Tuscany, Italy, can be considered one of the most beautiful places in the world and is a great setting for vacationing on horseback. First, let’s explore a bit about the history of Tuscany.

Tuscany is a region in central Italy, located in the west-central part of the country. It is bordered by the regions of Liguria to the north-west, Emilia-Romagna to the north, Marche to the east, Umbria to the south-east, Lazio to the south, and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west.

The history of Tuscany is long and complex. The region was first inhabited by the Etruscans, a mysterious people who left behind a rich culture and many archaeological sites. The Etruscans were conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, and Tuscany became an important part of the Roman Empire.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Tuscany was ruled by a succession of different peoples, including the Ostrogoths, the Lombards, and the Franks. In the 11th century, the region began to emerge as a political entity, with the rise of city-states such as Florence, Pisa, and Siena.

The Renaissance, which began in Tuscany in the 14th century, was a time of great cultural and artistic florescence in the region. Many of the world's most famous artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli, were born and worked in Tuscany during this period.

In the 18th century, Tuscany was ruled by the House of Lorraine. In 1861, Tuscany became part of the Kingdom of Italy. Today, Tuscany is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful scenery, its rich history and culture, and its delicious food. Some of the most popular tourist destinations in Tuscany include Florence, Pisa, Siena, and the Chianti region.

Here are some of the key events in the history of Tuscany:

• 1000 BC: The Etruscans settle in Tuscany.
• 351 BC: Tuscany is conquered by Rome.
• 476 AD: The fall of the Roman Empire.
• 11th century: The rise of the city-states of Florence, Pisa, and Siena.
• 14th century: The Renaissance begins in Tuscany.
• 1861: Tuscany becomes part of the Kingdom of Italy.

Horseback riding vacations in Tuscany, Italy offer a variety of benefits, including:

• Exploring the stunning countryside: Tuscany is known for its rolling hills, vineyards, and cypress-lined roads, which are all perfect for horseback riding. You can explore the countryside at your own pace, taking in the scenery and wildlife.
• Learning about Italian culture: Horseback riding is a popular activity in Italy, and you can learn about the country's equestrian traditions from your guide. You may also get to visit some of the region's historical landmarks, such as castles and churches.
• Getting some exercise: Horseback riding is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air. It's also a low-impact activity that's gentle on your joints.
• Bonding with animals: Horses are gentle and intelligent creatures, and bonding with them can be a rewarding experience. You'll learn to trust and respect your horse, and they'll teach you patience and compassion.
• Releasing stress: Horseback riding is a great way to relax and de-stress. The rhythmic motion of the horse can help to calm your mind and body, and the fresh air and scenery can help you to clear your head.

Read more: Spend Your Horseback Riding Vacation in Tuscany, Italy!

We love watching television Westerns and wanted to offer our top 10 selections. We learned that in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the Western craze began to fade to make room for other genres. Some point out that a reason for this is that Westerns are often seen as a nostalgic look at a bygone era, and it can be difficult for modern audiences to relate to the characters and stories. They are also very expensive to produce and often require large casts, expensive sets, and elaborate costumes. This can make them a risky proposition for studios, especially in an era where audiences are increasingly demanding high-quality television. However, with the immense popularity of Yellowstone, there is still a tremendous interest in Western programming. Here is our list, beginning with the earlies to the most current series.

1. The Lone Ranger (1949-1957) The Lone Ranger is an American Western media franchise centered on a masked vigilante who fights for justice in the Old West. The character originated in a radio series that aired from 1933 to 1954, and has since been adapted into numerous films, television series, comic books, and other media. It starred Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger and Jay Silverheels as Tonto (although today the word Tonto would not be used to name a character due to the pejorative implications).

The series is set in the American Old West and follows the adventures of the Lone Ranger and Tonto as they fight for justice. The Lone Ranger is a masked man who rides a white horse named Silver. He is accompanied by Tonto, a Native American who is known for his wisecracks and his skill with tracking.

The Lone Ranger character has also been featured in numerous films and television series, including the 1956 film The Lone Ranger, the 1981 television series The Legend of the Lone Ranger, and the 2013 film The Lone Ranger.

