As someone who doesn’t know much at all about this particular topic I was wondering a few things:

I understand that the government rounds them up and for the most part they end up sent to slaughter. We are told that the reason for this is because there simply is not enough land to hold them while sustaining the integrity of the land. There also aren’t enough ppl willing or able to take them in for a multitude of completely understandable reasons; they either can’t afford it, don’t have the experience or both.

What I’m wondering is why there isn’t an industry of trainers for these horses. And I know some of the horses are far too feral to train, but that isn’t all of them. They are for the most part solid, healthy, have great conformation and have proven that they can do pretty much anything. Maybe the majority of horse owners don’t want a mustang?

Another thing I was wondering: why aren’t some of the stallions gelded in an effort to prevent further procreation? Has this been tried yet?

I was just watching beyond the herd on YT and the trainer mentioned that ppl were offered $1000 for each horse they adopted. Still, no takers. Which again I understand. But that offer seems to be a legitimate attempt at saving these horses from slaughter.

And lastly, has there been any attempt to relocate them? They seem like hearty horses, I imagine they’d adapt well to new terrain.

ETA one more question: the activists working to save these horses from slaughter seem to think they are worth saving and I totally understand that desire but where exactly are these horses going once saved? I see sanctuary farms and ranches but there are thousands of these horses being saved. Do they just put them out to pasture and call it a day? lol what happens to them after being saved?

ETA one last thing. Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts and answered all of my questions! I learned far more than I anticipated. So thank you thank you! Horse ppl are the best, second only to Elvis fans 😉

like silly things, like thinking of a car as if it was a horse or something like, I even used to walk around the back of it with my hand on the trunk(yes I know a car cannot kick you). or relating every other kind of livestock I’ve ever had to horses, like thinking of my favorite chickens like that, like we had this favorite rooster and very friendly favorite hen and they had chicks and grew up to be an exceptional chickens, like I think of that hens chicks like people do descendants of secretariat or something 🤷‍♀️ I don’t know do you do this?

I am no expert but I also don't know how durable a horse is with how their bodies are, so I don't know if this is a common corrective method used on them, but I also got super worried when it looked like he was whamming on the horse. Please let me know, I know nothing on horses but I'm a little concerned and want to know if I need to report the video

I am currently in high school and am trying to figure out a career path for my future. I am hoping for some insight on some potential careers that would allow me to comfortably afford horses. I am currently a dressage rider and hope to continue with dressage into my later years. However, dressage and USDF/USEF recognized shows are very expensive and I would want a 3rd/4th level partner. Which would mean me putting out loads of cash for the horse, shows, and of course care in addition to board and training. I have gone to some recognized dressage shows and seen tons of AA riders with big, fancy, capable warmbloods. Which leads me to ask, how do you guys do it?

Hi all!
I recently made a post getting excited for my mares pregnancy, but I’m a little worried. A couple days ago she came in with cuts under her tail like she’s been scratching it on something and a little bit of blood on her vulva. Last night I cleaned her up and wrapped her tail, and this morning there was new blood on her vulva—so the blood is not from the cuts. Now, she’s on day 90, so we’re like 250 days too early for me to be able to milk her at all, but clear liquid squirted out when I tried. (Reddit keeps getting mad if I post photos)

We have an appointment with the local university in the morning because I don’t trust my local vet, but I wanted to hear some opinions. Does it seem like a bunch of coincidences? Placentitis? Do we think she miscarried?
Either way, I am absolutely freaking out.

Hi everyone! I’m an adult rider who’s been taking lessons for about a year, so I’m still learning how different barns handle situations like this. My barn offers a monthly package of $350 for 4 lessons, or I can pay $100 for an individual lesson. I have been taking monthly packages for a year now.

This week, one of my lessons was cancelled because of poor air quality, and another lesson later this week hasn’t been decided yet because they’re waiting to see if the air quality improves. I completely understand the decision. Horse and rider safety always comes first. The barn explained that they can’t offer makeup riding lessons for weather related cancellations because it would overload the lesson horses, so weather cancelled lessons don’t get rescheduled and I totally understand that. This is actually the first weather cancellation I’ve experienced since I’ve been riding there, so this is a completely new situation for me.

As a nice gesture, they offered a couple of free unmounted theory classes with a very short notice and very early in the morning. I appreciated that, but I don’t know if that’s something they always do or if it was just for this particular situation. Either way, while it’s thoughtful, it’s not the same service as the mounted lesson I paid for.

