When temps hit the single digits, few of us choose to fight the cold for a ride. Fingers freeze, the ground is hard, and the cold air volume just isn't good for our horses. Fortunately horse lovers never lack places to search out education, conversation, or honestly, the opportunity to laugh with or commiserate with other horseman and their ponies' antics. For a fun diversion, I'll point you to some of my favorite online sites.
Blogs
Given the obvious, you could always search through some of The Riding Instructor blog posts that you've missed. There are lots of helpful tips and inspirational posts there in. Take a look at How Much Grip for Horseback Riders or How about Ideas for a Pre Jumping or No Jumping Ride.
Or check out Susan Friedlan's equestrian lifestyle blog at Saddle Seeks Horse. Susan writes about her OTTB andalso does infomative product reviews. And she writes about her books.
Speaking of books, you could always peruse the blog on my author website, BarbaraEllinFox.com . Be sure to check out my Write Horses Right videos while you're there. And if you check Reno's page you'll find the videos of his trip home from the adoption center.
SmartPak
Great articles on horse care at SmartPak’s blog
The Economical Equestrian
https://www.economicalequestrian.com/ 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/ Read this blog on equestrian travel and dream.
Horse Nation
https://www.horsenation.com/ has lots of articles to keep you current with horse activities world wide.
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.
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. I like The Riding Instructor Forum and Riding Instructor Resources and Information
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.
Practical Horseman
The Practical Horseman podcast
Better Horses
If you’re in the Midwest, check out Better Horses Radio
Stacy Westfall
More Podcasts
Look for other good equestrian podcasts on the Horse Radio network
And
The truth is, learning is an on-going process. The wisest people in the world are those who continue to learn no matter how much they know or how old they are.
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, stay by the fire and be ready to ride when it thaws!
Thanks for reading The Riding Instructor.
Barbara Ellin Fox