2. Gunsmoke (1955-1975) This show is the longest-running primetime, live-action series with the highest number of scripted episodes for any U.S. prime-time television series of the 20th century.

The series is set in Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, and stars James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon, a U.S. marshal who is tasked with keeping the peace in the town. The show also features Dennis Weaver as Chester Goode, Dillon's deputy, and Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty, the owner of the Long Branch Saloon.

Gunsmoke was praised for its realistic portrayal of the Old West, its strong characters, and its well-written scripts. It was also a commercial success, becoming one of the most popular television shows of its era.

The show's popularity can be attributed to a number of factors. First, it was well-made and well-acted. The scripts were tight and the characters were well-developed. Second, the show was set in a time and place that was familiar to many viewers. The Old West was a time of great adventure and excitement, and Gunsmoke captured that sense of excitement. Third, the show was family-friendly. It was not violent or graphic, and it could be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Gunsmoke is considered to be one of the greatest Western television series ever made. It is a classic show that has stood the test of time. If you are a fan of Westerns or television history, then Gunsmoke is definitely worth checking out.

3. The Rifleman (1958-1963) Chuck Connors starred as Lucas McCain, a widowed Civil War veteran and sharpshooter raising his son Mark McCain (Johnny Crawford) on their ranch in the New Mexico territory. It was one of the first primetime series on US television to show a single parent raising a child.

The Rifleman was a popular show, and it was one of the most-watched television programs of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The show was praised for its strong characters, its family-friendly storylines, and its beautiful cinematography. The Rifleman was also notable for its use of Native American actors, which was rare for a Western show at the time.

The show's popularity can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the relationship between Lucas and Mark McCain was a heartwarming and relatable one. They were a close-knit family who always supported each other, and they always did the right thing. Second, the show was set in a time and place that was familiar to many viewers. The Wild West was a time of great adventure and excitement, and The Rifleman captured that sense of excitement. Third, the show was family-friendly. It was not violent or graphic, and it could be enjoyed by people of all ages.

4. Rawhide (1959-1965) This series shows the challenges faced by the drovers of a cattle drive. Most episodes are introduced with a monologue by Gil Favor (Eric Fleming), trail boss. In a typical Rawhide story, the drovers come upon people on the trail and involve themselves in other people's affairs, usually encountering various corrupt individuals. Many times, one or more of the crew ventures into a nearby town and encounter some trouble from crooked townspeople or lawless politicians from whom they need to be rescued. Rowdy Yates (Clint Eastwood) was young and at times impetuous in the earliest episodes, and Favor had to keep a tight rein on him.

This show may be best remembered for the young Clint Eastwood, who went onto an illustrious film career which included The Outlaw Josey Wales and Unforgiven, also in the Western genre.

Rawhide was a popular show, and it was one of the most-watched television programs of the early 1960s. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of the Old West, its strong characters, and its well-written scripts. Rawhide was also notable for its use of Native American actors, which was rare for a Western show at the time.

5. Bonanza (1959-1973) This family drama centered on the Cartwrights, a wealthy ranching family in the 1860s who live in the Ponderosa Ranch near Virginia City, Nevada. It is the second-longest-running Western series on U.S. network television (behind Gunsmoke), lasting 14 seasons. The Cartwright family is made up of patriarch Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene), and his three sons: Adam (Pernell Roberts), Hoss (Dan Blocker), and Little Joe (Michael Landon, who later starred in Little House on the Prairie). The show follows the family as they deal with the challenges of ranching, as well as the conflicts that arise from the changing times.

Bonanza was a popular show, and it was one of the most-watched television programs of the 1960s. The show was praised for its strong characters, its family-friendly storylines, and its beautiful cinematography. Bonanza was also notable for its use of Native American actors, which was rare for a Western show at the time.

The show's popularity can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the Cartwright family was a likable and relatable bunch.

