It’s true that the higher protein and caloric content of alfalfa can be beneficial for certain horses, such as those that are growing, pregnant or lactating mares, or horses needing to put on weight, but if your horse doesn’t need the extra protein or calories, alfalfa may not be the best option. Compared with…
My dressage trainer has always said that we use posture as an aid. This includes the shoulders, arms, core, seat, legs, joints, etc. Body awareness allows a rider to move joints and limbs independently or together in order to cue the horse properly. Easier said than done! When I was younger I slouched and jutted…
You may be wondering if your horse has reached their full size. This question is frequently asked by horse owners. It can be helpful to know for suitability purposes. Some riders need a tall, broad horse and others want to show in the pony division. Ultimately, your horse’s height and build can affect your future…
February may be associated with Valentine’s Day and your special someone, but there’s another holiday you don’t want to miss! It’s called Galentine’s Day. This “made up” holiday is celebrated on February 13th. It’s basically a day in which you shower your closest gal pals with love. Since most equestrians are close with their barn…
back when my mom was a competitive endurance rider who starting keeping one on hand in case her horse threw a shoe out on the trail. Today, however, many people are choosing to forgo shoes all together in favor of barefoot, and if they need hoof protection when riding on rougher terrain, many choose to…
When people speak of a horse’s heart, they’re not usually referring to the actual organ itself. If a horse has heart, we often mean that he/she has some intangible and admirable quality such as exceptional athleticism, gentleness, or stoicism. Interestingly enough, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the heart is believed to house the spirit or…
Zebras are actually in the same genus family as horses, Equus. While looking more into zebras I found that there are three main types of them, but all of them are native to Africa. There are the plains zebra, the mountain zebra, and the grevy zebra. Plains zebras live in the grasslands and woodlands of…
It’s February and love is in the air! This intense emotion can be described as feeling deep affection for someone or something. Many would say they love their horse with their whole heart. Afterall, riding becomes a partnership in which you bond and learn all about each other. It involves trust and mutual respect. Have…
Knowing your horse’s weight is important when designing a feeding program and also for administering supplements or medications such as bute, banamine, or dewormers. The problem is that most of us don’t have a horse-sized scale on hand! Many people tend to estimate that their adult horse is about a thousand pounds, but, of course,…
The Wild West wouldn’t have been the same without horses. After all, every cowboy needs a trusty steed. Beginning after the Civil War and ending around 1895, the American Frontier was known for its pioneers, outlaws, and gunslingers. Similar to modern times, these folks had different breeds of horses. Each breed had a specific purpose….