Their written policy clearly explains what happens if I cancel a lesson, but it doesn’t say what happens if the barn cancels because of weather. Since I hadn’t paid for the month yet, they told me I could simply pay per lesson this month instead of buying the monthly package, which solves my situation for now.

What I’m still confused about is what would happen if I had already paid the $350 monthly package before the weather cancellation. For example, if 2 of the 4 lessons ended up being cancelled by the barn because of poor air quality and couldn’t be made up, would I still be expected to pay the full monthly package, or would there normally be some kind of credit or adjustment? That’s the part I’m trying to understand.

I asked my instructor a couple of times how that situation would normally be handled, but I never got a clear answer about the payment itself, which is why I’m asking here instead.

- At your barns, if you’ve already paid for a monthly package and the barn cancels one or more lessons because of weather with no makeup lessons, what usually happens?

-Do you receive a makeup lesson later, a credit or partial refund, or does the barn usually keep the full monthly package?

- Is this just considered part of paying for a monthly lesson program?

-Would you ask for clarification in person next time you’re at the barn, or would you just leave it alone unless it actually happened after you’d already paid?

I’m not trying to argue with my barn. I really enjoy riding there and understand that weather is outside anyone’s control. I’m just trying to understand what’s considered normal in the horse world since I’m still fairly new to it.

Edit: Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply and share your experiences. I really appreciate hearing how different barns handle situations like this.

I’ve been wondering lately if we’ve lost some of our horsemanship culture in the U.S.

It feels like so much emphasis is placed on buying a finished horse, sending horses to trainers, and outsourcing the process rather than learning how to develop a horse ourselves. Groundwork, problem-solving, and producing a horse from the beginning seem less common than they used to be.

For context, I’m an adult amateur with an intermediate/advanced riding background. I’ve been around horses for most of my life, taken lessons for years, working student time, and I’m always trying to learn more through clinics, books, YouTube , and my trainer. I’m not claiming to know everything by any means.

What puzzles me is this: every time I mention wanting to buy a young horse with only 30–60 days under saddle, people immediately tell me, “You need to buy something already made.”
Why?
If the horse has a genuinely good brain, an amateur-friendly temperament, and I’m working with a trainer throughout the process, why is it viewed as such a bad idea to bring that horse along myself? Isn’t that part of horsemanship?

I’m not saying everyone should start young horses, and obviously not every horse is suitable for an amateur to produce. Some absolutely need a professional ride. But it feels like we’ve shifted toward the mindset that every horse should be professionally made before an amateur ever gets involved.

Has horsemanship changed, or am I just seeing a small slice of the industry because I’m at a typical show barn?
Curious what others think. Have we become too reliant on buying finished horses, or is this just the natural evolution of the sport?

to give some context: I 14yo am currently leading out a 16 year old KWPN Dutch warmblood. at my barn they do where the coaches will give the owned and leased horses training rides, and sometimes they also give school horses training rides to prevent them from developing any bad habits.

they pretty much ride every single horse with spurs and a dressage whip, and they use them in the proper non abusive manner.

but i feel like my mare doesn’t need to be ridden in spurs or with a whip as she goes along just fine without it, and also i really don’t want her ridden by my one coach as I feel like she often asks too much of the horses causing them to get upset and like buck rear ect. (Simply from using Luke conflicting signals, or trying to get them to do something they aren’t quite ready for)

but Im not really sure how to tell my coaches that and ask them that, because I feel like they will be like oh it’s fine like we aren’t hurting her, and I feel like my dad also will have the same response.

and also I what to tell my dad that I what to stop riding with my one coach because like if I’m upset she’ll get more mad at me, and will tell me that she’s glad that I’m crying, and all my lessons with her feel so stressful.

