Trailer loading doesn’t have to be a battle.

By trainer and former America’s Horse columnist Joe Wolter

Loading into a trailer is one of the most important things a horse learns. There are few horses today that won’t, at some time in their lives, be faced with getting into a trailer.

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Learn the basics and have a better shot at winning at the racetrack.

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Odds are based on the amount of money wagered on a race. All odds are calculated based on the money bet on horses to win. A horse’s individual odds result from taking the amount of win money bet on the individual horse, divided by the total amount bet on the race, minus the pari-mutuel takeout. The pari-mutuel takeout in win pools ranges from 14-20 percent – depending on the track – and revenues from the takeout are used to fund horsemen’s purses and track administrative costs.”.

A longshot, or a horse with high odds, will pay more money if it succeeds in finishing in the top three.

Wagers in the other pools, such as place and show pools or exotics, do not affect the odds shown on the toteboard. Read the rest of this entry »

Why your horse might need leg support.

By AQHA Corporate Partner Professional’s Choice

Photo courtesy of Professional

Our equine partners are routinely asked to perform complicated maneuvers they would not normally perform in nature, subjecting them to a wider variety of injuries than in the wild.

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Get the facts about this common horse breeding practice.

Question:

Our 20-year-old mare has had four foals without any problem.

She is due to foal this year after finally conceiving with on-farm AI collection and direct insemination.

Barring any foaling problems, should we rebreed on her foal heat or wait for the next cycle? Read the rest of this entry »

When judging a horse’s conformation, look for the good characteristics first.

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When most people set out to evaluate a horse, they hunt for faults. Instead, AQHA Judge Jim Heird, Ph.D. says to get into the habit of first looking for what’s good about the horse.

Before you can know what you don’t like, you have to firmly establish in your mind what you do like. Start by studying the breed ideal.

“Train yourself to find the horse that most closely resembles the breed ideal, with the most positive combination of balance, structural correctness, movement and appropriate breed characteristics,” he says. Read the rest of this entry »

Flexibility is key to becoming a better rider.

By Emily Harrington

Believe it or not, you have to remain flexible or attain flexibility to be a good rider.

When you sit on a horse, your muscles are at work, and that’s before you even get moving. Once in motion, a variety of muscles stabilize your body in the saddle. Essentially, you are balancing on top of your horse, not to mention keeping your forward motion. Those two jobs work the musculature of your body, and the nicest thing you can do is stretch it all out. In the winter, just because you are not actively riding does not mean you can take a break from stretches that release the tightness in your legs, abs, back and shoulders. Read the rest of this entry »

Follow AQHA Professional Horseman Curt Pate’s advice and have a better training session with your horse.

1. Never think “predator/prey relationship.”
2. Teach your horse to accept pressure.
3. Always work with the horse to achieve mental and physical balance.
4. Recognize the negative effects of over flexing your horse.
5. Stay calm to relax a nervous horse.
6. Keep groundwork to a minimum – It’s OK to take a break.
7. Use as little equipment as possible.
8. Before working with a young horse, learn how to correctly catch and saddle him.
9. Practice the “emergency stop.”
10. Patience is a virtue – remember that when you’re with your horse.

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Tour Civil War battlefields and 200-year-old plantations.

It was the turning point of the Civil War and the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil. Beginning on the first day of July 1863 and lasting for three days, the Battle of Gettysburg ended with Gen. George Pickett’s unsuccessful charge against the center of the Union forces.

The Pennsylvania battlefield is one of the Middle Atlantic states’ most popular tourist attractions. Exploring the sites on foot is memorable, but riders can experience an even greater perspective horseback. And thanks to the Artillery Ridge Campgrounds, you can see Gettysburg on your own horse. Read the rest of this entry »

What is a race program, and how do you read it?

Programs differ from track to track, but all are there to help you choose a horse on which to place a wager.  Use the program to evaluate a race and decide which horse you think would make the best bet. Read the rest of this entry »

Use these tips to get your tack in tip-top shape.

Rainy days present the perfect opportunity to clean your saddle. You’ll need saddle soap, neatsfoot oil, several rags and sponges, and lots of elbow grease. Because it’s a messy chore, it’s best to put down a sheet of plastic and get to work in the garage or barn aisle.

Here are a few tips:

• Remove all saddle parts: latigo, cinch, back cinch, stirrups, conchos and other silver pieces.
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Follow these rules and have more fun on the trail.

1. 

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   Thou shalt not kill the spirit of the ride.

2. Thou shalt not litter.
3. Thou shalt not steal around another horse and rider upon the trail. Ask permission, then pass at a moderate pace.
4. Read the rest of this entry »

Follow these tips when looking to buy a horse.

By Hailey Harroun

• Pre-purchase exams are necessary to ensure the health and soundness of a horse you are considering buying.

• Pre-purchase exams should be performed by a licensed veterinarian before the actual sale is completed.

• To ensure an objective third-party opinion with your best interests in mind, choose a veterinarian you know and trust to perform the exam.

• The pre-purchase exam should include a lameness test on all four legs; dental exam to verify age and evaluate tooth health; eye exam; heart, lung and digestive system evaluation; and full body exam to check for old injuries, scars, etc. that might cause problems in the future.

• If the veterinarian finds potential health problems, you might want to reconsider your decision to buy the horse. Evaluate the risks and costs associated with the problem, determine if the problem will interfere with the intended use of the horse and decide if the total cost is worth the investment. Read the rest of this entry »