Buy Friesians

The best advise I can give any parent thinking about buying a horse or pony for their child is "Do your research!" It's crucial to find the right match for your family. Not every horse or pony will meet your child's needs, financial budget and the family's time schedule. When looking for a horse or pony parents need to consider whether to buy, lease, or half lease. When buying a horse or pony, parents (not children) are taking full responsibility. The first issue is shelter. Where is the horse or pony going to live? Is there adequate space on the property, is there time to feed twice a day, muck out stalls, turnout and bring the horse or pony in at night? If you decide to lease or half lease a horse...

It isn't like going down to the candy store and picking out what you want. Neither is it like going to a pet store and buying the gold fish or the pretty little kitten that catches your eye. Buying a horse is serious business and you need to be aware of it before you go out and get one. Getting a horse is just the first step to a lot of care, expense and time. So let's first take a look at what all can go wrong with a horse so you get a clear picture of what you're in for. First of all, horses eat a lot and you also need to be prepared to spend a lot on their grooming, bedding and tack. Besides this, you also need to have them shooed and make sure they get their vaccinations. But what is most...

In this day of internet commerce, many people buy and sell horses sight unseen. I have done both several times with success. But have you ever wondered why that wonderful horse you have advertised hasn't sold even after you sent photos or video to prospective buyers? You know he or she is a great horse. You've seen him out in the pasture strutting his stuff. You know he handles well, has correct conformation, good legs and feet, and a wonderful disposition. If it's a riding horse, you know that he can and will do whatever is expected without fuss and in a stylish way. In addition, he positively gleams in the sunlight when he is clean. To top it off, you have him priced reasonably. Why, then isn't...

Miniature horses are one of the fastest-growing equine breeds in the world today. These elegant and cute horses, no taller than 38 inches (from the withers to the last hairs), are attracting a lot of attention. They can be bred like regular horses and even ridden. Miniature horses require tack similar to a regular horse. It includes bits, carts and wagons, harnesses, saddles, bridles, reins, halters, girths or cinches, martingales and other accessories, but in smaller sizes than for normal horses. Most miniature horse tack equipment is made of fine leather for strength and durability. Some accessories such as curb straps and stirrup hobbles are also available in different colors, such as natural...

There is no better ride than one on a healthy and a beautiful horse as you cruise through the green surroundings enjoying the pleasant feeling. If you are an experienced rider looking at a new ride to add to your collection or an amateur looking for your first horse, buying a good steed surely isn't an easy job and it requires thorough understanding about horses and how well they can complement your needs. While experienced riders might be aware of what all they need from their next stallion, a new rider should have some guidance from an expert who has great experience in looking after horses. Though it may seem that buying a horse would be an easy job based on how the steed is or what its features...

I grew up on a farm in Idaho, many, many, many years ago. We had horses. Something I learned and never forgot through those years is that special bond that grows between a horse and the human it owns. That's right, the human it owns. To that end, I was doing some research recently on horse grooming supplies and other retail products for horses. When reviewing horse grooming supplies I seemed to be reading the menu of a high end beauty salon and spa. A few shared examples should help to make the point: - Hair extensions for the horse's tail. This is for show horses if the association allows it. These hair extensions compare in price and availability to those from a salon. - Upwards of ten different...

Horse ownership is the ultimate dream for many riders and horse enthusiasts. Some wait years for that dream to come true and when it finally does, it really is fantastic and rewarding but at the same time, a demanding experience. If you are lucky enough to find yourself in the position of looking to buy your very own first horse then you need to make sure that you are fully prepared for the responsibility that goes with it. It is no use trying to kid yourself that the first horse you see is going to perfect for you. As I found out the hard way two years ago rushing into horse ownership will more than likely end with a hefty price tag in both your time and your money! The wrong decision I made when...

Did you know? The coat colour of your horse or pony can tell you what colour they are. If you are not sure what color your horse or pony really is, have a look at the colour of the 'points.' The 'points' of your horse are the muzzle, tips of the ears, the mane, the tail, and the lower part of the legs. Remember they could have white markings on some of these points that may trick you! The colours of horses include: Black: black all over including the points, mane and tail. Look at the colour of the muzzle - it will be black. In this horse colour your horse or pony will not have brown around the muzzle! Brindle: this rare horses colouring has drippy striping that is not regularly spaced on the horses...

The horse breeding industry is highly competitive. Breeders need to be not only the best at what they do, but also first at successfully marketing themselves to potential buyers. And though the number of horse buyers is growing moderately, the customer base isn't massive, so you need to be on top of all facets of your advertising marketing - especially online. Advertising online is probably the best way of making contact with potential horse buyers, competitors and enthusiasts in a fast, easy and convenient way. A few clicks of your mouse could put you in contact with all the right people, post videos of your horses online, scan your race or division awards, and even get your horses listed on...

