Buy Friesians

If you own a horse, you know that there is a never-ending stream of purchases and things you need to do to care for your horse. Having a horse is a full-time job, and most people don't realize this until it is way too late. Whether you have to buy a bridle bit or a saddle, shovel your stables, or work on your training, the work never really ends. When owning a horse, there really is no sense in re-inventing the wheel. Everything you are doing, and everything you are experiencing has been done by others before you. And, most of the information you need to get through the daily trials of owning a horse can be found online. One source that provides an enormous amount of information when it comes to...

Like human beings horses are affected by arthritis too. Pain, stiffness and swelling around the joints are some of the symptoms that are to be found in horses suffering from the same. Symptoms of horse arthritis should never be ignored and the horse should never be burdened with physical activity in such cases. It is sad to see many a promising racing and equestrian careers being affected by stress in the weight bearing joints, or dysfunctional abilities in the regular movements of the animal. It is usually horses above the age of 15 which are especially prone to arthritis since the cartilage begins to wear out very quickly after that age. Some older horses are also affected by loosened tendons and...

Horse biting is a serious problem for the horse owner. It can cause a major bruise or even broken bones. Dealing with the problem in the heat of the moment often results in a smack to the horse, but surprisingly that's unlikely to solve it. So, why do horses bite and what can we do about it? What we'll find out is that the reason the horse bites really doesn't matter. 1. Understand why horses bite The fact is biting is completely natural for horses, for a lot of reasons. Horses use biting for play, as a defense mechanism, or for dominance. They bite amongst each other and if you're not the "alpha" of your herd they may be prone to bite you too. The bottom line is a horse may bite out of fear or lack...

If you ever had to load a horse in a trailer for the first time, you'll know this can be a rather traumatic encounter for both you and your horse. These tips will help train your horse to load in a trailer with ease. First of all, as the old saying goes, you catch the most flies with honey. Set up your first trailer loading experience to be positive, by allowing plenty of time for training. If your first try at loading your horse causes pain or agitation, it can develop into a great deal of trouble down the road. If possible use an open top trailer for the first time or two. Have good quality hay and some grain handy to both reward your horse and entice him into the trailer. Lead him up to the...

We go to great lengths to make ourselves comfortable in the hot weather, air conditioning, fans, cold drinks. What should we do to ensure our horses are also comfortable through our hot, dry and dusty summer? 1. On the priority list - WATER is definitely right at the top! As a general rule of thumb, horses drink 3-4% of their body weight each day, with this percentage increasing following work or during hot conditions. A 550kg horse will therefore drink (in normal conditions) around 22 litres of water per day, with 50 litres not out of the question in hot weather or after work. If your horse is getting his water supply via buckets don't forget to take into account the evaporation factor, and also...

There is a unique emotional bond between humans and horses ever since the first man tried to mount this wonderful animal. Horses seem to have the ability to sense a person's mood and react to it. It is no wonder then that so many people enjoy books and feature films with horses as the stars. Here are some of the best known horses-actors. Black Beauty The book "Black Beauty" was written in the 1870's by writer Anna Sewell. She worked most of her life with horses and wrote the book especially with the intent to report and correct abuse against these animals. People all over the world know the story of Black Beauty, even if they never read the book. Since the 1940's three movie films have been made...

From as early as march through to October the Culicoides specie of midge are breeding and this only means one thing for certain horses and that is sweet itch or summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis. Sweet itch is an allergic skin disease caused by a reaction to the saliva in a Cullicoides midge bite. The bite will cause an isolated irritation in the skin, the horse will then self inflict damage to him trying to rub the irritated areas. Sweet Itch can affect any horse or pony, although normally symptoms start to show between the ages of 1 and 5 years of age. Signs of the disease are, severe itching and rubbing against trees, fences etc which will cause hair loss; swishing of tail; frequently rolling...

These parts work together to keep the horse's legs in a standing, locked position. While your horse may appear to be awake, he is likely asleep enough to kick out at you if you were to approach him unexpectedly. Horses will sleep about 3 hours out of the 24 hours in a day. They will sleep for brief periods at a time, either standing or flat out on the ground. During good weather conditions, you will often find them snoring (too much weight on the respiratory system) and twitching. Each horse has his own schedule. Horses that are confined and worked daily often take up time spent in drowsiness, where they appear awake, but are really 'off' in another world. Your horse may be in this state more than...

