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!

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.

Rider Down! It’s a trail rider’s worst nightmare: getting hurt and requiring evacuation from a remote area. Whether out on the trails for a few hours or on an overnight trip, the reality that every recreational rider must face is that emergencies can occur. Preparation is key and the success of emergency evacuations has a lot to do with planning for their possibility. It can also determine whether a rider survives.

Win the Battle of the Burrs - Discovering your horse with a mane and tail full of burrs can be frustrating — but it’s more than a cosmetic concern. Burrs can cause real discomfort, inflame the skin, and even damage the hair roots. If your horse resists grooming, chances are those pesky burrs clusters are already causing pain by tightening up and pulling the hair every which way. Here’s how to handle the problem with care — and how to stop it from happening in the future.