Horses

It may have taken a while, but you finally found the perfect horse for you. Your trainer approves, you feel comfortable with it, and it has a face you can look forward to seeing looking out of the stall every day.

Few horses run faster or farther than the majestic hot-blooded Arabian horse. Discover interesting facts about Arabian horses that may surprise you.

As horse owners, we know that one of our horse's favorite pastimes is getting themselves hurt. Hopefully, you won't have to deal with any major injuries. We can handle most bumps and scrapes at home on our own. Sometimes for one reason or another though, the problem is too big for us to deal with.

Horses, like most species of ungulates, are social animals with complex social structures and hierarchies. This article will discuss the basics of equine social behaviors within the herd, and how factors such as age, gender, and the environment play a role.

Every noble steed deserves a special name to reflect its personality and style. I will present you with a list of different names that I think are fitting and well-chosen.

Learn about the Persian Onager (Equus hemionus onager), a rare wild horse native to Iran that is endangered. Only 600 to 700 individuals remain in the wild and at zoos around the world.

With the beautiful fall weather setting in around the country, I bet a lot of riders are thinking about getting out of the ring and onto the trail. There is no better place to view fall foliage than from the back of a horse. If you are a new rider and considering trail riding, here is some advice!

Horses are one of the most majestic creatures to ever run on this planet, and they deserve a name as magnificent as they are!

Out of all horse breeds, the heaviest and tallest are often the most gentle and docile of all. To many travelers, riders, and workers, the heavy horse breeds are not only companions, they are friends.

Look here for 20 great names based off of fire for chestnut horses, mares, geldings, stallions, foals, and colts. These fiery-red names will give you some great ideas for your new horse. The names come from different languages and mythology.

To blanket or not to blanket your horse is always a question that is asked a lot this time of year. The weather is getting chillier and we start to think about if our horses are going to be warm enough.

What parts of a horse are trimmed? How does it vary from breed to breed?

The benefits of planning a show for your students is great. It gives them a safe, low-pressure, first-time show experience, and it gives them a goal to work towards.

Riding horses is nothing less than magical. There is absolute joy in feeling their powerful muscles respond to your every wish and command. Whether you are ambling along a country lane, galloping across a white sand beach, or taking a tight turn as...

When it comes to horses and other equines, few people understand the true definitions of sensitive topics such as neglect, abuse, or cruelty. Much less often do individuals know how to identify the warning signs of mistreatment or which steps to take next.

I know many horse-loving kids who dream of a career with horses. Here is my advice for those who think they want to follow that path. It is not an easy path, but most certainly not impossible for those who are dedicated and hard working.

The names for all horses here, from mares to foals to geldings and stallions, are based in Greek mythology. Discover a cool name with meaning for your new horse so that their name will really stand out.

Rare horse breeds like the Caspian and the American Cream Draft face extinction if the conservation efforts in place are not successful. Learn more about these beautiful and rare horses with facts, maps, images and videos.

Where is the line between appropriate discipline of a horse and abuse? Some thoughts on the matter.

Learning to trot is an exciting time for new riders. Learning to post is part of that process. Here are some helpful hints for learning how to post.

Horse training tips from an old-time cowboy.

Helpful advice for riding instructors on teaching fearful students. Even the confident riders have scared moments—it happens to the best of us. As instructors, we need to be prepared to handle that. Here are some hopefully helpful hints!

It is the season to begin to think about Christmas cards. If you are a horse owner, I'm sure you would love to include your horse or horses on your holiday cards. It can be easier said than done sometimes though! Here are some tips!

Being a therapy horse is hard work. Does your horse have what it takes to keep special riders safe, happy, and learning?

Miniature horses! You can't ride them, unless you are a miniature person. Driving is the way to go. In this first of a series, we will look at the most common vehicle for minis: the Easy Entry cart.

Amazing horse quotes from famous people and celebrities including Benjamin Disraeli, J.D. Salinger, Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain, Rudyard Kipling, W. C. Fields and many more.

Why do people breed mules? What are they useful for? Are there any other equine hybrids - and why? What makes a mule better than a horse, or worse?

Both purebreds and draft crossbreds such as the Sport horse are susceptible to certain health issues not so common in light horse breeds.

Here's a seven-day plan for horse-crazy kids to help them convince Mom and Dad to sign them up for lessons (from the perspective of a horse-crazy kid that never left the horse-crazy stage in life).

Are we doing the horse a favor putting a jacket on him when it is cold outside? I should think not. It is quite the opposite.

