4 Articles

Hoof wall separation disease (HWSD) Connemara ponies, hoof care for ponies, Connemara pony breeders society (cpbs), genetic testing Connemara ponies

Hoof wall separation disease (HWSD) is an inherited disease in some Connemara ponies characterized by separation and cracking of the outer hoof wall. This can lead to ponies having to support their weight on the sole of the hoof instead of the hoof wall, which, in some cases, can result in chronic inflammation, severe lameness, and laminitis. Affected ponies typically show clinical signs within the first six months of life.

competing in horse show, nervous about horse show, anxiety horse competition, psychology for horse rider, equestrian psychologists, annika mcgivern

Start Rewiring Early - Habits are mental shortcuts created by our brain to reduce the need to make conscious decisions every moment of the day, which would require far too much time and processing power. By associating certain events and experiences with specific actions and responses, our brain can respond quickly and efficiently without our conscious “input.” For example, when a horse pins its ears and shifts its weight, we typically have moved out of harm’s way before we have had time to think about what we are doing.

horseback riding vacations, riding horses holidays, shawn hamilton horse journalist, horse destination vacations

As a photojournalist specializing in horseback riding vacations, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing incredible opportunities that I will always cherish. Through my work, I've had the chance to explore hidden corners of the world that most tourists never see and connect with fascinating people from across the globe who share a passion for horses. In my view, there’s no better way to immerse yourself in a new culture than from the saddle of a native horse, taking in the sights, sounds, and scents of a place.

how to wrap a horse's legs, wrapping horse's legs, equine guelph, protect horse's legs while riding

Knowing how to wrap your horse's leg is an essential skill for the attentive horse owner. Questions such as What thickness of bandage should I use on my horse's leg? How do I know when wrapping my horse's leg is appropriate? What supplies do I need? are all very important. With help from this article, and a little practice, you will have master these skills in no time.

introduce dog horse farm, horses and dogs, the horse listener, herding dogs and horses, working dogs and horses

It’s no surprise that many horse lovers are equally devoted to dogs. Canines share many of the same loyal, hard-working, and intelligent qualities we admire in horses, making them ideal companions for equestrians and fitting naturally into a horse-centred lifestyle.

wildfires horses, evacuating horses wildfires, horses injured fires

Worsening wildfires in recent seasons have left horses and people breathing polluted air filled with smoke and microscopic debris. These fine particles can settle in the lungs and airways, triggering irritation such as watery eyes, nasal drainage, and respiratory infections like bronchitis. They can also worsen pre-existing conditions like asthma, emphysema, congestive heart failure, and other lung or heart issues.

how to reduce horse tranpsort stress, hwo to lower horse's travel stress, how to relax your horse during transport

When something feels off, you might notice a sinking sensation in your stomach or experience tangible symptoms like digestive upset, sweating, or trembling muscles. Both horses and humans can develop a range of psychological responses to stress, from mild nervousness to intense panic or deep depression, along with a weakened immune system that can lead to illness.

Lindsay Grice training, improve riding position on horses, how to sit properly on horse, how to look presentable horse shows, aqha rules contact

I learned the fundamentals of equitation to the repetitive tune of Heads up! Heels down! while trotting around and around the riding school arena. I acquired the hows of riding in those early years, but my whys were typically answered with tradition: That’s just the way it’s done. Thinking back, if I’d grasped the reasoning behind the technical skills of riding, I’d have been more motivated to persevere in those drills without stirrups!

ThinLine Canada Trifecta Expressions Half Pad, Saddle Pads Canada, Summerside Tack

Better for the Horse. Better for the Rider. “We recommend ThinLine for horses that are back sore, horses that have saddle issues, and to help reduce the impacts that riding has on horses,” says FEI certified veterinarian Dr. Fernando Cardenas in North Carolina, USA who also breeds warmblood sport horses.

core exercises equestrians, exercises for horse riders, strength riding horses, pilates equestrians, fit2ride

Calling all young riders! It’s time for some Fit To Ride Fun! This article is for those of you who want to have fun, improve your riding, and ensure your horses are happy and comfortable.

how much iron horse, shelagh niblock, iron overload equine, iron supplements horses

