What Can Vitamin C Do For My Horse?
In 1988 I went to see Dr. Linus Pauling at a lecture at the University of Victoria, BC Canada. He was such a sweet glowing man and his passion for all things related to science and vitamin C emanated from his energy field like a light glowing from a light house. He wanted to help us understand that a vitamin - a single vitamin - can make all the difference in our world. His passion was compelling and as a health care consultant I knew that I would never look on vitamins the same way again. Now that I am involved in Equine Nutrition I want to tell you some important points that can better my horse's health in relationship to Vitamin C: 1. Your horse can benefit by improving collagen production is...
The Simple Language of the Horse
I've occasionally heard people say, "Horseback riding is easy; you just sit there." Oh, how wrong they are. While you certainly could "just sit there" you would be giving the horse the signal that he, rather than you, is the leader. Do you, as a natural predator, really want to be lead by a 1200 prey animal? I don't think so. It is true that, while far more than simply climbing aboard and going along for the ride is required, horseback riding probably shouldn't be as difficult as we humans sometimes make it. Horses are an exceptionally compliant and cooperative species, when we speak to them in a way they can understand (physically, telegraphing our intentions in a direct, honest manner that makes...
Horses are living creatures with needs and emotions. But if you love horses, you don't need to be told that. And like all living creatures, they need to be kept healthy if they are to be happy and successful. However, this world can be tough, and "nature red in tooth and claw" has a number of threats to horse health that a wise owner will want to watch out for. Living conditions are the first consideration when it comes to horse health. If a horse is kept stabled, the stable will need to be kept free from damp and mould - and, to consider the opposite extreme, protected from excessive heat. The straw or other bedding used to cover the floor of the stable should be mucked out regularly...
There can be nothing finer than walking in to a Western saddle maker's workshop to pick out a saddle for yourself. That gorgeous feeling that you are in a place embedded with a long historic tradition. The luxurious smell of freshly polished leather, is a whole experience in itself If you are having a custom saddle made then it is even better. Western saddle makers will customise a saddle or make one from scratch to fit your requirements. You can have a saddle made to fit you exactly or to fit the dimensions of your horse so that it is a comfortable between horse and saddle and you. First you should try some saddles out for size to see how big of a seat you need. They usually measure from the cantle...
tion_start --> As winter approaches, the drop in temperatures, especially at night, becomes more noticeable. You start turning the heating on. At home the central heating gets turned on early in the morning and then stays on throughout the day. Does this make you wonder how your horse or foal are getting on? Many stables have heating sources in the stable to keep horses warm but this is quite an expensive process because much of the heat is lost to the surrounds very quickly. Horses, like most mammals, can react to their environments. They are blessed with a coat that can respond to the external temperature by either moulting, in summer, or thickening, in winter. The sign of a healthy horse is this...
Horse Training Starts The Day You Get Your Horse
If you have an excitement to study all you can about horse training, then you will want to know about a horse training website that covers all aspects of horsemanship. If you are so busy you plainly only have a few minutes a day to spend with your horse, then here are some training tips you can use to keep your horse ready to go when you have just minutes and not hours. You must create an atmosphere where the horse can discover on its own, aside from the horse training that you give it. Taking the time to lay definite fundamentals will also mean that you will be training a horse that is willing to please you, that is far easier to train down the track. Teaching good behaviour right from the start...
What's Special About Stallion Horsetail Hair?
As many string musicians know, the hair from a horse's tail has many uses. And sometimes, a search for it will yield references to "stallion horsetail hair." So what's the big deal about stallion hair? Is it different somehow? Well, first it's important to define our terms, and learn a little more about stallions. Simply put, a stallion is a male horse that has been neither neutered nor castrated. In the US and Canada, many male horses are gelded, or castrated, resulting in a type of male horse called a gelding. Most equestrian activities use geldings instead of stallions, since stallions are generally more difficult to control, and exhibit hormone-driven aggressive tendencies. Geldings are calmer...
Do You Understand The Importance Of Horse...
