Archive for the ‘Horses’ Category

The name Sport Horse is given to type of horse rather than a particular breed of horse; it is a term to define a horse that will excel in equestrian sports such as Showjumping, Dressage or Eventing.

Sports horse breeders follow intensive breeding programs. The breeding goals differ from registry to registry, some more geared towards Showjumping others Dressage, Eventing or all-round top quality riding horses, this is reflected in the breeding, for example to produce a top class jumping horse only prestigious jumping blood lines are used to produce a horse with the physical attributes and athletic ability which is needed for show jumping.

Quality Sports horses have certain attributes which incorporates the following:

o Correct confirmation – Sports horses should have correct confirmation as this has a direct affect on the movement and jumping capabilities of the horse.

o Temperament – Sports horses must have a trainable and willing nature.

o Movement – Sports horse should have an athletic gait with good suspension in trot and canter.

o Jumping ability – Sports horses that are bred for jumping have excellent jumping form and conformation that allows them to jump higher.

If you are looking to buy a horse to compete, a sports horse would be a very good choice. You should set yourself some guide lines on the criteria of the horse you wish to buy; a good place to start is to identify your capabilities as a rider. Less experienced riders should look for an older experienced horse that knows its job; an accomplished rider may want to bring on a younger horse and take it through the grades, it is absolutely essential for the rider to realise their capabilities. Unfortunately many people make the mistake of “over horsing themselves” this is when a less experienced rider has bought a horse that is far too much for the rider to handle. This can ruin good horses and ruin a rider’s confidence. Set a budget, the height range that would suit you best and what you intend to do with the horse. This will narrow down the market and get you focused on the right market of horses for sale.

There is an abundance of Sport horses for sale currently in the U.K. you only have to look briefly at the equestrian classifieds and you will be sure to see several advertisers offering Sports horses for sale. There are many competition yards that have Sports horses for sale.

 Professional horse producers will often travel to Ireland and mainland Europe to source Sport horses from breeders and farmers.  The horses that are brought back to the U.K. are to be sold to the equestrian competition market. A good professional horse producer will help you find the right horse; you will usually find that there will be quite a few Sports horses for sale at any one yard so you will have plenty of Sports Horses for Sale to view. There are lots of yards devoted Sports horses for sale, so you will always have plenty of horses to look at, if they don’t have a horse that is suitable they will often be able to source a Sports horse for sale that meets your requirements, as they are more than likely to have established equestrian links with farmers and breeders overseas.

It is also possible for you to go to Ireland or the Continent to look for a Sport horses for sale yourself. It is good to look on the internet for Sports Horses for Sale to see if there are any abroad that you like, many yards will offer a service where they collect you from the airport and accommodate you while you view their Sport horses for sale.

If you are ever in doubt about what horse would be most suitable for you must always seek professional help from a reputable source, a person who has expertise in your preferred discipline.

Sports Horses for Sale [http://www.horsewizard.co.uk/marketplace?page=show_category&catid=39]

Horses for Sale

Author: Paul Simms
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Paint horses did not get their name because their riders and owners tend to be creative types who stabled them in their private studio. Paints did not get their name because they possess some unique creative gift of their own.

Instead, paint horses got their name for a far more obvious reason: in every case, whether their pattern falls into the Overo, Tobiano or Tovero category, the horse is marked by some percentage of white hair over un-pigmented skin in addition to another color: brown, tan, black or gray. The Paints’ markings don’t have any set location or size, they can appear anywhere on the horse’s body.

So, if you have been looking at horses for sale and see Paint horses along with terms like Overo, Tobiano and Tovero, chances are good that you’re going to have some curiosity about what they describe.

The Overo pattern describes Paint horses on which the white markings do not happen between the horse’s withers and tail. Another characteristic of this pattern is that at least one, if not all, of the horse’s legs will be brown, tan, black or gray in color. While the markings on the horse’s face occur in standard patterns, the majority of its markings are irregular with the white often scattered.

On a Paint horse with a Tobiano pattern, on the other hand, the white spots are regular. The “painted spots” are often oval or round and found on the neck and chest. All four of the horse’s legs are white – at least from the hocks and knees down – and at least one of the horse’s flanks is dark. The tail will also be two colors – both dark and white.

