Even though weight is a very taboo subject in the United States, and body image issues are rampant in the world of equestrian sports, addressing the...
Ani Petrak - Certified Equine Addict!
Ani Petrak is a freelance linguist and writer based in the Czech Republic. A lifelong English rider and groom, she has experience showing in dressage, hunter-jumpers, trail, and young horse in-hand competitions. She is currently working with a Grand Prix showjumping and dressage trainer while raising and training her young warmblood gelding for a career in dressage, working equitation, and cross-country hacking.
Articles by Ani Petrak
Difference Between English and Western Riding Styles
There seem to be as many ideas about riding as there are people in the world. Some picture cowboys, galloping across the plains in the American west...
99 Awesome Horse Names
People picking a horse’s name think of many things when they are deciding. My horse’s name came to me before he was even born. Since his mother’s...
Gestation Period for Horses: How Long are Horses Pregnant for?
Who doesn’t love the spidery legs, the fuzzy mane and tail, the silky baby fur and velvety muzzle of a foal? The idyllic images of a mare and her...
Do I need a Stall mat for my Horse?
Have you ever heard the expression, “the foot makes the horse?” It is true in so many different ways, not the least of which is the comfort and...
What to look for when buying a horse
When I was a little child, I found a length of rope that had no apparent purpose laying around my parents garden. I immediately claimed it as a lead...
Why Do Horses Need Shoes
Virtually every horse person knows the familiar sounds of horses - happy nickers, snorts, munching hay, and of course, the clippety-clop of horse...
Cushings in Horses
Who doesn’t love the image of a cute, fuzzy pony relaxing in the middle of a field? While ponies in general are furrier than horses, an older furry...
Best Horse Shedding Tool
Ah, shedding season. When every grooming session becomes an upper body workout. When every grooming session is an exercise in transferring all your...
Best Horse Stall Mats
Many horse owners turn to rubber stall mats for a cushioned, easy to clean flooring, and there are many options on the market for just that. It is...
Do Horses Get Cold in the Winter or in Rain?
Winter weather is the year’s best in rain, cold and wind. Those of us who have horses do not have the luxury of hibernating inside our warm houses...
Signs of Pain in Horses
Recognizing when a horse is in pain is not just a handy parlor trick. If you can recognize pain in your horse, this can mean the difference in...
Head Shaking in Horses
At best, a horse shaking its head can just be funny or annoying. At worst, it can be dangerous, unseating riders or yanking reins out of the rider’s...
The Best Slow Feeders for Horses
All horses love food. Mother Nature designed them to spend their days wandering from grassy spot to grassy spot, having a constant intake of grasses...
How to Harden Hooves
The saying “No foot, no horse” is probably the best adage by which to prioritize horse care. It is no wonder that the horse owner must take special...
How to Back a Horse
In the equine world, there are three topics which can make the most placid equestrian foam at the mouth: bits vs. bitless, barefoot vs. shod, and...
The 5 Best Ice Boots for Horses
It is no secret that horse owners in general take better care of their horses than they do of themselves. Furthermore, it’s no question for...
Heaves in Horses – Treatment and Prevention
Those of us who have suffered from asthma can identify with the horses who suffer from heaves. While the equine disease doesn’t correlate exactly...
Horse Open Mouth When Riding
How many riders could have the theme from The Nutcracker accompanying their rides, for the constant snapping of their mounts’ teeth? As with life,...
Best Supplements for Horses with Heaves
If your horse has heaves, you surely have spent a considerable amount of effort on eliminating dust, maximizing turnout, and doing everything else...
Horse with Scope? How to tell if your Horse is ‘Scopey’
Those who have moved around in the showjumping world are familiar with the particular language that is spoken there. At least they have heard it,...