They were a close-knit family who always supported each other, and they always did the right thing. Second, the show was set in a time and place that was familiar to many viewers. The Wild West was a time of great adventure and excitement, and Bonanza captured that sense of excitement. Third, the show was family-friendly. It was not violent or graphic, and it could be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Bonanza is considered to be one of the greatest Western television series ever made. It is a classic show that has stood the test of time. If you are a fan of Westerns or television history, then Bonanza is definitely worth watching.

6. Maverick (1957-1962) This was a lighthearted series which starred James Garner as Bret Maverick, a gambler and con artist who travels the Old West with his brother Bart Maverick (Jack Kelly).

The series was created by Roy Huggins and produced by Warner Brothers Television. It was one of the first Westerns to be filmed in color, and it was also one of the first to use a six-camera setup, which allowed for more realistic action sequences. Maverick was a popular show, and it was one of the most-watched television programs of the late 1950s. The show was praised for its humor, its light-hearted take on the Western genre, and its performances by Garner and Kelly. Maverick was also notable for its use of guest stars, which included many popular actors of the time, such as Clint Eastwood, Henry Fonda, and James Coburn.

The show's popularity can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the show was set in a time and place that was familiar to many viewers. The Old West was a time of great adventure and excitement, and Maverick captured that sense of excitement. Second, the show had strong characters who were relatable to viewers. Bret Maverick was a charming and likable rogue, while Bart Maverick was a more serious and responsible brother. Third, the show had humor that appealed to viewers of all ages.

7. The Wild Wild West (1965-1969) This show starred Robert Conrad as James West, a Secret Service agent, and Ross Martin as Artemus Gordon, a gadgeteer and master of disguise.

The series was created by Michael Garrison and produced by CBS Television. It was one of the first Westerns to be filmed in color, and it was also one of the first to use a six-camera setup, which allowed for more realistic action sequences.

The Wild Wild West was a popular show, and it was one of the most-watched television programs of the late 1960s. The show was praised for its suspenseful plots, its stylish visuals, and its humor. The Wild Wild West was also notable for its use of science fiction elements, such as robots and laser guns.

The show's popularity can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the show was set in a time and place that was familiar to many viewers. The Old West was a time of great adventure and excitement, and The Wild Wild West captured that sense of excitement. Second, the show had strong characters who were relatable to viewers. West was a handsome and charming hero, while Gordon was a wisecracking and resourceful sidekick. Third, the show had suspenseful plots that kept viewers guessing until the very end.

8. Big Valley (1965-1969) The series is set on the fictional Barkley Ranch in Stockton, California, from 1884 to 1888. The one-hour episodes follow the lives of the Barkley family, one of the wealthiest and largest ranch-owning families in Stockton, led by matriarch Victoria Barkley (Barbara Stanwyck), her sons Jarrod (Richard Long) and Nick (Peter Breck), daughter Audra (Linda Evans), and their half-brother Heath (Lee Majors).

The Big Valley was a groundbreaking show for its time. It was one of the first Westerns to feature a strong female lead, and it also featured a diverse cast of characters. The show was praised for its storytelling, acting, and production values. It has been cited as an influence on many other Westerns, including Deadwood and Longmire.

9. Deadwood (2004-2006) This American Western drama television series was created by David Milch that aired on HBO from 2004 to 2006. Milch’s television credits also include Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue. He was a thoroughbred racehorse owner and was co-owner of the 1992 Breeders' Cup Juvenile with the colt Gilded Time. Milch owned outright Val Royal who captured the 2001 Breeders' Cup Mile.

Stream DEADWOOD - SEASON 1 on Prime Video

The series is set in the 1870s in Deadwood, South Dakota, a lawless town that is quickly growing into a city. The show follows the lives of the people who live in Deadwood, including lawmen, prostitutes, businessmen, and outlaws.

The series is known for its complex characters, its realistic portrayal of the Old West, and its sharp dialogue. It has been praised by critics and viewers alike, and it has won numerous awards, including four Primetime Emmy Awards.

10. Yellowstone (2018- Present ) The series stars Kevin Costner as John Dutton, the patriarch of the Dutton family, who controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. The series follows the conflicts along the shared borders of the Yellowstone Ranch, a large cattle ranch, the Broken Rock Indian reservation, Yellowstone National Park and land developers.

