How to Choose a Western Bit
May 31, 2019
Here are some tips on how to choose a western bit suitable for your horse: Western horses are ridden in both snaffle bits and curb bits. Snaffle bits work via direct pressure while curb bits employ leverage. Young or green horses are typically started in a snaffle bit and should...
Draft Hitches 101
May 7, 2019
Draft horses are commonly associated with draft driving and heavy harness work. Here’s a quick overview of draft horse driving terminology, including different hitches: Team: two horses hitched side by side Tandem: two horses, one in front of the other Unicorn hitch: a team with one horse in front Four-horse...
Western Training: To Post or Not to Post
March 18, 2019
If you’re a western rider, you probably sit when your horse trots (unless your horse is long-trotting, when you may stand in your stirrups for comfort). But while posting at the trot is unacceptable in the show pen in most classes, rising and sitting while your horse trots is a...
10 Fun Facts About Buckskin Horses
November 14, 2016
Over the past few months, we’ve explored the beauty of black horses, the allure of palominos, the delight of chestnuts, and the wonder of grays—and it goes without saying that we’re also extremely fond of buckskin horses. After all, what’s not to love about the stunning coloring of a beautiful...
15 Fun Facts About Mules
October 27, 2016
We’ve gathered up 15 fun facts about these lovely, long-eared equines—read on to test your knowledge and learn something new! A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, and typically possesses a mix of horse and donkey characteristics (long ears , for example). A...
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Trigger
August 31, 2016
A recent talk by Petrine Day Mitchum, co-author of Hollywood Hoofbeats, revealed some fun facts about one of the most famous movie horses of all time. Trigger was the equine sidekick of singing cowboy Roy Rogers. The iconic pair graced screens both big and small in the 1940s and 50s...
16 Fun Facts about Chestnut Horses
May 16, 2016
Everybody loves the beauty of a gorgeous chestnut horse, but how much do you really know about chestnut horses? Expand your chestnut-horse knowledge with these 16 fun facts, then quiz your friends. Enjoy! 1. There are only two base colors in horses: black and red (chestnut). Every other color is...
A Guide to English Stirrups
April 25, 2016
Choosing stirrups for your English saddle isn’t as straightforward as it seems, as there are actually quite a few categories and sub-categories out there. Here’s a quick rundown on some popular stirrup varieties and why you might want to choose one over another. Fillis Stirrups Fillis Stirrups When you...
Guide to Gaited Horse Breeds
April 14, 2016
Perhaps you’ve met a few gaited horses out on trail and watched them blaze by as their riders sat easily in the saddle. Or maybe you’ve considered going gaited yourself but wondered how the transition would be, or which gaited horse is right for you. If so, read on to...
