Horse Illustrated covers anything you can think of related to western riding, including how-tos, tips from experts, discipline specifics, and more. Disciplines included are: western pleasure, western dressage, reining, speed events like barrel racing, and cattle events like cutting and team penning. Many riders start out riding in this style, especially in the Western states, and then progress into one of the disciplines above. Some of the topics covered include introducing your horse to cattle, how to ride the rollback, how to cue the lope, how to go bitless, selecting a hat for the show pen, showmanship, and much more.

Explore the World of Horses at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts: From Competitions to Clinics, There’s Something for Everyone
October 28, 2019
Bring your family and friends to Equine Affaire Massachusetts this fall to enjoy the ultimate equestrian experience. On November 7-10, 2019, Equine Affaire returns to the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass., for its annual four-day celebration of all things equine. From thrilling equestrian competitions and performances to expert...

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Hall of Fame First Inductees Named
October 22, 2019
The leadership of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) announced the first inductees for the IHSA Hall of Fame. IHSA Hall of Fame candidates include people, horses and teams. IHSA has more than 400 member college and universities involved in intercollegiate equestrian competition competing individually and on teams in hunter...

Paint Horse Exhibitors Walk Away with More Than $1 Million in Cash and Prizes at 2019 APHA World Show
October 11, 2019
American Paint Horse exhibitors pocketed a record $1 million-plus in cash and prizes at the 2019 American Paint Horse Association World Championship Show (APHA World Show), which was held September 16-29 at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. More than 1,030 horses were on display with more than...

Cowboy Swagger Named 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover Champion With Fallon Taylor
October 8, 2019
Champion barrel racer Fallon Taylor takes on a new challenge every year: in 2018, she took up show jumping. This year, she took on the Thoroughbred Makeover. Already a champion as the 2014 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Champion and the 2018 American Quarter Horse Association World Champion, Taylor can...

Thoroughbred Makeover 2019: Day 2
October 4, 2019
Preliminary competition is now complete in all ten disciplines at the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The Kentucky Horse Park saw plenty of action on Thursday, October 3, as barrel racing, dressage, eventing, field hunter, show hunter, and show jumping concluded after starting on...

Thoroughbred Makeover 2019: Day 1
October 3, 2019
The temperatures are hot at the Kentucky Horse Park, but the competition is hotter. Day 1 of preliminary competition is complete at the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium 2019 , presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. Just under 400 retrained Thoroughbred racehorses are competing in 10 disciplines...

How to Wake Up a Lazy Horse
June 19, 2019
Slow and steady wins the race, right? However, a lackadaisical horse isn’t always a good thing. When you feel like your legs will fall off from constantly nudging your lazy horse along or you’re frustrated with his lack of response, you need to change your tactic to get him going....

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...

Address Your Horse’s Head Tossing Habit
May 21, 2019
Few things are more annoying than a horse that tosses his head under saddle. It’s hard to focus or get your horse to pay attention, and an irritated horse can’t do his job well. Frustrated with your horse’s head-tossing? AQHA Professional Horseman Allen Walton has a few ideas on how...

How to Stop Your Horse from Bucking
April 11, 2019
Any horse can buck—that’s just how they’re wired. Whether you’re logging a young horse’s very first trip under saddle or trying to stay aboard a frisky older horse, knowing how to minimize, ride through, and maybe even prevent future bucking are important skills for any rider. Brenda Hilgenkamp explains how...