Equestrians who pay close attention to their horse’s feeding program may have noticed a growing conversation around iron levels in equine diets. Concerns about “iron overload” are easy to uncover online, often linked to buzzwords like “oxidative stress” and “free radical damage.” Many blogs and nutrition forums point to high iron intake as a factor in various equine health concerns—from metabolic challenges and poor immune function to weak hooves, dull coats, and growth issues in foals. Numerous websites offer advice, and many promote supplements or detox products claiming to address excess iron. But what exactly is iron overload in horses, and is it something the average horse owner should be concerned about?

mad barn, scott cieslar, equine nutrition, mad barn free socks, equine health, horse supplements canada, nutritional supplements for horses

Ask horse owners where they turn for equine health and nutrition advice, and time and again there is only one answer: Mad Barn. Over the past few years, this Kitchener Ontario-based company has emerged as a trusted resource for science-backed equine health information and products across North America.

arenus animal health, sore no more horse liniment, horse pain relief topical, snm performance ultra, where to find sore no more canada

For over 25 years, Sore No-More (SNM) has been a trusted source of relief for our equine athletes. The demands of showing, training, and travel can lead to soreness, tiredness, and inflammation. Breaking this cycle can be difficult. Our SNM formulas are specifically designed to provide targeted relief, and our Performance Ultra line is the only liniment with university-led clinical research.

proprioception for horse riders, understanding equine proprioception, proprioceptive senses of horses, preventing horse rider injury by improving proprioceptive awareness, Alexa Linton, equine sports therapy

When you think about injury prevention, tendon strengthening, joint lubricating, and health supporting interventions for your horses, do you also consider improving their proprioception? Supporting this often-overlooked aspect of function can be a game-changer for our horses.

bridle horse riding, tania millen, martin black horse trainer, spanish cowboys, stefanie travers horse trainer, straight up bridle, bosal two rein, roping

Over five centuries ago, Spanish horsemen—known as vaqueros—arrived in North America, bringing with them a deep horsemanship legacy that continues to shape today’s Western riding culture. Their influence can be seen not only in commonly used words like “chaps” (derived from chaparreras) and “rodeo” (from rodear), but also in the foundational principles of horse training and stockmanship.

Russell J. Floyd, what is pedal osteitis in horses?, understanding equine pedal osteitis, how common is pedal osteitis in horses?, is pedal osteitis uncommon in horses?, equine pedal bone, how to relieve pedal osteitis pain, clinical signs of pedal osteitis in horses,

Over the past few years of shoeing rodeo horses with heavy competition and training schedules, I have noticed patterns emerge. Commonly, roping and barrel horses spend a decent amount of time barefoot during the off-season, and are put back to work for several weeks before being shod. These generally small and flat-footed horses can end up lame.

Calgary Stampede Reining Showcase, NRHA Reining Competition Calgary, Reining competition Stampede 2025, Canadian reining professionals, Calgary Stampede horse events, Reining at Calgary Stampede, NRHA-sanctioned reining show, Reining competition Canada, Alberta reining horse show, The Xibition Reining Show, Calgary Stampede 2025, Calgary equestrian events, Alberta reining community

Reining slides to a huge reception at the Stampede! The Calgary Stampede was delighted to host its inaugural NRHA-sanctioned Reining Competition on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

neck reining, what is equine neck reining?, understanding horse neck reining, what bit for my horse?, what are curb bits for horses? Lindsay Grice, what are leverage bits for horses?, understanding horse bits, how to adjust horse reins, Western riding neck reining tips

Do you think I should I try a different bit? This question is familiar to me as a coach, launching me and the rider I’m working with into a bigger conversation. My answer will be shaped by the reasons why the rider is considering another bit option.

stalled horses impact health, are horses okay isolated, alice ruet equine science mark andrews, housing horses in individual boxes

Horses are commonly housed in individual boxes. While this may be convenient and prevent injuries from other horses, it may also be detrimental to the horse’s welfare, especially if access to pasture is limited. A paper by Alice Ruet and colleagues investigated the effect of various management practices on the display of behavioural indicators of compromised welfare in housed horses.

horse fencing basics, horse fence bracing, sturdy horse fence posts, Detailed Single Brace fence Assembly, horse fencing fundamentals, choosing horse fence

Often overlooked, the fence post is the backbone of any fencing project and a vital element in agricultural and equestrian settings. It plays a crucial role in managing secure pastures, safeguarding livestock and crops from predators, marking property boundaries, and enhancing land value.

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