Too often, we forget to consider the basic building blocks of a horse’s training. I’m not referring to signals for “whoa” and “go” or to direct reining left and right....
I’ve been training True to observe, approach, and accept cows as described in my last few Horse Network articles. The sequence offers a concrete example of training a young horse...
Twice so far I have shared True’s experiences with cows. In my first article about it a couple of weeks ago, he produced a spectacular display of equine fear upon...
The following is an excerpt from Never Trust a Sneaky Pony, and Other Things They Did Not Teach Me in Vet School, by Dr. Madison Seamans, DVM. College for most...
Each spring, the best team and individual riders in the country are crowned in hunter-seat and western competition during the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s National Championship. As the cameras flash...
Last week, I described True’s first experience with cows. That event actually happened about a year ago. Three had escaped from a neighbor’s pasture and came within a few hundred...
Q: I see lots of horses—hunters, especially—jumping what feels like a lot of rounds, sometimes multiple divisions at shows. How much is too much? A: That’s a hard question, as...
Just when green horses begin to settle and learn, something unexpected jumps in the way. That’s a big part of training youngsters: getting them used to all the strange smells,...
I like to assess my horses’ progress every few months, as described previously in this column. Each time, I consider in detail what the horse has and has not learned,...
Sasquatch finally has hoof boots! You might recall from last week that True’s feet are very hard to fit because they are wider than they are long. Not to mention,...
If I had a dollar every time I uttered “Huh, I didn’t know that,” while researching stuff I’d be a very rich woman indeed. Hopefully, what I present to you...
Be careful if you ever get into a “discussion” with other horse people about the shod foot/bare foot controversy. Perfect strangers have scolded me loudly and in public at horse...
Lateral work is helpful in strengthening and suppling the equine body, and in teaching the horse more advanced moves in performance. Most people start moving a horse’s shoulders and hips...
“He’s due for work.” “She might need injections.” “It’s time for some routine maintenance.” They’re all different expressions for the same, common veterinary treatment in horses. For many equine athletes,...
When I think of summer Olympic sports, I think of track and field, swimming, gymnastics, equestrian and a few other staples. But now because I have successfully made it to...
Last week, we talked about teaching a horse to trot with you in groundwork, with crisp forward movement when you request it. But he also needs to back up when...
Last week, I introduced the basics of teaching True to stand still and respect human spatial boundaries on a halter and lead. Once he understood those foundations, we moved on...
There was a time when only amateurs were allowed to compete in the Olympics. It seems strange now thinking back on it, especially given how many boxes of Wheaties have...
Sitting trot is a major milestone in your development as a rider. It is a demonstration of your independent seat and it will allow you to ride in harmony with...
My Dutch Warmblood True came to me at age three with good halter and leading skills thanks to an excellent breeder, but I began groundwork with him on Day One....
