all that I had struggled to establish as a professional woman, risking the mighty foundation I had built up for myself and into which I had cemented my very identity?  

On the heels of these trifling rationalizations, I closed the matter at hand by saying to Gail, “While I don’t believe Twinkles is a match for me, please give me some time to think about Blackie, as you consider whether you really want to let him go.” 

Unconsciously, I must have known that mounting him then and there would have ripped open a floodgate of repressed emotions that I was unprepared to confront. But those hidden feelings were precisely the secret sentiments Gary was hoping I would tap back into by having a horse in my life again, convinced that any Sturm und Drang unleashed by this magnificent 1,200-pound ball of pure energy would be temporary and, in the end, all for the good. He simply paid no mind to my inner conflict about this whole horse thing. Instead, he capitalized on the fact that, ever since stepping foot in the barn at Altamira Ranch, I had been eyeing this mysterious black beauty. 

Naturally intuitive, Gail sensed the tug-of-war going on inside me and leapt at another chance to steer me toward Blackie. 

“I know Thoroughbreds can be intimidating,” she said. “They’re a lot of horse, but once you understand them, they’re truly the best.”  

Gail found herself encouraging my nascent attraction, because, if she had to part with her Blackie, she wanted to place him with someone like me who revealed an instant affinity, however much I was trying to deny it. Assuring her that we would be in touch again soon, Gary and I took our leave, and as we headed to our car, I looked back over my shoulder and saw Blackie’s eyes fixed on me. 

While retracing our path back over the Santa Ynez Mountains to our home in the Santa Barbara foothills, we each quietly considered our day’s adventure. The lulling sound of the car’s pliant tires rolling against the hard asphalt filled the tranquil space between us. For me, this rare excursion together had been a refreshing change of pace from my normal workaholic grind, and I enjoyed the sense of calm it brought. As it turns out, though, it was short-lived. 

When we approached home, winding slowly up toward Rattlesnake Canyon on narrow, curving roads bordered with gnarled oaks and craggy boulders, Gary broke our silent musings. Being a decisive person, he simply stated, “I think you’ve found your horse. Search no further!” 

“What!? Why do you say that? What makes you so sure?” I shot back defensively, fearing deep down that he might be right.  

“Well, for starters, he’s smart and good-looking. And it’s about time you had someone like that in your life,” Gary quipped. Smiling wide now, he added, “There’s already some kind of woman-horse communication thing going on between the two of you. It just seems like love at first sight. Put it this way: if you ever looked at another man the way you looked at that horse, I would know the marriage was over!” 

Laughing under my breath, I had to confess, “Yes! Blackie’s definitely in my head, and more importantly in my heart, but he’s so green.”  

Gary quickly countered, intent on influencing my deliberations, “His naiveté is not a detriment. Think of his rawness and need for attention as assets. Even I can tell he’s a force of nature, but by bringing him into your life, you will help him while also finding a healthy kind of absorption. You desperately need that. Something good and wholesome but also challenging to check your obsession with work.” As I let Gary’s words sink in, he gently pressed one last time. “Call Gail and get on his back and see what you think, before she changes her mind or someone else grabs him.” 

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This excerpt from Fur Mama by Diana Dupont is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books.

The post An Excerpt from Fur Mama appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Hidden Campsite

Whether it was my sense of direction, good luck, or a skill I’d developed, I usually was able to keep us true to the westerly direction I wanted to go in. But several factors over a few days had brought us a bit south of where I wanted to be. I’d perused my maps and talked it over with the Newtons, a ranching family we’d stayed with, and we had a route in mind that would angle us north and west. Following the directions Dave and Jeff Newton gave me had us sharing the road with traffic, and riding past car lots and fast-food restaurants. At a burger joint in Los Lunas, New Mexico, two reporters caught up to us, and I answered their questions while Rainy and Amanda, my horse and mule and Gypsy, my Collie-German_shepherd mix, and I took a break from the road. I held back a laugh when one reporter, nervously eyeing Rainy’s big head practically resting on the picnic table, asked “Uh, do they always stay right at the table with you when you eat?”

A few miles past Los Lunas the stores and commercial businesses dwindled. By late in the day, we’d completely left that world behind. My animals and I were back in the land of open space and sage brush, where there was no one around but us. The Newtons had described an old water tower to me, and I searched for it as we traveled along the lonely road. “Is it okay to camp there?” I’d asked, and they’d laughed. “Who’s going to bother you?” Mr. Newton had answered. “There’s no one out there.”

They’d spoken the truth. Right about when I began to feel the day should be winding down, I spied the top of the old water tower. We turned down a narrow path that led away from the road and down a sandy incline toward railroad tracks. There was a little hollow down the slope and the remains of an old fence leaned in along the tracks. I dismounted and began the little rituals that made a place feel like “our place” when we camped.

Like every day, the first thing I did was relieve Rainy and Amanda of their burdens. I wanted them to know their work was done and they could rest and relax. I took my saddle, the pack saddle, and the packs, and placed them around our camping spot. It created a curving boundary of sorts and became the outline of our home for the night. It made me feel less like we were small specks in the wide-open space. I fed the animals, opening little bags of sweet feed onto the ground. I stayed with them while they ate, scratching their itchy spots, and hugging their necks. I thanked them for all they’d done during the day.

Our spot was invisible from the road, and though that’s usually what I wanted, it somehow felt extra secluded by the water tank. I had that strange sensation that came with the feeling that not one person in the world knew where we were.

I slept restlessly and woke from a dream that involved a raft and a dark empty sea. I looked outside the tent and saw that Rainy and Amanda were near, staying close in the brushy area we’d claimed.

Late in the night, I woke again, this time to a noise that I should not have heard, tucked away in the desert gully by the unused railroad tracks. It was not wild animals or blowing wind that caused me to sit up and listen.

It was the unmistakable sound of revelry. The clink of bottles, the faint bass beat of music, the occasional smashing of glass and bursts of male laughter.

With a sharp intake of breath, I sat up and grasped the loose scruff of Gypsy’s neck in my hand. We both stayed still, straining our ears. I prayed, willing so hard that the partiers came no farther down the track. I prayed that Rainy wouldn’t neigh, that Amanda wouldn’t send her unusual bray/whinny out into the night. I listened to see if it sounded like those partiers were on the move. How many did it sound like? Were they a few innocent teens out for a clandestine six-pack, or a mob of nasty men, cruising the desert at night?

Gypsy and I sat that way, listening, for what seemed like a long while. My breath was shallow and my heart beat too fast.

Finally, there was the sound of a few more bottles breaking, the slap of a hand on a vehicle, and then the sound of car doors slamming and an engine starting up. At last, the noise faded into silence.

After a while, I allowed myself to lie back down. I dozed again, eventually, but it was the kind of sleep that had served my dog and horse companions and our ancient ancestors so well; sleep that was shallow, with senses still partly alert, tuned to catch the sound of danger in the night.

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This excerpt from Distant Skies by Melissa Chapman is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books.

The post An Excerpt from Distant Skies appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.