Practical horse care, facility management, and riding knowledge — written for owners who want to do right by their horses.
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Are you a horse enthusiast wanting to start riding? Have you purchased your first horse and now want to start riding? In this article, we’ll look ar ways how you can teach yourself how to ride as well as give some tips on riding. Yes, It is possible to teach yourself how to ride a … Read more
When riding in the Dressage arena, do you ever wonder if Showjumping would be a better or easier discipline? Or when going over jumps, don’t you wonder if the relaxed atmosphere of Dressage is more appealing? Both disciplines are unique but, at the same time, share a lot in common. Dressage and Jumping are quite … Read more
Draw reins have been used in horse training and riding for decades. Ever wondered why showjumpers need draw reins as part of their tack? Can you jump in draw reins? Draw Reins or running reins are used by showjumpers as a training aid when riding on the flat to encourage the horse to work in … Read more
Have you tried to jump in a dressage saddle? Even though it feels quite different and sometimes uncomfortable, one can still get over jumps using a dressage saddle, but only up to a certain height. It gets especially difficult with a more forward and scopey horse. Yes, you can jump in a dressage saddle, and … Read more
Showjumping, in general, is not designed to be a cruel sport in the equestrian industry. But what aspects of show jumping can make it cruel to the horses? Do horses actually enjoy jumping? Showjumping is not necessarily cruel to the horse. When a horse is fit and healthy and has the conformation and ability to … Read more
Showjumping is more complicated than it looks. There are many contributing factors to the design of a show jumping course. The type of show jumping class, the height of the jumps, and the technicality of the jumps play a huge role in the number of jumps in a showjumping course. The average show jumping track … Read more
When I was younger and just starting with horses, I always used to wonder whether one-eyed horses could jump and compete in show jumping competitions. After a couple of decades of working with horses, I know a lot more now and thought I’d write this article for those of you who might be wondering the … Read more
The equestrian world is a billion-dollar industry. Showjumping is expensive, and as I try and break it down in this post, It is hard to say precisely how expensive show jumping is. I will try to bring light to all the expenses you will face when becoming a showjumper to try and give you a … Read more
The amount of land needed to pasture a horse humanely is a matter of conjecture among horse owners. The main reason you’ll get so many different answers to a relatively straightforward question is that the amount of land you need for a horse depends on many different variables. When stocking horse pastures, the standard rule … Read more
Showjumping has many dangers, but are there ways to prevent them? Every sport has its risks, and showjumping is no different. Showjumping is one of the more dangerous equestrian sport out there. This is especially true for horse and rider combinations competing at the top levels. Falling is part of the sport, and even experienced … Read more
Not sure where to start when choosing the right stirrups? Which stirrups are better for dressage, jumping, and trail riding? How long should your stirrups be? There are many stirrups on the market today, and choosing the stirrups that are right for you can be overwhelming. Finding stirrups that suit you can be like finding … Read more
It’s hard to ignore the many positives of feeding a horse the most nutritious diet possible. But just how much nutrition is necessary for horses? And do they get enough from hay or grass? Horses can live on hay or grass alone. Both provide great sources of carbohydrates, vitamins, protein, and even healthy antioxidants. However, … Read more
