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!
West Texas has a grandeur all its own. Terrain ranges from high-altitude mountains to cactus-studded deserts. Here, we’ll take you on a riding and camping tour of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Davis Mountains State Park, and San Angelo State Park. A Diverse Landscape The Guadalupe Mountains provide some of the most diverse landscape in all of Texas. As you ride, you’ll experience amazing differences in plant and animal life, with elevations in the park ranging from 3,689 feet at the gypsum dunes to 8,749 feet on Guadalupe Peak, the highest peak in Texas. The Guadalupe Mountains are part of an ancient marine fossil reef that was under a vast ocean around 265 million years ago. International geologists come here to study these mountains, regarded as one of the world’s best…
I’m often asked how to increase trust with a new horse on a new trail. Riding a new horse on the trail can be exciting, but also nerve racking. Start by building confidence with your new horse—getting to know him and his reactions at home and on the trail. Here, I’ll offer five steps to help build a relationship with your horse before you hit the trails. Everything is new for you right now. How you start off this relationship with him will affect many future rides. Take these steps slowly. Give yourself time to gain confidence with your horse, the trails you’ll ride, and your own riding skills. Step 1: Give Him Time Your horse is new to you, so you’re still building a relationship. You don’t know yet…
Trailering your equine friend to and from trail destinations can be daunting. Add blinding precipitation and/or a high-wind event (hurricane, tornado, or severe thunderstorms), and the situation can quickly become scary and life threatening. Here, I’ll give you four storm-prep tips to help you avoid getting caught in a severe-weather event. Then I’ll give you 10 lifesaving on-the-road guidelines, should you face a storm despite your best efforts. Storm-Prep Tips Study weather conditions. You’ll likely have just minutes to react when you realize a dangerous situation is about to strike. Study weather conditions before you leave home (or you leave your destination for home). Get a weather app. Bad weather shouldn’t be a surprise. With cell phones, tablets, and other high-tech devices, you have access to reliable weather apps. Pick…
