Do you want tips for horse and cattle events? There are basically three things to consider for one to be successful in cattle events and those are: - the physical and mental condition of the horse - the human's understanding of the stock - the relationship or connection of the rider and the horse Horse and Cattle events include cutting, team penning, and working cow horse. These are enjoyable events or competitions, and they enable you to see how functional and amazing horses really are. These events are considered to be advanced horsemanship. The horsemen that compete in these events are experienced and many of them are experts in their field. Horses used in these types of events are extremely...
Caspian Pony - Wild Horse
The Caspian Pony was believed to have been extinct for more than a thousand years. It was rediscovered by Zoologists in 1965 and found roaming along the shores of the Caspian Sea and in the foothills of the Elburtz Mountains in northern Iran. It was often found pulling carts in the coastal towns, an occupation well suited to this pony's gentle, quiet nature and its outward characteristics of a diminutive horse. The Caspian Pony is believed to date back to the ancient miniature horse of Mesopotamia, used by the Mesopotamians from the third millennium B.C. until the 7th century A.D. when it was thought to have become extinct. Bones have been excavated in Iran that point to the existence in the area of...
For those of us who grew up years ago without but desperately wanting a horse, a lot of fantasy and dreams colored our idea of what having a horse would be like. Many of us grew up on the standard fiction fare of books like The Black Stallion, television shows like My Friend Flicka or Mr. Ed, and the once-popular weekly westerns like Roy Rogers. In those scenarios, the horses were always very well behaved, kind, attached to their humans, and ever so willing to comply with every request as well as sometimes even protect their human. They would come running when called, and were more interested in their human than grass. Those fictional horses certainly didn't step on their humans' toes, bite, bump...
There are many things that can lead to the causes of laminitis and founder. One is overeating grain, the other is too much rich pasture. Especially if the horse isn't used to being on pasture. Horses not used to being on pasture should be out there only 15-30 minutes in the beginning. Then each day you can increase that time into small increments until the horse can be out for the desired time you require him to be turned out in pasture. Ponies and cresty-necked horses, such as morgans are thought to be more prone to laminitis and founder, but any breed of horse can be prone to develop this condition. Some medications especially steroids, may have the side effect of causing laminitis. All...
Hay Nets - Good Or Bad?
I used to love to look down the aisle of a barn and see hay nets hanging at the fronts of the stalls, horses lazily munching away. But I don't anymore. What was once thought of a healthy efficient way to feed your horses and save on bedding and hay in the long run since there was very little waste, is now considered unhealthy for your horse. Hay nets and permanent structured hay racks alike, are out. Studies have shown that horses inhale dust and hay particles when eating hay this way. They need to eat with their heads down. Hay on the ground is the healthiest route. It's is the natural route. Dust of any sort, whether it be hay dust, sawdust, manure dust, or just plain old dirt dust, is a major...
Horse Sense - What They Can't Say But That You...
Pulling a horse's mane - maybe it's not supposed to hurt, the lack of nerve endings and all that, but it can certainly be annoying. A horse doesn't always distinguish the difference. We all know cutting hair doesn't hurt, a horse thinks we should stick to that. Horses aren't faking when they spook. They don't think along those lines. If they spook, it's because something spooked them. Nothing in a horse's psyche can lead him or her to spook - just to get their way. Fly bites. Some horses are tougher skinned than others, but all of them are in agreement, fly bites hurt. Thank heaven for skin that can be moved at will to dislodge a fly and tails to swat them with. Flies around their eyes are...
Laminitis is a common and serious disease of the hoof. The term 'laminitis' refers to damage to the 'laminae', which is the connective tissue which connects the hoof bones to the hoof wall. When this tissue is damaged, the hoof bones can move out of position, potentially causing problems such as: - Rotation of the hoof bones within the hoof. - The hoof bones sinking down lower into the hoof, in extreme cases penetrating the sole of the hoof. - Damage to various tissues and blood vessels, due to bone movement and/or inflamation and/or other hoof changes associated with damage to the laminae. - Permanent changes to the hoof growth mechanisms, resulting in abnormal growth patterns (e.g. flattened or...
