Your horse's three primary gaits-walk, trot, and canter-each provide distinct advantages for conditioning aimed at enhancing performance. When utilized effectively, these gaits can achieve outcomes that might otherwise be overlooked. Ideally, training sessions should incorporate equal time spent in each of the three primary gaits to promote both flexibility and strength. However, specific conditioning phases may require an emphasis on one gait over the others. This article will explore how each gait benefits the equine athlete, particularly in relation to back usage, and will highlight the role of cavalletti routines in training.

Like humans, horses are living longer than ever. Typically, older horses will live into their twenties and often into their thirties. It’s natural to worry about your horse’s health into the golden years. Studies report that 70 percent of horses aged 20 years or older have some type of health issue requiring modifications in management practices and veterinary care. Let’s examine the six key issues your older horse might face, and tips to help you keep your horse feeling comfortable during those senior years.

Our knowledge of optimal equine management is continually expanding. The science relied upon to make informed management decisions for our horses is changing as more research becomes available. One of the primary nutrition concerns across North America is the management of horses with metabolic health issues. This article will discuss the goals of nutritional management for these horses, how science has evolved, and updated guidelines based on the newest science for horse owners to follow.

4 Key Principles - As the shorter, colder winter months settle in, brief but purposeful groundwork sessions become critical for a horse’s physiology. Granted, fitness-based groundwork will not keep a horse at peak performance level, but it will prevent total erosion of neuromuscular and metabolic fitness during times of abbreviated schedules.

From tragedy, trauma, repeating nightmares, and substance abuse, to healing, wholeness, and helping others. Ross MacInnes, co-founder of Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) Canada, is living a life of purpose. Horses have helped him get there.

The average life expectancy of horses is around 20 years, but some survive into their 40s. Horses 20 years of age and older increasingly account for a larger percentage of the population, in part due to advances in veterinary care.

Blanketing your horse in winter might seem straightforward — just throw on a cover when the temperature drops and you’re done. In reality, it’s a far more nuanced decision. From choosing the right type of blanket to understanding when and how to use it, there’s a balance between keeping your horse comfortable, preventing health issues, and avoiding unnecessary wear or overheating. Add in the swirl of advice from seasoned barn hands, online forums, and long-held myths, and it’s no wonder many horse owners find themselves second-guessing their choices. This guide will cut through the confusion, explore the facts, and help you develop a practical blanketing routine tailored to your horse’s needs and your local climate.

Mud season can be a real challenge for horse owners. Managing water and footing is essential to prevent the area from turning into a soupy mess. This past spring, we moved onto our own five-acre property and are preparing for our first fall and winter with our herd of four on a track system. It takes creative solutions to keep horses high, dry, and out of the muck, at least most of the time. No matter where you live in Canada, these ideas will help you manage the muddy seasons in your area.

Each equestrian discipline has its own specialized movements, requiring distinct training, balance and footwork. While some of these maneuvers may look similar, they serve unique purposes within their respective sports. For instance, in dressage, riders guide their horse’s front end around the hindquarters in elegant pirouettes; ranch riders execute quick 180-degree turns to track cattle; and reining horses perform fast, precise 360-degree spins. Although all involve turning, the reasons and techniques behind these movements are different. To understand their purpose, timing, and differences, we consulted a dressage rider, a ranch horseman, and a reining judge for insight.