Posts Tagged ‘Horse Lovers’

"Fit" horse, "average" desert (hot, flat, sandy). Writing a scene in a novel that I hope won’t make horse-lovers go "That could never happen!" Any other thoughts/tips/reality-checks about riding in the desert would be helpful! Thanks!

The fact is that most of us horse lovers don’t groom our horses
properly. This could be due to lots of things – time,
motivation, circumstances etc. What we need to realise is that
time with our horse is bonding time. Remember that in the wild,
horses groom each other and that’s the basis for their
relationships with each other. If we don’t take the trouble to
groom our horses properly, then we can’t expect to forge the
bonds we want between us and if this doesn’t happen then we
can’t expect the partnership benefits we look for either. If we
take the time, if we have the patience, if we use the right
techniques AND the right products, then we’ll forge a bond of
trust between us and our horses that will last forever.

Domesticated horses rely on humans to provide the opportunity
for skin care, unlike the wild horse where they have the
opportunity to groom each other! Grooming should be
incorporated into the daily routine of owning and managing your
horse to maintain its health and happiness. This practice
increases the circulation to the skin, releasing necessary oils
that promote a vibrant and lustrous coat. Daily grooming allows
the coat to be shed gradually, easing the burden of trying to
remove long hair and excess dead skin. A horse that is worked
regularly should be thoroughly and properly groomed at all
times.

Grooming not only allows us to give our horses a shiny, short,
healthy coat, it also gives us the opportunity to go over our
beautiful animals from head to toe, to notice any abnormalities
such as cuts, wounds, irritations, fevers that your horse may
have developed. The H-10 product range for first aid, H-10
Ointment and Spray is perfect to treat these problems.

Stages Of Grooming part 3

Rugging & Rugs.

Rugging – Horses should be rugged according to their
environment, season, level of work, feeding patterns and
whether they are stabled or kept in a paddock. Rugging
practices must be taken into account when you are caring for
the health and happiness of your horse.

Poor rugging practices create a source of discomfort for your
horse and can often be cruel. An owner may not see it as
intentional act, however keeping your horse rugged all the
time, irrespective of temperature changes can be highly
irresponsible, i.e. leaving heavy weight rugs on in winter
temperatures that are still in the mid twenties!
Horses are mammals, and all mammals to remain healthy must be
able to maintain their body temperature within a narrow range
to avoid metabolic problems. Certainly they can feel the cold
like us; however they compensate for this by growing a coat in
winter and then fluffing it if necessary, so trapping air to
create extra warmth. But horses can also get very hot!

Horses, like us humans sweat to keep themselves cool. However,
the evaporative cooling effects of sweating won’t work
effectively if a horse has a rug on. Overheating can lead to
issues such as Heat Stress if your horse or horses cannot lose
enough body heat due to impeding rugs. This in turn can lead to
health problems such as dehydration, loss of electrolytes, lack
of Vitamin D and possibly even to an inability to sweat!
Therefore, if you feel hot so too will your horse!

Do not try and substitute grooming for rugging and always take
a practical and sensible approach to rugging! Good feed and
hard work along with this sensible approach to rugging will
assist you and your horse maintain a healthy coat throughout
the year. Remember, rugging is no substitute for adequate food
in keeping your paddocked horse in top condition in winter, or
in giving horses in work greater performance.

Rugs & Rug Types – A good horse rug should fit properly and be
suitably lined on the shoulders to avoid rubbing. There is an
array of rugs ranging from heavy canvas to ultra lightweight
cotton or satin fly sheets. A standard canvas paddock rug is
waterproof and lined. Lighter fabrics can be used for paddocks
and can be bought as a rip stop product. Quilted and fibre
filled rugs are also available and price will always reflect
quality! Tail and neck pieces on some rugs are added for
protection and warmth. Wool or wool/synthetic mixtures are used
for stable rugs or blankets.

Hoods also come in a variety of materials for both paddock use
and stable use. They should also be used sensibly and fitted
accordingly to the horse’s size, and should be secured properly
to the rug.

This is part 3 of the course and we hope that you’ve enjoyed
it.