Caring for a horse is an excellent way to gain new skills and build a strong bond the animal. However, it is important to practice safety procedures when handling your horse. There can be some risks involved in handling horses. They are large animals which are very strong, and can easily hurt you. This is why it is important to have an understanding of these animals. If you encounter a horse that is owned by another person, you never want to feed them without the permission of the owner. You always want to make sure you approach a horse from the side or the front, and never from the rear. Be sure to announce your presence. Approaching the horse from behind can cause it to become startled, and if it...

All teeth are made up of enamel - a hard but brittle structure; cementum - produced continuously at the base of the tooth enabling the tooth to attach to the periodontal ligament; dentine - this is produced continuously and is a soft structure supporting nutrients for growth Incisors Horses have 6 on their top jaw and 6 on their bottom jaw. All of these are deciduous (baby teeth), and are lost when the permanent teeth come in. Generally horses lose their 1st incisors at 2.5 years, their middle incisors at 3.5 years and their corner incisors at 4.5 years. These are used primarily in a pincer action to tear off grass or pick up food. They begin their life oval in shape but as the horse ages become...

Cushing's disease in horses is, sadly not uncommon. However, when you understand what can cause it, then you can prevent it altogether. And as a bonus, ensure your horse has great and lasting good health. The medical diagnosis of cushing's disease or syndrome comes from a blood test showing excess cortisol and the physical signs of fatty swellings, especially at the withers and face. Weakness can result. This can be a result of an excess of secretion by the pituitary gland. It can also be a result of the adrenal cortex, situated at the kidneys, releasing too much glucocortisoids. A third reason can be from what is known as an iatrogenic (caused by drugs) over-zealous administration of cortisone...

In the world of animals, horses have one of the highest rates when it comes to developing joint disorders. This has made MSM for horses increasingly more popular. MSM is a safe sulfur compound found in all living tissue and helps to aid in rebuilding the cells that keep the tissue healthy. Common uses of MSM for horses is joint support, pain management from inflammation, connective tissue support, and immune system support. There are other benefits from taking MSM for horses, but these are the top reasons. Human use of MSM has shown to be beneficial, and in animals and humans it is okay if taken for long periods of time. Race horses tend to suffer from the aliments much sooner than other horses. The...

Have you ever noticed how some horses appear to do things effortlessly? Now to the uninitiated, it appears the horse is naturally gifted at what he's doing. However, most horsey people will know that that's not how it actually is. The formula that any good horse trainer follows to produce a successful horse is patience, time and consistency. There are other parts to the formula as well, but these are definitely enormously important. Now strange enough, it's not just horses that profit from that formula, business people also do. Take the famous billionaire Donald Trump for example, he became rich using he same formula. He used timeto his advantage and was consistent in what he did to get where he is...

Treating strains to the fetlock in horses can be rapid and uncomplicated when using homeopathy. Horses, by their very nature of being a flighty, prey animal, can suffer from injuries, sprains and strains. Add to that the burden of work humans put them through and it's little wonder they suffer from frequent injuries. A strain is an injury from overexerting the muscle or twisting it. Horses can easily over exert themselves and often twist a muscle from unsympathetic riding, where the horse and rider try to go in opposite directions. The homeopathic medicine Arnica is the first medicine of choice for all and every injury. The internal use of this medicine cannot be over-rated especially for horses...

As a holistic practitioner for more than 12 years, I have assisted more than 100 horse owners with equine diets and nutrition. I have studied and gained quite a bit of experience with equine veterinarian, Dr. Lee Miller, for fifteen years. It is my intention to share my personal experiences, both educational and in the field, regarding what I have learned about feeding beet pulp. Nutrition and digestive processes affect performance and overall condition. Different feeds break down differently based on the horse. Some of these effects include lameness, arthritis, colic, and other health-related illnesses. Many times feed companies and veterinarians will recommend beet pulp for COPD horses for added...

An equestrian horse can be a wonderful friend but purchasing your first horse can be demanding of your patience. Go slow and follow some of the rules below and your chances of making a good purchase will be better. Here are some general rules to follow. Talk with the seller and find out how old the horse is. Horses best years are between the ages of five to ten. If you are new to riding, a more mature horse is a better choice. Make an early decision as to whether you want a registered horse or whether an unregistered horse would be acceptable. This is a personal decision that is made primarily on budget considerations. The size of the horse is important so inquire about his weight and height. A...

Learning horse riding is always a very enjoyable experience, however, you should understand that not all horse riding schools are the same. Just like in any other business there are some goods that you should look for and the bads you should avoid. When looking at a riding school to take lessons, it is important to look carefully at the facility before committing. Keep in mind the following things as you assess a riding school. 1. The Overall Condition of the Facility While most riding schools will not be top-notch facilities, it is important that the stables be kept in good condition. The barn should be clean and the stalls mucked on a daily basis. The outdoor arena should have decent footing...

