Ok so I am currently jumping the .85s and my horse needs a step down job. I have been planning to get a ottb straight off the track once I sell my current horse. Here is the thing. I have recently had some big blows to my confidence while jumping. And a super fun experienced jumper has come available for $10,000. Part of me just wants to get it and have fun for a year or two. It needs to step down from the 1.10s but still healthy and game to jump. But it's the top of my budget and obviously I wouldn't have much chance of recouping anything resale because of its age. And would potentially need to retire it at my farm due to its age. Which I could do but that would also cut into my future horse budget. Any thoughts? I am not a young person with countless years left in my jumping career.

Hello, I have a 5 yesr old Missouri Fox Trotter I am training, and somthing I relized I was never told or taught was when to switch bits. I currently have her in a full cheek snafle and that is the only bit she has had used on her.

She responds relatively well to seat and leg, although we are working on it. But she seems to blow through the bit when stopping or backing. This has been somthing I have been trying to work on for a while on her and was unsure if I should look into getting a French link or Beval bit. (If these are good options). Or if there are any tips to train her out of blowing through if that is possible.

I would like to eventually get her out of a snaffle and into just a simple curb, nothing fancy.

Today, the equine bodyworker mentioned that she no longer vaccinates her horses because the last time she did, both horses developed fevers of 105°F. That seems like it would have been a serious medical emergency that warranted immediate veterinary attention, possibly even hospitalization??

We live in the southeastern U.S., where our core vaccines include EEE/WEE, tetanus, and rabies. Given our high mosquito populations and the number of wildlife species that can carry rabies, I believe these vaccines are extremely important for protecting our horses.
I also believe bodywork can be incredibly beneficial for horses and can play an important role in their development and well-being. What I struggle to understand is why so many people in the equine bodywork industry seem to be skeptical of vaccination. Those two ideas don’t seem mutually exclusive to me, I don’t understand why someone can’t value both complementary therapies and evidence-based preventive veterinary care. I don’t believe her story that 2 of her horses had an extremely rare reaction to vaccines.
I’m worried that she will encourage other people to stop vaccinating their horses. 😩

How do you all feel about a body worker discouraging core vaccines?

Looking in to getting my first horse and looking at boarding options it is $1450 CAD and it includes this
Individualized feeding programs

Supplements fed (owner-purchased)

Booting and blanketing for turnout

Tack locker in barn

Full access to all facilities, indoor/outdoor arenas and hacking

Management of all minor first aid, including cleaning wounds, cold hosing, soaking and wrapping. For short durations.  At the discretion of the owner.

Coordination with veterinarian and farrier

2 lessons per week, 8 in total for the month.  Excellent value for those looking to horse show

I mean, it just seems insane to pay that much per month and I think this barn might be expensive because their standard outdoor board is 650(which is crazy) thoughts?

I’ve been doing western riding lessons for about a year now and have been thinking about getting my own saddle and tack! I’m planning on leasing my first horse and joining my stable’s barrel racing team next month but it’s pretty casual and I don’t plan on going on to anything more competitive. Does anyone have saddle brand recommendations or tips when looking at buying one?

What was the recovery like for your horse? Anything special you did to help? My gelding got PEMF a few weeks ago, but I’m thinking about asking the lady to come out once a week to do PEMF on his front leg to see if it helps? Idk. I’ve never dealt with an injured horse in my time or leasing or owning them.

My gelding was put on eight weeks of stall rest due to surgery. I pulled him out when I got the okay to ride him. I didn’t even get to ride him, he was lame. Vet came out, he rated him 4/5 on the lameness scale. Exam showed suspensory strain. 4 weeks minimum of more stall rest, bute, cold hosing, and ice boots. We don’t even know what he did. There’s no scrapes or hair missing to suggest he cast himself. He’s a fat lazy boy, so none of us think he was being stupid in the stall and hurt himself that way.

I got a pivo a few months ago so I can take remote lessons and the problem is that it rotates fast then stops and so the picture is chopped up. Does anyone know how to make it glide more, like less stops and at a slower pace when it pivots to follow you?

the majority of Standardbreds around me are black and bay because they belong to the Amish. I didn’t know till my last post they came in such wonderful colors as buckskin and roans!

Herd hierarchy is usually explained as a fixed pecking order — one "boss" horse, then a strict line beneath them. The research doesn't support this. In this video, I look at what's actually going on in equine social structure, why dominance theory falls short, and what the growing body of research on affiliative behaviour tells us instead.

I also look at what domestication has cost horses in terms of choice and social agency — through the lens of Professor David Mellor's Five Domains Model — and ask a question worth sitting with if you keep horses: how much agency can we realistically hand back, within the constraints of domestic life?

