Horse Care

Horses as Guide Animals

2007-05-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

Horses are natural guide animals and have been guiding humans for centuries. This ability seems to be ingrained in them genetically as they don't seem to need much training to excel at this skill. We do use other animals as guides at times, however, horses are the only guide animals capable of independent eye movement and they can track potential danger with each eye. This is a useful skill for obvious reasons. Horses are also not addicted to human affection and will stand quietly when on duty. This is not to say that horses don't become attached to people. They do seem to become attached, or at least we want to think they do.

Horses are strongly social herd animals and, when properly handled, can learn to follow and respect a human leader. This respect only comes with an equal respect on the part of the human handler. If a horse is treated properly then he or she will give as well as get. Horses are the most wonderful creatures but they can also be the most difficult ones alive, and let's face it they are way too big and powerful to be badly behaved. Therefore making sure that they are treated correctly is not only a handlers moral responsibility, it is also his need. Working with horses as both a guide animal and a lead animal is both rewarding and challenging and having the knowledge of how to interact with these wonderful creatures is a definite must.

Knowing All About Horse Parasites

2007-05-25T16:03:00.000-07:00

Any pet owner is guaranteed to face a problem with parasites at one time or another during the life of their pet. Just as with many cats, dogs and other animals, horses have also been known to become infected by certain parasites. Knowing the different parasites and how they can be detected and treated is half of the battle when you own a horse.

One of the problems to be found during the warmer months is known as Summer Sores. These are formed when there is some sort of an open irritation or cut somewhere on the body of the horse that gets infected with a deposit of fly larvae. Once infected, you could end up having to treat your horse for other complications such as gastritis and conjunctivitis.

Ascarids, otherwise known as roundworms are another form of parasite that can affect your horse. Some of the ways that you can detect the infection of round worm will be signs of fever, fatigue and even coughing or wheezing. Since this type of parasite can cause major problems including death, it is imperative that you get your horse checked out by your veterinarian as soon as you question the symptoms.

Proper horse care, including an ideal living area in their stall, will be key when you want to make sure that your horse is not infected with any kind of parasite. With diligence and close attention to any changes in your horse you may be able to prevent the problem of parasites before it can get any worse.

Horse Care: Summertime And Year Round

2007-05-22T07:31:00.000-07:00

Once you find yourself caring for a horse, you are bound to fall in love with the beauty of horse care. Such majestic animals require a variety of care, making sure that you tend to specific needs. This is why many experts will tell potential owners that in order to have a horse, you need to make sure that you can dedicate a good portion of your time to the care and grooming.

No matter what time of year it is, every horse needs a certain level of care that cannot be overlooked. This kind of care will include regular grooming, plenty of exercise and of course excellent nutrition. As long as you have a good amount of dedication and patience, you just maybe one of the people who can be called a natural born horse lover.

It is always important that you examine your horse for any potential problems as often as you can. Look at their shoes, their demeanor, and of course their gait to make sure that everything seems normal before any exercise or ride.

When the weather heats up, you will want to be sure that your horse always has a good amount of fresh water nearby so he or she can stay properly hydrated. In addition to that you can always look to wetting your horse down with lukewarm water when he or she seems to be overheated. Another smart summer move is taking the necessary steps to rid their stall of any flies or bugs to help keep them as comfortable as possible.

Pet Insurance For Your Horse

2007-05-11T12:54:00.000-07:00

Many pet owners today have been looking into the benefits of having insurance to help care for their pet. The chances are very good that you already have all sorts of insurance, whether it is for your own health, your car and even your home. Luckily for many animal lovers today, there is also the option of pet insurance that can help out in the event of illnesses as well as any regular and ongoing care that needs to be addressed.

If you own a horse or even a few, you can look into insurance that will help you cover some of the necessities that can arise while owning and caring for such a creature. For obvious reasons, many horse owners will want to insure horses that are very active in shows or racing. In this situation, such insurance can help out if there are any injuries during racing or showing. In the unfortunate event of a death of a horse, there is even an insurance that can help to cover any expenses relating to the burial or even compensation that will cover the amount that the horse may have made during showing.

