Practical horse care, facility management, and riding knowledge — written for owners who want to do right by their horses.
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I have just had the pleasure of helping two of my students buy their first horses. I think they thought me to be a narrow-minded stick-in-the-mud with the number of horses they eagerly presented to me, which I advised against buying. This article explains why certain breeds of horses are not ideal for beginner riders. … Read more
Riders dealing with a resistant horse may be wondering if the answer to getting their horses working softly over their backs lies in the use of side reins or draw reins. However, determining which training aid to use depends on several different factors. Side reins are most commonly used during longing and in-hand work. Draw … Read more
The American Paint horse was initially bred as a colorful, wonderfully robust stock horse. These horses are exceptional at ranch work, but can they transform themselves into dancing ballerinas and take the dressage world by storm? A Paint horse can do dressage, especially western dressage. Dressage is designed to help horses move in lightness and … Read more
Dressage is the basis for all other disciplines. It creates harmony and understanding between both horse and rider, developing the bond between the two. Dressage is described by many as a dance with a horse. It also strengthens the horse and improves its performance overall. Dressage is all about the connection with the horse and … Read more
Perhaps, you watched the movie “Hidalgo” or have fallen in love with a friend’s Paint Horse, and now you’re wondering if a Paint Horse would be a good fit for yourself as a beginner rider? American Paint Horses can be good horses for beginners, as the breed is sensible, stoic, and hardy. The Paint Horse … Read more
Regardless of whether the stable houses the next Olympic champion or the 28yr old family Shetland, at least one of the yard horses will sport a leg wrap at some point. However, the type of leg wrap modeled by the individual horses depends on the purpose of the wrap. Leg wraps provide protection from mechanical … Read more
The bit sits in the horse’s mouth and acts as an interface between the rider’s hands and the horse’s mouth. Horses with sensitive mouths often become unhappy and dangerous to ride unless a comfortable bitting solution is found. The perfect bit for a horse with a sensitive mouth is one that considers the individual horse’s … Read more
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
As outside temperatures begin to drop, new horse owners or other interested parties may begin to worry about how our four-legged friends will fair outside in the dead of winter. Being a horse lover myself, I can’t help but shiver when I see the beautiful animals out in the cold, but is my sympathy being … Read more
Dressage is considered the ballet of English riding. At the highest level of competition, riders wear fancy coats with tails and, until recently, top hats. The horses are as shiny as a waxed wooden floor, their mane done up in complicated braids. But as they compete, dressage horses foam at the mouth as if a … Read more
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.
Horses come in a variety of breeds, just like dogs and cats. Thus, some horses suit specific tasks and jobs better than others. Draft horses, such as Percherons, are powerful and are perfect for heavy pulling work. But a Percheron would make a terrible showjumper. So what breeds are good for English riding? Best breeds … Read more
