The Northwest Horse Source

There’s something pretty special about working with a foal. They’re curious, playful, and full of personality—and it’s easy to forgive a little nipping, pushing, or running away when they’re small enough to seem harmless. But those cute habits can become serious problems as that little foal grows into a thousand-pound horse. So when should training begin? How can you build a foal’s confidence and curiosity while still teaching him to respect people?

There are trail rides, and then there are trail rides that make you wonder just how far you and your horse could really go. Endurance riding takes that question to a whole new level, with horse-and-rider teams covering miles of challenging terrain while learning to pace themselves, work together, and take care of each other along the way. So, what exactly makes endurance riding different from other long-distance trail riding?

Monday, August 31, 2026 – (Columbus, OH) – The EQUUS Foundation and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) are excited to introduce the EQUUS Foundation IEA #HorseProtectors Team Award, a new opportunity for IEA teams to learn more about equine welfare, volunteer with an EQUUS Foundation Equine Welfare Network (EWN) equine charity and compete for up to $2,000 in awards.

Washington mare once worth hundreds of thousands of dollars is recovering from severe neglect and rediscovering the spirit that made her a winner WASHINGTON — August 26, 2026 — Her name was Fancy Fusaichi, and once upon a time, she was worth a fortune. Born in 2004, Fancy Fusaichi was bred from some of the most valuable bloodlines in Thoroughbred racing. Her sire, Fusaichi Pegasus, won the 2000 Kentucky Derby and later set a record when he was sold for a reported $70 million.

Ann Lesley Smith wasn’t looking for a legendary Arabian bloodline. She simply wanted to ride horses again. After years away from riding, Smith found herself at a California ranch expecting little more than the opportunity to get back in the saddle. Instead, the visit opened the door to a history she knew little about—and ultimately led her to Amir Fadjur Salaam, a young Arabian stallion who would change the direction of her life. “I didn’t seek a legend,” Smith said during our conversation.

Managing a small horse property doesn’t mean you need to own a tractor and every piece of farm equipment under the sun. In fact, for many of us, the bigger challenge is figuring out which tools are actually worth the money—and where we can save a few dollars without making our chores harder. From spreading composted manure and hauling hay to repairing fences, the right equipment can save hours of work.

Buying a horse trailer can be surprisingly complicated. Bumper pull or gooseneck? Straight load or slant? New or used? And how do you know whether your tow vehicle can safely handle the trailer once horses and gear are aboard? Brad Heath, founder of Double D Trailers, says the best place to begin isn’t with the trailer at all—it’s with your horse and how you plan to use it. One horse owner’s experience illustrates why.

We spend a lot of time thinking about our horses’ saddles, tack, nutrition, and training, but how often do we stop to think about what’s directly underneath their feet? Arena footing may not be the most exciting part of building or maintaining a riding arena, but it plays a big role in how safely and comfortably our horses move. The right footing can provide the traction and support a horse needs, while poor or neglected footing can contribute to slips, strain, and injuries.

Owning a few acres and a couple of horses can sound pretty simple—until you realize just how many chores come with the territory. There are stalls and paddocks to clean, pastures to mow and harrow, fences to maintain, and enough manure to make you wonder where it all comes from. The good news is that you don’t need a barn full of expensive machinery to keep a small horse property running smoothly.

Why Horse Owners Need to Rethink Bug Season in 2026 From mosquitoes to ticks to screwworm, new forces are reshaping equine health this summer – and 2026 marks a turning point RAHWAY, N.J., Aug. 19, 2026 – A record-breaking El Niño weather pattern has arrived, and with it a potentially unexpected impact on horse owners. Combined with expanding tick ranges and the first detection of New World screwworm in the U.S. since 1966, the threat for horses has changed in 2026.