A number of terrible things have happened to horses I have known or worked with. Blaze escaped from her paddock and wandered onto the road, where she was hit by a truck coming over the hill suddenly and was killed. Sultan caught himself on a piece of barbed wire that cut him from fetlock to withers. April suddenly dropped dead. All of these situations led to heartache and a lot of expense. While no amount of money can really ease the pain if a beloved horse dies or suffers injury, horse insurance can do something to ease your financial loss. Of course, prevention is better than compensation. Good attention to fencing would have saved Sultan from a painful injury and saved Blaze's life. Checking a...
Five Tips For Caring For Your Older Horse
He's been your equine partner for years now. You've perhaps ridden inshows, through trails or even relocated across the country with yourhorse. You've been friends a long time, and it may be hard to admit, butyou've noticed your horse is slowing down. Don't lose heart. Just like with people, advances in health care andnutrition are helping horses live longer, more productive lives, well intotheir senior years. But older horses do take a little extra care. Here's afew ways to keep your aging buddy doing his best. 1. Give him light, consistent work. Your horse may not be able to keepup a workout routine for competitions, but he's probably not ready toretire either. Keep him at a reasonable fitness...
Disposing of horse manure and soiled bedding is a necessary chore, which need not be time consuming depending on how many horse you have. Further more the horse manure can be turned in to a valuable asset, thus converting a problem into a lucrative opportunity. Manure is considered to be one of the best natural fertilizers because it is high in nitrogen and contains variable organic matter & trace minerals. Once it is collected, you have several different options. It can be hauled away, immediately spread across your pasture, or dumped into a compost pile to later be sold or distributed. Composting: (A mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and...
Your Horse's Attitude Predetermines His...
Horses don't lie. A horse is not going to put his ears forward and pretend he is happy if he is not. If those ears are plastered flat back, and his tail is wringing a vicious circle, you can be certain he is not happy. What you see is what you get. Training and attitude are two different things. Training teaches the horse to react to cues; attitude is how the horse responds. A negative horse resents and resists. He may go through all the motions, but his performance will be tense and sullen. The apathetic horse drags himself around dull and oblivious, saying, "I'm bored; I'm brain dead; I don't care." But a horse with a positive attitude shows powerful, focused action. The Beginning Let's look at...
Getting Started in Horse Mane Braiding
Many horse owners enjoy plaiting or braiding their horses' manes. This often appeals to young girls as a way to beautify their horse while spending some quality time with their four-legged companion. But I know quite a few adults, even a few men, who braid their horses' manes (or have it done for them) before a big competition. It is especially popular in the dressage arena. Done well, braiding definitely neatens up a mane. Finished off with colorful thread, it will catch eyes and elicit admiration everywhere that you take your horse. Some people believe that braiding or other mane enhancing efforts will sway even the most "by-the-book" show judge. It doesn't cost much to get into mane braiding...
A Shed Row Horse Barn is an Economical Barn
As your horse will be spending lots of time in its barn, it is important that you choose the barn with lots of forethought. Take into consideration the size of your horses before buying your horse barn. If you have large breeds such as thoroughbreds, you have to get a barn that is a minimum of 16 x 16 feet in size. However, if you have ponies, you don't need anything larger than 10 x 10 feet, while medium built horses can do well with a 12 x 12 feet stall. While constructing your barn, make sure the dividers in between the horse stalls are made of a heavy material. This is why most stalls are made from two inch to five feet plans. Make sure your barn gate is a secure one You can also place another...
Learn How to Behave Around a Horse
Horses have been domesticated, but retain their wild instincts of survival. No matter your level of skill or experience with horses, it is always advisable to be alert and cautious around horses. Looking at their size and characteristics (teeth, hooves and swatting tail) you always want to have respect for the animal. Any horse has the potential to react unpredictably, any careless horse person can attest to this. To avoid unnecessary harm you should learn the appropriate ways to approach and handle a horse. A horses vision is limited, so if you approach him from his blind side and he reacts by kicking out at you, you really only have yourself to blame. Your horse is simply following age old...
Single Horse Seeks Same - Help For the Lonely...
