In the realm of things we do with our horses, there is a practise that we must stop: the shaving of our horses’ sensory hairs. Your horse has special tactile sensory hairs, known as whiskers. Her whiskers play an important part in her awareness of the world around her, filling …
Just like when learning any new thing, there are those typical challenges that beginners tend to cycle through as they’re improving their skill. These are all things I’ve done myself, I’ve discussed with other riders, and have encountered over and over again when teaching someone how to ride. These are …
Your horse is full of pressure points that he regularly uses to communicate with other horses. It’s incredibly beneficial for you to know what these points are and how to use them for more effective communication with your horse. Let’s first talk about volume. This is similar to how you …
For many horse owners, mounting their horse may seem like a simple task that requires nothing more than a little leg power and a saddle. However, mounting your horse without the aid of a mounting block can have serious consequences for both you and your equine companion. What are the …
When I was younger, I had two riding instructors that were like day and night. One was nicknamed “The Whip,” and she liked to bark and yell at me constantly. She would shout at me from across the arena, where she’d stand sipping her coffee, nitpicking every little thing I …
The Mustang is a breed of feral horse that is native to the western United States and it holds a unique place in the history of the United States. Mustangs are known for their hardiness, agility, and stamina – traits that they have developed over generations since their ancestors arrived …
Unfortunately, there are only a small number of sports where men and women compete against each other equally, regardless of sex. In these sports, the physical differences between men and women are deemed not to have any effect on the outcome of the competition. Equestrian sports in the Olympics are …
From the vast plains of the American West to the bustling streets of modern cities, the thundering hooves and steadfast spirit of the Quarter Horse have woven themselves into the fabric of American history. Proudly bearing the title of America’s first native horse breed, the Quarter Horse has left an …
Mules and donkeys are fascinating animals that have played an important role in human history for thousands of years. While they are often lumped together, mules and donkeys are two distinct species that have different physical and behavioural characteristics. Mules and donkeys both belong to the genus Equus, which also …
The evolution of the horse is a fascinating subject: it covers over 50 million years of geographical and biological changes. While such an expanse of time will always leave some questions open and some puzzles unsolved, the horse is comparatively well studied. This means that there’s a lot of information …
Tying is a crucial skill that every horse should learn. Tying is an essential skill for grooming, tacking up, and when the vet, physiotherapist or farrier come to work on your horse. Tying your horse refers to the act of securing your horse to a stationary object, such as a …
“A horse is the projection of peoples’ dreams about themselves – strong, powerful, beautiful – and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.” – Pam Brown “A horse doesn’t care how much you know until he knows how much you care.” – Pat Parelli “The …
