About

I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. There was a riding stable right around the corner from where I lived when I was a kid. Even when I was very young I would wander down there in the morning at the weekends and spend the whole day mucking out horses and generally being a stable dog’s body.

It was great and I have such lovely memories of that time. In exchange for working more or less full-time at the weekends, I would be allowed a free riding lesson.  Recently when I was back home I went along to the stables and incredibly the lady who taught me as a child was still working there.

Over the years I have ridden, owned and borrowed horses, depending on my circumstances at the time. But one way or another, horses have been and always will be part of my life.

Here’s a picture of me and Hewie on a glorious summer’s day.

Open Canter

And this is me when I was, I think, about 10 years old, proudly wearing my clear round rosette.

Open Canter

You can probably tell from the photo that this was taken before digital cameras were a thing. Which makes me sound ancient!

I hope you find some interesting info in Open Canter.  My plan is to share what information I have gathered over the years and to continue sharing what I learn going forward. There never seems to be a ceiling to what you can learn about horses and ponies.

Latest Posts

  • Cactus Cloth For Horses:  Why is it Used for Grooming? 

    Cactus Cloth For Horses:  Why is it Used for Grooming? 

    At every horse store, you will find a section dedicated to horse grooming items. There is usually an array of special tools and sprays, combs, and brushes. They are all designed to help you keep your horse’s coat clean and shiny. However, one item you might not be familiar with is cactus cloth for horses.…

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  • Overo Lethal White Syndrome & Color-Related Disorders

    Overo Lethal White Syndrome & Color-Related Disorders

    To the average layperson, the importance of horse color genetics is often a baffling mystery. Does it really matter if a horse is bay, black, or chestnut? You don’t, after all, ride the color! Or to paraphrase yet another saying – a good horse is never a bad color. So why is there such an…

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  • Treats For Horses – The Good, The Bad and the Dangerous

    Treats For Horses – The Good, The Bad and the Dangerous

    We all love the taste of a little treat; whether that be chocolate, candy, or a packet of chips. Horses are the same, and love eating treats too! But what things can you feed as treats for horses? And are treats just a tasty morsel, or can they be used in training or to help…

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