Just because many horses move off when their riders try to mount, it doesn’t mean that the issue isn’t a serious one. It can range from inconvenient to downright dangerous if your horse takes off when you’re halfway on....
Seven Games are the basis of true communication with horses. Everything you ask your horse to do—in or out of the saddle—is one of, or a combination of, these Seven Games from Pat Parelli. After learning the basic techniques...
While horses rely most on body language to communicate, the noises they make are also meaningful. There are four types of equine vocalizations: the whinny, nicker, snort and squeal. Each equine vocal communication has a precise meaning, and the...
As a horse owner, you know if your horse is the boss or at the bottom of the pecking order when he interacts with a herd. But keep in mind that herd dynamics — and therefore your horse’s place...
We all have our own ways of dealing with stress, setbacks, relationship woes, demanding workloads and all of the effects these discomforts bring to our minds and bodies. There are countless ways humans will try to distract themselves, resulting...
When horses get bored, they sometimes get destructive, as many chewed stall walls and broken fence rails can attest. A bored horse is a horse looking for something to pass the time, and unfortunately, their ideas often cause damage....
A few years ago, I fully believed I had this whole horse training thing figured out. I had won big reining competitions, was traveling internationally to teach clinics, and was able to help clients with their training goals. I...
By the time I arrived at the showgrounds with my mare, Sally, I had left nothing to chance. I was confident that we would put in solid performances on our hunter rounds. What happened next surprised me; her erratic...
In podcast episode 16 of The Horse Illustrated Episode of Horses in the Morning, sponsored by Straight Arrow Products, hosts Glenn the Geek and Holly Caccamise chat with a small business owner and one of Horse Illustrated's long-time contributing...
There comes a time in every relationship when an honest evaluation is needed, and that includes your partnership with your horse. Think about your interactions on a regular basis. Sometimes, a horse doesn't know how to respect personal space....
