Posts Tagged ‘horse ownership’

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
Import duty tariff

Owning a horse is a great opportunity and one that comes with a hefty weight of responsibility. Unfortunately many owners don’t think before they leap into purchasing a horse, resulting in a negative experience for both the horse and the owner. Even owners that have experience with the privilege of horse ownership may sometimes find it is a bit overwhelming.

The following are some basic strategies and tips for horse owners and especially potential horse owners to consider to make the experience positive and healthy. By avoiding these common pitfalls your relationship with your horse will be much better both short and long term.

The Right Horse for the Job.

Many horse owners make the mistake of buying a horse out of emotion. Perhaps it is that beautifully marked yearling or the grand champion that has just come on the market that becomes your “must have” horse. While both of these horses may be a good choice, they both may also be horrible choices as well. It is essential to have someone that knows horses with you to make a purchase and consider what you want the horse for before becoming an owner.

Horses have natural abilities and things that they aren’t so good at. While breeding does definitely factor in, there are going to be some horses that just aren’t suited for the type of riding you want to do regardless of their lineage, breed characteristics or how their dam or sire performed. Taking an honest look at the level of skill required to ride the horse or provide training in relation to your skill as a rider is a very important step. Never take on a horse that is more horse than you can handle or that you feel comfortable in riding. This almost always results in a horse for sale or a horse left out in the pasture with no interaction at all.

Priorities: Is The Horse At The Top?

If you aren’t committed to making your relationship with your horse a priority in your life then horse ownership is not a good idea. The owner has to make the effort, every day, to interact with the horse. This can include cleaning stalls, grooming, feeding and of course riding. Training that includes the basics as well as more advanced levels if you want to enhance your skills requires practice, a bond of trust with your horse and a development of a team mentality.

Specific types of training such as horse gymnastics training can be used to help develop these skills and this teamwork. However, the owner must be prepared to learn as well, you can’t have someone else train your horse, you have to be the one to work with the horse and learn the aids and riding techniques.

Long Term Commitment

Owning a horse is not a short term commitment. Horses can live to be twenty plus years, and will need to stay active, engaged and cared for throughout their entire life. Knowing that you are willing and able to commit to these magnificent animals as both a rider and an owner for their entire life is essential before bringing one home.

Keeping your horse health with the correct food, shelter, exercise and routine vet care is also important. Not only does the ownership experience include your commitment physically and mentally to the horse, it will also require significant financial support as well. If you can make this commitment you won’t be disappointed and your horse ownership experience will be positive and one you certainly wouldn’t trade for anything.

Cathy Barrea is an award winning trainer and creator of Gymnastics for Horses. Her career spans over 35 years, during which time she has traveled the United States and Canada showing, training and teaching students and horses.

Author: Cathy Barrea
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
US Dollar credit card

If you already have an entrance into the joys and skills of horseback riding, the thought of owning your own horse has surely crossed your mind by now. Many people say horses are addictive, and after they get into your blood, it’s impossible to get them out. Owning a horse, however, is a serious step to take, and if you aren’t ready, I hope you will know it by the end of this article, and have the wisdom to forebear owning a horse for which you aren’t ready.

You’ve probably already come up with your own list of advantages of horse ownership. You can ride when you wish, and the entire well-being of your horse is in your hands. The riding and the pride of ownership, however, is the easy part. A horse is a much greater responsibility than a cat or a tank of fish.

Owning a horse is still expensive to most people, and the cost of buying the animal is only the first expense. Your yearly tab will include the cost of food, a farrier to shoe or trim your horse’s hooves, the vet, and the riding equipment. Depending, however, on your home surroundings, you may find it will either cost extra or save some money to keep your horse at boarding stable for a monthly fee.

The costs involved in owning a horse would be halved if only it were a matter of a cash outlay. In fact, it also requires a significant dedication of time and effort spent with your animal.