Another common reason that a horse owner will purchase insurance will be in the case of breeding. It can be necessary to think of insurance that can cover check ups related to the pregnancy and birthing of future generations. No matter what the reason may be, if you are looking for a way to secure your finances in regards to the care of your horse, some form of pet insurance may be just the thing that you need.

First Aid Items To Keep On Hand For Your Horse

2007-05-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

No matter what kind of activity you have going on with your horse, it is always a smart move to have a proper first aid kit in your possession. Having all of the best pieces in a horse first aid kit can mean quite a difference between a little or a large health problem down the road.

Whether you are a beginner in terms of horse ownership or if you have taken care of horses for years, it is always a nice idea to have a good handbook available that can help to answer any last minute questions that you may have. Many good horse books will tell you the proper way to take care of and dress wounds. Also, you may be able to help to discover certain problems that your horse may be having with the right handbook in your horse first aid kit.

Of course, you cannot have any kind of a first aid kit without the proper collection of wraps and bandages for your horse. In the case of any cuts or injuries to the leg area, it is always a great idea to have a good antibiotic cream as well as gauze and wraps to help care for any cuts, scratches or sores.

If you ever have any questions about the kinds of items that you should keep in your horse first aid kit, you can always consult your veterinarian. Having the proper care items on hand can make things a whole lot easier should any sudden injuries or health problems arise.

Is It Time to Introduce a Saddle?

2007-05-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

It doesn't matter whether you have a young horse that has never been saddled or a horse that has not been saddled in a long time, you're probably going to experience problems the first few times that you put a saddle on your horse.

The technique for training either a young horse or a horse that hasn't been saddled much in the past is the same. Simply let him examine the saddle so he knows not to fear it. Horses are psychologically wired to be prey animals and automaticlaly consider every other thing and object as a possible threat- even when they are much smaller like a saddle- until the horse has investigated the object to his own personal satisfaction.

In the beginning, let your horse see the saddle, bump it with his nose and even taste it a little so he knows it won't hurt him. Then take the saddle and place it on your horse's back without cinching it. Just let him feel the weight of it and all the while, pet and praise him. Then remove it.

Repeat this every day until he seems bored with it. Then, cinch up the saddle lightly so it doesn't rub but not so tight it will irritate your horse. If your horse will allow the saddle on his body without bucking, attempt to lead him around while wearing the saddle. Again, repeat this exercise until he follows the lead while wearing a saddle without hesitation.

Then you are ready to ride. If you're horse has been a riding horse before, your horse will probably fall right back in the groove. If you have a young horse that has never had a rider, you may experience some bucking or other nervous behavior. If you have never been on a horse that may buck, it's worth letting a professional horse trainer break your horse into being a saddle rider.

Always praise your horse and some people use treats when they are saddle breaking their horses. Either way, be consistent and train with kindess and you'll have the best riding buddy ever.

Don't Be Silent About Abuse or Neglect

2007-05-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

On your drive to work you go past a pasture and you notice there a lone horse there and progressively he looks more and more skinny each day on your drive to work. You take notice as you drive by after numerous sightings of this poor creature and you notice there is no water in site and from all appearances no other food and he has a matted and unkept mane.

Instead of driving by one day and noticing that horse is gone because he is literally starving to death, if you see or suspect abuse, call it in to your local ASPCA or Horse Rescue. You can find the one nearest you or simple check Google. When you suspect abuse, being silent about it is as good as saying it's okay with you.

Chances are very good the neglect is due to the people not knowing the full scope of what it takes to take care of a horse properly and they will be given the chance to rectify the situation before they lose custody of their animal. If it is a case of the owners just outright now caring - then you have probably saved a horse's life.

The key is to get involved. You don't have to spend a dime and it will only cost you a little time to end the possible abuse and neglect of a beautiful animal that deserves to be treated as well as possible.

Help Rescue A Horse

2007-04-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

What could be better than donating a horse or mule that we've loved to an organization that cares, and will work diligently to find a home for these loving animals? The Horse Rescue of North Scottsdale is a non-kill, pro-animal rescue organization. Animals that are in need are rescued, and provided safe haven, food, and medical care.

