I really ought to update more often. I've got a few things to upload, and a few things in progress, but I'll post them up later. Maybe might start putting together some journal layouts because the awesome =Litari suggested it and it is a fun idea.

I have a bit of an idea in mind, and I would *really, really* appreciate it if any of you who own a horse, lease a horse, train horses, give lessons, have owned a horse, have participated in Pony Club/4H (or anything that required you to essentially have close contact with a horse for an extended period of time), or who work in a barn or volunteer for a rescue or something could answer a few questions for me. (Hey, if you don't own horses but own other animals and you feel any of the below questions might be something you could answer in the context of that pet instead of for a horse, I'd love to hear from you too!) Or if you've never owned a horse but want to and think you can help out, I'd love that too. Or if you know someone who fits any of these categories who might want to stop by and comment... If you could send them over, that would be awesome.

If you choose to answer any (and I really hope you do, it would help me immensely), you don't have to answer them all, or really answer them at all, so if you want to just touch on a few of them or write a few sentences or more on the topic... It's all good. Thanks so much in advance for any responses.

Anyway, the questions:

=====
What sort of records do you keep for your horse? (Eg: vet, farrier, worming, board, pedigree, weight, registration, show results, mood, health care, etc.)
What sort of records should you probably keep for your horse that you don't currently keep (if any), and why?
How do you store these records? (Eg: notebook, a calendar, spreadsheet on your computer, a binder, etc.) If you can give me some details as to your system, I'd *love* to hear it.
Where do you store these records? (Eg: at home, at the barn, multiple places, etc.)
How often do you update these records?

How do you keep track of the following, if you do keep track of this:
How rides went, and your progress towards riding/training goals
Horse's daily health, whether they're acting 'normal'
Upcoming shows and events
Past shows and events, including point totals, awards, etc.
Horse costs (feed, tack, etc.)
Appointments with vet/farrier/etc., worming schedules, etc.
Major health issues or minor health issues
What sort of special treatments your horse requires (special allergy precautions, shoes, chiropractic adjustments, fussiness with tacking, etc.)?

What sort of checklists do you keep? (Such as for show preparation, etc.)

What sort of emergency contact information do you give to barn owners (or keep on the horses, if you own a barn), and how do you give that to the barn owner?

What sort of information do you give to people who are taking care of your horse if you're on vacation or otherwise unable to take care of it for a while? How do you give them this information? (Tell them it and hope they remember, write it down, do you have a pre-prepared package for it, etc.?)

=====

That's the questions. They're a bit detailed, I suppose, but if you don't really want to answer those, if you could answer this one for me, I'd be a happy bunny:

If you could have the ideal information management tool for your horse or barn (or animal), what would it include? What features would you *love* to see in something like that, that would make it absolutely invaluable? What features would you think would be cool? How would you want to access this (just pen/paper, on the internet, as a downloadable program, as an ipod/iphone app, any or most of the above, etc.)?

=====

It has to do with a bit of a thought I'd had since there may be the opportunity for me to lease a horse in the fall (possibly!) and it's been rattling around in my brain ever since. I can't guarantee anything but my gratitude for your answers, but if this idea goes anywhere and you'd like to participate further I'd be more than happy to try to keep people updated and see what I can do.

Again, thanks so much for any and all responses, I really appreciate it.