Posts Tagged ‘afi horse’

Horses are deeply sensitive animals, therefore it is imperative that they have undivided care and attention. It’s not enough to only provide the bare necessities like food, shelter and whatever healthcare your horse insurance policy will cover. Just like humans, they appreciate those little extras to make them feel content.

Horses are herd animals and will enjoy the company of other equines. You should be also seen as part of their herd, ideally as the herd leader. Your horse may give you signs – such as chewing or licking – that he sumbits to your leadership. Only quality time spent with your horse can ensure that the trust and emotional bond between you can develop. When you have created this important bond it will have an overall positive effect on the horse.

Always keep your horse’s stable or stall clean – horses are natuarlly clean animals – with warm deep bedding provided. A deep bed will ease the strain on their legs and joints, and of course, if they wish to lie down, they can in comfort, ensuring that they feel safe and secure.

Mealtimes are important to a horse. You must ensure that you feed them little and often, as they will also graze outside all day. All appropriate foods can be incorporated into your horse’s diet to provide a healthy balance. Grass, hay, and fibre in general is important for your horse’s digestive system. Grain is also superb, but not too much as it can upset the stomach. Ensure a supply of fresh water is available. Wate will help prevent the horse storing hard solid food in it’s gut by allowing fermentation to take place. Regularity of feeding times is important for horses, as they do best when in a routine. Always feed your horse at the same time each day.

Grooming your horse daily will show the horse that they are loved – they will enjoy extra attention from you which grooming brings. Your horse will love you to give him a nice rub, a good brushing and a scratch here and there. You should both enjoy this special part of the day. Grooming your horse will not only keep his coat glossy and smooth, but can also help to keep pests and parasites at bay. Not forgetting the feet – you’ll need to pick your horse’s hooves every daily. They must feel comfortable on their hooves or they will become grumpy, not to mention that failing to take care of your horse’s feet will put him at risk of injury or infection which could cost you a claim on your equine insurance.

The happiness of your horse relies a great deal on the quality and quantity of exercise he is given. Daily exercise is essential for your horse. Exercise should be varied and should include some jumping and cross-country work, for example. Play time is important for horses too. Turn your horse out so he can run free for a while in the paddock. Your horse can then play, either alone or with other equines, and have some quiet time too. You need to ensure that your horse is given sufficient time to relax too – they can demonstrate erratic behaviour if simply put to task all the time.

There are many more tips and advice which can be imparted to ensure the physical and psychological well-being of your horse; here we have covered just five of the most important. For more information and to become part of a horse-lovers’ community on the world-wide web, please visit AFI Horse Insurance where you can read and contribute to our brand-new equine blog.

Horses are incredibly sensitive and it is important that they get the care and attention they deserve. It’s not enough to only provide the bare necessities like food, shelter and whatever healthcare your horse insurance policy will cover. Like humans, it is those little extras that they need to be truly at peace with their place in the world.

It’s best to keep your horse among other ponies or horses, as they are herd animals in nature and will need to have company. Your horse should see you, as his owner, as part of the herd, and preferably as herd leader. By chewing or licking the horse will show his affection as well as his submission to your leadership. To ensure the development of trust and an emotional bond between you, it is vital to spend quality time with your horse. When you have created this important bond it will have an overall positive effect on the horse.

Always keep your horse’s stable or stall clean – horses are natuarlly clean animals – with warm deep bedding provided. Providing deep bedding will help to protect your horse’s joints and legs as well as giving them a comfy and secure place to lie down.

Feeding is particularly important to horses. Be sure to feed little and often, as they will also be grazing throughout the day outside. It’s best to incorporate all appropriate foods, to keep a healthy balance. Horses need lots of fibre, so make sure that there is fresh hay or grass. Another great source of fibre is grain, although too much of this could cause stomach upsets. Make sure your horse has access to fresh water. Water allows the food to ferment so it doesn’t become solid and hard in the horse’s rear gut. Horses do better when in a routine, so the timing between feeds is important. Always feed them at the same time every day.

You should groom your horse every day – not only to keep him in excellent condition but also because he will enjoy the attention you give him and will feel loved and secure. Make sure you do lots of rubbing, scratching and brushing. This is a quality part of the day which you should both enjoy. It will also maintain their essential coat, keeping it free from any pests and making it glossy and smooth. Do not forget about your horse’s feet; hooves should be picked daily. They must feel comfortable on their hooves or they will become grumpy, not to mention that failing to take care of your horse’s feet will put him at risk of injury or infection which could cost you a claim on your equine insurance.

