Posts Tagged ‘Different Kinds’

I would like to know what types of hay are the most nutritious for my 10 yr old mustang mare. Growing up, my family had horses, but i never really paid attention to what the different kinds of hay were. This is our first horse of our own, and we want her to stay healthy & happy. Please only answer only if you know what you are talking about. Thanx, Greatly Appreciated.

Keeping your horse warm, healthy, and happy during the winter can be challenging, especially if you live in a climate with extreme cold weather. While temperatures don’t drop too far here in Texas, I have many clients in northern states who struggle to keep their horses fat and sassy during this winter. So this issue is dedicated to horse health care during the winter, including ways to minimize your feed bill and ways to prevent chiropractic issues.

Horse Health Care Basics for Winter
Before diving into the different kinds of horse feed and other tips, I’m going to first cover the basics. These apply year-round, but are especially important before winter sets in. You probably already know about these, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention them so I’ll cover them quickly here.

Teeth: If you horse has not had a float within the last year, it may be time to take him in for a checkup and possibly a float. A horse with sharp points, hooks, or ramps in his mouth tends to drop feed or chew improperly, which can lead to indigestion or colic. More importantly, your horse doesn’t get the most out of his feed and you could end up with unwanted vet bills to treat colic.

Parasites: Going into winter, it’s always a good idea to check your horse for parasites with a fecal test. Even if the fecal test comes back negative, you may want to give your horse a double dose of Strongid-type wormer to take care of tapeworms, which do not show up in a fecal analysis. You can do this up to once a year.

Stress: Horses can quickly lose weight when stressed. Causes of stress are numerous, including extreme physical cold, injuries, hard training, or even changes in living environment. Horses can also be
emotionally stressed by doing a job for which they are not suited or if their living conditions are unsuitable. For instance, a horse that is constantly being picked on by his herd mates won’t have access to
feed, and may not feel like eating.

The Best Horse Feed for Winter
To keep your horse healthy this winter, you need to make sure he is getting enough of the right kind of calories to stay warm, and drinking enough water to keep his digestion functioning properly.

Let’s talk about calories first. If the temperature drops dramatically during the winter in your part of the country, your goal will be to keep your horse warm. The best way to feed your horse to keep him warm
is to increase the fiber in his diet, which includes hay, alfalfa, and beet pulp. Increased fiber keeps a horse warmer than increased grain because the digestion of fiber generates heat. Hay and other kinds of fiber are digested in the horse’s hindgut, or large intestine, which generates much more heat than digestion in the small intestine (where grain is mostly digested).

So increase your horse’s fiber content first to keep him warm. If he loses weight and still needs more calories, consider adding a bit of alfalfa or grain. Up to a cup of corn oil per day will also help keep weight on your horse.

Then there is your horse’s water intake, which is especially important during the winter. Horses tend to drink less in cold weather, since cold water makes them feel colder. If your horse doesn’t drink enough
water to keep his digestion functioning, especially during cold dry weather, he could end up with impaction colic.

There are several ways to increase your horse’s fluid intake during the winter. I like feeding bran mashes made with warm water. Horses love bran mashes and the high water content is great for their digestion. The warm water in the mash also helps your horse feel warmer. You can also offer beet pulp shreds soaked with hot water. Since it can take 30 minutes or more to soak beet pulp, you may need to top up the bucket with hot water before serving it, otherwise it will be cold.

Horse Health Care in Winter: Blankets and Clipping
If you blanket your horse during the winter, choose a blanket that both fits and is made of a lightweight material. A well-fitting blanket does not “pull” across the shoulders, chest, or withers. Most newer blankets are pleated at the shoulder and designed to avoid this tightness over the withers and chest. It’s important to choose a blanket that fits because an ill-fitting blanket, worn all winter, can create chiropractic issues that you will have to solve in the spring.

I also suggest you invest in one of the new blankets made of lightweight materials, as opposed to using older-style canvas blankets. The lightweight material in new blankets allows your horse’s hair to stay fluffy, which keeps him warmer. Older-style blankets tend to flatten your horse’s coat, which will make him feel chilly.

Finally, if at all possible, avoid body clipping your horse. If you must clip your horse’s coat, stick with a hunter clip, which at least leaves your horse with some of his winter coat while still allowing him to work hard without sweating too much.

Madalyn Ward, DVM, is a recognized author and veterinarian in the field of holistic horsekeeping. For free tips on horse health, horse personality types, laminitis, and horse nutrition, plus one-stop shopping on holistic horse products, visit http://www.BuyHolisticHorse.com and her blog at http://blog.horseharmony.com.

