CATEGORIES

The Flying Checkerboard

Find out how to attract boldly patterned red-headed woodpeckers.

Ask the Experts

Pros offer solutions for hungry birds and identify mystery plants.

What is your favorite owl and why?

Readers share special memories and the species they think is most interesting.

At the Edge of Lake Erie

Try these three activities at Point Pelee National Park.

How Birds Get Named

Meet the committee in charge of naming and organizing birds.

THE FIRST AMERICAN “SPORT HORSE” BREED

The very name of the American Standardbred reflects the performance requirement established at the inception of the breed. Here’s how genetics, conformation and training came together to create horses that could trot a mile in 2:30 or less, or pace it in 2:00 flat.

THE 6 WAYS HORSES LEARN

You’ll be more successful in teaching your horse new skills or maneuvers if your lessons, timing and tasks are aligned with his natural modes of acquiring information.

WHEN EHV-1 TURNS DEADLY

There’s no sure-fire way of stopping an equine herpesvirus infection from developing into a potentially devastating neurological disease. But you can take steps to protect your horse.

PPID DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUE ADVANCES

Year-round diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, also known as Cushing’s) just got easier, thanks to the joint efforts of equine researchers in England and mathematicians in Australia.

THE POTENTIAL OF PROBIOTICS

Supplements formulated to replenish and fortify the diverse microbiome in the equine gut may help your horse stay healthy, but you’ll want to shop smart and know their limitations.

Sweet harmony

In addition to providing my solitary mare with companionship, my donkey has brought a new tranquility to my farm.

GOOD NEWS ABOUT RECOVERY FROM COLIC SURGERY

A new study from the Netherlands has found that the long-term prognosis for horses who survive colic surgery is good, but a full return to athletic function may be more difficult.

BUSTING MYTHS ABOUT GENDER AND COAT COLOR

“Chestnut mare, beware.” If you’ve ever used this phrase or nodded knowingly in agreement when you heard it, you’ve been perpetrating a scientifically inaccurate and potentially harmful stereotype, according to new research from the University of Sydney.

CONSULTANTS

Have a question about your horse’s health, care or training? Our experts offer solutions for a range of equine-management problems. Write to EQUUS Consultants, P.O. Box 7510, Falls Church, Virginia 22040; email: EQLetters@aimmedia.com. Send photos when helpful.

A BETTER WAY TO READ THE SIGNS OF LAMENESS

Equine lameness can be difficult to detect, but a study from England confirms the reliability of a relatively new tool for identifying subtle signs of musculoskeletal pain in horses.

Diarrhea: Is It Serious?

Learn how to tell the difference between loose manure and potentially deadly diarrhea—and how to protect your horse when the condition strikes.

Keeping It Simple

Don’t overcomplicate kids’ first lessons.

FALL RIDING AT FORT ROBINSON

RICH IN WESTERN HISTORY, FORT ROBINSON’S 20,000 ACRES IS FILLED WITH BEAUTIFUL BUTTES AND ROLLING HILLS, MAKING IT THE PERFECT FALL DESTINATION.

Standing Together

This program uses horsemanship to provide hope and healing for combat veterans and first responders.

LONGEING: More Than Running in Circles

This time-honored exercise can both train and condition your horse. Learn to make the most of it.

How Are You Handling It?

WE’RE ALL IN THE STORM, just in different boats.

Develop at His Own Pace

Every horse is different. Don’t let the pressure of getting ready for a particular event cause you to push your horse past what he’s capable of doing.

Hope for Howie

This plucky gelding beat the odds—twice. Once when he survived being starved and abandoned, and again when he overcame a debilitating illness.

Feelin' COWY

Learn how to use cattle work to improve your horse’s overall responsiveness with tips from trainer Ben Baldus.

BREATHTAKING BANFF

RIDE the jewel of the Canadian Rockies with our insider guide to three top outfitters ready to take you into the vast Banff National Park.

What You Don't Know About... Russian Blues

Silver-Tipped Elegance

WHO YA GONNA CALL?

Planning For Disasters and Evacuation

The Plight of Homeless Cats

What Do Cat Fanciers Have to Do with This Anyway?

My First Cat

First Cats. We all have that special very first cat—the one that we had as a child, or perhaps the first one when we had a home of our own. Maybe one found us, and we hadn’t realized that we needed a cat until then. Or perhaps this special cat was a first rescue, first pedigreed cat or first show cat. These are the stories of some of those special cats.

Letters from Lockdown

Recently, the staff of Cat Talked asked our feline correspondents to let us know what kind of impact the lockdown/ quarantine was having on them and their households. Here is a sample of the responses we received.