By Gentle Horse Trainer Missy Wryn I think we can all agree that communication is complicated and when you add inter-species, human to horse, we soon discover our good intentions are not enough to be safe around a 1,000 lb animal. The range of communication we receive from a horse … Read More
3 Factors to Improve Your Horse’s “Golden Years” by Jackie Davenport In the past months I’ve talked about how indoor or “arena trail” work can benefit both horse and rider and it is a discipline that many horses and their riders can continue doing very successfully as they age … Read More
Age Shines on the Obstacle Course by Mark Bolender The discipline of mountain trail goes quite naturally with an aged horse. While an older horse may struggle at the most demanding level of the sport, it can still be quite good for them. Recently I watched a healthy, yet … Read More
Q: I have a rescued mustang (about 15 years old). He was badly abused and starved when I got him a year ago. He is healthy, now and looks good. He is very timid, but would not hurt anyone. My question is, when I load him in a trailer (slant) … Read More
by Laura Schonberg When I first started riding at six years old, I went to the barn because I wanted to ride. It didn’t matter how inclement the weather, how the tack fit, which horse I had to ride, or how that horse felt about it all. We simply … Read More
by Jackie Davenport As you read last month, arena trail is all about negotiating obstacles with style and agility while, ideally, never touching a thing. Horses must be able to work over and through obstacles and turn and maneuver in tight spaces and this can be challenging. However, practicing … Read More
How Equine Competitors Prepare to Win What does winning look like to you? The answer varies among riders of all breeds, disciplines and levels of expertise. Winning can happen when you get the perfect lead change, when you complete a course or when you finally earn a blue ribbon. Regardless … Read More
by Al Dunning and Deanna Lally A multiple reining, cutting and working cow horse champion, Al Dunning describes how to prepare your horse and yourself to meet the challenge of cow horse competition in Down the Fence. Chapters include a history of the reined cow horse, how to select … Read More
by Laura Schonberg When my mare Poema first came home she had not been bridled, saddled, or ridden. I wanted to build on what I learned from developing working relationships with my first two horses and, in particular, avoid the mistake of going too far too fast. I naturally operate … Read More
by Jackie Davenport Whatever the trail course or its obstacles, it can be a blast to watch the “go” of a well schooled horse that is confident, curious and athletic. Arena trail is not only fun to watch, more importantly some amount of trail training benefits all horses and … Read More
