Riding

Lessons, first rides, confidence and getting better in the saddle.

10 articles

Horse Ran Off on a Trail Ride? Lessons From Sue's Week in Yellowstone

A palomino named Sue bolted fully tacked in Yellowstone's most remote corner and turned up safe about a week later. Here's the search plan and the gear habits that make a happy ending more likely.

Updated Oct 19, 20267 min read

Equine Therapy for Autism: New Colorado State Study on Stress
In a randomized trial of 72 autistic children, stress hormones fell during occupational therapy sessions, and fell further when horses were part of the session. Here's what that does and doesn't mean, and how families can choose a safe, credentialed program.
Oct 17, 20267 min read
Retired Racehorse Therapy Horse: Meet Fury, Thoroughbred of the Year
The Jockey Club just named Fury, an ex-racer who now carries riders at a therapeutic riding center, its Thoroughbred of the Year. Here's what therapy work asks of a horse, why only some OTTBs fit, and how families can find a good program.
Oct 12, 20267 min read
#RidingFails on TikTok: Why Falling Off a Horse Isn't Just a Funny Clip
Swedish researchers read 60+ #ridingfails videos and 6,700+ comments. Here's what the laughs hide, and a calm plan for the next time you hit the dirt.
Oct 6, 20267 min read
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Horse Safety for Kids: Getting On, Where Not to Stand, Loose Horses
Viral clips this month showed a runaway horse at a show and a small child climbing a gate into a western saddle. Here are the real rules: blind spots, safe mounting, the saddle horn and loose horses, plus a quick quiz.
Sep 23, 20268 min read
Am I Too Old to Start Horseback Riding? A Guide for Teens and Adult Beginners
Starting at 19, 40 or 65 next to five-year-olds is normal. Here's how teens and adults should set up lessons, and how to fix the three habits that hold new riders back.
Sep 23, 20268 min read
Fear of Riding After a Fall? How to Rebuild Confidence Step by Step
Why your body braces after a fall, when to get checked before you ride again, and a graded plan from groundwork to lunge lessons to your first canter back.
Sep 23, 20268 min read
Your First Horseback Riding Lesson: What Happens, What to Wear and What It Costs in 2026
What really happens in the hour, what to wear before you spend money on boots, what lessons cost in 2026 and the red flags that mean you should try another barn.
Sep 23, 20268 min read
What Age Can Kids Start Horseback Riding? Ponies, Safety and When to Move Up to a Horse
Kids are usually ready for real lessons at 5 to 7. How to spot readiness, think about falls calmly, what parents do at the rail and when a child outgrows the pony.
Sep 23, 20268 min read
When to Replace a Riding Helmet, and Whether Kids Need a Body Protector or Air Vest
Helmet foam crushes on impact and wears out with age. Here's when to retire a helmet, how to read ASTM/SEI and European labels, how a child's helmet should fit, and when a body protector or air vest earns its place.
Sep 23, 20269 min read

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