An American physicist, Charles H Townes, once said, “We can’t avoid age. However, we can avoid some aging. Continue to do things. Be active. Life is fantastic in the way it adjusts to demands; if you use your muscles and mind, they stay there much longer.” The same basic concept applies to your senior horse....
8 Signs You Shop Like An Equestrian—And You're Proud Of It!
Horses are your passion, and you can't imagine your life without saddle stains on your jeans or hay sticking out of your hair. You knew by the first time you smelled that sweet barn scent that your life would revolve around all things equine. What you might not have realized, however, is that your love...
Horse Of The Day
We LOVE when people send in pictures of their horses. On this page, we will feature one horse every day from the many amazing submissions we receive! Check back regularly for your daily dose of horse pics! If you would like your horse to be considered for Horse Of The Day and have your horse...
The Special Moment I Saw My First Wild Horse
Wild horses have captured the imagination of many a horse lover. Even though I was a horse-crazy child fortunate enough to grow up with horses of my own, I was still in awe of wild horses. And in October 2017, I got to have my own wild horse adventure. I was vacationing in North Carolina. ...
Born With No Legs, This Dressage Champion Chooses Determination Over Disability
Stinna Kaastrup has been riding horses since she was six years old. Like many young riders, she fell in love with the sport. She loved everything from the adrenaline she felt in the saddle to the smell of her tack. Her story is a lot like any other rider's, but Stinna is far from average....
Study Shows Therapeutic Horseback Riding Dramatically Reduces Symptoms Of PTSD In Veterans
We all know horses are powerful animals. They can run for miles without tiring and carry heavy loads on their backs, but a new study shows their power is about more than physical strength. Rebecca Johnson, a professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine, noticed a trend in how horses connect with...
Commemorative Candle Provides A Beautiful Way To Honor The Memory Of Your Late Horse
While we are lucky to have our horses with us for longer than most have their cats and dogs, our time on Earth with our beloved equines is never long enough. When they leave this Earth, there is a space in our hearts that is dedicated to them and the bond that we shared. It...
Gorgeous Wild Ponies Roam Free At Virginia State Park
There are few places in the world where you can see the beauty of wild ponies in a natural environment. Grayson Highlands State Park in southwestern Virginia is one of those places. Not as well-known as the ponies on Assateague Island or even the Cape Lookout National Seashore, the herd at this picturesque park is...
One-Eyed Mare Gives Birth To Surprise Twin Foals—And They're Thriving!
The odds of a mare giving birth to live twin foals is 1 in 10,000. So when Kevin Spurr of Spurrs Stud in Western Australia saw two newborn foals in his field, he thought two mares had given birth and one of the new mothers had run away. When he got closer, however, he realized...
Over 50 Horses Saved From Texas Floods After Historic Storm
As Tropical Depression Imelda pummeled Texas, rescuers rushed to save stranded animals. The massive storm system triggered a string of thunderstorms and heavy downpours in the Houston area. Meteorologists estimate more than 50 inches of water fell on parts of the state in only a few days—that's the most rainfall the area has seen since...
Extremely Rare Spotted Zebra Foal Photographed In Kenya
Everyone including your four-year-old nephew knows that zebra have stripes. They're one of the most recognizable animals in the world thanks to their distinct black and white coat markings. But thanks to talented wildlife photographer Frank Liu, we're learning that a zebra's coat pattern isn't as predictable as we thought. The photographer was lucky enough...
Reports Of A "Dead Horse" Turns Out To Be Hilariously Not What It Seems
Typically, a phone call in the middle of the night is never good news. That's exactly what members of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund feared when the sheriff's department dialed their number late Saturday night. Responsible for the care and protection of the wild horses that live on the northern Outer Banks, the fund frequently...
Cape Lookout Welcomes New Foal In Wake Of Hurricane Dorian
Cape Lookout National Seashore announced an adorable surprise this week as officials work on recovery after Hurricane Dorian. The storm hit the barrier islands of North Carolina as a category 1 storm and shut down park facilities. The herd of wild horses on Shackleford Banks braved the storm in their natural habitat. They not only...
Unlikely Friends Waffles & Hemingway Adopted Together
When a mini horse named Waffles and a goose named Hemingway first made their Internet debut, it didn't take long for the world to fall in love. The Bucks County SPCA rescued the adorable duo from a farm in Pennsylvania after they were found living in deplorable conditions. They were brought in with several other...
