Even people who love riding can get tired of circling an arena—and some horses benefit from a little variety too. Our grandchildren, their friends, and adult riders we know have found that a simple game can turn an ordinary ride into something both horse and rider enjoy. The best horseback riding games are ones that …
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 aggravate back or knee pain, but it isn’t automatically bad for your back or knees. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Are you searching for the ideal name for your bay horse? Look no further! This comprehensive guide offers 101 distinctive and creative names, particularly for bay horses, catering to their unique shades and distinct personalities. Whether you own a stallion, mare, or gelding, our carefully selected list ensures you find a name that stands out. …
I stable some of my horses every night and rarely put others in a stall at all. A neighbor asked me about it recently: how do you decide which horses get stalled overnight and which stay out? Whether to stable a horse at night depends on the individual horse, the weather, the turnout setup, and …
I often get asked: is horseback riding a sport? The question usually comes up because people say the horse does the running, jumping, or turning—not the rider. Horseback riding is considered a sport because it involves trained skill, fitness, strategy, and competition. The horse brings its own athletic ability, while the rider must communicate, stay …