Unlike the Overo and Tobiano patterns, Paint horses with the Tovero pattern have one or both blue eyes. Tovero Paint horses tend to be defined more by the location of their dark marking than where they have splashes of white. These Paints have dark pigmentation around their ears and around the mouth, on their flanks. Chest spots may also show on the horse’s neck, and there may be dark spots at the base of the horse’s tail as well.

When you’re looking at horses for sale and see Paints, in addition to the terms that describe their marking pattern, you’re also likely to see many of the following adjectives: hard working, dependable, athletic, intelligent, and friendly.

Paints earned their reputation as a hard working breed in the American West, ridden by Native Americans, cowboys, and the ordinary folks who needed transportation from the farm. For those who were looking for a horse that responded quickly, could maneuver easily, could run with great speeds to keep order on a ranch, Paint horses were a great solution. They kept a distinct, interesting look that made them stand out, and, like a Quarter Horse, they tend to have strong and muscular back legs, a low center of gravity and a good weight distribution, but not tall.

These same characteristics make Paint horses great for those who are looking for a horse that will get them around the ranch and from one area to another, for those who enjoy riding on a trail, as well as those who just like going out and taking a leisurely ride and enjoy a great afternoon on horseback. Similarly, those who are looking for a friendly, intelligent horse that can be well loved by the entire family – kids included – will find these attractive characteristics in a Paint.

As popular as Paint horses are with those who have owned and ridden them, there was not a registry for the breed until the 1960s. Previously, Paint horses – regardless of the pattern that they displayed – were widely unregistered as the American Quarter Horse Association, which included horses with the same body structure did not accept horses with the Paint markings.

Now, however, there are a number of requirements that are used to register and track the lineage of Paint horses. Either the sire or the dam must be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, and, if the other is not registered with the American Paint Horse Association, he or she must be registered with either the American Quarter Horse Association or the Jockey Club. Despite those standards, new registrations each year show that Paint horses are among the fastest growing and most popular horse breeds in the United States.

Philipe Wiskell is a writer for HorseClicks.com, popular classifieds of paint horses for sale, used trailers, land for sale.

Author: Philip Wiskell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

When you look at horses for sale, you may be looking for a horse that will be good with the kids. You might be looking for a horse that you can bring into the racing world. But some of you will be looking for something more specific; those of you who have seen barrel racing at rodeos or even on television events might be thinking that barrel horses may be a great option.

Contrary to what some people believe, not every horse is an ideal candidate for barrel racing. Though there are fewer particulars than there are when looking for a Thoroughbred that will be a winner on the race track, there are a number of different characteristics that will be found in great barrel horses. Temperament can play a role in the success of barrel horses just as much as the horse’s skills, character, training and lineage.

You read that right – even with barrel horses, you’ll find that one of the major considerations that many buyers have is the lineage of the horse. A barrel horse’s bloodlines can help to identify how successful past generations in the line were, what the horse was bred for and can provide a sense of what the horse will be able to accomplish during the race.

Of course, more than the bloodlines, most buyers find that, with barrel horses, it is about the build and health of the horse. A good barrel horse has legs that are straight, and if you’re buying a horse that’s already been raced, you will want to be sure that its legs are free of any bumps or external scars. It’s important to be sure that the horse’s hooves are healthy, that its back is strong and that the horse is flexible and athletic.

To some extent, you will be able to tell whether or not horses for sale are healthy based on looks, however, before you make a commitment to making a purchase it is usually a good idea to have a veterinarian check to make sure that there’s nothing underlying that cannot be seen by the human eye.

If barrel horses have been worked with by trainers to get them ready for the sport, you will want to gather information about the trainers and their experience. The trainers, much like the horse’s lineage, can tell you a lot about whether the horse that you are looking at is going to be ideal when you’re looking for barrel horses that you will be able to take around the country to ride at events with the hopes of – someday – competing in some of the sports’ biggest competitions.

