Chapter 25. Reuben Smith Now I must say a little about Reuben Smith, who was left in charge of the stables when York went to London. No one more thoroughly understood his business than he did, and when he was all right there could not be a more faithful or valuable man. He was gentle […]
Perhaps one of the least defined jobs of the guest or dude ranch lifestyle, the ranch hand is usually responsible for the real nitty gritty of daily operations. Generally answering to ranch manager or a barn foreman What You Need This is usually an entry level position and while experience with horses is essential, general […]
While this is an entry level position, it is an essential one for the riders and trainers when at a horse show. Regardless of discipline, horse shows are a high-stress breeding ground for unexpected problems. What You Need There are many tasks that can fall under the grooms command and the actual job description will […]
Being a rodeo clown is a highly seasonal (or highly mobile) career path, rodeos often travel and are active when the weather permits. While an exciting job that offers a lot of spirited activity and contact with the animals, it is also among the most dangerous. What You Need Qualities of a good rodeo clown […]
Perhaps truly the dreamy dream job for horse lovers, running a guest ranch requires a bit more elbow grease than romantic notion may provide. While a fun and exciting job, running a successful guest ranch requires a high level of organization and experience. What You Need This is a management position, so contact with the […]
This is perhaps one of the rarer horse jobs out there, but one that can provide a great degree of hands on experience with the animals themselves. Summer camps vary from place to place and so will the number and quality of horses involved. What You Need While this position varies, there are a few […]
Chapter 7. Ginger One day when Ginger and I were standing alone in the shade, we had a great deal of talk; she wanted to know all about my bringing up and breaking in, and I told her. “Well,” said she, “if I had had your bringing up I might have had as good a […]
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 […]
Chapter 2. The Hunt Before I was two years old a circumstance happened which I have never forgotten. It was early in the spring; there had been a little frost in the night, and a light mist still hung over the woods and meadows. I and the other colts were feeding at the lower part […]
Today’s horse poetry is by Anne Kingsmill Finch and I’m not sure when it was published, but she lived from 1661-1720.
Recently I’ve begun updating some of the images in my colors section and getting in touch with the times when it comes to color. It’s a complicated ride, but it sure is a pretty one! Basic Colors Coloring in horses comes from a pigment called melanin which appears in two forms, eumelanin (black) and phaeomelanin […]
It seems that it was time to update the color section and get with the times when it comes to horse color genetics. The section was out of date and in need of a facelift – so I gave it one.