Transitioning from a snaffle or hackamore to a bit with a shank and a curb chain is a big transition in a young horse’s life and not one that happens overnight. First, the pressure applied takes place in entirely new and different areas. Acclimating a horse to new headgear is something that takes time, tenacity, and the right tools.

The discipline of Ranch Riding tends to lend itself to a casual, more laid back outfit: an oxford shirt, starched jeans, cowboy hat, boots, and a belt. While many exhibitors may invest in a pair of well-made chinks or armitas, a more cost-effective, simple, and unique alternative to dressing up any ranch outfit is the “wild rag” or cowboy scarf.
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Perfecting the rhythm, flow, and connection that elevates your Trail work from the mundane to the sublime requires countless hours of practice over the poles. Many Trail exhibitors seek that precision by setting up Trail obstacles at home. It sounds simple: throw a few poles out there and do some lope-overs. However, to really make your extra practice time beneficial, a lot of thought and planning needs to go into the course setup. Accuracy matters if your goal is to closely simulate the challenges you will face at the show.
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Performance is a Team Sport-and Nervous Systems are Contagious: A Three Part Series by Dr. Jillian Johnson of Farmhouse Chiropractic at WEC-Ocala. Part One: The Calm Advantage: Why Regulation Creates Better Movement and Better Rounds In the show world, we often focus on what we can measure — fitness goals, training schedules, strength development, and […]
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Don’t. You. Dare. Quiet Quit. The arena does not need fewer seasoned riders. The barn aisle does not need less wisdom. The next generation does not need us stepping aside politely. They need to see what longevity looks like. They need to witness someone adjusting goals without abandoning identity. They need to hear a woman […]
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In honor of a reader-inspired idea to recognize important horses of our past, each Monday we are saluting a different horse. This week’s honoree is Gallant Zippo, who will also be inducted into the 2026 APHA Hall of Fame. According to APHA, “the 2007 chestnut overo gelding earned 5,596.5 APHA points, including 10 world championships, […]
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Happy President’s Day! For many of us, it’s a welcome day off, which was part of its intent. The History Channel says, “Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt […]
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They are legends in their own time; you may have only caught a glimpse of them or heard their names in passing. Some are elusive, like fleeting deer. Others are an ever-present force easily found sleeping in a chair in a barn aisle, glued to their smart phones in the stands at a horse show, […]
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For our reader-requested nod to nostalgia series, this week we honor the great One Hot Drama Mama in the article by Brittany Bevis, posted in 2021 upon the news of Peaches’ passing: The Equine Chronicle and Sea Ridge Farms are saddened to share the passing of legendary mare, One Hot Drama Mama, on November 16, […]
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