Developing Balance and Willingness Through Bend
Bend and balance are fundamental to a horse's sense of security and safety because they affect his ability to protect himself from danger. If he is unable to run away from danger, the horse uses his energy to move into and unbalance his attacker by pushing into the push. The horse only willingly yields his body to another horse or person that has gained his respect through trust. Surrendering control of the body is a huge deal to the horse. True bend comes from the horse moving his barrel away from the pressure of the inside leg and seat bone. With a true bend, the neck flexes naturally as the nose turns slightly into the turn. There is alignment through the spine from the nose to the tail without...
Equine Open Wounds - How to Deal and Classify
Technically a wound is classified as such if the skin or hoof horn has been traumatized in some way. The force experienced by the skin can cause any of the following - a superficial gall, graze, abrasion or sore that may result in a deeper bruising; a cut, usually short in length that can bleed badly or hardly at all depending on the site and size of the blood vessels damaged; a laceration that is usually longer than a cut and usually jagged, bleeding is usually superficial unless a larger vessel is involved; a tear which is a form of laceration in which a flap of skin results or a puncture which is a simple yet damaging wound that cuts deeper than others. All wounds will have bleeding to some...
Different Types of Oster Clippers
Oster clipper is the name associated with animal care. Grooming is always an important factor to be considered when you are dealing with animal care. Trimming the coats of a horse is an important factor when it comes to the proper care of a horse. Thus you might consider the oster clipper in this regards which is one of the best options available to you for making your task more perfect. There are different types of oster clipper available out there in the market. There are some models of the same which are designed either for animal grooming or for the usage of professionals. The oster power max clipper is one of the popular types which have a good reputation in the market. These devices come with...
There are many different types of horse rugs, with various characteristics and functions. Therefore, the first step to choosing a horse rug is to decide which type you require for your horse. To assist you in this decision, following is a list of the main types of rugs and an explanation of their function: - Fly Rug. The purpose of this is to protect the horse from flies that bite or sting. They are more commonly and accurately referred to as 'fly sheets' rather than 'fly rugs', as they are typically a thin plastic sheet or mesh, rather than a fabric rug. One can also get 'fly masks', which are made out of the same material and are intended to protect the head (especially the eyes and ears) from...
No Mystery to Horse Communication
Horse whispering and natural horsemanship have been a source for a great deal of income for those with marketing skills. When people imitate without having a clear idea what they are doing it and why they are apt to get hurt. With the wrong horse it can be worse. The horse is a prey animal with a strong flight or fight response. Their first choice is to run, and the speed the horse is capable of means they can outdistance most predators. However for the biggest insight into horses it pays to study THEM. Horses usually will do what is easiest. They naturally follow the path of least resistance. Faced with the wall of a roundpen and a human with a funny looking thing attached they can be directed like...
Cribbing - What Are the Causes?
The habit of cribbing is notoriously hard to break and can greatly reduce a horse's resale value. Roughly 300,000 horses in the U.S. are cribbers, among them 2.5 percent of all Thoroughbreds. Research as to the reasons why horses crib is ongoing. Definition The term 'cribbing' (or 'crib-biting') is loosely used to cover two distinct behaviors -- namely the real thing and a separate habit, windsucking. When cribbing a horse grabs a solid object such as a fence rail or stable door between his incisors, depresses his tongue and swallows air. 'Windsucking' doesn't involve grasping anything in order to swallow air. The horse closes its mouth, arches its neck and forces air down the esophagus with a...
Feeding Horses - How Much Feed Should I Give My...
Feeding horses correctly can be an art in itself, but by following a few simple rules it needn't actually be all that difficult. Many people worry if they're giving they're horse enough feed, or too much feed, but there's one simple way to answer this question. If the horse is fat (has a body score condition of 8 or 9), then you really need to cut back on their feed to avoid the increased risk of colic and laminitis. If the horse is thin - the spine & ribs are prominent - with a body condition score of 3 or less, then you definitely need to increase their food intake. So how much feed should your horse need to maintain a healthy weight? Some horses seem to live off the smell of an oily rag...
