Lungeing Your Horse

One of the best ways to let out some excess energy from your horse before you ride is to longe him. This will help you see how your horse is going to react before you even step a foot in the stirrup. If you have a small corral or round pen, you can send the horse around without a rope. Have him walk, trot, lope and then work back down. You may also have him do some turns to limber him up. Sometimes horses that are excited to be out or who are tight will explode into a buck as soon as you get on. Longeing will give him the opportunity to get any of that out of his system.

When you longe the horse, you don’t want to be just chasing him around the pen. You will want him to follow the pressure off of the longe line and drive him with your body behind his shoulder. You also want your horse to longe properly. For example, if the horse is going around to the right, you want him to have his nose tipped to the right, not the left. You also want to be sure that his eyes are focused on where he is going and that he is not looking in the other direction. You will be able to tell where the horse is looking depending on whether or not you can see any white of his inside eye.

When you are longeing your horse, you will want to direct the horse with the hand of the direction that your horse is going. If your horse is going to the left, then you will want to direct him with the left hand. Standing behind his shoulder will drive him forward and you will use your other hand to help drive. You may twirl the end of the rope or wave your arm up and down in the air. Stepping in front of the shoulder will encourage the horse to slow down and stop.

You will also be able to make him change directions as well. Apply pressure to the halter with the rope in the opposite direction and with the opposite hand. Your horse will turn and go the other way. For many horses, turning can be difficult. Many horses prefer to go in one direction and they may fight you about going the other direction. These horses just need practice and patience. Keep working with him on following the pressure of the rope and driving him from behind his shoulder. These horses may also need a tap on the rear with the end of the rope.

When your horse begins to feel comfortable and starts to anticipate when you are going to turn him, mix it up a bit and turn him in different parts of the pen. After the horse is comfortable and turning well, give him a well-deserved break. Then direct him again and drive him some more. Eventually, you may not even have to feel like you are driving the horse and they will work around you in the circle, but you still want to be an active participant and get a feel for your horse. After ten to fifteen minutes of longeing, your horse should be limber enough and mentally prepared for a ride.

By Ron Petracek

Ron Petracek - Raised in southern Idaho, Ron loves horses and the outdoors. If you would like to join in and learn from the vast resources at our equine forum please visit http://www.horsechitchat.com Looking to buy sell or trade something equine related? Just visit our huge network and get 12 sites for Free! Click here => http://www.Click4equine.com

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How Much Food Is The Right Amount For Your Horse?

Though it would certainly be nice if there was a full proof template for feeding a horse, unfortunately one does not exist. Simply put, you have to take these things on a case by case basis. There are many different factors that can impact how much food a horse needs. Obviously, a horse that goes through a lot of activity will need more food than one that just sits around.

Not only will all horses have different needs for how much food they ingest, but they will also have different likes and dislikes about their food. It is important to always keep a finger on the pulse of your animal’s temperament. Find out what kind of foods it likes and what foods it does not like. When you do this, you will be able to pinpoint the foods that are easier for your horse to ingest.

It is no coincidence that most horses take much better to more expensive foods. The more expensive foods are made with better ingredients and they are easier to swallow and digest. Play to your horse’s desire for this food and make sure to buy the good stuff. More times than not, cheap food won’t taste good to the horses and they may or may not continue eating it. Even if they do, the cheap food will cause lots of health problems over the course of time. You might save a little bit of money in the short run with cheap food, but in the long run, you will lose out big time. Cheap food has a tendency to become musty and moldy, and could cause your horse to develop respiratory issues. Most horses will let you know this, though. They simply won’t eat the cheap stuff in huge quantities.

Depending upon how big your horse is, he will need a varying amount of hay. Large horses of around 1,200 pounds, for example, need around twenty pounds of hay each day all year long. Smaller horses, on the other hand, could require a little bit less hay in order to maintain their weight and keep performing at a high level. If you want to insure the horse’s performance and health through the winter, be sure to give them a little bit of extra hay. This will enable the horse to maintain its full body weight.

Horse owners should not always go with that rule, though. There are times when it is not appropriate to change a horse’s diet with the seasons. If the horse seems to be maintaining its weight well and performing at a high level with the same diet, then don’t make any huge changes. Always keep your eye out for any extreme weight loss, though.

Horses are an interesting kind of animal in that they eat a huge percentage of their overall body weight each day. An average horse will need to eat 1%-2% of their total body weight each day. Keep that in mind when providing food for your horse.

