Animals-and-Pets
Horse and Rider
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: RANCH EVENTS
RANCH HORSE EVENT BREEDERS, TRAINERS AND COMPETITORS HAVE RELIED ON PROVEN BLOODLINES FROM OTHER DISCIPLINES THUS FAR, BUT NOW, THEY'RE TAKING THE REINS FOR RANCH HORSES' FUTURE.
9 min |
Bonus Issue 2026
Horse and Rider
THE ROOTS OF REINED COW HORSE
TODAY'S COW HORSES TRACE BACK TO INFLUENTIAL MARES AND STALLIONS WHOSE LEGACIES MAKE THE SPORT THE ACTION-PACKED MARVEL WE SEE AT PREMIER EVENTS.
9 min |
Bonus Issue 2026
Horse and Rider
BUILT FOR THE JOB: The Blueprint of the Modern Performance Horse
THE HORSES THAT LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR TODAY'S PERFORMANCE ATHLETE.
8 min |
Bonus Issue 2026
Horse and Rider
MAKING THE CUT
WHAT BEGAN AS A RANCH CHORE BECAME A PROVING GROUND—WHERE INSTINCT, PRECISION AND STYLE SHAPED THE EVOLUTION OF THE MODERN CUTTING HORSE.
10 min |
Bonus Issue 2026
Horse and Rider
THE MAKING OF A REINING HORSE
FROM RANCH-BRED DURABILITY TO THE RISE OF PURPOSE-BRED ATHLETES, THE REINING HORSE DIDN'T JUST CHANGE-IT WAS SHAPED BY THE HORSES THAT DEFINED EACH ERA.
10+ min |
Bonus Issue 2026
Horse and Rider
Ranch Sorting Drills For a Dull Horse
Some horses are born eager to hunt a cow, while others—no matter how broke—would rather conserve energy and hang back. A horse that's dull to your leg or slow to react can make working a cow frustrating and unproductive. The goal isn't just to get through the run—it's to teach your horse to drive up into a cow with purpose and maintain forward momentum without constant kicking or nagging from you.
3 min |
Winter 2025
Horse and Rider
Foundation Focus
To boost confidence, Eric Priest takes the horse and rider back to the basics.
3 min |
Winter 2025
Horse and Rider
Old Habits Die Hard
Learn now traditions in the horse woria may not simply be outdated but can actually be harmful to your horse's health.
8 min |
Winter 2025
Horse and Rider
No Trainer? No Problem.
Four do-it-yourself non-pros share how they balance work, budgets, and barn time—and still find success in the show pen.
8 min |
Winter 2025
Horse and Rider
2-Year-Old Quarter Horse Mares
Evaluate and place these 2-year-old reining mares. Then see how your choices compare to our expert judge's.
3 min |
Winter 2025
Horse and Rider
Rehabbing a Foundered Horse
Founder can feel like a four-letter word for horse owners, and it's one of the toughest conditions to try to rehab a horse from. Laminitis, the medical name for founder, occurs when blood flow to the laminae is disrupted, weakening the bond inside the hoof. If left untreated, there can be rotation or sinking of the coffin bone. This is typically when it's referred to as founder, and when riders begin to worry that their horse is either permanently unrideable or will be in too much pain to continue living.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Horse and Rider
Winter Fun With Horses
When the weather keeps your child out of the saddle, here are tips to keep their interest and knowledge growing.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Horse and Rider
Making 'Magic' Happen
A terrible situation led to one woman finding the magical bond she'd been seeking.
5 min |
Winter 2025
Horse and Rider
Against the Odds
RIGHT BEFORE THIS ISSUE WENT TO PRESS, I had the opportunity to go to the Snaffle Bit Futurity finals and watch some of the top 3-year-old cow horses in the world compete for the prestigious title of Snaffle Bit champion. As I watched John Swales complete his fence work run, I couldn't help but tear up. John wasn't just on any horse—he was riding Bowie Nights, a horse trained by his sister, Veronica Swales. Veronica was involved in a serious accident at the National Stock Horse Show back in August and is currently unable to compete, but she knew that if anyone could step in and show her horses to their full potential, it was her brother.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Horse and Rider
Small Arena Hacks
When weather doesn't cooperate, don't let a small indoor arena stunt your growth.
2 min |
Winter 2025
Horse and Rider
WESTERN VERSUS WESTERN
There's no denying that all-around and ranch classes are evolving. While it might seem like one is pushing out the other, the truth is, they need each other.
7 min |
Fall 2025
Horse and Rider
Horse Life
A veritable all-around cowgirl event, the 2025 Top Hand Cowgirl Challenge takes place at Randolph, Minnesota's Simons Arena Oct. 15-19, beginning with two multi-event clinics—one for the “Everyday Cowgirl,” the other a “Masterclass” with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Craig Johnson and all-around AQHA judge and competitor Amy Marx.
2 min |
Fall 2025
Horse and Rider
Confidence Over Obstacles
Instilling confidence in a young horse isn't easy, but repetition and clear instruction can set you up for success.
2 min |
Fall 2025
Horse and Rider
Improving Body Control
Body control is an essential skill for every rider.
3 min |
Fall 2025
Horse and Rider
Sorting Geldings
Evaluate and place these ranch sorting geldings. Then see how your choices compare to our expert judge's.
3 min |
Fall 2025
Horse and Rider
Saddling for the Long Haul
Your saddling habits can lead your horse to love or resent his job. Your actions choose the path forward.
2 min |
Fall 2025
Horse and Rider
Independence at the Barn
How will you know when your child is ready for more responsibility and freedom at the barn?
2 min |
Fall 2025
Horse and Rider
Young Horse Health Check
Buying a weanling or yearling? Here's what to expect when it comes to health and development milestones from birth to age 2—so your young horse grows up strong, sound, and ready for the ride ahead.
2 min |
Fall 2025
Horse and Rider
The Role of Horse Rescues
Rescues play an essential part of the horse industry, across all disciplines.
4 min |
Fall 2025
Horse and Rider
It's Not Just in Their DNA: How Care Shapes a Horse's Future
When it comes to developing a great horse, how much credit goes to DNA and how much to the humans who raise them?
7 min |
Fall 2025
Horse and Rider
Down and in Danger
Does the mere mention of a downed horse give you nightmares? If not, it should. In this article we'll help you be prepared if your down horse nightmare ever becomes reality.
8 min |
Summer 2025
Horse and Rider
BACK UP TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE SORTING PEN
Logan Wolfe’s drills have you start backward to move forward with precision, collection, and body control in the sorting pen.
7 min |
Summer 2025
Horse and Rider
Performance Mares
Evaluate and place these performance mares. Then see how your choices compare to our expert judge's.
3 min |
Summer 2025
Horse and Rider
Crossing Water
Having control of your horse's feet is key to staying safe on the trail. When your horse is unsure or spooked by an obstacle, not having that control can quickly turn into a dangerous situation.
3 min |
Summer 2025
Horse and Rider
The Lucky Seven
Following the loss of their owner, a herd of seven horses would've faced uncertain futures without the intervention of a family friend and a local rescue.
2 min |