Equine Publications & Useful Resources

Born from a relationship that stemmed out of necessity, the link between horse and man has evolved throughout history to a point where horses are no longer just work animals but valuable companions as well. However, despite the popularity of horseback riding, it’s crucial to consider both the safety of the rider and the horse before jumping in. According to Think First, 80% of horse-related injuries happen while the rider is still in the saddle, and most of the time, the injured party has been riding for at least five years. Riding safely not only involves picking out the right safety gear but also knowing how to interpret horse behavior correctly. When selecting a horse, the experience level of both the rider and the horse play an important role. In addition to rider safety, the physical, mental, and psychological health of the horse should always be a priority. This includes things like knowing how to put together a nutritionally balanced diet for your horse and how to obtain proper medical care when necessary.

Horse Health and Care

• Healthy Equine Parturition (PDF) - Get prepared for foaling season by learning about what you can expect from a healthy mare and how to recognize normal foal behavior.
  
• Equine Maintenance and Health Evaluation for Horse Owners (PDF) - Prevent common equine diseases and health problems by learning how to evaluate your horse using this comprehensive picture guide.
• Basic Horse Health and Well-Being (PDF) - Learn about the importance of keeping horses physically, emotionally, and psychologically healthy.
  
• Introduction to Aging Horse Care - Learn the basics of keeping older horses healthy, including how to meet their changing nutritional needs.
  
• Equine Cancer Society - Read inspiring stories and get support for horses of all ages battling cancer.

Horse Breed Information

• Picking out the Right Horse (PDF) - Find out what physical and behavioral characteristics you should look for in a horse based on factors like your age and riding experience.
  
• Costs of Equine Ownership - Use this breakdown of routine and emergency costs to learn about equine ownership before bringing a horse home.
  
• American Morgan Horse Association - Gain an in-depth understanding of the Morgan horse through photos, articles, and videos.
• Palomino Horse Breeders of America (PHBA) - Learn more about the breed, including the requirements for entering shows and exhibitions with your horse.
• Palomino Horse Association - Register your Palomino and learn more about the breeds and colors that qualify for showing.

Competition and Horseback Riding

• Recreational Horseback Riding - Check out a list of safety tips and guidelines for horseback riding on federal recreation land, including resources for finding a suitable place to ride for all experience levels.
• United States Equestrian Federation - Learn more about competitive equestrian sports, recognized national breeds, and read one of the leading horse magazines, Equestrian Magazine.
  

Kids’ Corner

• Young Rider - Learn valuable equestrian care tips and other cool information about horses in this monthly magazine dedicated to young riders.
  
• Benefits of Youth Horseback Riding: Discover why riding a horse with safety in mind is a great way to be outdoors and get exercise at the same time!
  
• Horse Adoption - Have fun adopting and caring for your virtual horse!
• Blaze Kids - Read short stories, play games, and learn more about different horse breeds.
  
• Learning to Ride a Horse: Become familiar with basic horsemanship with this article specifically geared toward youth riders.