Welcome to SmartEquine's Horsemanship Library, your source for educational articles and videos on barn skills, horse blanketing, grooming, and more. We are committed to providing accessible, trustworthy, and accurate information to riders, owners, and caretakers so you can be comfortable and successful in the saddle or at the barn. Dive into our library of over 200 informative resources on everything from how to properly fit tack or safety equipment to show braiding and turnout tips.
Although our Horsemanship Library provides a wealth of knowledge, it should not replace your trainer or veterinarian's advice and recommendations.
Practical and Accessible Educational Resources
Just like you, we want only the best for our horses. That is why we are committed to being a trusted, unbiased source of high-quality information so riders, owners, and caretakers are better equipped for success in the saddle or at the barn. Access to free, reliable educational resources can be key to responsible horse ownership for many across the country. We believe that informed equestrians make empowered decisions, so we strive to make every article and video easy to understand while referencing evidence-based resources when relevant.
Horsemanship Library Editorial Process and Principles
Horsemanship Library articles and videos are created and reviewed by our team of equestrians and industry experts. Depending on the topic, multiple writers, editors, graphic designers, trainers, grooms, veterinarians, and farriers may review the content, utilizing their hands-on experience and deep industry knowledge. With over 200 in-depth pages in our Horsemanship Library, every article and video undergoes a rigorous editorial and review process to ensure the information is reliable, relevant, and tailored to both you and your horse.
Content Creation and Subject Matter Experts
Our team collaborates with equine industry professionals who offer unique experience on niche topics, such as training aids or horse insurance, to ensure our articles and videos deliver comprehensive, objective information. Many authors and reviewers hold specialized degrees or certifications in their fields, such as a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) or CJF (Certified Journeyman Farrier). We recognize an author or reviewer's qualifications and expertise below the title of new articles, near the date the page was most recently updated. To learn more about our regular contributors' credentials, simply click on the author's byline which may be linked to their biography page.
Before an article or video is published, it is reviewed by our team of equestrian enthusiasts for accuracy and clarity. Our team also regularly reviews ideas for new educational content on relevant horse care, grooming, stable management, and other areas of interest. We prioritize publishing educational content which will be the most useful to the widest array of horse owners, farm managers, and riders across disciplines.
Providing Evidence-Based Resources
Scientific accuracy is a priority when the subject involves the health or safety of the horse or rider. To ensure Horsemanship Library content is factual and free from bias, we rely on evidence-based information when available. If appropriate for the topic, our team sources facts from medical textbooks, peer-reviewed journals, academic institutions, and leading professional associations, such as the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). When applicable, references to evidence-based materials are typically cited throughout articles and listed at the bottom of the page.
Start Learning with the Horsemanship Library Today
From therapy tools and fly control to fitting saddles and arena footing, we have created this resource to help you understand and meet the unique needs of your one-of-a-kind horse. Click on one of the categories above or on the side navigation menu to get started reading articles or watching informational videos. We hope the Horsemanship Library is helpful to every person who rides or cares for a horse.
Articles in this section:
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Barn Skills & Management
- 5 Time Management Tips for a Better Barn Life Balance
- 10 Things Equine Vets Wish Their Clients Knew
- Annual Preventative Care Planning for Your Horse
- Disaster Preparation for Horse Owners and Barn Managers
- Guide to the Best Types of Horse Bedding
- Horse Insurance 101
- How to Safely Introduce a New Horse to Your Herd
- 5 Barn Dust Control Solutions to Help Horses Breathe Easier
- How to Safely Store Equine Medications
- How to Use Fly Stoppers
- Making Informed Choices for Horse Paddock Footing
- Night Lights and Music in the Barn
- Picking the Perfect Farrier
- Pre-Purchase Exams
- Preventing Horse Barn Fires
- Questions to Ask a New Boarding Barn for Your Horse
- Setting a Solid Foundation with Riding Arena Footing
- Step-by-Step Guide to Horse Feed Room Organization
- Things to Know Before Building a Barn or Arena
- Tips for Choosing a New Barn
- Tips for Keeping Your Tack Room Organized
- Tips for Tack Trunk Organization
- Turning Out Your Horse: To Boot or Not to Boot?
