Good Sportsmanship Makes for Good Fun and Good Learning

The Houston Area Carriage Association's competition over Veteran's Day weekend was a shining example of a fun, welcoming event where everyone had the opportunity to learn from each other. I can’t emphasize enough how important this kind of sportsmanlike competition is for sharpening your skills and becoming more engaged in your chosen discipline.

Winter is Coming… To Clip, or Not to Clip?

The horse’s winter coat is natural, and protects him from the cooler and wetter weather in the winter. So why clip a horse’s coat at all?

Bits: The Bottom Line

The wrong bit in the wrong hands can be a disaster for both horse and human. There is a huge array of bits, mouth pieces, and types of materials from which they are manufactured, from many different suppliers. How does one choose?

The Secret Ingredient to Effective Training: Fun!

Have you ever had that moment in riding or driving when just as you think about your next move, the horse responds immediately and it’s just magical, as if the horse is reading your mind?

For the Love of a Good Road: A Bit of History

There are those among us who love to experience bygone times by traveling on horse-drawn carriages, but some aspects of those bygone times are best left behind.

Origin of the Achenbach Driving System

When World War I broke out, Achenbach’s system proved ideal for teaching driving to large numbers of new recruits, many of whom had no previous horsemanship skills.

Why Certifications?

Currently it’s too easy to hang up your sign as an “expert” without any real training or knowledge. In many cases, the public really doesn’t appreciate how much potential danger there is, or what could happen if things go wrong.

Harness: Synthetic, or Leather?

Let’s look at some of the features that drivers consider when purchasing harness, and see how synthetic harness stacks up against leather.

Buying a Carriage: Two Wheels, or Four?

New drivers often ask when looking at carriages: Which should I choose? The answer depends on the size of your horse, and what you want to do with the carriage.

Foot in Boots

Recently, one of Ranch Ride Carriage Drive’s horses had some hoof issues, which prompted us to look into the idea of using hoof boots to protect his feet and keep him more comfortable and mobile. If you have never used hoof boots before, there are a number of reasons you might consider them.