Which horse racing fan would not be interested in seeing famous race horse pictures of winning champion horses as well as jockeys. Besides famous race horse pictures, you can also go through the online results and videos of popular and richest horse races in the world. The Breeders' Cup is one such horse racing event that catches the attention of millions of buffs, time and over again. The Breeders' Cup World Championships is undoubtedly a multimillion dollar event today that attracts some of the greatest and finest equine competitors from all over the globe. The $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic of season 2009 held at Santa Anita Park made history when a five year old mare, for the first time ever...

Fezzywig, my gentle giant adopted warmblood gelding with the roached back, is definitely feeling much better. He has had a ton of bodywork and been given my special nutritional Horse Goo until it's coming out the other end (yes, during the cleansing process he is a bit "methane-powered"). He's also running around like a wild man with my other gelding, Walker, and doing flying lead changes with ease in the pasture. Oh yes, and he also managed to take down the gates twice and cruise our little town once. But being the gentleman that he his, he came right home on his own! Horse Health Care: 3 Things to Do for the Roach Backed Horse So Fezzywig is definitely feeling better, but he's nowhere near totally...

It can be difficult to know when, or how to introduce tack for the first time when training a young horse. Indeed, the very idea of adding tack can be so overwhelming that people put it off for far too long. Fortunately, most horses accept tack with very few difficulties. The trick is to introduce it slowly so that the horse has time to get used to it. The first thing to introduce is the bit. If your horse is used to wearing a halter, but is a little head-shy, you might find it easiest to try a bit without a bridle at all. While some people like to sweeten the bit with a bit of molasses, this is really a matter of personal preference. Start out with a soft bit, such as a snaffle. Use some...

When riding your dressage horse, it's important to keep your hands in what I call the "work area". The "work area" is just in front of the saddle above the horse's withers. Put your hands in that position and draw an imaginary box around them. That box is your work area. No matter what rein aids you're giving, keep your hands in the work area. If you bring your hands closer to your body, you steal power from the hind legs. If you put your outside hand forward, for example, you lose control of the outside shoulder. If you raise or lower your hands, you break the straight line from the bit through your hand to your elbow. When you break that straight line, and there's an angle where the rein meets...

You've carefully laid out a systematic, progressive training program for riding your dressage horse. Yet every time you add new work, you run into a certain amount of resistance. Don't panic. Understand that when you raise the bar, it's inevitable that you're going to encounter resistance. It's a normal part of dressage and horse training. Don't be afraid of it. Just work through it in baby steps. Have a checklist in your mind to help you decide if you should back off a little bit, or whether you should push through the resistance. There should be three things on your checklist. 1. Physical issues. You need to know that your horse is not in pain anywhere. Are his hocks are okay? Is his back is okay...

The secret to riding your dressage horse like a professional is to ride from half halt to half halt rather than from movement to movement. The half halt is your connective tissue between the dressage movements. They're what make your ride or dressage test look like it flows seamlessly like a dance. I rode with Olympian Robert Dover for many years. One of Robert's favorite sayings is, "Amateurs ride from movement to movement. Professionals ride from half halt to half halt." I think those are words to live by. So when you think about your ride or start memorizing a dressage test for a horse show, don't focus on the individual dressage movements such as, "I do a 10 meter circle here, and then I do a...

Do you saw left and right on your dressage horse's mouth or wiggle the bit with both hands to get him "on the bit". If you "saw" on your dressage horse's mouth by alternating squeezing and releasing with your hands, you're riding your horse from front to back. He might look like he's "on the bit" because his head is down and his nose is on the vertical, but you don't have an honest connection from back to front. The only part of your horse's body that you can affect by "sawing" is his jaw. Moving the bit in his mouth encourages him to chew. When he chews, he flexes in the jaw. So, if all you do is saw on the bit, all you have control over is a flexed jaw. And your horse has a whole lot more body...

So many riders are confused by how a dressage horse should look and feel when he's honestly on the bit. So what follows are specific ways for you to tell if he's on the bit by what you see and what you feel. When a dressage horse is on the bit, this is what he'll look like:o His entire outline from back to front looks round.o His hind legs step actively underneath his body, his back is up and swinging, his neck is long and low enough to be in line with the "power train" of his hindquarters, his poll is the highest point, and his nose is about 5 degrees in front of the verticalo From the saddle his neck is widest at the base (just in front of the withers) and becomes progressively narrower as you get...

The systematic way to train a dressage horse to do a walk pirouette is to start with turn on the haunches. A turn on the haunches is a 180-degree turn done at the walk. Your horse bends in the direction of the turn. His forehand moves around his haunches until he's facing the opposite direction. His outside hind foot and his forefeet move around his inside hind foot, which forms a pivot.o Your horse must maintain the regular rhythm of his walk. His pivot leg gets picked up and put down each time, slightly ahead of where it was before.o Turn on the haunches engages the hindquarters and encourages bending of the joints of the hind legs. The end result is that your horse's body feels more packaged.o...