- Types of Horse Fencing for Farms
- Using Sonar Devices Around Horses
- What’s Stressing Your Horse?
- What to Know Before Buying Your First Horse
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Blanketing & Seasonal Care
- All About Horse Coolers, Fleeces, & Sheets
- Considerations for Blanketing When Trailering Your Horse
- Blanket Shredders - Why You Need a Durable Horse Blanket
- How to Fold a Blanket
- How to Keep Flies Off Horses Eyes
- How to Measure a Horse for a Blanket
- How to Use Fly Stoppers
- Ticked Off by Ticks? Prevent & Get Rid of Ticks
- Top Heavy Turnout Blankets
- Uncovering Horse Blanketing Q&A
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Grooming
- Bring Out the Dapples in Your Horse’s Coat
- Clipping a Horse’s Whiskers
- Cold Weather Bathing
- Button Braids: How To’s and Top Tips
- How to Do Dressage Braids
- How to Do Hunter Braids
- How to Groom a Horse for Beginners
- How to Help a Short Forelock Grow
- Bathing: How Much is Too Much?
- Horse Grooming Tools Guide
- Craft the Perfect Quarter Marks on Horses
- Picking the Right Horse Deshedding Tools and Brushes
- Pro Groom’s Secret Weapon: The Horse Vacuum
- Secrets to an Effective Horse Show Grooming Routine
- Shedding Season Strategies to Help Your Horse Shed Faster
- Techniques to Help You Pull and Shorten Horse Manes
- Trimming Ergots and Chestnuts on Horses Legs
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Tack & Equipment
- Bridle Guide
- Behaviors in Horses with Poorly Fitted Saddles
- Choosing the Riding Stirrups That Are Right For You
- Does My Bit Fit?
- English vs Western Reins for Bridles
- Ergonomic Tack Designed to Perform
- Guide to Hoof Boots
- How to Choose Boots for Your Horse
- How to Choose the Right Halter
- How to Polo Wrap a Horse’s Legs
- How to Put Together an English Bridle
- How to Put Together a Western Headstall
- How to Tell if a Saddle Tree is Broken
- Horse Tack and Leather Care Guide
- How to Wrap a Horse’s Legs
- Savvy Saddle Shopping Tips for Riders
- When and How to Use Studs in Horseshoes
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Therapy
- Acupressure
- Acupuncture
- Ceramic Therapy
- Chiropractic Care
- Complementary Therapies for Pain Management
- Electro-Stimulation Therapy
- Hot & Cold Therapy
- Light & Laser Therapy
- Liniments & Poultices
- Magnetic Therapy & PEMF
- Massage Therapy
- Shockwave Therapy
- Therapeutic Tape
- Therapeutic Ultrasound
- Vibration Therapy
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Training & Showing
- 7 Tips for Handling Horse Show Nerves
- 7 Steps to Sidesaddle Success
- 10 Tips for Managing Prizes at a Horse Show
- 15 Hunter Jumper Show Day Secrets From a Judge
- Benefits and Risks of Working Your Horse on Hills
- Developing a Personalized Plan of Horse Riding Goals
- Fall in Love with Hunter Paces
- Ground Pole Exercises to Strengthen and Have Fun
- Gymnastic Jumping Exercises
- Cooling Out a Hot Horse
- How to Design a Hunter Course
- How to Design an Equitation Course
- 5 Steps to Design a Musical Freestyle
- How to Organize Your Horse Trailer for Show Day
- Hunter Jumper Horse Show Packing List
- Mental Preparation and Overcoming Horse Show Anxiety
- Picking Color Schemes for Your Hunter Jumper
- Positive vs Negative Reinforcement for Horses
- Quick & Easy Colorful Ground Poles
- Warming Up and Cooling Down Horses in Winter
- Tips for Hosting a Horse Show
- Saddle Up for Spring: Rebuilding Riding Fitness After Winter
- Should You Take On a Project Horse?