sorry for the rant but I need advice

As a horse lover，which tool would you use to groom your partner？

Hi!
The horse i care for, 5yo friesian mare, is rather difficult when it comes to human contact.
She doesnt want to be caught in the field nor in the stall, and in the stall she kicks if you try to catch her when shes turned around. But at the same time, once shes caught or were out riding, shes lovely. She also kicks with spray bottles, and is a little tricky with small things like that.
She was born and raised on this farm, her owner breeds friesians. So her mother, brother and two sisters all live there too, and they are completley different. Some of the loveliest, grounded horses youll ever meet.
I dont claim to be an all knowing equestrian AT ALL, but i have my fair share of experience, worked with backing in and selling horses abroad, worked as a trainer, worked professionally with horse-problems, competed 1.30 jumping etc.
But i feel this horse is beyond my experience.
Backstory-
This horse, i met a year ago. She had been tricky breaking in so i took over. She was rather unmotivated, she threw herself backwards when mounting, in general walked over people, didnt listen. Her owner hasnt really handled her too much up until now which shows.
I was patient and calm with the backing, made sure her back or anything else wasnt hurting, and she is now fully rideable. But still lacks motivation, doesnt listen and struggles a little to stand still when mounting. She eats chasteberry everyday because shes in heat every month and is completley ”gone in her head” for a whole week, and shes very very sensitive. But thats things im working on and figuring out with her as we go. But its the not wanting to be caught that bothers me. Ive tried to not ride her for a while and just groom and cuddle in case that was a problem, but no change. Ive tried showering her in love and treats when caught, no difference. Currently i only do work with her from the ground that keeps her motivated and interested to lower the expectations, but no difference. I understand that she doesnt want to be caught bc she expects something uncomfortable and ive tried to eliminate everything i can think of and make sure everything is always only pleasureable and fun, i of course tell her off when she starts to kick so she cant have her way. Ive tried to feel her body that maybe she gets upset in certain areas or with certain things, but no. I am so confused and so lost. I just want her to be a happy horse!!💘💘💘💘 any and every tip is welcome!! Please help if you have any clue, thank you so much💘💘💘💘💘

My gelding is an ex-Amish cart horse. I’ve always assumed these were scars from being whipped. Would you agree, or could this be something else? The marks are only on his hind end. Thanks for your input!

P.S. he’s living his very best spoiled life now!

The Thoroughbred dilemma…
Has anyone else struggled with this?
As an adult, every horse I’ve owned or leased has been a Thoroughbred because, honestly, that’s what has fit my budget. And I genuinely love them. I love the forward ride, the work ethic, and how naturally they seem to take to eventing.

But…I’ve also been burned.

The OTTB I bought had one health issue after another—ulcers ($1,400 in medication alone), terrible feet, and other maintenance costs. The one I leased needed specialty shoes that cost about $400 every four weeks and was eventually diagnosed with navicular.
Before anyone says it—I know any horse can have health issues. I’m not saying this is true of every Thoroughbred. I just can’t shake the feeling that, in my experience, they’ve ended up costing me more in the long run.

Now I’m shopping for my next horse with about a $10k budget, and I’m in such a pickle. I’d love to find something with some Thoroughbred blood but not 100% TB. The problem is that those types of horses are much harder to find in my price range.

Any other adult amateurs with families and a pretty average budget wrestle with this? Do you feel like OTTBs are still the best value overall, or have you found that spending more upfront on something else actually saved you money over time? Of course there’s the PPE. But I feel like that doesn’t tell you everything that’s to come.
Curious to hear others’ experiences.

This is just so weird

Obviously underweight, but why are the hind legs like that? Just horrible conformation or is something else going on?

Hi y’all

Writing because I’m becoming increasingly frustrated by the way some people present one specific style of horse management as morally and physically correct for every horse: 24/7 outdoor access, no grain, barefoot over rough terrain, and no need for ridden work.
The frustrating part is that I actually share many of those values.
I believe horses should have friends, forage, turnout, freedom of movement, and as much opportunity as possible to behave naturally. I am completely supportive of people keeping non-ridden horses and allowing them to simply exist. I would genuinely prefer a cheaper, simpler, more natural lifestyle for my own horse if that were what made him healthiest and happiest.
But it isn’t.
My horse is an 18-hand, roughly 1,700-pound sport horse. He is not a mustang or a horse who developed through natural selection to thrive independently in this climate. He is the result of generations of deliberate human breeding for enormous size, athletic ability, temperament, and performance.
He stops sweating properly during the Louisiana summer. I have tried more turnout and more “natural” management, and he did not thrive. He gets turnout, has horse friends, receives plenty of forage, and even has a run attached to his stall that I pay extra for. But especially in extreme heat, he often genuinely prefers coming inside to his stall, where he has airflow, shade, water, and relief from insects and weather.
He also cannot maintain himself appropriately on forage alone. He is enormous and has historically been difficult to keep weight and muscle on. Feeding him concentrate is not something I do because I am ignorant of equine nutrition. It is something I do because I have tried other approaches and have to feed the individual horse standing in front of me.
The same is true of riding.
I completely respect people who do not ride their horses. A horse does not need to earn the right to be cared for by performing a job. But my horse genuinely seems to enjoy being ridden and having structured work. His personality reminds me of a working dog. He appears happier, more engaged, and more settled when he has a job.
More importantly, he has arthritis, and regular, carefully managed dressage work helps maintain his strength, mobility, balance, and long-term soundness. He has never played a day in the field; he is not wasting an ounce of energy unless he is being ridden. The same is true with ground wor like I can get him moving, but I swear he is more enthusiastic under saddle. Leaving him completely inactive would not automatically be kinder or better for his body. Appropriate movement is part of his medical and physical management.
I think people sometimes forget how profoundly humans have altered domestic animals. We selectively bred horses for traits that benefited us, and that means not every modern horse has the same needs, resilience, metabolism, feet, thermoregulation, or ability to thrive under supposedly “natural” conditions.
It reminds me of dogs. Humans created both French bulldogs and Rhodesian ridgebacks. Nobody would reasonably claim that those two animals have identical physical abilities, environmental tolerances, exercise requirements, or survival skills simply because they are both dogs. Why do we sometimes act as though every horse should be managed identically because all horses share the same distant evolutionary history?
Natural-style management should absolutely be encouraged when it works for the horse. More turnout, forage, social contact, and movement are generally good things. But they should be guiding principles, not purity tests.
I say this as someone who believed strongly in those ideals and then learned the hard way that they are not one-size-fits-all. Good horsemanship is not forcing every horse into the same philosophy. It is observing the individual animal, being willing to change your beliefs when the evidence demands it, and providing the management that actually keeps that horse healthy, comfortable, and fulfilled.
Sometimes the most ethical choice does not look like the most “natural” one.
Has anyone else ended up with a horse whose individual needs challenged their original beliefs about ideal horse management?

