Posts Tagged ‘Few Days’

Few things are as exciting as the morning of a competition; the air is crisp as you prepare your horse early in the morning. This day marks the culmination of years of training and hard work. You can feel the butterflies fluttering in your stomach as the anticipation and excitement builds up.

Equestrian events have become increasingly popular in recent times. Show jumping and dressage used to be reserved for the very rich as they were highly expensive and exclusive sports, but equestrian events have become more accessible to the general public and an ever increasing number of fans avidly follow their human and equine champions.

The grounds of the facility should be large enough to cater to the many elements involved in an equestrian competition. Trailers, horses and spectators must be catered for. The competition grounds must conform to strict specifications and safety standards. Arena grounds must adhere to international standards concerning dimensions and the materials used on the grounds.

There has to be an area for the spectators to be comfortably seated during the event and a refreshment area which offers light snacks and drinks. As many equestrian events are held over the the period of a few days, participants and spectators should be able to find suitable lodging close to the facility.

The centre has to be accessible so competitors and spectators can find it easily. A central location is ideal as it can become a permanent base for your horse if you compete on a regular basis.

Properly run grounds are essential if outbreaks of equine diseases and viruses are to be avoided. If you’re thinking of competing but visit the centre only to find it is disorganized and unhygienic you should consider withdrawing your entry, imagine how it will be like on competition day? The last thing you want to do is to take your horse into an unhealthy environment.

Management should be experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of event organisation for the event to go as smoothly as possible. Competitions should be enjoyable for competitors and spectators alike.

Very few equestrian centres are capable of hosting international events efficiently so always try to find out about a facility before entering a competition. This can be done by phoning ahead and asking questions or by taking the time to visit the facility if possible. Most equestrian centres have websites with information about their facility which makes your research easier.

Stal Amani is a top equestrian centre based in Belgium within 2 hours drive of most of the top jumping and dressage competitions in Europe. At Stal Amani we specialise in training riders and horses to compete in top level competition. Find out more about training and stabling your horse at Stal Amani by going to http://www.stalamani.com

Author: Josie Amani
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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I’m going out of town for just a few days overnight. I’ve never left my horses before and need to find someone to care for them while I’m gone. I’ve seen some ads for horse/farm sitters, but what questions do I ask the person, and how do I find out if they are reliable and trustworthy?

If you are one of those owners who owns a horse that has developed the idea that quality time spent involves the owner lovingly chasing after it whilst it playfully avoids being caught. We know your pain.

There is nothing more frustrating than having to wander after your horse in the attempt of catching it. Spending most of your time out in the paddock instead of out riding with friends.

However the correction of this is not as simple as we would like it to be. Placing a horse in a smaller paddock or leaving a halter on will not always make matters better, the same as locking a horse up in a stable could lead it to kicking.

The unwillingness to be caught is a vice the same as any other developed or acquired vices a horse may develop. It has a cause and often runs hand in hand with two other bad habits.
These being the likely hood of bolting and the unresponsive horse. It is very rarely that a well-behaved and responsive horse will run off when it is time to work.

We explored ways of correcting these problems as well as how to get your horse to be more willing to be caught.

A horse turning tail and heading for the far side of a paddock is the first warning that somewhere something in its basic training seriously went wrong. It now associates the human with bad or often painful experiences. The first step to take is to change your horses routine, no riding for a few days, place the horse on three meals a day (divide daily ration into three) and bring it in for lunch, it will soon enough realize that there is food involved. If needed take your horses’ friend or companion in as well. This way your horse will not necessarily associate mid day captures with riding. Also capturing your horse mid morning and moving it to another pasture with “better” grazing will help, as your horse will not always associate being caught with work and punishment.

Learn too approach your horse with a less demanding front. Just walk up to it and spend some time with it, approach the shoulder and not the head. By showing your horse you are not out to get it every time you see it goes a long way to developing a relaxed relationship.

Most horses that run off know only frustration and often anger when they are finally caught. Show your horse you can be a nice person by taking it a snack and walking off. It will soon start looking out for you and often may even start following you. Horses want calm and confidant owners and riders.

Once the horse is more willing to be caught a handful of food in a manger will suffice in keeping it happy. (Bribery works)

Horses prone to being irritated or bolting off whilst ridden usually require a lot more work than a simple change of routine. Please do not confuse irritation under saddle with a hot horse. A hot horse is willing to work, it responds and will listen and conserve its energy for when it is needed. An irritated horse is unlikely to stand still or respond to aids when asked, an irritated horse will also run through aids and is less likely to balance itself or its rider. These two are often confused.

A bolting or irritated horse associates pain and punishment with work and therefore has no interest in responding positively to a riders aids. These horses require patience and experience. All to often they are bitted up in an attempt to slow them down when in fact they require the opposite. Bitted down and schooled with patience without a whip. These horses are often sold as horses for competent and experienced riders and often marketed cheaper than their actual worth.

Horses who do little or are unresponsive under saddle, and are difficult to catch are often overworked. They know there is work to be done and will avoid it at all costs. And when ridden will drag their toes or shuffle about. These horses require a change of workload or alternatively a holiday turned out in a pasture for a month or so with younger horses (visit him or her everyday with a treat) He or she needs to learn how to become a horse again. Its workload needs adjusting with some variation included.

Catching an unwilling horse often means working at eliminating the cause. And horses that are unwilling to be caught, have issues that need to be resolved, before positive results will be seen.

Kate Hinton is CEO of ThatHorse.com which is a one stop shop for everything equine. She is also the author of ‘The Essential Guide to Selling Your Horse’ which is a must have if you are looking to sell a horse. Visit http://www.horse-selling-guide.com to purchase your copy today!

Author: Kate Hinton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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