One of the most common questions new riders ask about horseback riding is about the difference between English and Western riding. Most of the images of horses we have been shown in the Western Hemisphere in the past few centuries has reduced the many styles of riding down to these two: English riding (represented today…
Fake Tails- are they Really “a thing”? It is! Horse shows have always been something of a beauty pageant for both horses and riders, but in the late 20th century it became increasingly common to improve the length and fullness of a horse’s tail by using what’s referred to as a “false tail” or “tail…
Whether you are new to the world of Curly Horses or an old pro, it’s not always as simple as it sounds to identify a curly horse. The gene responsible for a curly horse’s coat is a gene that is carried receptively in many bloodlines of many breeds (almost all breeds that have Mustang…
Sometimes horses will start becoming difficult to ride into an arena (or any area they’ve typically been ridden or trained in). Often, the horse will start exhibiting behaviors that make it difficult for the rider to get the horse to the arena. These difficult behaviors can range from simply refusing to enter the arena- by…
Receiving a horse as a gift can be an incredibly memorable and moving experience for both a horse-loving girl (or boy) and the gift-giver. In this article, we’ll talk about a few ways that you can make sure that this moment is the gateway to years of enjoyment, growth, and all the positive possibilities available…
Sitting trot is the most difficult gait for most horseback riders. Sitting trot takes time, practice, a forgiving horse, and, perhaps most importantly, an ability to relax. Here are a few tips to help you perform the sitting trot: Don’t force your heels down in sitting trot, but make your ankles as loose and…
Although a horse’s bones and joints aren’t mature enough to carry a rider until 2 to 3 years old, there are many important skills that can be taught to a horse before 2 years old. If you are raising a young horse to be your next trail, hobby, or show partner, it can be a…
When people use the word saddle sores they might mean two different things: either sores that develop on riders due to sensitive skin being irritated during riding or sores that develop on a horses body underneath the saddle. This article will deal with this issue when it comes to riders, for information on dealing with…
Quality horse jumps, poles, and standards can cost many thousands of dollars. For a casual rider or a beginning riding stable, the cost of purchasing a set of jumps can be prohibitive. In this post we will be talking about several ways to build attractive, unique, horse jumps without spending a small fortune! What This…
The diagram below provides an important tip for equitation classes that many beginners learn the hard way – by performing the pattern incorrectly in the show ring. As this diagram shows, to correctly execute a figure 8 in an equitation class at a horse show, it is important to not ride the pattern in…