Stream YELLOWSTONE on Prime Video

The main setting of the show, the Yellowstone Ranch, is actually the Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana. The ranch is a working cattle ranch and was homesteaded in 1880. It is located in the Bitterroot Valley, which is a beautiful and rugged part of Montana.

Yellowstone is a modern Western that explores themes of family, loyalty, and the American dream. It is a violent and suspenseful show, but it is also a visually stunning and emotionally resonant one. If you are a fan of Westerns or family dramas, then Yellowstone is definitely worth watching.

You can find more interesting stories in our section on Recreation & Lifestyle.

By Nick Pernokas

Forty-five-year-old Carlos Macias was raised in the small town of Elk Grove, California. This urban setting in a non-horsy family wasn’t the background that most people would think of for a cowboy. Carlos received a nudge in that direction from an aunt who was involved in “The Painted Ladies,” a drill team that performed at rodeos. She put him on his first horse when he was little and let him ride in some of the parades that she was performing in.

It was a while before fate intervened again. In 1989, Lonesome Dove premiered on TV and Carlos was captivated by the story. He began to think about really riding horses. By 1992, when he was 14, Carlos was cleaning stalls at a local ranch in return for learning to ride. An old mustanger named Jerry Lamb also worked there, and he put Carlos on a few colts.

“It was the old ‘teach a kid how to swim by throwing him in the pool’ deal,” laughs Carlos.

Garth Brooks was on the radio in the early Nineties, singing about rodeo, and cowboys were attractive to a boy searching for his identity. Carlos’s high school had an AG program and some of the students participated in high school rodeo. Soon, Carlos was riding bareback broncs at the rodeos. He competed in high school rodeo from his sophomore through his senior year.

“I was never really good at it,” says Carlos. “It landed me in the hospital a couple of times.”

In his senior year, Carlos took advantage of an internship program that allowed students to leave classes early to work in a field of their choosing. Carlos worked for a local cutting horse trainer, Ed Murphy, who helped him advance his horsemanship tremendously. Although Ed was training cutting horses at the time, he had been born and raised in Tonopah, Nevada, and he had a reverence for the ways of the Nevada buckaroo.

“That’s where I learned about the whole buckaroo thing and from there it just kind of started the fire.”

When Carlos graduated from high school in 1995, he headed to Bozeman, Montana, and enrolled at Montana State University for the fall semester.

Carlos attended MSU for a year, but the nightlife proved to be a distraction.

“I did a lot of growing.”

Carlos really wanted a cowboy-type job, so he went to work for an outfitter near Belgrade, Montana. The outfitter packed a lot of hunters into the back country and he bred Belgians, Andalusians and Quarter Horses to provide a big-boned remuda that was up to the task. There were a lot of colts to work with. Carlos lived there for a year and a half, even though he was still technically in school. He also started working for Pete Melniker at Double Diamond Halter in Gallatin Gateway, Montana.

Double Diamond made a handtied halter and lead that was very popular with equine clinicians. Pete provided an introduction for Carlos into the world of some of his customers. These were folks like Buck Brannaman, Peter Campbell, Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt. Being around these types of people spurred Carlos on to develop his own training and horsemanship in the style that they were advocating. The clinicians also emphasized the type of gear that they used, as well as the importance of quality tack.

“It was in the lineage of Tom Dorrance’s way of horsemanship because all of those guys were directly or indirectly, disciples of Tom Dorrance.”

Carlos was able to apply their methods in his own work with the colts that he was training at the outfitters.

Read more: Carlos Macias: The Lost Buckaroo

By Nick Pernokas

Tim Bishop was raised in the small, eastern New Mexico town of Logan. Tim’s high school had only 13 in his graduating class. In this rural ranching community, there were only a few choices in lifestyle for a teenager. Tim chose the most attractive one to him which was the western one.

“Everybody wore boots,” Tim remembers fondly.

