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!
The largest and heaviest piece of equipment you use is your saddle. It is the foundation to your performance, and the fit of that saddle can affect your horse’s comfort and athletic ability. A saddle that fits well connects you almost seamlessly to your horse, but an ill-fitting saddle can have disastrous consequences. While choosing an aesthetically pleasing saddle can be tempting, it’s important to make sure the fit is comfortable for your horse. From athletic maneuvers and the show pen to trails and ranch work, you demand a lot of your horses. Dry Spots After your ride, your horse’s back should be evenly damp, with the exception on the spine. Dry spots on your horse’s saddle area after a ride indicate too much pressure in one area and create…
I once tried to save money by building my own hotrod, rather than hiring a pro to help me, or to help me find one that was ready to go. The result? I ended up struggling for three years to build it, and spending twice the money it would’ve cost me to either get professional help or have a pro help me buy a ready-made car. (I also lost money when I sold the one I built.) What’s the Point? Why the hotrod anecdote? Because I often see people try to do the same thing with horses. Rather than hiring a professional to help them train and/or find a horse appropriate to their goals and abilities, they strike out on their own. And often have results similar to mine with…
In today’s horse market, there are multiple ways to find a potential prospect—private sale, online auction, in-person auction, and through a third-party sale site. But how do you know you’re buying the one? Whether you’re able to put hands on a prospect or only evaluating from afar, advice and tips from National Reined Cow Horse Association Million Dollar Rider Clayton Edsall and National Reining Horse Association three-time Open Futurity Champion Casey Deary can help you make the most educated decision for the horse you’ll take to the show pen. It isn’t easy to find a unicorn in the vast number of horses for sale and, unfortunately, not even being at the top of a trainer’s game ensures a champion. However, Deary says it all comes down to focus, budget, and…
Since its inception in 2017, League Of Legends is a horse sale that takes pride in providing a sale specifically designed towards the needs of today’s busy buyers with a supportive one-stop-shop buying environment catered to them. Produced by Turner Performance Horses, buyers are provided the best example of all-around legendary horses for the entire family, from beginners to seasoned professionals. In 2022, the sale broke performance horse sale records with the top four horses bringing $214,000 to $310,000, with a sale average on 67 horses (plus one stock dog) to $68,338.00. Each horse is approved to the sale after passing a veterinary inspection, as well as sale inspection that includes disposition and performance standards. The Turners suggest buyers look at the following prior to attending a sale: 1. Review…
On the trail, your reins need to be safe and functional and help your horse quickly and easily understand the slightest cue. And, your reins need to be comfortable. If your reins are too long, too much to hold, or are just uncomfortable, you’ll tend to shorten your trail rides. If they feel good to you, you’ll relax in the saddle and enjoy long rides. Your horse is highly attuned to how you hold and cue with the reins. When you move along at a casual pace, he appreciates a long rein to give him room to move. Your reins also need to be long enough so that your horse can reach down to drink. At the same time, when you speed up, you need to be able to easily…
