Have you heard about the sport of ring jousting? It has been played in North American for quite some time and in fact became the official sport of Maryland in 1962! 1. How many decades have passed since jousting became the official sport of Maryland? Jousting tournaments have been held in Maryland since early colonial times…
For those living in the UK, The Pony Racing Academy offers the opportunity for kids aged 13 to 15 to gain first-class tuition on the school’s racing ponies over 12 consecutive Saturdays. The course is open to children who don’t have their own ponies and would not otherwise have the opportunity to become involved with…
Did you know that people race Arabian horses just like they do Thoroughbreds? The world’s richest and most important race for purebred Arabians takes place in France, The Qatar Arabian World Cup. The very first Qatar Arabian World Cup race took place 6 years ago, and the race has been run every October since then. 1.…
Did you know there are races where people race against horses? One such race takes place in Arizona. It is called The Man Against Horse Race. On race day, three races take place simultaneously. There is a 12 mile race, a 25 mile race and a 50 mile race. Vocabulary – simultaneously: Happening at the…
How do horses respond to different human voices? When we are grooming a horse and talking softly, does the horse understand what we are communicating? Do they pick up on the way our voice sounds and not just our words? Most horse owners will tell you that their horses know when they’re being scolded or…
Eriskay ponies are the last surviving remnants of the original native ponies of the Western Isles of Scotland. Until the middle of the 19th Century, Eriskay ponies were found throughout the islands and used on small farms, undertaking everyday tasks such as bringing home peat and seaweed in baskets, pulling carts, harrowing fields and even…
Healthy treats are nice to have to feed to our horses. We can use treats as rewards, for encouragement, or simply because it is fun to feed a horse by hand something they so obviously enjoy. Healthy horse treats are those that do not contain additives, preservatives, or artificial flavourings. And remember, treats are not…
Icelandic horses have two extra gaits. In addition to the gaits which all horses show (walk, trot, canter), Icelandic horses also have tölt and pace. In Iceland, the tölt is highly-valued because it is so comfortable to ride over long distances. Tölt is referred to as the fourth gait. It has four beats with phases in which the horse…
When learning how to bridle a horse and properly fit a noseband we are taught how to recognize the proper noseband pressure. The noseband should be buckled at a point that allows two fingers’ width between it and the front of the horse’s face. This allows the horse to open her mouth slightly and…
Barrel racing is a popular event in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a clover leaf pattern around three carefully positioned barrels in the fastest time. Recently, the National Barrel Horse Association Youth World Championships took place in Perry, Georgia. Participants numbered over 1,000 in the teen division (13 and over) and approximately…