Horse Training - How to Work With a Timid Horse
Horse's come in as many personality styles as humans do. Because of that, not every technique works on every equine. You have to learn to adapt. Over the years I've heard lots of horse owners complain about struggling to train their timid equestrian friend because at any minute he could jump out of his skin and cause a big wreck. The problem with that is the horse won't know what to do if he's not worked with. With that said, the owner of the timid horse needs to know this. First, your equine friend is timid so acknowledge that in your mind. Then ask yourself, "how would I treat a timid human being?". Would you be a jerk to him or her? Would you yell at him or her? Would you be gentle with him or...
Horses, Lameness, Shoeing, The Truth About Hoof...
When it comes to shoeing and Farrier talks one of the least understood topics is the discussion of hoof balance. Ask half dozen different Farriers the meaning of hoof balance and you're likely to have half dozen different answers. While hoof balance is so misunderstood it's also most crucial to avoiding permanent lameness to horses. Put those two ingredients together and you have a recipe for disaster. Until hoof balance is completely understood there's a 98% chance a horse will remain at serious risk. Let's discuss balance and reduce the risk. True hoof balance is not simple; it's a combination of many different principles and applications. Balance involves bone angles, loads, support, and...
Laminitis and founder are often referred to as the same thing, however founder is the damage and complications of what occurs after a horse gets laminitis. If your horse is susceptible to founder or you think that he has foundered due to laminitis, it is very important to know the horse founder symptoms so that you can seek medical attention for your horse as soon as possible. This is a very painful condition of the foot and founder will not get better on its own. The symptoms of laminitis/founder are: - Lameness - If only the front feet are sore, the horse will stand with his hind legs up under his body so that he is carrying most of the weight on his hind legs. His front legs will be placed...
If you have a horse that scares you because he doesn't seem to listen or obey your commands, this may be your solution. The first thing you may wonder is if it's okay to spoil your horse. The answer is "it depends." Here's what I mean. If you want your horse to wear high-quality tack, that's okay. He won't know the difference anyway. If you want your horse's feet trimmed by the most expensive farrier in your area, that's okay because he won't know that either. Obviously, what I'm talking about is spoiling your horse by letting him do something he wants but shouldn't. What am I talking about? For example, I've seen people let their horse come right up to them and get in there space. The horse will...
Last year, I had some trouble with our little Arab gelding. We purchased him late 2006 and brought him home from Arizona, where he had been living on the breeding farm with the brood mares and foals. Up until then, the footing he was used to was very soft dirt with manure turned under and not too many rocks. All he had been doing so far, was hanging out with his friends and some round pen/turn out time every day. The good and lazy life! When he came to live with us that changed over night. No, we didn't work him too hard the first few months. It was fall, soon winter and since we live at 4500 feet, it was pretty cold. But, he did go from soft dirt to decomposed granite and a pretty hard footing all...
Top Signs of Horse Communication
One of the best exercises you can do when training a new horse is getting her to hook-on in the round pen. But doing so effectively means you need a crash course in horse communication. When you're pushing the horse around, how and why should you invite her in? Do the exercise at liberty, which means remove the lead rope from your horse. As a prey animal, horses are designed to flee, and when working in the round pen we want to give our horse the option to escape, which will ultimately be transformed into acceptance and wanting to come in. You start by pushing the horse. When doing so, you can tell the horse to go away using two cues-look directly at the horse, and use your lead line to put pressure...
Horse Rugs For All the Right Reasons
Horse rugs are the ideal solution for the comfort of your horse. It also protects your horse from those bothersome flies and insects some of which can ultimately cause disease. The rug is an important factor to a healthy horse. Horse blankets is another name for a horse rug. Your animal will be dry and warm in different weather conditions and it will be protected. The horse rug will cover the horse from the chest area to the hindquarters. Under the abdomen are straps that will secure the rug into place allowing the horse to move at will without the rug being displaced. The standard rug ties in the front with two ties. There are other types that have a closed front and is fitted over the head of the...
Horse Wear - General Classes of Clothing...
Maybe you are new to owning a horse, or maybe you just want to get new clothing or accessories for your horse, there is nothing to worry about. If you need to learn about what types of each horse wear to get, then all you need to do is read! Once you have read about them, you will know exactly what to get. You can learn about the common equipment for a horse very fast, it does not take long because it is very understandable. The 3 main categories of gear for a horse are rugs, bridles, and saddles. Horse rugs are named so because they are just like rugs, but they are for the horse to wear. Horse rugs, depending on which you use, can benefit either (or both) the horse, and the rider. There are 4 main...
