Road trip with riding on my mind

Last week, we headed north from Utah to Bozeman, Montana, to visit with Unbranded’s creative team and to see bits of the film. The team is busy with last minute details before submitting it to major film festivals. The trip allowed for some quick detours […]

DIY Round Pen

Editor’s Note: This post was initially written in 2014 and has been updated. I thought that I was handy and strong and that my DIY accomplishments were somewhat impressive. Then I met Raechel Nelson. The young dentist and future Best Horse Practices Summit board member […]

Trouble on the trail reveals holes in training

All rides can’t be golden. When things go sideways, the goal may be simply getting everyone home safe and sound, with nothing too traumatic to remember. If you look at those rides with a big lens, you’ll see they are blessings in disguise, for they […]

Ol’ Timers weigh in on mules

The other day, I was chatting with friend, Elijah Moore, about my progress with Jolene, the new mule. He’s spent more time with horses than mules, but still had some amusing, insightful words: “Mules are unique because they think. Mules are to horses as goats […]

Water, water, nowhere

As summer winds down, I’m giving thanks to a spectacular season; one that gave me a crash course in riding and hiking essentials here in Utah. Watch new video Sure, there’s the need for carrying a cell phone, a good knife, and for wearing sunscreen. […]

NickerNews at the OR

At NickerNews and BestHorsePractices nearly all our posts come from getting outside and spending time with horses. This week, however, we spent entirely indoors and horseless. Small sacrifice for what will be gained for our readership! Specifically we were at the Salt Palace Convention Center […]

Comeuppance in Equine Terms

Sticking it to the man: Performing an act of civil disobedience in order to oppose established power hierarchy. Horses do it. Mules do it, too. No, we’re not anthropomorphizing. We’re just using this slang term to help describe how horses lower in the herd rank […]

Looking forward and back

2013 was a heckuva year for NickerNews and BestHorsePractices. It started last winter with a bang. Two bangs, actually. The first came with NickerNews’ nomination for Best Blog in the Equestrian Social Media Awards. The ESMAs featured an international field with most bloggers commercially backed. […]

Farm Fit meets Gym Fit

We’re active. Most of us horsemen and women get plenty of exercise just taking care of our barnful. Hay tossing, water lugging, and riding add up to being Farm Fit. Some may be Gym Fit, too, toning and sweating in a more formal setting. Read […]

Bake these when you’re done with horse chores

Winter projects can be long or short on investment. Long investments measure about 22 feet in length. Learn to braid a mecate. Short investments are best measured with eggs, sugar, and butter. Here’s a family favorite, handed down from my mom, Sally Butcher. Read about […]