About a Saddle and Being Wrong

Something tragic and something fun happened this month. First the tragic: I’ve been riding my new, nervous horse, Barry. We’re making wonderful progress. But as summer heats up, I’ve noticed my saddle pad leaving sweaty, uneven marks on his back. The marks are indicative of […]

When Science Goes Sideways

If science were a horse, it would be an abused and neglected one. This horse would be taken advantage of and used as a vehicle to get humans where they want to go. It would be promoted as a Super Horse, treated like a Vaudeville […]

Value the Start: 9 Good Ways

Editor’s Note: Best Horse Practices Summit presenter Katrin Silva grew up riding dressage in Germany before moving to the United States at age 19 to learn to ride Western. She’s been riding both disciplines for the last twenty years and is a regular guest columnist for […]

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 […]

Ross Jacobs: Positive Training Can Be Stressful

Ross Jacobs is an Australian horse trainer who writes frequently of controversial topics in the horse world. This post on the cons of clicker training is an example of his willingness to step into brambly issues with his opinions and experiences. Kudos to Ross for […]

Looking for the SUMMIT?

Register for the Best Horse Practices Summit, a conference on best horse practices and equine research, bringing together educators, researchers, horse owners, as well as working, professional, and recreational riders, for presentations on best practices related to care, handling, management, training, and riding. Register today! […]

The True Cost of a 30-day Start

How to be a Good Student

Mud Management

This week, we hear from 2019 Best Horse Practices Summit presenter Alayne Blickle. Alayne travels internationally to promote her work around Clean Water for Horses. At the Summit, she will present on an array of concerns surrounding horse property management. Here, she writes on dealing […]

Whit Hibbard: Low Stress Livestock Clinic

Whit Hibbard, a fourth generation Montana rancher and protégé of the legendary Bud Williams, will conduct a one-day, intensive workshop on Low Stress Stockmanship. The day-long class will be held May 16 at the Dolores Public Library and is hosted by Tim McGaffic and Ginny […]