"body"> Horses are herd animals. Herd membership provides security, status, emotional support and entertainment. I know this may hurt, but you simply can't provide the kind of companionship that your horse truly needs. Without a pasture mate, many horses get lonely. A lonely horse may pace the fence lines and cry or whinny excessively when stalled. Both of these behaviors can stress to the horse. Like people, a stressed horse can develop ulcers. Signs of stomach ulcers include loss of appetite, dull coat, behavioral problems and biting or kicking during girthing. Pacing strains a horse's legs. Joint and tendon damage can result from this type of repetitive wear. Ringbone can also be a problem...
Horse Training - How to Fix an Unpredictable Horse
If your horse scares you because he's unpredictable while riding him, here are some techniques you can try. First, understand that he may be unpredictable because you may be making him that way. Check to see if you're giving him conflicting signals. That confuses a horse. A confused horse can easily turn into a scared horse. A scared horse becomes unpredictable. If your signals are not conflicting, then start by riding your horse in an enclosed space. If all you have is a round pen, that's a good starting point. If you have an arena, that's even better. This will be a controlled area and if he spooks and gets unpredictable, then he can't run too far. As you ride, be very aware of his...
Ten Ways to Save Money on Horse Feed
"body"> Is it possible to reduce feed costs and still meet your horse's nutritional requirements? Yes! Here's how: 1. Go For Forage: Good quality forage should be the basis of your feeding program. All horses should get at least 1 percent of their body weight in hay or pasture each day. Forage saves money in several ways: Daily horse care savings:Forage is less expensive than grain. Most mature horses can meet their maintenance requirements on good quality forage alone, without additional grain. Equine veterinary costs: Roughage adds bulk to the diet and slows the rapid fermentation of grains in the gut which may decrease the risk of colic and laminitis. Horse facility maintenance: Horses with...
Why Make Your Own Horse Hair Bracelet
Creating your own memories. Why make your own horse hair Bracelet? I have been a crafty kind of Cowgirl my entire life. In fact I think that most Cowgirls have had to learn to be somewhat crafty. There is just about nothing a true Cowgirl cannot ride, make happen, repair and there is truly nothing they cannot make. I started making my own horse hair items about 25 years ago. I thought "Why Not" make my own Horse Hair Jewelry. I was always trimming tails anyway. If you are a crafty person, you will love making your own horse hair creations. It is just plain fun to see what you can come up with. One thing is for certain, it will be your own creation made to remind you of one or your most precious...
Colostrum is the pre-milk liquid produced from the mammary glands during the first 24-48 hours after birth. During this short duration of time, the immune factors and the growth factors are still at their peak and contain several times the factors compared to colostrum taken during later milkings. Bovine Colostrum contains over 37 different important natural immune factors and more than 8 growth factors that work with the body to combat illness and promote full health. While the immune factors in colostrum work to fight off disease and protect the body, the growth factors in colostrum work to repair and reverse the damage caused by age, disease, stress and injuries. The growth factors in colostrum...
Ten Winter Horse Care Tips
"body"> Horses usually adapt easily and quickly to winter's challenges. But it's important to provide them with the extra care they need to stay safe and healthy when the cold winds blow. 1. As pasture quality or accessibility decreases, increase hay. The best heat source for your horse is extra hay. During the cold weather, it's best to increase the amount of hay, not concentrated feeds. Hay is digested in the cecum and colon which results in heat production by bacterial fermentation. 2. Get a pre-winter dental checkup. If your horse isn't grinding up her food properly, she may not be getting all the nutrients and energy out of it. Food is energy and energy creates warmth! 3. Even if your horses...
How Important Are Horses Feet?
I am a Farrier, horseshoer and have handled many horses and find horses to be one of the most mysterious of animals. With my experience of over 16 years come some wisdom in the form of what's really necessary when it comes to horses feet and prevention of lameness. Proper horseshoeing is in my opinion not to be overlooked the slightest. The truth is very small deviations in what is "Correct" shoeing can and will lead to lameness and too many times it's a permanent lameness. When horse owners become lulled into a false sense of security feeling or thinking "well my horse has been fine all these years" it can often times be the recipe for disaster. The repetitive motion and the amount of use can build...
age comes experience, patience, and understanding. Three qualities any horse owner wants in a horse. Have you given any thought to what age horse is right for you? The age of a horse is a part of horse ownership that is sometimes misunderstood. Many people feel that older horses are washed up and ready for the pasture. That could not be further from the truth in many cases. There are pros and cons to young horses as well as horses in their late teens and early twenties. The age of the horse you are looking for is not as important as to how well the horse fits you and your program. When asked, "what is too old when looking at a horse?" I always answer that question with a question. What kind of shape...
