Anrie DiedericksI've been around horses since I was 6 years old and started competing at the age of 9. Horses are my greatest passion and I am thrilled to be able to share my 23 (and counting) years of experience and knowledge with you.
Anrie Diedericks 
The best bit for a sensitive-mouthed horse depends on fit, anatomy, dental health, training, and rider contact—not a universal mouthpiece. Learn safer selection steps.
Brushing horses can seem like a lot of hard work for minimal gain. I recently had one student protest that he didn’t need to brush his little Arab after riding because his horse was “mostly clean.” This incident brought home the fact that many of the routine horse care protocols experienced horse owners follow may … Read more
Learn when horses can safely stay outside in winter, how to provide shelter, forage, water, and safe footing, and which warning signs mean a horse needs more protection.
Learn why dressage horses may foam at the mouth, when saliva is normal, what tack and dental problems can cause excessive drooling, and when to call a veterinarian.
Compare the best horse breeds for Western riding in 2026, including Quarter Horses, Paints, Appaloosas, Arabians, Morgans, Mustangs, and gaited breeds by discipline, temperament, and work.
Compare 13 horse breeds and types for English riding, from Quarter Horses and Morgans to warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, ponies, and Lusitanos. Learn how to match breed, training, temperament, and soundness to dressage, jumping, eventing, and pleasure goals.
Learn which hay and forage hazards can harm horses, how to inspect a bale for mold or contamination, why lawn clippings are unsafe, and when to call a veterinarian.
Do horses like being ridden? Learn how to assess comfort, pain, tack fit, training, willingness, and welfare without forcing a simplistic yes-or-no answer.
Compare show-jumping stirrup designs by grip, ankle comfort, stability, release safety, boot fit, and competition requirements before you buy.
Gaited horses are adored for their sense of balance and smooth ride. They are a boon to riders with aging bodies who are struggling to sit on “bouncy” horses. But are these smooth horses able to do more than trail riding? Can gaited horses do dressage? Gaited horses can do dressage within USDF as modified … Read more
Horses have one stomach—not four like cattle. Learn how a horse’s stomach, small intestine, cecum, and colon work together, plus feeding and colic-safety basics.
Learn how to estimate a horse’s age from dental changes, body clues, and records—plus why tooth aging is only approximate and when to involve an equine veterinarian.
