Earl Who?

Four friends from France frolic in the ferns. CLICK HERE for story and VIDEO. (No silly alliteration, I promise!)

What's lobstering got to do with cowboying?

CLICK HERE to find out!

It's quick and painless. Kinda like getting vaccinated against EEE.
One Maine horse died this week and too many died last year.
CLICK HERE to read more about the University of Maine Cooperative Extension's request.

Take a stab at this fun form of poetry!

Click here to see our Horse-related Haikus.

 

Win Cool, Free Stuff!  
Enter our Summer Contest!
Click here to read more about how you can help keep the site alive and keep advertisers at bay!

It's Haying Season and the weather is fine!

CLICK HERE to read more.

After a lengthy investigation, Brett Ingraham has been arrested for criminal animal cruelty.

CLICK HERE to read more.

New York Times article on rags-to-riches mare; BBC article on horse abuser; Lewiston Sun feature on Michelle Melaragno.
Click here for these articles and more on our links page.

Click here to read about Maine Equine Welfare Alliance's newly elected chairs.

CART teams are becoming an essential part of response to animal emergencies. Click here to read more and get involved!

New Video!
After many months' wait, Maddy Gray receives new saddle from JJ Maxwell Saddle Company. We review it and take a first ride. Click here to read review and view video

We finally take our first dip of the summer in the delicious waters of Casco Bay.
Click here, but don't hate me!

DO TRY IT AT HOME!
Just when you think you've seen it all...
Click here to check out entertaining video.

Read more about the latest developments of the Maine Equine Welfare Alliance. Click here

We pause between wheelbarrow loads to give thanks.
Click here to read more!

Hitting the road?
Kicking back?
Competing in events large and small?
Click here to share your summer plans!

Horses were pivotal in my grandfather's military service and social outings. Click here to read more.

You might recognize someone by the way he walks.
This cowboy recognizes another through his cattle handling technique.
Click here for latest blog post.

What the heck are dogs and chickens doing in a NickerNews video?
All the gaits and more!
Click here to view.

We will travel 100 miles off the Canadian coast to one of the last places where horses are TRULY wild.
Click here to read more.

Kim Stone's adventures in Oregon continue with a painful turn of events.
Click here to read more.

Read Maddy Gray's review of the Martin Black's ranch versatility clinic at Gelinas Farm, Pembroke, NH.
Operative words: fun learning!
Click here.

Mara Miles recounts the frightening final leg of her cross country tour as their truck breaks down in heavy traffic. Click here for heebie-jeebies!

Elijah Moore knows a few things about horses.
Click here to read more about this transplanted Utah cowboy.

Guest columnist Mara Miles recounts her travels with husband, horses, and dogs.
Click here to read about the Cumberland Plateau and more!

Ok, no rattlesnake encounters yet, but sandstorm, yes!
Read more about Kim Stone's exciting summer of learning by clicking here.

Call it a long-eared love affair.
This group saves, trains, and adopts out donkeys and mules. Read more about SYA and their equine charges by clicking here.

We work on our team dynamics. We practice crossing scary places.
It's the Journey, not the Destination that counts here!
Read more and watch video by clicking here.

Kim Stone recounts her trials and evolution in Parts Three and Four of Dreams are Worth Dreaming!
Click here to check out her clinic
Click here for Part Three.
Click here for Part Four.

Clever pony...are there any other kinds of ponies?
We learn slowly at this blog post.
Click here!

Contest by National Public Radio inspires us to create 600 words of horsey fiction.
Click here for a few minutes of fun reading.

A few notes on the Dos and Don'ts when it comes to worming.
Dr. Rachel Flaherty of Maine Equine Associates helps us out.
Click here for blog post.

Versatility competitions are plenty this year! Check out the six-race Versatility Challenge at several Maine farms, starting in May, ending in October.

Click here for more details.

Then, check out everything else on the Events page.

A little humor to liven up your day!
Click here for a tour of the NickerNews closet.

Plenty of experienced horse and rider pairs turned out for Terry McClare's clinic. Proof that there's always more to learn! Click here to read clinic feedback.

Horses aren't bikes. You can't just hop back on after you've both taken the winter off. Ok, you can. But don't expect a bike-like ride! Click here for article and new video!