Severely Burned Rescue Horse Defies Odds To Win Blue Ribbon
When Avery Carlson was 8 years old, she got her first horse. By the time she was 11, she was competing in hunter/jumper and racking up wins. Horses were an important part of her life, and she spent her childhood riding, training, and becoming the best horsewoman she could be. And while Avery has a...
Miniature Service Horse Charms Everyone On American Airlines Flight
With long lines and limited leg room, flying is rarely fun. You're considered lucky if you manage to get a whole row of seats to yourself, but passengers on this American Airlines flight were in for an even better deal—the ones who liked horses, at least. That's because Flirty, a miniature service horse, was also...
70-Year-Old Rider Travels To Mongolia To Win World's Longest Horse Race
The Mongol Derby is 620 miles of intense terrain and unpredictable weather. There are wide river crossings, endless stretches of grassland, mountain passes, and wetlands. One day it is sweltering hot, and the next has the risk of hypothermia. All of this is faced from the saddle of a half-wild Mongol horse. Only the best...
18-Year-Old Wins Toughest Endurance Competition With Free Craigslist Horse
For 100 miles, 18-year-old Sanoma Blakeley and her horse, Goober, battled some of the toughest terrain in California's Gold Rush country. They crossed rivers, traversed canyons, and pushed through elevation changes. It was 16 hours of heart-pumping adrenaline and incredible athleticism as this unstoppable team refused to slow down or give up. After riding all...
Last Surviving Black Beauty Is 30 And Still Going Strong
Every horse owner is familiar with the classic story of Black Beauty. The 1877 novel written by author Anna Sewell is one of the best-selling books of all time, and the 1994 film adaption is still a favorite for horse owners and horse admirers. It's been decades since the famous film made its debut, but...
Sweet & Spunky Rescue Horse Is Finally Ready For A New Home
When Hurricane Michael made landfall in 2018, countless homes and entire towns were devastated. The Florida Panhandle was faced with a humanitarian crisis, and thousands of people and animals were left stranded. The area has since started a long road to recovery, but the aftereffects of that major storm are still seen today. One of...
Blue-Green Algae And Horses: Here's What You Need to Know
In North Carolina, three dogs died after swimming in a pond. In Texas, three more dogs died after spending time with their families at a popular lake. You'll find similar stories of heartbreak in states including Oregon, Minnesota, and Florida. All of these dogs died due to a toxic substance called blue-green algae, but there's...
19 Tips For Trailering Your Horse For The First Time
Trailering your horse for the first time can be very challenging for both horse and human. Here are some tips that I've found most useful for myself and that can help make loading up and hitting the road easier right from the get-go. 1. Take your time One of the first things to remember when...
Team Of Therapy Ponies Is Spreading Joy To People With Dementia
There's nothing quite like looking down the hall and seeing a herd of perfectly coiffed ponies strutting through the door. Their manes are perfectly groomed, and they walk calmly and casually as if visiting public buildings far from any farm is no big deal. In fact, these ponies are no strangers to being invited into...
A Collection Of Draft Horses To Make You Swoon
With their massive hooves, rippling muscles, and incredible size, it's easy to understand why we can't help but fall in love with draft horses. These large horses are bred for strength and have been used for centuries to help humans accomplish all kinds of heavy lifting and pulling. They are trained to pull plows and...
Dreams Come True As Girls Are Awarded Chincoteague Ponies
The 94th annual Chincoteague Island pony penning was another success, and the herd is now safely back on Assateague island to live wild and free for another full year. The fair has closed up and the saltwater cowboys have gone back to their day jobs, but for three special girls, this year's pony penning was...
10-Year-Old Horse Trainer Cries Tears Of Joy Over New Rescue Horse
When a horse named Mochi was rescued from "deplorable conditions" near Hood River, there was only one word to describe her personality—aggressive. The rescue horse had been hurt by humans in the past, and it was no surprise that her experiences had shaped her behavior. But despite the horse's difficult nature, Silent Wave Horse Rescue...
Equine 411: All About The Ardennes Horse Breed
Relatively unknown to North American horse lovers, the Ardennes horse (AKA Ardennais) is an ancient breed of European draft horse that is distinctly different from other heavy horses of its caliber. It's been around for 2,000 years, and its history is marked by war, political influence, reverence, and overall admiration. With their heavily muscled bodies,...