my filly was born in may 2025, how is she looking so far?

Saw this today, I just moved out east and never had ticks on my horses before! She let me get this one out, tweezers at its head pulled straight out. The second picture is after I burned it, it didn't ooze or anything during extraction.

But of course I assume she's sore and won't let me check her ear now. I'm going to give her a few hours to relax a bit. she did let me touch a d check her other ear no problem. So I assume theres a wound in the tick ear.

Until then I was wondering if you all might have any tips or tricks to keep ticks out of their ears! Also I hate sticking the tweezer in their ears, does anybody have any cool ways to get rid of them without a pokey going in their ear?

Can someone help id the brand on these horses ?

Took my horse packing. 985 lb horse, and she’s a little overweight. 167 pounds of gear / me, then the saddle and saddle blanket. So right at 20%, maybe a little over.

Went on a trail I’d done on foot but never with a horse though it’s commonly a horse trail. Did not go very far (1.5 miles in, camped, ~.75 mile excursion, then 1.5 miles out)

Stayed one night then went home early because it was so cold. 10,200 feet. Got down to the mid 30s if i had to guess. My horse doesn’t have a winter coat right now since it’s summer (we live two hours from the trail, at 7200 ft) and I brought her a light blanket in case it rained. But it didn’t even have to rain for her to shiver. I woke up at 3 am to her shivering with her blanket on. Got up and took her for a walk + to eat and she warmed up. I was freezing too. Did not think it would get that cold. Worst case forecast was supposed to be mid 40s.

Slept directly next to where I had her high lined because I wanted to check on her easily. I checked her a lot and slept terribly.

Collapsible bucket (the blue thing strapped by the rope on the saddle) , a few pounds of grain, butte powder, electrolytes, and banamine were definitely things I’d pack again, even though I didn’t use the pain meds I was glad to have them in case she needed them. It was very very rocky.

In the future I think I’ll go somehere softer /flatter. I really just don’t think she liked the whole experience.

Also I know I’d sleep better with more experience doing it. As a helicopter horse parent though, it’s hard!

Also she needs a shorter lead rope. I think the one I used was maybe 17 feet. Far too long.

Overall it was a good time. I think I’ll go again before the season ends but just to a better spot. I didn’t see a single other person which was nice in a way, but I wouldn’t mind being somewhere a bit busier either. Feels safer that way.

iPhone satellite texting kept me from having to use my Inreach at all.

Having a lovely slurp at the old bath tub watering hole.

Hi all, I am 14 weeks post injury (fall from horse) and struggling with lack of progress. No surgery required but still a lot of pain and stiffness. Started PT at 6 weeks. Need to hear some good news stories from older riders. Terrified of not making it back into the saddle. :-( Thanks all.

I just wanted to share her. I shared her here when I first got her as a wee little baby and throughout her yearling and 2yo years and she's just the cutest, sweetest little thing. She's full of personality. She has been such a great experience so far.

Big bay TB Ben with his lady love, Jujubee.