“Stopping on snow or ice without skidding and/or jackknifing takes extra distance. Use brakes very gently to avoid skidding,” added Riss. “If you begin to skid or jackknife, ease up on the brake and steer into the skid to regain control.”

“We’ve already seen a case where a horse fell through the ice and had to be rescued earlier this month. There’s always a risk for that as animals search for water sources and end up walking out onto ice-covered ponds.”

Training Tip by Dana Hokana: “Keeping your horse on the arc is way more important than most people realize. The correct arc of a left lead, for example, is that the horse’s right hind leg will be in between the two front legs and you will be able to see the back outside corner of […]

Acute cold is found in the cold snaps that last for a short period of time. Chronic cold is the cold that takes hold and stays with a region for a much longer duration. Sometimes an acute situation can prove to be more dangerous to animals.

If you feel him drop to his front end or take several steps into it before he is truly committed in his gait, then stop him firmly, back him up and then send him off into the trot again.

Despite these challenges the American Horse Council was able to achieve several successes and advance many horse industry priorities concerning equine health, welfare issues, and disaster assistance, in addition to its a new initiative to get more people involved with horses.

During the past hours, the KY State Veterinarians Office has received calls describing postings on the internet (primarily social media) as well as multiple mass emailings falsely reporting a mysterious disease affecting horses in and around Central Kentucky.

Horseback riding is a fun and rewarding activity. So, allow the child enjoy their riding experience as they learn the basics of the sport before their introduction to the competitive aspect of the sport. As a parent, do not live your dreams to ride through your child’s life experiences.

… his work on the genetic basis of muscle physiology and motor coordination in horses. This has led to insights into how their genes affect their gait.