If you will be stabling your horse, you’re the one feeding, grooming, and cleaning the stall. The later task will be absolutely essential to a healthy, not to mention happy family members and neighbors. Your horse will depend on you for every necessity including its food, water, companionship, and, of course, exercise. It’s inevitable, then, that you make your horse a priority in your new life. You may have to forgo some of those invitations to parties and hanging with friends as you had in the past. Kicking back after work may not happen as quickly with an animal that’s waited for your company all day. The weather might be unpleasant for days on end, but you will still need to exercise your horse. When it’s time for vacation, you’ll have to arrange for a horse sitter while you are away. The space on which your horse boards will need upkeep from time to time. Bear in mind, too, that most horses have a life span of 30 years or more. For the duration of years left of your horse’s life, you will be the one to feed, water, care and exercise him most everyday.

Before you say yes to owning a horse, think long and hard about whether you really want to take all this on. A horse is a wonderful animal to add to your life, but it is a large animal with a range of specific, often daily needs. I would not want anyone to have to give up the pleasure of horseback riding. You may already be aware of some of the alternatives to ownership including horse sharing, horse loaning, or horse leasing. Read through these words several times. Then, if you can, come up with your own list of reasons a horse of your own would be so worth the added financial and personal responsibilities.

Tanya Vorgan believes in the easiest way to learn — to teach others as she is learning. Her many interests have lead her to many exciting experiences, but sometimes nothing compares to the richness of quiet moments in which to reflect and grow. Tanya is also among those committed to the never-ending quest for the perfect cup of coffee, which for her begins with the best bar none Bunn coffee makers.

If you already own a Bunn, always use Bunn coffee filters to prevent overflow and to remove all chances of a bitter or papery taste in your coffee.

Author: Tanya Vorgan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Lowest Price Prototype PCB Assembly

Lately, there has been a lot of discussion about horses that have been left neglected and starving due to gas prices, costs backyard breeding and other factors. As I thought of this, I realized that many people do not really sit and think about all that is involved in owning a horse. First of all, a horse is not a dog or a cat. You can not keep a horse in your house. A horse is generally kept in some sort of barn.

Second, there are completely different expenses with a horse. When your dog, cat, gerbil, hamster, or what have you gets sick, you put it in a carrying cage and take it to the vet. This is not the case with horses. Either the vet has to come to you and charges for a vet call or you have to load the horse into a trailer and truck the horse to the equine hospital. In order to do this, you must make sure you have certain supplies to be able to safely trailer the horse. You will need a lead rope, halter and probably a blanket to truck the horse. If you do not own your own trailer, you will have to pay someone to ship the horse to the veterinary clinic.

Third, There is certain protective equipment a horse needs which other animals don’t. Things such as leg wraps, fly masks, and protective boots just to name a few. Also, a horse needs to have his horses professionally done by a farrier. Many horses also need some sort of shoes whether they are weighed shoes or protective plates. Some horses need corrective shoeing. You can not clip a horse’s nails like you do a dog or cat. Now, you have a shoeing bill.

Further, when you walk your dog, you can wear whatever you want, however, this is not the case with riding or working a horse. You will have to have certain types of riding apparel to ride your horse. This includes boots, jods, gloves and protective helmets. All of these items are strictly for the protection of you and your horse. Again, there are other types of equipment that are necessary such as lunge lines, bitting rigs, bridles, carts etc. All of these things can get very costly.

These ideas are just food for thought when considering buying a horse. We did not cover the cost of feed, bedding and monthly board. I also did not cover costs incurred in breeding horses. Those will be covered at a later date. Before, you consider buying a horse, research very carefully all that is involved in the cost and care of owning a horse. Research at your local library, talk to people, and go to some local barns to get some general ideas.

Horse ownership is a very serious commitment as you can not take the horse to the local humane society if you decide it isn’t going to work out. Maybe if more people would take the time to really consider the true costs of owning a horse, there wouldn’t be so many horses starving and the need for so many rescue horse associations. We all love these animals, but owning a horse is a very serious decision and much thought should go into it.

Nina Kraus

Author: Nina Kraus
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Unix inter-process communication (IPC)

So you’ve gone through the process of lessons and leasing. Your child is certain they will keep up their riding, and you are happy that your child has a hobby and a responsibility that they are assuming without hassle or argument.