By Patricia Reszetylo

Patricia Reszetylo has been a “horse crazy kid” since 1978. She now operates EquineTeleseminar.net, where she interviews other equestrians on a variety of horse health, training and equine business topics “By Request”. Visit http://EquineTeleseminar.net/free.htm for your own free copy of a telepak (audio and transcript) from the most popular horse health call of 2006. You don’t want to miss out on this important information!

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Choosing the Right Horse - It Can Be a Match Made in Heaven!

We all have those visions in our heads of the perfect horse. Maybe it's a 16-hand palomino mare with a snip and two socks and a beautiful, wavy blond mane and tail. Maybe it's a well-muscled solid black gelding with just the smallest of stars . . .

So why don't we ever end up with it? Well, probably for good reason. Is it possible to find the perfect horse for you? You can certainly get darn close. But will he look like the vision you've carried in your head since childhood? Doubtful. If you want to find the right horse for you, you are going to have to do a lot more than go on looks alone.

Finding the right horse is hard. There are lots of horses out there for sale, and it's not always easy to determine that a horse will fit your needs in the limited amount of time you spend considering him. However, if you follow a few simple rules you can make sure that the horse you end up buying is the right horse for you.

• Deal only with reputable sellers. Ask friends, family, and fellow riders for recommendations of good sellers to deal with. An honest, reliable seller will make a considerable difference in your horse buying experience.

• Determine your discipline. No matter how much you love the leggy Thoroughbred you saw last week, if your discipline of choice is barrel racing he might not be the best choice. Know what type of conformation and attitude suits the discipline you enjoy, and look only at like horses.

• Know your strengths and weaknesses. Your horse should make up for your deficiencies, and you should make up for his. For example, if you are a beginner rider, you are going to need an expert horse to show you the ropes. But if you are an expert rider, you might enjoy working with a green horse. Don't forget to consider personality as well. If you are a timid rider, for example, you will do much better with a confident horse.

• Enlist the help of a knowledgeable friend. Sometimes you get so caught up one aspect of a horse—say his bloodlines—that you can't see past it. A knowledgeable horse person—a friend, instructor, or trainer—will notice things that you don't. It never hurts to have a few pair of eyes look a potential horse over.

• Ask lots of questions. Make a list of questions about behavior, performance, and health, and bring them with you when you visit the barn. If the owner declines to answer a question, consider it a red flag!

• Handle the horse yourself. Ask if you can groom the horse, handle him in crossties, load him on a trailer, or anything else you see yourself doing with the horse on a regular basis. Never buy a horse without knowing that you are comfortable handling him.

• Ask to see the horse ridden. Have the owner or trainer ride the horse before you do. That way you will be able to better gauge his performance level and potential.

• Take the horse for a test ride. You'll want to do this at least once, preferably two or three times, to determine whether you like the way the horse goes. If you are an inexperienced rider having your trainer or riding instructor ride the horse will also give you a good sense of what your horse is capable of.

• Have the horse vet checked. If you love the horse and want to buy him, make sure that your contract stipulates that the horse must pass a vet check in order for the sale to be final.

• Ask the seller about a trial period. Some sellers, particularly those who are concerned that their horses go to the right buyers, allow a horse to be returned within a specific number of days if things don't work out.

Good luck finding the perfect horse! And check out the great resources below for more information on equine information.

Hope that Helps..

By Ron Petracek

Ron Petracek - Raised in southern Idaho, Ron loves horses and the outdoors. If you would like to join in and learn from the vast resources at our equine forum please visit http://www.horsechitchat.com Looking to buy sell or trade something equine realted? Just visit our huge network and get 12 sites for Free! Click here => http://www.Click4equine.com

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Learn About Horse Blankets - Does Your Horse Need A Blanket?

A horse blanket is for protecting your horse from the elements. To keep your horse warm, protected from the rain, wind, heat and sun. They are tailored to fit around your horse's body with straps crossing underneath, allowing your horse to move about freely without dislodging the blanket.

The traditional horse blanket is a woven blanket, usually made of wool. Modern blankets are much warmer and resistant to weather than traditional wool blankets, using inner and outer shells with an insulating fiber between. Outer shells are usually made of synthetics which are water repellent and windproof, while the inner lining is smoother than wool so it won’t chafe against your horse’s skin. The filling between them provides warmth with much less bulk than older blankets. This means the overall blanket is light enough not to flatten your horse’s coat, and is more durable than their wool or cotton predecessors.

