NickerNews moves forward with you

Five years. 300 newsletters. 400 articles. 500 blog posts. 50 videos. Subscribe Now NickerNews & BestHorsePractices have come a long way from our 4-page original website. Since 2008, we’ve — Sponsored film documentaries, clinicians, non-profit events, and rescue organizations. Assisted law enforcement in successful convictions […]

In the name of horse-friendly open space

Horses need space. Riders do, too. If you look at Swisher, Iowa by satellite, you’ll see lots of open space. When I moved here from Maine, I was excited to explore the 14,000 acres of nearby Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area. I did. It was wonderful. […]

War and a Horse Death

Combat stress and horse death don’t often collide. But it appears that’s what happened when Ryan Grafft, a 32-year old captain in the National Guard, allegedly shot three horses, killing one of them. Read more. After admitting to the shooting, Grafft told the Johnson County […]

Jodi makes progress, too

It’s been a year since we acquired Jodi, the hefty, unstarted paint mare from Wisconsin. Steve Peters has taken his time with her and it looks like the calm, deliberate approach is paying off. We headed out to Pleasant Creek State Park for a […]

Baby Mule Steps

What’s the most striking difference between the new mule, Jolene, and her horse herdmates? Not how she moves. Not how she looks. It’s how she eats an apple. When you give Jolene a chunk of apple, she will: Smell it Take it in her mouth […]

Evidence-Based Horsemanship returns to Northeast

Lois Dietrich will host neuropsychologist Dr. Steve Peters and horseman Martin Black at their first seminar of Evidence-Based Horsemanship on the East Coast, November 15-17. The pair will conduct lectures, demonstrations, and Dr. Peters will dissect a horse brain at the Mountain Springs Arena facilities […]

This Horse Rocks

Today, Christies will auction off “Bigger Bertie.” He’s bigger alright. Believed to be the largest handmade rocking horse in the world, Bertie stands about 15 feet high. He’s pictured here on a London street with six-year old Reva Lemanski. The 2012 sculpture is made of […]

Maine, Iowa, Utah

From Maine to Iowa and now Utah! These past few weeks have been nutty, as I traveled home to Maine, then back to Iowa and now, we’re off to Utah. The time in Maine was too short. I did manage to catch up with a […]

5 Star gets Five Stars

Saddle pads and cinches aren’t the most glamorous tack items in your barn. But they may be the most essential. Bad ones make your horse miserable and cause sores and sore muscles. Good ones make even marathon rides easy and fuss-free. Just ask Ben Masters, […]

Meet Jolene

My friend, Bill, started talking about this certain mule a few months ago. He knows I’m fond and curious of mules. Read more mule posts. Read about mules and Your Ass Rescue. Bill’s brother had recently purchased one at an Iowa auction. It wasn’t working […]