A rearing horse is dangerous and frightening for any rider. If the horse you're riding unexpectedly rears, then knowing how to handle the situation can help to keep you and your horse safe. While we hope you never have to deal with a rear, it’s best to be prepared just in case.

Lean Forward

If you feel your horse start to go upwards,…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Today horse owners and riders have more technology at their hands than ever before. That technology is constantly being improved and applied to the horse world in different ways. Have you used technology to improve your riding or horse knowledge? Here are a few of the great technological resources that can help you become a better horseperson.…

You’ve decided on the perfect summer riding camp for your child, and the camp has sent you a list of suggested items to pack. Great! Before you get to squeezing items into duffle bags, though, go over the list yourself. While some camps are wonderfully thorough in the packing lists they provide, others might miss some essential supplies that your young rider will…

Are you going to ride in a clinic this year? Clinics are great chances to learn under skilled trainers and riders, but riding in your first clinic can be a bit intimidating. Planning ahead of time can ensure that you and your horse are ready to go on the day of the clinic.

Research the Clinician

Clinicians are all individuals, and…

On May 22, 1896, the first meeting was held to create the Devon Horse Show. And the show's founders weren't fooling around – the first Devon Horse Show was held in Devon-Berwyn, Pennsylvania that July, just a short two months later.

The first Devon Horse Show was an entirely different event from what it has grown into today. The first show was one day long and offered only 28 classes. Today, it is the largest outdoor multi-breed horse show in the United States, an honor that it has…

Congratulations – you’ve decided to send your child to a summer horse camp and have found the perfect one. Now you face a more difficult decision – should your child bring their own horse with them to summer camp? While bringing their own horse might sound like the ideal situation to a child, you need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the situation, bringing a horse to camp might not be the best decision for your child.…

Buying a used saddle brings with it many advantages: you are sure to save money over the cost of buying a new saddle, and you will save yourself the often uncomfortable process of breaking in a new saddle. But when buying a used saddle, you need to be on the lookout for a variety of issues that could signify that the saddle is damaged. Here’s how to avoid them.…

The immense and impressive Suffolk Punch has a rich history – it is the oldest breed of heavy horse in Britain to exist today while still closely resembling its ancestors. But the Suffolk Punch is also rare, with fewer than 3,000 registered horses in existence.

History

The Suffolk Punch has an impressive history, dating all the way back…

Do you know what to do in the event that a rider is injured and is left unconscious? Could you recognize the signs of shock, and do you know how to treat it? If you spend time around horses, then it’s possible that you will have to help a rider in a serious situation. Let’s review the First-Aid basics that you will want to know.

Dealing with a…

Attending a summer horse camp can be a life-changing experience for your child. But just like a riding instructor and stable  must be the right fit for your child for lessons to be enjoyable, a summer horse camp also needs to be the right one for your child if it is to be a positive experience. So how do you determine if a summer horse camp is the right one? We’ve come up with some points you’ll want to consider.…

Have you ever watched a good drill team in action? When watching a drill team perform an energetic, entrancing drill the fact that the horse and rider pairs are individuals falls away until you start to see the team as a single unit. Mounted drill teams are fun and a great opportunity to socialize with friends, but they have many other benefits, too. If you’ve been considering joining a drill team, here are some of the benefits that you’ll gain through the experience. You just might want to…

In May of 1943, the first ever Royal Windsor Horse Show was held, beginning an annual tradition still in effect today. Founded by Geoffrey Cross and Count Robert Orssich, the first Royal Windsor Horse Show was part of the “Wings for Victory” effort to raise money to purchase war bombers for use…

As the weather continues to get warmer, you may be itching to get your horse out on the trails again. But if your horse has been out of work over the winter or if it’s been a while since you’ve been on the trails, you might be in for an interesting ride. Brush up on these important skills before hitting the trails to help make the trail ride more enjoyable for both you and your horse.…