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!
CHILDREN CAN LACK CORE STRENGTH in the saddle, strength that’s useful for everything from powering out of turns to staying with a horse crossing a creek or going up a steep embankment. First Thing’s First Before I let a student ride bareback, I want them to ride in the saddle first without stirrups so they learn to have a good balance and be safe. Some kids think they can just get on bareback, but they don’t realize how important balance is. It’s an old pastime that so many of us did with our ponies without thinking much of it, but it’s ultimately something that needs to be done with caution and correctly to get the most out of it. Bridle Basics You have to teach your kid to ride without…
I SAW HER WHEN I looked out my office window to the field outside. My beautiful mare was down on the ground, thrashing around with her 4-month-old foal standing by her side. A quick assessment was all it took for me to know that she was colicking—severely. I loaded her up and headed to the nearby surgical referral hospital within minutes. And then she died. Before we could even get her on the table. Just like that. Did I expect it? No way. She was fine in the morning and dead six hours later. Yet if there’s anything I’ve learned in 20-plus years of treating colics, it’s to expect the unexpected. And every time something doesn’t quite go as planned, I add another lesson to the list of possibilities. I’m…
Horse-crazy kids and parents alike know the challenges, rewards, and opportunities that a youth rider can experience in the show pen. Showing horses teaches young people how to work hard, develop discipline and sportsmanship, perform under pressure, and a host of other important life skills. But riding and showing horses isn’t everything. In fact, there’s a wealth of educational experiences, skill-building opportunities, and other benefits available in the horse industry for youth who venture beyond competitions. Many of these opportunities can open doors for youth to gain scholarships and internships, and may even lead them into lifelong careers in the horse industry—all because they took the time to invest in more than winning ribbons. For Christine Gillett of Richland Hills, Texas, who enjoyed showing horses as a youth, investing in…
When my sisters and I were small, our mom got us involved with horses. I was a shy, awkward youngster with glasses and braces, unsure of myself among my four beautiful sisters. Horses were the great equalizer. They helped all of us—but especially me—navigate that tricky passage from girlhood to womanhood. My father used to joke about it. “Just get ’em horses,” he’d tell other parents, especially of girls. “Get ’em horses and the horses will do the rest.” As a mother, I saw to it that my own daughter grew up with horses, and in my role as an equine journalist I’ve had countless opportunities to observe the effect horse involvement has on children and families. And how exactly do horses benefit young people? It’s a substantial list. Here…
• Lessons. This is the best way to introduce your child to riding anyway. He or she is safest learning the basics on well-schooled lesson mounts under the guidance of an experienced instructor. • Sharing. If your child is eager to develop a relationship with one horse, consider sharing one. Your lesson barn may allow sponsoring, which conveys some benefits, or you may find another parent who would welcome help in riding and caring for the horse his or her child owns. Such arrangements can be informal (your child rides in return for friendship and help with barn chores) or contractual. In the latter case, a “part-lease”—in which you pay a set portion of a horse’s monthly board, shoeing, and routine veterinary expenses in return for a set number of…
• 4-H. A 4-H horse program is the time-honored place to begin a child’s involvement with horses, and ownership isn’t required. To learn about 4-H horse groups in your area (or to start one), check with your local county extension agent. • Certified Horsemanship Association. CHA promotes excellence in safety and education by certifying riding instructors; it also accredits equine facilities and produces educational conferences and materials. • Time to Ride. Partnering with such groups as the American Quarter Horse Association, Time to Ride connects American families to local equestrian resources, including lessons, camps, and clubs. • Interscholastic Equestrian Association. Serving middle and secondary school students across the United States, the IEA provides the horses and tack for every aspiring rider. “Because we’re the low-cost entry into equestrian sport, we’re…
