We horse lovers are a gregarious sort and social distancing sure crimps our style. Take heart. With all the options for education and interaction, students and instructors need not worry about staying connected. Today I’ll share some of my favorite places to visit.
Forums
Forums and discussion boards are great places to make friends and talk horse. They are an endless source of information for problem solving and getting the opinion of other horsemen. Often you’ll have to join a forum in order to post but even if you’re loathe to have another internet connection, you’ll find plenty to read. A quick Google search will produce a forum in almost any breed of horse or style of riding.
The Chronicle of the Horse
https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/ is my favorite, first place to go for good conversation about current topics particularly in the world of hunters/jumpers, eventing, and dressage.
The Horse Forum
https://www.horseforum.com/ It’s so easy to get stuck in my own view of the horse world. I go to the Horse Forum when I want to expand my horizons and see what other people are doing from travel to backyard riding. There are lots and lots of topics at this site.
Barn Mice
http://www.barnmice.com/forum is a fun community of people with a huge variety of discussion boards. I like that they categorize the boards making it easier to get involved in a topic.
Horse and Hound Forums
Horse and Hound – UK https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/ when I want to a fresh perspective on my English roots I visit Horse and Hound
There is endless information on Facebook for horse lovers. You may have to answer a few questions to join a group such as Riding Instructor Lesson Ideas, Hunter Jumper History, or a regional association page. Plus there are many groups for horse and tack shopping. se a few key words for your search.
Or if you don’t want to join a group check out the pages for your discipline, breed, or seat. And don’t forget to check out The Riding Instructor on Facebook.
Podcasts and Equestrian Radio
Podcasts are perfect activities while you keep your legs in shape on the elliptical, stationary bike, or your hike around the pasture. Some of my favorites are:
The Plaidcast
The Plaidcast hosts interviews with trainers and judges and addresses issues in the hunter jumper world.
Dressage
Dressage Radio the official USDF podcast.
Practical Horseman
The Practical Horseman podcast Â
Better Horses
If you’re in the Midwest, check out Better Horses Radio
Stacy Westfall
Chronicle of the Horse
I recently discovered The Chronicle of the Horse podcast. I’m looking forward to listening to those.
More
Look for other good equestrian podcasts on the Horse Radio network
Blogs
Check out the articles on these blogs:
The Riding Instructor
TheRidingInstructor.net -Hmm, this is where you are reading right now! I’m very glad you’re here. I hope you’ll check out some of the other articles for riding instructors.
Horse Nation
https://www.horsenation.com/ has lots of articles to keep you current with horse activities world wide.
SmartPak
Great articles on horse care at SmartPak’s blog
The Economical Equestrian
https://www.economicalequestrian.com/Â Who doesn’t want to save money? There are good articles here that will help you stretch your equestrian dollars.
The Equestrian Stylist
http://www.equestrianstylist.com/ is all about chic equestrian style for you, your horse, home and barn.
Writing Horseback
https://www.writinghorseback.com/ Might be a while before we can travel again but we can read this blog on equestrian travel and dream.
And
The truth is that you don’t need social distancing as motivation to keep learning! Learning is an on-going process. Be sure to do a search for the keywords that represent your equestrian interest. You’re sure to find the topics and social interests that are right for you and your horse.
How about you?
Do you have favorite forum, podcast or equestrian blog you would share with us? I’d love to check it out. Meanwhile, keep your head up and push on! Increase your knowledge and contacts. When social distancing ends you’ll be ready to go! Thanks for reading The Riding Instructor. Barbara Ellin Fox TheRidingInstructor.net
Wonderful post, Barbara. Great ways to still dial in to equestrian things : )
Hi Stacy,
We have so many ways of keeping connected with the things we love. Thank you for reading this post.
Barbara