Channel Archives: Learn

If you’ve ever sat on a stiff horse, you know it’s not a comfortable ride. But have you ever considered that it’s not comfortable for the horse either? When your...

I collect a lot of random facts when writing these posts, leaving me with bits and bobs that aren’t long enough to stand alone. So, this week I present you...

A couple weeks back, I promised some words on teaching roundness in young and green horses. This is kinda complicated, so let’s approach it in chunks over the next few...

While writing about horse colours, I learned that the Appaloosa is Idaho’s state horse. I was unaware there is such a thing as a state horse, which is odd because here in...

In the past couple weeks, I’ve described my green Warmblood True’s progress with the lessons on my training agenda. But maybe the most fun to consider is his training agenda—all the stuff...

I had my hair done today, the usual cut and colour, and my hairdresser asked if I wanted to try bangs, to which I replied, “No.” But it got me...

It’s hard to remain the “cool mom” long-term to your children, but Ann Hanlin has an ace card up her sleeve, at least when it comes to her two sons....

In all my training, with my young Warmblood True and other horses, I use reward as a primary technique. In general, it’s quicker over the long term, lasts longer, is...

Horses come in a wide variety of colors, and we never seem to question why horse colors have bizarre names. Well, I’ve had enough and I’m going to get to...

You likely consider your horse part of your family—and when they show signs of joint discomfort from the natural wear and tear of training or the aging process, it’s hard...

Young horses are often awkward in learning to back up while under saddle. It’s an unnatural movement, both physically and mentally. Most youngsters don’t yet have the musculature and physiological...

I know it’s nowhere near mud season, but it rained the other day, which got me thinking about gum boots. You can buy cheap ones or expensive “fashionable” ones and...

Last week, we assessed Baby True’s achievements and found that he’s learned a lot in the past eight months. We can use that assessment to refresh our goals for the...

I hate working with numbers. I always have and I always will. I much prefer the subjective world in which words live. With words and I can write and talk...

A few months ago, I described my first discovery ride with my three-year-old Warmblood True in his new home. He was comfy with tack, led well, and longed obediently but...

This was not my plan for this week’s post. I had intended to dazzle you with the etymology (ie, a study on the origin and history of words) of a...

While waiting outside the ring for the course walk of the combined Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic at a recent horse show, I couldn’t help but notice the antics of one of...

Last week, we talked about the inevitable: falls. We know what it means to a rider to fall, but what does that experience mean to a young horse? What is...

Today we are going to discuss train tracks. What could be more exciting? But as I’m the one writing this, and you are reading it on Horse Network, you might...

I remember the first time I read the statistic: I was more likely to get seriously injured riding my horse than I was riding my motorcycle. At first I rejoiced,...