The Warm Up by Jane Savoie
I’m kind of neurotic about my warmup, and this article is a great focusing read.

Your non-horsey read of the week: This is what it’s like to come to the United States as a refugee. Part memoir, part reporting, about the author’s family’s flight from Russia, where they were targeted because of their Jewish faith.

On being a good example from Hand Gallop
This is just superb. Yes. Literally the only area of my life in which I love working with kids is at the barn. There are so many good things we can pass on by example.

Stall design opinions needed! from Stampy and the Brain
I feel like at one point in my life I spent every free moment designing my dream barn. Now, I haven’t kept up with what’s current or trendy. So I’m really interested in the options here.

Your non-horsey read of the week is the back catalogue of Bad Advice columns. It’s a roundup of the worst and most obnoxious questions from advice columns around the internet, with precisely what you want to say to them. Try reading one; you’ll be hooked.

Let’s Discuss: Your Equestrian Affiliations from House on a Hill
An interesting question & conversation that gets at the heart of how we all define community.

When is it okay to ignore your trainer’s advice? from Saddle Seeks Horse
I would submit that if your trainer’s advice is making you unhappy, not in a shallow momentary way, but in a deep sustained way, then you should ignore it and/or go trainer shopping. But it’s not a black and white issue. We place an implicit trust in trainers, and have a deeper relationship with them than nearly any other professional in our lives.

DIY Jump Stick from Equestrian at Hart
These are amazingly useful tools to have around, and this is a nice tutorial for how to make one.

Sit on your hands to ride better, from Trafalgar Square Books
I’ve done this exercise in the past, and it definitely gives you interesting feedback.

Your non-horsey link of the week: How to #StayOutraged Without Losing Your Mind, a great essay on self-care in the time of activism against the dumpster fire that has overtaken the White House.

LOADS of reading this week. It’s a reading kind of week. Enjoy that freedom of expression while we still have it, folks.

Mass Review: Back on Track Stuff! from The Feral Red Horse
I’ve used a handful of Back on Track products on Tristan and I like the results I’ve seen. I’m getting closer and closer to purchasing more – just trying to shore up those spending holes and savings accounts first.

What has happened to bridles lately? from Clover Ledge Farm
I know you all like your PS of Sweden bridles but…yeah. They don’t do anything for me.

Branding the Equestrian Business from House on the Hill
I’ve been thinking about branding a lot lately and this was a thoughtful appraisal.

Safety Features from WeanieEventer
The trailer widget highlighted here is SMART.

Intro to EquiVibe from The Jumping Percheron
I…am not convinced, but I think you could describe me as intrigued.

10 tools to blog more in less time from Blogging in Balance
Some of these are a little too specialized for me, but they’re still useful to think about.

A Different Path from A Enter Spooking
Really, really wonderful examination of personal motivations and sacrifices.

Freaking Fantastic from Fly on Over
It’s really important to think hard about what works best for your horse as an individual, and this is a great example of tailoring a management program with success.

Pet vs Partner from Dr. Mel Newton
Deeply thought-provoking way of looking at the horses in our lives.

Partner versus Pet from In Omnia Paratus
Liz’s response to the above!

And the non-horsey read of the week: Every book Barack Obama has recommended during his presidency. This is a really extraordinary list, trending (obviously) toward the erudite and complicated, but with so many real gems. Everyone will find something to love on there, and I would urge us all to pick out something new to us to expand our worldview.

LOADS of great reads this week!

A more effective warmup & riding for better scores from Wyvern Oaks
Warmups and ringcraft are two of my favorite things to think & talk about related to shows. I’m weird like that.

Horseback riding in Mexico from DIY Horse Ownership
Amazing vacation. It looks so warm…

How easy it would be from A Gift Horse
“What do riders who have kids do?” my husband asked last week. They work their asses off and provide inspiration for the rest of us, is the message of this post.

(Actually I think I said “they are miserable all the time and they have to sell their horses and they hate everything and IT IS THE WORST” but I am over-dramatic and also really really really don’t want kids.)

Moonlit Snow Galloping from In Omnia Paratus
❤

Non-horsey (sort of) read of the week:
The High-Cost, High-Risk World of Modern Pet Care. This was an unsettling and thought-provoking read. I’ve been lucky to work with locally-owned vet practices for all of my animals, and I try hard to have informed conversations. But what about people who don’t have those options?

Creating Transferable Skills from PONY’TUDE
This is precisely something I always struggle with when I go from bareback to a saddle, or from no stirrups to stirrups. How to really and truly break the pattern and the muscle memory of bad habits?

Well, that’s one way to start the year from Four Mares, No Money
Really interesting (and scary) medical story with a good ending + a GREAT offer to commission gorgeous art. Check it out and maybe get some of your own art!

Some links for you in this holiday week.

Temptation and Doubt from Bully and Blaze
A dog blog but horse-applicable, with many many thoughtful things about risk management and the dangerous things that we do.

And a horsey response to the above: On Risk and Responsibility from Journey to 100 Miles

The Season of a Good Dog from The Collie Farm
This is a beautiful tribute to a working dog and to life on a working farm.

A non-horse read for the week: The Man Who Cleans Up After Plane Crashes. Difficult but worthwhile read, with a lot to think about – especially about empathy and compassion even in the most terrible of circumstances.

First, a news article that is kind of blowing my mind:

Make-up of equine gut bacteria altered by exercise, study shows

Couple of blog posts for your reading pleasure.

Grand Canyon Mule Ride and Part II from DIY Horse Ownership
I cannot get over how awesome this is.

Holiday gifts for an equestrian from Hand Gallop

Can you help? from Because Pony
I get to see the adorableness of Emilie’s animals almost every day, but if you’re not following her adventures you’re missing out. Take this survey and tell her we want more Crumble pictures