I have mentioned before that part of learning to ride is progressing to riding more difficult horses (or climbing the lesson-horse ladder as I have been known to call it). It is hard to explain to students who love the old faithfuls that they have been riding that it is time to move on.

There are many causes for nosebleeds in horses. Some causes of equine epistaxis can be detrimental to the health of your horse. Learn to recognize the symptoms of these serious health conditions.

Saddle soap keeps leather saddles and horse tack clean and supple. Here is a traditional recipe using lye and a more modern safer home recipe that does not use lye.

Learn how to search through the ads, choose a trail worthy horse, and what to do before you finalize the sale.

Anyone who has had an overdue mare can easily recognize these seven stages of foaling -- in themselves, that is. After nearly a year of waiting for the foal's arrival, we do get a bit impatient!

A common question I get asked a lot by my clients is what does it mean to lease a horse? Also, why would you want to lease a horse rather than buy one? Hopefully, I can help you understand what it means and if it might be a good option for you.

In this article you will learn the signs and symptoms of colic and ulcers. You will learn what causes them, and how to treat these chronic conditions that are popular among our equine athletes.

Horses enjoy being ridden when riding is fun. Here are my ideas for making riding fun for horse and rider.

Abraham Lincoln, John Steinbeck, William Shakespeare, Winston Churchill and more. All the best and most memorable horse quotes from famous people throughout history

What's so great about working with horses? An article about utilizing the horse as a source of power, based on my personal experiences using them to perform farm labor and other tasks.

Horses come in all kinds of personalities. Some horses (and mules) are simply stubborn or lazy, refusing to go forward (sometimes in the face of significant persuasion). How do you deal with this?

We are winding down the season at our farm and preparing for our last farm show of the year this coming weekend. Our shows are a little different than a typical show since all the students share the lesson horses, but it is still a great learning experience. Here is some first-time showing advice.

The floor in a stock/horse trailer does not last forever. It must be replaced BEFORE it rots. When the wood floor rots it can break through at anytime when weight is applied to it. Tragedies...

Look here for a list of the best Native American horse names and their meanings. These beautiful, unique names would work wonderfully for Appaloosas, Morgans, Paints, Mustangs, Standarbreds and other American breeds.

Learning the proper and basic balanced riding position from the very beginning will help riders to be more safe and confident. In this article, I hope I make it easier to understand and visualize for you, and provide some hints that have helped my riders get it!

Want your horse to come running at the sound of your voice? Learn this easy method.

Congratulations! You're about to experience one of the most rewarding experiences of horse ownership: the arrival of your long-awaited foal. Here's what you should have on hand.

The energy and "vibes" that we carry with us around our horses affects how successful we will be in our interactions with them.

This is kind of a trick question. There is not a black and white answer to this question. There are a lot of generalizations people make about different breeds, but shopping by breed for a new rider is not the best way to do it. For a new rider, you should look for a horse based on its behavior.

There is a lot out there about finding the right horse, but not so much about what to do if you buy the wrong one! Hopefully, this article helps!

The following names from mythology and literature all feature strong, powerful horses for you to name your foal, mare, stallion, or gelding after. Some names are great for a chestnut, black, bay, or grey horse, while others work for any large horse.

Every kid that rides has, at some point, begged their parents for a horse. Here is a guide to help parents determine whether or not their child is ready.

What is the right way to take care of a rescue horse? What health and behavioral problems should you expect? How should they be fed and should they be quarantined, and why?

Learn how to manage and handle a scared horse and find out if you need the help of a professional.

Ponies are beautiful animals. They are part of the equine family. They come in a variety of breeds which all carry different attributes and likings. Ponies also makes great pets.

Horses are magnificent animals that deserve a good name no matter what they are used for. Give your beloved pet a name that others won't soon forget, even if they don't compete in the Kentucky Derby.

These names from Norse mythology give you lots of interesting choices for your horse. From Fenrir to Odin, to Loki to Sleipnir—the eight-legged horse—the names below all have meanings that will add to your bond with your horse.

We should all ditch the discipline snobbery! To each their own. And besides, before you can teach the skill set your horse needs for a certain discipline, we all need them to have certain basics. These basics don't change depending on the saddle.

Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries are a substantial source of lameness and diminished athleticism within the equine athletic industry. Mesenchymal stem cells have become a topic of interest for use in the therapy of orthopedic injuries in athletic horses.

