Every once in a while, a horse comes along that reminds me about something important: While most horses are capable, in my opinion, of dabbling in all kinds of equestrian activities, there are a few proverbial square pegs that...
Horses bite and kick at each other in the herd. That’s appropriate behavior for them when turned out together. But that’s not appropriate behavior when humans are present, and you have to teach your horse what isn’t acceptable in...
Ever visit a building site before the walls go up? There’s plenty of activity as construction workers install plumbing and electric and pour the foundation, which are all essential—although hidden—aspects of a well-built house.
Once you’re in the completed...
Q: I’ve heard that it’s better for my horse if I use a mounting block, but he moves away before I can get my foot in the stirrup. How can I teach him to stand still?
A: A horse...
Like many trainers, Nikki Egyed finds great joy in rehabbing & re-training off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs). But where many others guide their new charges into new careers in English disciplines—dressage, jumping, hunters, eventing—Egyed has discovered their enjoyment of and talents...
Imagine a Sunday drive through a vineyard: the clippity clop of little hooves as you trot along, able to easily maneuver places a full-sized horse and cart could never venture. For champion Miniature Horse trainer Bryce Baker and his...
Parents are often teaching their children how to do things – going up and down stairs, riding a bike, how to swim and more. Children may be a little intimidated at first, resulting in the parent holding their hand...
Squaring up your showmanship horse is a deceptively simple concept. How hard can it be for a horse to stand evenly over all four feet? But this simple requirement can be a challenge to achieve consistently, and a flaw...
If you’ve ever been around children, you’ve either said (or heard someone say), "I wish I had that much energy.” It seems that all that energy is not limited to human children. Charlie, a miniature horse who lives on...
Q: Is it better to get off a misbehaving horse or keep riding so he doesn’t learn that he gets to quit when he’s being bad?
A: Whether you stay on your horse when he’s acting up is an...
