Horses

Cowboys and horses have roamed the wide expanses of the West for more than 200 years. The hilly terrain of the Rockies often made riding difficult and the heavy Western saddles popular with...

If horseback riding is your hobby, you probably have a few saddles hanging around. In order to keep those saddles looking like new, it is important to store them properly, and that means either...

Whether you are new to horseback riding or an experienced old pro, it is important to choose the right size saddle. A saddle, whether Eastern style or Western style, that is too small for your...

Whether you are an experienced equestrian or a new rider, you will need a secure and sturdy place to keep your saddles. Placing a sadlde on the ground can cause severe wear to the leather and make...

If you own a saddle you need to have a secure and sturdy place to put it when it is not in use. No matter what type of riding you do, a saddle is a major investment with some saddles costing...

Have you ever seen white hairs on a horse's withers? When pressure is applied anywhere on the body, it cuts off circulation to the hair follicle. If the pressure is applied for too long a period...

Whether it is used for show or for trail riding, an Australian saddle can be an excellent choice for both beginning and experienced horseback riders. An Australian saddle combines the security and...

The stirrups are an integral part of any saddle, and if a stirrup is damaged, it is important to replace it before using the saddle again. Replacing the stirrups on an English saddle is not as...

Riding in an Australian saddle is an excellent way to enjoy the best of the English riding world combined with the best of the Western riding tradition. Like a Western saddle, an Australian saddle...

Choosing the right size saddle is important both to your comfort and to the comfort of your equine companion. A saddle that is too small will not be comfortable to ride in for very long, while a...

If you have kids and horses, chances are those youngsters are anxious to take their first ride. But it is important to prepare carefully. Many young children, especially those with limited...

If you are an experienced horseback rider you already know how important saddle fit is - both for yourself and for your horse. Having the right size saddle underneath you will make you feel more...

Whether cleaning tack or sizing stirrups, there are many reasons to remove and replace stirrups from an English saddle. Putting stirrup leathers and irons on an English saddle is a fairly easy...

Most people who have shown horses have run across the horse who performed perfectly at home only to explode in the show ring. This can be a frustrating experience for horse owners and horse...

Riding bareback gives horse owners a real sense of freedom, and there is nothing like the feeling of galloping through the field without a saddle. It is important, however, to prepare your horse...

"Over the river and through the woods...the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh" except in this case, we'll be asking our horse to pull a simple sled. Once your horse gets...

For the best ride on a horse, you must have a saddle that fits the horse and your body, too. Seat size makes a big difference in a saddle's fit--a saddle that is too small will pitch your lower...

Saddle breaking a pony is much like saddle breaking a horse, but there are some important differences to be aware of and some unique challenges to overcome. It is important for trainers to be...

If it has been some time since your horse was ridden on a regular basis you may face some training challenges as you get back into the swing of things. Horses are creatures of habit, and they get...

All effective horse training starts with a solid foundation, and it is very important to lay that foundation when working with a beginner horse. Ideally, your training should begin right after the...

Fitting an English saddle girth is an easy task that is worth the effort as it saves the trouble of arriving at a stable to ride and discovering that the girth is too short or long. Without a...

If you want to know how to properly put on a western saddle, read on. **I am not responsible for any injuries that might occur after the reading of this article!**

Whether you are starting a horse under saddle or teaching a younger colt or filly to accept a bit, a quality snaffle is the best bit to work with. A snaffle is a gentle way to introduce your horse...

Riding in your English saddle builds up sweat and dirt on the saddle that needs to be thoroughly cleaned off before the leather is damaged. Wiping off your tack after use is a good way to keep...

Saddle pads are essential for any horse-back rider. The pads protect horses and riders from blisters and wick away sweat. In his article, "Wool, the Natural High-Tech Material," Mike Easton argues...

Equine back pain is a complex and challenging problem that can manifest in a horse's muscles, ligaments, or vertebrae through injury or irritation. If left untreated, the condition can contribute...

If you have always wanted to keep your horse at home, you will first need to design a suitable home for him. A barn is the perfect place to keep your dream horse, but it is important to organize...

A saddle club is an equestrian club or organization typically intended for younger girls who are training to ride horses. Saddle clubs can be found throughout the United States, usually in...

Horses that are wild can be trained to do just about anything other horses can do, though it may take a longer amount of time. While wild horses can't run in races at official racetracks since...

Breaking and training your own horse can give you a real sense of accomplishment and help your equine companion get off to a great start. The right early training can create a safe mount who will...

Training a horse using traditional methods can take several months or more. That is just too much time for some situations. It is possible to train a horse in two weeks or less using a combination...

Riding horses can be an extremely relaxing way to de-stress and pass the time. Saddling up requires a certain level of skill, however, and if a saddle is not cinched up properly it could lead to a...

Your saddle should be oiled between 1 and 5 times a week (depending on the condition of your saddle and how much you use it) as this will keep the leather soft and supple. This article will tell...

Before the invention of the automobile, driving meant steering a horse-drawn wagon or buggy. Today, horse driving is a sport for both miniature and draft horses. If you are interested in...

Using a horse to drive a carriage is a popular and varied sport that is performed by horses from miniature size all the way up to draft horses. While some carriage driving is undertaken for...

A well-groomed horse will have a smooth shiny coat. Some occasional issues with skin irritation and hair loss may occur. Many of these problems are easy to identify and treat with over-the-counter...

Please verify that your young horse is ready to ride before you begin any training or your horse may get what is called a "sway back". Only follow these steps if you have spent many,...

Some of people will tell you that a horse will stand still to be mounted. Not always. Be prepared to be able to stop the horse from moving. With these safe steps you can enjoy a safe day of riding.

The parts of a horse saddle include the horn, the pommel, the gullet, the latigo keeper, the seat, the cantle, the jockey seat flap, the skirt, the flank and the stirrup. Discover the function of...

A western saddle needs to be measured in order to make sure that it is comfortable for the rider. Find out how to bring measuring tape from the back of the pommel to the seam of the cantle with...

The proper way to cinch a saddle is by lifting the stirrup and placing it over the seat of the saddle before reaching across to the girth in order to place the bottom straps down through the reign...

The old adage "You cannot teach an old dog new tricks" is very pertinent when it comes to breaking horses. This process should begin at a very young age and be done delicately. There must be a...

A good-fitting harness is one with a collar that fits snugly at the base of a horse's neck, close to the shoulder without crowding shoulder movement. The breeching on the horse's rump should fall...

Horse training is a process that has been refined and examined numerous times. Some processes might decrease your training time, but applied to the wrong horse, others could easily extend your...

What is two-point or half-seat position and how do you do it? Two-point, also called "galloping position" or "jumping position," is a position horseback riders take to...

Learn how to improve your horseback riding balance. If you find it hard to stand in your stirrups for posting (the rising trot) or two-point (half seat), read this how-to article written by a...

Horse saddle pads come in thousands of different styles, colors, shapes and thicknesses. A saddle pad is supposed to support the horse's back and keep the saddle from rubbing. An ill-fitting...

How to properly fit a saddle to a horse.

A major part of training a horse is to get him desensitized to many objects that seem scary. Every horse should be desensitized to ropes at the beginning of his training. This teaches him not to...

Paddock boots (also called Jodhpur boots) are a type of footwear most commonly worn by grooms or people who take care of horses. They are a multi-purpose boot that is tough enough to shield toes...