Here are a few interesting posts from the horse blogging world!

Celebrating Aengus from Wait for the Jump
Psych! Aengus is a cat. Wait, though. I am not a cat person. I am in fact pretty much the opposite of a cat person. I do not willingly touch or pet them. Part of that is allergies, but part of that is I believe a fundamental inability to make my brain interface with cats. We just don’t get along. I do live with a cat, who I have grown fond of over the years, but the fiance is very clear that it will be his last. So why am I linking this post? Because Saiph IS a cat person, and the way she writes about Aengus makes even this non-cat person want to meet him, and appreciate him, and see him through her eyes. He sounds like a really cool dude.

A Few of Christian Schacht’s Exercises from Not So Speedy Dressage
Karen does the most extraordinary job communicating her lessons and clinics, complete with diagrams and pictures. Every post is a gem. This post links to several other days of the Christian Schacht clinic as well.

Ending the Cycle of Excuses from The Simple Dollar
The Simple Dollar is a personal finance blog, not a horse blog, but I often find applicable, interesting things here nonetheless. This post in particular spoke to me this week, about forcing myself to do the hard, drudging things and get out there every day to work.

Four Awesome Things I Want for Christmas from Sprinkler Bandit
Tis the season for snooping on other people’s wishlists and bulking up your own. I love these lists because they are like mini product reviews and they expand my horizons.

Steps to the Changes: A Better Canter from Guinness on Tap
The canter is probably my broadest weakness as a rider. I really appreciated the thought and care put into writing up this lesson, and the video evidence of what Austen is talking about. Top notch post through and through.

Here are a few great posts from blogging-land this week.

Head in the Game from Racing to Ride
SO SO SO crucial to the success or failure of a ride. Where is your head? Do you need to calm down before you get on? I am very guilty of sometimes taking frustrations to the barn.

Phases of the Jump: An Overview from Incidents of Guidance
This is a smart, thoughtful analysis that made me think quite a lot about the mechanics of jumping. Really, really worthwhile.

Bit Warmers from Diary of an Overanxious Horse Owner
Looking for something fun, pretty, AND useful for a holiday gift? Look no further than this newly-launched Etsy venture.

Curious about Fence Construction from ‘Fraidy Cat Eventing
This is a really thorough, really neat overview of different ways of building fences, and the pros and cons of each.

What Do Wednesday from Chasing the Dream
Tails! I am lucky in that Tristan has always had a wonderful tail and I do nothing to it, but many horses have awful tails. This was a great overview of techniques to strengthen & lengthen a tail.

IRL Training from In Omnia Paratus
ALL THE STATS. Liz is my hero. Impressive on so many levels.

Last week’s blog roundup was shortened on account of me being insanely busy with a professional conference. Here, have a special edition horse blog roundup for your reading enjoyment!

Go-Everywhere, Ride Camp Dog from In Omnia Paratus
I am a huge fan of Liz’s Husky Kenai, and I loved her round up of ways in which you should train your dog to be a solid citizen when out and about. Arya is slowly, slowly becoming a more civilized barn dog but she’s nowhere near ready yet. Here’s something to aim for.

Crop to the Rescue from A Gift Horse
Oh man. I have many flaws as a rider, but my elbows might be the most egregious. I might have to try this.

Happy on Horseback from Confessions of a Pioneer Woman
I know some people hate her, but I kind of love this blog, and have for many years now – almost 10, I think? Here’s a great example of the gorgeous photos she takes of working ranch horses. (As an aside, I once stumbled across a blog that was solely a hate blog for Pioneer Woman; it basically mirrored each of her posts with reasons why everything she wrote was terrible. It was a mystifying example of anonymous internet nastiness. The pinnacle, for me, was reached when the blog tried to prove that their ranch horses were abused because they had sweat marks!!1!!1! Oy.)

The Weenie Eventers Head to Hagyard Midsouth Three Day Challenge from A Filly’s Best Friend
Really cool goal, cool story, and a chance to both enter a giveaway and bid on some great horse products for a good cause. Check it out! (You can also head directly to their Go Fund Me page and their Facebook page.)

Winter Wear Review from All In
I could basically read winter gear reviews all day. Some really drool-worthy tops on here.

What It’s Like Being an Anxious Horse Owner from She Moved to Texas
THIS IS MY LIFE.

Rehabbing Real Life from Confessions of an AA Event Rider
Kind of an important lesson for me right now. Be as kind to yourself and as thoughtful about your progression as you are about your horse’s.

Working a horse show from Hand Gallop
Here’s the other side of all those drool-worthy mobile tack units you see at horse shows. I know I’ve personally bought panicky last-minute items more than a few times, and browsed every time I can. So many pretty things!

Wofford on Grooming from Incidents of Guidance
This is clear, precise, and yet still nearly spiritual. It made me want to go to the barn immediately.

Some interesting posts from the equine blogosphere this week.

Ride in the Desert from Pam’s Pony Palace
& WW – Scenic Fall Trail Ride from ‘Fraidy Cat Eventing
Gorgeous photos of two starkly different rides in the same week. Everything looks better from the back of a horse, doesn’t it?

Lest We Forget Our Soldiers from A Filly’s Best Friend
Really, really wonderful tribute with some lovely photos.

A Veterans Day Salute to Riders and Their Horses from Eventing Nation
I really, really liked this story about two Air Force equestrians and their links to the Trakehner breed after serving in Germany. It makes a lot of sense! Hats off to them for their service and for their dedication as riders.

Vacationing in Horse Country: Keeneland Breeding Sale
& Vacationing in Horse Country: Beer, Bourbon, and Barrels
& Vacationing in Horse Country: Keeping Everyone Happy from Guinness on Tap
Best vacation ever, or best vacation ever? I am simultaneously insanely jealous and inspired. Awesome trip, awesome documentation.

