Posts Tagged ‘bridle’

You have decided you want a horse. Great! Given the current state of the horse market there are many horses who need homes. The price of buying a horse has never been cheaper. But – what must be considered before you buy that pretty purple halter and look for a pony face to put it on?

1. The purchase price of a horse is the cheapest part. We won’t even worry about how much to pay for a horse. Expenses simply begin to add up as soon as you take ownership.

2. Where are you going to keep your horse? To pasture a horse and rely on grass as the main source of feed, you’ll need between five and fifty acres depending on where you live. More horses, more acres.

3. Let’s assume you have sufficient pastureland. To maintain good pasture you have to mow, weed kill and fertilize as required or you’ll end up with a dry lot full of manure and weeds.

4. Whether you keep your horse in a pasture or dirt corral, you will need to provide a suitable shelter from rain, cold, snow or sun. Have you included a horse house in your budget? If your horse’s shelter isn’t sturdy and safe, I promise you will be calling the vet to stitch or patch injuries caused by screws, nails, wire, loose boards or sharp metal edges.

5. Horses eat a lot. Have you ever heard the saying, “He eats like a horse?” Hay, pelleted feed and oats are very expensive. You could easily spend $5 – $10 per day on feed alone. Providing clean, high quality feed is important. If you skimp in consistent quantity or quality, you’ll need to get out the phone and call the vet again when your horse colics.

6. Do you have basic tack and equipment? Saddle, bridle, halters, leads, buckets, boots (for both you and the horse), curry and brushes, hoof pick, longe line, longe whip, clippers? The list is endless; just take a walk through one of the horse tack and equipment catalogs.

7. Do you need lessons? Horses are wonderful animals; they will give you the most honest feedback possible on earth. One of you is always certain to learn leadership skills. If you’re not sure how to be a good leader, be sure to budget for lessons with a reputable trainer.

8. Make sure you know what you want to do with your new horse. Do you want to spend weekends riding in the country, win a world championship at a breed show, work cattle, rope, barrel race or jump? All horses can do most things, though not equally well. The higher your goals, the more specific you need to be when selecting your equine partner. Be certain the horse you select already knows how to do what you have in mind. Unless you are an experienced trainer, test ride the horse in the event of your choice before you buy; do not buy a ‘prospect.’

9. How much time have you budgeted for your horse? I always tell prospective owners, “You can have a horse or you can have a life. You can’t have both.” This isn’t just a piece of property you’re thinking about. Horses are herd animals in need of leadership, companionship and relationship. If you just want a pasture ornament, great. But, buy at least two. Don’t keep a horse alone unless you are prepared to spend hours with it every day.

10. Have we talked yet about veterinarians and farriers? The amount of routine and preventative care needed to properly maintain your horse is significant. In most areas of the country your horse will need to be shod every six weeks. If you live where there are no rocks you can get by with just a trim. Still, you may expect to pay between $35 and $125 every six weeks just for manicures. Horses need annual vaccinations, worming from four to eight times each year, dental check-ups for sharp teeth annually and yearly Coggins tests (by law.) Expect to budget another $500 to $1000 yearly for basic healthcare. Depending on your area this amount could be significantly more. Unforeseen problems? Get out the checkbook.

Okay, add up the numbers. Consider the time commitment. I know it seems almost too much. But, not if you have the time and place in your heart for one of the most rewarding relationships ever offered a human being. If you’re still reading, you’re still interested.

Nothing compares to the connection possible between human and horse. There are few experiences as magical as those moments when the two of you fly across the landscape as one, or simply spend a warm summer evening, lazing together under a shady tree sharing each other’s thoughts.

Lynn Baber is a Christian writer, business woman and retired equine professional. She shares the lessons learned in thirty-five years at the business table and round pen with her clients and readers. Highly credentialed in issues of leadership, customer relations and most things equine, Lynn has a unique perspective not found elsewhere. Whether the topic is customer service or training stallions, Lynn brings years of experience to presentations and articles. Her latest book based on our amazing relationships with horses is previewed at http://AmazingGrays.us

For more insights, visit Lynn’s blog at http://LynnBaber.net

Author: Lynn Baber
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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My horse bucks almost everytime I ride him now. I have tried changing bits and saddles. I have tried using snaffle and curb bits. He has bucked with a bridle and without and with a saddle and bareback. He has bucked in walk, trot, canter and gallop. If he is going faster than a trot when he bucks I cant get him to stop running. I haven’t been riding very long so I am not that good of a rider. Is there anything else I can try? And why would he be doing it? He has never done it before and I have had him at least a year.
Well I only weigh about 117 pounds so I dont think I’m too big for him. He’s been gelded. I dont have money to take him to a trainer. He is normally really sweet but when he bucks he lays back his ears.
My horse Trigger is a 12 year old quarter horse gelding.

If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. Or so the old saying goes. However, wishes were horses but not horse supplies as well, then the beggars in question would not be riding.

