Choosing the right trails is important during the hot summer months. Here are several rules you should follow:Never go "exploring” on a hot day; choose a familiar route instead, so you know exactly how long you will...
Every horse will spook at something sometime. There are a variety of methods for dealing with this problem, so experiment to find the approach that works best for you.Just ignore it. “Most of the time, I just ignore...
Most horses bolt, or take off running, when they’re scared or when they want to get back to the barn quickly. Bolting is a highly dangerous behavior that can unseat even experienced riders. If your horse is a chronic...
Barn-sour behavior is strongly influenced by horses’ natural instincts, including their instinct to be with the herd and their need for security. A barn-sour horse may refuse to leave the barn or hurry home from a ride. If you’re...
“When a horse feels anxious about something (catching up to another horse, or getting back to the barn, for example), he’ll want to go faster to catch up or to get back home where he’ll feel safe,” Falcone explains....
When it comes to first aid preparedness, humans aren’t the only ones to consider. From scrapes to sprains, horses need emergency care, too. Experienced trail riders recommend assembling equine-friendly first aid kits and carry them in a saddlebag or...
Recreational riding is America’s No.1 equestrian pastime. Nothing compares to exploring nature on horseback. But when you visualize yourself on the trail, a barn-sour, jigging, bolting, spooking horse probably isn’t part of the fantasy. These all-too-common bad habits have...
It can be a bit nippy in the morning when you head out on a trail ride, but by midday things often warm up and you need to shed your sweatshirt. Rather than tie it around your waist,...
Q. My 4-year-old mare kicks out and bucks while going downhill on trail rides. My veterinarian has ruled out health problems. How can I correct this dangerous behavior?A. Your horse is definitely trying to tell you something! Don’t get...
If you wish you could just saddle up Old Paint and trot off into the wilderness for a few days, but come up short because you don’t have an extra horse to handle all your gear, you’ll love ultralight...
