CATEGORIES

Food-Focused and Fierce - Meet Canada jays and learn why they eat almost anything they can find

Even if you haven't heard of Canada jays, you've heard of their relatives. Members of the corvid family, they belong to the same group as American crows, blackbilled magpies, and jays including blue, Steller's and scrub. "Unlike many of the other jays, a Canada jay doesn't have a crest of any kind; it just has a rounded head," says Dale Gentry, director of conservation for Audubon Upper Mississippi River.In 2018, the Canada jay's name was changed from gray jay, but Dale thinks the former adjective was fitting. "Most of its body is shades of gray with some white," he says. "There are different subspecies that have different physical traits, but most of them have some lighter coloring on their foreheads, upper breasts and throats, each with a darker streak that starts at each eye and goes back."

First-Timer Tips

Heading to a young rider's first event with their horse can be intimidating. Use these myths and truths to make it smoother sailing for yourself and your young rider.

Decoding the Diseases Examined by AQHA's Six-Panel Test

The six-panel test is a diagnostic tool used to assess the genetic predispositions of horses. It's meant to discover if a horse has or is a carrier for certain hereditary diseases and traits.

HORSE PACKING 101

Take your trail riding to the next level with nature-filled adventures in the back or front country.

The Horse

LIFE TAKES US DOWN different paths, but I seem to be on just one, which is with the horse.

NEW HORSE; NEW PROBLEMS

Anew horse can bring excitement and energy to the barn, and even reinvigorate your passion. However, there are also a myriad of new problems that can come with a new horse, so learn how to introduce him properly to avoid these common issues.

Love is Good

All horses are assured a hopeful, compassionate plan of care at This Old Horse, a program that helps not only horses but people, too.

Checklist For What to Look For in Your Club's Next Show Venue

Show Manager To Ring One, Please

AVOIDING The Kitten Fear Period

Young kittens seem fearless.4 As soon as those eyes open and they can get their legs under them, they are off to see the world if their mama and humans let them.

No Milk For You!

Milk Issues and Kittens

Do You present ? Polish! OR DO YOU

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS!

Fostering Kittens

When asked if I would be interested in fostering a queen and her eight newborn kittens, I volunteered without question.

Tonkinese

When You're Well and Truly Tonked

The Mental Health Benefits of Cats - How our feline friends keep our minds purring

A recent survey on pets and mental health by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 84% of pet owners reported that their pets had a positive impact on their mental health. For twothirds of survey participants, the companionship pets offered was key to a positive mindset. Howard Liu, M.D., M.B.A., chair of the American Psychiatric Association's Council on Communications, an adult and child psychiatrist and chair of the UNMC Department of Psychiatry, says feline companionship may be especially beneficial and meaningful for people struggling with anxiety, depression and autism spectrum disorder as well as people who have a history of trauma. Of course, cats aren't a magic pill, Dr. Liu says: "Every person and every cat is unique, so owning a pet is not a guarantee of better mental health." However, people who live with chronic mental health conditions often list spending time with their cats as a coping strategy for when they are sad, anxious or frightened.

Fix Your Flying Lead Change

Before kicking your horse into a lope and asking for a change of lead, you need to take time to have the fundamentals in place to be able to isolate the body parts of your horse individually and together to properly execute a flying lead change.

Outbreak! What We've Learned

Learn how disease outbreaks in recent years have changed the horse industry, and why it's so important to play your part when it comes to disease prevention efforts.

TRAINING THE SENSITIVE HORSE

Shift your mindset and grow your sensitive horse's pressure-handling skills to improve his confidence and your riding enjoyment.

Make Summer Fun and Safe

More saddle time means more time for fun and games.

Nice to Meet You

Taking the time to know your horse outside of the arena pays off on the trail or in the show pen.

The Country's Hottest Horse Motels

Take your next trail-riding adventure to the next level by staying at one of these six horse motels across the United States.

Year-Round Horse Care Guide

Maintain your sanity and your horse's health with an annual horse-maintenance schedule.

Why the Rush?

A horse that hurries into lope departures can tank your placing in the arena or ruin your ride at home. Here's how to prevent it and fix it.

Re-Rescued: Aslan's Story

One special gelding learns about three different types of love during his rescue journey.

GERMAN RIDING PONY

If you're in search of a smaller mount with dressage talent and more, look no further.

HELP FOR HELMET FIT

Hair up or hair down, find the safest and best-feeling fit.

ALL About Navicular

A navicular diagnosis doesn't always mean your horse's riding career is over.

Road to PONY FINALS

Find out how four kids made it to the pinnacle of pony riding.

tHe new girL

There's more than meets the eye when it comes to a new arrival at the barn.

A MIGHTY MULE

Though it wasn't part of the original plan, a mule named Tina became Maysie's favorite mount.

TRYING A NEW SPORT

Esme travels to the U.S. and tries out hunters and equitation for the first time!