In every issue of Horse & Rider you'll find articles on training by the country's leading experts, the latest on equine health care from top veterinarians, trail riding tips from savvy back country riders, and much more!
Welcome to a land of red sandstone cliffs, rugged caprock canyons, hills covered with tenacious red-berry juniper and ragged mesquite, all interlaced with wandering trails. Whispers of the past echo through the hills: the Comanche, Comancheros, and cattle baron Charles Goodnight all rode under the same red canyon walls. We’re in the Texas Panhandle near the quaint town of Quitaque. This small town is reminiscent of the 1950s. Life is slow here, and the town is full of friendly folks. We walked into the feed store to purchase some supplies for our Missouri Fox Trotter geldings, Cowboy and Nate. A group of old cowboys were sitting around, sipping coffee, jawing about the old days, and bemoaning the price of hay. One friendly fellow told us about two great riding locations:…
Discovering new ground and traveling to unfamiliar territory can be exciting and rejuvenating. Experiencing this with your horse adds a whole new element of adventure to your vacation, and creates a unique bond between you and your equine friend. Preparedness is the key to making your journey both an enjoyable and successful one. Here are 20 tips to prepare for a safe, memorable horse-camping trip. First, I’ll tell you how to prepare your horse for long rides on wilderness trails. Then I’ll give you camp-selection, packing, trailering, and food-prep tips. I’ll also explain the procedure to cross the border from Canada into the United States with your horse. HORSE-PREP TIPS 1. Ride with all your gear. Ride with the saddlebags you plan to take on your adventure. Tie a slicker…
I frequently hear complaints of joint pain in my work as a trainer and clinician. Here, I’ll give you my three-step method to stay comfortable in the saddle, even during long trail rides. First, I’ll tell you how to change your position to alleviate the pressure that causes joint pain. Then I’ll help you consider the tack and riding gear that can help or hinder your comfort as you ride. Finally, I’ll give you my riding-apparel tips that can enhance your general in-saddle comfort. 1 | Rotate Your Joints Riders sometimes tell me their feet fall asleep or they suffer constant knee pain when they ride. There’s a good reason these conditions occur. When you sit on your horse, your alignment changes from the posture you use to stand upright.…
