Forget the lions, tigers and bears. Oh my! More often it’s the trash cans, motorcycles and street signs that make our otherwise brave trail horses shiver in their shoes. Though there are a handful of truly bombproof horses out...
When you’re focusing on your horse, it’s easy to forget about your position in the saddle. Adjust your stirrups to a length that hits your ankle bone or slightly above when your foot is...
Horse rescues generally receive little to no background information about the equines they take in, which can make the retraining process difficult for the people who adopt these horses. The staff at the Kentucky Equine Humane Center (KyEHC) does...
Each year more than 30,000 Thoroughbreds are registered with the Jockey Club. Out of that annual foal crop, one will go on to fame as a Kentucky Derby winner at age three. A few more will accomplish notable racing...
An off the track Thoroughbred (OTTB) can have a difficult time transitioning from the high pressure routine of the racetrack to the more leisurely lifestyle of a second career. With patience and a little planning, an OTTB can be...
The Mobile Equine Diagnostic Service (MEDS) truck travels throughout Florida and elsewhere in the Southeast to provide accessible state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities to horse owners and their veterinarians. (Photos courtesy of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine)At the University...
Do you desperately wish for an elaborate jump course to practice on at home or at your boarding barn? After all, how can your horse be ready for the tricky turns and combinations at a show if he hasn’t...
Arena work is essential for all types of training. A controlled environment with good, level footing allows horse and rider the opportunity to perfect form, balance, rhythm and timing without worrying about unexpected wildlife encounters, hardpan, ruts or rocks....
The average resting heart rate of a healthy, mature horse is between 30 - 40 beats per minute (bpm). When your horse starts sweating and blowing, you know he is working hard. But respiration isn’t the most reliable means...
“Oh, there’s always some point in the day when my friends and I will look at each other and ask ourselves, ‘Are we having fun yet?’ It’s usually after one of us has gone off course or blown a...