On the other hand, if you only plan to participate in a race or two during the local rodeo season, you’re likely to find that you are looking for a very different horse. Yes, the animal’s health and build will still be important to you, but you won’t want to focus as much on professionally trained barrel horses. Choosing a horse that is good for overall riding as well as barrel racing can, quite possibly, save you $20,000 or more.

In either case, you are going to want to focus more on the health and build of the horse than on the coloring and markings – characteristics that those who are looking for a horse for afternoon rides can focus on a bit more. When you are looking at horses for sale and trying to find barrel horses, you’ll want to focus your attention on Quarter Horses which are great at running at high speeds in short bursts, or, if you prefer, Pintos and Paints.

Whichever horse you choose as your barrel horse, it is important to recognize that you won’t just be heading into the ring to compete. In order to keep barrel horses ready – and to get them ready if they haven’t previously been used for barrel racing – you are going to need to focus on building the horse’s lung capacity with long trotting on a regular basis. A good goal to set for barrel horses that you are conditioning is the ability to keep a fast pace for six to eight miles at least three days a week.

To that end, keep in mind that conditioning barrel horses is not just exercise for them; it’s also exercise for you.

Philipe Wiskell is a writer for HorseClicks.com, popular classifieds of barrel racing horses for sale, horse farms and used trailers.

Author: Philip Wiskell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Many horse owners want their horses to be like motorcycles. Just jump on and ride whenever they please. Unfortunately life doesn’t work like that. A horse is a living, breathing animal with a mind of his own. Just jumping on and riding-an act many people do-can be downright dangerous. So what is a horse owner to do? To ride safely, a horse owner needs to develop an effective training program for her horse-one that begins with a solid foundation laid on the ground.

Think of it like a house. To build a house that is going to last generations, you need a good frame, good electrical wiring, and good paint. But none of that is worth anything if you don’t have a good foundation. If the foundation is not done right the entire house might come tumbling down. The same principle applies to our horses and horse training.

When training your horse, ground work might seem like a silly exercise where you are just getting your horse to move around in different ways. But you need to start looking at it differently. When you are doing groundwork, your horse training is taking on a new dimension where you are building a relationship with your horse. To be specific, you’re doing a few things:

• Building a communications channel with your horse
• Getting in tune with your horse so that he learns how to respond to your cues
• Establishing leadership, trust, and respect

To see how this works, take longeing for example. In the “old days”, many people used longeing to “wear out” their horses or burn off “excess energy” before they went riding. If you’re doing that with your horse, you’re missing the entire point. You shouldn’t use longeing to burn off energy at all! Instead, use it to get inside the mind of your horse and build a communications link that will carry straight over to riding. If you circle your horse and get him to respond lightly to your commands, you’re going to set up a situation that carries directly over to the saddle. Try this exercise. Get your horse on a lead line and circle him at a walk. Then put some pressure on him to get him into a trot and let him circle once or twice at a trot. Now drop him back down to a walk. Repeat the process, asking him to trot again.

This will begin to make your horse think about YOU and looking to you for direction. Vary the time, so maybe you have him trot around 2 times, then drop him to a walk. Next time, only ask him to trot around once. By adding variation to your routine, your horse will start to pay more attention to you. A horse that is paying attention to you is a safer horse.

Now mix things up even more. Most people take their horses out and longe them with the lead rope at some fixed distance, like 10 feet. Instead of doing that, change up the distance between you and your horse. While your horse is walking, pull in the lead rope so that your horse is only a foot or two away from you. Then reach out with your open palm and pat him on the hind as he moves by. Then let the rope out and ask your horse to move further away from you. This is another exercise that will help get your horse to pay attention to your commands. The goal is to get him completely focused on you as his leader. Also, by touching him with your hand when he is moving, you are preparing him for riding by getting him used to being touched by you. When you ride, don’t forget that you are going to be utilizing touching with your legs and feet to direct the horse.

A great exercise to use that helps you get inside the mind of your horse is called “one step forward one step back”. This is such a breakthrough exercise I would call it a vital aspect of horse training. It works on two levels. First, its going to help you with your timing when working with horses. Second, its going to fine tune your communications with your horse to a level you never thought possible. It can be done in the saddle, but we do it on the ground first.

