ARENA CONSTRUCTION | THE FIBER PROBLEM: WHEN MODERN ARENA FOOTING BECOMES TOO TIGHT, TOO FIRM, & TOO FAR REMOVED FROM SOIL SCIENCE —by “Dickie” Osborne🇺🇸
The modern equestrian surface industry has become increasingly dependent on a formula that appears sophisticated on the surface: fine, uniform sand combined with high fiber content, heavy moisture management, and regular mechanical testing. At the highest levels of sport, these surfaces are often praised because they look clean, consistent, and controlled. They do not move […]
WESTERN DRESSAGE | Arabian Horse Association REGION XI SPORT HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS—by Joanne Williams 🇺🇸”R” USEF Judge & Madeline Erce🇺🇸”r” USEF Judge
I can offer a unique perspective about competing in Western and English Dressage as I am a USEF “R” Western Dressage Judge, USDF Diamond 💎Award Recipient, and actively compete in Arabian Horse Association (aka: AHA) Sport Horse Shows, United States Dressage Federation (aka: USDF), United States Equestrian Federation (aka: USEF) Recognized Dressage, and Western Dressage […]
THE TOOLS OF OUR TRADE: THE AIDS—By: Sue Mesa 🇿🇦
Humans have 4 things that can help them teach the horse. These things are called “The Aids” as they “aid” us in training or communicating with the horse. Normally only 3 things are listed as Aids: Hands, Seat, and Leg, but I have included a 4th: the Rider’s Mind. THE MIND Horses are often called […]
FARRIER FORUM | LOW HEELS—THIN WALLS: UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS—by Jeff Mangone🇺🇸 NCJF, NBF, APF II
INTRODUCTION: THE HOOF TELLS THE STORY One of the most common issues I see in the field—across all types of horses, from backyard horses to high-level performance horses—is the combination of low heels and thin hoof walls. These aren’t just cosmetic problems. They’re definitely not something you “just keep an eye on.” They directly affect: […]
EVENTING SADDLES | A PERSONAL JOURNEY IN EVENTING & MY DEVOTION TO BETTER XC SADDLES —by Jochen Schleese🇩🇪/🇨🇦 DE/CA CMS, CSFT, CSE
MY PASSION—HELPING HORSES WORLDWIDE Three-day eventing has often been called “The Pinnacle of English Equestrian Sports,” mainly because it encompasses several disciplines—all of which the successful event rider must master. It is an “equine triathlon.” The Three Stages of Competition were designed to test training, endurance, and versatility. In early days, only commissioned military officers could […]
SET YOUR HORSE UP FOR SUCCESSFUL FLYING CHANGES —by Lynda Lambert🇺🇸
Many times it is said that flying changes are the most difficult movement for horse and rider to execute. Many riders struggle to get the proper timing of the movement. Some people learn by listening, some by watching, doing or a combination of those methods. So too, individual horses are unique in how they learn. […]
GOOD LEG. BAD LEG. THE TALE OF YOUR GLUTEUS MEDIUS —by Emma Malone🇬🇧
IS ONE LEG BETTER THAN THE OTHER IN THE SADDLE? You know the feeling: One leg lies beautifully against your horse’s side. The other? Grips. Slides. Ignores you. It is not your imagination, and it is probably not an issue with your horse. IT IS YOUR PELVIS. When one side of the pelvis drops, you […]
FINDING YOUR WAY IN: HOW ONLINE WESTERN DRESSAGE BRINGS COMPETITION BACK WITHIN REACH—by Esther ‘Linsey’ Adams 🇺🇸/🇮🇱
There’s a particular kind of quiet that settles in when you’ve stepped away from showing. Maybe life got busy, the kids had soccer tournaments every weekend, or you simply reached a point where loading the trailer at five in the morning felt like it was costing you more than it was giving back. For a […]
WHY “DOING YOUR OWN RESEARCH ONLINE” ABOUT INDIVIDUAL HORSE’S NEEDS IS A BAD IDEA: STICK WITH THE PROS—by Annie Emery🇺🇸 MS, CRC, CESMT, CENA
There’s a trend in the horse world right now: everyone wants to “do their own research.” It sounds like a good idea—after all, we live in an age where information is just a click away. Social media groups, webinars, online gurus—there’s endless content about horse nutrition. No one wants to be caught off guard or […]
RIDING THROUGH THE TRANSITION: THE IMPACT OF PERIMENOPAUSE & MENOPAUSE ON FEMALE EQUESTRIANS 🇬🇧
Equestrian sport is unusual among Olympic disciplines: it is sex-integrated, participation spans decades, and many riders remain competitive well into midlife and beyond. That longevity is a strength—but it also means that a large proportion of the riding population will experience perimenopause and menopause while still training, competing, coaching, and caring for horses. In other […]