- Extreme Mountain Trail Riding
- Tips for Trying Horses for Sale
- Ways to Make Winter Riding More Fun
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Videos
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Barn Skills & Management Videos
- Best Horse Health Reference Book for Owners
- Best Types of Fencing for Horse Pastures
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Things in the Barn
- Factors to Consider for Stall-Kept Horses Without Turnout
- Helping a Horse Adjust to a New Barn
- Helping Horses Grieve the Loss of Another Horse
- How to Compost Horse Manure and Bedding
- Disinfect & Sanitize Horse Stalls at the Show Grounds
- How to Make Moving Barns Less Stressful on Your Horse
- Introducing a Horse to a Protective Herd
- Pros and Cons of All Day Turnout
- Pros and Cons of Night Turnout
- Pros and Cons of Straw Bedding
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Blanketing Videos
- Can I Ride With a Quarter Sheet on My Horse?
- Can You Layer Horse Blankets?
- Factors to Consider When Blanketing a Horse in the Winter
- Adjust Horse Blanket Surcingles for the Right Fit
- How to Properly Store Horse Blankets
- How to Properly Wash Horse Blankets
- How to Properly Attach Blanket Leg Straps
- How to Safely Close a Horse Blanket Quick Clip Front Closure
- Fly Season Videos
- Grooming Videos
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Tack & Equipment Videos
- All About Grazing Muzzles
- Avoiding Rubs from Grazing Muzzles
- Behaviors in Horses With Poor Fitting Saddles
- How to Measure Your Hands for Riding Gloves
- How Western Bits Work in a Horse's Mouth
- Importance of Properly Fitting a Girth and Saddle
- Materials and Design Purposes of Western Horse Bits
- Parts of a Western Horse Bit
- Sharing Tack and Grooming Supplies Between Horses
- Types of Western Horse Bits
- Therapy Videos
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Training & Showing Videos
- Canter Transition Exercises on a Lunge Line with Hope Glynn
- Carrot Stretches
- Clicker Training
- Conditioning Plans Coming Out of Winter
- Considerations for Horses Coming Off Extended Stall Rest
- Encouraging a Lazy Horse to Move Forward with Hope Glynn
- Exercises for a Horse on Stall Rest
- Exercise for Older vs. Younger Horses
- Exercise for Senior Horses
- Exercises to Strengthen Legs for Horseback Riding
- Exercises for Your Horse in Hot Weather
- How to Build Topline in Horses
- How to Cool Down Your Horse in the Winter
- How to Increase Your Horse's Fitness Level
- How to Sit the Trot on a Bouncy Horse
- How to Safely Get On and Off a Horse
- How to Teach a Horse to Neck Rein with Matt Mills
- Improving Your Horse's Balance and Accepting Contact
- Learning How to Turn on the Forehand with Allison Springer
- Maintaining Space While Lunging a Horse with Matt Mills
- Positive vs Negative Reinforcement
- Proper Work-to-Rest Ratio for Conditioning Horses
- Rehab for an OTTB
- Importance of a Proper Warm Up for Horses in Training
- What to Look for in the Conformation of a Reining Horse
- Why Horses Itch Their Legs and Face While Being Worked
- Yoga for Horses and Riders
- Travel Videos
- How to Choose a Hoof Care Professional
- How to Know if Your Farrier is Doing a Good Job
- Knowing When to Retire Your Horse
- Safely Picking Up Your Horse's Front Feet
- Safely Picking Up Your Horse's Hind Feet
- Tips for Going Through Veterinary School
- What to Know Before You Own a Horse
- What to Know When Buying Your First Horse
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Barn Skills & Management Videos