Author: Dr. Madalyn Ward, DVM
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Are you looking for horse games to play? You might be an expert equestrian or a non-rider who simply loves horses. In either case, there are many different kinds of games that you can play with your friends. You can even choose between actual games and online horse games.

Club Games

Traditional club games with horses are still quite popular. Of course, games like these would be much more fun if there are actually a lot of you playing it. You can play traditional slow paced races, obstacle jumping or relay games. You can also play contest games to see how well riders have trained their horses to respond to such commands as bend, turn or canter. Equally enjoyable horse games are grooming and horse leading.

You should always remember though that safety should be your priority with actual games. Make sure that the games fit the skill of the riders who are playing and that you have the right space that can accommodate horses at play. Most of all, you should have horse experts around who can readily respond to emergencies.

Online Games

Playing games with real horses can cost a bit of money and time. One alternative for horse lovers would be to play online games instead. There are a great variety of games to play. You can sign up for paid membership so you can have unlimited access to horse games. There are also free sites that will allow you to play online or download games. You also have the option of playing by yourself or playing with other registered players.

Horse games to play online are even more varied than actual horse games. You can settle for simple puzzle, drawing, memory or grooming horse games. You can also opt for more competitive racing or show jumping games in which you choose your own horses and compete with other players.

There are also a great number of complicated horse games. You can pretend for example to be a real horse or stable owner. You can choose which horses to breed, watch new horses being bought or born and increase the number of horses in your stable. You can groom your horses yourself and choose their own equipment. When your horse or horses are all grown up, you can choose to race them or enter them in virtual shows. Different games of course, have varying levels of detail and complexity.

Online horse games are naturally more convenient and safer to play. They also allow you to meet and interact with new people everyday. Some players eventually learn the value of responsibility and organizational skills through these online games.

It would be a good idea to find out what other players think of a particular game first before joining. There are some sites that offer player perspectives on some games. Check these out to discover which games are worth your time.

It can be quite enjoyable to find fun horse games to play. Whether you play online or with members of a club is only a matter of personal preference. Either case, you will equally have a great time.

Click her for more horse news and resources

Author: Terry Powell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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What are horseback riding boots? Horseback riding boots are made to be used for horseback riding. Sounds simple enough, but you need to know the different styles. Did you know that there are different kinds of boots for different types of riding? Historically the riding boot was supposed to be made with higher heels to prevent the foot from slipping. The modern riding boots have low heels although the cowboy boot has a somewhat higher heel than others do. Since you are now finding out that there are different kinds and styles of riding boots, then what boot is right for you?

There are horseback riding boots for show and pleasure riding. There are also taller boots, which come up to just below the knee designed for field, dress and hunting. There is a standard for show apparel although depending on what type of show you and your horse are performing in that may vary. Riding boots can also be worn and are worn by police especially mounted police but have been known to be worn by also motorcycle police in some cases.

Horseback riding boots such as the ones with ankle lacing called field boots are great for shorter stirrups. These boots are used for jumping, jumping for show, hunting fox and event jumping. They generally come in brown or black. The traditional hunt boot comes with a top cuff and usually has a tan cuff with a black boot. The hunt boot is traditional, appropriate and used by male riders.

Horseback riding boots such as a dress boot have no ankle lacing. They are generally a little stiffer than a regular riding boot. Riders in a foxhunt or an event rider wears them. Show jumpers wear this type of boot as well and are traditionally black. These boots are higher on the outside of the knee to protect from injury.

Horseback riding boots known, as “Paddock Boots” are ankle high and primarily used for pleasure riding and every day use. Children for showing horses can also wear these boots. Both paddock boots and field boots have a double layer of leather at the toe of the boot. They have zippers and generally rounder toes and there is still the traditional pull-on style.

Horseback riding boots such as western or cowboy boots have been around forever and still widely used. They are traditionally made of leather but now there are synthetic materials that are worn and can cost thousands of dollars. The quality of leather can vary as well as the hide used. There are western boots made of alligator, snake, ostrich and many other materials as well as the traditional cow hide.

No matter what kind or style riding you might be, doing horseback riding boots can make your ride more comfortable and keep your feet from slipping from the stirrups. Do some shopping around on what is offered and check prices. You can get traditional or have some custom made to your liking. There are also specialty shops that cater to only boots and apparel for riders and horses.

Horseback Riding Can Be A Fun And Safe Hobby, When Done Correctly. Learn The Horseback Riding Essentials From the Comfort Of Home, Before You Go Riding.

Instant Information.

http://www.LearnHorseRiding.com

Author: Fraser Wheaton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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