No matter what we do in life, there is always a learning curve. Horsemanship and horse ownership are no exception. Horses are large animals with minds of their own and can be deadly if you are not careful. This is why we encourage new horse owners to get the assistance of someone who is already...
Young Corolla Wild Horse Dies After Choking On Apple
The Corolla Wild Horse Fund and the entire Outer Banks community is grieving the loss of a yearling colt named Danny. The young wild horse died on Friday in what the Corolla Wild Horse Fund is calling a "horrific, devastating, completely preventable way." Danny choked on an apple—a food not part of his natural diet—and...
Hidden Dangers That Could Be Lurking In Your Barn
Your horse is basically your child, just a 1200 lb child that you aren’t allowed to bring inside of your house. How do we compensate for this? We give them a barn to keep them out of the weather and when they are not feeling quite themselves. The barn has to be perfect of course,...
Princess Merida's Horse Gets Spooked On Reopening Day At Disney World
Although visiting a theme park is the very last thing I could think to do right now, Disney World in Florida reopened its doors again this past weekend to the public after being closed for nearly four months. Masks are clearly a requirement when visiting the happiest place on Earth, and the dedicated employees are...
Warning Signs Your Horse Might Be In Pain
As much as we wish our horses could talk about what is on their mind or if they are in pain, they just can’t speak the words and a snort or neigh could be taken either way. Your horse relies on you to be able to read their body language to know if something is...
Tips For Better Communication With Your Horse
Have you communicated with your horse today? Unfortunately, texting them is not an option, although we wish it was. Communication with your horse is vital for bonding, respect, and understanding. Here’s how to use touch and pressure, talk, and tone of voice to communicate with your horse and why it is so important. Here's how...
Why Horses Kick And How To Teach Them To Stop
It is helpful to understand why horses kick. Then we can use this knowledge to teach them to stop kicking. Horses are a prey animal. For thousands of years they have used a herd hierarchy system for the survival of the fittest. Horse herds were developed as a means of defense against predators. When you have...
Why Do Horses Get the Zoomies?
If you have a dog, you’ve seen them all of a sudden get the zoomies around the house or yard like a crazy, insanely hyper puppy. Well, horses can get the zoomies too! And if you look up “mini horse zoomies” your day will be made! So what exactly are zoomies and why in the...
Ways To Know Your Horse Trusts You
Trust in a human-equine relationship is just as crucial for the horse as it is for the human. We should never trust our equine friends 100 percent. Sometimes they forget that we are considerably smaller than they are. However, we can use trust and respect to develop a strong, loving bond that will last a...
Rescue Welcomes 5 Lockdown Foals In Search Of Forever Homes
Blue Cross Animal Rehoming Centre in Staffordshire, England, hasn't let the pandemic slow them down. While their facility is currently closed to the public, they've had their hands full with five new foals born during the lockdown. All the babies and their moms are doing well, and caretakers are looking forward to seeing all the...
Man Faces Charges For Riding Wild Horse On Assateague Island
I always say, let wild animals be wild. While it's true that you can tame a wild horse, a wild horse that is protected in a national park should never, ever be ridden. There are strict laws in place protecting these majestic creatures, and they are meant to be followed and respected without exception. For...
The Proper Way To Sit On A Horse And Why It's Important
Yeah! You have graduated from ground control to riding. Now is the time to learn to sit on the horse properly. Good equitation is important. It doesn't matter if you are riding bareback or in a saddle. Once you master the proper way to sit on a horse, you'll experience the power of positioning it...
When Should You Start Horseback Riding?
You have the horse now. So, the question is, when should you start horseback riding? There are several things to consider when you are thinking about joining the elite club of horseback riders around the world. What are your reasons for getting a horse? Do you want to learn to show in horse shows or...
Why Do Horses Chew Wood?
Horses that start chewing on wood can become a frustrating behavior if nothing is done about it. Wood chewing can put a major dent in fencing and stalls. So why do horses suddenly start chewing on wood? Keep reading for the answer and what to do about it. Cause: Boredom A bored horse is not...
