It may be tempting to run out and buy a horse the minute you find one, but rein yourself in and put the checkbook away for now. It’s a good idea to start your riding career at a reputable...
For my second vaulting lesson, I left the stationary barrel behind and moved on to the real deal--an adorable, plump little Haflinger.After jogging up and down the barn aisle several times to warm up, I donned my old ballet...
I've decided to embark on a new journey in my equestrian life: taking vaulting lessons. If you're not quite sure what vaulting is, it's basically performing gymnastic maneuvers on the back of a cantering horse (eek!). I'm hoping that...
North American endurance riders are taking on the United States' most competitive endurance race this weekend. The Western States Trail Ride, more commonly known as the Tevis Cup, is a 100-mile race in California that has been run since...
Perhaps you’ve heard it before. You think that you and your horse have done well, but you leave the show ring ribbonless. When you finally get up the courage to ask why, the judge states, "Your horse really isn’t...
Turns on the Forehand
A turn on the forehand, where the horse’s front end stays still while you move his rear end around it, is the perfect way to practice separating the hind end from the front end and being...
The bit is one of the most important and sophisticated pieces of equipment a horse owner will choose, but it is often selected with the least thought. “It was suggested by my friend. It’s what all the horses in my...
Pelham: There are rings for two reins on a Pelham bit. One is near the mouthpiece and is meant to function somewhat like a snaffle, using direct rein aids. The other is at the end of the shank, which...
Grazing bit: One of the most popular western curb bits, the grazing bit features fixed shanks that connect to a mouthpiece that usually has a mild or low port. The shanks typically bend back, often to a noticeable extent....