Exercise is vital for a horse’s happiness. Horses need plenty of daily exercise. This should also be varied, include jumps and cross country as well as your standard routines. Your horse needs play time as well. Turn them out so they can be free in their paddock. Your horse can then play, either alone or with other equines, and have some quiet time too. You need to ensure that your horse is given sufficient time to relax too – they can demonstrate erratic behaviour if simply put to task all the time.

The above tips are just a few pieces of advice which can help you look after the physical and pscychological needs of your horse. For more information and to become part of a horse-lovers’ community on the world-wide web, please visit AFI Horse Insurance where you can read and contribute to our brand-new equine blog.

When you wish to train a horse you’ll have to catch it first. This sounds simple enough, but if this is your first attempt at doing so it can be surprisingly frustrating. This is actually the most important step of all in training. The trust foundation is laid in this step. Remember the importance of patience, persistence and positive reinforcement – the three P’s of horse training – during each and every stage of training your horse. These three training elements work together and are relevant with each step of training along the way.

The most efficient way to begin the approach is to have the horse in an enclosure of easily manageable size. A round pen is the best type of enclosure to use, but you can use any large fenced area or paddock if you don’t have one.

A casual demeanour when first approaching the enclosure is necessary. Do your very best to relax and give the impression of calm. Leave your life’s stress outside the pen. Prey animals such as horses are easily intimidated by any form of stress or aggression they may sense. This represents a possible threat and the last thing you want is for your horse to see you as a threat. Trust must be built between the two of you.

Enter the enclosure, but not to catch the horse yet. That will come in good time. Your aim for now is to familiarize yourself with the horse and more importantly, for the horse to become familiar with you. Just walk in and stand around for a few moments. Do not look directly at the horse. Predators eyeball their prey and stare into their eyes to intimidate them. You are not a predator and your horse should not see you as such. You need to be seen as part of the herd.

Next time, take a rake in and tidy up a bit. Check the fence panels and see if they need mending. Do anything but approach the horse at this point. The horse will approach you eventually and will want to see what you are doing. They are very curious creatures by nature. You’ll be checked out thoroughly and sniffed once you are a regular visitor.

Please keep in mind that this step can take more time if the horse is unfamiliar with human contact. For some horses shyness is not a problem, and they will approach you the minute you enter the enclosure. Either way is acceptable. The horse will begin to trust you only if you let him become accustomed to you slowly and in his own time. Patience!

Don’t reach for the horse as yet, though you may see this as a good opportunity to grab him. The most important thing to remember here is patience. This takes time and you are building a foundation that will last throughout training and well beyond. This step should not be rushed.

When the horse at last approaches you, turn your back and walk away. Be sure you are the first one to do so. By walking away first, you will indicate that he is not in charge of you.

When you and the horse are familiar with each other and comfortable in each others’ presence, you can approach him, but not straight on. Walk slowly and remember to use your very loose and relaxed posture. Stepping sideways can be a good approach for a skittish equine. Go toward the side and don’t stare. Looking sideways, move towards the horse. Whatever you do, don’t sneak up on the horse and try to surprise it with the halter. What will you do to hang on to the horse once you “catch” it if it’s frightened? Your mutual trust will be breached and you’ll have to start all over again. And of course you could be hurt. Patience and persistence.

When the horse allows you to come close, it’s time for positive reinforcement. The first moments you spend together should have nothing to do with work. This step is about bonding. Simple grooming, brushing, scratching behind the ears, conversation, stroking along the neck area are positive reinforcement tools. The horse should see this as enjoyable interaction. The two of you will now be ready for training.

A note about safety:
Never approach a horse from behind unless you are very familiar and the horse knows you. A horse can register a swift kick before you can even think about getting out of the way. They are always faster than you are, especially if they feel threatened or surprised. Always approach where you can be seen.

Whether it is your own horse, or you are training the horse on somebody else’s behalf, it is always advisable to ensure that there is adequate equine insurance in place to protect you both should an accident occur during training. Horses may be mostly gentle creatures, but they are nevertheless very powerful ones; if a horse kicks you, you could be very seriously injured. A good horse insurance policy will include third party liability, and it is definitely worth checking this before you begin with your training.