Having recently been lent an original copy of the 'Treatise on the Diseases of Horses' written by William Gibson, Surgeon, in 1751, it has been interesting to compare horse lore then to now. This article looks at one of the early chapters. Written in the old English manner with 'f's instead of 's', it does not make easy reading, but it is fascinating, not least in the fact that little seems to have changed in the last 300 years of our relationship with horses. The chapter on 'Such Faults and Defect as ought chiefly to be avoided in buying of Horses' does not read very differently to the advice to be found in any horse magazine or book today! Some pictures from the book are reproduced at The...
Horse is a very beautiful animal which is available in many colors and types. Its behavior and training vary from region to region and you feel great while riding on its back. God has blessed the horse with numbers of qualities. For example, it is a faithful animal and treats human beings like it also belongs to the same category. Horse obeys the orders of human beings a lot. When you will give training him/her according to your own way, he/she will follow the same and will never let you down. If you are fond of having multiple of horses then you must check out horse for sale on web. You will find several numbers of classified ads on the internet through which you can get your horse and when it...
In Florida, twenty-eight emaciated horses were recently removed from a central Florida home and given medical care and food from animal charities. Animal charities are often called into monitoring potentially disturbing animal neglect or abuse. And it's a sad, but unavoidable reality that horses often need to be rescued. Horses are particularly vulnerable because of the huge expense of caring for a horse - and neglect can simply be the result of financial difficulty on behalf of the owner. The starving horses in Florida were found chewing on fencing and bark to try and stave off their hunger. The courts will decide on whether the owner of the horses should get the animals back in their care. In...
If you're thinking about getting a pony or horse, check out our quick guide to mucking out. First off, you'll need some essential tools including: a pitch fork, shovel, gloves, a wheelbarrow, mucking out clothes and wellies. Keeping a horse in a stable or stall for any part of the day or night means you have to keep it clean for the sake of the animal. Unclean stables can attract health problems and insects as well as be unsightly. Ammonia from urine saturated bedding can pose a problem for your animal's lungs. Mucking out should be a daily task. If you hate thee idea of mucking out, think of it as a positive (and cheaper) alternative to the gym. It takes around 20 minutes to clean out a stable...
Running a horse boarding stable has many costs. To effectively run a facility you need to manage your expenses and your income. Some of the cost management challenges include managing the horses hay, stall bedding and employees. Savvy horse boarders should understand these challenges to ensure their horses receive the best level of care for the money. If you are a rider looking to board your horse, you should consider the care and quality of the horse facility you are looking to keep you horse at. I recommend giving the ranch a call on the weekend to schedule a time to visit. Short notice on a mid day Saturday is better, as you want to visit and see the worse case scenario. Saturday's tend to be the...
One day in late March I noticed our mare lying down in the field. This wasn't unusual as every so often she could be found resting on the ground and basking in the sun. I didn't think anything of it and went about my way. When it was time for her afternoon feeding, she had come in from the field and was eagerly waiting her rations. The following day I looked out and once again saw her lying down. Thinking she was just being lazy, but just to be sure, I took an apple out to the fence and called her. She got up and slowly walked over to me to take the treat. I thought it was a bit odd she didn't come trotting as she usually does, but for the most part she seemed to be fine. Since she still had...
The Boy Who Caught the Horse
The Horse I bought Aries knowing that he had some issues. Not a problem, I like a challenge. One of the first problems we had to deal with is catching him. When I go out to catch a horse I make my intentions very obvious. I approach the horse with the halter and lead rope in my hand in plain sight. I NEVER use a bucket of grain to catch a horse. However, this can be especially difficult if the horse is in a large field. So, we have Aries in one of our large fields and all is calm, for the moment. My wife and I were getting ready to go somewhere with the kids. My son and I were ready in about 15 minutes. Yes, this included a shower. My wife and daughter took a bit longer. Rachael, my wife, looks out...