To begin with, anyone who wishes to ride a horse, will need horse supplies in the form of tack. Even the roughest rider who enjoys bareback riding will require a bridle, and most of us would prefer to have a saddle between us and the horse’s spine.

Most saddlers will stock a variety of bridles and saddles, along with a selection of different types of bit, depending on the needs of you and your horse. Other tack items available at a good retailer of horse supplies should include halters, cruppers and breastplates. Other horse supplies are more concerned with the horse’s comfort and well-being.

A horse kept stabled will require good quality food, ranging from the traditional hay and oats to more modern pellets and grain mixes. Racehorses and show horses in particular will require very high quality, high energy feed and supplements in order to perform at their peak.

A horse kept outdoors in pasture will also require hay and other feed supplements, especially over winter. A horse kept in pasture will also require a cover to protect it from the elements, and occasionally an additional neck rug.

Even if you are using your horse for everyday hacking rather than competitions, you will still require a few more items in the way of horse supplies. Grooming is a pleasure for both horse and rider, and for this you will require a body brush or dandy brush at the very least.

A hoofpick is also a vital piece of equipment in order to ensure that your horse’s hooves are in good condition and to make sure that the sensitive frog of the hoof is not being damaged by stones or other hard objects.

If you choose to leave your horse “barefoot”, you will still need to care for your horse’s hooves, which sometimes means filing them – which in turn means a specialized file. Stables and fields alike need to be kept clean from droppings, so a good set of implements such as a shovel, a rake and a wheelbarrow are vital, although you do not need to buy these at a specialist horse supplies retailer – any good garden or hardware shop should stock these.

If you wish to use your horse in competitions, you will need further equipment, and extra grooming equipment such as curry combs and hoof oil are just some of the items on your list. A horse trailer is vital for transporting your mount to the location of the competition.

The feet and legs of your horse will need to be protected with brushing boots and/or bandages. As turnout is an important part of many shows and gymkhanas, you will also require a collection of ribbons for braiding into the mane according to competition standards. Western riding, of course, has its own set of equipment and requirements, chief of which is the specialized Western saddle.

Other supplies could be better referred to as “people supplies.” These are the essential items for the rider. The most important of these is the hard hat or helmet, which comes in a range of styles and types, depending on your needs and any showing you hope to be doing.

Jodhpur boots are robust enough to work outdoors in or if a horse accidentally treads on your foot, but are also shaped to slide in and out of the stirrup easily – hiking boots and Wellington boots run the risk of being caught in the stirrup, which can lead to horrific consequences in the case of a fall. These items of protective clothing, plus others, can easily be bought at a good horse supplies retailer.

For more information on horses, try visiting http://www.interestinghorses.com – a website that specializes in providing horse related tips, advice and resources including information on horse supplies.

Author: Candice Sabrina
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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What can we do to get more people involved in horse sports, and educate the public? It saddens me that especially in America people are losing common horse sense.

My pet peeve/most hated stereotype is that horses are elitist and only the rich can participate.
EDIT: Another pet peeve I have is liability. HOW on earth can we educate and involve more people with the ridiculous liability laws we have? This is what bugs me so much about the loss of horse sense. Horses require common sense, the insurance, contracts, liability laws and litigious culture are NOT helping the industry. We need to make horses MORE accessible to open more doors to ownership, protect green ways not just for horse riders but for EVERYBODY, and protect horse owners so that they CAN feel comfortable having the neighborhood kids come over and learn horsemanship.

And Michelle, what crack are you smoking? Come spend a week with my pony on the trails and see how "unhappy" he is. I guess the reason he lets me ride him with no bridle or saddle, or plays tag with me is because I beat the crap out of him.
Michelle C. Thanks for telling it like it is. Don’t you just hate it when you beat and starve your ponies and they still greet you with whinnies and hay bellies?

Just to clarify for the humourless out there, my pony is well loved and taken care of. Sarcasm = the gap between humour and those who don’t get it.

Bouncing Bob was riding a particularly frisky horse when suddenly its bridle came off. As they raced down the road, a screaming Bob clung to the horse’s ears for dear life. Out of the corner of his eye, Bob saw a car coming, and realizing the horse was completely out of control, he panicked. Flailing his arms about, he accidentally caused the horse to come to an abrupt halt. What could Bouncing Bob have done to make the horse stop?

Lately my horse has been running away when im leading him from his field, i dont know why, he never used to do it. I have tried the bridle on him but even that doesnt work. Im planning on buying a chiffney for him.

So, you have a horse crazy child, and you are thinking about getting him or her that first horse. Whether you have experience with horses or not, finding the perfect horse for your child can be like finding a needle in the proverbial haystack. There is no shortage of horses and ponies that are advertised as “kid safe”. Unfortunately, the actual percentage of horses that are truly “kid safe” is very small. Here are some tips on finding that perfect horse or pony that will become a member of your family and take care of your precious little one.