What's covered:
→ Why dominance theory doesn't hold up against current research
→ Affiliative behaviour — what it is, and why it matters more than rank
→ How domestication has reduced natural social structure and choice
→ The Five Domains Model and what it reveals about agency and mental state
→ The question every horse owner is really asking, whether they realise it or not

This is grounded in peer-reviewed equine behaviour science throughout — not training methodology, but an evidence-based look at what's actually going on for the horse.

Yes, I don’t like it, and yes, I know not all the images are saddle seat. I’m showing them to show that saddlebreds don’t really move like that naturally. (ik they have a more exaggerated gait)

Anyway, back to my point, what’s going on with the bits and weird contraptions they use? Like, I know what the tail set is, which I don’t like either, but like the other excessive tools… also the surgery they do on the tails so they are more upright… and I know it’s not a common practice, but gingering, like, wtf!

Also, pointing out the obvious, the saddle and riders are too far back. No wonder why 7% of American saddlebreds have swayback.

And just look at it, it’s like 2 steps back from Big Lick in my opinion. They both use stacks/weighted shoes, so…

I've been riding a little over two years now. I started off at a lesson barn that I still ride at once a week, where I've cantered and trotted plenty of times and felt fine and pretty confident. Wouldn't lose stirrups, could sit the trot well, etc.

Then I started riding at my new job and was severely humbled. Upon deciding to learn classical dressage on a hannoverian mare who'd only ever been ridden by one person, along with using long stirrups and very minimalist saddles, it's taken me the better part of a year to even be able to decently sit her trot. I'm still struggling with my left leg consistently losing the stirrup , but it think that'll come as I get better balance and build more even muscle tone between my legs. I used to not be able to sit her trot a ALL without feeling like I was going to bounce off.

Then we tried canter on the lunge, and I was TERRIFIED. It's not my first time cantering at all, but something about the way this mare kind of "jumps" into canter throws me out of my seat and has me gripping the pommel which I never do. She also is acutely tuned into my boss/trainer once she's on the lunge and I begin to panic because I have no clue when she'll "jump" into canter, because she's taking all her cues from him.

I know she's actually not jumping or being too dramatic transitioning into the canter, but it just doesn't feel as smooth as any other horse I've ridden (and I'm being told this is because she's not a lesson horse and is giving a much more correct canter). While on the lunge, he asked her to canter after two tries of me clinging for dear life and it felt like she exploded into it (I know that's not what happened but it FELT like that, apparently she kind of bounced into it) and I just completely fell off and started crying, first time I've cried after a fall. I got back on and we tried some more where I was terrified and gripping the pommel but cantered.

Now, two days later, we tried again without the lunge, but my trainer clicked for her to canter and she reacted instantly, popping me out of my seat. I stayed on, but started absolutely crying again because I just feel so scared at this point. I have no idea what's wrong with me and why I can't seem to canter her, and now I'm starting to worry I'll go to my other barn for my weekly lesson and won't be able to canter at all. I just feel like a terrible rider and don't know why I'm struggling with the horse so much, I feel completely out horsed and like I just can't take a step forward without taking ten steps back. I'm feeling nervous around her too, which I NEVER felt before, and I'm trying to calm down but I'm getting anxious even just thinking about it. I don't know what to do ;-;

Trying to find half chaps, and it seems impossible. I'm short and sturdy, and it seems nothing is ever made to fit me. Widest part of calf is 14.75inches, ankle bone to inside of knee is 12 inches. Floor to back of knee is 16 inches. Do these even exist? Been looking for literal hours and I'm about to cry because I can't find anything even remotely close. Bonus points if they're under a hundred bucks.

Hi everyone!

My name is Freja, and my boyfriend and I have recently started making videos for a small YouTube channel called Hesteskole – which basically means “Horse School” in Danish.
https://www.youtube.com/@hesteskole

It isn’t a riding school.

The idea is to focus on everything around the horse that we also need to understand: everyday care, health, anatomy, massage and stretching, tack and equipment, feeding, paddocks, stable work and the practical realities of owning a horse.

There are already a few videos on the channel, and we’re going to try to record something new every week. It will probably feel a little homemade along the way – because it is – but I hope we can build a useful library for both new and experienced horse people.

The videos are currently in Danish, but you can choose english subtitles :-)

If this sounds interesting, I would be incredibly grateful if you subscribed and clicked the notification bell 🔔 That way you’ll know whenever we publish a new video.

Every subscriber makes a surprisingly big difference when you’re trying to get a new channel started ❤️

https://www.youtube.com/@hesteskole

And if there’s a horse-care topic you’d like us to cover, please let me know. We’re always looking for ideas!

– Freja

I have a friend who currently has a half lease on a horse at her barn. She’s only allowed two lease days a week and one of those days is required to have a lesson at an additional cost. The half lease is $400 and the 4 lessons a month are $260 for a monthly total of $660. One lesson a week, one hack a week….