Stand directly in front of your horse. Lightly ask him to back up-but stop asking when he gives you a step. The first time you do this he is going to back up two or three steps. To let your horse know you only want one single step, lift up your hand and raise your index finger while you say “whoa”.

Next, ask your horse to come forward. Gently pull on the lead rope. When he starts to move forward-look for the slightest muscle shift-raise your hand and index finger and say “whoa”. Then repeat by asking him to backup one step. Now you aren’t going to believe this-but spend 20 minutes a day doing this for a week. You are going to be amazed at the level of precise communication you will establish with your horse. Now imagine having that kind of communication in the saddle.

By investing in ground training, we build a solid foundation with our horse that carries right over into horseback riding.

Visit http://www.nmhorse.com/ for more information.

Author: David McMahon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Horses aren’t considered domestic animals, but they are capable assistants that could help owners perform different and complex activities. Therefore we need a horse trainer to train them.

Horses in the wild aren’t ready to do new activities in an instant. Horses when untamed are truly uncontrollable and wouldn’t be helpful to people for whatever purpose and that is when a trainer comes in.

Traditionally, horses have been trained for different tasks, like for transport, for farm works, for sports and even for warfare.

It is therefore very important that horses undergo training sessions, where they will be taught the basic skills and tricks to perform many different helpful tasks.

Hiring a horse trainer

To turn a horse into a useful assistant and as an alternative to machines, a horse trainer is useful in helping to unlock the full potentials of the horse. He knows how to condition the mindset of the horse so it could be prepared for training sessions and could be open to learning tricks.

If you are a horse owner and you are intending to hire a good horse trainer, the first thing you can do is to seek for recommendations from peers and other horse owner.

Peer advice would be helpful in looking for a good trainer. If peers can’t give such recommendations, the local veterinarian will be of great help. He would be about to recommend the best horse trainers in the community. The vet knows if the horse trainer is doing good and on the right track.

Don’t forget there are some vets who also offer horse training services, but in general, not all of them do so. That is because horse training demands a lot of effort and patience.

You can also directly employ a horse trainer. You could seek links and contacts from the online Craig’s list or from the traditional and online classified.

You must interview and examine the personal and work history data of the horse trainer to make sure that the services your horse will be provided.

Several accreditations from horse training bodies and industry groups are also being provided to certify a horse trainer’s capabilities. If the applicant holds one, then, you are assured that he would be the perfect candidate for the position.

Choosing the best horse trainer

When it comes to choosing for the best, it is a relative and case to case basis. What is good enough for the standard of one horse owner may not be good enough for you. Horse owners’ preferences and standards vary.

That is the reason you can’t rely on the experiences of other horse owners on horse trainers. Though, recommendations would be favorable, it isn’t desirable that you entrust the overall welfare of your horses wholly to the horse trainer. Be caution based on your personal discretion and insights.

Remember, when hiring, you should always look for the best candidate available. However,don’t assure that overall care for the horse is guaranteed. During the interview process, you can get an idea at the overall disposition of the applicants.

Showing genuine interest of horses would be the best trait a good horse trainer must have. Knowing the person through a sincere talk may provide you he is truly interested in training horses.

Are you looking for information on how to care for your horses, make sure you check Heidi Edris’ excellent free report on Horse Food.

Author: Heidi Edris
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Bumper guardian

Finding a suitable dressage horse is a difficult task that requires planning and a thorough understanding of your horse needs. Before you start, you need to compile a list of what you want in your dressage horse along with a list of the characteristics that are not acceptable. In this article we’ll cover how to build those lists, narrow your dressage horse selections, good dressage horse breeds and how to find the right horse for you.

The first step is determining your price and budget. This is going to be your guiding factor; from there you can work on eliminating horses with unacceptable characteristics. Here’s a list of undesirable traits in a prospective dressage horse:

1. Poor movement.

Avoid a horse that isn’t straight in its movement, both in front and behind.

