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!
Head to the Pacific Northwest for the guest-ranch vacation of your dreams! The beautiful states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and northwest Montana offer first class ranch experiences for trail riders. Ride to outstanding vistas, brush up your horsemanship skills, and move cattle. At night, soak in a hot tub and enjoy a Charlie Russell sunset, or sit around a campfire singing old cowboy tunes. Here, we’ll profile Bar W Guest Ranch, one of our favorite guest ranches, then give you a rundown on seven more inviting northwest ranches. Bar W Guest Ranch This northwest Montana ranch provided us with a ranch experience we’ll long remember. The seed for the Bar W Ranch was planted when Dave Leishman, a stressed-out, Eastern businessman, and his two younger daughters vacationed at a northwest…
When planning a long road trip, consider your horse, your trailer, and your goals once you arrive. Overall, you’ll feel more prepared when you make a plan that feels right for you. Here’s a roundup of five things to consider. 1. OBSERVE YOUR HORSE First, observe how your horse travels in the trailer. If he’s nervous and tends to fidget and shake, he’ll use more energy, get himself hot, and need frequent breaks. Some horses are anxious when you’re not moving, but they do okay once you’re in motion. Consider hauling with a riding friend. A horse will always travel better with a buddy, and you’ll have driving help. When trailering a seasoned traveler like mine, you can drive on a bit farther than with a nervous horse. I can…
Many years ago, after a long day of pushing cattle under Montana’s Big Sky, the cowboy and I reined our horses from a rough trot back to an easy walk. Elmer looked over and asked, “Dan, have you ever ridden a gaited horse?” When I shook my head he said, “You’ve got to do that sometime.” I’d spent much of my years reading about dog and horse breeds but had only a vague knowledge of that special way of moving known to Tennessee Walking Horses, American Saddlebreds, and others Elmer referred to as “single-footers.” But his enthusiasm was contagious. Based on the many questions I get about the meaning of “gaited,” I suspect some confusion still reigns, so a review seems in order. What is ‘Gaited’? The term “gaited” is…
