Fran Severn is a freelance writer and broadcaster who grew up in the city but was determined to get horses in her life. After earning her degree in Mass Communications, she worked in Louisville, KY, where she covered the Kentucky Derby, events at the Kentucky Horse Park, and finally bought her first horse. Moving to England with her Air Force husband, she discovered dressage and continued her training when she returned to the states. She is the author of “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide to Loving Horses Mid-Life and Beyond,” “Creating Your Journey,” “Barn Fires: Preventing a Disaster,” and “The Riders of a Certain Age Book of Barn Hacks.” Her work has appeared in Horse Illustrated, USDF Connection, Newsday, The Trail Rider, Western Horseman, Dog Fancy, and Games. She’s written about the exclusive ‘tailgate’ party at the Royal Enclosure at the Ascot races, shipping horses to the Olympics, riding on Civil War battlefields, and the chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede. She lives in Newark, Delaware with her husband and fox-and-deer obsessed dog.
Fran Severn's Lectures
Friday, February 21, 2025
Money and Manure: A Look at “stable” Finances.
Description: Horses are a huge expense. Here are explanations of how to assess your financial situation and how to plan and budget so you can stay involved with horses without going bankrupt.
The Care and Feeding of Riders of a Certain Age.
Description: Our physical and nutritional needs change as we age. Let’s look at what older rider’s need to stay balanced, healthy, and fit so we can enjoy riding and caring for our horses and stable.
Saturday, February 22, 2025
The Best Barn Hacks.
Description:
we’ll present a selection of clever, useful, practical barn hacks. How to ‘read’ your truck and trailer tires, keeping your water troughs from freeing (and how to get ice out of them when they do), getting rid of mold in your tack room, DIY fly traps, and building a mounting block – you’ll leave this program with ideas to make your life easier.
It’s Never Too Late for Horses.
Description:
The fastest growing segment of the recreational horse world is women over 60. Whether we have always had horses in our lives, are returning after years away, or are finally realizing our equine dreams, we “riders of a certain age” are a force in the horse world. This presentation answers the questions older riders have about our physical and mental abilities, how we learn, how we find instructors and other riders, and why it’s never too late for horses.
Sunday, February 23, 2025
It’s OK Not to Ride Your Horse
Description:
A growing number of people find deep pleasure and satisfaction in not riding their horses. The non-ridden horse movement started when a competitor decided to find other activities after her horse developed a condition that prevented her from riding. Other people who can no longer ride are also finding new ways to enjoy their horses and vice versa. Horse agility, freestyle activities, and ‘trail walking’ are becoming popular alternatives to traditional equine activities. We’ll also look at the ‘perfect pasture’ concept which creates a more natural living environment for horses.