It’s mesmerizing to see your horse float across a field, his limbs swinging effortlessly like pendulums. While a horse is built to cover ground, he often loses that long flowing stride with a rider on his back. We often...
While the hands may be voted the superstars of communication with your horse, the elbows are the true unsung heroes of the riders’ arms. They can make or break a horse’s ability to carry herself in a relaxed and...
Q: My experience showing horses has been with hunter/jumpers and eventing, all of which require helmet use. Recently I’ve branched out to try new disciplines, including western pleasure and saddle seat. I have begun to show in these divisions,...
A common misconception about riding horses is that reins slow them down and the rider’s legs make them go. That would be true, if your horse responded like a car.The equivalent of lightening or removing your leg, easing pressure...
Horses trained to demonstrate the good manners, responsiveness and smooth movement that characterize the consummate ranch horse are putting their skills to the test in the recently introduced ranch pleasure class. Debuted in 2012 by the American Quarter Horse...
Beauty and bling won’t sway the judges in the ranch pleasure class. It’s all about how well your horse performs the necessary tasks with natural, forward movement; cadence; willingness; and smoothness. At each gait, he should move freely with...
Q: I have a mare that pivots beautifully on the ground for showmanship. In the saddle, she will not pivot. Instead, she makes a tight circle. What can I do to make her pivot instead of circle under saddle?...
Q: I have a 10-year-old Quarter Horse mare that is still pretty green. When I ask her to jog or lope, she becomes tense and raises her head. How do I keep her in a relaxed frame?A: Green horses...
When it comes to riding a horse, using a bit is standard fare. But a bit is not the only way to send messages to your horse through the reins. Western riders have been using hackamores—a type of bitless...
Q: My horse and I are trying barrels, but he seems to be a little afraid of them. I’ve been slowly bringing him up to them and letting him sniff them, as well as walking the pattern. I tried...