First of all, consider the age and skills of your child. For a very young child who hasn’t had lessons in horsemanship, an older “babysitter” horse is a must. Often there is a misconception that like with puppies, young horses and children can grow up together. A young horse needs the guidance and experience of a trainer or very experienced rider. It takes many months, even years of training to teach a horse his job, and this is something well beyond the scope of an inexperienced child. A “been there, done that” type of horse is much better suited to a young or inexperienced rider.

I initially look for several things when considering a safe, kid’s horse. First of all, the temperament of the horse is crucial. Will he stand tied quietly (for hours) without getting impatient, pulling back, or jumping around? Is he calm under pressure, like loud noises, sudden movements, and being touched all over? He should be easy and safe to saddle, bridle, have his feet handled, easy to catch, and trailer load.

Then I look at his past history. What has he been used for? A horse that has had a lot of miles on him may be a good bet. If he’s been sitting in a pasture for much of his life, he doesn’t have the exposure to the many situations that an old veteran may have. I also look at his age. Not that there can’t be a great kid’s horse that is younger than 6, but it would be much less common. I don’t discount the older horses at all, even the much older horses. My daughters all learned to ride on horses that were 20 years old and older. These horses were worth their weight in gold, and they took care of my girls. In return, we gave them a loving home in their golden years with light work, good feed, and lots of love. We lost the last of these great horses at the ripe old age of 36. The criteria I mentioned before still apply to these older horses; you don’t want one that is highly spirited, and some are, even at 20+years.

Also of equal importance is the horse’s training. “Whoa” is much more important than “Go”. The horse should have a good handle, and he should be easy to stop and steer. A horse that is hard to control is not only frustrating for a child, but dangerous as well.

Then, I look at the overall condition of the horse. Does he have any lameness issues? Some very mild lameness in a kid’s horse wouldn’t necessarily be cause for me to rule him out. A veterinary inspection should be done prior to purchase to rule out any serious health issues. Lastly, and probably most importantly, your child should be comfortable with the horse and you both should feel safe with him. If possible, a trial period of a week or two would be ideal. That way, you can determine if the horse or pony is a good match for your child. I always encourage horsemanship lessons because knowledge and safety are the key to a great relationship with horses. When you find the perfect kid’s horse for your child, you will be amazed at the partnership and bond they will form together, and the peace of mind you will have knowing that your child is being taken care of by his equine friend.

Article written by Adrienne Pietrafeso. Adrienne and her husband Ron own Missing Creek Ranch Cutting Horses, raising, training and showing cutting horses with their three daughters in Colorado. Visit them at http://www.MissingCreekRanch.com

Author: Adrienne Pietrafeso
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Often people are under the misinterpretation that you simply need to control the head in order to control the horse. This is why you need to use a lead rope or bridle in order to teach a horse how to stop and start. However, do you know how you can control a horse if you don’t have a lead rope or bridle? If you have ever spent time chasing a horse around a pasture you have likely wondered this.

You can learn to control you horses mind through a process known as natural horse training. If you control a horses mind there will be no worry about losing control no matter what situation you are in with the horse. Natural training is a specific discipline that has to be done properly in order to achieve success.

When you use the term discipline for natural horse training it is important to realize this doesn’t mean obedience or punishment, but rather means you are focusing on calm compliance from the horse. In order to have a horse that is a good follower you need a trainer that has good discipline and self-control. This way the horse will be able to willingly follow you lead.

To have this done successfully natural horse training requires trainers to focus on developing a pattern and providing the horse with a safe and comfortable environment. This description makes natural training seem easy, but it is actually difficult to become successful with this horse training method.

The first step in this horse training method is to get your horse to pay attention to you. To do this you also need to pay complete attention to your horse and what they do without allowing distractions to get in the way.

Make sure you place yourself in a place where you are able to focus and concentrate. If it isn’t possible to do this for long periods then you should start in small durations of at least ten minutes and then increase the length of time.

It is important to focus on your horse and the feedback they provide. What signals are the ears and eyes sending you? What does their breathing tell you? How is the horse reacting and how does this compare to other times? This will help you to determine what triggers your horse to pay attention to you so you can get them to focus on you and do what you want willingly.

Relaxation and rhythm are the two keys to natural horse training. The moment you go near the horse you need to make sure, you are making rhythmic movements. Even as you approach the stall, you should have relaxed movements. You should also pay careful attention to your breathing. Your horse is going to be carefully watching your actions and if you are tense, they can sense it. This is why relaxation and rhythm are vital should something unusual or unplanned happen later.

When you use these two simple steps, you can start having success with natural horse training. Although you shouldn’t become discouraged if things don’t go well on the first day or week of training. It can sometimes take several months before horses can learn to use a non-predatory system of learning. While the name is natural horse training this doesn’t mean it happens naturally for all trainers and horses.

Sheryll Walker is a horse training enthusiast, helping numbers of people to learn Secrets of Training Horses.

Don’t Wait! Get your hands on the “Natural Horse Training” Videos!

To discover more on Training Horse to do what You want, and learn about natural horse training, visit HorseTrainingHelp.com.

Author: Sheryll Walker
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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