It doesn’t matter if you show in reining, horsemanship, or equitation, or simply enjoy a nice ride in the field. No matter what your niche is, you probably ask your horse to ride circles.Done correctly, circles have countless benefits....
Article reprinted with permission from the Kentucky Horse Council
Etiquette and safety are close relatives that share a proportional relationship. In many cases a lack of one creates a breach of the other. Poor etiquette typically leads to unsafe activities,...
By now you've probably heard of western dressage or its cousin, Cowboy Dressage. The hybrid sport that brings together the precise discipline of traditional dressage with the cowboy stylings of western sports is relatively new and growing fast. It...
Edited Press Release
Every equestrian has a favorite trail. Just thinking about riding there brings you a feeling of peace, of being close to nature and closer to your equine friend.
In celebration of trails, the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC)...
The opening rein is a specific rein aid that comes in handy under certain circumstances. English riders often use an opening rein to straighten a horse through a line of jumps or to cue their jumper for an upcoming...
Regardless of your riding discipline, the ability to post the trot is an important horsemanship skill. Though posting is primarily associated with English riders, western riders—including cowboys—also post to the long trot. To be certain, covering long distances at...
Hilda Gurney, undeniably America’s first great dressage rider (and a member of the bronze medal-winning team at the 1976 Olympics) has said that you can train a horse at home all you want, but you then have to spend...
If you have taken a few lessons and have decided that you're going to stick with it, now is the time to invest in some safe riding gear. You don’t have to run to the tack store and purchase...
Not everyone wants a fancy warmblood with European bloodlines. And, quite frankly, not everyone can afford one. Despite the trend toward warmbloods in the show-ring, there are many diehard Thoroughbred fans. The Thoroughbred is an athletic, courageous horse with a...
Teaching a green horse his leads isn’t easy. Before you resort to running around in circles, stop and consider whether you’ve adequately prepared your greenie for this new lesson. Your horse should willingly move forward from your leg. Next,...
