Horseback Riding

Registered thoroughbred horses can be financially out of reach for the average horse enthusiast, despite the fact that they make wonderful saddle horses. Whether you intend to ride them for ranch...

Most every pony will reach a point in life where a saddle and rider are introduced. This process is still referred to by some riders as "saddle breaking." Other terms used for the same process are...

There are the young among us whether they are children or creatures of the four legs variety. We adult human beings make life very dificult where in reality it doesn't have to be. If we take the...

Backing your horse in circles is an exercise recommended by reining trainer Mario Boisjoli for teaching his amateur riders to change leads on their horses during reining patterns. It is an...

Knowing how to design a course for show jumping is important if you want to host jumping shows or even have your own course to practice over. Course design can be difficult, though, and requires...

Building a level riding area with footing appropriate for your riding discipline can be time-consuming and costly, but can be well worth it in the end, especially if you will be using it...

Horseback riding can be a leisurely experience or a thrilling one--it's all what you make of it. There are companies that offer slow trail rides for tourists that require no real experience, or...

Slowly but surely, we have been going through the steps you need to take in order to train your horse to ride. If you have been following along, then by now, your horse should have gotten used to...

In our previous lesson, we discussed how to use a halter when you are training your horse to lead. Now, it is time to move to the next important step, putting on the bridle. A bridle is...

At this point in the training of your colt, you should have gotten him acclimated to the riding ring (lesson 1). Hopefully, he now feels comfortable working there, since both he and you are going...

In my previous article, I told you about the preliminary steps you should take in your training of an unbroken colt. Before I start with the second lesson, I would like to mention that these ideas...

In the movies, the breaking of horses is an exciting, but relatively quick process. The cowboy jumps on the horse’s back, and after much bucking and jumping and a few kicks thrown in for good...

Horses in loose box stalls have the luxury of lying down, stretching out and rolling over on the floor. Unfortunately, because of their size, horses aren't as agile when they're belly up as they...

There is no feeling like the feeling you get galloping a horse while riding bareback. It's exhilarating. There are a few items to consider before trying this at home or at the stable, however....

The curb bit is one of the basic types of bits used on horses. It gives the rider more control than a snaffle, but takes some getting used to for both horse and rider. Care is needed when using a...

The double bridle (or full bridle) has two bits and four reins. It's a somewhat complicated piece of equipment, but in the soft hands of a talented rider, the double bridle is a useful tool. In...

Endurance riding is the sport of riding a horse for time from 25 to more than 100 miles. The sport requires huge amounts of training from both the horse and the rider to get the two into shape as...

A horse and buggy was the primary method of transportation for many years. It is still the main method for Mennonites and the Amish. Anyone, should they so desire, can drive a horse and buggy. It...

Dressage is the elaborate sport of training a horse to respond, seemingly effortlessly, to a rider's most subtle movements. Training a horse in competitive dressage takes years of training and...

Horse vaulting is the highly competitive sport of performing difficult vaulting moves on the back of a moving horse. The sport requires grace and precision required, and the high degree of ritual...

Barrel racing is a fast-paced, thrilling event that keeps everyone out of their seat - even the rider!

Competing in a cutting requires you to work in an arena and separate one cow from the herd. The rider is judged by the agility and athleticism of the horse and his ability to walk the horse...

Reining requires finesse and extreme control of a horse at all times while the horse lopes, spins, slides to a stop and backs up.

Working cow horse combines the thrill of cutting with the finesse of reining.