The last thing that any of us want to hear as horse owners is that our beloved animals need to have surgery. In some instances, it is an emergency situation, such as a colic surgery, in which case there is…
Blog Archives
The Importance of Down Time
Sometimes we can all use a vacation, and as I recently learned, that can go for our horses too! Over the past few months, my mare Luna has been acting uncharacteristically grumpy and spooky. While she has always been a…
Posted in Stories & Adventures
SmartPaker Picks: My Favorite New Products
As a longtime SmartPak employee, I am fortunate to get to see so many new, unique and innovative products- by far the hardest part is not buying them all! Below I’ve put together a few of my favorite new products…
Posted in Gear Review, Stories & Adventures
When It’s Just Too Cold to Ride
As a resident New Englander, we are a pretty hardy bunch, and with the good fortune of having an indoor arena, I usually find myself riding in most of the winter weather, including snow and ice. But my horse has…
Posted in Stories & Adventures
Birthdays are Made for Cake
Recently, my horse Riker celebrated his 23rd birthday. Now I have to admit, in the nearly 20 years I’ve owned him, I’ve never made a huge deal about birthdays. In fact, I’ve occasionally forgotten to celebrate the day. This year,…
#TBT – That Time My Horse Jumped Out of the Arena
Like many riders, I have numerous favorite horse show memories, but there is one that stands out clearly as both the most humorous and the most memorable. It was August 1996, and my horse Riker and I were competing in…
Posted in Stories & Adventures
Top Tips for Managing Respiratory Issues
Respiratory issues can be difficult to diagnose, treat, and manage, but with the right plan you can help your horse breathe easier. In this blog I’ll share my top tips for keeping your horse’s respiratory system healthy and managing issues.…
Posted in Health & Nutrition
Helping Your Horse Move to a New Barn
Let’s face it- moving is rarely fun! And just like for you, moving can be really stressful on your horse. For those of us that board, and even those that keep their horses at home, moving is likely to be…
Posted in Stories & Adventures, Travel
Managing Stifle Issues
As any horse owner who has dealt with them can attest to, stifle issues can be tough to diagnose, treat, and manage. In the blog below, I’ll share my top tips for what has helped my horse Luna stay comfortable…
Posted in Health & Nutrition
Tips for Juggling a Busy Schedule and Horses
Like many riders, I have to balance barn time with an otherwise full schedule, and it isn’t always easy! Most of us have to manage riding, family, work, and other responsibilities, and it can be challenging to find the time…
Posted in SmartPak Features, Stories & Adventures
Tax Refund Shopping!
I’m not sure about you, but any time I get some extra cash, it’s hard not to spend it all on new gear! While I did set aside some of my tax refund this year for boring things like credit…
Posted in In the Tack with the Pak
Peek in Our Paks: Kerri V.
Staff Member: Kerri Vuolo Department: Marketing Horse: Riker, 20-year old Appendix Quarter Horse Discipline: Trail Riding I started riding at the age of 10, and by the time I turned 11 I convinced my parents to purchase my first horse,…
Posted in Barn of the Month
A Horse For Christmas
As any horse-crazy child can attest, the greatest Christmas gift one could ever receive is an equine friend. In this blog, several SmartPakers share their fond memories of getting a horse or pony for Christmas. Have you ever received a…
Posted in Stories & Adventures
Journey to Our First Big Dressage Show (on a Rainy Saturday)
It was a warm and sunny day in 2012 at the NEDA (New England Dressage Association) Spring Show and I was spectating, admiring all the beautiful horses and riders. My Connemara/Thoroughbred mare Luna and I had never competed at such…
Peek in Our Tack Trunks – Kerri V
First off, I’d like to admit that I don’t actually have one trunk, I have three! Well, technically four if you count the small one, but to keep this to a blog and not a book, I’ll just cover my…
Posted in Gear Review, In the Tack with the Pak