West Coast Morgans In Florida Is A Must-See For Horse Lovers!
If you ever find yourself near Tampa, Florida, or if you happen to be a lover of both horses and beautiful landscapes, West Coast Morgans in the Odessa/Keystone area is a must-see! Late last year I had the opportunity to visit the wonderful West Coast Morgans facility and was greeted with friendly smiles all around....
Rescuers Work Together To Save Horse Stuck in Sinkhole
Firefighters in Fort Eire are trained and experienced in animal rescues, but a horse falling through a sinkhole was a completely new challenge. It happened when a water main break near the stables at the Fort Erie race track caused the ground to give way. A four-year-old racehorse, Mr. Changue, was grazing near the stable...
Rare and Endangered Newfoundland Pony Born at Family Farm
With only about 450 Newfoundland ponies alive today, every birth of the stocky little pony is special. That's why Sarah Kean and her family are especially thrilled to announce the birth of their newest foal. Named Salty, the little filly is thought to be only the fourth Newfoundland pony born this year. She's part of...
42 Rescue Horses Are Up For Adoption Through The Kansas Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Tim Morse with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office announced over the weekend that 42 horses involved in criminal or civil cases are ready to find new homes. The sheriff's office is working with K-HEART, Kansas Horse Education, Advocacy and Resource team to find the perfect adopters for their horses in need. The 42 horses...
This Year Marks 94 Years Strong For The Chincoteague Island Pony Swim
The annual Chincoteague Island Pony Penning is on its way, and this year's festivities will mark 94 years of wild pony love. The swim was made famous by Marguerite Henry's book, "Misty of Chincoteague," but the wild ponies have been swimming between islands for generations. It happens every July, and every year, area locals along...
Confirmed Cases of Insect-Borne Virus Found in Texas Horses
Texas livestock owners are being urged to check their horses and other animals for disease after a contagious insect-born virus was confirmed at a farm in Kinney County. Multiple horses have tested positive for vesicular stomatitis (VS), and this puts the entire area on alert. These are the first confirmed cases VS in horses this...
Tips To Fall From A Horse As Safely As Possible
It doesn't matter if it's your first day in the saddle or if you've been riding all your life—you're going to fall off your horse. Falling is a part of horseback riding, and if you jump, race, or trail ride, you're even more likely to take a tumble now and again. Horses are unpredictable animals,...
Newest Clydesdale Foal Born Moments After the Final Buzzer Of The Stanley Cup
While St. Louis Blues fans celebrated a Stanley Cup victory Wednesday night, Warm Springs Ranch outside Columbia, Missouri was cheering for an altogether different reason. Staff at the farm missed their hockey team's winning moment, but that's because they were busy tending to the newest member of the Budweiser Clydesdale family. They welcomed a newborn...
Beloved Horse With Tons of Spunk Celebrates His 40th Birthday
Update: It is with deep sadness that we share the news that the beloved horse Whiskey has crossed the rainbow bridge. This beautiful horse, who has become a favorite amongst our readers and our staff, passed away on Good Friday of 2020, according to his owner Roberta Moore. Whiskey would have been 41 at the time...
Female Jockeys Are Fighting Back Against Sexism in Horse Racing
While women continue to fight for equal wages and respect within the workplace, the horse racing industry is surrounded by barriers made to keep women out. Women jockeys are rare, but it's not for lack of interest. Sexism rears its ugly head as trainers typically refuse to race females and continue to push them to...
With the Future of Horse Racing Under Fire, Kentucky is Keeping Secrets
Horse racing has always been a controversial topic, but the recent spate of horse deaths at a famed California horse track (Santa Anita) has brought the issue into the limelight. Horses are being euthanized on the track after suffering horrific injuries. A broken leg is a death sentence, and according to a racing organization called...
Potentially Fatal Case of Equine Infectious Anemia Confirmed in Idaho
It's been a rough year for Idaho horse owners as yet another infectious disease makes its rounds across the state. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture warned horse owners back in March of a highly-contagious case of equine herpevirus, and this week, they confirmed a case of equine infectious anemia (EIA). EIA, also known to...
The 7 Most Popular Horse Breeds And Why We Love Them
You might be able to fall in love with anything with hooves, a mane, and a swishy tail, but you have to admit, there are certain horse breeds that get your heart beating a bit faster. There are over 350 breeds of horses and ponies to choose from (not including crossbreeds), and each one is...