Posts Tagged ‘Good Horse’

I am planning on either getting an Arabian Horse or Lusitano horse, but havent yet found any. I like to barrel race, jump, and everything in between. Also, if you know of a good horse for sale for an intermdiate – advanced rider, please list them.

I’m wondering about this and i don’t want to go to a farm for lessons with horses that are too advanced or unfit for riding. I would like to know what to look for in picking a horse to ride for a beginner.

Whether you are looking for a new horse or considering breeding or buying young stock, there are certain qualities of a good horse that you should be aware of and look for. Here is a list to consider in order of priority:

1) Temperament.

This is absolutely the most important quality in a good horse. Whether you are a trail rider, dressage rider, hunter/jumper, reiner, barrel racer or just a person on a horse, temperament is key. You can have all the talent in the world, all the looks, all the moves, but without a good temperament, you have nothing. When the going gets tough, the horse with the better temperament is more likely to see the job through.

2) Willingness.

Two months ago I would have put this into the same category as temperament, but recent experiences have taught me otherwise. I just had a horse in training with an amazing temperament. Nice to work around, loves to go new places and do different things, no problems there. But putting her to work was a whole other story – she just didn’t want to work. I didn’t understand it at first, and it took me awhile to figure it out. Although temperament-wise she was a solid character – no bucking, rearing, or bolting, she would have none of working. I have another horse that is hot to trot! Likes to show off and throw a little buck into the mix, just for fun. However, he loves to work! He is excited to come out everyday and try his hardest. That is what makes him a champion, willingness to do the job and work needed of him.

3) Conformation.

This ones a bit tricky and there are exceptions to the rules. Some horses are just made to do the job. They have powerful hind quarters, strong loins, sloping shoulders, straight legs and good neck sets can make a rider’s job a lot easier. Things like solid bone and good feet also help a horse stay sound. Different breeds are designed to accentuate different conformation qualities based on the discipline that breed is made to perform. For example, quarter horses are low set to the ground, are compact in the body and have very powerful hind quarters. They are built for sprinting short distances and fast turns, ideal for working cattle, running barrels and reining.

4) Bloodlines.

Tried, tested and true. For centuries bloodlines carry the genes that indicate successful show horses that go on to reproduce champion after champion. They act as a guide line for qualities you may want in a good horse and there are still risks when buying a young horse based on bloodlines alone, but your odds are considerably better when choosing a performance horse from a proven pedigree than from all the rest.

5) Health

What are the horse’s physical capabilities? Does the horse have endurance, stamina, power, longevity, soundness? There are lots of horses who possess all of the qualities above, but lack the physical soundness to perform to the highest levels of sport. Health can still deteriorate, but with proper nutrition and development your horse is more likely to stay sound and healthy. Other hereditary factors such as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and navicular can stop your horse in his tracks. X-rays can determine these complications and are always recommended when doing a pre-purchase exam.

There are also others factors that make one horse better than the other, but this list is a good guideline to follow when you are looking for or breeding your next performance horse. You will often also see horses that look like camels and donkeys out performing the best of the best. This is because they have the temperament and willingness to do so. Every horse is different, but in the end, a good horse is a good horse and this list of qualities of a good horse will help you find exactly what you desire!

Terry Christoph is an author who writes about a variety of equine topics including dressage, natural horsemanship, barrel racing and the best methods to Sell Horses.

Author: Terry Christoph
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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My mom just got a new horse. She’s sort of a timid rider and he’s super bombproof so they’re perfect for each other. For christmas I want to get her a picture frame with their names on the top and a quote along the bottom. So I am trying to find a quote that can express how compatible they are and how he has enough confidence for both of them. Thanks in advance for the help!