Tim’s dad retired from the military in Logan and the family lived in town. Tim fell in with some of the ranch kids and was introduced to that lifestyle at a young age. One ranch family in particular, the Keiths, became his lifelong friends. The Keiths had a small saddle shop on their ranch. When Tim wasn’t helping them work cattle, he would be watching Melvin Keith build ranch saddles.

“I’d go stay with them every chance I got,” says Tim.

During high school, Tim day worked on some of the local ranches. Boots were more than a cool piece of wardrobe; they were an important tool of the trade. Tim paid attention to what a lot of the older cowboys wore on their feet. The younger cowboys wore store bought boots like Sanders and Panhandle Slim, but many of the old timers wore custom boots like Blucher and Paul Bond. The mental notes would pay off later. When Tim graduated in 1985, he got a job with the historic Tequesquite Ranch.

As time passed, Tim moved on and cowboyed on several outfits. With time on his hands at night, Tim learned to fix his own saddle and build his own leggings. By 1987, Tim was riding pens in the feed yards at Gruver, Texas. Amarillo was the closest large city to do business in. When Tim got in to Amarillo, he would always stop in Bob Marrs’ saddle shop and soak up the smell and the knowledge that circulated there. Tim also stopped by TSTI in Amarillo, and was inspired by the classes in saddle making that were offered.

Tim ordered his first pair of custom boots from Paul Bond in Nogales, while he was working in Gruver. They were a cowboy fashion statement with 18-inch bright green tops, a black waxed calf vamp with a 2 ¼-inch under slung riding heel and a round toe. He called one day to see how they were coming along. Paul answered the phone and in the course of the conversation, Paul offered Tim a job in his boot shop. Within two weeks, Tim was in Nogales working for Paul and Chris Bennett in the shop.

“It sure did open my eyes.”

Eventually, Tim became homesick for the ranches of northern New Mexico and ended up back on a ranch there. In 1989, Tim went to work for a construction crew that went all over the country burying cable. Later, he returned to New Mexico with his fiancée, Brenda, and took a job with the county.

“I’ve been all over, but I always seem to gravitate back here.”

Tim began building a few saddles in his garage in his free time. Marriage followed in 1990, and Tim started thinking seriously about a job that he would like; one that wouldn’t be so far away from the cowboy life, but a little more stable. In 1992, Tim saw an ad in an equine magazine for the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Oklahoma. A visit to the saddle shop at Okmulgee followed. Tim really liked the instructor, Mike DeWitt, and felt like he could pursue his interests in saddles and cowboy gear there. By just taking the shop classes, Tim was able to cram an almost two-year curriculum into 10 months.

In 1993, Tim opened his own saddle shop in Tucumcari, New Mexico. He took any jobs he could and he made a lot of belts for New Mexico State Police officers. Boat tarp and flip-flop repairs came in from the area lakes. He continued to supplement his income by day working on the ranches outside of town. Tim realized that there were a lot of saddlemakers in the county, but not very many boot repairmen. He decided to move into the boot business.

“It was something I‘d been interested in all of my life.”

In 1994, Tim’s daughter, Bethany, was born and in 1997, the Bishops had a son, Wyatt. Both of Tim’s children frequently worked in the shop. His daughter was good at tearing down repair saddles, but didn’t pursue leatherwork as a career. Wyatt still lends Tim a hand in the shop from time to time, but he’s gone into the bit and spurmaking business under the name of Wyatt Bishop Silver Work.

Read more: Tim Bishop: Just What He Wants to Do

1. The Black Stallion (1979) A young boy named Alec befriends a wild black stallion after it washes up on shore near his home. The two of them form a bond and go on an adventure together. EIE Insight: We voraciously read all of Walter Farley's books and the cinematography in this movie is spectacular.

Read more: EIE Chooses the Top 10 Horse Movies

This is a fascinating bit of history for the West Village in New York city and throughout the buroughs. Click the audio button to hear the story.

