The ground in West Springfield, Massachusetts will rumble as the World Percheron Congress moves into town from October 6^th through the 11^th. The World Percheron Congress, one of the largest competitions showcasing the Percheron in existence, will be held at the Eastern States…

Looking at potential boarding barns can be overwhelming – how do you know that a new barn will be a good fit for your horse? While you’ll always want to have an idea of just what you’re looking for in a boarding barn, it’s also a good idea to have a list of questions prepared for when you go look at a potential…

Have you ever encountered hock sores on your horse? Hock sores show up as irritated areas on your horse's hocks where the hair has been rubbed off, and sometimes where the skin has been rubbed open. Resulting from your horse’s hock pressing into or rubbing against the ground or the bottom of his stall when he lies down, hock sores are sensitive and may even…

Have you ever been lucky enough to meet a Percheron? Standing next to these gentle giants is inspiring and moving. The Percheron is an incredible breed that originated centuries ago.

History

While the Percheron originated in France, its exact ancient ancestry is unknown. There are a number of theories as to the breed’s origin, including that Muslim invaders may have…

To buy or build: that is the question. Whether or not to buy an existing barn or to build one to meet your specifications is a question that every barn owner has faced. There are advantages and disadvantages to each route, and ultimately the decision needs to be based on your own situation, needs, and wants. Are you trying to decide whether to build or buy a barn? You’ll…

There are all sorts of exercises designed to make you a better rider. From riding in two-point to riding without stirrups, the varieties are endless. But have you ever thought about riding bareback instead? Bareback riding has its own unique set of advantages that can help with your development and improvement as a rider. Here’s why.

Develop the Right…

Olympic-caliber horses and riders will return to New York City this August for the first time since 2001. The first-ever Central Park Horse Show is scheduled to run from September 18^th through September 21^st. During that time the competition will feature a variety of…

Do you find yourself wanting to give a new discipline a try? Making the leap to a new discipline is an exciting, and sometimes stressful, time. If you’re toying with the idea of changing to a new discipline, here are some ways to help make the transition go smoothly.

Evaluate Whether Your Horse Can Go With You

Do you dream of trying a new…

Have you ever heard of the Trait du Nord? This beautiful draft breed originated in the 1800s, yet it is endangered today and its future remains uncertain.

History

The Trait du Nord originated in the grasslands of the southern Netherlands, northern France, and throughout Belgium. Its…

When you’re building a barn on limited acreage, planning the layout of your property is all the more important. You can keep horses on limited acreage, but you will need to be sure to make good use of the space. Working with a small piece of land? These tips will get you started.

Decide How Small Is Too Small

While you can certainly keep horses on…

Have you ever ridden to music? At first glance, riding to music might seem like an unnecessary distraction for the rider, but it actually has a number of advantages. So whether you have speakers in your arena or would have to rely on your iPod (use external speakers, not ear buds, when riding), here’s why you might want to start up the tunes when you…

You've just purchased a new pair of tall boots – congratulations! Now the oh-so-fun process of breaking them in begins. Breaking in tall boots is uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and even a bit frustrating. It takes some time. However, there are a few things you can do to help speed the process along.

Wear Heel Lifts

It’s generally recommended to…

The fall foliage is beginning to emerge, and trail riding is more beautiful and enjoyable than ever this time of year. But with the fall also comes hunting season, which can bring serious safety issues to your trail rides. While it’s still possible to head out on the trails in the fall, you will want to take some additional measures to keep you and your horse…

Whereas many racehorses are renowned for their incredible winning careers, there’s one racehorse who is known for just the opposite. Zippy Chippy, a 1991 Thoroughbred gelding, lost an incredible 100 races during his racing career, the 100^th race being at the Northampton Fair in Northampton, Massachusetts on September 10,…

If you’re tired of having non-horsey neighbors, an equestrian community can solve that issue. But before you look into moving in, you’ll want to consider the pros and cons of life in an equestrian community. Is an equestrian community right for you?

Safety

One of the major advantages of living in an equestrian community is the safety that it…

If your horse just has too much energy and is too excitable, your first impulse might be to put him on a calming supplement. But before you reach for that supplement bucket, there are a few other things that you should try first that can make a big difference in your horse’s energy levels.

Increase Turnout Time

Too much time in a stall  can lead to excess…

Tying up, also known as exertional rhabdomyolysis, or ER, is a syndrome that affects the horse’s major muscle groups and tissues. When a horse is tying up, he can present as being unable to walk or move, since his body cannot control what would be normal muscle contraction and…

Have you heard of Erin Go Bragh, the talented pony stallion who was a top eventer during his prime? Erin Go Bragh competed at the Advanced level with Carol Kozlowski in 1998 and 1999, and Breyer Animal Creations made a model of the bay stallion in 1998. Holding his own against the larger eventing horses, Erin Go Bragh, a Connemara Pony, is just one example of the incredible talents of this…

Many riding camps offer campers the option of bringing home a camp horse at the end of the summer. Camps save on the upkeep costs of their horses, and some lucky campers get to enjoy having “a horse of their own” for the year until it’s time for the horse to return to the camp in the early summer. But is bringing home a camp horse a good option for your…

Is your horse's topline lacking? A good topline both improves a horse's appearance and makes it easier for him to carry himself properly. If you're looking to develop and strengthen your horse’s topline, these exercises can help you do that.

Before You Start

Before you begin working on your horse’s topline, remember that for these exercises to be…