Among the problems demonstrated by the vast majority of beginning riders are the two most common reflexes: when something goes wrong beginning or novice riders seek a version of the fetal position, hands in their lap, hunched over the pommel, legs in the flanks, or when the horse moves suddenly and unexpectedly jerking the beginner’s or novice rider’s upper body out of position and the beginner moves his leg to…[more]

LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas farms aren’t just warm-weather operations, or destinations, for that matter. During the winter months, many of these facilities remain open for agritourism opportunities, a growing trend in agriculture nationwide.

Haven’t heard of agritourism? As Stacey McCullough with Community and Public Development at the University of Arkansas Extension Service Public Policy Center tells us, it’s a way to increase the use and function of Arkansas’…[more]

There’s an epidemic sweeping the world in today’s technologically enhanced world. And it is affecting our children at an alarming rate.

Kids just do not get outdoors anymore. The Nature Conservancy and other organizations have produced studies that show that all of us, and especially children, are drastically reducing the amount of time spent with outside activities in favor of television, movies, Net surfing and video games.

The Lights of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, Arkansas’ annual Christmastime light spectacular, is making a gradual shift away from incandescent light bulbs over to a more energy efficient LED bulb.

The transition was to be made over a four year period and Fayetteville is already has 60 percent of the change-over completed. The city purchased 200 strands of 100-bulb LED lights this year and city officials are confident they…[more]

(NewsUSA) - Stress and anxiety form normal parts of the human experience. Seven out of every 10 Americans report feeling stressed or anxious every day.

But in an age when most Americans, according to a survey by Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), feel stress and anxiety so severe that it interferes with daily life, people will need to learn to distinguish between normal stress levels and anxiety…[more]

The holiday season is here, and it is a great time for friends and family to enjoy the outdoors together. However, it is also the time of year when hypothermia can change a carefree fishing, camping or hunting trip into a life threatening situation.

Hypothermia results from exposure to cold weather, water or wind. It occurs when more heat escapes than your body can produce. It usually develops…[more]

It is most beneficial to feed wild birds during the winter months when their natural food may be unavailable but shortages do occur at other times of the year. So putting food out for the wild birds at any time of year can help when there are shortages. During the breeding season a temporary shortage of food will affect the young fledglings so it is especially helpful to put out…[more]

New figures released by the U.S. Forest Service show a sharp decline in visits to national forests over the three year period from 2004 through 2007.

These findings are in line with other recent studies, including one a few months ago that was conducted by the Nature Conservancy. The continued declining interest in the outdoors is attributed to a society increasingly glued to television…[more]

It’s the time of year when Americans gather together for not only a big hunk of turkey slathered in gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, but also to give thanks for the good things in their lives. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here’s a list of a baker’s dozen of things Arkansans can be thankful for regarding The Natural State.

1. Arkansas…[more]

LITTLE ROCK - Sir Winston Churchill once said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” This feeling is shared by many horse owners of this generation, says Steve Jones, extension equine specialist/associate professor with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Jones says this love of horses may be the reason the horse is such a popular…[more]