Finding the right medication for horses is a tricky business, taking into consideration the possible side effects and for racehorses, making sure that the drugs taken would not affect the horse's performance in the race. However, the challenge definitely does not end there. Getting the drugs into the horse's mouth (and making it stay in) is a different matter altogether. Besides having to maneuver the 1,000-pound body to get a pill inside the horse's throat, you'll have to deal with the possibility of having that same pill spewed back at you in a less distinguishable (and practically unusable) form. Of course, the chances of this happening depend on expertise at handling horses and in experience at...
About Training Equipment For Horses
Equestrian equipment is very important for the safety of the rider and the horse. For the protection of the head, you need to wear a good helmet. The use of hard hat is required especially for the students of the pony club and boys under the age of 14 years. Additional equipment is fluorescent bands. It is indispensable if you travel even short distances on roads used by cars. Safety equipment includes a belt with a diagonal strip, the bracelets and leggings fluorescent. For cross-country competitions and testers wear padded jackets which are used to protect the rider. To protect the horse, you have to be applied fluorescent bands on the legs and tail of the horse. Further protection suits...
A Brief Look at Some Basic Differences in Shoeing
A lot of you have probably been through the experience of one farrier shoeing a horse a certain way and completely having convinced you it is correct, and then another farrier will come along and say the horse should be shod the complete opposite way, and is just as convincing. Alright difficult position yeah? Lets look at a few common differences in shoeing jobs, why they are done and why both sides of the fence can be right and wrong at the same time. Firstly, some jobs are scrutinized as being to short. Now in the ideal shoeing the heels of the shoe will come a little over the buttresses of the hoof, providing good support while not being easily pulled off. From my experience, horses working in...
World Flags
v> Flags have a rich history and heritage. Flags trace their genesis to the use of staffs or vexilloids, that were commonly used to lead men into battle. These staffs were decorated with symbols and other items, giving the soldiers a feeling of camaraderie. With time, these staffs were adorned with silk and other types of material. This is what we see now as the modern day 'Flag'. Now every country has its own flag as an identity. These are used to stake claim over a new land or a symbol of presence - flag on the moon by Neil Armstrong. Flags have been used for centuries to signify different things. They can be used to signify civilizations, ideas, groups, and nations. Flags were not used to...
Hobo the Pony Lives to 45 Years Old - Read His...
HOBO My unsuspecting family wanted an older pony. You know, to teach us how to ride. In their search they came across a man with two Shetlands running loose on his property. When they called, they learned that "Jerry" and "Hobo" had been his children's' ponies. They were turned out to pasture when the kids were too big to ride them and he was finally ready after much thought to find these old ponies a good home. Bought both ponies -- sight unseen! My mom and her two sisters owned a 55 acre ranch together. Each had a house on the property and each had two to four kids. They thought the ponies should be a joint purchase since all nine kids would eventually learn to ride on them. To the families' joint...
How to Find Western Saddle Makers in Your Area
If you need to find Western saddle makers it can be quite a task. Finding the right one for you can be quite difficult. Especially if you perform a search on the Internet you can get thousands of results. There do seem to be a lot of them! But how do you know that you will be able to find someone who can make a saddle to your exact requirements? You must be able to rely on them to produce something which meets your specifications in the time you need. If you choose a company which is too far away from you, then it may take months before you can get your saddle and you may not be able to see it getting ready. Also, the shipping costs may be too prohibitive. You must ask the company many questions in...
In promoting products, services, and even people, it is important to be able to catch the attention of the public. As such, there are various forms of advertisement that have been used by many marketing and promotions agencies. These forms include television, radio, and local newspaper advertising. However, there are also other forms of advertising that have become popular for the past years. The use of billboards for advertising has become quite effective in the majority of products and services that these billboards advertise. Moreover, flyers and brochures are also effective forms of advertisement. Lately, the most recent addition to advertising is advertising flags...
