Age and Horses and Me

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 […]

Cold Weather Imperatives

Editor’s Note: Julie Kenney is an avid horsewoman, former Best Horse Practices Summit board member, and runs Blackberry Farm in Harpswell, Maine. She shares this reflection on moving forward, resisting trending calls around the New Year. Julie writes: In Maine today, even here at the […]

From Stressful 2021 Comes Growth, Joy, Happiness

Editor’s Note: Julie Kenney is an avid horsewoman, former Best Horse Practices Summit board member, and runs Blackberry Farm in Harpswell, Maine. She shares this reflection on moving forward, resisting trending calls around the New Year. Julie writes: New Year’s resolutions abound.  Social media postings […]

Saying Goodbye to Tucker

Editor’s Note: Since many of us count animals as companions and friends, and since many of us have dogs, we offer this guest post. You can read more dogs posts here. Read about beloved Belle’s quick end here. Julie Kenney is an avid horsewoman, former […]

An Amateur Trainer

Editor’s Note: Julie Kenney is an avid horsewoman, former Best Horse Practices Summit board member, and runs Blackberry Farm in Harpswell, Maine. She shares this multi-part reflection of work with three horses. Julie writes: I am an amateur trainer. I hesitate to even put that […]

Amateur Training: Hank

Editor’s Note: Julie Kenney is an avid horsewoman, former Best Horse Practices Summit board member, and runs Blackberry Farm in Harpswell, Maine. She shares this multi-part reflection of work with three horses. Julie writes: Hank’s story began when he arrived here over a year ago, […]

Amateur Training: Eli

Editor’s Note: Julie Kenney is an avid horsewoman, former Best Horse Practices Summit board member, and runs Blackberry Farm in Harpswell, Maine. She shares this multi-part reflection of work with three horses. Julie writes:  Eli’s story really started 11 years ago when he first came […]

Amateur Training: Joe

Editor’s Note: Julie Kenney is an avid horsewoman, former Best Horse Practices Summit board member, and runs Blackberry Farm in Harpswell, Maine. She shares this multi-part reflection of work with three horses. Julie writes: Joe came to me at a time of upheaval in my […]

This is Therapy Empathy

Editor’s Note: Julie Kenney is an avid horsewoman, former Best Horse Practices Summit board member, and runs Blackberry Farm in Harpswell, Maine. Julie writes: My mind meanders during times of deep relaxation.  At a recent massage therapy session, it floated like a kite tethered to […]

Ode to Khoura

Julie Kenney is a Best Horse Practices Summit board member and runs Blackberry Farm in Harpswell, Maine. She writes of her horse Khoura in this thoughtful, heartfelt poem:   Your chestnut coat shines Under the bright morning sun Beside me, your excitement is palpable At […]