Whether you are building a new barn, or refurbishing an old one, there are many things that you need to keep in mind as you make your designs. Here are five important things you will want to consider as your make your plans. 1. Will you be Boarding or Keeping your Own Horses? If you are looking to board horses, you will need to plan your barn with more amenities that you might have considered if you only planned to keep your own horses. Boarders choose their facilities according to what the barn offers, and this includes "extras" such as wash stalls, bathrooms, grooming areas and indoor arenas. While these may cost more at first, you will be able to retrieve some of that money by charging a higher...

So, you have wanted a horse all your life, but you can't seem to get your parents to agree to get you one. Well, what you need is a plan, a parent friendly plan that shows your parents just how a horse will affect your life. Start off by getting a job. I know, everyone says that, but it is really important. By getting a job you will show your parents that you are responsible enough to manage money. You will need at least $500-600 a month to care for a horse, so show your parents that you can earn that much money. Start a savings with your income and set aside enough money to pay for at least two months of board. Next, find a barn that is local where you could keep your horse. Find out what the costs...

If you have just started riding, you may just be happy to be on a horse. But, eventually you will probably want to specialize your riding. To do this, you need to understand the different disciplines of riding, and decide which best suits your interests. To begin with, there are two basic types of riding: English and Western. English riders ride in a small saddle which gives the rider a lot of contact with the horses. If you are interested in jumping, you would need to learn to ride English. Western riders ride in a large saddle with a horn at the front. If you are interested in the types of events you see at rodeos, you would need to learn to ride Western. In English riding there are several...

The Thoroughbred is also known as the Thoroughbred Racehorse even though that is not their only use. While they have historically been bred for racing, their 16 to 17.3 hand height and long legs allow them to excel at jumping and their graceful ways of moving helps the breed to excel at most of the English disciplines such as equitation and dressage. The Thoroughbred breed includes some of the most valuable animals in the world. In 1985 an untested yearling colt named Seattle Dancer was sold at auction for the record price of $13.1 million just on the basis of his pedigree. The Thoroughbred pedigree dates back to the late 1600s and may be the oldest recorded pedigree for any animal population. One...

One of the nicest ways to bond with your horse is to spend time grooming him. While sometimes it is ok to just give your horse a quick dust-off before you ride, every so often you should spend some extra time with him just getting to know him as you groom. So what is involved in grooming anyway? Most people think of it as merely running a brush over the horse, picking its feet and leaving it at that. But there is a lot more to good grooming. The first step in a thorough grooming is to curry your horse. Take a curry comb, either a plastic one or a rubber one, and use in circular motion that work with the horse's coat. Currying acts as a massage, easing tense muscles and increasing circulation to...

Whether you are looking for a new horse or considering breeding or buying young stock, there are certain qualities of a good horse that you should be aware of and look for.  Here is a list to consider in order of priority: 1) Temperament. This is absolutely the most important quality in a good horse.  Whether you are a trail rider, dressage rider, hunter/jumper, reiner, barrel racer or just a person on a horse, temperament is key. You can have all the talent in the world, all the looks, all the moves, but without a good temperament, you have nothing.  When the going gets tough, the horse with the better temperament is more likely to see the job through. 2) Willingness.  Two months ago I would...

There is an old Cliché that goes: Show me your horse, and I'll tell you what type of person you are… However should your horse be skinny that would reflect very badly on you.   We took a look at the feeding horses, the psychology behind feeding and the psychosocial effects that feed has on a horse, as well as how the digestive system works. Then threw it all in a mixer to come up with the ultimate guide to feeding or feeding up your horse. But first some background Many people consider, or think, that a skinny horse is the result of negligence. This is not always so. Bad horse or stable management more often than not is the root cause.Why do we talk about a skinny horse? Because most people only...

If you show your horse on a regular basis, you will already know the expense of hiring someone to braid your horse for you. While elastic braids are well and good, there is nothing quite as nice as a set of tightly sewn wool braids on a show horse. Fortunately, as with elastic braids, it is possible for nearly anyone to learn how to braid with wool. If you are not already familiar with braiding techniques, please read about braiding with elastics before attempting to braid with wool. Wool braids require more dexterity than elastic braids, and without a solid foundation in braiding, you will likely become frustrated and give up before you have a chance to succeed. Start out by choosing wool that...

