Like almost everything in the horse world, blankets are a topic that can lead to heated argument. How much is too much? Does your horse really need a blanket? And if so, what kind? Don't worry – this article should shed some light on the subject. I've been managing a...
There are a couple of humorous comics that have made their rounds around the Internet a number of times. Two horses with long, shaggy fur look at another horse with three blankets and a hood. All three are standing in a paddock with mud on the ground, but no snow. One...
Bloating is a disorder of the digestive system, usually related to colic. A bloated horse's stomach or intestines are too full – usually of gas – which causes them to distend. The problem is painful and usually a symptom of deeper issues with the digestive system, and...
How much does a fat penguin weigh? Enough to break the ice. Sadly though, unless you live in Antarctica, you may not have access to a fat penguin to break the ice on your horse’s water trough in winter. Water is the most important ingredient for life. This is easy to...
Through the many different disciplines of horseback riding, one thing stays fairly constant: most riding is done with a saddle. But for every type of riding, there's a type of saddle specially designed for the safety and comfort of horse and rider. This quick guide...
Fields of fat, shiny ponies populate my stableyard, prompting visitors to ask what I feed them. When I respond that most of them get nothing but hay, people tend to be shocked. Yet grass – in the form of hay when necessary – is the ideal food for horses when fed...
The days of using a saddle directly on our horse's back is long gone. These days, we all have a saddle pad for every ride, promoting your horse's comfort and protecting your saddle from sweat and dirt. But not all pads are created equal. Read on to learn about the...
Horses have been our faithful servants for thousands of years, and today, they are best friends to many of us. But the fact remains that even the quietest of horses has the potential for being dangerous: all horses are flight animals several times our size, and all...
With many riding problems being linked to the comfort of the horse's back – especially in a world where riders are getting heavier and sports more demanding – it's understandable that specialised saddle pads and half pads are all the rage. As a qualified saddle...
If you have a horse, chances are that you love to feed him a tasty titbit. There's something so satisfying about seeing your equine friend chow down on a yummy snack. But there are do's and don'ts when it comes to feeding treats. Read on for some practical tips as...
For thousands of years, humans have been working with horses using bits. The art of communicating with a half-ton animal by a piece of metal in its sensitive mouth is central to what riding has become. In the right hands, any bit can be gentle, and in the wrong ones,...
Controversial as they've become, horseshoes have been around since Ancient Greece, and they aren't going to leave us anytime soon. The majority of performance and riding horses are shod for a variety of reasons, and shoes do still have a purpose in modern horse...