In your efforts to become a good horseman, you need to know certain horse facts that will hasten your progress. Horses have the same senses we do, hearing, smell, taste, sight and touch. But, they operate differently than our own. Because the information they get from their senses dictate how horses interact with their environment, it is important to take the time to understand how they work and what to expect from our horses. Let us explore their senses and how they may differ from our own. A horse can hear keener than we do and since he can move his ears about 180 degrees around, he can better isolate where a sound is coming from. That way, he will know which direction to run in, escaping from...

Trained versus Untrained Horses For most people (e.g. excluding large breeders, horse dealers and such), it is usually best that you purchase a horse which is already trained to the level you will be using the horse at. If you will be using the horse for basic riding it should be trained to this level pre-purchase; if you are using it for advanced riding then you should buy a horse that is trained to the advanced level. If you are using it for show jumping, it should already be trained for show jumping. Of course, one can purchase an untrained horse or a partly trained horse. Such a horse will be less expensive to buy. Also, you can instruct a trainer on exactly how you want the horse trained, and...

When purchasing a pony, there are certain things you need to consider. You must be really sure of what type of horse to buy and you need to have a prepared home for it. Keep in mind that owning and taking care of a horse involves a long-term commitment. , you need to know everything about it. Before you purchase a pony, you may want to understand about the following guidelines. 1. Sellers have a tendency to present lots of horses, but if you know the right horse for you, you won't be confused. Never allow your seller to pressure you to purchase a horse that's not best for you. Stick to what you want and don't be influenced or lured by your seller. If you aren't actually sure about the pony, then do...

Horse tack is the equipment used on a horse for riding. There are two different kinds of horse tack: English and Western. The main parts of a horse tack are: halter, saddle, saddle pad, stirrup, bridle, Girth (English) / Cinches (Western), lead ropes, martingale, harnesses, and breastplates. Headstall, chin strap, bits and reins make the bridle. Horse tack can be very expensive, especially if the accessories are made of leather. Most experts and professional equestrians use leather horse tack only. However, these days, horse tack is being made of synthetic materials which are lightweight, washable and much cheaper. There are some stores that offer horse tack at discounted prices. Discounted horse...

A horse tack catalog, both online and off, is a great way to find that piece of horse tack or equipment you have been searching for. There are pros and cons to using a catalog to shop for new or used horse tack. Below we will be discussing a couple types of catalogs, what you need to look for in each ad, and how to compare prices. Online Or In Hand? When shopping for horse tack at home via a catalog, there are a couple different sources you can use. If you own a horse, you have more than likely had your share of horse tack catalogs in your mailbox. These paper catalogs are the obvious source for catalog shopping, but another avenue you may not have considered is an internet catalog. Many tack...

There are two basic types of martingales, the standing martingale and the running martingale. Depending on your discipline and your purpose, both have their place in your training repertoire. Standing martingales are common in the hunter ring. They are legal for use over fences, but are not acceptable on the flat. A standing martingale consists of a strap that leads from the noseband to the girth, held in place by a second strap that wraps around the neck. It is a passive aid, meaning that the rider has no active influence on its action. If a horse lifts its head, or flips it into the air, the standing martingale will become tight, preventing the action. In the western world, a similar device is...

At first it can seems like such a simple task, all you have to do is open that glossy horse supply and tack catalog that is laying on the table and purchase a new Western saddle pad. No problem. Just a few short seconds after opening the catalog you realize exactly how big a project you are about to undertake. Instead of opening the catalog and finding the one or two saddle pads you expected you find your self facing page after page after page of saddle pads. Each saddle pad has its own cut, material type, and function. The magazine offers a brief blurb on each pad but nothing that is really helpful. The only thing that the blankets seem to have in common is the price...expensive. The first thing...

The steps for knowing how to tack up your horse are 1. Catch and secure your horse or pony 2. Make sure they are clean, especially in the areas where your horse riding tack is going to touch your pony or horse 3. Your pony's or horse's hooves must be clean before you tack up your horse 4. The saddle goes on first - the girth must be secure so the saddle doesn't slip, but at this stage does not have to be tight. If you tighten the girth too much it at once it can make your horse or pony sour and teach them to bite when you do up the girth. 5. Adjust any other gear attached to the saddle. This could be a breastplate, martingale or crupper. 6. If you horse has boots or bandages, they can go on now 7...

This Spring, owners of laminitis horses are starting to chew their fingernails because spring is just around the corner. Despite record cold weather in parts of the country, green grass and other signs of spring are popping up regardless. This, of course, makes people who have laminitis horses quite nervous! If you are one of those people, don't panic. Luckily for you, there are a lot of horse health care steps you can take to prevent your equine buddy from experiencing laminitis symptoms... or at least keep them to a minimum. The same is true for horses who are insulin-resistant, or otherwise on the edge of falling into laminitis. In this article I cover some basic steps you can take to keep your...