Katherine Walcott
Katherine Walcott is a freelance writer living in the countryside near Birmingham, Al. She writes for anyone she can talk into paying her and rides whatever disciplines she can talk her horses into doing.
Articles by Katherine Walcott
Eliminating Ammonia
December 01, 2011
The products available to control ammonia buildup in barns boast a variety of forms and ingredients. Read More
Eradicating Pasture Erosion
May 01, 2008
Fixing pre-existing pasture erosion will probably entail a visit by a county extension agent or a pasture management consultant. Options would be to reduce the number of horses, lime and fertilize, or, in cases of major deterioration, to start over. Read More
Safe and Healthful Stall Mats
June 01, 2007
So you have decided to invest in rubber mats for your stalls. What now? In this article, we'll compare some of the available features, and we'll give you points to consider when refining the requirements for your barn.
An important Read More
Buying Better Hay -- Stacks of Decisions
October 01, 2004
The quality of hay is important to maintaining proper digestion. Quality hay contains nothing harmful (dust, mold, weeds, or foreign objects), provides the necessary nutrients for the horse consuming it, and is palatable. Read More
Feeding Horses With Laminitis
August 01, 2004
What do you feed a horse with laminitis? Nothing, plus a bit of hay is a common diet. Does it work? Yes, and no. Expert opinions and modern research are showing that, in some cases, nothing might be the wrong answer when it comes to feedstuffs, Read More
Making Cross Country Jumps Safer
July 01, 2003
A company in the United Kingdom has created a jump design to lessen the severity of cross-country jumping falls. In 1999, several U.K. riders died from accidents on cross-country jumps. The resultant British Horse Trials Association study Read More
Frangible Pins: Making Cross Country Jumps Safer
May 20, 2003
A company in the United Kingdom has created a jump design to lessen the severity of cross-country falls. In 1999, several U.K. riders died from accidents on cross-country jumps. The resultant study committee hired the Transport Research Read More
Mosquito Patrol
July 01, 2002
Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance, they are a public and equine health hazard. In addition to spreading West Nile virus (WNV), mosquitoes can carry malaria, yellow fever, dengue, filariasus (e.g., dog heartworm), and several encephalitis Read More
Airing Out Your Barn
October 18, 2001
Many agree that older barns are gorgeous, but are they good for horses? There are many issues to consider, such as construction, footing, layout, and safety. One of the biggest issues is ventilation--is your horse getting enough air? Read More
Posting The Guard
September 17, 2001
With more land owners deciding to use their acres to house a horse or pony comes the inevitable question, "Which fence should I use?" Because you are trying to contain living creatures who are nomadic by nature, and accident prone by design, you Read More
Common Barn Injuries
September 13, 2001
Two of the saddest words in the English language. After an accident, we tear ourselves apart thinking how we could have prevented it. If only I had seen...If only I had done...Yet, as horse people, we are surrounded by thousands of pounds of Read More
Wildlife Disease: Contagious Critters
May 01, 2001
Diseases from other animals pose a constant threat to our horses. Disease-causing agents, or pathogens, lurk in local wildlife, fly overhead in birds, and lay in the next field inside cows peacefully chewing their cuds. These disease agents--whether Read More
Girth Strap Tightness
April 01, 2001
Every time you saddle a horse, you tighten a girth. But how tight should you make that girth? Just enough to keep the saddle on? With space to slip a hand under the girth? As tight as it will go? Furthermore, how well does a horse breathe with this Read More
Prepurchase Exams: What Can They Tell You?
July 01, 2000
A prepurchase exam is not a guarantee of future soundness. A veterinarian can tell you if a horse is sound at that moment, point out evidence of past problems, and show you areas that have the potential to cause problems in the future. Read More
Fireproofing Older Barns
April 01, 2000
"Fire is living and breathing. It has its own life," says Amy Tryon. "It is sort of like horses. Once you think you've got it all figured out, something will come along and show you that you don't." However, Tryon knows more than most about both Read More
