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!
To become the trustworthy, reliable, and dependable trail horse you count on in the backcountry, your horse has to be used. In the process, he’ll rack up some scrapes, bumps, and cosmetic issues. A few cosmetic issues are OK, but when you’re in the market to buy a trail horse, you need him to be more than reliable. You need him to be sound. Here I’ll explain common health-history, appearance, and movement issues that can indicate future soundness issues that could influence your horse’s usability on the trail. With each soundness consideration, I’ll give you the green light to go ahead, yellow to proceed with caution, and red light—which you know means don’t go further with the horse purchase. These clues will help you buy with confidence, ensuring that your…
When you’re in the market to buy, the most dangerous approach to horse shopping is to have no approach—or plan—at all. Ask yourself these questions to help you determine the type of rider you are and what soundness issues you can overlook. How much do I want to spend? Rehabbing an injury or conditioning and feeding a horse to fitness takes time and money. Work this into your buying budget so you don’t overspend. How much time do you have? A seasoned horse that’s been there and done that is perfect for someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to commit to training, rehab, and extensive care. It sometimes means you must compromise on budget if you expect your horse to be ready to go and sound. How much…
Theodore Roosevelt National Park has all the elements needed for a true-blue Western riding adventure. The scenery is breathtaking, as well as lonesome and foreboding. One can ride trails or cross-country and most likely encounter bison herds, deer, elk, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, and a multitude of bird life. This has been one of our favorite riding destinations, and we would like to share it with you. THE BACKGROUND Theodore Roosevelt spent some years in North Dakota’s Badlands following the deaths of his wife and mother, both of whom died on the same day. He came here in 1883 to hunt, ranch, and have a “mental escape” from his personal problems. It worked. He fell in love with this singular landscape, calling it the “romance of my life.” He said…
There are five species of prairie dogs in North America but only the black-tailed prairie dog lives in in TRNP. The 1- to 3-pound rodents are referred to as “dogs” because of the bark-like sound they use in communicating with one another. These small, short-tailed animals have eyes and ears set back on their heads so they can spot potential predators quickly. They live in closely spaced burrows with an elaborate labyrinth of underground tunnels. Several hundred inhabitants may live together in the same area, and as you ride by, you’ll see the little critters standing at the entrance to their burrow, ready to bark an alert should it be needed. As horseback riders, we find their holes in the ground to be annoying and potentially dangerous. However, the prairie…
Snowcapped mountains. Expansive green valleys. A sparkling, glacier-fed lake. This is Banff, Alberta. Banff National Park—part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is a jewel in Canada’s crown. Avid trail riders wishing to experience the park’s breathtaking beauty have a variety of options from which to choose. To help you plan your trip, we’ve gotten the inside scoop from three top area outfitters: Banff Trail Riders, Banff Adventures Unlimited, and Brewster Adventures. BANFF TRAIL RIDERS About the outfitter: Banff Trail Riders melds history, exploring, and modern-day amenities, carrying on the long tradition of horseback riding in Banff National Park. Banff Trail Riders’ guides will skillfully take you into a wilderness that has fascinated travelers since the 1800s, following trails blazed in the 1920s and stopping at…