All breeds are cared for, including Saddlebreds, Arabs, Mustangs, and many more. The goal is simple-to find a loving home for these animals with people who care. You're also encouraged to help in any way that you can. We've all been exposed to the phrase "being put out to pasture". While it refers mainly to horses, there's always a part of us that understand the deeper meaning-one that refers to having lost our value in life.

You don't have to let that happen to either yourself or these wonderful animals. They make wonderful gifts for children who are at the learning stages of life: and adults as well. Your newfound pet is going to need a lot of love and care. They're a lot like people, and many have their own personalities. Feeding your hoses is going to be a top priority, and it's going to need plenty of water as well. It's also very important to keep your horse's living area clean. A great exercise plan is also a great idea, and one that benefit you tremendously as well. You can get plenty of exercise by giving a good brushing before and after your ride.

But, the most important gift you can give your new pet is plenty of love and attention. Horses are intelligent animals, and in their own way, they'll give back measure for measure the time, effort, and affection you take the time to give.

Feeding Your Horse

2007-04-25T10:35:00.000-07:00

Horses have a healthy appetite, and need plenty of hay, grass, oats, vitamins, and water. Most horses are content with being fed twice a day. You wouldn't think it, but horses have rather small stomachs and can only eat small amount at a time. When a horse feeds on hay or grass, these staples help a horse to digest food a lot easier. Contained in the hay, are ample amounts of protein, vitamins, calcium, and fiber. You can expect a healthy horse to eat a bale of hay each day.

The grains you give your horse will give it a lot of boost and energy, and how hard your work you horse will usually determine how much grain will go into their daily diet. A safety benefit to consider is feeing your horse at floor level; and there's a good reason for this. Horses normally graze in a heads-down position, and this allows for a slower rate of consumption-which means in the long run nutritional benefits are increased. It's healthier for a horse to eat in the heads-down position as well because they become more careful in their chewing. They get more saliva mixed with their food, and greater airway drainage. This means there's less of a chance of inhaling dust particles.

If you have a lively horse, and it paws while feeding and scatters the hay and grain, make sure you install a "box" that houses hay at floor level for your horse. Make sure that the feeding equipment is safe. If it's designed poorly or has any sharp edges, the animal can be injured.

Learning All About Horses

2007-04-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

Whether you are a small child who is growing up and learning about animals or an adult who is taking up a new hobby and sport, taking care of horses can be a wonderful experience. When you are looking to learn all about the workings of a horse, it is best to do your homework first. After you find out just what it is that makes a horse tick, you will have a much better hold on the things that you need to do in order to provide the best possible care.

Horses are the sort of animal that loves to mingle together as a group. You can see this kind of behavior with both horses out in the wild as well as horses that are being raised on a farm. In addition to their "grouping" nature, you will see that horses are also a very cautious sort of creature. Sure footing is something that horses are very well known for, which you can learn all about with your very first attempt at a ride.

Just as with humans and even elephants, horses are also well-known to have an extremely good memory. This is why it is so important that people know that it can be difficult to re-train a horse that has had an abusive owner in the past.

Poor vision, heightened sense of smell, the ability to tell what the humans are experiencing around them and more are all some of the things that make a horse such an incredible creature. It is no wonder why so many people fall in love with this majestic animal.

Know Your Bedding Options

2007-04-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

Keeping your horse, or horses, comfortable and cozy in their stall should be one of the main things that are on your mind when it comes to care. In order to do this, it is very important that you know all of the options that are available to you in terms of the bedding that you can supply for your horse in the stall. You may find that there are certain bedding options available in your area, while others may not be. No matter what, it can be a process of trial and error to find out what the best choice is for you, your horse and your budget.

One of the most popular forms of bedding that many owners like to use for their horses happens to be straw. Generally, clean straw is a common staple for any barn that is home to younger horses as well as mares. Always making sure that the straw that you provide is free from any sort of dirt or allergens is a must, especially when you have horses that like to graze on the straw in their living space.

If you happen to be keeping track of the diet that your horse is taking in, you may want to opt for the kind of bedding that they will not eat, which includes stall mats or even small wood pellets. With mats to line the bottom of the stall, you will be providing your horse with a whole new level of comfort. On the other hand, many owners are happy to use the wood pellets because they are very easy in terms of maintenance and keeping the stall clean.

