Micro-steps with Rewards Work Best for Dogs and Horses

The weather is warming. Snow is disappearing. And like riding season, herd dog training season is back! My dogs and I are fortunate to resume our training with Ann Chernoff Allan, a remarkable local trainer. Read more here. Last year, we trained faithfully for six […]

The Most Fun You Can Have With Dogs in the Dark and Cold

I’m servant to three, highly energetic, mixed-breed-but-mostly herding dogs: Peeko, a heeler mutt; Kip, a mostly Aussie girl; and Monty, a mostly border collie boy. Together, we trek between two and ten miles every day. Especially during the winter, many of those outings happen in […]

Dogs and Horses Go Together

Tis the season for polls and surveys. Take a quick one – how many of your horse-owning friends also have dogs? I’m betting nearly all of them do. Woof and Hoof. Bark and Buck. Dogs and horses go together. But how many have dogs that […]

Debbie’s Quid Quandary

  Editor’s Note: This week, we hear from Debbie Hight. She is a former BHPS board member, horse owner, and occasional guest columnist for Cayuse Communications. She writes from her home in Maine, where she cares for dogs and horses, especially her lovely Morgan mare, Roxy, who was […]

Essential Pre-Ride Work

Editor’s Note: Best Horse Practices Summit presenter Katrin Silva grew up riding dressage in Germany before moving to the United States at age 19 to learn to ride Western. She’s been riding both disciplines for the last 20 years and is a regular guest columnist […]

Squirts Sequel: Hind Gut Concerns

Editor’s Note: This week, we hear from Debbie Hight. She is a former BHPS board member, horse owner, and occasional guest columnist for Cayuse Communications. She writes from her home in Maine, where she cares for dogs and horses, especially her lovely Morgan mare, Roxy, […]

Sally King Butcher, Remembered, Part I

Editor’s Note: This obituary, written by Maddy Butcher, was published in the Portland Press Herald. Read a Celebration of Life for Sally here. Sally King Butcher died October 15, 2022. She was born June 22, 1935, to Louise Baldwin King and Woods King. She was […]

Sally King Butcher, Remembered, Part II

Editor’s Note: Maddy Butcher delivered this bit to those who came to Sally Butcher’s Celebration of Life, held in Brunswick, Maine, October 15, 2022: Read Sally’s obituary here. Mom would have loved this gathering, although she would have had her reservations. She loved parties and […]

Midsummer Reviews

After our trip to the Outdoor Retailer last month, we are eager to share some thoughts on products that turned out heads. Check them out: Handful – this up-and-coming sports bra company has bras for big and little chested women. The styles and colors are […]

With Horses and Riders, Mirrors Abound

Editor’s Note: Best Horse Practices Summit presenter Katrin Silva grew up riding dressage in Germany before moving to the United States at age 19 to learn to ride Western. She’s been riding both disciplines for the last 20 years and is a regular guest columnist […]