An increasing number of horse owners are becoming interested in alternative equine therapy. There are lots of people who prefer the benefits of alternative medicine for themselves rather than the use of conventional style medicine. More and more people are becoming concerned about the chemicals that we are encouraged to put in to our bodies in order to relieve the symptoms of a health problem. Today there are a lot of other alternative options open to humans and most of these are now open to our domestic animals, horses included. Hydrotherapy is a great equine therapy for a limb injury; it allows the muscles, heart and lungs to be exercised whilst keeping any pressure off the affected limb. There...
If you have ever lifted weights or worked with exercise bands, you know that resistance is what creates larger and stronger muscles. If you are a human weight lifter, you are performing these exercises deliberately with strength in mind. Hypertrophy is the word used to describe the buildup of muscle size due to resistance. Resistance is a perfect exercise plan if you intend to grow larger, stronger muscles. When a horse is consistently resisting against a tie-down or the reins, muscle and strength can be gained by accident. You may have seen a horse in a tie-down that has large knobs of muscle behind his ears. This is obviously not from strength training in the weight room. This is from trying to...
Horse lovers are definitely becoming more educated about horse ulcers. This growing awareness is wonderful because it means great relief for horses who have suffered from ulcers, sometimes for years. Because of the expanding number of horse owners who are aware of ulcers, I often get questions about how to prevent ulcers, especially in specific situations. In this article I'm going to answer three of the most prevalent questions. People want to know how to prevent ulcers if their horse is: - going on antibiotic therapy - must be confined due to an injury or illness - heading into training for the first time (especially young horses) These are all great questions, and each has a different answer. #1...
Great! You aspire to bare back horse riding. Today I'm going to give you some tips on getting started with this wonderful aspect of horsemanship. Riding bare back is not only fun, but its practical as well. Not in the sense that its a great way to take off down the trail, but rather its a great way to improve your overall riding skills. You will really get in tune with your horse, sharpen your cues, and dramatically improve your seat. Imagine how much better you'll be riding with the saddle after mastering riding bare back. When you get really good at it, you can even ride bridleless. Start in a small, enclosed area, either a round pen or an arena. When riding bare back you certainly don't want to...
How many times have you heard the expression, The straw that broke the camel's back? Maybe you've had a problem at work, at home, at the barn and all of a sudden, it's the last straw. Whether it's a temper tantrum or a melt-down waiting to happen, the results usually aren't going to be pretty. But we all know, if we're being honest, that the incident in question isn't really the problem; it's the entire set of events leading up to this one. In other words, it isn't really the straw that broke the camel's back, it's the load that he's carrying. Have you ever been in a situation with your horse in which the pressure builds and builds until finally, the explosion happens? It certainly isn't much fun to...
Benefits of Following Professional Horse...
Professional Horse Trainers who have arranged a program for you to purchase and follow, are a currently displaying a very useful tool to consider in your horse career or hobby. Some of the ideas are original, but most horse training methods that we see today have been slightly altered from knowledge that has been passed on by generations of previous horse trainers and various types of horse care givers. The more recent wave of gentle handling and training actually derives from understanding the horse language itself. The study of the magnificent horse within the herd, on a very technical level, will reveal the origination of our understanding of the most useful training and handling skills that are...
Tips For Horse Keeping When You Have a Tight...
Many people do not buy a horse as they are scared of the high costs of keeping one. With some careful planning and tips, keeping a horse even if your budget is tight is possible. Here are some suggestions on cutting expenses: - Keeping your horse outdoors. Many horse owners of retired horses cut costs by having their horses live on a pasture all year round. All horses living outdoors should have some form of shelter for when the weather is bad. - Cheap stabling. The so-called DIY stabling is cheap but it usually does not include anything else but the actual stabling. Some equestrian centers offer free or cheap livery in exchange of your horse taking part in some riding classes available for the...
