On one hand, our demands must increase with time, if we want the horse to become stronger. But, on the other hand, if we take this a step too far, we end up with injuries. This is tricky enough with humans, but with horse’s it’s almost like a lottery. Not only are they not able to tell us when something is wrong, they actively try to conceal it! It is in their nature to hide smaller issues and compensate for pain by adjusting the way they use their body, so often that we don’t even know anything is wrong until something is very wrong. Keeping an eye on your horse’s muscles is a good way to spot any potential issues before they become serious.

Six years ago, Star-Buck was near death. Emaciated and weighing only 400 pounds, he was rescued by Angela Wood and friends. Now, the 10-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding is strong enough to walk across the country with Wood to raise awareness for childhood hunger.