Age is but a number – what you want to look at is the experience level and health of a horse. It does give you a good starting point, though. A beginner rider will probably not want a horse younger than 7 – 10 years old. When should a beginner Read more…
Cross-firing is a term used to describe a diagonal lack of coordination of the horse’s front and hind legs in which the hind legs on one side make contact with the front legs on the other side in various gaits or strides and sometimes in varying speeds of movement. What Read more…
Using feeds with protein provided by soybeans, lupins, faba bean or canola meal will give your horse access to good quality sources of protein, which builds muscle. Feeds with one or more of these protein sources are best. How do you build muscle on a horse fast? Riding up and Read more…
Working up and down hills helps your horse to use all his muscle groups and increases the strain they are under. Just like you work harder walking up a hill than on level ground. It’s a great way to help him engage the hindquarters and strengthen the back and pelvis Read more…
When the horse cross-fires, it means that the horse is on two leads: the front two legs are on one lead while the back two legs are on the opposite lead instead of moving in a synchronized way. Lack of balance and muscle control are the main reasons for cross-firing Read more…
Developing your horse’s canter on the lunge helps improve balance and engagement. If your horse tends to rush in canter, by improving his balance he’ll find it easier to slow down and maintain his canter for longer. If he’s a little slow with his inside hind, a balanced canter transition Read more…
Generally speaking, you should count on anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks of regular exercising and conditioning in order to get him ready for the challenges of regular trail riding or competitive showing. How do I get my horse to fit again? The horse should have one day off per Read more…
Place a row of trotting poles approximately one metre apart flat on the floor, and either lead your horse in-hand or long-rein over them, encouraging him to step over each pole at walk while remaining in rhythm. Your horse’s core muscles will engage every time he picks up his feet. Read more…
If increased amounts of hay aren’t enough, try offering a higher quality hay such as alfalfa or an immature grass hay. Alfalfa tends to be higher in energy and protein and lower in sugar. Alfalfa can be fed as hay or as cubes/pellets. Not enough calories Rice bran. Flax seed. Read more…
Excessive magnesium will be excreted in the urine, but overdoses have been linked to decreased calcium and phosphorus uptake, compromised intestinal integrity, heart conduction problems and renal trouble, so it’s important not to over supplement. What are the symptoms of magnesium excess? High doses of magnesium from supplements or medications Read more…