by Marcia King

Once the sun lies low in the sky and the wind’s crispness hints of the cold days ahead, it’s time to start getting extra fuel into your horse. He’ll need that extra energy to stay warm due to the increased energy demands of the cold weather and the reduced nutrition in pasture.
continue reading "Understanding Winter Nutrition"

by John Lewis

One of the first questions a prospective horse buyer usually asks is, “Does he have a good temperament?” It doesn’t matter whether you ride English or Western, or prefer the show ring to the trail, the ultimate pleasure is riding a horse that’s calm and obedient in addition to being athletic.

However, while riders are always quick to stress the importance of the horse’s temperament, they rarely bother to examine their own.
continue reading "When Tempers Clash: Are You and Your Horse Compatible?"

by Audrey Pavia

We’ve all experienced it: a horse that won’t give to the bit, pulls back when you ask for its head, or just completely ignores your rein cues. Horsemen have a term for this syndrome: hard mouth.

The term “hard mouth” conjures up images of horses with concrete jaws and steel gums, bracing themselves against a skinny little bit that has no hope of making an impression.

In reality, the syndrome of a hard mouth is less of a physical issue and more of a psychological one. Horses with hard mouths have simply learned to resist the bit.
continue reading "Softening the Edge: Dealing with the Hard-mouthed Horse"

by Garry Allison, The Horses Rocky Mountain Turf Club

One of the true success stories along the backstretch of the Rocky Mountain Turf Club (RMTC) in Lethbridge, AB, is that of Kevin Potts.

The support of a life-long friend, a love of horses, a dream for the future, and the trust of some of the RMTC horsemen, carried this Brocket-born horseman through a rugged period in his life.

Today, Potts sees the world from a different perspective. He’s become a trainer for the stable of Amanda and Allen Fogle, and also trains a Thoroughbred called Sunny’s Thor for his mother Delores and stepfather and former Pikanii Nation Head Chief Philip Big Swan.
continue reading "A Backstretch Success story: A love of horses helps turn life around"

by Darla Walters

“What can I teach this horse today?” This is a thought that passes through my head quite regularly as both a rider and a coach. However, Ross MacInnes of Higher Trails has turned this idea completely around and instead uses his horses to teach people about themselves.

MacInnes claims that his workshops can not only teach us to be more effective at our jobs, but to also communicate better with our families and help heal emotional scars of the past.
continue reading "Equine-assisted Learning: Horses Teach Communication Skills and more"

by Kathryn Kincannon

Dear Alpha Mare,

I have a 12-year-old mare who is, in general, a well-behaved horse and is respectful towards humans. However, one problem that is quite serious is her behaviour towards other horses.

She is extremely protective and will try to chase other horses away from me when I am catching her in the pasture. She has also tried to kick other horses when we are out riding. Any suggestions on how to deal with this problem before someone gets hurt?

Thank you, Kelly
continue reading "Understanding Your Horse’s Mindset"

by Marcia King

There he goes again. You’ve loped just a few strides with your horse when his gait disintegrates into a stumbly, half-hearted, four-beat lope.

Instead of a fluid, three-count stride, your horse sticks that extra beat in there. It’s certainly not pretty to look at, makes for a rather “herky-jerky” ride, and just about ruins your hopes of ever showing well in any class. Your horse is a lazy loper, but is his a hopeless cause? Perhaps not.
continue reading "Correcting the Lazy Loper: Tips from AQHA horseman Alex Ross"