Posts by Blake Smith

Writer’s Guide to Horses Part X

Traveling with and by horse

Most modern horses don’t have to go from Point A to Point B on their own legs; that’s what horse trailers are for. But until the development of cars starting in the late 1800s, nearly everyone traveled on horseback or by carriage if they were going any great distance. Quite a turnabout- horses used to haul us around; now we haul them around. Read more

Writer’s Guide to Horses Part IX

Harnessing and Driving

For much of history, horses were mostly used as draft and driving animals. Read more

A Writer’s Guide to Horses Part VIII

Feeding and Housing

There can be enormous difference between what a horse is supposed to eat, and what a horse will eat, given half a chance. One of my childhood horses ate a banana peel when it was offered. She was only supposed to sniff it, but apparently thought it smelled good enough to eat. I’ve also heard stories of horses eating cheeseburgers and drinking Diet Cokes, but most of a horse’s caloric intake comes from other, more normal sources. Read more

A Writer’s Guide to Horses Part VII

Horse people are occasionally surprised that horses remain a viable species. They’re subject to as many illnesses as any other species, and some individuals require very specialized care. Read more

A Writer’s Guide to Horses VI

“Keep a leg on either side and your mind in the middle.” Read more

A Writer’s Guide to Horses V

In which I pontificate about brushing and tacking up horses, and you learn something (hopefully): Read more

A Writer’s Guide to Horses Part IV

Safety and Basic Handling

Hold on to your hats, ladies and gentlemen; this is a monster of a post and it only covers a few bits of the subject. Later installments will talk about saddling and riding horses. Read more