Maine to Utah, circa 1849

Imagine my delight in learning a Maine family was among the first white folk to settle in this neighborhood! Meet Thomas and Mary Jane Butterfield of Farmington, Maine. [Photo at right shows the stone and brass monument, erected in their hometown, Herriman.] In the 1830’s, […]

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. […]

Dr. Rachel Flaherty opens solo practice

Dr. Rachel Flaherty, for years a popular vet with Maine Equine Associates, has moved on to a solo practice. Flaherty, a 37-year old graduate of the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, has opened Back Cove Equine Veterinary Care. At MEA, Flaherty worked alongside Dr. […]

First Trail Ride, Part II

The first trail ride with the mule proceeded after she gave me a few bucks and raced towards trees and our fence. (Thank you, trees and fence for stopping us.) Read Part I. Steve and Comet were crucial riding partners. They rode ahead and blocked […]

Save Your Ass or how ’bout a Mammoth Donkey?

Let’s give a nod of thanks and appreciation to all those animal rescues, toiling daily, even hourly, to make lives better for animals who’ve been tossed in the trash by others. As a new Long Ear owner, I’d like to give a special shout-out to […]

First Trail Ride, Part One

It is too early to start talking Resolutions? Along with a new exercise resolve, I’ve picked up a horsemanship resolution. This time, it came from the strangest place. Michael Pollan was talking about his new book, “Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation.” He mentioned a […]

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 […]

ESMA voting now open!

NickerNews and BestHorsePractices have been nominated in two categories of this year’s global Equestrian Social Media Awards. NickerNews is up for Best Blog. (We were Best Blog finalists last year!) BestHorsePractices is entered in the social media Newcomer category. Together, the two sites have brought […]

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 […]

Dr. Cooper will be missed

The large animal veterinary community lost a beloved and respected figure last week in Dr. E.L. “Coop” Cooper. After suffering a stroke, Dr. Cooper died at the Hospice House in Auburn. He was 87. Read the Sun Journal obituary. Cooper hailed from British Columbia, Canada. […]