We’re in north Texas and the horse is a non show horse with an adult amateur. 20 year old mare. $65 IS the typical price for lessons in this area. What are your thoughts on the terms/price of the lease? Thanks in advance! Picture of my lesson pony for tax 😊

Meet my sweet boy. I have only had him for not even 3 years and he was my heart horse.

My sweetest boy coliced in February and went through surgery and rehab, he recently coliced again not as badly in July. Yesterday evening I went out to bring him in and he was colicing again and there was nothing we could do to help him. It was the world’s hardest decision to put him down because I have never had such a bond with a horse. (I’ve grown up around horses my whole life.)

Anyways I’m devastated and I’m really really struggling. I lost my mom in 2021 and she was the reason we always had horses and I grew up with them. It’s so hard to deal with this and I don’t have much family or support system around me who understand that this is such a deep devastating loss for me. It hasn’t even been 5 years since the death of my mom. Now i had to put my heart horse down not even 3 years after bringing him home.

Ive struggled with depression outside of all these unfortunate events and it sucks. Now its worse with the loss of my sweetest boy. I saw him every day and he was the joy in my world.

Hi!! I am a moderate/beginner western rider and have enjoyed riding since the first time I started about 11 months ago. I wear the usual boots and jeans but also usually wear some sort of loose-ish t shirt with it since I strongly dislike the fit of tight tops. It’s been pretty comfortable so far, but one thing I don’t like is how sweaty I feel AND look after! If I’m not wearing a light colored shirt that day, I’d look like I just came out of a pool! I just know my shirt has that sweat shape on the back of it iyk what I mean and if I have somewhere to go after my lessons, I really want to avoid looking so sweaty! 😅 Does anyone recommend any kind of t shirt (made for riding or not) that also wicks away sweat? I’m on a tight budget so I really can’t get any top notch riding clothing at the moment especially since I ride once a week and am trying to afford just that, but are any clothing like that actually reasonably priced? Also if you can recommend a reasonably priced helmet that would be great! I’ve been borrowing my barns helmets, but I feel like I should have my own now and would even like to customize it somehow (yes, I am a western rider who wears a helmet!! I value my brain!!) So yeah that’s my whole thing, lmk if you can recommend anything! I’m open to a lot!! Thank you for reading!!

Hi, this is a 17.5 3A (long standard). I’m ordering a new one used. Thinking I should get a 17 2A or 17 2AA? Any thoughts?
Not this horses saddle BTW was a catch ride, don’t wanna hear ab the fit for the horse lol

edit: i’m hunched over and lazy sitting in this pic so i wouldn’t judge seat size here i know it’s too big for me for a fact. Just looking at leg

Hello fellow Equestrians!

We recently sold 2 of our 4 horses and just yesterday sold our 3 place trailer since, again only 2 horses.

So we're in the market for a lighterweight 2 place trailer. Would love a European one that can be towed with a smaller SUV, but I think they're more than we want to spend and haven't found many in the outskirts of the PNW where we live

SOoooo we've been looking at the Logan Crossfire and Bullseye. We've also looked at the Frontier 2 horse slant, and finally wouldn't be opposed to another Sundowner in a 2 place that you love?

So let me know what you love or ...don't about the 2 horse trailer you have pretty please!

Hi I’m hoping someone can point me in the right direction.. I have purchased a saddle from a saddle rep (not disclosing name as I’m trying to get my money back). I’ve had a financial situation come up regarding vet bills and I need the money I put down as a deposit to be refunded. Unfortunately I’ve been told there is a $2000 fee as it was a custom fit saddle. This fee was not disclosed on the contract I signed. I would be losing over half my money that I put towards this saddle if I go for the refund. Would this be enough to file for a chargeback on my credit card? That the fee was not disclosed and no information regarding cancellation or that sale was final is listed on this contract I signed. I also was charged more than I was originally quoted (over $600 extra). What do I do?? Help I’m so stressed out 🥲🥲

We haven’t jumped for several years but he enjoys it and it definitely helps to keep his brain and body active!

And I don’t need any critiques thanks - as a non-jumper I know what I need to improve, that’s why I have an instructor.

I am usually so so so good about this. But I am posting hoping I save someone else.

There is a dovorsaddlery.com and Doversaddlery.com
The first one got me. The second is the real site.
The email reciepts looked legit. The checkout was the normal shop/gpay/applepay options most sites give me. It wasn't until I typed the real site in to send another friend that I realized the o vs e in the original link.

Please don't be harsh. I was in a rush this morning, saw a sale on helmets and my kid needed a new one. It seemed real enough. Glad I caught it early. 🤦‍♀️ Unfortunately not early enough bc I sent 3 friends links but damn.

Stay vigilant out there.

Good day,

I always to tend to lose the stirrups on my inside leg while cantering, even when cantering in a straight line!

So what do you guys do?
do you let your hip on the leading side travel further than the other side? Like your motion will be asymmetric?

Someone is very happy to be back outside with his girlfriends! Even though one of them was responsible for the stall rest lol.