Horses who throw a fit every time you try to leave the barn by refusing, turning back, or even rearing are barn sour and rather be at the comfort of the barn or with his buddies instead of riding with you. Horses can also exhibit a barn sour habit by rushing toward the barn on your way back from a trail ride. Here I will give you some exercises to cure your horse’s barn sour behaviors. Continue reading Barn Sour Behaviors
All good riders have one thing in common…an excellent lower leg position. Having the correct angles in your lower leg help to absorb the concussion of riding, give proper cues, and hold you securely on your horse’s back. Knowledge of this important ingredient of riding is invaluable and sometimes overlooked. Continue reading Riding From All Angles Part Two: Lower Leg
Does your normally good mannered horse turn into a monster come feeding time, pinning his ears, kicking out or otherwise acting aggressively? You may be causing the behavior by feeding a horse with a cranky look on his face in your hurry to finish barn chores without even knowing it. Here I will help you prevent that from happening by giving you a few tips to keep your horse respectful during feeding time. Continue reading Feeding Time Frenzy
Everyone wants to have good hair and we as horse owners and lovers want our horses to have beautiful manes and tails as well. Sometimes this can be difficult with uncooperative horses, however with a few tips and a little time your horse will have a gorgeous show quality tail. Continue reading Tail Care
Even if you aren’t a hunter/jumper or competing in trail classes, working your horse over ground poles will help you work on control, timing, and rhythm. Here I will outline the basics of getting your horse comfortable crossing poles at a walk then we will progressively get your horse walking, trotting, and cantering confidently over poles. Continue reading Pole Progression: The Walk
If you don’t live in a place where the weather is warm year round you unfortunately are faced with the challenge of riding, keeping fit and up to date on training during the winter. Or like many riders you unable to own a horse or ride as often as you would like. However, there are opportunities to improve your skills that will only cost you a little time and some dedication. Continue reading Four Ways to Improve Your Riding Without a Horse
Every horse owner knows there are many threats that we have to keep our horses safe from. We usually are consistent when putting boots before exercising, blanketing them when the weather is cold, and deworming and vaccinating on time. But, sometimes we over look other potential dangers like weather and other natural disasters. This article will give you some pointers on how to prepare yourself and your horse for any weather dangers that may come your way. Continue reading Emergency Procedures
Now that you and your horse have mastered walking through a series of poles, it is time to continue building your skills by trotting through them. Trotting poles brings your control, timing, and rhythm to a new level. Continue reading Pole Progression: The Trot
Many horses can have issues when it comes to hoof handling. These issues can range from resistance to sensitivity and anxiety about lifting the feet. Here I will discuss a few different methods to get your horse comfortable and confident about having his feet handled before the next time your farrier arrives. Continue reading Hoof Handling
Now that you have gotten your horse through the ground poles at the walk and trot it is time for the best part, the canter. When the horse can comfortably canter through a line of poles you are ready to tackle many other challenges, such as jumps and trail obstacles like boxes and gates. Continue reading Pole Progression: The Canter