You may think the stuff you throw over the fence, the hay for horses, offers your horses the nutrition they need to stay totally health, but you would probably be wrong. Being a zen cowgirl inquisitive science-type, and having hung around with a major hay producer in my area who actually tests hay for its nutritional value, I'm realizing that hay for horses is basically entertainment, not nutrition. In other words, the hay I'm throwing, while better quality than the hay in some places, is pretty empty of the vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals that my performance horses need to both perform and stay healthy. If you look around at the performance horse barns in your area, you'll see what I mean...
Who Cries For Eight Belles?
Who cries for Eight Belles? The beautiful grey great-granddaughter of the great Northern Dancer, winner of the Derby and sire of Derby winner Dancer's Image and granddaughter of the 1990 Derby winner Unbridled, Granddaughter of Caro who sired Winning Colors (the last filly to win the Derby) and niece of the 1996 Derby winner Grindstone had the pedigree to win the Run for the Roses. She also had the heart of a lion and delicate crystal ankles, as all thoroughbreds do. The filly showed the world that she was the second-best 3 year old in the world on the first Saturday in May and certainly the best filly. Her nose was in Big Brown's tail the entire way and she was running away from the field as he ran...
Lusitano Horses of Portugal - Discover One of...
Are you interested in knowing what the Portuguese people do in their free time? Did you know that Equestrian activities are a part of Portugal's culture? It is considered as a part of the country's leisure activities. The country prides itself with their numerous breeds of horses, all strong and elegant in nature. Among the most prominent and well known varieties of this creature is the Lusitano horse. Its name was derived from the country's old name, Lusitania, as given by their Roman conquerors. These horses owe their beginnings to the Iberian horses. In addition, they are often related to a Spanish breed of horse. Because these majestic creatures were both strong and quick, they were once used as...
The skin of a healthy stabled horse should be elastic, smooth, clean and slightly warm. The coat should be fine, smooth, glossy and clean and give the horse a sleek appearance. Horses at grass build up a layer of protective grease which should not be removed by grooming as it helps them withstand cold and wet conditions. It is normal and healthy for a grass-kept horse to have a more greasy skin and coat and to have a longer coat in winter. The skin can be affected by local problems but it is also the best indicator that the horse owner has of the horse's general health and condition. The coat may become dry and dull. If it is not lubricated by normal sebaceous secretions; this is a well-known sign...
The Causes of Colic in Horses Including the...
Colic - The term "colic" means pain in the abdomen and it is more common in horses than any other animal for many reasons. Some of the known causes have been attributed to the small size of the stomach and its small digestive surface; The inability of the horse to vomit or unload the stomach by vomiting; The great size of the intestines and the puckering of the large intestine allowing food or foreign bodies, which may act as nuclei, to rest for indefinite periods; The predisposition of the horse to worm infestation; The dependency on the feeding patterns of the owner (horses are natural grazers and should not be left without food) colic is more common at night and is frequently connected with...
Tips To Maintaining Weight
Weight control is one of the most important issues facing many horse owners. Fat, lazy horses are simply unhealthy horses and they are more likely to live a shorter life than their in shape brethren. How do you control a horse's weight, while still providing him with the right amount of food and vitamins? It is a delicate balance between healthy and obese, but these are a few ways to walk that line. In spring and the early summer, horse owners must make sure to limit the amount of time that their horses spend grazing. During these times, the grass in your pasture will grow at its fastest rate. If left unattended, horses will take advantage of the overgrown grass and fill themselves up. It may seem...
My Slow Road to Horsemanship
I've never claimed to be a quick learner, but you think thirty years of studying would be enough. That's how long I'd had horses when I finally got around to discovering Natural Horsemanship. I spent the majority of those years searching for ways to improve myself and my horses.Sadly , I wasn't making nearly the progress I had hoped for, despite the years of traditional lessons with different talented instructors. Nevertheless, my husband and I thought we were ready to have a stallion, and that was a move that showed us how bad we really were. The three year old stallion was fine until we started breeding him. He remained controllable under saddle, although barely sometimes, but he was getting...
Which Sells Better, The Hunter Or Jumper?
