Diagnosis Offers Eureka Moment

In horse work, the cause of an issue may live under layers of misunderstanding and ignorance. The effect might be obvious: My horse balks at the canter My horse drifts left My horse acts aggressively with other horses Getting to the root source of these […]

Safety Sticks: Got ‘Em?

Given the interest in our recent WiseAssWallace helmet post, we thought we’d discuss the greater issue of safety. Studies show that horse riding is one of the riskiest activities we humans do. Riders assess and mitigate risk all the time. Being safe is an integral […]

My Horse Won’t Go!

Editor’s Note: Amy Skinner is a regular guest columnist and has been a horse gal since age six. She will present with fellow trainer and rider, Katrin Silva, at the Best Horse Practices Summit. Skinner rides and teaches dressage and Western. Skinner has studied at […]

The True Cost of a 30-day Start

Editor’s Note: Amy Skinner is a regular guest columnist and has been a horse gal since age six. She will present with fellow trainer and rider, Katrin Silva, at the Best Horse Practices Summit. Skinner rides and teaches dressage and Western. Skinner has studied at […]

More on Wildfire Prep

We got a great response from our articles by Maddy Butcher and Dr. Rebecca Gimenez on wildfire preparation and hazards. Here are some helpful additions sent from enthusiastic readers, Willis Lamm and Monique Warren. From Lamm: In close to 45 years of dealing with these […]

Good and Bad Dentistry Impact Hooves. Yes, hooves.

The horse’s mouth has in it about 40 teeth (mares often have fewer). There are incisors, premolars, molars, and sometimes canine and wolf teeth. It’s a mysterious place for most horse owners. Vets suggest protocol for floating (the process of rasping teeth with hand and […]

When it comes to fitness, are you an equal partner for your horse?

Editor’s Note: Amy Skinner is a regular guest columnist and has been a horse gal since age six. She works with owner/operator Jim Thomas as a trainer at Bar T Horsemanship where she rides and teaches English and Western. She also maintains Essence Horsemanship. Skinner […]

Is Stress Good or Bad?

Recent research on stress and learning in horses, conducted by a group of French scientists, has made a splash in horse media. The study, titled “Stress Affects Instrumental Learning Based on Positive or Negative Reinforcement in Interaction with Personality in Domestic Horses” involved work with […]

Horses Want Fewer Gifts, Better Care

Editor’s Note: Dr. Sheryl King is professor emeritus of Southern Illinois University, a Fellow of the Equine Science Society, a Best Horse Practices Summit board member, and lifelong horsewoman. In this guest column, she writes about the range of benefits from working and owning horses. […]

Best Core Practices

We welcome Kerry O’Brien as a new guest columnist and Rider Fitness contributor. Read more on Core Fitness here. O’Brien is a therapist certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and long-standing member of the American Massage Therapy Association. She blends […]