This course is co-written by Geoff Roberts & Michael Glenn who run H-10 Australia, a company specialising in the supply of quality horse grooming & associated products. http://www.h-10.com.au If you want to sample a chapter from the life of a world famous horse trainer and learn some of his secrets for free go here: [http://www.h-10.com.au/beery/index.htm]

Author: Geoffrey Roberts
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Electric Pressure Cooker

The Dressage Arena

Inside the arena is one of the most difficult moments at a competition for both the rider and the horse. The time immediately before entering the arena is the most crucial. You hope that the horse has worked is ready to do its best. But it is very easy for the horse to switch off between the warming-up area and the competition arena. You have to be alert with particularly young or inexperienced horses and ponies. They will be wary of any new arena, and may well lose their confidence and concentration when entering this new place.

In training, frequently give your horse an opportunity to switch off, then find ways of bringing it back to attention. This is beneficial at competitions, when you will need to bring the horse back again to do its best following a break. When you are about to enter the arena, try, as quickly as possible, to bring the horse correctly on the aids again. This is another situation where as the rider and trainer, you need to really know your horse.

With young horses or a pony it is vital that the rider treat the competition arena as a training ground. If the horse does something unacceptable, it has to be corrected (as he would be at home). If the horse get the idea that you, as the rider will allow him to misbehave in the arena, the horse’s behaviour or the pony’s behaviour, will gradually get worse. Some novice riders think that they must do nothing in the arena. The equestrian dressage, however, will realize that if something is going wrong it needs to be corrected immediately.

Now that both rider and horse have entered the arena, they should make sure that the horse’s boots or bandages are removed and your rider’s jacket is buttoned up. Have a few calming thoughts, then you are off!

And Finally

Wherever you are placed at the end of the event, remember dressage competitions are a test of the horse’s training and provide an opportunity to receive expert observations of an independent judge.

Frequently a rider will be thrilled with a fairly low placing in a test in which the horse did its best and showed improvements. On the other hand, another rider may be unhappy with a winning test that he did not consider to be that good. Winning may be the well-deserved regard for all the time and patience put into systematically training a horse, but it should not in itself be the primary aim. If the performance of the horse or pony was disappointing, do not automatically blame the horse or pony. Instead, try to view the test dispassionately; try to see the good points as well as the bad. Think about what you could have done better, and how you will improve next time.

It is very important that the principles of sound training (dressage) are clearly understood by riders, teachers and judges.

Training should be kept as simple and clear as possible, with no secret about the correct thing to do – just dedication on your part. I hope that this article will help make the life of your horse or your horses more comfortable. As I wish you good riding and happy horses.

Sonia is a book reviewer, coach and author. Equestrian dressage is about techniques, competing, tack, horse riding, caring for your horse and more.

Refer to:

http://dressage.ebooksgain.com

in support of more exciting and appealing information on your passion!

Author: Sonia Dixon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Beading Necklace

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
How Electric Pressure Cookers Work

Horse lovers are definitely becoming more educated about horse ulcers. This growing awareness is wonderful because it means great relief for horses who have suffered from ulcers, sometimes for years.

Because of the expanding number of horse owners who are aware of ulcers, I often get questions about how to prevent ulcers, especially in specific situations. In this article I’m going to answer three of the most prevalent questions.

People want to know how to prevent ulcers if their horse is:

- going on antibiotic therapy
- must be confined due to an injury or illness
- heading into training for the first time (especially young horses)

These are all great questions, and each has a different answer.

#1: How to Prevent Horse Ulcers during Antibiotic Therapy

As much as I try to avoid it, sometimes antibiotic therapy is necessary, especially with acute conditions or serious injuries. As you probably already know, antibiotics kill off the “friendly bacteria,” or probiotics, that live in your horse’s gut. These friendly bacteria are an important part of your horse’s digestion, and form a first line of defense against foreign invaders that cause illness. Acidophilus is the probiotic that lives in your horse’s small intestine while bifidus lives in the large intestine.

A healthy population of these bacteria keeps your horse’s food in his gut, preventing food from leaking into the bloodstream, which can ultimately cause allergies, food sensitivities, and a host of other chronic conditions. As you can see, antibiotic therapy can seriously affect a horse’s health and the functioning of his digestion. All of this can ultimately lead to horse ulcers.

