Equestrian Calendar
A listing of all things equine from April to November 2008.

Barn cats make special companions for horses
Anna Loven starts each morning by scanning her yard, looking for Daddy Cat and Shooter. She doesn't rest easy until she spots them.

Glance at Barn Cat Program
Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society's program aims to find barn homes for wild or otherwise difficult cats.

The path most taken: favorite trail rides
As spring approaches, and the snow melts, equestrians and their horses are re-emerging on the trails. From the beach to forested paths to enclosed farms, riders are everywhere.

HAPPY TRAILS: Avoiding off-road missteps
Don't ride with Paris and Linda unless you mean it, said Roberta Bryant of Craig Equestrian Center to one of her new boarders once. "They go out and don't come back until after dark."

Vet in the making teaches first aid for horses
When Jennifer Kupras calmly and confidently kneels down to help a young Girl Scout wrap a horse's front leg from knee to fetlock, she looks like a veterinarian in action.

Bedding Blues Horse owners lose sleep over scarcity, rising costs
A falling housing market is causing horse owners to lose sleep over rising costs and scarcity of traditional bedding materials such as softwood sawdust and wood shavings.

Oh, what a feeling: Riding's all about the relationship
Want to be a better rider? Then be a good listener. That's what two area riding instructors suggest, when queried about how to approach horseback riding. It's not just a matter of telling your horse what to do and when to do it. It's also a matter of what the horse is telling you - and whether you're hearing and responding properly.