2. Faulty conformation.

Any horse with a faulty conformation should also be avoided. Watch out for a horse that stands higher at his croup, has a low-set neck, or a poorly set-on head. Poor head conformation means the horse will have trouble opening up his neck and jaw, a detriment in dressage.

3. Wide frame.

Any horse that is too wide through the chest, shoulders and rib-cage will prevent you from riding with a good depth of seat and length of leg – both critical in dressage.

4. Narrow frame.

If the frame is too narrow, the horse’s action may be too “close” in front or behind. Also, a weak horse won’t perform as well.

5. Difficult temperament.

Ideally, you want a horse with a pliable temperament and a willingness to learn and work with you, rather than against you.

Now that we’ve covered some of the unwanted characteristics in a dressage horse, what are the more desirable traits?

1. Good conformation.

Look at the horse’s conformation when it’s standing naturally, and when he’s moving. As you watch the horse, imagine the frame and appearance of a Grand Prix champion dressage horse, with the lowered coup and the horse rising up through the back and withers. You should see that potential in your prospective, young horse.

2. A horse to match your lifestyle.

Do you need a horse that thrives on work and daily activity, or one who can be content staying sedentary for a day or two? Does the height and size match your proportions?

3. Temperament.

A calm and consistent temperament that is compatible with your own will make training and competition much easier and all the more rewarding. Look for a horse that is full of character, but still manageable and trainable.

4. Good pace and movement.

The walk is so important, even on a loose rein. The horse’s steps should be long and even in length. There should be no indication of tension, nor any inclination to hurry out of its steady, pacing rhythm.

What are some good dressage horse breeds?

Swedish Warmblood horses make popular dressage horses because they are compact, yet very strong. Even larger horses like the Irish draught do well due to their strong conformation and typical middle weight status. Finally, the Irish Trill is another popular dressage horse because it is strong enough to easily bear the rider’s weight, but not
heavy in stature or in the way it caries itself.

That said, the ideal dressage horse has a strong frame without any serious weakness, a generous temperament, and the will to work and train as a partner. The shape and size of a dressage horse is surprisingly varied, and therefore so are your breed options.

CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet’s pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com

Research over 130 horse breed profiles at http://www.findapetonline.com/horse_breeds_a_m.html

Author: CS Swarens
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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You have finally bought your dream home in the country. Part of the dream is to keep your own horse in your “backyard”. Taking care of a horse is a 24/7 responsibility – are you prepared? If you are thinking about keeping your horse at home or if you have already have made the move, here are 8 tips to consider.

1) Learn about horse psychology and behaviour so that you can be safe working around and handling your horses. Many injuries occur because the person did not recognize the warning signs the horse was giving just before he kicked, bit, bolted or spooked. Injuries happen more frequently on the ground while working around a horse than they do from the saddle. You are training your horse whenever you handle him. If you don’t know what you are doing, you are inadvertently going to teach him inappropriate (bad or unsafe) behaviours.

2) Horses are herd animals and need a companion to feel secure and happy. Another horse or 2 is the best option. If that is not possible, they will also bond with a goat, sheep or llama.

3) Horses need to be outside as much as possible, but also require shelter from hot summer sun, strong winds and heavy rain and snow. A 3 sided run in shelter in the paddock provides adequate shelter as long as it is has enough room for all the horses without any of them getting pinned into a corner.

4) Horses are grazing animals and need a regular feeding routine to keep a healthy digestive system. Horses that don’t have free access to grass need to be fed good quality hay several times throughout the day. Round bales of hay may be an option depending on your horses’ health. “Easy keepers” who put on weight easily may get too fat. Horses with allergies or breathing disorders should not be fed from round bales because the hay tends to be dusty and mouldy. Talk to your local horse feed representative to get more specific recommendations for feeding your horses appropriately.

5) Horses need regular farrier and veterinary care. Their hooves need to be trimmed every 6-8 weeks. They should receive vaccinations at least once a year (more if they are exposed to horses outside of your barn frequently) and a regular deworming program. Talk to other horse owners in your local area to find a good farrier and vet.

