DoPractice developing an even, cadenced lope away from the poles.
Make sure your cues are clear and your horse is listening before working on lope-overs.
Practice over poles and away from them.
Keep an even, motivated pace throughout the...
Who would have thought negotiating an obstacle course could draw so much attention or be so much fun? Across the country, at shows both large and small, more and more riders are entering trail classes. Many of these riders...
1. Desensitize your horse to scary situations you may encounter on the trail in a safe environment, such as an arena.2. Gradually introduce him to traffic where you can control the situation.3. Before you even think of hitting the...
When people search for a new horse, the first thing they often do is make a list of attributes they want in the horse, such as size, color and markings. They then try to find a horse that closely...
Choosing the right trails is important during the hot summer months. Here are several rules you should follow:Never go "exploring” on a hot day; choose a familiar route instead, so you know exactly how long you will...
Every horse will spook at something sometime. There are a variety of methods for dealing with this problem, so experiment to find the approach that works best for you.Just ignore it. “Most of the time, I just ignore...
Most horses bolt, or take off running, when they’re scared or when they want to get back to the barn quickly. Bolting is a highly dangerous behavior that can unseat even experienced riders. If your horse is a chronic...
Barn-sour behavior is strongly influenced by horses’ natural instincts, including their instinct to be with the herd and their need for security. A barn-sour horse may refuse to leave the barn or hurry home from a ride. If you’re...
“When a horse feels anxious about something (catching up to another horse, or getting back to the barn, for example), he’ll want to go faster to catch up or to get back home where he’ll feel safe,” Falcone explains....
When it comes to first aid preparedness, humans aren’t the only ones to consider. From scrapes to sprains, horses need emergency care, too. Experienced trail riders recommend assembling equine-friendly first aid kits and carry them in a saddlebag or...