I have a horse that i love alot and i love to give him treats. What are some good ones that i can buy and not have to make? Any sugguestions?
~Thanks~

Unfortunately lameness in horses is part and parcel of horse ownership, at some point in the horse’s life he or she will, most probably, be lame. As part of good horse care, horse owners and riders should familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of equine lameness and be able to decide whether the lameness is likely to be hoof or leg related, or could be attributed to the horse’s back. Any lame horse should always be seen by a Veterinary Surgeon in the first instance, as some limb lamenesses can manifest themselves as a back problem and vice versa. Although the attending Veterinary Surgeon should consider all the signs and symptoms, diagnose the problem and prescribe the correct treatment, the horse owner should know when the horse is lame, however slightly, so as not to make matters worse by keeping the horse in work.

Signs and Symptoms

Obvious signs and symptoms of lameness include wounds, tendon and ligament injuries, heat and swelling or other noticeable injuries to a leg or hoof which will make the horse lame. However sometimes the horse is only slightly lame and it is not easy to tell which leg is affected. In this case you have to look for signs which may be quite subtle.

When a horse is lame in a front leg or a front foot, the following signs may be seen:

• The horse will be reluctant to put its weight on the lame leg.
• On moving, the horse will raise its head as it puts the lame leg to the ground in order to keep as much weight as possible off this leg.
• When it puts the sound leg to the ground it will put extra weight on it and drop its head down as a result.
• This will be more evident when the horse is trotting and may vary from a slight head nod to a pronounced movement up and down of the head and neck.
• So if a horse nods its head when the right foreleg hits the ground it will probably be lame in the left foreleg.
• The horse may take a slightly shorter stride with one foreleg.
• The horse may not place a front foot normally.

When a horse is lame in a hind leg or hind foot the following signs may be seen:

• The horse may rest the lame leg and not want to take the weight onto it.
• When watched from behind, particularly in trot, the horse will raise the hip of the lame leg higher than the hip of the sound leg.
• The horse’s hip will appear to dip when the sound leg hits the ground.
• The horse may take a shorter stride with one hind leg.
• Limb or foot placement may not be normal.
• The horse may catch or drag a hind toe.

Hind limb lameness is more difficult to see so an additional test may be required, such as:

• Turning the horse in tight circles to both the left and the right will show whether the horse is reluctant to take his weight on a particular hind leg.

Differential diagnosis

It is said that a large proportion of all equine lameness is in the foot. Indeed most Vets will start at the hooves and work their way up the leg when investigating any lameness in horses.

However, when the most pronounced symptom is a shortening of the stride length with one foreleg it is not easy to tell whether the lameness is lower leg or not, and, horse owners often mistakenly believe this to be shoulder lameness. In the absence of a head nod, and particularly when riding, a shortened stride can feel like the shoulder is stiff and not swinging forwards freely. But, shoulder lameness in horses is quite rare so the hoof and leg should always be investigated first.

When it comes to hind legs it is even harder to tell as four legged animals are very good at disguising hind limb lameness.

The “hip hike” or dropping of one hip is almost always confused with a back or pelvic problem, as is a shortened stride or dragging of the hind toes. But these symptoms can equally be attributed to problems in the hock, stifle, hind suspensory ligaments and others structures, as well as being related to the horse’s back. So the first port of call should always be your Vet.

As a very general rule of thumb, a back problem usually causes an alteration in gait patterns or stride length, or a behavioural or equitation problem rather than a limp – however slight. If your horse is limping or head nodding it is probably hoof or leg related.

Find out more information on how to assess your horse’s movement: see – looking after your horse’s back.

Jill Firth is a lecturer in Animal and Equine Science and a qualified and experienced McTimoney Animal Therapist working with many of the Vets throughout Yorkshire. Visit Jill’s Back In Balance website.

Author: Jill Firth
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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I am looking for a good horse to buy. I need one that I can ride english and is gentle and kind. Any advice? Please?

Im thinking about buying a horse, but i have 49 to choose from. i have never bought a horse by myself and im not sure how to pick one. I want a horse that im going to be happy with but i don’t know what to look for to find a horse that i like and will be good for me since i have not spent much time with it. Ill be using this horse for pleasure and a mild amount of riding. So i need tips on things to look for in a good,assertive,kind horse.