6) No matter how well you look after your horses, at some point you are likely to experience an emergency due to illness or injury. Post an emergency procedure outline and a list of emergency phone numbers in your barn and close to your phone. Include your own contact information, street address and directions to your property. If someone else is looking after your horses, this list could be vital to them getting the right help to your horse quickly.

7) There will be regular chores that need to be done – feeding, cleaning paddocks and stabling areas, repairing fences, etc. If you are the only horsey person in your family, don’t expect your spouse or kids to enjoy sharing the work. It may all fall on your shoulders taking away from time that you used to spend riding. If you have more than one riding horse, consider finding a neighbour or friend who is willing to exchange sweat equity for riding one of your horses or keeping their horse at your farm. This solution also gives you a riding companion while reducing the amount of time spend doing chores.

Take riding lessons. Horses are not bicycles. They are living creatures with a brain and bodies that are affected – for better or for worse – by the person sitting on their backs. Being a good and knowledgeable rider improves the experience for both you and your horse. You need to know how to control your horse in all situations – even if you never intend to show and only enjoy an easy ride down the trail.

Keeping your horse at home can be a wonderful experience. Being able to just hang out with your horses in your own back yard is a great way to let go of some of the stress in your life. There is more responsibility in looking after your own horses, but you have an opportunity to really get to know your horses and understand them in a way boarding doesn’t allow. Take the time to learn at least basic horsemanship and riding skills so you can safely enjoy your horses while providing them with the best care.

Anne Gage is a Gold Level trainer certified in the Chris Irwin method of horsemanship. She teaches adult riders to confidently work with their horses, improve their riding skills and bring the joy back into their riding experience. Her training and coaching methods are based on building mutual trust & respect between horse and human. Anne coaches and trains clients out of High Point Farm near Orangeville, Ontario, Canada and also travels to other locations giving one & two day clinics, workshops and private sessions. For more information, visit her website http://www.annegage.com

Author: Anne Gage
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Anyone wanting to know the basic method of horse breaking applied in the past can rent a western movie. Watching is about all the method is useful for as today there are far kinder ways in which to break in a horse.

I really do not like to use the term breaking simply as the word breaking, denotes force. Ultimately horse breaking is training of the horse. Training for a work or pleasure horse, has the same basic method of getting a horse to submit to man.

Training horses has two main methods, the old and the new. The old technique is still very much in use today, but has been refined and altered along the way. That is to say that in most countries where horse folk are being educated, they no longer hurt the horse.

In the old days one would tie a horse up to a fence for hours until he had no fight left in him and one could then sit in the saddle and not be bucked off. Today thankfully man has learned to work with horses instead of simply dominating them.

The new method of training known as natural horsemanship may not be entirely new, but the trend and following is. Natural horsemanship as against simple horse breaking does not involve the horse submitting to man.

Instead man learns to communicate in the horses own language and becomes the horses leader, like the stallion of a herd. You do not have to be an experienced horse professional of old nor an aspiring natural horsemanship individual to realize that violence is not needed to train a horse. No matter what method of training you follow it always pays to respect the horse.

If you are not a competent horse handler you have no place training a green horse. A green horse is the term used to describe a horse that is unbroken and thus had very little if any training. I say this because a green horse will be bold and challenge you and you could very well be tempted to react with force or violence through fear.

When you are considering training a young horse and you have never done so before, have a knowledgeable trainer with you. Untrained or green horses often cost less than a trained horse and it is for this reason many people are tempted to buy them. Once again if you do not have the skill to train the horse without using violence and force, either have someone help you or send it to a trainer first.

When you take the extra care and attention to train a horse humanely and effectively, you have a horse that is happy to be handled; a horse that can be handled by most people too. That way you ensure a beginning relationship of trust between man and the horse which is essential to get the best performance from your horse.

Horse breaking is the start of training a horse to work with man. Today there is certainly no excuse when horse breaking is a cruel act. It makes common sense then to create a long lasting relationship of trust through kindness. It will continually be proven that horses do not need to be driven into submission. How wonderful the feeling is when this big powerful animal actually wants to please us.

Horse Guide.

Get information on buying, owning and caring for your horse, learn about horse breaking. Learn about Horse riding safety.

Author: Benjamin Wise
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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