There’s a ‘magic’ place where you know your child is at that point where they are not just horse crazy. If they:

- hang out at the barn more than home,
- talk about the horses more than school friends,
- spend countless hours trying to braid a forelock,
- have picked out colors for blankets, saddle pads and boots,
- and they jump on their mounts bareback and wander off into the sunset,

then you can be sure that this is the life for them at this juncture.

That was the easy part.

Finding a pony or horse that gives your child hours of fond memories and experiences can be a daunting task. Let’s look at the difference between pony ownership and horse ownership.

Ponies

Ponies have had a bad reputation ever since we domesticated them. While many people believe it’s just pony breeds in general, there are many good ponies of all breeds that have no vices and pack their little riders around like an old schoolmaster. Those who breed ponies will also tell you that ponies’ vices are a product of humans misunderstanding.

There are sound reasons why ponies misbehave and get vices. Pony owners tend to treat them and train and discipline them differently than horses. They get pampered more, and fed by hand more often. Because they are cute and cuddly, it is often overlooked that they are in the horse family, and have all the same abilities to become aggressive and dangerous, the same as horses.

Because they are small, it is difficult to retrain them if they need it. Most riders competent enough to retrain are too big for ponies. Unless you can find someone small and skilled, the pony usually gets a very long vacation, or the auction mart. Therefore little children are often left to deal with the pony’s vices, which only leads to more problems and more mistakes made.

Ponies are also subject to abuse from their small riders. They are often mishandled, kicked around and suffer mouth damage, eventually turning the pony ‘sour’ and evasive to catch and work.

As for personalities, most breeders will tell you that ponies are actually one of the quieter and better mannered mounts for children, and I have to agree. When you find a good pony, they are worth their weight in gold. Bad ponies are the fault of mishandling and spoiling, more so than breeding.

Is a Pony Right For Your Child?

Before you go looking for a pony check with your child to make sure THEY want a pony. Does their instructor recommend a pony or is the child able to handle a small horse?

When deciding on a pony, always remember that it will be outgrown before a horse would, in size and performance abilities. If keeping the pony for life will not be possible, just remember that one day your child and pony will likely have to split up.

Ponies should be bought to fit the child right away, as larger ponies may become too difficult for the child to handle, and the child/horse relationship will be lost. Never buy a pony a child can grow into.

What is The Right Pony?

Pretty is in the eye of the beholder, so before you start looking at show ponies and fall for the fancy, clipped and groomed one, there are many backyard ponies who may give you years of serviceability.

The pony should have ample experience to deal with a fairly new rider. Ponies under the age of 10 may not always have the time in to be able to handle their new responsibilities. Often the best pony is older and has had more experience with life. Ponies can spook, shy and bolt just as easily as a big horse. They’re just a little closer to the ground.

Show Ponies

Many ponies have moved from home to home, babysitting and teaching young students the basics of horsemanship. Show ponies tend to fit that description. They are bought to bridge the time of deciding whether a horse is in the future for your child. Show ponies have the training for at least one discipline, and most are able to pin a ribbon at the local shows. The majority of show ponies are registered purebreds, are better disciplined, and have been exposed to travel, bathing, clipping and being fussed over. Because of their reliability and scarcity, they will cost more, but may be easier to sell in the future.

Is The Pony A Backyard Or Boarded Pony?

Backyard ponies tend to have more freedoms and often mingle with other animals and horses. If this is the case, make sure that one of the virtues your new pony has, is the ability to be caught easily. Ponies that can’t be caught can’t be ridden, and children often give up on animals they can’t get near.

Boarded ponies can often live in isolation. Because they are small, they are often left in stalls, with the false belief that they do not need the outside turn out as a big horse would. Being small has nothing to do with tossing aside the need of movement or herd instincts. Keeping ponies in a stall can be a cruel form of loving. They are often too short to see over the stall walls, and their movement is limited to circling. Remember; they have the same instincts as horses, and can get depressed and aggressive when treated improperly. Ponies (as well as horses), need the ability to run and move forward every day. Forward movement allows the stretching of muscles and keeps joints working. Circling does not do this as well.

