Every Time, Everywhere - Wrong lead! It’s one of the earliest alerts a young rider hears from her coach. One’s heart sinks to hear that same alert from the coach calling over the show ring rail. The novice rider learns the outside leg back and kiss cue to canter but I’ve found that riders are often unsure why they should use this cue. Let’s break it down. We’ll review the phonics of teaching your horse to pick up the correct lead and some hints to help the rider recognize it.

Every equestrian—regardless of discipline—benefits from using a saddle that fits correctly. But individuals with higher body weight (specifically women over 180 pounds and men above 250 pounds) often encounter unique obstacles when searching for a saddle that suits both their frame and their horse’s build.

Why Do Girls Predominate Equestrian Sport? Imagining a young equestrian rider typically brings to mind a young girl proudly leading her pony. Youth-oriented horse media predominantly showcase girls, with photos of boys being a rare sight. While I’ll explore some reasons why boys tend to shy away from horses at a young age later in this article, it’s important first to highlight the critical need for proper saddle fit from the very beginning.

After a long day at work, you finally arrive at the barn, eager to unwind and spend time with your horse. But as soon as you enter the tack room, you’re greeted with chaos. Fallen off its bar is your saddle pad from yesterday, still moist and now dirty from the floor. One of your gloves is missing, everything has a layer of horse hair, and the dust is causing your allergies to kick in. A disorderly tack room can quickly kill the mood and derail your ride before it even begins.