John Strassburger
Six Reasons Why Horses Resist Your Aids
When you properly give a command, your horse should snap to attention, salute and respond, “Yes, sir/ma’am! As you wish.”
If Only Horses Could Wear Glasses
How many horses who are dismissed as “useless” or “crazy” are really that way because they can’t see well?
Horse Journal OnCall: She Won't Jump Oxers
Back to the basics: Start with two poles on the ground.
California Chrome—Simply Awesome
If you rate Secretariat as perfect horse, a 10 - then California Chrome is a 9.75.
Our “Talk” With Boogie
I’m thinking perhaps I should try sports goggles. I wonder if I can find them big enough?
Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful
I’m intimately familiar with the joys of trying to ride on frozen ground, chipping the ice out of water buckets and shoveling a path to get to the barn.
The Elusive Mind of a Horse
Conformation, movement, scope—identifying these things can be learned with a small amount of effort. Mental fitness is much more challenging.
Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me A Match
Part magic, part science, part luck, the perfect match is an elusive thing.
Really, You Should Take Lessons
I’ve often encountered people who don’t take any lessons, or work regularly with a trainer of any kind, and they’re fiercely proud of that fact.
What Is The Future of Boarding?
It looks to me like the future may be at large boarding facilities.
The Bungling FEI’s Next Election Will Affect Our Horse Sports’ Future
The FEI’s leaders and its Swiss-based staff need to develop an entirely different outlook on what their job is and on how they do it.
It’s Time To End The World Equestrian Games
FEI, pull the plug on Bromont—now—and open up the seven World Championships to individual bidders.
The Only Way To Get Better Is To Ride More
But overall fitness can substantially improve your ability to stay on, and to influence, your horse.
Here’s How To Choose The Right Body Protector For You
The most vital factors are: How it fits and the type of riding you do.
Full-Care Or Self-Care: Which Is Better For You?
Full-care means you have to charge your clients fees that are large enough for you to be able to hire enough staff to accomplish it.
Why It’s Really Hard To Retire Your Horse
Honestly, you don’t want to face that a part of your life has passed by.
The Joys—And Surprises—Of Night Check
Admittedly, at 3 a.m. you don’t feel lucky to be in the barn, especially when it involves pouring Foal-Lac into a bunch of bottles.
Why I Decided To Stop Competing Alba
She competed mostly on heart, because she tries her hardest every minute of every day.
With His Hands, Dougie Hannum Treats The Equine Athlete
Horses move and perform better after he’s worked on them.
Horse Journal OnCall: Why Does My Horse Canter Disunited?
The canter requires strength and conditioning.
All Creatures Great and Small
If you've read it before, you'll enjoy it again. If you haven't . . . get cracking!
Taking A Pony Out In Public Shows How Much Outreach We Need
Do they not understand that he’s a living, breathing creature?
A Phone Call Makes Me Ponder How We Communicate With Our Horses
The language we have to teach our horses, continuously, is a language centered around communication with our bodies.
Nervous Horses
Whatever your particular issue, equine anxiety is the No. 1 training and management issue for every rider and trainer.
Horse Journal OnCall: Do I Really Need to Use a Bit?
We just trail ride, but if I should use a bit, how do I get him to accept it?
What I Learned By Riding In A Phillip Dutton Clinic
Phillip’s mantra: The horse must be in front of your leg and on your aids whenever you put him to work. And he must be immediately there.
What’s Next For California Chrome—And the Triple Crown?
I’m thinking that, instead of decrying California Chrome as just another not-quite-champion, that we should be impressed by his courage.
A Look Back: "Here’s Hoping We’ll Host Another WEG Soon"
The 2010 Games in Lexington were beyond anything we’ve seen before.
Can California Chrome Win The Triple Crown?
I think that today's racehorses aren't as iron fit as horses of the past.
My Three Examples Of Why You Can’t Train All Horses The Same Way
Horses mature and develop at their own speed and in their own ways.
The Baucher Snaffle: How Does It Work?
It applies more leverage than an average snaffle, but many horses are quieter in it.
Wear Riding Helmets—It’s How To “Mind Your Melon”
“It’s time to declare war on the b.s. of people still riding without a helmet.”
Your Horse Trainer’s Program Needs to Suit Your Goals
The truth is that some riders and trainers fit together better than others.
Did You Like The Rolex Kentucky Broadcast? We Did
Think an NFL Films version of a Super Bowl, versus what you watch on Super Bowl Sunday.
Epic Riding and Horsemanship On Display At Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event
Every year I go to Rolex Kentucky, and I see things that help me to become a better trainer and horseman.
Strength Is So Important In Horse Training
I’d say that training a horse to event is a lot like training a person to do gymnastics, track and figure skating.
What We Learned From Watching An Equine Cruelty Case In Court
It’s apparently easier to get a felony trial and conviction with a dead animal.
R-Star and Gin ‘N Juice—Two Mares I Love To Watch
I was mesmerized by the sight of them in the prime of their athletic careers, in full expression of their unique athletic and mental gifts.
Horse Journal Readers Often Ask How Hard to Work Their Horses
Too often riders forget this and think that if some work is good, then more must be better.
Now Event Riders Can Choose: Medical Armband or Medical Bracelet
The USEA's new medical rule clarified, with medical ID still required.
Riding Alone? Where Is Your ID?
In an emergency, accuracy and response time can be critical.
We Recommend These Massage Products
They’re costly, but they can give your horse a suppling massage.
We Should All Be Funding Equine Medical Research
This is a tremendously significant program, one that everyone who competes—in every single discipline—should embrace wholeheartedly.
To Me, Cross-Country Is Still The Key To Eventing
I can think of many star horses of yesteryear who were extraordinary on the cross-country course but wouldn’t even be considered as team candidates today.
Equine Medical Research Gets Funds From Three-Day Event Riders
Event riders have added $1 to their starter fees to support equine medical research. And they’ve challenged others to do the same for their horses.
Photos of Foals Remind Me Why I Miss Breeding Horses
Seeing the squeal-worthy photos of fuzzy wee foals always causes a pang in my heart
Media Critique: Modern Eventing With Phillip Dutton
This book is a blueprint for success in three-day eventing.
