Learn the Basics from Dennis Moreland.

Expert tack maker Dennis Moreland shows you how to select, care for and use tack in AQHA

Choosing the right tack for you and your horse can be a difficult task, even for the most experienced horse owner. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you ready for a baby?

There’s nothing cuter than a newborn foal. But getting one on the ground requires a lot of preparation and forethought. Stallion selection and mare care are just two of the elements you need to factor in. Read the rest of this entry »

Can you  name all 17 horse colors?

Legends say that a red horse is fiery, a dun is tough, and a white-legged horse is bad-footed. However, the wisest horsemen also say there is no such thing as a good horse that’s a bad color. Read the rest of this entry »

Get Paid for Showing Your Horse!

Photo courtesy of Don Trout

AQHA’s Incentive Fund pays out millions of dollars to stallion nominators, foal nominators and owners of competing horses enrolled in the program.

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Easy tips from renowned horsewoman Julie Goodnight

Disengagement of the hindquarters occurs when your horse crosses his hind legs. Your horse’s “motor” is in his hind end. So, when his hind legs cross, the engine is in neutral; your horse stops forward impulsion. Disengagement also encourages your horse to have a submissive attitude. You’re taking away his flight response. Disengagement is a natural, voluntary behavior for horses and it signals contrition. In natural settings, it’s only seen in neonatal foals. Use disengagement as a tool to refocus your horse and stop his forward impulsion. You should be able to disengage your horse from the ground and from the saddle – both are easy to do. Simply drive your horse forward then tip his nose up and to the inside as he steps up under himself with his inside hind leg. Read the rest of this entry »

Heartswideopen leads the field in the 2007 All American Futurity.

American Quarter Horses are the fastest horses in the world, and among the fastest of all animals. Able to run at speeds up to 55 mph, they can travel a quarter mile in less than 21 seconds, starting from a flat-footed standstill. Read the rest of this entry »

Buying a Horse for Kids

The right horse can instill invaluable confidence in a child. Children can learn patience, kindness, teamwork, responsibility, trust and myriad other life skills on the back of a trusty horse. Check out these seven tips to get you started on your search for a great kids’ horse. Read the rest of this entry »

Important advice from helmet manufacturer Troxel.

Determine which Troxel helmet is right for your riding discipline or style preference.

First, decide in what discipline or disciplines you will be participating.

Do you need a specific style, such as dressage or western? Or do you need a helmet that can cross-over multiple disciplines?

Consider a second, performance type helmet, to preserve a show helmet and provide greater all-day comfort. Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Tom Lenz offers nine warning signs that your foal might be sick and in need of immediate veterinary attention.

1. The foal doesn’t roll up on its chest or exhibit a suckling reflex within 20 minutes of birth.
2. The foal fails to stand and nurse within three hours.
3. The foal seems dull and depressed.
4. The foal’s navel is raw, red or swollen.
5. Urine drips from the foal’s navel.
6. The foal’s joints are hot and swollen, or it appears lame.
7. The foal’s gums are white, or the gums and the whites of the foal’s eyes are yellow.
8. The foal’s body temperature is outside (too high or too low) the normal range of 99 to 101.5° F.
9. The foal loses its appetite (most foals nurse 4-5 times an hour during the first week of life).

Maintenance and regular check-ups are a must.

If you ask a horse to back and he rears, it might not be disobedience; it could be pain, says AQHA Professional Horseman Patti Carter. Read the rest of this entry »

Sharon Camarillo shows you what not to do.

1. Poor selection of a start point
2. Failure to keep the horse straight
3. Dropping shoulders
4. Dropping rib cage
5. Approaching the barrel in the wrong lead
6. Riding one rein in between the barrels
7. Hands too high or low
8. Balance issues with horse or rider
9. Legs too far forward or back
10. Inappropriate equipment

Read more about improving your barrel run in the November 2006 Journal article, “The A.R.T of Barrel Racing.”

Do Your Horse a Favor When You Hit the Trails.

It’s tempting to take lots of gear with us on trail rides. But it’s really best to pack light and pack smart. Read the rest of this entry »