Choosing the Correct Length Stirrup Leather

Knowing how to measure stirrup leathers will help you to feel secure and comfortable in the saddle. The precise length you decide to ride with is up to personal choice, influenced by your horse’s conformation and your own physical build, but starting out with the appropriate length of leathers that will give you the flexibility…

Study: Horses Know When You Might Be Wrong

Would your horse believe you if you told him where to find a hidden carrot? He might—if he thought you knew where that carrot was. According to the results of a study by French and Japanese behaviorists, horses can tell whether we’ve been paying attention and then decide whether to trust the information we give…

British Racing Changing Jump Colors To Improve Horse Welfare

131 obstacles were analyzed across 11 racecourses using cutting-edge camera equipment to establish which colors would be most visible to a horse. Once identified, behavioral responses were then tested with 14 horses. Now March 14, 2022 will mark the start of a new era over jumps in Britain as obstacles begin turning white as part…

Science of Horse Racing: The Stride

For a horse, the repeated pattern of natural leg movement, or stride, defines the gait while the horse’s body structure, or conformation, determines the efficiency of the gait. This article looks at the particulars of the stride and conformation and how horses move at each gait.