Which type of jumping horse sells better, the hunter or the jumper? This is a question that intrigues the horse professional and casual show rider alike. We can look at several factors to help us come up with a suitable hypothesis without actually conducting a horse sales census. The first being the amount of riders looking for a particular type of show horse. The second being the amount of availability of those different types of horses, and thirdly, the amount of classes offered at the horse shows for both the hunters and jumpers. I sell an average of about seventy-five horses from my barn in Wellington, Florida each and every year. I sell both hunters and jumpers. I get the most requests for good...
The requirements for horses when traveling are similar to those of a horse in a loose box / stable. He should be warm in the winter and kept from being too hot in the warmer months. Have a plentiful supply of fresh air without a drought, a non slip surface / footing and the least amount of noise / disturbance as can be maintained. Many horses adapt well to traveling and will travel well if given the space and are driven with care and consideration along with the suspension of the transporter being good. Many horses sweat when traveling so common sense will tell the handler what rug would be the most suitable for the journey that is to be undertaken. On long journeys regular checks should be done to...
y"> As a horse trainer rooted in classical dressage, natural horsemanship, and modern competitive sports I sometimes feel like I'm looking at the world through bifocals. The horse community seems to be divided into two camps: those who ride and compete in traditional equestrian sports, and those who practice natural horsemanship. Both harbor misinformed grudges for the other. Many competitors feel the "lead 'em and feed 'em" crowd wastes time and money on name-brand gear and silly tricks instead of getting to the nitty gritty of "gittin' it done!" Many natural horsemen feel competitors are bullies who do whatever it takes to force unwilling animals to chase meaningless prizes. These sweeping...
Your horse is a completely different species to you. Horses are pretty clever, they pick up what we want them to do, and learn our signals. How good are you at learning your horse's signals? Do you understand when he is feeling low, or bored, or confused? Sympathising with him and altering your schedule to accommodate your horse is a skill you can transfer to other people. You get on in life much better if you show respect for other people's feelings. How can you do it? A horse thinks like a horse. He can't get excited about the things you love, such as lessons. His priorities are eating and being with his horse friends. Having respect for your differences is a very important part of horse ownership...
Why Your Barrel Saddle Needs to Fit
When most people begin to start out with barrel racing, they think that just any barrel saddle will do. But the case is, that if your barrel saddle does not fit your equine athlete properly you are not going to do well in barrel racing, you may have behavior problems, and you can actually damage your horse irreparably. Barrel saddles come in a variety of designs styles. In fact, barrels saddle fashion also is available, the latest styles in fashion may include colored seats, different fendors, and a difference in cinch position. It's important that if you're shopping for a barrel saddle that you do not go for one that is the latest style. Many times, unless you're willing to spend thousands of...
Vitamins Aren't Just For Kids Anymore
y"> Flintstone's doesn't make a vitamin for horses, but that doesn't mean that your best pet should be left without. When most horse owners consider their horse's health and nutrition needs, they think about the different foods, the varying amounts of water, and a host of other considerations. Among those considerations must be the inclusion of different types of vitamins. Ideally, a horse should have a very balanced diet. Through a combination of different foods, they should be getting plenty of proteins, carbohydrates, and a little bit of fat. In addition to that, there are the very important things like vitamins and minerals that every horse needs in order to truly be healthy. Without a steady...
How many times have you forgotten or decided to skip the chore of checking your horse's hooves? With all of the tack checking and re-checking, the barn chores, the riding preparation details, the maintenance and care around the ranch and with your horses, we may sometimes neglect at least one thing. Our horses' feet, should not be that thing! You ALWAYS double check the tack, the clasps and cinches before you ride, but have you ever skipped the hoof check? Your horse always has the same manure or sand packed in under the hoof and you have scraped it out countless times while your horse leans all of his weight in your hand. Or, perhaps you fight to get that hoof high enough to look underneath and...
How to Decide How Far You Will Travel For Your...
One of the first decisions is what type of livery you require. You may have the option for Do-it-Yourself livery, where the yard only provides the stables and grazing and everything else is your responsibility. There is also a range of other options such as assisted livery, working livery, full livery and hunter livery. Your choice of livery will depend upon your requirements and will inform the location of the yard and therefore how far you will be willing to travel. If you choose do-it-yourself livery then convenience is a major factor. The requirement to tend to your horse morning and night will limit the length of time spent traveling to get to your yard. There can be nothing worse than needing...