As published in the Rider Newspaper

Ride Like You’ve Never Been Thrown

Part 3

A Diamond Dozen

When I started writing this series of articles to assist those who have…

Many, many moons ago, I would regularly take part in photo challenges and the likes, posting my extremely amateur results over on my other blog...

Being that I mostly see horses every day, with the occasional Donkey thrown in the mix for good measure, I have been on the look out for a 'Horsey' themed photo challenge for some time now... To absolutely no avail!…

This weeks lesson is a little bit different... I hope you enjoy!

One of the biggest disadvantages to riding alone is the fact that while you may think and feel like you are doing everything correctly, there is a big chance that in actual fact you are not.

Many riding centre's and equestrian facilities install mirrors in the arena for this exact reason; however that can be a pricey solution...

Today, I present you with a much easier, cheaper solution that you can use…

The half halt is possibly one of the most important, and yet most underutilized tools, particularly where novice riders are concerned.

This weeks lessons are designed to make you more conscious of how often you are using your half halt and improving every ride by doing so.

So, firstly, why do we use the half halt?

The half halt can be used for a couple of different reasons;

1. Balancing or 'steadying' your horse
2. Letting your horse…

Willie Nelson is known the world over for his music but what you might not know is Willie Nelson has a love and passion for horses. Willie grew up watching the old cowboys like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry and that what he wanted to be "They rode horses and sang songs" as Willie said. Today not only does he ride horses and sing songs but he has also rescued and rehabilitated over 70 horses headed to slaughter.http://www.hrtv.com/willie

If there is an annual pony day, it should be Christmas. The reason is obvious, but if you didn’t get your wish, read this:

I’m a Dressage Queen with an unlikely soft spot for vertically-challenged horses. Too often they get small patience from humans who treat them with low regard. Or at the very least, these condensed equines are under-estimated–they are smart, tough, and very athletic. In the last few years that I’ve…

As published in the Rider Newspaper

Shirley, you joust!

She is pretty as a princess, courageous as a knight and ‘certifiably crazy’.

Yes, she is pretty as a princess and not only brave, she is motivated and compelled to excel at everything…

Stumped on that perfect gift for the horse lover in your life? Well then you’ll want to keep an eye out for our upcoming blog posts, because we have three posts dedicated to great gift-giving ideas for riders. We’ve even sorted the gifts by cost, so you can get great ideas no matter what your budget. Today’s post features stocking stuffer ideas that you…

What's in a name? Well, a lot, actually. And when it comes to naming horses, especially those that have to be registered, you may find yourself facing quite the challenge. Coming up with a good name that you like and that fits your horse can take some time, creativity, and even a little bit of luck. Searching for a good horse show name for your horse? These…

Are you a sucker for pintos? How about round, fluffy ponies? The Chincoteague Pony combines both of those characteristics into an eye-catching pony with a rich and unusual history. Chincoteague Ponies, which actually live on Assateague Island off of the coast of Virginia, have been popularized by the best-seller, Misty of…

Horses have faithfully served our country through countless battles, becoming an integral part of America’s military history. Top leaders are often depicted in statues, and they’re frequently mounted on horses. It’s long been said that military horse statues follow a certain “code” – but is it true?

The Military Statue…

Part two in our Dressage for Every Discipline series examines the transition and how it can improve your communication with your horse, no matter what discipline you ride.

Why are Transitions…

As winter approaches, an indoor wash stall can definitely come in handy. An indoor wash stall is practical and makes bathing and caring for horses much easier, but the wash stall must be designed well in order for it to be effective. Looking for creative ways to improve your wash stall and to make it more effective? Here are a few great ones.

Install an…

Have you ever thought about investing in a camera or video monitoring system for your barn or horse trailer? There are many great reasons to set up a horsecam on your property. If you can come up with the funds to initially purchase the camera, chances are that installing a camera in your horse barn or horse trailer is a decision that you won’t regret.

Peace of…

What do you get when you take the flashy appearance of the Appaloosa, the build of the Quarter Horse, and the elegance of the Arabian? The answer? The Pony of the Americas.

History

The Pony of the Americas was first developed in the 1950s. As you might guess, the breed is a true American breed – Les Boomhower, a…

With sugary candy in abundance today, it may be tempting to give your horse an extra treat, too. But before you dig into that Halloween candy that seems to lurk around the house forever, consider whether it’s really safe (or healthy) for your horse to eat. Looking to give your horse a Halloween treat? We’ll take a look at the treats that are safe for your horse, along with the ones…

Among the many forms of horse care are co-op (cooperative) barns in which all horse owners split responsibility for the barn chores and care of all of the horses. Co-op barns provide an alternative to the standard rough, semi-rough, and full boarding options for horse owners who don’t yet own horse barns of their own. Could a co-op situation work…