Posts Tagged ‘steed’

Creating your own memories.

Why make your own horse hair Bracelet? I have been a crafty kind of Cowgirl my entire life. In fact I think that most Cowgirls have had to learn to be somewhat crafty. There is just about nothing a true Cowgirl cannot ride, make happen, repair and there is truly nothing they cannot make.

I started making my own horse hair items about 25 years ago. I thought “Why Not” make my own Horse Hair Jewelry. I was always trimming tails anyway.

If you are a crafty person, you will love making your own horse hair creations. It is just plain fun to see what you can come up with. One thing is for certain, it will be your own creation made to remind you of one or your most precious friendships. Not to mention that you new creation will provide a tribute to the deep spiritual connection between you and your most favorite steed. Using your own creative style, it certainly will be unique and one-of-a kind.

Second of all, you will want to learn how to make your own jewelry items to save a little cash for some other horse adventures, like a new saddle. I have had numerous, perhaps dozens of favorite horses over the years and it does get costly paying for a new item to be made for each horse’s Hair. So at some point, you might want to learn how to make your own horse hair jewelry as well.

What about all those favorite horses? What have you done with all that hair that you have stock piled in your keepsake box to make something out it on the next rainy day? Is today your rainy day? After 50 years in the horse business, I have outlived most of the horses that I have owned and now looking back, I wish that I would have actually saved a lot more of the hair.

With just a little effort, you will find that it is fairly easy to make a simple Key chain or zipper pull from horse hair. It only takes a little practice to make a bracelet.

However, don’t be like me and procrastinated until it was too late to collect enough hair to make a nice piece of jewelry. You actually need a lot more hair then you would think. Making a piece of Jewelry from your own horse is a great reward for yourself. It is the one thing that creates a memorable bond that you get to wear with great pride and as a tribute to your love for your horse. Just like your horse, your new piece of jewelry can never be replaced. Your new creation will be a treasure that you will adore and others will admire.

Lasting treasure

I once had a Cowboy send in bunches of horse hair from 4 different horses. The horses did not belong to him; they all belonged to his wife. The horses were all getting older and he was having the bracelet made for an anniversary gift.

We made a beautiful 4 strand bracelet out of the hair, one strand to remember each horse. She thought it was the greatest, kindest, most thoughtful gift that she could have ever received. She said it was a great way for her to remember each one of the horses that she loved so very much.

Shortly after, one of the horses died, and since then she has emailed me several times to thank us. So if you have someone that is close to you that loves horses, making such a personalized item for them is not only a way that they will get to remember the bond that they have with their horse, but trust me, they will never forget the gift you gave to them as well.

My whole point is, once they are gone, it will be too late. I never get over the loss of one of my own horses, and I am sure that you do not either. So collect the hair while they are still eating way to much hay, dropping oats everywhere, taking you on long summer rides and being your greatest friend. Your relationship with your horse is a life-long bond that can never be broken, so why not create something of your own to remember them by, unfortunately, they will not be here forever.

If you need more help in creating your new master piece, Knot-A-Tail does sell a kit with complete instructions to make 4 strand Horse Hair Bracelet, extra hair and enough hardware to make two bracelets. If you are interested in the “Make Your own Horse Hair bracelet kit,” stop by Knot-a-tail

Feel free to take a look at our custom page for some ideas to make your own.

I certainly hope you will take the time to create a forever memory.
Create The Bond And Save The Memories

Once you start making those new Horse Hair items, you will want to learn how to take care of your new treasures. Knot-A-Tail offers a complete Free eBook on the Care of your Horse Hair Products.

Well, I am so glad that you rode on over:
Here is hoping you have
Long rides …… Clear Day …. and Fast Horses.

Till next time
Roberta E
CEO
Knot-A-Tail

In loving memory of Charles Edstrom and his AQHA “Blue”

Author: Roberta Edstrom
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Beading Necklace

Advice on Dressage and Horses

Dressage is the fastest growing equestrian activity today. It covers training the rider, training the horse and preparing for dressage competitions. Classical riding and training methods have survived for hundreds of years, largely passed down by word of mouth. These techniques have been proven to do the greatest good for the greatest number of horses. It is all about the gradual, systematic and gymnastic development of the horse. The emphasis is all about training the rider, explaining the basic riding skills, which will enable riders to develop their horse’s talents. Dressage appeals to all riders looking for humane and sympathetic approaches to riding and training their horses.

Dressage horses for sale

Buying a horse is real business. Aside from the initial expenses that you would incur, there are other maintenance costs that are relatively taxing. This is why you must be very decisive when buying a horse, especially dressage horses.

While we may benefit from on-sale items, we still must discern if we would profit in the long run. Before indulging yourself with the least expensive horse at your glance, be sure that you are secured with your choice and that you will have no regret in the end. As we have said, buying a horse, any type of horse for that matter, is a taxing business. You would not want risking your money over an old horse that can’t speed up while on track.

One of the major considerations when selecting an option for al horse is its speed. After all, horses are bought normally with speed in mind, not on the beauty of might or elegance of your steed but on its agility and performance. You are against no subjective rules while on racetrack but your bane is the time. Thus, you must give priority on how fast the horse for sale can go.