If you have to board your pony, ensure it is treated with the same dignity as any large animal. Movement and the company of the herd are necessary for a pony’s physical and mental well being.

Choosing a Horse

Horses come in all sizes, and that’s good news for beginners. Any horse over 14.2 hands high is considered a horse. Let’s go over the pros and cons of horse ownership.

Pros

1. Horses have greater flexibility to learn new disciplines, as they are larger and can be ridden and retrained by a professional.
2. A child can outgrow a pony faster than a horse.
3. Finding a good horse can be easier than finding a good pony. There are simply more to choose from.
4. Parents can ride the horse.

Cons

1. They are larger. This can be intimidating at first, if the child has a bad experience early in the relationship.
2. They eat more.
3. They require larger trailers, saddles, blankets, bridles…

As for vet costs, horses and ponies are pretty much equal. When it comes time to resell them, you may make or lose money on either, depending upon age and abilities of horse or pony during time of sale.

(On that side note: it has been my experience that a good pony will retain it’s value throughout most of it’s lifetime, even as it gets older. Horses seem to peak in their mid teens and then drop in value. A 17 year old pony with show capabilities is likely going to sell for the same price as when it was 8. A 17 year old horse may drop each year. This may be because it’s harder to find a good pony (market demand) and that ponies are often bought with short term use in mind.)

I’ll be saying this a lot throughout this series: “It costs the same to feed a good horse as it does a bad horse.” Keep that mantra in your head when looking at ponies and horses.

April Reeves
Clinician, Instructor, Trainer
http://www.HorsemansU.com

Author: April Reeves
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital economy, mobile technology

I love to hear my horse whinny to me. The sound of his satisfied munching is another reward I find in horse ownership. Of all the things we enjoy doing for our horses, feeding can be one of the most emotionally rewarding. Sometimes we can be guilty of “over-kill” when it comes to feeding our horse.

 

In order to avoid causing damaging imbalances when feeding our horse we need to calculate the nutrients the horse is receiving from his basic feed ration in the first place. Once that is established then a decision to add supplements to his diet can be made. Supplements can be beneficial to our horses if they need them. Overloading nutrients can be harmful when we are feeding our beloved equines and must be avoided.

 

When feeding our horse we must not overlook the significance of availability of fresh water at all times. Having access to fresh clean water will reduce the chances of impaction colic. This is very important for horses kept mainly on dried forage. The horse will drink more often if he is offered fresh clean water. This will help prevent dehydration in the horse also. In cold weather heated water will encourage horses to keep drinking water. Heaters for water tanks are available commercially that keep the drinking water at a palatable temperature. This will encourage them to drink more water during cooler weather. Often decreased water consumption as the temperatures drop can lead to colic.         

 

Another consideration if you have more than one horse make sure there is more than one source for water and easily accessible to all of the horses. When feeding more than one horse sometimes horses will bully others. More than one water source can help this situation.

 

When feeding horses we must not overlook salt. Sodium and chloride (salt) is essential to many bodily functions.  Not naturally present in grasses and grains salt is a vital nutrient that we need to add to our horses’ diet. Horses lose salt when sweating and it is necessary for it to be replaced. A block of salt may be placed in your horses pasture. It will be available to him when he needs it. If the horse has a balanced diet a mineralized salt block will not be necessary when adding salt to his diet.  In the winter additional salt (no more than a tablespoon) to your horse’s food at night will encourage drinking as nighttime temperatures drop. This can aid in preventing colic that sometimes occurs as temperatures become cold outside.

 

If given an opportunity horses will consume the salt they need. Horses have a natural appetite for it. Sometimes horses kept in stalls will get bored and consume too much salt. There is a solution for this. When feeding such a horse loose salt, an ounce or two may be added to the diet. Table salt may be used if the horse already has a balanced diet. 