There are many people who do not know how to do horse saddling. Here is step-by-step guideline for horse saddling. First of all, you should brush your horse's back slowly and also girth area in order to clean any dirt. Brush till all hair gets flat and lies. The common tradition is to saddle your horse from the left side so you should also start from left side but you can from left side only if it is necessary. You should also check any wound near the saddle area. Before starting, do fit saddle pad under the saddle, which should be tied and tabs attached to a D-ring on saddle. You should keep this in mind that during riding you have to keep it in place, as these tabs should go to the topside always...

Usually when you play betting games in the casino, you play against the house. However, horse gambling does not entail wagering against the house. Horse betting games are based on parimutuel wagers. Parimutuel wagering involves betting against all other horse gamblers who are also wagering on that particular equestrian event. The total money wagered on the horse race is collected into a large pool. The winning ticket holders split the full amount of money gambled on the race, after subtracting tax deductions and race track expenses. Nowadays, betting games commonly use electronic tote boards that aid quicker calculations. Typically, a tote board is used at race tracks and sometimes evens at...

On the surface the principles of getting a horse to move and getting him to stop may appear directly opposed to each other. Both are immensely important in horse riding and training, depending on the situation, and both principles aid in teaching the other. In other words, getting a horse to go forward is critical in teaching him to stop and vice versa. Firstly, what does it 'really' mean to stop? Stopping means: 'Quit moving, drop dead, right here, right now, don't go 'til I say, etc.' As you can see, stopping is very black and white. Stopping isn't slowing down. Stopping isn't leaning to take a step once you've stopped. Stopping is not moving. Stopping is stopping. So it is essential that your...

Every one seeks adventure of some kind. It could be swimming in the seas of Puerto Vallarta, or going on the adventurous canopy tours; adventure of some sort is essential for life. When the word adventure comes to mind, traditional objects and entities also spring to an individual’s mind. So this is for all the animal lovers out there, the Rancho Capomo Ride in Puerto Vallarta, is going to be your ticket to adventure. If you love horses and love riding then this is the perfect tour for you. This horseback riding tour is 6 hours long, approximately. It travels and journeys through Sierra Madre which is the very green and is breathtaking tropical rain forest of Puerto Vallarta. On this tour you...

If you are in search of farm and lawn equipment that will stand up to the test of time, look no further then Wheel Horse. You won't find a Wheel Horse machine that wasn't made entirely domestically and doesn't adhere to the high quality we expect. As long as you take care of your Wheel Horse tractor by performing routine maintenance on it, you can expect it to last decades and decades and still run just as great. Its great array of multi-purpose attachments are another feature that sets these bad boys apart from the pack. Some of the most versatile of these use attachments are the snow plow and dump cart. The most popular of the available attachments are the ones related to farming and gardening...

It is not uncommon to see horses at shows sporting messy forelock braids that are bumped up like the braids along their manes. Not only do these braids look terrible, they are the sure sign of an amateur braiding job. Proper forelock braids are done with an upside-down french braid. While this may sound particularly difficult, with a bit of practice, it isn't all that hard at all. You will need a double-length piece of wool to create this braid. It is also very helpful to have a blunt, large-eyed needle or bodkin to sew the braid. Before braiding, be sure that the forelock is well combed out. Do not use show sheen on the forelock. All thicknesses of forelocks are braided the same way, but it is...

If you are interested in purchasing horse supplies, you may be worried about how much they can cost. It is true that horse supplies can be quite expensive when you add up the cost of the tack, grooming supplies and even your own specialized clothing. You need to remember, however that if you are just starting out or are shopping on a budget, that there are ways for you to make the process a little easier on your wallet. There can be a huge difference in the price of horse supplies between your local tack shop and online horse supply sites. You can often find great deals online, but that doesn't mean that your local tack shop will not play an important part as a place to purchase horse supplies...

training your horse, it is a smart idea to keep a training diary. This is a book in which you keep track of what you have done each day, and how that training session went. Training diaries are useful for a number of reasons. Have you ever felt that you are in a rut with your training and that nothing is improving? With a training diary you can go back and see if that feeling is justified. You might find that while it seems that you have made no progress, in fact you and your horse have improved steadily over the last few weeks without your even noticing it. If things are not going well, you might see that your training pattern has fallen into a rut and that you need to try making changes to your...

u have recently built and arena, or are considering adding an arena to your facility, you are probably wondering what to do about footing. While many people believe that you can just dump any old sand in the ring, and it is finished, there is much more to be considered when you add footing to your ring. First of all, outdoor arenas are more expensive to add footing to than indoor arenas. This is because to have a quality outdoor arena that does not harbor puddles after the rain, you need to build adequate drainage. Drainage is created by building a foundation of coarse gravel. This gravel whisks the water away and out of your arena. Ideally, you should dig down past the topsoil and build your...