Bringing A Malnourished Horse Back To Health

2007-04-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

It is always a very sad situation to find a horse that is malnourished and in desperate need of care. Losing weight to a horse is very similar to losing weight in humans. Basically, fat is lost first and then the malnourishment goes on to break down muscle tone. When you find that you have come to care for a horse that has been undernourished, there are many things that you can do in order to help them get back to a healthy weight.

To begin with, you can always work with your veterinarian to see if there are any special treatments that may be helpful to the horse. Your veterinarian can check to see if there is anything else wrong with the horse such as dental problems, which can lead to a lessening of appetite. Once any other problems are ruled out, you can then work on a decent diet to help bring the horse's weight back up to normal.

Always be sure to offer plenty of hay as added roughage for the horse to consume. When you find that the horse is not grazing well with the hay, you can always look to your local feed store to try certain partial hay replacers to help them out with added diet. You can also bring in an extra supplement of feed compared to what you would normally offer the horse. Bringing in extra calories and feed that is higher in fiber can help their diet without having any adverse affects on their behavior.

Proper Dental Care For Horses

2007-04-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

Just as with humans, it is important to take care of your horse's teeth. Not only will regular check ups and dental care help to ensure that everything remains healthy as your young horse grows, but you can also help to get your horse used to their mouth being handled and worked with. When you are looking to make sure that your horse has regular dental check ups, there are a couple of things that you can keep in mind to make sure that you are working with a good schedule.

You can make sure that your veterinarian does a check on your young foal to see if they have the right amount of teeth, with twenty-four being the normal number. This will help to ensure that nursing will go smoothly with the mother horse as well. Once the horse gets to be a couple of years older, the permanent teeth will begin to come in. A veterinarian check at this time is also a good idea to make sure that they are coming through properly without and irritations or obstructions.

As a horse grows older, somewhere around six years and older, it is important to have regular dental check ups with your veterinarian still to make sure that there are no signs of damage to the teeth. This can also be a good time for any repairs including shaving down rough edges on the teeth. Your horse will be much happier with a healthy mouth and teeth that can last them a lifetime.

Beginning Trail Riding

2007-04-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

Trail Riding is one of the most fun activities you can do with your horse. It gets you both outdoors, it's great exercise for your horse and you both get to bond by spending time together. When you're trail riding with your horse, be sure to follow a few safety rules that will ensure that you and your horse have a fun and safe ride.

First of all, do not ride alone. Anything can happen on a trail, even a trail you know well. Always try to ride with another person when you trailride. If you choose to ride alone, make a map of where you're going to ride and stick to it, that way in the event an incident delays your return, you can easily be found.

Even the best trained horses can get skittish around other animals and ATVs. When you encounter an ATV on the trail, the other driver should turn off his engine until you pass on your horse, however not all ATV riders are that accommodating so you can either ask or take your horse in a wide berth around the ATV. If your horse begins to get skittish about another animal in the immediate vicinity, simply reassure him and try to distract him until the animal is gone.

Take along adequate water. Dehydration is dangerous, make sure it doesn't happen to you. Always pack along enough water for a day of riding and make sure your horse doesn't overheat either.

Just following these few tips will ensure that you and your horse have a great time every time you go trail riding.

Easy Bonding With Your Horse

2007-04-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

When you take on ownership of a horse, especially if he is from and abused or neglected background, you will want to begin bonding with him as soon as possible.

Start off slowly and just visit with your horse and make sure he's comfortable with your presence, talk to him and bring the occasional small treat but don't let him see where you hide them in your coat pockets or anywhere else or he'll learn quickly to start nudging you for more treats. If you keep them an occasional thing, he'll learn that you are in charge of treats and he won't be aggressive for getting them.

After he is comfortable and accepting of your visits, you can start leading him around the pen. Watch for signs he is uncomfortable with his bit if he hasn't been harnessed in a while. Some horses will need to have their teeth floated or use a different type of bit if he is uncomfortable in or pain. Keep it pleasurable and talk to your horse as you walk him. Once again when he seems accepting of this, you can move on to the next step.

