We get SO many questions about electrolytes, and over the years with our horses have made so many mistakes (that we wish others to avoid), and in recent years have learned so much by working with veterinarians and top competitors in Beyond the Basics AERC Clinics, that I thought it would be good to share...Read More

February is a good month to look at how your ride plans are coming along and what needs to be tweaked if anything. For me, so far – so good other than a little set back in November, which Indy has fully recovered from. Indy’s downtime gave Wineglass Ripple the opportunity to amp up his...Read More

As with a human athlete, the success of a fitness and conditioning program for your horse is based on the horse's body's adaptive response to the stress of exercise.Read More

What do you do in the off season? I allow my horses time to rest from distance training during the heat of the summer and offer other vocations to help create a well-rounded partner and keep their minds and bodies active.Read More

One of the characteristics of an experienced endurance rider or competitive trail rider is not just expert knowledge of the terrain, but the ability to gauge the terrain and make decisions about the appropriate speed for the terrain. This ability is vital in determining how not just to win on speed, but to win on...Read More

That competitive edge. It might look different for different disciplines, but this intangible has its roots in the same concept: conditioning. In short, conditioning develops the musculoskeletal, neurologic, and cardiovascular systems so they can perform athletic endeavors with the greatest efficiency and the least stress on the body.Read More

Training the horse to use the specific muscles and systems involved in the sport in which the horse competes, while considering the individual horse's fitness level, are two additional principles of conditioning to consider as you work with your horse.Read More

Would you knowingly ride a lame horse? Few people would, yet in a recent study, scientists found that nearly three-fourths of study horses had significant motion asymmetry, confirmed by motion analysis.Read More

Learn how to prevent soreness in your horse on all-day rides with these expert guidelines. Plus: Rider-soreness prevention tips.Read More

Endurance offers the opportunity to spend all day with your horse on the trails, beyond the confines of a ring or indoor arena. For those who love it, it’s an unparalleled riding experience that allows an equestrian to compete while connecting with nature and horse over a long span of time and distance, and many...Read More