Practical horse care, facility management, and riding knowledge — written for owners who want to do right by their horses.
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Equestrian-related lingo is often an incomprehensible dialog of half-understood terms. While recognized equestrian federations (e.g., USDEF and FEI) have defined the relevant equestrian terms relating to modern riding, they have not clearly defined historical terms like “flatwork” riding. Flatwork riding has 2 meanings depending upon the context it’s used in. 1 – Flatwork riding is … Read more
When searching for your first horse to buy or lease, it can feel like an information overload. Often students approach me asking for a fool-proof guide to buying their first horse. One of the most common questions is: is “such and such” breed good for a beginner rider? This article examines the suitability of a … Read more
Bestowing your horse with a fitting moniker is one of the greatest joys of horse ownership; it’s an entertaining journey of trying on different names, from the common to the exotic, to see which name best fits your horse. However, the extraordinary care and effort that goes into picking the perfect name can seem futile … Read more
Riding is an addictive sport that is built on a foundation of trust between a horse and rider. A good horse and rider partnership is the product of hours upon hours spent working together; however, sometimes that partnership breaks down and becomes a source of frustration, fear, and disappointment to both partners. The hardest horses … Read more
So, you have now decided that you want to do showjumping, a discipline known for its jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring jumps in the high levels. Showjumping is a lovely discipline, where horse and rider work together to navigate a course of a set amount of obstacles in a specific time. All horses can jump, but some breeds … Read more
Compare Southern yellow pine, white oak, and HDPE for horse-stall walls and kick boards. Learn how moisture, splinters, toxic wood, treatment, drainage, and mats affect a safe 2026 barn build.
Prospective horse owners may question the value of leasing a horse when they can buy their own. However, you may be surprised to discover the many advantages of leasing a horse, even if you already own a horse! Leasing a horse is worth it if the lease agreement benefits both parties and is unambiguous and … Read more
Horse owners are a different breed of people. They are capable, and nothing is too much when it comes to caring for their horse. Horse owners quickly learn that caring for a horse requires knowledge of equine first aid, which involves assessing the horse’s temperature and knowing when there is a problem. A horse’s temperature … Read more
Horses are routinely described as majestic and noble animals. But they can hurt people, even those not riding them. They can kick and bite, sometimes hard enough to break a bone. While most deaths occur due to horse riding accidents, people on the ground can be killed if a horse spooks badly enough. So what … Read more
Horse owners spend enormous amounts of money and time ensuring that their horses remain healthy. It is discouraging to discover that your horse has oozing scabs on its body that appeared to come out of nowhere. Investigation reveals that your horse has rain rot. Your immediate concern is whether rain rot is contagious and if … Read more
Do riding crops hurt horses? They can when used with excessive force or poor timing. Learn responsible crop use, welfare signs, and how current rules protect horses.
Both aspiring riders and experienced riders often discourse on switching their horse from English to Western-style riding. Some people want to know what the difference is. Other people ask which is easier. Is the one or the other better? It is possible to switch your horse from English to Western-style riding. Many horses easily perform … Read more
