Nestled amongst 165 acres of woodland near Union, Missouri, the Humane Society of Missouri’s (HSMO) Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is a haven for hundreds of abused and neglected horses, cows, goats, pigs, ducks and other farm animals. The ranch is one of t

THE REASON FOR JUDGING HORSES at halter is to preserve the ideal characteristics of the breed they represent. To do so, a judge finds the horse that is not only well mannered but has the best conformation of that breed standard. I rate conformation u

THE NEW SHOW YEAR IS UPON US. The question we should be asking ourselves is, “How can I build on last years’ experience and make 2024 even more productive?” You notice I did not say, “How can I win more blue ribbons.” Success comes only when you have

you should know / horseandrider.com Longtime H&R contributor Al Dunning was recently inducted into the National Cutting Horse Hall of Fame. Check out his Problem Solved department starting on page 32 to learn more from him. Learn from the best by hea

TRAVEL Arlington, Texas WHAT The American Performance Horseman WHEN March 8, 2024 Under the bright arena lights of the Globe Life Field, is the fast-paced event called The American Performance Horseman. On the eve of The American Rodeo, hosted by Tet

To complete a pattern while presenting a pretty picture to the judge, you must be able to connect with your horse every step of the ride. And the best way to keep that connection with your horse is to engage with his mind before it’s time to head to

Your child might’ve become interested in horses after watching you ride or attending an event. While that excitement of being horseback serves as an initial draw, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of groundwork to really understand horses, how

Owning a horse is filled with daily challenges. The list is extensive, from ensuring your horse’s health and cleanliness to maintaining an organized and functional barn. However, there are barn hacks to make these daily tasks a breeze. Transform your

‘The biggest thing we all try to accomplish is to be a better horseman. That will lead to all the other things we want to accomplish…I think we need to always try to be better, or you’re going to get left behind. And that’s the beauty of it too; it’s

A forehand drill is not a discipline-specific maneuver and can be a useful tool to have in your toolbox regardless of what you do. It can help you gain body control and prepare your horse for more advanced maneuvers later in your horse’s career by al

Picture this. You’re in the show pen and near the completion of a first-place pattern. But when it comes time to stop and back, your horse gets sticky, and instead of having a nice fluid backup, it requires you to pull and kick to get your horse to m

We see a lot about how to resolve trailer-loading problems, but the best method is always to prevent them in the first place. With a little effort on your part, you can keep a good hauler instead of creating and then correcting a bad one. A horse tha

IT’S EASY TO GET BOGGED DOWN with negativity in this industry. You try to compare yourself to riders who can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a single horse to compete at an elite level of competition. Or find yourself envious of riders who

Whether you embark on your next trail ride with the intention of relaxing in nature, letting your horse decompress from arena work, see new sights, or put both of your skills to the test in rugged country, take time to evaluate your horse’s fitness l

Experience a new level of convenience in organizing your riding gear with the Easy-Up saddle rack ($259.99; sstack.com). Its space-efficient design sits flush against the wall, offering large-capacity storage for up to five saddles and eight pads. Th

THE TURN ON THE FOREHAND IS A MANEUVER that’s often skipped over because of its simplicity. But the truth is, this maneuver is far from simple, and can even help you prepare your horse for other fundamentals like lead departures and lead changes. Rea

I was the event veterinarian for a big horse show when my pager went off in the early hours of the morning. ‘We have a colicky horse,’ the message said. ‘We can’t keep him on his feet!’ It was a groom for a trainer I’d never met, and the owner was fr

As the saying goes—no hoof, no horse. That’s why it’s important to take your horse’s hoof health seriously, regardless of the season. A good hoof comes from a combination of nutrition, environment, and care. Nail down your year-round hoof care approa

While a low-density feeding program can be a game changer for some horses and distressed owners, it’s not for everyone. Learn the ins and outs here and then work with your vet to understand if it’s right for your horse. When your horse can’t chew, ch

IF YOU DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO CATTLE, but you do have a roping dummy available to use, you can utilize one to start the fundamentals of circling a cow for reined cow horse events. This gives you more control over what the cow is going to do so you can

‘I enjoy bringing people into our industry that may not have been there other-wise…it’s a little tough to break into, but I love to help people. I want people see that you can do it. You can start at zero and get there and get there pretty quickly if

Ironically, one of the worst starvation cases Aiken Equine Rescue has taken in arrived at their farm in November 2020, close to Thanksgiving. They named him Pilgrim. Pilgrim’s gaunt frame was covered in rain rot and infection. He had open sores and l

When winter’s cold blows in, the right horse blanket is your equine friend’s best defense. WeatherBeeta’s Comfitec Classic Combo blanket rises to the challenge, offering warmth for those extremely cold days. Perfect for horses frequently exposed to t

➞ Growing up, I feel I had two distinct advantages as a budding horseman. First, it was a time where one horse did everything, and kids wanted to enter every class at a horse show and were encouraged to do so. Second, my parents trained horses profes

“REROUTING,” IF YOU WILL, has always been one of my biggest challenges. I’m not talking just in terms of horses, but in all aspects of life. Call me crazy but I genuinely believe there isn’t a single thing I can’t make happen. However, this instance

It doesn’t matter if your trip is 10 minutes or 10 hours, hitting the road unprepared with horses is like sending an open invite to potential disaster. Things can go wrong in the blink of an eye, and having your trailer prepared, your travel plans de

As with any athlete, horses are prone to sore muscles due to the physical exertion they undergo during training and competition. Exercise essentially strains your horse’s muscles, causing them to break down. The body then heals itself and produces an

TRAVEL Denver, Colorado WHAT National Western Stock Show RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining WHEN January 7, 2024 Among the hustle and bustle of the National Western Stock Show, the RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining remains a crowd favorite. With con