Why is it that some horse shows seem to fall on the hottest days of the summer? Keeping both yourself and your horse cool in the summer heat can be a challenge, but we’ve got some tips to help you cool off.

Park Strategically

Try to get to the show grounds early so that you are able to select where you park. Look for areas that are shaded by trees…

As the summer show season has already begun, and in my case the wedding season, we have to remember to cool our horses down. We all tend to do a great job at that because we are horsemen and know the horse always comes first! We tend to forget about ourselves and the things we are expected to wear to look great tend to be kin to that we wear in the winter months. This combination can lead to terrible situations we don't tend to notice until it is too late.

With the summer heat…

It may seem idyllic to have your dog accompany you to the barn when you make visits to ride your horse. But although many barns allow dogs, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your dog should go along with you. In order for a dog, the horses, and the riders to be safe together, your dog needs to be well-trained and have some specific characteristics.…

When it comes to installing fencing on your ranch, careful planning can make all the difference. Fencing is a very permanent and visual aspect of your property, and it’s one that you and your visitors will see on a daily basis. You’ll want to make sure that you make the right choice in your fencing and its layout that you won’t regret.

Every property is…

June 9^th, 1973 was a historic day in horse racing: It's the day that Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes with a stunning 31-length lead. With that victory the chestnut Thoroughbred stallion became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, and he became a household name at the same time.

Secretariat was born on March 30, 1970. His sire was Bold Ruler, and his dam was Something Royal. Penny Chenery, Secretariat’s owner, raced him in blue and white checkered colors. Paired…

When I was riding Mia on Friday I had a great time.  She continued to keep contact with her JP single jointed full cheek snaffle, reaching out confidently and not flinging her head or curling up when I made a mistake with my hands.  When I made a mistake with my hands she would start inverting, but when I corrected myself and sent her on she would reach out again and accept the bit.  She was quite alert and looked around intently whenever I stopped to rest.  We trotted some,…

Horses are always the highlight of parades. With parade season starting up, are you planning to try out a new horse in a parade? It can be great fun to have a parade horse, but before you plan to bring along your horse, you’ll want to make sure that he’s really ready to be part of a parade.

The Challenges of Parades

Parades are one of the most…

Some rescue groups prove their point by showing graphic photos of the very worst cases of abuse and neglect. These horrific images cower in a dark corner of my brain forever. Their torture leaves a mark on us, too. Maybe people think that the more blood-dried wounds, protruding bones and…

Hey guys! I figure I should start using this as a place to just throw down some words about my horse career as it goes along.

Currently, I am the livery manager at a wedding venue in a small town, Southern Ontario, Canada. I am responsible for the upkeep of two Percheron geldings, their tack and vehicles. I drive the team for weddings, delivering brides and bridesmaids to their wedding then taking the newly wed couple for a short jaunt into town and back right after their…

Taking a horse to his first horse show can be a stressful and worrisome experience. Horse shows are unusual environments for any horse to be in, and you don’t know how your horse may respond to the many stimuli that are common at shows. Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare to take your horse to his first show.

A…

Summer's official start is just a few short weeks away, and with it will come longer days of more intense sunlight. The increased sunlight will mean extra riding hours – a good thing – but too much sun can also be a problem for horses, bringing about bleached coats and even burns. Want to keep your horse safe in the sun this summer? Here’s how.

Maximize…

Once you start jumping, it is very tempting to focus on that, and neglect flatwork. However, and I think George Morris would agree, this is a huge mistake, and one that riders would do well to avoid.

Each week should contain a session dedicated to flatwork, focusing on refining aids, suppling via lateral moves and, in my opinion, no stirrup work. For adults, and eventers, I don't think this is an much of an issue. But, I can certainly understand wanting to do nothing but jump,…

With World Environmental Day (June 5^th) just a few days from now, environmental protection should be on everyone’s mind. What are you doing around your farm to help protect the environment?

There’s one easy way that you can help to protect the environment and make your farm…

If you are a fan of gaited horses, the Mangalarga Marchador might be for you. This striking breed developed in Brazil but can now be found worldwide.

History



The Mangalarga Marchador descends from the Brazilian breeding program of the Baron of Alfenas, Francisco Gabriel Junqueira. Junqueira imported a Lusitano stallion whom he…