Perkasie PA (January 2015) – They rode the wave of being different and writing on challenging topics, some of which were undeveloped and unexplored back in the mid-1990s. They withstood the test of time and have now become mainstream.
Holistic Horse Magazine originally started as a simple 2 page, 2 color newsletter. It was conceived by Karen Tappenden and Stacey Small to help bridge a gap between the Veterinarians and the horse owners. Both sides having questions and wanting a source to help them find the answers. In the 1980’s there was a dawning of professional organizations for acupuncturists and chiropractors. Prior to that it was not easy to find back then. “We wanted to be that unique horse owner’s resource,” Tappenden explains.
Over the years Holistic Horse morphed into a full-color glossy publication, with an interactive website that includes components for radio and TV. Holistic Horse Media partnered with experts in alternative therapy fields, allowing the magazine and website to provide quality content on horse health care. Readers can find articles on Nutrition, Hoof Care, Integrative Therapies, and Training along with unique features such as Substance Abuse™, Nature’s Hidden Remedy™ and Alternative Action™, which covers one specific syndrome and depicts how a diverse range of modalities addresses that topic.
“Along the way, we realized horse owners take better care of their horses and dogs than they do themselves,” says Tappenden. “We have strived to bring awareness and learning to the arena of ourselves while learning about our animals.”
Small notes that one of the many milestones reached in 20 years is the appointment of Karen Tappenden to the board of American Horse Publications (AHP). “This signals recognition that the concept of Holistic Healthcare is now mainstream and more widely accepted than when we started 20 years ago,” Small says. “It’s also confirmed by seeing articles on acupuncture, homeopathy, aromatherapy, etc., in other magazines.”
Holistic Horse will continue to push the envelope and raise the consciousness bar for better healthcare for the horse. “The next 20 years will be just as exciting,” Tappenden promises. “We’re committed to sharing innovative ideas, products and research with the entire horse world.”
Holistic Horse is committed to providing educational information on cutting edge alternative and integrative health care options to the equine caretakers, professionals and practitioners of integrative therapies. Each issue’s editorial content focuses on equine therapy, horse illnesses, nutrition, hoof care, case studies and holistic veterinarian-based information. To learn more about Holistic Horse Magazine, visit www.holistichorse.com