Equussource Feature Articles: Fall 2009

Feature Story: Walking Tall: NWHA Member DeDe Marshall

Every breed of horse has special qualities that more often than not mirror the personality and disposition of their owner. This is certainly true of DeDe Marshall, a loyal Southern States customer, proud Walking Horse owner and longtime member of the National Walking Horse Association (NWHA). What makes walking horses so special?

New Contest: 2009 "Show Us Your Tricks" Photo Contest

Does your horse or pony have a special talent? Can they climb steps? Do they give you kisses? Can they run through a pole bending pattern without a rider? We want to see!

Feature Story: Educating Riders: Dr. Ken Marcella, DVM

Education. It’s both a passion and a calling for Dr. Ken Marcella. EquuSSource caught up with the good doctor en route from his home in Clermont, Georgia to Greenville, South Carolina where he was slated to speak at the Region Five NATRC (North American Trail Riders Conference) Annual Convention. The attendees were in for a treat!

Feature Story:  Horses, Humans and Long Hammers

“Playing polo is like trying to play golf during an earthquake,” Sylvester Stallone once said. Yep, Rambo is a polo player. This fact implies two basic truths about the sport: it’s fast, fun and exciting enough to entertain even the biggest action movie heroes, and there’s no stereotypical player. If Rocky Balboa is out there knocking the ball around, why not you?

Feature Story: Code of the Trail

Riding the trails on a trusty steed is to take a trip back into Americana. Though the phrase “trail riding” may evoke past memories of galloping through the woods, jumping over logs and wading through rushing rivers, these days it’s a bit more tame.

Equine Health: Tying Up Disease Update in the Horse

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM), better known as “tying up disease” is a metabolic muscle problem found in stock and draft horse breeds. Horses with PSSM have symptoms including exertional rhabdomyolysis or tying up, muscle tremors and gait abnormalities. Recent research has shown that a mutation in the GYS1 gene can cause unregulated and excessive glycogen formation in the muscle cells of horses with PSSM.

Time Changes Everything

A little over three years ago we launched the vibrant EquuSSource magazine. And since then we’ve captured stories from amazing Southern States customers. Our stories have featured those who have persevered to win major championships, who work night and day to cure crippling diseases and who rise early every morning to care for their pride and joy.

Feature Story: Hylton Quarter Horses

Aristotle. Socrates. Plato. History’s great philosophers are few and far between, but there is one living today on Hylton Quarter Horse Farms in Gainesville, Virginia. Her wisdom encompasses both human and equine happiness, and she dispenses sage insights on these subjects like … well … a sage. Her name is Cecilia Hylton, and she has life in the Quarter Horse world figured out.

Feature Story: Pony Power

The life of any human being can be touched and changed forever by the soul of a horse. The quiet, comforting presence of an equine companion has the ability to reach places within our hearts and minds that can, for too long, remain untouched. In the depth of their bright gazes a person can explore their own heart and the gentle roll and swell of their movement under a rider can encourage an awakening within body, mind and soul.

Training Tips: Selecting the Right Bit for Your Horse

Whether you are selecting a bit to fine-tune your prize show horse or to counteract some equine shenanigans, choosing a bit can be a challenging endeavor. When my students ask me for advice on bit selection I remind them to think of the word brakes.

2009 Foals For Love Photo Contest Results

They’re back! Enjoy the heart-winning pictures in our 2009 Foals For Love Contest! Once again, we loved your photographs so much that we decided to share some of the notable entries along with the winner.

New Contest: 2009 "On the Go!" Photo Contest

Whoa! Stop and think a minute - summer outings are here, so why not take your camera, capture the moment and share your memories with us! On vacation with your horse, traveling to some place far away only to end up back in the saddle, or, an everyday summer moment in the barn or pasture—capture it on film.

Jessi's Q & A: Tips for saving money in the horse world

With all the doom and gloom in the economy right now, I’d still like to be able to go to a few shows this summer in order to keep my mind sane. What are some ways I can save money while still getting some time in the show ring?

Celebrating The Southern States Family

Outstanding Equine Employee - Todd Berger of Berger's Agway

A warm and sunny summertime “thank you” for all that you do goes out to Todd Berger of Berger’s Agway in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania. Todd has given our valued customers 26 years of exceptional service and has developed an extensive knowledge of product lines. His commitment, wisdom, and caring spirit have brought many outstanding accolades from customers and within Southern States.