You should also put in mind the training a horse for sale has gone. Early discipline is vital with a dressage horse as this is not only a discipline-based event for horses; it also incorporates focus while on track. Earlier during the selection, you should ask for some display of skills.

There are horses that have problematic temperament, regardless if they are oriented to dressage. Even some of the best can present difficult behaviours at times. Common problems include hesitance before the competition, which may manifest during the onset of the game or the ending of the competition itself.

Some horses can be very aggressive which leads to missing the angles that must be hit to be able to perform the cloverleaf pattern perfectly.

Others, on the other hand, could be hard headed with following commands during the dressage level. Thus, common mistakes occur. Still others can be very timid or too deviant during the end of the competition, which could then result to delayed acceleration towards the finish. Put in mind that a slight delay due to the horse’s hesitation while on the arena would mean lesser points on your end. Thus, you must check into the temperament of your prospect horse. Lower price is nice but if this would endanger your performance then it would be better if you go with much priced barrel horse with greater capacities.

Dressage tests:

Another problem commonly encountered with horses is their tendency to become tired of training. It won’t hurt if you would ask bits of information about the horse’s background. This way, you would know how to get around the stuffs that would stress the steed. Say, sudden change of environment would be detrimental for the horse.

As much as possible, if the horse got fixed with a specific atmosphere that has proven to be healthy for him, make it a point that this same environment can be partly adopted. In such case, you would need ample assistance from the previous owner of the horse.

Lastly, but certainly not among the least consideration is the justification of the price. Too low price, considering that the horse is for sale might imply lesser efficiency on the horse’s part. High commanding price may also be too advantageous. Either way, you must discern things properly.

Author: Sonia Dixon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Make PCB Assembly

Some general pointers on choosing your first horse

Geldings generally have the most consistent behavior. They are generally the most even tempered and pleasant natured. Not every gelding will be like this, it’s that the odds are greatest that a gelding will be consistently good natured.
Mares, go in and out of “heat”. They have hormone cycles. This may or may not affect a mare’s behavior and temperament. Some mares are even tempered. Some can be Jekyll and Hyde. Be aware of this and ask the owner.
Stallions are not suitable for anyone other than experienced horse people. A beginner should not even consider one. End of story.

On the age of your horse, young horses or inexperienced older horses are not suitable for a beginner. Your ideal steed will be at least 5 and have been well handled and trained. You are after a horse who has maturity, who is familiar with the world of humans. A horse in his late teens or early twenties has plenty of maturity and would be a great first horse.

Of course, you are after a sound, healthy and pleasant natured animal. If the horse has a health issue, consider how this will affect the riding you want to do before deciding yay or nay. If the horse has a cranky temperament, it is not suitable for a beginner. Living in fear of being nipped or kicked by your first horse will destroy your confidence and your horsey dream, as well as being a physically dangerous situation.

Cover the basics

First of all, let’s go through some questions to find out what you’re after and what’s most suitable.

At what level are your horse and riding skills? It is a huge mistake, as a beginner, to purchase a horse that is beyond your current ability. It is far safer and easier to grow out of a horse than into one. You want a horse that you can ride now, based on your current level of skill.

Untrained, lightly trained, lightly handled or ‘green broke’ horses are often cheaper. There’s a reason for that. It’s because they need work, an experienced hand and time. They aren’t as predictable or reliable. The training required can take months or even a few years (think $$) and can lead to a dangerous horse if not done right (by a beginner).

What you pay for with an experienced horse is the training that has gone into the animal and the world experience and familiarity the horse has with human ways. It IS worth it for a first horse.
And please remember that if a horse is to be ridden by more than one person, look for a horse that will be suitable for the lowest skilled person.

Next question, is this a child’s horse or an adult’s? The answer will determine a suitable size for you to be comfortable on and build to carry your weight. A horse for both children and adults will need to be small enough for the kids to be comfortable, while tall and strong enough to carry an adult easily.

Now what sort of riding do you want to do? Is this a work horse? A show horse? A serious or fun competition horse? A jumper, barrel racer or endurance ride? Or a trail & leisure horse? Do you want to do dressage? The reason for answering this question is that it will help you focus the temperament, skills and confirmation you require from your horse. And perhaps a suitable breed.

There is no right or wrong breed of horse for a particular genre of horse sports in terms of suitability. It is dependent on the individual animal. Some types of competition are restricted to a particular breed. ie horse racing is restricted to thoroughbreds. There aren’t many of these, but find out beforehand.

Having said that, some breeds TEND to be particularly suitable for particular sports as they have been bred to excel in these. For instance, warmbloods and dressage, quarter horse and barrel racing, arabian and endurance riding. This does not exclude other breeds from excelling. Confirmation (the shape and way a horse is put together) will determine what horse will be good at what activity. A good endurance horse is built differently to a good dressage horse, for instance. There is no need to purchase a purebred or discount one breed over another. Find out what is important in a horse for your chosen discipline and look for a horse with those qualities. This is where your expert friend will help sort a suitable horse from one that just won’t do. If you don’t have a specialised sport in mind, any sound, healthy, quiet, gentle natured, well trained horse will do.

As far as a ‘good’ breed for a beginner goes, there is no right or wrong. The individual temperament of the horse and the training it has received are more important factors than it’s pedigree or papers.

Author: Phil Tragear
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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