Viral Video Shows Wild Pony Kicking Beachgoer After She Hits It With Shovel
A video originally posted to the People of the Ocean City Boardwalk Facebook page is now making its rounds across the Internet. In the short cell phone video, we see exactly what not to do when confronted with the wild ponies of Assateague Island. The now-viral footage first shows a small group of wild Assateague...
What Is A Snaffle Bit And How Does It Work?
There are two basic categories of bits, the snaffle and the leverage bit. In this article, we will be discussing what constitutes a snaffle, the different types of snaffles, and the uses for various snaffle bits. What is a snaffle bit? It is a common belief that any bit that has a broken mouthpiece is...
15 Important Ground Rules For Horse Safety
You might be starting horseback riding lessons at the local stable. Or maybe you are planning a vacation at a ranch, where you will be riding horses. Perhaps, best of all, you have been fulfilling a lifetime dream and getting your first horse. All of these scenarios have one major thing in common. If you...
Owner Blames Horse’s Fatal Injuries On Illegal Fireworks
A horse owner in Riverside County, CA lost her horse recently due to injuries that she believes were caused by the use of illegal fireworks, according to ABC7. Sharon Holmberg has been taking care of her Arabian horse Gamara since the horse was just six months old. While Gamara was blind and did not run...
24 Friesian Horse Pictures You'll Love
There's so much to love about the Friesian horse. From their long flowing manes to their shiny coats, we just can't get over how beautiful these horses look, especially when they are in motion. We previously published an article with some of the cool facts about this unique horse breed, but sometimes the best part...
Horse Trotting Tips From A Trainer
Jog trot, posting/rising trot, and extended trot. What do they all mean? Maybe it is a way for the horse to get back at the rider by jarring their teeth out. Either way, all of these terms refer to a horse's two-beat gait, at different speeds and extensions. Yes, it can be a very uncomfortable...
Africa's Only Herd Of Feral Horses Is At Risk
Surviving on rare tufts of grass and man-made sources of water, Namib Desert horses are an intriguing mystery. How did the horses come to live in an area so inhospitable? How have they managed to survive in the desert environment? And most importantly, will they last much longer? Located in Southwest Africa, Namibia is the...
Interesting Facts About Horses You Might Not Know
Horses never cease to amaze us. They can be incredibly fast and live longer than you might expect. These beautiful animals have plenty of fascinating characteristics, and there are some interesting facts about horses that we were dying to share with our readers. How many of the facts below did you already know? Horses can...
Meet The Camargue Horse, One Of The Oldest Breeds In The World
If you ever have the opportunity to visit Southern France, be sure to take in the Camargue Natural Park. Located by the Mediterranean Sea, the park is full of wetlands and marshes. However, what draws the horse enthusiasts and photographers to the park are the Camargue horse herds. Visitors from all over the world go...
Why Your Horse Is Rearing And What To Do About It
There’s no question about it, rearing is an extremely dangerous behavior in horses. When a horse rears there is a significant chance that the rider can be unseated. In extreme cases, the horse could fall over backwards and cause injury to themselves or the rider. As with most equestrian training issues, there is rarely a...
Dedicated New Owner Gives It All To Save Neglected Horse
When Kayla McKnight found Ralph, he was skinny, full of worms, and had what many would call a "bad attitude." The 16-year-old horse was up for sale, and his odds didn't look good. After being neglected for years, Ralph wasn't the type of horse you buy ready to ride. He wasn't even a horse you...
Are The Stereotypes About Chestnut Mares True?
Ah, the Chestnut mare – no matter what breed, this color can automatically mean trouble. There are so many memes about these horses that make us giggle, but what is the real story about “Hell hath no fury like a Chestnut mare?” Can color really affect behavior? The Myth: Beware the Chestnut mare! For as...
Disney Welcomes First Foal At New Tri-Circle-D Ranch
It's about time we heard some good news, and our favorite type of headline just came from the staff at Disney's Tri-Circle-D Ranch. After moving their horses to the new and improved location at Disney's Fort Wilderness, Disney has welcomed their newest equine addition. Violet, their newborn filly, is fitting in perfectly with the "happiest...
