Horses

After competing in dressage for years, one statement I’ve heard occasionally- especially in the midwest- is that dressage is unnatural for horses. Proponents of this view feel that the way in which horses are “forced” to move during a dressage competition are not natural, and that such movements would never be performed by a horse …

For many horse owners, winter is a tough time of year. With less daylight in freezing temperatures, It may be difficult to ride as much as we’d like. Although many riders avoid riding in snow, with the appropriate care taken to preparations the experience can be an exciting and memorable experience – that’s helpful for …

Detangling a tangled and matted horse mane and tail can be a frustrating and time-consuming process- too often resulting in excessive loss of hair and thinning of the tail in the process! Before you take the nuclear option and completely roach your horse’s mane, try this method for detangling. Below you will find illustrated instructions …

What you should do in the hours, days, and weeks after your trailer is stolen in order to increase the chances of recovery of the trailer and its contents and prosecution of the criminals involved. When you realize something has been stolen, it’s natural to panic. Brains flood with cortisol and it can be hard …

Full cheek snaffle bits are popular in both English and Western riding. They are allowed and legal for most horse sports including the AQHA and USDF dressage competition (the latter being one of the most bit-restrictive horse show organizations). In 2009 I had the opportunity to visit a stable in Germany where the Olympian Isabelle …

The billets of an English saddle are straps located underneath the saddle’s flap, on each side. The billets are the anchor to which the girth is connected. The billet straps are securely attached to the tree (a saddle’s tree is what could be called the “skeleton” of the saddle) so once a girth is buckled …

Trailering a horse a long distance can be a stressful event for both horse and driver, but with proper preparation and equipment, you can reduce both your own and your horse’s stress level during the trip. Below are a few of my best tips and hints garnered from several years of hauling horses 4-6 hours …