@johnnymurtaugh

The boot-scraper #history #nyc

♬ original sound - Johnny Murtaugh

by Eric Smiley

The development of the mind and body, either human or equine, to perform at its optimum goes through many stages before it reaches its peak. Along the way, it encounters mental and physical barriers, which must be overcome if it is to be the best it can be. Some of these challenges improve the resolve to succeed, while others leave scars that impede progress or even threaten the realization of the ultimate goal. How do we keep our horses and our partnership with them on the right track?

Education should be an enlightening experience full of understanding, but the success of all forms of education depends on adhering to a progressive system: one step at a time, layer upon layer of information, you build a solid foundation, progress to the next level, and so on. This applies to both physical and psychological challenges, especially in the early years of development. To move from one stage to the next requires a confidence in where you are and a belief that where you are going is within your capabilities. Without this solid base, progress is uncertain. This is true of humans in their education but is even more true of horses whose education is guided by humans.

How often have we heard of parents entering their children for a competition that is above their level with reasoning such as, “It’ll be good for them,” “They will see what the standard is,” “It will show them what to work on”…only for the child to be knocked out at the first metaphoric hurdle and come home deflated.

On the way home the parent then says, “Don’t worry, it’ll be better next time.”

But the chances are that it won’t be. A marker of failure and for failure has been put in place and that is very difficult to overcome.

Draw the same analogy with a young horse. Move him up in level to gain experience, only to find that he knocks fences or has run outs. The marker of failure has been laid down. Or he tries so hard to please and jumps clear, but the next time out he remembers the experience as being unpleasant and performs badly. Now that marker of failure has had a confirmation. Bad news.

This is what’s known as overfacing, a term that is defined as: to intimidate, especially by presenting too great a task or obstacle. Although the word is typically associated with asking a horse to jump something beyond his ability, it can be equally useful when applied to other aspects of training, including groundwork and riding on the flat. It’s crucial, in fact, that we embrace this broader understanding so we don’t become the architects of our own problems by pushing a horse too far, too fast. For just one example of the perils of overfacing, consider Thoroughbreds that begin a racing career at age two—those that go on to retire sound in mind and body are in the minority.

Horses are generous animals, constantly curious, and willing to take an interest in most things that are asked of them. Very few are disingenuous, which makes them good students.

The key is to stimulate their interest, understand their limitations, and be cautious not to take advantage of their desire to please. In stimulating their interest we must set achievable goals. This is how we create a pathway to learning: with clear, well-planned steps, direction, and plentiful rewards as we go. With interest and achievement much can be done.

These are the fundamentals of Progressive Training.

A Year-by-Year Breakdown

Ultimately, the goal of any horse’s journey should be for longevity, in his sport or just in his life as a nice riding horse. Horses that are still competing at the highest level when they are well into their teens tend to have been brought up the correct way.

In simple terms:

• A four- to five-year-old is starting.
• A six- to seven-year-old is learning the mechanics and skills of his trade.
• An eight- to nine-year-old is developing and improving these skills.
• A ten- to fourteen-year-old is in his prime.
• Fifteen years old plus is bonus time.

The most critical years are between four and five and then again when a horse is seven. At seven there is a temptation to think of them as mature and adult. But that would be foolish. This time of life is fragile, as horses are beginning to show what they can do (their potential) but are not yet secure, either physically or mentally. To make a mistake in either physical or mental development can leave scars they may never recover from. However, using this time to consolidate experience, skill, and confidence at the appropriate level will allow horses to learn to believe in themselves and the future.

---

The Sport Horse Problem Solver
BUY NOW on Amazon
Paperback | Kindle

This excerpt from The Sport Horse Problem Solver by Eric Smiley is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (HorseandRiderBooks.com).

There are so many great reads in our section on Books.

In a matchup that will go down in boxing history as one of the most significant title fights of all time, unified WBC, WBA and IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth’’ Spence Jr. will take on WBO 147-pound world champion Terence “Bud’’ Crawford for the Undisputed Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, July 29 in a highly anticipated SHOWTIME PPV clash from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The winner of this battle of undefeated superstars will become the first undisputed welterweight world champion in the four-belt era and likely emerge as the sport’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. But we also know Errol Spence Jr. as a horse lover! Let's look back....

