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…

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…