The educated horse owner, knowing all this, then asks the following:

a. Do you feed digestive support products like probiotics during antibiotic therapy, or after the course of antibiotics is complete?
b. Do you feed prebiotics, probiotics, or both to prevent horse ulcers? (Prebiotics are substances that serve as “food” for the probiotics in your horse’s gut)
c. Which brands of prebiotics or probiotics are best?

These are all good questions about preventing horse ulcers, and the answers are simple.

a. It never hurts to feed prebiotics and probiotics during the course of antibiotics. Feeding probiotics after your horse completes the course of antibiotics is a must.
b. To replenish your horse’s population of probiotics and prevent horse ulcers, I prefer products that include both prebiotics and probiotics.
c. Fastrack is one popular brand that includes both prebiotics and probiotics, with the paste form being more powerful than the powdered form. If your horse has only been on a short course of antibiotics (one week or less), Fastrack may be strong enough to replenish your horse’s gut with probiotics. If you horse has been on antibiotics for longer or has had digestive issues in the past, the Simplexity Essentials are a better choice. The Essentials are daily packs of supplements that include not only acidophilus, bifidus, and enzymes, but also two forms of blue-green algae. This special kind of blue-green algae acts powerfully to heal any ulcers that may be forming.

#2: How to Prevent Horse Ulcers if Your Horse Must be Confined

Depending on your horse’s personality type, confinement can either be restful or stressful. For instance, the super-competitive Wood horse can easily develop ulcers from sheer restlessness and boredom, while the laid back Earth horse may do fine with confinement so long as plenty of food is present. Find out more about each of the Five-Element horse personality types at the Horse Harmony website and test your horse’s personality type at no cost at the Horse Harmony Test website.

Having said that each personality type responds differently to confinement, there are three general guidelines you can follow to prevent horse ulcers for any equine who has to be confined for an extended length of time:

- cut back on grain-type feeds – increase the amount of hay you feed – feed herbal supplements like Relax Blend from Equilite or Omega Sun blue-green algae from Simplexity

Cutting back on your horse’s grain-type feeds will ensure that he isn’t bursting with excess energy that he has no way to release. The extra hay will provide hours of entertainment since horses were meant to eat all day long. In addition, the hay also forms a fibrous mat in the upper part of your horse’s stomach, which acts as a buffer against the acid produced in the lower stomach. If this buffer is not present because your horse isn’t getting enough hay, he could develop stomach ulcers if the acid from the lower stomach contacts the upper stomach.

Finally, the Relax Blend from Equilite or the Omega Sun blue-green algae from Simplexity will keep your horse in a relaxed and calm state. When your horse is relaxed he is operating from his parasympathetic nervous system, which is the nervous system associated with relaxation, rejuvenation, and healing.

#3: How to Prevent Horse Ulcers if Your Horse is Going into Training

Many horses going into a training program for the first time will develop stomach ulcers because they are under stress. If this is the case for your equine friend, the best way to prevent horse ulcers is to keep him relaxed and to provide plenty of probiotic support.

For calm horses, daily doses of Fastrack should provide enough probiotic support to prevent ulcers. For horses with a more intense or nervous personality, the Simplexity Essentials would be more suitable. The Essentials are more nutrient-dense, and provide more probiotics per serving than Fastrack. It’s important to provide probiotic support because probiotics are the bacteria that produce B-vitamins in your horse’s body. B-vitamins are known to have a calming effect, which both reduces your horse’s stress level and helps prevent horse ulcers.

Finally, if you think your horse is going to be really stressed by his training program, consider adding two capsules of Eleviv to his daily regimen. Eleviv is an herbal product that helps keep horses functioning from the parasympathetic, or calm, nervous system. Eleviv can have a dramatic effect on certain horses for whom probiotic support is not enough.

Horse Ulcers: Not the Same in Every Situation

As this article amply demonstrates, horses can be stressed by any number of life situations. Horse ulcers are often the result of that stress. I hope this article helps you navigate these stressful situations more easily, and prevent horse ulcers in the process. There is so much more that could be discussed about horse ulcers, their prevention, and their treatment, so I’m sure I’ll be writing more about them in the future.

Author: Dr. Madalyn Ward, DVM
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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♥Horse rider, bare back jumper♥ asked:

hi horse lovers just wanted to know some horse care tips so does anyone no some???? i really need all the help i can get!!!!!!!!!!!!