If you’ve ridden saddle seat for any length of time, you’re probably used to the regular reminders about proper equitation. "Hands up! Heels down! Roll your thighs in!” The elegant appearance of a skilled saddle seat equitation rider is...
When wintery weather sets in, many riders put a halt to all horse activities other than rudimentary care, in essence missing a great opportunity to continue training throughout the year. Actually, a fair amount of groundwork can be done...
Q: My gelding is a great ride in the round pen
or on a trail, but as soon as I get him in an open field he starts stops
listening to me and starts bucking. I have tried groundwork, but it...
Q: One of the horses I ride was professionally
trained for western pleasure. Now I want to ride him English and do some low
jumping, but whenever I try to canter he just lopes instead. This makes jumping
very awkward. Plus, continually...
Barrel racers know that overpracticing the pattern
can sour a speed horse. But what do the pros do during the week to keep their
horses in tip-top shape, both mentally and physically, for competition season?
Champion barrel racer and trainer Sue Smith...
Q: I recently purchased a new pair of field boots. I’ve been wearing them around the house and at the barn to break them in, but they still feel really stiff, and I have some shows coming up. Is...
There’s nothing unusual about me and my 8-year-old Morgan gelding, Majic, crossing creeks, jumping a log, picking our way up a rocky cliff or loping across a grassy meadow. We do these things every chance we get. But it’s...
On Saturday, Oct. 8, approximately 200 riders will
embark on a 100-mile ride for the Tevis Cup. Riders will attempt to journey
from Lake Tahoe to Auburn, California in a single day. Here’s an overview of
this landmark event....
English riders are introduced to the two-point position
during their first few lessons. But western riders can improve their position,
too, by practicing in two-point. Here’s how to do it properly.
But first it’s important to know the definition of
"two-point.” Hunt...
