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Matthew Livengood – Judge and Trainer Strives to Help and Support Horses and Their People

Photo from Matthew Livengood

Name: Matthew Livengood   What is the name of your business? Matthew Livengood Horsemanship   What do you do? I teach group and private lessons, conduct clinics, and do tune-up training for client horses. I’m also a nationally carded judge with the National Reining Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association …

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Feeling Grateful – Winter’s Dark and Slower Pace Brings Time for Reflection

I’m always grateful for the friends of all kinds I find here at home at Blue Gate Farm. Photo by Kim Roe

When I first moved to the Pacific Northwest, I found the rapid descent into darkness in autumn quite depressing. I couldn’t believe how dark it was at 7:00 a.m. and then again at 5:00 p.m. The rain and grey skies didn’t help my mood much either. But over the decades …

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Training Transitions – This Vital Exercise Should be Part of Every Training Session

Extended trot results from many transitions from working trot to a extended and back again.

As a young and serious rider my teacher would often tell me, “You need to work on your transitions more.” I’d do as I was told, but I never really understood why. I didn’t find them easy or fun, and neither did my horse. Now I’m wearing the instructor’s hat, …

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Ask the Expert: Is there any scientific information regarding stress on horses during wartime?

©p_gangler - stock.adobe.com

Q: Is there any scientific literature regarding the stress effects horses underwent during use in wartime, such as the Civil War? • Andre A: When one thinks about the trauma and suffering horses (as well as people, other livestock, and wildlife) endured during wars throughout the history of mankind it …

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Move those Hips! How to Train the Turn-on-the-Forehand

The turn-on-the-forehand mobilizes the hips, supples the muscles of the horse’s back, hind legs, and haunches, and teaches the horse to yield to the inside leg. Photo by Kim Roe

One of the most basic lateral movements, the turn-on-the-forehand, maneuvers the horse’s hips around his forehand. This exercise teaches the horse to move away from the pressure of the rider’s leg, aids in control, and makes the horse more agile and supple. The mobilization of the hips and the consequential …

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Is Your Horse Safe in His Home? Attention to Details Can Save Your Horse

An aisleway between fences eliminates the problem of horses fighting across the fence and injuring themselves on the fencing.

Scenario one: An equine facility has a policy that riders must clean their horses’ hooves before leaving the arena to keep the barn aisle clean. A hoof pick hangs on a hook next to the arena gate. One day, while cleaning out her horse’s hooves, a woman’s horse reaches up …

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