At the sale barn, a horse standing quietly in a stall can fool you. That’s why I get it out on open ground and watch how it carries itself — movement reveals what standing still hides. A horse can look impressive at first glance and still have structural issues that show up once the work …
The cost of keeping horses is expensive. Ours often stay at a training center, and we pay someone local to haul them to their races, but this month’s bill made me realize that I needed to find out the going rate to transport a horse. In general, most commercial equine transportation services charge .75 to …
My grandson asked me a while back if he and his sister could ride double on their horse. I remember doing the same thing as a kid, and I remember my dad scolding me for it — which is what got me thinking about what actually makes riding double safe or risky, beyond just “my …
Horses have been used in healing long before equine therapy became a formal practice. Today, structured programs use horses to help people manage trauma, anxiety, physical disabilities, and developmental conditions — but the reason it works is something horsemen have always understood: horses respond honestly to human emotion and behavior in the present moment. That …
My grandson and I were working with his dog when he pointed out how we use similar training methods on horses. This was the first time it hit me that maybe dogs aren’t so different from horses – and I began to wonder if they’re related. Horses and dogs are related, but you have to …
Every morning, my day begins in the barn, feeding our horses and ensuring they have access to clean, fresh water. The ritual for our pasture horses involves diligently checking the troughs’ water levels and topping them off as needed. It might seem routine, but it’s an essential task. Through years of experience, I’ve learned that …
After 30 years of owning and racing Thoroughbreds in Louisiana, I’ve named a lot of horses — some well, some badly, and a few that named themselves within the first week. The best names usually come from the horse’s coat color, personality, breeding, or the way they carry themselves, and this guide gives you curated …
There are many types of horse shows available for kids and adults. My grandchildren love barrel racing, and I am thankful they’ve been able to participate in local shows. It’s given them a chance to improve their riding skills while also watching one another compete. Competition is a key element of horse shows. Riders compete …
A horse can cost $500 or $500,000 — and both are real market prices. For most buyers looking for a sound, rideable pleasure horse, the realistic range in 2026 is $3,000–$10,000. Training, age, and intended use matter more than a national average price. Quick answer — horse purchase prices in 2026: Grade horse / trail …
I use lunging to start young horses, settle fresh ones, and check how a horse is moving before I ever put a rider on. What does “lunging a horse” mean? Lunging is a groundwork exercise where a horse moves in a circle around a handler on a lunge line, guided by voice, body language, and …