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As a general rule, a horse can comfortably carry about 20 percent of its own body weight, including both rider and tack. For a typical 1,000-pound horse, that works out to roughly 200 pounds total. This is a guideline, not a hard limit — a horse fitness, build, conformation and the length of the ride […]
The average horse gallops at around 25 to 30 miles per hour. The fastest can go much quicker over short distances — a Quarter Horse has been clocked near 55 mph in a sprint, and the top recorded racing speed for a Thoroughbred is around 43 to 44 mph. How fast any individual horse runs […]
The right trainer can transform your riding and your horse; the wrong one can set you back years or sour a good horse. Since anyone can hang out a shingle, knowing how to evaluate a trainer is one of the most useful skills an owner can have.
Whether it's for you or your child, the first riding lessons set the tone for everything that follows. A good start builds confidence and safe habits; a rough one can put someone off horses for life. Here's what to look for and expect.
