Steven M. Jones, Extension Horse Specialist, University of Arkansas
An incorrectly saddled horse is like a person wearing poorly fitted boots. The same way our feet begin to hurt and develop sores, the horse’s back begins to …
Doyle G. Meadows, Professor, Animal Science, University of Tennessee; Warren Gill, Professor, Animal Science
Safety at horse events, such as horse shows, should always be given the highest possible priority. The horse show environment …
Revised by Gale Chrestman, Extension 4-H and Livestock Specialist, Mississippi State University.
Showmanship is the conditioning, grooming and presenting of a horse to its best advantage. …
David W. Freeman, OSU Extension Equine Specialist
Bits are designed for riders to cue a horse by placing pressure in and around a horse’s mouth. This pressure is used to control the speed and …
Kathy Anderson, Extension Horse Specialist, University of Nebraska; and Pat Comerford, Extension Horse Specialist, Penn State University
There are a number of things to keep in consideration when approaching a loose horse. Be familiar with the horse’s field of vision and never approach from a horse’s blind spot. Consider other animals and their position and possible reactions in the pasture. Read the horse’s attitude by watching his body language. Speak calmly and confidently. Approach the …
Pat Comerford, Extension Horse Specialist, Penn State University; and Betsy Greene, Equine Extension Specialist, University of Vermont
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One point to consider when approaching and working with your horse is its flight zone.
Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky
Bits provide one of the major points of control when riding horses. Knowledge of horse behavior and training principles used to modify behavior must be considered when selecting and using bits. Bitting is a continual process which, through repetitive and step-wise training, teaches horses to accept bits and to properly respond to bit pressure.
The goal of the bitting process is to train the horse to respond to as light a bit pressure as …
Celeste Crisman, Extension Horse Specialist, Virginia Tech
Although the horse’s usual first response to unfamiliar things is flight or fight, its second response is usually curiosity. Horses use all of their senses to investigate their world. During investigation, they tend to be very alert, excitable and ready to flee at any hint of danger. After all, there could be a predator hiding in the object they were examining.
Curiosity is part of the horse’s natural behavior and managers …
Cindy McCall, Auburn University
Domestic horses instinctively want to be in a herd, and readily form herds if maintained on pasture. The desire for contact with other horses can result in horses running back and forth along the fence line or running through the fence if left alone in a field or paddock.
Common problems in domestic horses related to their herd instinct may include:
Carey A. Williams, Ph.D., Extension Specialist in Equine Management, Rutgers University
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