Jec A. Ballou explains how gentle exercise and early training help young horses develop stronger muscles, tendons, and joints for lifelong soundness and performance.

Mud fever—also called greasy heel, scratches, or pastern dermatitis—is a skin disorder that commonly affects the lower legs of horses, especially around the heels and pasterns. It occurs most often in the wet seasons of fall, winter, and early spring, when horses spend long hours in muddy conditions that allow bacteria and fungi to multiply.

Falls are an accepted risk in equestrian sport, even for skilled and experienced riders. What can be easier to underestimate is the potential severity of the injuries that result, particularly when the head is involved.

Q: I ride a Thoroughbred with a moderately roached (convex or round) back. How should I determine if my saddle fits correctly? A: The nine main points of saddle fit are absolutely common to all saddles and all horses – if you want to determine whether and how well your saddle fits, these points should be considered, and each of these points has video instruction on our website at www.saddlesforwomen.com.