How-To

How to Tie a Basket Hitch

Updated:

March 21, 2020

Stan Walchuk Jr, tying Basket Hitch, horse trail riding, trail riding tips, Horse Camping Trekking

As explained in previous articles, there are two categories of hitches: those that hang the load on the horse and those that wrap the load around the horse in a secure package. The barrel hitch and the basket hitch are the two most common hanging type hitches, and of the two the basket hitch is likely the most used and most versatile.

How to Ride with Quiet Hands

Updated:

March 21, 2020

Your hands communicate messages such as slow, turn, and flex to your horse. When the horse responds to your request, you respond with a reward, or a pause in which your horse finds freedom. Unsteady hands are like background noise that drowns out your signal.

How to Prepare Rider, Horse and Gear for the Trail

Updated:

March 21, 2020

Stan Walchuk Jr, Equine Preparation trail riding, horse trail riding, Saddle Bag Trail Gear

This article is a checklist of things that one should do to get ready for trail riding. I would put “getting ready” in at least three categories: preparing ourselves, preparing our horses, and preparing our tack and gear.

How to Tie a Quick Release Knot

Updated:

February 5, 2020

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It’s fast and easy to tie, but the true value of the quick release knot lies in its ability to be quickly and easily untied in the event of an emergency.

How to Find the Finest Farrier

Updated:

January 7, 2020

Without healthy hooves, horses are just expensive pasture ornaments. One of the most important things you can do as a horse owner or rider is to properly maintain your horse’s feet, and this involves finding a good farrier.

How to Get Your Lazy Horse Move Forward

Updated:

December 17, 2019

Get Lazy Horse Move Forward, Jane Savoie, 6 steps horse driving aids, lazy horse, forward horse, energetic horse, horse training, dressage horse, Jane Savoie, dressage training, horse riding aids, sensitize horse

By Jane Savoie - Are you sick and tired of doing all the work while your lazy horse plods along without energy? Remember that a horse can feel a fly on his side, so logically there's no reason for him to be dull to your legs.

How to Collect Manure for a Fecal Egg Count

Updated:

September 12, 2019

Equine Guelph, equine manure, horse manure, horse deworm, horse parasite, horse worm, equine worm, equine parasite, fecal egg count, horse fecal, equine fecal, Canadian Horse Journal, horse Canada, horse sport, horsemanship, Western horse, English horse

When a growing resistance to dewormers is cited as a major issue concerning horse owners today, a fecal exam to see if your parasite control program is working makes sense. Collecting a manure sample is easy, but it must be done properly to ensure accurate test results.

How to Set Attainable Goals

Updated:

August 30, 2019

Have you considered what you want to be doing with your horse in five years’ time? Or settled on your primary goals for the coming year? Or thought about the progress you want to make before your next riding lesson?

Mantra Magic - Power Up Your Ride

Updated:

August 26, 2019

riding nervous, rider anxiety, horse show anxiety, horse show nervousness, april clay

“My mind was a constant jumble of competing thoughts at shows,” says Amy, a junior dressage rider. “I would be trying to sort through them, just getting more and more nervous. But when I developed my guiding phrase it helped me immensely. I now repeat ‘enjoy and shine’ over and over as I warm up. It brings me back to my important things, which are to have fun and to show off the skills I have worked so hard to perfect. It really works for m

How to Care for Your New Foal

Updated:

April 14, 2019

By Mark Andrews, DVM - You have waited eleven months for your foal to arrive. Now he is here what can you do to ensure he gets off to the best possible start in life? First thing's first. Make sure that the foal sucks. A normal foal should stand and drink from the mare within two hours. If the foal is having difficulty sucking, or is not interested, he may have serious problems. Call an experienced horse vet sooner rather than later.