Dan Aadland

Does your gaited horse pace instead of offering his trademark smooth gait? Here, gaited-horse breeder Dan Aadland sheds light on this vexing training problem, giving you both the cause and correction.

As we get older, time in the saddle can bring on aches and pains. Here’s one horseman’s advice on how to minimize discomfort and enjoy your rides.

The first horse bits were probably rawhide. Human experience with horses has resulted in myriad versions of the horse bit. One fine trainer I know rarely uses anything but a snaffle horse bit. He believes that finding just the right horse bit for a given horse is one secret to success.

In training pack animals, consider the way the pack animals travel and also the ability of your string leader (the horse you ride) or pony horse to vary his speed to suit the pack animals behind him. Gait training for your pony horse or string leader may

Spring can be a wonderful time to trail ride, but it’s important to practice trail-riding safety throughout the year.

Does packing into the backcountry with a pack horse or mule seem too complicated to master? I had a similar experience with another backcountry skill. Many years ago, I stood hip-deep in the crystal-clear

We were camped under aspens at an idyllic spot where two creeks met, our tent on high ground between the gurgling streams, our spirits not dampened by the several inches of new wet snow that weighed

We were camped under aspens at an idyllic spot where two creeks met, our tent on high ground between the gurgling streams, our spirits not dampened by the several inches of new wet snow that weighed

Many years ago, on a pack trip with my two young sons, the importance of careful horse restraint in the backcountry was drummed into me with the sudden sounds of pounding hooves and crackling branches.

This fall, stay safe on the trail with these five practical hunting-season guidelines.

The Trail Rider contributor Dan Aadland shares his personal experiences of being alone in the wilderness

Spending time alone in the backcountry with your horse can be a transcendent experience. Here's how to go light and stay safe on solo treks.

Our seasoned Montana horseman and Tennessee Walking Horse breeder shares his best winter tales and tells you how to keep riding through the coldest season.

Here's how to reduce your risk for injury on solo trail rides, and what to do should a problem arise.

Dan Aadland, with The Trail Trider Magazine, shares his experience with Rocktop, the first colt he's trained and raised by himself.

Ground-driving has been a successful training technique for centuries, and in a wide variety of disciplines. For instance, trainers at the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna rely on ground-driving to teach their Lipizzaner stallions essential lessons on their way to advanced dressage.

Create a green, environmentally friendly, low-impact backcountry horse camp, and respect the trails, with these 10 tips from our seasoned Montana outfitter.

Feeling a little lazy and sore from trail riding the previous day, I snuggled more deeply into my sleeping bag and watched through the trailer window. Only moments ago, the stars had been brilliant, but now they faded as the buttes dotting the landscape became discernable in the coming dawn. Very soon the eastern horizon turned pink, then brilliant red, and then, celebrating the coming of another great day, a chorus of coyotes saluted the lighting of this vast stage. High treble wails were punct

Feeling your age on trail rides? Here's a guide to staying in the saddle as the years advance.

Cinching up your trail horse is a cinch with the help of a device called a Tackaberry Buckle or cinch buckle - a hook that snags a Western saddle's cinch ring and holds it securely.

Here are some gear selections I've made over the years, including tapaderos/rider footwear, reins, halters/lead ropes, saddle pads, saddlebags, spurs, shoeing, and breastcollars/cruppers. Rest assured, they're direct products of the experiences I've had, the miles I've ridden, and the situations I've known.

Never in history has so much helpful information been available to horse lovers. Learn 5 basic trail riding tips and tricks for your next trail ride with your horse

Want to extend your trail-riding range by adding a packhorse or two? The skills necessary for recreational packing are relatively easy to acquire.

Here's how to estimate your horse's weight carrying ability.

Teach your trail horse how to respond to neck rein pressure with this simple technique.

For horse owners, and especially trail riders, improving a horse's walk can vastly improve speed and enjoyment of horsebackriding. This article give training tips on how to improve your horse's walk.

Good spooks, bad spooks, fake spooks—here's spooky horse training techniques for a more enjoyable ride down the trail.