Another type of horse blanket, the Cooler blanket is a square blanket with ties that is draped over your horse if it is hot and sweaty after a workout, or has just been bathed and is wet all over. It is kept on while your horse is being cooled down as it allows enough air circulation for your horse to dry, and prevents chills and drafts.

Horse blankets are sometimes used to keep your horse's hair short. Blankets also protect horses that are kept with a short coat for show purposes.

In summer a lightweight blanket may be used to help your horse ward off flies and to prevent the hair coat from bleaching out. These blankets are usually referred to as a "sheet" or a "fly sheet". Usually they are made of nylon or strong synthetic fiber with the capacity to "breathe" so that your horse can remain cool.

If your horse is given a full body clip, or even a partial clip, it is recommended a blanket be kept on at all times if the weather is cool because your horse no longer has the natural insulation of a longer hair coat. If a blanket is put on your horse at the beginning of winter in order to suppress the growth of a winter coat, or if your horse is kept clipped in cold weather, the blanket must stay on until warmer weather arrives. If your horse is subjected to cold weather without either a horse blanket or a natural hair coat to keep it warm, it is far more vulnerable to sickness and ill health.

It is important to choose a blanket that is appropriate to how much extra protection from the weather that your horse genuinely needs.

Make sure that the blanket fits your horse properly, regardless of the blanket type. A blanket that is too tight will irritate the skin and put your horse at risk of developing abrasions and sores, while a blanket that is too large can slip down under your horse’s belly. Not only will that result in the loss of almost all the blanket’s insulating ability, if your horse gets its legs tangled in the blanket’s straps, it can be seriously injured. Putting the blanket on properly also helps to ensure a good fit.

It is best for each horse to have its own blanket. Sharing blankets can lead to the spread of skin problems such as girth itch, ringworm, and other fungal infections. Even if no horses in the stable have known skin problems, fungal spores can cling to the blankets and be spread to other horses.

Does your horse need a blanket?

By Bryan Thorby

Check out the horse blanket information and resources provided by
Bryan Thorby at http://www.pet-lovers-info.com

Your Horse may love you for it. Also links to other fine equestrian products, books and magazines.

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Beginners Guide To Horse Trailers

Horse trailers are also known by the name horse float in New Zealand and Australia. Horse trailers are mainly used for the transportation of horses. These horse trailers come in various designs. In addition, these horse trailers have varying sizes. Horse trailers range from the small units, which have the capability of holding a couple or three horses to the designs that have the shape of a gooseneck, which have the capability of carrying as much as eight to six horses. The horse trailers need to be such that, they can be easily pulled up by an SUV or a pickup truck. These horse trailers are mostly pulled with the help of a dually style pickings, which have a weight of 1 ton. Apart from these horse trailers, there are semi-trailers which have the capability of hauling a large quantity of animals.

Horse Trailers – In depth:

Horse trailers come in various budgets. The stock trailer is the least expensive amongst them. The stock trailers are basically those types of horse trailers, which are mostly enclosed at their bottom part. Contrary to this, they contain slats which are approximately at the level of eye, that help in the ventilation process, so that the animals which are hauled are able to breathe easily. Horse trailers need not be necessarily horse specific. But those horse trailers, which are specially designed by taking the horses into consideration, are more elaborate in nature. The main principle involved in the construction of the horse trailers is the fact that, the hauling process of the horses need not cause any form of harm to the animal. In short, the horses which are hauled by the horse trailers need to be in a good condition, even after the completion of the hauling process. The other reason why the horse trailers need to be elaborate is the fact that, horses are mainly hauled for the competitive purposes and no relaxation facility is inbuilt in the horse trailer. Horse trailers contain windows and adjustable vents, apart from the suspension. These horse trailers are mostly designed for providing less stress and smooth ride to the animals in general and horses in particular.

Horse Trailers Purchase:

Prior to the purchase of horse trailers, certain parameters need to be kept in mind. The main thing involved is that the horse trailers selected need to be of a good quality and relatively safe. In addition, only those horse trailers need to be selected, which can help in the satisfaction of the needs and requirements of the horses. Hence, the main factor which needs to be considered is the horse itself. A prospective purchaser of horse trailers need to consider the fact that, the horses are of claustrophobic nature. Hence, those horse trailers which contain plenty of ventilation, light and room would help in the creation of lesser amounts of stress to the hauled horse. Horse trailers which help in the easy loading and the travel of the horse need to be given more preference.

By Dave Demink

Dave DeMink is a leading informational author and operates the web site which provides information on used horse trailers, steel horse trailers and featherlite horse trailers.