Horse Rugs in Every Style
Horse rugs are basically coats for your horse. The comfort of your horse and protection against disease, insects, and weather are important factors towards maintaining good health. A horse rug is also known as a horse blanket. They keep the animal dry, warm, and protected. They fit on the body of the horse from chest to rump. There are straps that cross under the belly securing the rug but not impeding the mobility. The normal design has 2 straps that tie in the front, however there are some models where the front is closed entirely and the rug is pulled over the head. Other types have small straps looping around the back legs so that the rug does not slip out of place. Rugs can be used at any time...
The In-Hand Trail Course - Obstacle by Obstacle
In-hand trail is a relatively new class that has been added to many breed associations and some open shows as well. It is a class that, just as the name implies, allows you to lead your horse through the trail obstacles. This class is usually open to yearlings and 2 year olds who are not being shown under saddle yet. The obstacles are generally the same as for standard trail classes with the exception of lope-overs. I think that in-hand trail is a great addition to the show bill and training of any horse and is an excellent way to start teaching your horse how to maneuver obstacles. It gives young horses an additional area to focus on that isn't as hard on their legs as lounging and teaches them to...
Developing Core Strength in Your Performance Horse
In most recent years, much research in fitness training has discovered the value of core training. The body's core includes the four main abdominal muscles, the pelvic floor muscles, and the erector spinal muscles which support the spine. Collectively, these muscle groups keep the back straight and strong. The four abdominal muscles, the Rectus Abdominus, Transverse Abdominus, and Internal and External Obliques do much more than support the back. These four muscles compress the abdomen to aid in moving the contents of the various visceral organs through the body efficiently. These activities include urination, defecation, birthing, and constant inhalation and expiration. If the core muscles are...
Ground Manners - An Overview Horse training success is all in the work from the ground. A good, long-term relationship between you and your horse is built from the ground up, literally. Ground manners is about teaching your horse how to behave around humans and that you are his protector and friend. The two go hand in hand by building leadership respect and trust. The time dedicated to building a proper foundation by establishing control on the ground is well worth the effort involved. Why would you want to bother with ground manners? Well, safety issues are a good start. An untrained or poorly trained horse with bad habits such as biting, kicking, rearing and charging (among others) is...
The relatively new practice of feeding garlic to horses in an attempt to help with respiratory health has come under fire in recent months. Because garlic has strong antibacterial aspects, some horse owners are hopeful that it is a miracle cure for many horse ailments. There are many in the horse world with doubts about the product, though. A line has been drawn in the proverbial sand as some see it as effective, while others call the herb a toxic horse killer. For horses that come down with respiratory illness, garlic has shown to be an effective remedy. It is used in a simple way. Horses ingest the herb and after a few days, they get better. The debate about garlic seems to exist over the long...
Horse Training - Bonding With Your Horse Using...
If your horse respects you, he will be relaxed around you and still be tuned in to you. He will know that you are the leader. If he steps out of line and you must get tough, he will understand and will not hold it against you. If he encounters a potential threat, he will trust you and draw strength from you. You, in turn, will trust him to follow your instruction. You will respect him. This is called bonding. The very first step in training your horse is to bond with him. A few things to remember about horses in general: Once you have bonded and your horse trusts you, he will rarely test the boundary blatantly. He may, however, test little by little just to see how far he can go. Do not let him get...
The Importance Of Horseshoes
Good health to most people means a combination of a balanced-diet, a good dose of exercise and a proper rest cycle. But all too often, some of us forget the minute details involved in staying healthy: clothing. The kinds of clothes and shoes that we wear do affect our health. Not having the proper sole can put unnecessary stress on the spine and back muscles, which over time can lead to many different forms of health complications. Amazingly enough, this same principle is true of some of our pets, particularly horses. Horses require proper shoes in order to stay healthy. It helps them maintain balance throughout the body and prevents injury to muscles, bones, and tendons of the leg. Shoes also...
Chincoteague and Assateague Ponies Rock!
Chincoteague (pronounced chin-kuh-teeg) ponies come from an island off the coast of Virginia. According to legend, long ago a Spanish galleon got shipwrecked during a storm off the coast of Assateague Island. The ponies escaped and swam ashore. The truth isn't half as interesting. Colonists living in Virginia probably turned horses loose on the island. It doesn't matter how they got on the island, really. Today they are a wonderful American pony breed. They are well-known for flashy colors, lots of personality and intelligence. The ponies on Assateague Island are actually divided into two different herds. The Virginia herd is in the south. These are the ponies known as Chincoteague ponies. The...