In the early-morning hours of October 10, 2019, the life of Errol Spence Jr., one of the boxing’s brightest pay-per-view stars and undefeated boxing champion changed in a flash.

Driving his $300,000 Ferrari 488 Spider at frighteningly high speeds on the streets of downtown Dallas, Texas, where he resided – he'd been drinking and wasn't wearing his seatbelt -- Spence, then 29, lost control of his car when he hit a median and was ejected through the windshield as the Ferrari cartwheeled multiple times and was totally destroyed. The entire crash was caught on tape by a nearby security camera.

Miraculously, Spence, nicknamed “The Truth,” not only survived but suffered no broken bones and only some facial cuts and the loss of a couple teeth. Just a few weeks removed from successfully defending his welterweight titles, the boxer quickly realized he had cheated death and lived to talk about it.

“I don’t know how or why I got saved, but thank God,” he later wrote on Instagram. “The thought of leaving my (three) little girls and them growing up without me still (messes) with me, but I’m triple blessed and must be here for a reason . . . My accident slowed me down and gave me a different perspective on (things) I was taking for granted.”

Armed with a new lease on life, Spence found that new perspective in a nearly 60-acre ranch he purchased in DeSoto, Texas, just south of Dallas.

“I was just trying to find answers, you know? I needed to go somewhere new and start over and get out of that dark cloud that was downtown,” he said in a recent interview, “and be in a better element, because I’m already like an introvert; I don’t like being around people that much anyway.

Read more: Watch Horse Lover and Champion Boxer Errol Spence Jr. versus Terence Crawford for the Undisputed...

By Madison Seamans MS DVM

When I was a bright, young veterinarian just starting practice back in the eighties, I got a phone call from a man named Bob Gray who lived out of state. He asked me if I was available for a pre-purchase exam on a real good colt that he was thinking about buying. In those early days of my practice, this was like asking my cat if he was available for a can of tuna and a nap! I was so eager to practice medicine, I would have vaccinated his goldfish.

“When would you like me to look at this colt,” I asked while I thumbed through my nearly-empty appointment book. “I’ll try to work you into my schedule.” I took a deep breath and hoped that I had not violated some part of the veterinary oath.

“Any time would be okay with me,” he said. “I won’t be able to be there when you look at him, so just do it when it is convenient for you.” The voice came over the phone like a ray of hope, saving me from having to enroll in the Ace Truck Driving School to keep from starving. “The colt has some great bloodlines, and I am planning on using him as a foundation sire in my breeding program. If you find anything wrong with him, I need to know about it. This is a real expensive horse, and I don’t want any surprises. He’s just a yearling now, but I have a lot of hope for him.” Mr. Gray paused, then repeated: “He has great bloodlines.”

I had no idea that this last phrase would come to haunt me for years.

Bob gave me the name and phone number of the lady who owned the colt in question. I called Carla, and we made an appointment for later in the week. She was friendly enough but let me know clearly that there was nothing wrong with the colt. If Mr. Gray considered a prepurchase exam necessary, that was “all right with her.”

I have never considered myself a distrusting fellow, but I have been involved in enough horse trades over the years to realize their potential to bring out the scariest parts of human nature. In addition, I have purchased enough lame, crazy, crippled and just overall bad horses to become, well, “cautious” when dealing with the buying and selling of horses.

For example, when I was still a student, way back in the early seventies, one of the ways that I supported my college habit was by riding colts for people and trading a few horses myself. One time I bought a big, stout, red, four-year-old gelding that I called Red Man. I rode him for quite a while as he had about every bad habit a horse could have. When I finally sold him, he was about fifteen years old. I didn’t ride him that long, he just wasn’t that young! I took quite a beating physically and economically, as this old snide had crippled a couple of local cowboys before I got him, and he hadn’t seen his fourth birthday since LBJ was president.

Some of life’s best lessons are also its toughest, and I was lucky to have survived that one. It did motivate me to learn how to tell the age of a horse by looking at his teeth, and I got pretty good at it out of economic necessity.

Read more: “He Has Great Bloodlines” - Excerpt from "Never Trust a Sneaky Pony"