Belgian Drafts are big, powerful horses that can be ridden when fitted and handled correctly. The question is not whether you can ride one — it is how to do it safely and comfortably for both horse and rider. Riding a Belgian Draft Horse — at a glance Question Answer Can Belgian Drafts be ridden? …
Spend time around horses, and it’s easy to see why they have inspired stories and traditions for centuries. Few animals have lived so closely alongside people—carrying kings and soldiers, farmers and travelers, heroes and gods. That long partnership made horses enduring figures in religion, mythology, art, literature, and culture, though what they symbolize depends on …
I’ve buried horses at 19 that looked like they should have had another decade, and I’ve watched a 27-year-old gelding stay sound enough to trail ride. Those experiences taught me that genetics set the ceiling, but daily management determines whether a horse gets anywhere near it. Most horses live about 25 to 30 years. Arabians …
Watching a foal take its first wobbly steps is one of the best parts of raising horses. Then, sooner or later, that same foal samples its mother’s manure and makes a you wonder whether something is wrong. Foals commonly eat their mother’s manure, a behavior called coprophagy. It is usually normal in the first couple …
We recently met someone hauling a quarter horse to a showjumping event. This horse piqued my curiosity and made me wonder what else this versatile breed can do because our region’s quarter horses are either bred for racing or rodeoing. Quarter Horses are athletic and, when properly trained and conditioned, are excellent jumpers. And although …
Winter rides can be some of the best rides of the year, but cold hands, wet clothing, packed snow in a hoof, or hidden ice can turn a good plan into a long day fast. Good preparation starts with staying dry yourself, keeping your horse comfortable, and being willing to change the plan when the …
What are good names for a black horse? Males: Shadow, Midnight, Phantom, Titan, Eclipse, Dark Prince, BlackJack, Diablo, Reaper, Knight Females: Raven, Ebony, Black Rose, Luna, Storm, Empress, Black Dahlia, Nova, Velvet, Galaxy Gender-neutral: Midnight, Panther, Crow, Smoky, Noir, Stormy, Blackhawk, Coco Famous black horse names: Eclipse, Black Caviar, Black Beauty, Bucephalus, Black Jack Racehorse …
“Warmblood” sounds like it ought to describe a horse’s blood, but it doesn’t. The term is used constantly around dressage, jumping, and eventing, yet it can mean different things depending on whether you’re talking about a breed registry, a sales ad, or simply the type of horse a rider is looking for. A warmblood is …
You may notice a horse with dapples, especially across the shoulders or hindquarters, and wonder what causes them—and why some horses develop them while others never do. Dapples on horses are circular areas of lighter and darker hair, most visible on the shoulders, ribs, barrel, and hindquarters. On most horses, what people call “bloom dapples” …
A handful of U.S. coastal spots allow horseback riding on the beach, including Amelia Island and Fort Pierce, Florida; Corpus Christi, Texas; Long Beach, Washington; Pacific City, Oregon; and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Most locations require a guided outfitter, walk-only pace, and barefoot (unshod) horses — shoes tend to get pulled off by …
