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!
I OFTEN HEAR PEOPLE COMPLAIN that they can’t afford to ride with (or take lessons from) a top trainer. I understand. But then I’ll watch those same folks spend time at a horse show chatting and messing with their cell phones. That means they’re missing an opportunity for a real-time lesson with a top pro…for free. That’s right: Free. All you have to do is shut up, watch, and learn at the warm-up pen. There, you can see how trainers school, solve problems, and prep their horses for the show pen. (Afterward, you can get a lesson on being show-ring savvy by watching them show their horses.) It must be the best-kept secret in showdom, because I rarely see people take advantage of the opportunity. Sure, I’ll see folks hanging…
Monitoring your horse daily not only allows you to spend quality time with your horse but also gives you an opportunity to pay attention to your horse’s baselines. If your horse is typically happy and alert, but when you go to check on him, he seems depressed and uninterested, that’s a good sign you should check your horse’s vitals. During your daily assessment, a great way to check for any abnormalities on your horse is to groom him. Grooming allows you to give every part of your horse a once-over, while also removing dirt and sweat. Make sure your horse is free of bumps, cuts, swelling, and heat in any of his limbs. It’s also good to walk him around some to check for any signs of lameness. Frequent checks…
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…
Horse ownership involves certain expenses, but you needn’t own a horse to involve your child with one. Here are some options. • 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…
• 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 (4-h.org/find). • 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. Find a certified instructor in your area at cha.horse. • 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. Check out its interactive Web site at timetoride.org. • Interscholastic Equestrian Association. Serving middle and secondary school students across the United States, the IEA…
Most kids meet their friends through school or on the sports field. Friendships often become strong by bonding over a shared interest or passion—which is why the horse community can often help build lifelong friendships. Barn kids are a special kind of child and when you put a few of them together, they’re in hog heaven. Whether they lesson together at a local barn or live hours apart and only see each other at horse shows, they’ll always have something to talk about and a good memory to reminisce on. Miles Apart For youth riders Mia Pedrick and Hannah Brock, living four hours apart hasn’t stopped them from becoming best friends. The 16-year-olds first met two years ago when they both started riding with the same trainer, Avery Sinclair of…