 

As we give our horses food we must make sure our desire to care for them does not conflict with their need to graze and roam. We must make sure we do not create imbalances in their nourishment. After all the time and money we put into our horses we want to enjoy them for many years to come. When we are feeding our horses right we are well on our way to obtain that goal.

For additional information about practical horse management please go to http://wcf-ltd.com/horse/ to learn more about how to care for your horse.

Author: Fran Mullens
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Unix inter-process communication (IPC)

If you are new to horse ownership, or are looking to purchase new clothing or accessories for your horse, then you need not fear. There are many different accessories and horse wear to choose from, and many different types of each too, after reading about them you will definitely know what you need!

The most common horse clothing purchased is horse rugs, horse bridles, and horse saddles. Of course, there are a lot more to buy, but these are a few of the main pieces. There are different types of each of these, which means you should read about what each one is used for before getting them, because you may end up with the wrong one!

Horse rugs are named so because they are just like rugs, but they are for the horse to wear. Horse rugs, depending on which you use, can benefit either (or both) the horse, and the rider. There are 4 main types of Horse rugs, and some similar to these types, but they are anti-sweat rugs, fly rugs, stable rugs, and turnout rugs.

The anti-sweat rug is made of cotton mesh, and is used to help the process of the horse cooling down, after an event of some sort such as a competition. An anti-sweat rug is also sometimes used to protect he horse from insect irritation. The fly rug is made of fine mesh, and it is very light in weight. Fly rugs are often used for preventing fly irritation, as they are designed for, but also sometimes used to prevent sun burns, bleaching of the fur, and similar threats. The fly rug may also include a flap to protect the horses stomach area.

The stable rug is a non-outdoor rug, primarily used to keep the horse clean. Stable rugs are made with a padded synthetic material, thus meaning that they are not waterproof. This rug allows the horse to move around freely and is breathable. The last common rug mentioned, the turnout rug, is made with material which means that it is waterproof as long as you reproof it occasionally. The turnout rug is designed to keep the horse warm in the winter, and to also keep the horse clean. Although it is very lightweight, it is also very feeble, this means if the horse is in an environment with sharp objects, or a lot of branches etc., the rug may easily be ripped.

The horse bridle is a leather tack to keep the accessories on the horse, and to keep the rider in control. The two common bridles for horses are English bridles and Western bridles.

The English bridle is commonly a more stylish bridle used mostly for shows, competitions, etc. The Western bridle is usually used for training or general use. Which bridle used is up to the rider; however, the type of bridle you use should depend on what accessories you are going to use/attach.

When it comes to riding your horse, you are not going to want to sit on the horses bare back, unless you are a fool! This is why you need a saddle, or more than one saddle for that matter. Having the right saddle for your event will enable you the best assurance that you are secure sitting on the horse. Every saddle has a different purpose, which is why when you get a saddle, you may not want to use it for everything you do with the horse.

The Australian stock saddle is a saddle that specializes in comfort for both the rider and the horse. A reining saddle would be a light alternative if you do not want to put much pressure on you or your horse. For a wider-back horse you may want the treeless saddle, or if you want a deep saddle to be securely seated on the horse you may want the dressage saddle. If you have a racing bred horse then you may want a racing saddle, or if you are taking your horse for jumps, on a training session or competition, then you could need an all-purpose English saddle. However, if you just need a saddle for general purpose, or to bond the horse and rider with each other, etc., then you probably want a Western saddle.

After reading this entire article, you should have a general idea on what horse wear (rugs, saddles and bridles) you are going to want or require. Having the right gear can benefit both you and your horse, help keep your horse healthy or improve the horses performance in a race, or competition.

If you are involved with the equine world, chances are you’re familiar with most of the horse wear that is needed to make your horse look well-dressed. You can also find a wide variety of riding wear for yourself.

Author: Karlo Quiambao
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Get my ex back

Okay, I have a horse. But, I would like some care tips. I’m no expert and just want to make sure I’m doing everything right. What percentage of grains, horse feed, hay, and grass should be in the diet? How often do I need to float the teeth? How often should I worm? How often should I pick the hooves? Any other care tips and advice on horse ownership is appreciated. Thanks!