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Horses

Could Horseback Riding Be Causing Your Back or Knee Pain?

My wife recently took a break from horseback riding because of recurring back pain, and it got me thinking about a question plenty of riders eventually ask: is horseback riding actually bad for your back and knees? Horseback riding can…

Miles Henry

Draft Horses

Can You Ride a Belgian Draft Horse and Are They Gaited?

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…

Miles Henry

Horses

What Does a Horse Really Symbolize?

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…

Miles Henry

Horses

How Long Will Your Horse Live? Lifespan by Breed and What Really Matters

Picture of an appaloosa horse near snow.

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…

Miles Henry

Horses

Your Foal Is Eating Manure—Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Panic

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…

Miles Henry

Horse Breeds

Are Quarter Horses Good Jumpers, Warmbloods, or Gaited?

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.…

Miles Henry

Horses

What You Really Need for a Safe Winter Ride

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…

Miles Henry

Horse Colors

100+ Black Horse Names — and How to Pick One That Actually Fits

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,…

Miles Henry

Horse Breeds

Warmbloods Aren’t One Breed—Here’s What That Means

“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…

Miles Henry

Horse Colors

Why Some Horses Dapple—and Others Never Do

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…

Miles Henry

About Horse Racing Sense