Article reprinted with permission from the Kentucky Horse Council
Etiquette and safety are close relatives that share a proportional relationship. In many cases a lack of one creates a breach of the other. Poor etiquette typically leads to unsafe activities,...
Happy is the horse that carries a well-balanced rider with a secure seat and soft hands. Your goal should be to ride this way all the time, whether it’s for one hour or all day. When you’re not in...
A horse that bolts is scary indeed because it’s like being aboard a runaway train. Though your first impulse is to stop the horse by pulling back with both reins, that’s usually ineffective. A panicked, determined horse is simply...
Trail riding is the most popular horseback activity. It’s fun and relaxing, and a great way to spend time with your horse. It can also give you the opportunity to use your trail riding skills to compete against other...
Summer marks the definitive end of hibernation from cold weather and the return to daily riding and weekend shows. As the season wears on, however, the temperature rises, and monitoring horses for overheating and dehydration becomes crucial.
Whether you’re trail...
If you spend a lot of time riding your favorite horse in an arena, you should go on a trail ride every once in a while. Horses get bored and rank going round and round in circles, and they...
In the April 2013 issue of Horse Illustrated, Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) instructor Teddy Franke explains how to keep your horse from taking off on the trail on the way back to the barn.
"If you find yourself in a...
A good trail horse must be able to accept unexpected noises and objects around them. In the February 2012 issue of Horse Illustrated, trainer Charles Wilhelm explains his method for desensitizing horses to dragging objects. In this video, Wilhelm...
Before you head out for a long day of trail riding, make sure your tack is properly adjusted. Improperly fitting tack can lead to sores that keep your horse out of work for weeks, and tack that is weak...
Trail riding is one of the most enjoyable equine activities, and riding with friends makes it even more wonderful. It’s also much safer to ride with a friend than to ride alone.
If you board your horse, you have probably...
