Trail Horses Need Training for Control and Safety I recently read one of Ty Evans’ reflections on training and the standards we should aim for with our animals. A sentiment he often hears is, “I don’t need any of that fancy stuff; I just want to go down the trail.” … Read More
Slow Down and Breathe for Effective Training Mr. Thomas, my high school band director, was notorious for his temper. He’d hurl his baton at students when they didn’t follow his instructions. I was terrified of him. Despite our rocky relationship, he instilled a few lessons in me that have stuck … Read More
Equine health course to equip riders with essential horse care skills October 10, 2024 – by Ashley Vargo Texas A&M University System veterinarians and Texas A&M AgriLife educational development specialists are collaborating to deliver a new training program to educate mounted patrol units throughout the nation on all the skills needed to care for their … Read More
Setting Yourself Up for Success I didn’t really want to tell my friends about my last broken arm. It was a lot of drama and kind of embarrassing. My friends were shocked. Three broken arms in less than a year? What the heck were you doing? Other phrases were also … Read More
The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), which provides the vital Outbreak Alerts many of our readers and members appreciate, is conducting a biosecurity survey with support from the USDA. By participating, you’re helping protect horses from infectious diseases and ensuring the EDCC can continue improving this valuable resource for the … Read More
Greetings on the Trail Make the World a Friendlier Place There’s a French saying: simple comme bonjour, which means “as simple as hello.” It’s a perfect reminder of how much a friendly greeting does, especially when you’re on the trail. Whether we’re riding horses, hiking, or biking, tossing out a … Read More
I want to make this as simple as possible. If you are like me, you want to help others horse lovers in need; wildfire and storm evacuations are the most common reasons that come to mind. However, what about a friend in need due to repairs to a barn, fences … Read More
A Guide for Equine Adventurers A few years ago, along the Canadian border in the Pasayten Wilderness, we noticed a thick smoke plume rising in the distance. Haze began to fill the basin where we camped. The plume was ominously between us and the direction of our route back to … Read More
Tips for Understanding Topo Maps Taking the time to look at a map before leaving the barn can help you plan the ride ahead. Understanding the basic parts of a map will help you “stay found” and know what’s ahead and around as you navigate safely from trailhead to viewpoint … Read More
Prepare with a Pre-ride Checklist and Practiced Training We’ve all been there: headed down the trail and our mount suddenly decides to exit the area, posthaste. How we respond to that event determines whether the ride is over or if it’s no big deal. My bestest boy mule, Ruger, encountered … Read More
