Does your horse like being ridden? I have a young horse who seems to get frustrated when he does not get worked; on his days off, he waits at his stall door and tosses his head impatiently. My older horse is different. He is happy to go out and pony alongside another horse, but he …
When the first McDonald’s opened in our small community, we talked about riding our horses over for the occasion. The route crossed into the city limits, so before we saddled up, I checked whether horseback riding was actually allowed there. You may be able to ride a horse on city streets, but the answer depends …
If you’ve ever asked why horses paw the ground, the answer depends on whether the behavior is normal impatience—or a sign of pain. In many horses, pawing is a learned behavior or a response to frustration. But because pawing can also signal pain, I always look at the whole picture before deciding it’s just a …
My son is drawing plans for a new barn, and stall size was one of the first things we worked through — because it’s also one of the hardest to fix after the fact. You can adjust flooring, change doors, improve ventilation. But if the stalls are too small for the horses you’re housing, you’re …
Can a horse kick kill you? Yes. A horse kick can be fatal, especially when it lands on the head, chest, or abdomen. Key facts: Researchers and equine safety organizations estimate that a horse kick can generate thousands of pounds of force — enough to cause severe blunt-force trauma Kicks are one of the most …
Why Do Horses Trip? Quick Answer: One of the most common causes owners encounter is hoof imbalance — overgrown toes, poor breakover, or missed farrier cycles. Other causes include fatigue, poor conditioning, conformation, pain, and in serious cases, neurological disease. Occasional stumbling on uneven ground is normal. Repeated stumbling on flat surfaces, dragging toes, or …
Green is a relative term in the horse world. A horse can be experienced in one discipline and completely green in another. What is a green horse? A green horse is an inexperienced horse with limited training. It may be broke to ride but has not yet developed the consistency, confidence, and skills of a …
Finding a horse movie the whole family will watch twice is harder than it sounds. After countless family movie nights, these are the films that earned a permanent spot in our rotation—not because they’re perfect, but because they capture something real about the bond between horses and people. These are the best horse movies we …
In our community, many of the kids have horses and enjoy competing in equine events. Recently, a family moved here, and the parents want to buy a horse for their children, but they are unsure which breed is best for children. There are many good horses and pony breeds for a child, such as Shetland …
When I checked my friend’s horse’s mouth, I noticed sores inside its cheeks. His vet later confirmed sharp enamel points on the cheek teeth. My grandson, who was watching me check the horse’s mouth, asked the question most horse owners eventually ask: How often do horses need their teeth floated? Most adult horses should have …