The All New England Hunt’s Joint Meet from The Foxhunting Friesian
Droooooooooling. What an amazing day!

TRXC 2014 from Braymere Custom Saddlery
I recently made my first visit to a model horse show, and it was so freaking cool. This? This is a whoooooole ‘nother level. WOW.

A week in the life of a polo groom: week one from Two Bay Horses
Watch this space, people, because it’s only going to get more interesting from here.

Here’s my pick of some great posts from the horse blogging world this past week.

8 Tips on How to Survive Wintertime With No Lights from The Reeling
Far, far braver than I! I’ll ride in the dark, no question, but every day? in the winter? as the plan going forward? Noooooope. A lighted indoor is on my must-have list for a boarding barn.

Course walks: there’s an app for that from The $900 Facebook Pony
Cooooooool. I am a sucker for horse-related smartphone apps. I wish I had unlimited funds and time to play with them all. In the meantime, I’ll have to stick with good review posts like this one.

Holiday Extravaganza: Get Your Buy On from A Gift Horse
It’s time to think about holiday gift shopping! Here’s a good roundup of neat products that are all offering discount codes for a limited time.

How a Dead Mouse in My Feed Bag Made Me a More Loyal Customer from We Are Flying Solo
I am torn between EW EW EW and WOW, fascinating. Gross picture warning, but hugely informative.

In Memory of Bergie from Paradigm Farms Horse Retirement
Don’t click on this if you are not ready for a good hard cry. I’m serious. But if you are – and you want to read the story of a horse whose life was lived exactly the way a horse’s life should be, then read this. It’s just wonderful. It will re-affirm your faith in people, horses, and the universe at large.

Why equestrian husbands are the most patient men in the world from Racing to Ride
I laughed, and laughed, and laughed some more. Awesome.

Here’s a quick selection of some interesting blog posts over the last week.

PS of Sweden Bridle: First Impressions from The $900 Facebook Pony
You guys, this is the weirdest bridle I have ever seen. I am utterly fascinated. Check it out!

Candy Corn, the Vegetable of Candy from Guinness on Tap
I kind of love this. Horses like the weirdest things sometimes. I’ve never tried giving Tristan a candy corn (mostly because I don’t like them, and never have them around) but I have tried feeding him all sorts of other weird things and his reactions are often hilarious.

You’re Invited to a Horse Bloggers Weekend from She Moved to Texas
This sounds amaaaaaaazing! There’s zero chance that I can go, and I’m super jealous. Have fun, y’all! (Isn’t that what they say in the south?)

On Splints from Boots and Saddles
Hands-down the best explanation of a splint I’ve ever seen, complete with clever and funny cartoons.

Here are a few interesting, informative, thoughtful, or fun posts from this past week of blogging. (Actually it’s more like two weeks, since I missed last week and have a LOT of catching up to do!)

First things first: though I missed the signup what with being out of town, it’s 2pointober! I’ve been adding in some more two point to my own riding, even though I didn’t get to be part officially, and let’s just say it’s probably good I didn’t sign up. My baseline is hideously embarrassing.

LD Packing List from Topaz Dreams
❤ packing lists, you guys. The organization! The precision! This is a particularly good one, thoughtfully written, with lots to think about.

Origin Stories from Boots and Saddles
Love. Love. Love. Lots to think about, here. How do you tell your story? I went through a phase where every new trainer I worked with got the 10 minute story of my history with Tristan. Yeah, we’ve gone through a lot, but one time too many of telling that story and I started to think harder about how I presented our story. The last time a trainer asked me for my goals I said “I love my horse and I want to enjoy him.” That’s working for me now.

Am I a Show Home? from Cob Jockey
Really thoughtful exploration of how we interact with horses, and how we define our goals and relationships with individual horses.

(on a side note, check out Jen’s series of posts reviewing her recent event with Connor. awesome stuff, good analysis, good reading, and yeah, I’m a smidge jealous!)

Kill Them With Kindness from She Moved to Texas
I’m always amazed at how a little bit of anonymity brings out the asshole in so many people. Lauren’s post is a good manifesto for kindness on the internet.

The Evolution of Cavalry Tactics: How Technology Drove Change from Emerging Civil War
Not a horse blog, but still a very good one. This is the first in what promises to be an utterly fascinating series covering the changes in cavalry tactics in the American military during the Civil War. My master’s thesis was on the development of cavalry (really, dragoon) logistics prior to the Civil War, so I am anxious to read someone else’s discussion of a similar topic and see what comes next. This post starts with Napoleon’s tactics, always a good grounding!

As I mentioned, I’m going to round up some great posts from the horse blog world each week. Have I missed a great post? Comment and let me know!

I’m always amazed at the wide world of horse blogs out there: how many there are, and how many wonderful horse people are sharing their advice, stories, expertise, and humor. I read dozens on a daily basis and I’m always finding more.

With that in mind, I’d like to start a new series. Each week, I’ll pick 3-5 posts that I’ve read during the previous week that had caught my eye. I don’t guarantee to get every single post that I’ve liked included, so if you feel left out it’s not personal!

So, here are this week’s selections.

Endurance Gear Under $25 from Boots and Saddles
I love this – good thoughtful recommendations, a variety of products, descriptions of how to use them. All practical and thoughtful examples.

Blog Hop: Why Do You Do What You Do? from Stories from the Saddle
I love a blog hop, and this is a particularly good one: how did you get into your current riding discipline?

Lincoln Trail 2014: Magic’s First 50 from A Collection of Madcap Escapades
Great pictures, great adventure, and a great write-up of a 50 mile endurance ride.