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Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: It’s common for horses in advanced stages of osteoarthritis to refuse to allow a hoof to be lifted off the ground due to high pain it causes. After watching a farrier on YouTube use a 2 x 6” board to stand the hoof on it with a side overhanging the edge, which allowed enough room to slide a file under to rasp off excess hoof. Lacey would only stand on the board a few seconds at a time, finding it more comfortable to have her leg lifted up and stretched forward to rest on the hoof stand so the undercarriage could be worked on.

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HORSEPLAY: Hoof trimming for the arthritic horse

I REMEMBER CLEARLY the day my beautiful palomino Lacey refused to let me pick up her left front…

Submitted photo Neon Riders 4-H Club’s Ruby Coulson stands in front of the renowned Saddlebred Horseman Tom Moore’s statue fresh from her win in the Individual Presentation Contest for her slide-show and speech, “Equine Regenerative Therapies.” at the 4-H National competition in Kentucky. Billed as the Largest Youth Equine Education Event in North America, it’s a huge accomplishment for the young woman from Sequim.

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HORSEPLAY: Sequim student wins first at 4-H Nationals

WHO’D A THOUGHT the day would come when stem-cell therapy would be used to improve the healing of…

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PENINSULA HORSEPLAY: Learn how to hike, bike or motor near horses

“WELL, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, surprise!” I’m hearing Gomer Pyle’s catch phrase from the 1960s Andy Griffith TV show going…

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: A crowded room greeted Washington State Park’s Miller Peninsula planners when they hosted an Open House Tuesday in an event room at the 7-Cedars Hotel. Local residence were there to voice their concerns and opposition to the State’s plan to turn the well-used multi-use community park set in its natural surroundings into a recreational tourist attraction with 127 camp sites — some large enough for big Recreational Vehicles — and even a lodge style hotel.

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HORSEPLAY: Miller Peninsula planners hear an earful from equestrians

THE HUNDREDS OF people in attendance were packed like sardines into the Blyn-Bay event room at the 7…

Photo by Karen Griffiths Ranahan Pony Club members Asha Swanberg (age 13), left, Elise Sirguy (12), Libby Swanberg (15) and Danica Pacilel (13), with sisters Sierra (17), Marissa (15) and Eliza Steffen (9) gather for a lesson at Serenity Farms, located off Blue Mountain Road.

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HORSEPLAY: Horse rallies provide competition, education, fun

ARE YOU READY to rally? For Libby Swanberg, rallies are one of the most thrilling aspects of being…

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: A Competitive Mounted Orienteering’s competition was held at Layton Hill Horse Camp last weekend. Organizer Wendy Brundle, left, along with one of this year’s top prize winning teams — the Free 4 Alls —in the long course competition Brianna Bell, Darcy Jaxon and Melissa Rogers.

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HORSEPLAY: Horseback treasure hunts offer fun for all riders

A TREASURE HUNT on a horseback ride through the woods — how cool is that? The Competitive Mounted…

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HORSEPLAY: The right thing can be hard to do

SHE MADE THE right call. Though some may question it, or even chastise her for it.

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: BCH Buckhorn Range member, and Jefferson County Assessor Jeff Chapman, left, with fellow member Bob Hoyle and State Representative Mike Chapman discuss some of the problems and possible solutions to keeping dedicated multi-use trails open to horses, along with preserving the ruralness of Miller Peninsula State Park for “our kids and future generations,” emphasized M. Chapman.

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HORSEPLAY: Fairs, 4-H and camping for horses on the Peninsula

AFTER THE WORLD as we knew it came to a screeching halt at the height of the pandemic,…

Karen Griffiths/For Peninsula Daily News A fine mesh fly sheet from OPEN’S used tack shop that covers the body, belly and neck, plus a fly mask, has proved the best combatant for my horse Lacey’s allergic reaction to the saliva from flying insect bites. The sheet and mask are sprayed with horse insect repellent before putting them on her. Her companion Sunny has no allergic reaction, so she just wears a fly mask to keep the flies out of her eyes.

