After all, many a horse was started in a round pen. However, round pens can also be useful for even the most seasoned of horses, especially when it comes to brushing up on ground manners or strengthening the bond between horse and the rider. Here are a few exercises you can do with any horse…
Some riders really struggle with the idea of being their horse’s leader. They want to love and spoil their equine friend. Unfortunately, horses work in herd dynamics. Horses will either follow a leader or become the boss in the absence of one. This can be really dangerous when they…
Tongue lolling, head tossing, balking when asked to go forward can be signs your horse’s bridle is uncomfortable. Horses can get as cranky about bridle fit as they do about a saddle that pinches. If your horse’s bridle isn’t adjusted correctly, it can lead to painful rubs behind the…
Every ride can be seen as a training session. Even a leisurely trail ride requires maneuvering through obstacles. It’s important you become the best rider you can be for your horse. They need a confident and educated person to bring out their true potential. Time and time again, it…
I didn’t grow up showing much. As one of four kids in a single parent household, going to horse shows was extremely low on the priority list and just not financially viable.
When you’re a kid showing, things are very different then when you enter the world of being an…
Riding is considered an expensive sport. There are a lot of factors to consider before you sign up! You’ll experience both initial expenses for things like tack and riding equipment and ongoing costs related to lessons and horse care. There are ways to reduce certain fees, but you should…
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…
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…