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Horses - Horse Riding Tips

Horse riding is one of those activities that move quickly from being a hobby to becoming a real passion. Horse activities have been shown to benefit children, people with disabilities and those who need to gain confidence in their athletic abilities. It provides a social venue as well as an intensely satisfying human-equine relationship, that affects personal discipline as well as relatedness and tends to make people happier and more functional in other areas of their lives.

In this article I will give you a few basic tips to bear in mind when enjoying your horse riding:

First of all you really need to get to know everything about your horse - your horse personality, likes/dislikes, etc.. One of the most important things is to make a bond with them. You need to be able to trust your horse, and your horse needs to be able to trust you. Therefore spend lots of time with your horse, just to be around her - groom her, go into her stall and just pet her for a while, or whatever you feel comfortable doing. This basic connection is important because the horse then will be able to trust you later on, when you are riding her, and the horse will be more willing to work with you. It also allows you to bond with her, and get to know what she's actually like. Just spend every day with her for a while like this.

After you and your horse know each other better, you should start some ground training. You need to be able to get respect from your horse on the ground before you even hop onto her back. Try some simple exercises such as making your horse back up, move forward, and to the side with just a push of your hand. Lunge your horse, making sure she obeys your commands the minute you give them to her. Do some kind of ground work every time before you ride, so she will trust you when you get on her back.

When you have the trust from your horse you are now able to begin your riding training, and here are some basic Tips about your horse riding:

1. Rule number one in horseback riding is keep your heels down, because this make you much more secure.

2. Rule number two is.... keep your head and shoulders up and sit straight up and down or lean slightly back, because this puts you in a secure position for riding.

3. If your horse is going strong on the forehand or is lazy, you might want to try leaning back a little with your shoulders behind the perpendicular. This will make your seat stronger and push your horse forward into better movement.

4. My last tip is properly the most important advice about horse riding…..I definitely suggest that you right from the beginning start to take riding lessons with an instructor. Riding instructors will teach you proper riding techniques, ground handling, etc... that will benefit you very much, so you don’t from the start build in bad habits with your horse riding.

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Have Fun with your Horse and Horse Riding.

By Morten Hansen

About the Author

Morten Hansen has been focused on the Horse area for several years and is mainly writing about subjects, that make it easier for people to work with and enjoy Horses. For more details about different kind of subjects relating to Horses visit our website www.HorseTips4you.com

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Horse Health And Stabling

When looking for stabling what is important to consider is the actual structure and environment of the stable. The best way to choose a stable for your horse is to know some basic facts and then to actually visit stable in your area to get a comparison.

There are basic items that every stable horse should have. When visiting a yard keep these items in mind to ensure that your horse will be well cared for. A neglected stable horse can result in a costly veterinarian bill.

From the moment you drive into a yard, your eyes should be on the lookout. What does the fencing look like? Is it well maintained and safe for a horse? Is the property and fields securely gated? Are the horses content in the fields or are there too many horses in one field?

When you enter a yard is your presence noted? Is there some one to assist you or some one taking care of the horses? It is advisable to call before visiting a yard especially if you visit during lunch when most of the staff may not be in the yard.

What do the stables look like? Are they well maintained with no loose nails, broken doors, uneven and badly cracked surfaces? Is the stable a comfortable size for your horse?

Do the stables have good ventilation and fresh air circulating? Are the stables well lit with natural light and or artificial light? Does every stable offer clean fresh water? Do the horses have hay in the stable?

What does the floor of the stable look like? Is there rubber matting, straw, dirt or sawdust for the floor? Does the floor drain well? Are the stable beds cleaned out regularly? A good sign if anything else is the smell. A well kept yard does not have a strong smell of ammonia (urine).

What do the horses in the various stables look like? Are they shaggy and unkempt or are they groomed? What are the horses doing – the behavior of the stabled horses is a clear sign of what type of stable environment you are looking at. An unhappy horse will most likely be chewing wood, box walking, kicking, wind-sucking amongst other vices.

Vices are however not the only way to tell a bad stable from a good one. Some horses may have developed the vice elsewhere, so concern yourself if a number of horses are all showing signs of agitation and boredom.

When looking for a stable your horses comfort should come first. He does not need a state of the art tack room or huge covered outdoor arena. He needs basics and it is trusting you to supply them.

By Benjamin Wise

Horses. Get information on buying, owning and caring for your horse, learn about stabling a horse. Learn about your horse.

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