Knowing what to expect during your mare's pregnancy and the foal's birth can be life-saving to both the dam and the foal.

Learn how to use your lesson horses appropriately and communicate your plan to your riders and families well to encourage successful riding.

Safety tips for ensuring child safety with horses and horseback riding. Horse pictures and horse riding videos included!

These great names for your horse, foal, or pony were inspired by astronomical, celestial, star, and space terminology. Give your horse a stellar name so that you will soar together as a team.

Here are a few cute and easy tricks to train your horse to do!

A few hints and tips about dealing with anxiety and nervousness in horses.

What is the best way to clean, disinfect, and treat your wounded horse? Learn basic first aid for your horse so that you can help in the event that a veterinarian cannot be reached.

Learn basic training from foal to three year old, including haltering, tieing, leading, saddling, biting, and ground work. This is just an overview of the very basics a foal needs to know.

These are just a few of the many misconceptions that I have heard floating around out there about horseback riding. I figured I would shed some light on them and help to add some clarification for those who may be wondering!

Sores in your horses mouth may be caused by a weed in the hay being fed to him. Pictures and video explain and identify those weeds that may be the culprit.

Tips for preparing your property before bringing a horse home. Do you have good fencing? What kind of barn should you build? Be ready and don't get caught out.

This article explains how to train a horse for barrel racing. Video included.

Horses are known for their beautiful, flowing tails. Why do they have a tail so unlike other equids? And what do they do with it?

Some practical ways to afford a horse at any age! Learn where to look for a horse, and where to look for affordable tack. Most importantly, learn how to save on board and other expenses.

Horses bite? Sadly, they can and do. How do you keep from getting bitten? Read to discover ways to handle a horse that is prone to nipping.

What makes a great student? How can you be one yourself? Having been teaching for almost 20 years now, I think I can give you some advice on how to be a superstar riding student.

When looking for a horse, how big a horse do you need? How much weight can a horse safely carry? It's more complicated than a simple rule of thumb.

Does your horse throw its head in the air when you try to bridle it? Or turn its back on you when it sees the bit? What causes this problem and how can it be fixed?

Some horses definitely prefer to turn to one side. If your horse is like this, then why? And how can you fix it?

What do you do if your horse bucks? Why is he doing it? Is he deliberately trying to get you off or not?

There is a little more to shopping for a pony-ride pony than you might think. Here are some things to keep in mind that will hopefully help you find what you need!

Genetics determine a horse's coat color. There are many different coat colors that are possible, but all colors are produced by the action of only a few genes. This article will review the basics of equine genetics, and the genes that create the beautiful coats of the horses we enjoy today.

How many different kinds of horse whip are there? The answer is . . . quite a few, all of them designed for different disciplines and purposes.

Here's some advice on how to be a good "barn parent" or "lesson parent"—whatever you prefer to be called.

What does it mean to say a horse is "bridle lame?" What causes this problem and how can it be fixed?

Horses are remarkably intelligent and beautiful creatures which have been bred by humans for a multitude of purposes for hundreds of years. Here are some of the world's most unusual equine breeds.

The Thoroughbred holds one of the oldest recorded pedigrees. There exists ongoing concern that the ever-narrowing gene pool of the Thoroughbred may be restricting genetic progress both athletically and reproductively, and contributing to an eventual increased frequency of heritable disease.

Many riders deal with the frustration of their horse dropping its inside shoulder around turns and cutting in. Here are some exercises I use with my horses and students to correct this common problem.

A martingale is a training aid designed to prevent a horse from throwing its head up so high it becomes dangerous. What different kinds of martingale are there, and when should they be used?

Like English versus Western riding, one of the most debated topics among horse owners is if they prefer mares or geldings.

Get insider information from an American Quarter horse owner, two trainers and a vet about why the AQH makes an awesome pet.

Do you have a horse that is prone to buck? This little setup might just do the trick to make him stop, or reduce the buck in him.

Tips and tricks for working with extremely tough-minded and dominant horses.

Being in the business of teaching riding lessons and giving pony rides, I need the safest horses I can find—horses that have seen the world and experienced a lot, and horses that are calm and kind. Usually, these are older horses who may need special care.

Posting on the correct diagonal can be a frustrating thing for new riders to learn. It doesn't have to be though! Hopefully, my article will provide some insight to help it go more smoothly for both students and instructors.

Horse training tips for calming a nervous horse, along with tips for preventing a hot horse. Discount calming supplements for sale, too. Videos included.