Never ride a horse over concrete for long periods of time, as the excessive pounding can cause lameness. Do horses get hurt when we ride them? Both studies prove that horses experience increased pain and discomfort purely from the act of being ridden. Other factors that influence the scores include Read more…
Press your inside leg (the leg “facing” the middle of the arena) on your horse’s barrel at the girth. Keep a firm feel on your outside rein, which should be level with and just outside the horse’s withers. Squeeze the inside rein, and, if necessary, pull it gently toward your Read more…
Skid boots and overreach boots are fairly standard equipment for reining horses. Skid boots cover the back part of the ankles on the back feet and protect the horse from burns when it goes into the ground to stop. What are the boots on horses called? Fetlock boots, also called Read more…
Try riding a step or two of turn on the forehand at the walk before each corner to engage your horse’s inside hind leg for bending into corners. Add an extra step or two in each corner in your canter to collect your horse. Maintain the tempo and rhythm in Read more…
How To Help Your Stiff Horse Bend Go on a large circle to the right. Pick a point somewhere along the arc of the circle, and turn onto a 6-meter circle. While on the small circle, think about your bending aids. Ride the 6-meter circle a couple of times until Read more…
Just like dancers’ leg warmers, Whinny Warmers, were created to pile as much sock on cold leg structures as possible, to keep muscles, tendons and ligaments comfortable by offering warmth, comfort and to help increase circulation. Why do they put leg warmers on horses? They were created to help the Read more…
Why do horses wear blankets? Horse blankets are typically used to protect horses during cold weather. Most blankets drape loosely over the horse’s back and have straps to secure the blanket about the horse’s girth and neck region. How does a horse stay warm in the winter? The tiny piloerector Read more…
Horse leg wraps support tendons and ligaments, and protect against rundown abrasions and interference injuries. They are also used to cover wounds, keep flies off horses’ legs, and sometimes put on a horse because they add a little flair. Do they make leg warmers for horses? Whinny Warmers® are for Read more…
Horses sometimes roll as a means of giving themselves a natural massage. This is especially common after riding when they may roll to relax muscles that have just been worked. Why do horses roll after being ridden? Natural, Healthy Horse Behavior Rolling may relieve any tight muscles or stress after Read more…
Both can be caused by bacterial infections that enter your horse’s skin through an open wound or scratch, and both require prompt veterinary care. Swollen leg or legs in horses is the result of a build-up of fluid, called edema, in the lower limbs of horses. What does it mean Read more…