Basics 
Care
Colors 
We’ve reached the end of the F’s in the a-z of plants your horse can’t eat and next week we move on to the G’s. Today’s plant grows all over and looks very unassuming, but while Fumewort are a common sight, they are incredibly dangerous little buggers!
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The Mare’s Oestrus Cycle
While it may elicit a giggle or two, the female reproductive cycle effects us all. Mares can be as affected by it as we can and it pays to know that.
Delicate Subject
In the video below Jane Williams from Hartpury College explains the stages of the mares oestrus cycle and how this affects the female horse’s behavior when under saddle. Believe it or not, understanding your mare’s cycle can lead to a much more harmonious relationship with her.
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Rabicano White Pattern – Horse Coat Colors
Over the last few months I’ve been working my way through the colors section, providing some new information and bigger images. I’ve almost made my way through the white patterns and next week we start the rare colors.
White Patterns
There are a handful of white patterns that can affect the base colors as well as those affected by modifiers and dilutions (or even other white patterns). Today I want to share a little about the rabicano white pattern which is responsible for animals that look almost roan and almost appaloosa.
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Read Black Beauty Online – Chapter 5. A Fair Start
Chapter 5. A Fair Start
The name of the coachman was John Manly; he had a wife and one little child, and they lived in the coachman’s cottage, very near the stables.
The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming, and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, the squire came in to look at me, and seemed pleased. “John,” he said, “I meant to have tried the new horse this morning, but I have other business. You may as well take him around after breakfast; go by the common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill and the river; that will show his paces.”
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Foxtail – Toxic Plant of the Week
It’s another week and well into plant season, here is today’s plant your horse can’t eat. Today’s plant grows all over and looks very unassuming, but while Foxtails are a common sight, they are incredibly dangerous little buggers!
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How to Administer Eye Drops or Cream
As I’m on an educational kick lately, I thought I’d keep going with it, today is a handy video to help newbies administer eye medication.
Delicate Spot
Eye meds are a pain on every level, the eye is a sensitive area and horses don’t much like you sticking things in them. However sometimes it’s a necessary evil and we have to make the best of the situation. Hopefully this video helps that a little.
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Appaloosa White Pattern – Horse Coat Colors
Over the last few months I’ve been working my way through the colors section, providing some new information and bigger images. I’ve almost made my way through the white patterns – next comes markings!
White Patterns
There are a handful of white patterns that can affect the base colors as well as those affected by modifiers and dilutions (or even other white patterns). Today I want to share a little about the appaloosa white pattern which is responsible for an amazing variety of lively spotted animals.
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Read Black Beauty Online – Chapter 4. Birtwick Park
Chapter 4. Birtwick Park
At this time I used to stand in the stable and my coat was brushed every day till it shone like a rook’s wing. It was early in May, when there came a man from Squire Gordon’s, who took me away to the hall. My master said, “Good-by, Darkie; be a good horse, and always do your best.” I could not say “good-by”, so I put my nose into his hand; he patted me kindly, and I left my first home. As I lived some years with Squire Gordon, I may as well tell something about the place.
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Foxglove – Toxic Plant of the Week
Welcome to another toxic plant Monday – time to learn about another nasty plant. Today’s plant is a lovely one with the most enchanting name, the Foxglove is lovely, but not for horses.
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Check Your Horse’s Pulse
This week I’ve got several videos to share – and these are handy enough to bookmark. Today we learn how to take a horse’s pulse.
Third Time’s A Charm
Luckily for your horse there are several ways to take their pulse – regardless of how scientific you are it’s possible to keep track of that heartbeat. Below are three different ways and hopefully one of them works for you!
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Pinto White Pattern – Horse Coat Colors
Over the spring and summer I’ve been working my way through the colors section, providing some new information and updated images. I’ve gotten through the solid colors and am now sharing the lovely white patterns.
White Patterns
There are a handful of white patterns that can affect the base colors as well as those affected by modifiers and dilutions (or even other white patterns). Today I want to share a little about the pinto white pattern which is responsible for a wide variety of lovely spotted patterns.
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Read Black Beauty Online – Chapter 3. My Breaking In
Chapter 3. My Breaking In
I was now beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, and was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star on my forehead. I was thought very handsome; my master would not sell me till I was four years old; he said lads ought not to work like men, and colts ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up.
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