What’s the old gag? If it can’t jump, market it as a “dressage prospect?”

Yeah, let’s go with that. Free jumping can be a valuable experience to allow a horse to stretch its own jumping, figure out how to place its feet or to let the owners discover if a horse has real jumping potential. Often, free jumping is a source of beautiful images or videos of horses soaring over massive fences, their bascule picture-perfect, knees square as they take flight.

And sometimes, they prove to be perhaps a bit more of a disappointment: (note — must be logged in to Facebook to view).

Oops. As my husband stating while looking over my shoulder, “it’s like when someone goes to dunk a basketball and really, really misses.” (No horses were harmed in the making of this video!)

Go riding!

Ever seen a horse jump rope before? Well, you can cross that off your bucket list now.

This video has been floating around the horsey internet for a while, but somehow it’s never been in Horse Nation’s spotlight, so it’s getting its moment now. Because you always have time to watch a horse jump rope.

Well, there you go — now you’ve seen everything.

Keep it weird, Horse Nation. Go riding!

Can we have one please?

(more…)

Here’s a fun idea to try — if your horse is game!

Screenshot via Tiara Equine on Facebook.

The riders at Tiara Equine in Canada sure do know how to spice up their gymnastic work. Who cares if it’s winter? Not these guys, they have plenty of ideas to keep their winter doldrums at bay.

As they go through this gymnastic exercise, riders have to take off and put back on their jackets or vests. It’s a true test of balance and concentration — not to mention the quietness of their horses!

Tiara Equine posted the following little disclaimer with the video:

“Hilarious times on Tuesday night with the vest challenge. Don’t try this at home without prep. We desensitized the horses to the vest first, and I picked the most suitable horses for the task.”

Lesson to be learned: Make sure your horse is up to the task — obviously everyone needs to put safety first when trying something new. However, this is a fun idea if you think your horse is up to the challenge!

Check it out (must be logged into Facebook to view):

Go Winter Riding, and Go Fleeceworks!

There are always more cost effective options if you’re far too cautious to throw money into the horse pit!

Screenshot via Huisdierplein on Facebook.

We all know horses are expensive. More than just expensive, they’re gosh darn money black holes. My running joke is that I should just put my money straight into my horse’s hay feeder — he’d probably still eat it!

So with that in mind, we know that some people may want to find a suitable alternative to their chosen sport. The good news? We’ve found it for you. The bad news? There really isn’t any. We’d like to introduce you to … hamster agility!

While this course is set up similarly to a dog agility course, there are several modifications you could make to satisfy your equestrian needs. First off, the tiny show jumps are probably the cutest thing we’ve ever seen. Second, all you’d need to fashion some cross country obstacles would be some sticks from your yard. The possibilities are endless.

While we’re at it, this could go in many directions. Hamster dressage … hamster penning … hamster in hand … the possibilities go on and on.

Check it out: (must be logged in to Facebook to view).

When you factor in your monthly expenses of a horse versus a hamster, the clear winner is the hamster. The tiny hiccup might be that there are probably all of five people in the world who know how to train hamsters. Perhaps there is some sort of Natural Hamster-ship DVD you could purchase for your new hobby.

What do you think, HN? Ready to give up horses for hamsters?

Nah, we didn’t think so. But it’s good to know there are options.

A must-watch to kick off your morning.

(more…)

(more…)

Keep your horse comfortable and safe in the cold months!

(more…)

“Go big or go home” is a holiday tradition at the Olympic Horse Show.

Olympia Horse Show in London hosted the Alltech Christmas Puissance last week. A part of the London International Horse Show, Olympia offers just about every class you can imagine, and the Christmas Puissance didn’t fail to contribute its fair share of excitement.

In the end, it was Belgium’s Jos Verlooy and German rider Hilmar Meyer who made it to the fifth and final round at 7’1″. Jos and Hilmar both made it through the final round and were declared dual winners of the contest.

Here’s the video from the Christmas Puissance:

While I highly doubt my family would take up the new tradition of a Christmas puissance, a girl can dream right? It sure would start my holiday off the right way — given, of course, I stayed on. Which is always questionable.

Merry Christmas Eve from Horse Nation and Fleeceworks!

This is one of the most inspirational and heartwarming things we’ve ever seen.

(more…)

We double dare you to try this at home … ok, maybe not.

The Puissance Wall is always a formidable challenge, ever increasing in height and challenging even the most daring of horse and riders. The Washington International Horse Show recently featured a Puissance class, where riders attempted to clear a brick wall that increased in height with each round.

The eventual winners of this year’s competition were Jos Verlooy and Sunshine, who cleared an astonishing 2.13 meter wall. Pretty impressive. I’m lucky to clear the .13 meter portion of that equation.

If you’re wanting to see more action from Puissance night, you can catch the whole class on demand on the USEF Network here. Just don’t tell your boss we gave you that link!

What are you thankful for, HN?

(more…)

McDonald’s in the States really needs to step their game up after this German restaurant opened a drive-through for horses!

(more…)

You have to watch this adorable boy and his pony and their great save while running barrels.

(more…)

(more…)

Going on right now at the KHP!

(more…)

(more…)

(more…)

(more…)

(more…)

(more…)

(more…)

Cue collective disappointment from his adoring U.S. fans.

(more…)

The big fall CCI4* event is officially upon us!

(more…)