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HORSEPLAY: Horses can be allergic to bug bites, too

DON’T YOU JUST hate to go outside at dusk and get attacked by biting insects? I know I…

Submitted by Katie Newton Cutline:4-H horse club pre fair show high point winners at the Clallam County Fairgrounds are, front row from left: Taylor Maughan, Savannah Bolton, Asha Swanberg, Lila Torey. Back row from left: Ruby Coulson, Katelynn Sharpe, Aiden Johnstad

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HORSEPLAY: 4-H horse club gears up for county fairs with pre-show

HELPING HANDS ARE ever so important as we age, thus I was tickled pink to see Olympic Peninsula…

Karen Griffiths / for Peninsula Daily News Samantha Parks weaves through the team pole bending competition at a PSHA competition held last weekend at the Crosby’s Arena in Agnew.

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HORSEPLAY: Horses, riders enjoy weekend competition

IT WAS SO good to see the many familiar faces last weekend at the Patterned Speed Horse Association…

Photo by Kris Lenke BCH Buckhorn Range member and Dutch Oven “Queen” Kim Merrick serves dessert to Martin Knowles (WTA) and fellow chapter member Larry Sammons during a LaBar/Skok trail clearing work party.

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HORSEPLAY: Horse groups join forces to clear trails

BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN’S local chapter trail warriors rock! If you walk, run, bike or ride any of the…

Courtesy of Donna Hollatz BCH Peninsula Chapter members enjoy friendship and a hearty breakfast before their annual Rhody Ride at Miller Peninsula.

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HORSEPLAY: Annual ‘OPEN the Trails’ fundraiser slated in July

HEY! SOME LOCAL horse owners are scrambling to find feed for their stock animals. I was told by…

Courtesy photo High school equestrians Maggie Anderson, left, Sydney Hutton, Libby Swanberg and Joanna Seelye prepare to enter the arena for the Grand Entry at Washington High School Equestrian Team (WAHSET) State Finals.

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HORSEPLAY: Port Angeles and Sequim high school equestrians place at state finals

SEEMS LIKE FOREVER and a day since I rode horseback, yet when my desire to just get up…

Courtesy of Hannah Grace Congratulations to Heron Pond Farm owner/trainer Christine Headley, riding Gordy, for receiving The Dressage Foundation’s $1,000 grant from its Trip Harting Fund for Pony Club Members and Graduates.

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HORSEPLAY: Port Townsend horse trainer, coach wins $1,000 grant

IT’S DISHEARTENING WHEN I visit Miller Peninsula State Park and see cars parked in slots for horse trailers.…

Submitted photo Sequim and PA’s high school equestrian teams merged to compete as one in Freestyle 4’s Drill Team, placing 1st in meet 3 and winning a gold medal are Joanna Seelye, left, Libby Swanberg, Maggie Anderson and Sydney Hutton with coaches Katie Newton, left, and Keri Tucker. Watch them compete live at state finals May 19-22 by visiting https://www.wahset.info/stream-links and clicking on District 4.

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HORSEPLAY: PA, Sequim equestrian teams head to state meet

LET’S ALL CHEER and congratulate the Sequim and Port Angeles equestrian teams on their Washington State High School…

Snickers the rescued donkey with owner Tony Boaz, left, and farrier Glade Rankin. (Karen Griffiths / for Peninsula Daily News)

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HORSEPLAY: Couple gives heart, soul to helping rescue animals

OPEN offers help to young equestrians

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Jehovah’s Witnesses return to places of worship, not your doors

SINCE MARCH 2020, the once bustling Kingdom Halls have stayed eerily silent, devoid of Jehovah’s Witnesses activities, after…

Photo by Karen Griffiths Cutline: At the horse trailer parking area off Happy Valley Road in Sequim, riders Teresa Crossley, left, Linda Morin and Judy Dupree were all smiles after finishing up the BCH Peninsula Chapter’s March 13th ride at the Dungeness Trails, located just outside city limits off River Road.

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HORSEPLAY: Rides of March wander down Dungeness Trails

BEWARE THE RIDES of March. That was the phrase Back Country Horsemen Peninsula Chapter Event Coordinator Linda Morin…

Photo by Katie Newton Cutline: WAHSET competitors from the Sequim and Port Angeles teams get ready to compete in Versatility at the second district meet of the season, held at Gray’s Harbor Fairgrounds, are from left, Sydney Hutton, Haley Bishop, Maggie Anderson, and Libby Swanberg getting ready for Versatility

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HORSEPLAY: Equestrian meets a team challenge

DO I DARE? The weather’s getting warmer and spring is almost here, so do I dare keep the…