History Of Horse Breeds Most people know that all dog breeds of today originate from the wolf – but have you ever wondered where our horse breeds came from? Like other domesticated animals, all horses can be traced back to a single species. As this species was domesticated, different modern (and extinct) breeds were developed. From where did all horse breeds originate? All modern horse breeds can trace their ancestors to a single genus known as Equus. Though the exact breed(s) from which our modern horses were derived is up for debate and is likely extinct, the oldest horse that is still alive ..read more

Why Horses Kick & Horse Kick Dangers It’s wise to have a healthy degree of unease when considering the threat a horse kick poses. This doesn’t just apply to new riders, either – seasoned equestrians are typically always aware of the distance between the rear end of a horse and their own body. A horse’s hindquarters are astonishingly strong, and to be on the other end of a horse kick is very dangerous.  Why do horses kick, and how dangerous are horse kicks? With around 2,000 pounds of force behind it, a horse kick can be catastrophic, and even lethal, to a human. Horses may kick for se ..read more

Signs That Your Horse Is Lame A lame horse will either limp or take abnormal steps when they move. While some horses may appear sound at the walk, they can be more noticeably lame in other gaits. Whether buying your first horse or caring for your third horse, noticing if your horse is lame is vital to the horse’s health. How do you tell if your horse is lame? There are subtle things you can look for to determine if your horse is lame: Head-bobbing Timing of steps Refusing to put weight on the foot Not extending leg completely Regular missteps or tripping Heat in the hoof or leg Swelling in th ..read more

Make a Safe Horse for the Trail Trail riding can be intimidating to many horse riders because it involves a certain level of spontaneity; you never know what may happen or what you may encounter on the trail! Based on personality, some horses make better trail horses than others; however, there are always things you can do to prepare any horse for the trail. How do you bombproof your horse for trail riding? Here are simple steps I take to introduce my horse to the trail and situations they may find themselves in: Start your horse on the trail early in their training Introduce your horse to tr ..read more

Can You Ride A Donkey? Essential Guide Horses are not the only equines that have been living alongside humans for thousands of years – both horses and donkeys were domesticated approximately 6,000 years ago. But while these two animals share many traits, their typical roles within society are somewhat different. You know that donkeys can serve as pack animals, but you may have wondered whether or not they can be broke to ride. Can you ride a donkey? Yes, donkeys can be ridden safely so long as they have been trained to do so. Being stronger than horses, they can carry 20-30% of their weight ..read more

How to Stay Safe When Horseback Riding When you climb into the saddle, you’re entrusting your safety to a 1,000-pound animal. While you may have been told that you must have control of your horse, the truth is that you can never fully control another being. There are, however, several measures that you can take to increase your chances of a safe ride.  How can you stay safe while horseback riding? Here are simple ways you can decrease risk when horseback riding: Choose a horse appropriate to your riding level Stay calm and alert Wear a riding helmet Wear close-toed shoes with a 1.5″ heal ..read more

What You Need to Know About Getting a New Horse Over the years, I’ve determined that most horse knowledge comes from experience. When it’s time to get your first horse, chances are you’ll have many questions! I went on Google and found people’s most common questions about owning a new horse. In this article, I will provide answers to help prepare you for your first horse. What are the most common questions about getting a new horse? According to Google, the most common questions surrounding getting a new horse includes: What to do when my new horse arrives? Why is my new horse nervous? Why do ..read more

What Are the Different Types of Cowboy Hats? The cowboy hat began as a practical solution to the elements faced daily on the ranch but soon became the symbolic accessory of the American West. You may have noticed many different styles of cowboy hats; some differences are for function, and some are a way of expressing one’s personal style. What are the common types of cowboy hats? The Cattleman is the most popular style and is what most people think about when they hear the term. It has the quintessential crease through the middle of the crown with two dents at each side. Most brims are curved ..read more

Horse Gender & Age Terminology 101 When introduced to the horse world, it may seem like other equestrians are speaking a different language. While everyone will understand what you’re referring to when you say “baby horse,” “boy horse,” or “girl horse,” you may want to know the correct equine terminology to use when you’re at the barn.  What is the correct gender and age terminology to use for horses? A baby horse of either gender is called a “foal,” while a female baby is called a “filly,” and a male baby is a “colt.” An adult female horse is called a “mare,” and an adult male horse ..read more

Learning How to Jump a Horse There’s nothing that gets an equestrian’s adrenaline pumping quite like jumping. But contrary to what you may believe when watching a show jumper nimbly navigate a course, the skill does not come naturally to most riders. Instead, it is something that must be learned in stages in order to stay safe.  What are some beginner tips for horse jumping? There are a few important considerations when taking up the sport of jumping. Some of my best tips for beginners are as follows: Find an experienced instructor Start with an experienced horse Master your flatwork Pra ..read more