Thinking Rider

When you’re buying a horse, don’t neglect this one key pre-purchase check that will tell you if you’ll be able to ride him with confidence.

When your horse is stressed out, he needs a way to calm down and renew his trust in you. Julie Goodnight shares a story that will benefit you *and* your horse.

Learn how to recognize the equine behavior that indicates your horse has dental problems.

The training methods of yesteryear often involved too much force. Today’s enlightened techniques are more humane and more effective.

Does your horse buck, bolt, rear, or display other problem behavior under saddle? Learn key prevention and deal-with-it tips from experts.

Comparing notes with your good horse buddies is fun. H&R’s Gallop Poll gives you a reassuring peek into the horse lives of many other horse owners and riders.

Provide fun-and-games for your horsey child this summer vacation. These creative ideas will help you plan the ultimate in summertime fun for kids and horses.

Horseback riding can help youngsters become good drivers as they learn to pay attention to where their horse is going plus watch out for ‘traffic.’

Learn Warwick Schiller’s new method of desensitizing a horse— an approach that honors the horse’s spirit plus builds trust and connection.

If you own an older horse, these senior horse care tips will help to keep him healthy, happy, and sound as he ages.

Looking for fun things to do with your horse? Any of these unusual horse sports will improve your horsemanship and increase the pleasure of your riding.

Tips to help senior riders choose the right horse and be smart about time spent in the saddle, so they can continue to enjoy riding at any age.

These tips from experts will help you reform a horse that’s hard to catch, plus boost your overall horse-handling and horsemanship skills.

Focused riding exercises and drills are a great way to improve your horsemanship skills and increase your horse’s responsiveness to cues.

Your horse conveys a lot of information to you via his body language; to up your horsemanship and horse-handling skills, learn to “read” it.

The brain training of mindfulness meditation can help improve your horsemanship in the saddle and your overall confidence with your horse.

Want to go show with your horse? Here’s the motivation and road map you need to get yourself and your equine partner into that show pen.

Your demeanor when training your horse should enable him to be alert yet calm and trusting…because that’s when he learns best.

Sensitive hands and a soft connection through the reins will improve both your horsemanship and your horse’s responsiveness to bit pressure.

A runaway horse is a serious riding hazard. These three concepts can prevent or solve this dangerous problem for you.

Reward-based training—or positive reinforcement--can activate your horse’s intelligence in a way that makes him want to learn.

Working equitation is a fascinating equestrian sport imported from Europe. Try this fun exercise to give you and your horse a taste of what it’s all about.

Bridleless riding, where your horse wears no headgear at all, is an exercise that can solve problems and help you become a more effective rider.

When you’re having a horse problem, avoid insanity by thinking creatively. Try something new instead of just drilling the same old maneuver.