Effective Tips For Mounting a Horse
Do you want to learn some effective horse mounting tips? Have you seen how Zorro mounts his horse, Tornado, from a burning building? How about the Lone Ranger jumping onto Silver's back? Amazing, isn't it? While this is showy and fun, we are going to focus on safety and effectiveness while mounting a horse. If you want to mount your horse the safe and proper way, this article will certainly help you. Mounting a horse is a very important aspect of horse riding. It should be mastered first - especially if you have ambitions to eventually mount trick riding style like the previously mentioned horsemen. Before doing those fancy mounting moves, you must learn how to do it the appropriate way. It may seem...
Conformation--the way a horse is put together--will determine not only how sound a horse remains throughout his life, but will also determine to what extent he will excel at his particular discipline. While some points of conformation vary with the type of horse and what job he is doing, there are some general rules of conformation that most horsemen agree on. Feet Feet should be large enough to support the horse and his weight, and the hoof wall should be hard but not brittle. The front feet and the back feet should appear to be symmetrical from all angles. The sole should be slightly concave, and heels should be even where they join the sole. Legs Legs should be straight. Legs that are out of...
Rubber Stable Floor
The most common type of stable floor is concrete. However, many stable owners are covering their concrete floors with rubber, which offers a number of advantages: - Yielding. A concrete floor is very hard and can cause various types of injuries. For example, when getting up from a prone position, a horse can scrape skin off against the concrete. Also, if the bedding is thin, walking on the hard concrete can stress joints, potentially injure feed, or cause sore points where the horse lies down to rest or sleep. A rubber surface provides a softer and more yielding surface, which minimizes the rick of such injuries. - Warmth. Rubber is naturally insulating, which is more comfortable and healthier for...
The Responsibilities Involved in Caring For Animals There are responsibilities involved in taking care of an animal, as there are diseases that can affect animals and horses. There are many causes like food habits or parasites, and the main thing is quick and timely treatment for its recovery. Colic is a condition that cannot be ignored. Horses are known to die of this if left untreated. The symptoms can easily be noticed and horse owners should be aware of the signs to look out for. Symptoms Of Colic In Horses The horse may feel jumpy and act in a crazy manner - you will need to remain with the animal for a while to make sure that it is suffering. There are other horses that may stand up or lie...
Is the Hunter-Jumper Industry Becoming Too...
Is it just me, or is the hunter/jumper industry becoming even more "elitist?" I remember a time in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, when there were plenty of affordable, fun, family horse activities that didn't break the bank. There were plenty of quality boarding barns to choose from, a plethora of well attended horse shows- rated and schooling, a nice variety of quality horses of all different breeds, riding lessons that didn't cost what you'd expect to pay for an "Olympic level" clinician. My hometown of Memphis, currently has several schooling show options- although it appears attendance at these is dwindling? Seems like many trainers boycott all but the A rated shows. From their business...
The Trouble with Long Hair - Equine Cushing's...
As summer sets in most horses have shed their winter coats. But some older horses are still clinging to their winter coat. Some have not shed it at all. Failure to shed the winter coat is a good indication that a horse has Cushing's disease. Cushing's disease is being recognised more and more frequently in older horses and ponies. The condition is named because of its similarities to the human disease of the same name. But there are significant differences. Equine Cushing's disease is associated with excessive cortisol production by the adrenal gland. In almost all cases, it is caused by increased activity in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland, which sits at the base of the brain. The...
Horse Barn Blueprints
When it comes to building a horse barn, blueprints will be absolutely essential that this is a fairly large project and one that you need to ensure goes well. A half effort in such an important and usually large barn could result in an unstable and often unsafe building. First of all it may be a good idea to check what your local building regulations are. There may be a limit to how big the barn can be, or perhaps there may be some requirements that you have to include to ensure the animals welfare. Once you have these then you can begin to look at all the different designs and decide which one you like best and which one will suit your horse or horses. Now I have never tackled a project as large as...
Saddles - Equestrian Guide to the Top 5 Types...
