What Your Horse’s Whorl Says About Him
May 22, 2015
Most people have heard of a cowlick – that stubborn tuft of hair that just won’t behave itself no matter how much gel or hairspray you throw at it. Although the name originates from the fact that if you have one, it looks like you’ve been licked on the head...
How to Do Rubber Band Braids
April 30, 2015
While many English competitors appreciate the look of a beautifully braided mane, it may seem like a daunting task to learn how to do it. The good news is that you can skip the more time-consuming braiding methods and still turn out a gorgeous set of braids by becoming...
7 Warning Signs of Poor Saddle Fit
March 12, 2015
Poor saddle fit can cause pain and trauma, which often manifest as a training issue or poor performance. Joyce Harman, DVM, MRCVS, author of The Horse’s Pain-Free Back and Saddle Fit Book, The Western Horse’s Pain-Free Back and Saddle Fit Book, and two DVDs, Western Saddles and English Saddles, offers...
Saddle Seat Divisions Decoded
March 5, 2015
The nuances of different saddle seat divisions may seem baffling to an outsider. But if you aspire to compete in this discipline, you need to determine the correct division for your horse. We asked professionals from the Morgan, Arabian and American Saddlebred breeds to help decode the class lists. Morgans...
What to Do When Your Horse Starts Bucking
March 4, 2015
If you ride, one day you will find yourself on a horse that bucks. It’s a natural defense a horse uses to launch a predator from his back. Bucking can be an expression of youthful exuberance, abundant or nervous energy, or pain. A horse may also react to an environmental...
The Mustang Mind
December 9, 2014
It’s the dream of many horse lovers: to have their own Mustang. And it’s no wonder. The recent popularity of programs like the Extreme Mustang Makeover has brought Mustangs into the limelight and shown what wonderful mounts they can be. In addition to the wild horses available through the Bureau...
How to Make a Horse Hair Necklace
November 1, 2014
We all appreciate jewelry that proclaims our love of horses. Unfortunately, most of the horsey jewelry we’d like to wear is outrageously expensive and the stuff we can afford is often rather cheesy. My solution is to make my own equestrian jewelry, and you can, too. This particular necklace design...
How to Stack Hay
August 20, 2014
Putting up a winter’s supply of hay is a satisfying accomplishment for horse owners and barn managers, but improperly stacked hay is an invitation for trouble. Not only can hay stacks become dangerously unstable, they can also welcome pests, mold and, most significantly, heat build-up. Horse owners across the...
Alternative Hoofwear: Thinking Beyond Traditional Horseshoes
March 1, 2014
Humans have been nailing shoes to the bottom of horses’ hooves for centuries. In Europe, cast bronze shoes were common by about 1000 AD. While barefoot is the most natural condition and is recommended whenever possible, horses often need the protection offered by shoes. In the last 15 years,...
Draft Horses: Go Big
December 1, 2013
From the heather-dotted moors of Scotland to the lumber camps of the American Midwest, the draft horse has made its mark all over the world. For centuries, draft horses have completed the strenuous work of clearing and plowing fields, pulling heavy wagons, and hauling logs in forests. No matter what...