Check out our facebook fan page for two reports on a horse saved from a fall into a swimming pool in Marshfield, Massachusetts, an old stomping ground.
Many thanks to my friend, Kelly Newell, for passing on this large animal emergency rescue story WITH a happy ending!

I'd like to say, "Never Again" when it comes to witnessing horse abuse and neglect like what I saw at Foul Play Farm in Clinton.
But it'll happen again, guaranteed, without change at the state's Animal Welfare Program.
Read more by clicking here.

A curious equine swap benefits all parties.
Check out the story and NEW video by clicking here!

Guest columnist Sonia Theobalds writes about money, horses, and Long-Suffering-Horse-Husbands in this piece.
Click here to read more!

NickerNews takes the Facebook plunge.
Join us on Facebook - post comments and photos and generally join in the fun.  Fans are joining from all over the place, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Maine, and beyond. Click on logo to sign up.
Have suggestions? Let us know on our new NickerNews Facebook fan page, a work in progress. Click here to go directly to NickerNews' facebook page

Two girls get out.
One remains.

What happens?
Click here for latest blog post.

We talked with the National Weather Service for advice on what to do with horses and tornado watches. Click here.

Dozens turned out to help initiate the creation of the Maine Equine Welfare Coalition. Click here to read more and visit its temporary website.

Advocates for the horses at Fair Play Farm meet with District Attorney Evert Fowle.
Click here for latest news as the law considers alleged wrongdoings by Alexis and Brett Ingraham.

Terry McClare puts us through our paces at her Footloose Farm in Brownfield, Maine.
Click here to read more.

The Maine Farm Bureau recently announced the 2009 winners of its new Horse Farm of Merit program. Six farms from all around the state won garners.
Click here to check out the winners.

Local complicity, state complacency...
Read the latest developments in this story of equine abuse at Fair Play Farm in Clinton, Maine. Click here to go to update and links.

1. Open neglect at Fair Play Farm.
2. State complacency and disconnect.
-Read extensive reporting.
-Download flyers, make phone calls, network, and take action!
Click here for stories and links.

Tips for maintaining your horse's weight during the winter, especially considering this summer's poor hay quality.
Dr. Rachel Flaherty of Maine Equine Associates lends her expertise. Click here to read article.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar wants to send mustangs to greener pastures in the East and Midwest... He wants to give them Special Designation and create an eco-tourism destination around mustang roaming ranges. Oh, you just gotta read this plan. Click here.

Ever feel like the that beloved Barn Smell goes with you wherever you go?

Have you gone all day/month/year in the same dingy boots/jeans/coat?

Read one woman's resolution to step out of the mist and into a spiffier style. Click here for latest blogpost.

A wovel is a web-based, audience-plotted novel. Follow the exploits of Jean and Lily as they ride along. Then vote on how you'd like the story to proceed. Cool, huh?
Click here to read Chapter 3.

My friend Peppermint Patty wasn't quite ready to come with me. She's what one might call a go-y girl. Check out this fun video by clicking here.

Guest columnist Sonia Theobalds shares the fun.
Click here to read about her times with a troop of horse friends.

The tragedy in Waldoboro has a bright side as one NickerNews reader shows off one who survived the wretched scene - her wonderful, newly adopted, 10-year old paint mare.
Check her out at Your Horse pages by clicking here. (Remember to click the option to view newest horses FIRST.)

Dontcha just love Christmas? positively overflowing with warm spirit, good will, and all that fun stuff!

Click here for a peak from Scrooge's window!

Think this photo has NOTHING to do with Barn Time? Think again! Check out a holiday-stress blog entry by clicking here.

Combatting not the War on Drugs but the War on Winter Blues, click here to read more about NickerNews strategies and add your own!

Check out this fun, frolicky video celebrating the first snow of the year. Another happy-go-lucky NickerNews production.
Click here to check it out!

Read the third and final installment by guest columnist Sherrye Johnson-Trafton writes about her training and experience at the Equine Affaire's Versatile Horse Competition.
Hint, hint: Lookin' good, sista!
  Read more at our blog and/or click here go to her article.

Who cares about supplements, blanketing, and grooming?
Read this fun essay about the gamut of acceptable horse care and horsemanship.
Join in the fun and add your own examples.