There are several kinds of Western saddles that are used for a variety of purposes. Their look and style vary depending on their intended use. This article is a quick overview of the basic western saddles for the equestrian. 1. In most boarding barns you will see a generic Western Show Saddle, designed for looks rather than hard work. They change often as fashion trends dictate. Typically, they will have ornate, deep tooling patterns in the leather. Often you will see them trimmed with silver on the skirts, cantle, horn, stirrups and fork (pommel). Generally the horn is shorter than on other western saddles to avoid the reins getting caught. And, you will see the skirts somewhat larger to show off...
When most of us start out learning about horses, we are told that a horse is a member of Equus " caballus that is over 14 hands high (a hand, we quickly learned, is 10 cm). A pony, on the other hand, was defined as a member of the same species that was less than 14 hands. Now, miniature horses are always much smaller than 14 hands, so why are they called miniature horses rather than ponies? The answer lies in the proportions. Most ponies are cobby in build (rounded and stocky - think of drawings by the cartoonist Thelwell), while many breeders of miniature horses (often affectionately referred to as "minis") prefer to breed for proportions that are more like that of a "regular" horse. The...
Why Use Cortaflex For Horses?
Many horse owners tend to be very satisfied with feeding their horses the usual diet of grass, hay, and water. Little do they know that they can maximize their horses' potential and make them perform to the optimum level if they use cortaflex for horses. It is one of the leading food supplements used by many enthusiasts, whether the horses are just used for daily rides or for racing. Cortaflex is a clinically proven supplement that ensures the horse gets adequate nutrition to drive it to perform better. Even veterinarians all over the world recommend this type of supplement because of its high quality and safety. Cortaflex for horses is normally bought by the gallons. However, these are also sold...
Running a Horse Boarding Facility Part 1 -...
Running a horse boarding stable properly entails managing both horses, people, workers and the stable and can be a daunting task to be done properly. This is one part in a series of articles to learn how to design a boarding stable using the Historic Nelson Ranch in Woodland California as an example. When deciding to open a horse boarding stable consider the horse stalls. Stalls can be box or with runs and range in size. Standard size is 12 x 12 and is based on dimensional lumber. Box stalls can cost more as they take more shavings as the horses cannot go outside to go to the bathroom. Box stalls need to be cleaned at least once daily or twice to keep ammonia from building up. Box stalls are...
Dust-Free Hay
It goes without saying that you want to feed good hay, with little or no dust. That's a given. But it's rare to find totally 100% dust-free hay, simply because of the process of how hay grows and is baled. It's vegetation growing in dirt! Dry dirt is dust. It gets dustier if there has been a rain within a few days before bailing. It gets moldy if it rains just before and is too damp or got rained on after it was cut and lay in the field and was then baled. I can smell mold and mildew a mile away, I am allergic to it. But even if I wasn't, mold and mildew shows up in other ways, no pun intended. If you pick up a flake or two of hay and it's heavier than the others, chances are it has mold in it...
Synthetic Saddles
Don't Give Me No Plastic Saddle - let me feel the leather when I ride. This was a good line for Jerry Reed. Jerry got a big hit from this line in "Plastic Saddles" back in the 1970s. However, is this a real way to consider synthetic (plastic) saddles? Synthetic saddles usually have leather seats or something indistinguishable from leather. For discussion, here are some of the advantages of synthetic saddles.o Lightero Cheapero Resistant to sweato Resistant to roto Easier to clean and maintain Lighter Why would you want a lighter saddle? Well, for one thing lifting a seventeen pound synthetic saddle up to the back of your horse (especially if the horse is tall or the rider is short) is considerably...
Coat Color Genetics - Brown, Black, Palomino...
Understanding color coat genetics are great if you are breeding your horses and you want to figure out what crosses will produce what colors. Each color has its own gene combination for what they will present and produce. Brown A brown horse must have one parent that is black, brown or a color with black points, such as a bay. A brown horse can be homozygous for the black gene, which means that they can potentially produce a black horse. In fact, a horse with black points can potentially produce a black horse as well. To be homozygous brown, the horse must carry a black gene and have black points. A parent that is homozygous black will always produce a horse that is either solid black or a...