High Temperature

Your horse’s normal temperature should be between 99° and 101°F. If your horse’s temperature exceeds that range, he is becoming overheated and needs to be cooled down. It’s a good idea to bring a thermometer along with you to any shows or events that you’ll be riding at so that you can monitor your horse’s…

When you were young did your riding instructor encourage you to watch the lessons of older, more experienced riders? Watching experienced riders is a popular way to learn about desirable riding techniques. But have you ever considered that you can learn from younger, less experienced riders too? If you haven’t spent some time recently watching younger riders in their…

If you have your own barn and a few empty stalls, it might be tempting to open your facility up to boarders. Bringing in boarders has some advantages, in that it can bring in some money and will create more activity at your barn. But should you take on boarders? Before you decide to make the leap, consider how it would affect your particular situation.

The Financial…

While you've likely heard of the Australian Stock Horse, did you know that there's another breed that was hugely influential to Australia’s development? The Waler, a lesser-known breed, proved itself to be a phenomenal cavalry horse during the 20^th century.

The Waler's history begins with the importation of horses to Australia in 1788 and…

Do you videotape your riding lessons? There are a number of benefits to taping your lessons, and given how easily you can record with phones and tablets today, it’s really not a difficult thing to do. If you’re not already taping your lessons, here are some reasons you might want to start.

See What Your Trainer Means

Videos of your…

Your barn is supposed to be a safe place where your horse can live comfortably, but barns also often contain many health hazards you might not be aware of. Since your horse may be spending more time indoors during the summer to escape the bugs and the heat, now is a perfect time to evaluate your barn to make sure that it is truly a safe place for your horse to be.…

Are you lucky enough to have a senior horse in your barn? Senior horses are sometimes brushed over for younger, more energetic mounts. But senior horses have much to offer riders, especially to those of us who are young, inexperienced, or just looking to enjoy a relaxing ride. Senior horses are amazing because:

They Know the Drill

Senior…

On July 22 of 1817, Figure, the foundation stallion of the Morgan breed, carried President James Monroe through a parade. The bay stallion’s dependability and strength in carrying the president through the parade’s busy atmosphere are just some of the great traits for which the Morgan breed would become known.…

In today’s world of online sales ads, having a good video of your horse can mean the difference between selling him quickly and not. So how do you make sure that your video portrays your horse well? Don’t worry - we’ve got some tips to get you started.

Use a Tripod

If you’ve ever watched shaky handheld videos of horses…

Every rider dreams of open fields and large arenas and riding rings, but sometimes we have to make do with less. If you have access only to a small riding ring, there are still ways to make the most of the space. Here are some tips to get you started.

Place Equipment Strategically

A small ring will only seem smaller as you add in…

Downpours can happen unexpectedly, and whether you’re in the show ring, in the middle of a lesson, or out on the trails, you may find yourself unable to keep your tack from getting wet. Did you get caught in the rain? Don’t worry – here’s what to do to save your tack.

1.       Stay Calm

First off, don’t panic. With proper care,…

Have you been lucky enough to ride a Canadian Horse? Did you know that this talented breed descended from French-bred horses? Read on to find out more about this fascinating horse.

History

As you’d imagine, the Canadian horse originated in Canada, but descended from horses sent overseas from France. In 1665, King Louis XIV sent two stallions and twelve mares to…

Ponying a horse can be a great tool, whether used as a training method for a younger horse or as a way to exercise two horses at the same time. But ponying a horse can get tricky; you’ll be handling two horses at once from the saddle. If you plan to pony a horse, make sure that you can do so correctly and safely.

Pick Your Lead Pony Carefully

The horse that…

The image is one right out of ancient history: the horse freely gallops forward as the rider aims his bow and sends an arrow flying home to its target as the pair gallops on. But thanks to a revival of mounted archery, this ancient art is now becoming a popular sport – one that you may see more and more in the future years.

Mounted archery dates back thousands of years,…

Arthritis is a common affliction among horses, and it’s especially common in aging horses or those who have heavily competed during their careers. Riding an arthritic horse can be beneficial for the horse, since gentle exercise can help to control and lessen the effects of arthritis. But there are some special considerations you’ll want to make when riding a horse with arthritis.…

If you’ve ever been on a runaway horse, you know how frightening that can be. And if you haven’t been on one yet, then we hope you never have that experience! True, out-of-control runaways are highly dangerous, and stopping them can be a challenge. The one-rein emergency stop is the go-to trick for stopping a runaway horse, but it can be dangerous. Is there a better way?

The…

If you’re an Arabian fan, there’s only one place to be during June: the Egyptian Event held at Kentucky Horse Park. Now in its 34^th year, the Egyptian Event showcases the Egyptian Arabian. This year’s event was held from Tuesday, June 3^rd through Saturday, June 7^th. You can bet that some of the world’s best quality Arabians were in attendance.…

Heading out on the trails is a great way to enjoy a summer day. But in order to keep the experience enjoyable for everyone, there are some common courtesy rules that you should follow. Is your trail riding etiquette up to par?

Accessing the Trail

As more and more open space is developed, it’s important for horseback riders to stay on good…

Last month we featured a blog post on how to handle a rider who’s been in a serious fall. In some cases, it will be plainly evident that a rider is injured – they’re knocked unconscious or they have broken a bone. In other cases, though, the injuries might not be quite so apparent.

Concussions are serious injuries that are dangerous if they go…

A unique breed from the bogs of Ireland, the Kerry Bog Pony was on the brink of extinction only twenty years ago.

History

The Kerry Bog Pony is believed to have originated in County Kerry, Ireland as early as the 17^th century. The feral ponies were eventually domesticated and served as farm horses. The ponies were used to transport peat and…