Mad Barn Canada

Following best practices for basic horse handling helps owners have safer, clearer interactions with their horses. Skills such as approaching, haltering, leading, tying, and handling the feet are foundational for routine care, training, and veterinary or farrier procedures.

Because horses are prey animals, they are highly alert to potential threats and...

A bronco horse is an untrained, hard-to-ride, or purpose-bred rodeo horse known for its strong tendency to buck. Although the term is closely associated with Western rodeo culture, it describes a horse’s behavior and temperament rather than a specific breed.

Bucking is a natural equine response that may be linked to fear, pain, excitement, or an attemp...

Equine complex vertebral malformation (ECVM) is a congenital abnormality of the lower cervical spine in horses that affects the shape of particular spinal bones in the neck. Interest in ECVM has grown as researchers investigate whether these anatomical changes may contribute to neck pain, poor performance, or neurological abnormalities in some horses.

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Reiki is a practice some horse owners use to support relaxation and overall well being in their horses. During a session, a practitioner places their hands lightly on or near the horse while maintaining a calm, quiet presence. Owners may incorporate Reiki into their horse’s care during periods of stress, rehabilitation, stall rest, competition, travel, or age...

Dressage movements are structured exercises that progressively develop a horse’s balance, responsiveness, strength, and coordination. From basic arena figures to advanced collected work, each movement builds on skills established earlier in training.

For riders, understanding this progression is just as important as learning the aids f...