Practical horse care, facility management, and riding knowledge — written for owners who want to do right by their horses.
Explore the BlogShop Horse Mats
No horse can run in the Kentucky Derby twice because the race is limited to three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Learn how age rules, qualifying points, and the Triple Crown pathway work.
Showjumping is the horse riding discipline most non-riders think of during Olympic equestrian events. Dressage mystifies and confuses the non-horsey-folks, as Eddie Izzard has famously explained. But then they wonder about all this talk of verticals. Why are horse jumps called verticals? Horse jumps are often called verticals as it is the most common obstacle … Read more
Many a horse rider enjoys a good hack. But it is terribly awkward to be out and about with your mates when some farmer starts bellowing that you are all trespassing. Then your mates start yelling that it is a public footpath, so they are doing nothing illegal. So much fuss. Meanwhile, you have no … Read more
Tweed was back in a big way in 2020, although some argue it never went away. This classic and currently trendy fabric is known to provide excellent insulation, is thick, and generally pretty durable. If you are show jumping in a cooler or downright cold, part of the world, tweed might look pretty appealing. But … Read more
Miniature horses are some of the cutest animals you will find. They are engaging, charming creatures that do not take up much space. Minis often engage in comical behaviors and endear themselves to their owners with their big personalities. You may be tempted to purchase a miniature horse and be looking into all the pros … Read more
Horses can sometimes seem like a giant dog: you can walk them on a lead, they live in groups, you can teach them tricks, and they will beg for treats. Many a horse or pony enjoy a good scratch behind the ear, too, just like a dog. But are horses really big dogs in disguise? … Read more
Why do horses have weird show names? Learn how registered names, barn names, pedigree traditions, registry rules, character limits, and competition IDs fit together in this practical 2026 guide.
A practical 2026 guide to dressage levels, including the USDF and FEI progression, national differences, movements, readiness, and current official test sources.
Horses can be found on every continent in the world, except Antarctica. Despite their diversity, all modern horse breeds are part of a single species called Equus caballus. But where on our planet do horses actually originate from? The first ancestral horse, Eohippus, appeared in North America around 55 million years ago. Early horses migrated … Read more
As a dedicated dressage rider, I cannot tell you how many times people have told me, “But you just sit there, the horse does all the work…” or some other variation. Over the years, I have learned to grit my teeth and school my face into a pleasant expression of bland indifference; it continues to … Read more
Learn what dressage riding is, how tests and levels work, what the training scale means, and how beginners can start safely and ethically.
Learn how to use a Fitbit or Google Health app to log horseback riding, interpret steps and calorie estimates, track heart-rate trends, and keep a useful riding log in 2026.
