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!
Is it a change in the weather? Increased (or decreased) riding sessions? Different hay? Or maybe the stars are aligned with Jupiter. Who knows? You think, but you can’t help wondering why your horse seems prone to colic, and the possibility of a major colic crisis worries you. As a veterinarian with an active equine practice, I understand your concern: You never know when a mild colic episode is going to balloon into a major one, resulting in surgery—or death. It can happen with any colic encounter. So if your horse suffers repeated episodes, the odds of a fatal one go up. (Your horse is considered a chronic colic case if he suffers more than one episode per year.) In this article, I’ll help you deal with a horse that…
Take a hard look at the arena where you ride. Are you—and equally importantly, your horse—often engulfed in a dust storm? Or does water accumulate in places that you avoid like quicksand? Are some areas so hard and slick that your horse feels like he skates over them? Do your arena edges bank so much that they often resemble a NASCAR track? We can relate, because we’ve faced similar problems with our own arenas, and even at public ones we haul to on occasion. For help, we corralled Jim and Bob Kiser, owners of Kiser Arena Specialists. If you’ve ever been to the American Quarter Horse Association World Show, the National Reining Horse Association Futurity, or were lucky enough to attend the 2018 World Equestrian Games, you’ve seen the fruits…
Maneuvering a trailer forward, let alone backward, can be an intimidating task, especially for the inexperienced trailer tower. Over the years, I’ve hauled countless numbers of horses to shows and events and had to weasel my truck and trailer in and out of plenty of tight spots. As a result, I’ve become confident and capable at reversing my trailer, and can handle my rig without breaking a sweat. Yearning to overcome your trailer-backing insecurities? Don’t wait until you find yourself between a rock and a hard place (quite literally, perhaps) to test your skills. Instead, boost your confidence and practice your backing skills now, so you’ll be ready to maneuver that trailer when you need to. In addition to your trailer and tow vehicle, all you’ll need is a safe…
