Editor’s Postcard

Plan New Things to Do with Horses in 2014 by Catherine Madera   Recently, I was asked to go on a trail ride while at a writer’s workshop in Arizona. I almost said No. Not because I don’t like to ride, but because I don’t care to ride the type …

Read More

Horse Sense for the Holidays by Catherine Madera   ‘Tis the season to hurry, hurry, hurry. As I write this, Thanksgiving is around the corner and I feel my thoughts amping up. By mid-December I’m usually tired of Christmas, and all its busy “cheer.” Before I allow myself to get …

Read More

Value the “Glue” in Relationships by Catherine Madera       Much of my horse time over the last two months has revolved around starting my new horse, Mateo. As I write this, in September, he has been a good student for the last three weeks and I feel confident …

Read More

How Are You Affecting Your Horse? by Catherine Madera   As I’ve embraced naturpathic remedies for myself, relying less and less on drugs and anything that compartmentalizes health, I’ve become more interested in holistic health for my horse. Mind, body, and spirit cannot be separated. They constantly affect one another and …

Read More

Thoughts on Process by Catherine Madera     Summer is in full swing and I have a lot on my mind. Top of the list includes finishing my latest novel Rhinestones and my new horse Mateo. When this issue goes to print, I plan to be starting Mateo under saddle …

Read More

On Being a Lifelong Student by Catherine Madera   There was a time when I thought becoming a horseman was like getting a degree. After assimilating enough information, I’d arrive at a point of proficiency. Whatever that means. Instead, over the years I’ve discovered, with each new horse, how much …

Read More

Performance is an Inside Job by Catherine Madera   My daughter’s horse, Gunner, is a beautiful example of what he was bred for: speed in the quarter mile. A gaming horse, he loves to run and is built for the job. He’s definitely a performance horse in terms of athletic ability. …

Read More

On Horses, Tack, and the Almighty Opinion by Catherine Madera     The above photo is the curb bit I used on my childhood horse, a spunky Arabian named Sunfire. As I recall, I rode Sunny two-handed much of the time in this humdinger of a leverage bit. I did …

Read More

Never Stop Growing   I once read a quote from John Lyons where he said the most dangerous situations he’s been in with horses involved those that refused to go forward. I didn’t fully understand this statement until I started my first horse under saddle, a lovely Arabian gelding named …

Read More

Matching Equine Events to Your Personal Style by Catherine Madera   My husband and I are an interesting pair. He’s got what you might call a “big personality;” an outgoing, suck-the-marrow-from-life type of guy whose motto for living is pretty much “go big or go home.” He doesn’t do anything …

Read More