Learn How To Properly Canter On A Horse
One of the most common questions we receive from readers is how to canter on a horse properly. Whether you are new to horses and you're not sure what canter means, or you are more experienced with horses and you would like to learn how to canter your horse, this is the article for you....
All About The Chestnut Horse
What is a chestnut-colored horse? That is a million-dollar question that has been debated for years! Chestnut horses can be pale reddish to dark coffee color, and all reddish-brown shades in between. Most associations recognize the chestnut color, but they can't seem to agree on the same terminology for each shade of Chestnut. The one...
Horse Adoption Tips For First-Time Owners
Horse adoption is one of the most exciting things that can happen in your life. The reward can be almost overwhelming, but it can also make the heart happy. Here are a few things you will need, as well as some important things to consider, when you are looking at horses for adoption: What are...
How Groundwork Can Help Modify Horse Behavior
Is your horse pushy with you? Are they spooked by their own shadow? Does your horse become irritated when you ask for a gait transition? Do you feel like you aren’t in charge of the situation? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to take your horse back to the basics...
The Critically Endangered Eriskay Pony Could Disappear Without Careful Conservation
iHeartHorses spoke with equine photographer Cécile Zahorka about her experiences photographing the rare Eriskay Pony of Scotland. With her first-hand experience and information from the The Eriskay Pony Society, we're spreading awareness about this endangered breed. Native to the Western Isles of Scotland, the Eriskay Pony is a vulnerable, often underappreciated, relic of the Old...
7 Horse Breeds With Spotted Coats
The Appaloosa is renowned for its spectacular spotted coat and is recognized by equine enthusiasts everywhere. However, did you know that the Appaloosa horse isn’t the only breed that sports a spotted coat? Many other breeds also boast that distinctive spotted appearance. Spotted Horse Breed History Despite the fact that spotted horses may appear few...
The Best Horse Breeds For Jumping
Most horses can turn their hoof to jumping as long as they have a willing attitude. From Welsh ponies and traditional cobs to Arabs, all horses are capable of jumping. However, years of breeding with performance and discipline in mind have gone into producing sports horses around the globe. This means that some horse breeds...
Dun Horse Facts You Might Not Have Known
When you think about a wild horse, what’s the first thing the comes to mind? Most of our minds wander in the direction of a horse like Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarron, or maybe a horse that looks somewhat like him – perhaps a dun with a long mane and tail flowing in the wind....
Top Horse Care Tips From A Vet Tech
I’ve had horses for over 20 years. And 2020 marks 21 years with my accident-prone Appaloosa mare, Squaw. That experience, combined with my veterinary technician background, has taught me so much! Here are some of my top horse care tips: Basic Wound Care Being able to administer basic first aid to a horse is something...
Horse Rescued After Getting Trapped On Wooden Bridge In Florida
A horse that got trapped on a wooden pedestrian bridge in Plantation, Florida has been rescued, according to the Miami Herald. On Wednesday, June 5, an owner was riding their horse Vertigo near a park. At one point, a car passed and spooked the horse, Aston Bright of the Plantation Fire Rescue told the Miami...
5 Places In The U.S. Where You Can See Wild Horses
There are few things more beautiful than seeing a wild horse thunder across a native landscape. These majestic animals are symbols of freedom and strength, and they exist in several states across the country. Their herds aren't as populated as they once were, but they're still out there. If you're up for an adventure, you...
4 Horse Breeds With Uniquely Colored Coats
Horses come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, as well as a whole rainbow of colors. And while, for many centuries, solid-colored horses have outnumbered spotted, pinto, and a variety of other coat patterns, so-called "colored" horses are becoming more and more popular these days. In fact, breeds such as the Appaloosa and American...
Perfectly Timed Horse Photos To Brighten Your Day
If you've spent enough time around horses, you know they all have unique personalities. We love all of our goofy geldings, noble stallions, and even those sassy mares. I'm sure I'm not the only one who could sit on a fence rail for hours just watching horses be horses. From their funny facial expressions to...