Articles written by Deborah Messner

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About me - Deborah Messner

My name is Deb Messner. I'm 34 years old and currently live in the southeastern United States. My current farm menagerie includes several horses, chickens, birds, cats and my beautiful two year old Rottweiler.

I have been an avid equestrian, competitor and

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Pets & Animals > Horse Care & Health How to cool down a horse after a strenuous ride: 1 of 24

Horses have similar needs to humans when it comes to cooling down after strenuous exercise and competition. If a horse makes an immediate transition from a vigorous workout to standing completely still, complications such as muscle cramping, shock, and colic can quickly occur. Preventing these potentially deadly hazards is s...
Politics, News & Issues > Economic News Starbucks is running low on bucks: 600 stores to close: 1 of 14

I admit it. I'm a Starbucks junkie. I am also a very practical person. And that leaves me, as well as many other people, in a bad situation at the moment. With the announcement that Starbucks will be closing the doors of 600 of its locations, and the sudden debates over the company and its ethics as a whole, Americans are su...
Pets & Animals > Horse Care & Health Horse grooming tips: Mane and tails: 1 of 9

There is nothing prettier than a horse with a soft, flowing, luxurious mane and tail. Whether you are grooming your horse's mane and tail for the show ring or home, it's important to follow some important steps in getting that picture-perfect look. Mane and tail health begins with your feeding program. Like humans, horses wi...
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Living with asthma as an adult: 4 of 14

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was about nine years old, back in the 1980's, long before the disease was a common household phrase. Having spent so much of my childhood sick, in an emergency room, or in a hospital, the new diagnosis really didn't seem to bother me much. In addition to everything else, I now had an inhale...
Pets & Animals > Animal Rights & Issues Should Eight Belles' Jockey be suspended pending a legal investigation?: 2 of 7

Just like any other athlete or sports team, the race horse industry is composed of many players; the owners, the trainers, the jockeys, the track officials, the spectators, the gamblers, the veterinarians, the farriers, and, of course, the racehorses themselves. When things are going well, these key participants spend a lot ...
Pets & Animals > Dog Breeds Commentary: Breed specific legislation (BSL): 9 of 30

I am the owner of a beautiful 10-month-old neutered male Rottweiler. I purchased him from a breeder back in November 2007, after about 4 years spent dreaming of owning my first Rottweiler. As I type this, my Rottie is laying upside down on the kitchen floor, his new red Kong Wubba toy hugged happily between his front paws. H...
Pets & Animals > Horse Care & Health Horse grooming tips for show day: 1 of 3

Nothing looks prettier or more professional than a well-groomed and polished horse and rider in a show ring. What separates the would-be winners from the top-of-the-line horse show divas is attention to detail, for both you and your horse. Preparation and attention to detail are crucial for your success in the show ring! Whe...
Health & Fitness > Asthma How to control your asthma: 6 of 14

Learning to live with and control your asthma can seem like a daunting task at first. I don't know a single person who would choose to live a life where you have unexpected bouts of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, tightening in your chest, pain in your lungs, and feeling like you're going to pass out at any second. ...
Entertainment > Musicians & Bands Assessing Robert Plant's talent: 3 of 6

As I stood there in that very long ticket line, I continuously reminded myself that I wasn't there for me, I was there for him. The year was 1993, and I was standing there, skipping my second semester Intro To Shakespeare class, with the intention of surprising my then boyfriend (now husband) with tickets to see Robert Plant...
Pets & Animals > Horse Accessories & Tack Tips for buying a fence for your horse pen: 2 of 4

Choosing the correct fence enclosure for your horses can be a daunting task, especially for new horse owners who don't have much experience with confining equines in a pasture setting. Horses, by nature, are flight animals, and their sheer size and inability to think rationally when frightened can cause some serious problems...