Riding is the final step in basic bonding with your horse. When he is completely nonchalant about your presence and being lead by a harness, you can then saddle and ride him. If it has been a long time since he has had a rider, you might want to get him accustomed to the saddle again by allowing him to wear it for a few times before you actually ride him. Once you get his trust and he's calm about it then you can start taking him for rides and really let your relationship with your horse grow.

Why is it Necessary to Float a Horse's Teeth?

2007-03-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

If you own a horse, sooner or later you'll have to have your horse's teeth floated. The term may not make sense are first as it conjures up images of teeth being loosened or floating in the horse's mouth. However what it actually entails is filing down the teeth of the horse so they even and give your horse an even bite for eating.

A vet or equine dentist will use a specialized dental rasp which is also called a float to file down the teeth. You will need to have your horse's teeth floated at least every few years and some horses will need it even more often. The only way to know for sure is to check your horse's teeth on a regular basis and make sure he or she has healthy, even and aren't causing your horse pain.

Unlike your teeth which come in and won't grow any more, horse teeth will grow throughout their lives as in the wild they eat foods that grind down teeth and that is nature's way of combating the problem. However domesticated horses don't eat fodder that wears down their teeth as quickly so they need to have their teeth floated on a regular basis to stay healthy.

If you've never floated your horse's teeth, early signs it needs to be done will include difficulty eating, inability to hold food in his mouth and shunning anything to do with his mouth including taking treats from your hands as his teeth have developed sharp edges and are cutting and painfully poking the inside of his mouth.

Having his teeth floated will return your horse to his old self in a short period of time along with his previous appetite.

People Get Broken Legs, Why is it Usually Fatal in Horses?

2007-03-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

Anyone that saw the 2006 Preakness Horse Race saw a very real reminder of why horse racing is dangerous for horses and how dangerous a broken leg can be. A heavily-favored-to-win horse named Barbaro took a misstep shortly after leaving the starting gate and broke his leg. Barbaro was loaded onto a specialized ambulance for horses. Barbaro was one of the unlucky horses who unfortunately developed other problems around the break and unfortunately are in the majority and do not recover from a broken leg and it results in the horse needing to be euthanized as there is no chance of recovery.

So you're thinking, people and even dogs and cats get broken legs and they recover, why can't a horse? Basically, it can take months for a horse to heal from a broken leg and their other three legs normally can not bear the weight of the horse for that long of time. A horse is compelled to move freely at all times and when it can't it will begin to attempt to move and injure itself worse and worse until there is no hope of recovery. People have even tried to sedate horses for the recovery period and found most horses can not survive that as a horse feeling trapped in a cramped stall tends to tap dance, which can easily aggravate the original broken leg.

There are treatments for broken legs that involve cold laser treatments and they are only considered for the youngest and strongest of horses as it's still a long and hard recovery process. Even sling treatments are dangerous. Keeping a horse hoisted in a sling while their leg heals is also dangerous as the horse will fidget and wiggle and cause chafing which leads to dangerous sores that can develop an infection.

Watching your horse's weight, regular hoof care and controlled riding techniques can go a long way to helping your horse avoid the tragedy of a broken leg.

Help For a Nervous Horse

2007-03-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

Horses can become nervous for a lot of reasons. Abuse, neglect and lack of human interaction and sometimes it's due to their emotional make up and they are naturally a little more skittish than other horses. Fortunately, working with your horse on a steady basis will help him become desensitized and learn not to react to people, places and things he would have previously feared. Another name for this type of training is called "bombproofing".

Basically, the training entails exposing your horse to things that make him nervous (one thing at a time) to the point he accepts it as part of his daily routine and no longer fears nor even pays attention to the object or place.

The process is simple, first allow your horse to approach a suspicious item from a distance and work him slowly closer and closer to the object. He will stop as soon as he isn't comfortable any longer. This is the distance you need to bring him in from. If you're riding, dismount and lead your horse slowly forward and talk to him and reassure him he's okay. He may not make it to the item the first or even fourth time you try this and that's okay. Repetition is the key to getting your horse comfortable. It must be the same every time or the process won't work. Meaning, when he approaches the object that makes him skittish such as a car, he needs to know it won't do anything different every time he sees it.

Once he will be get near enough to touch the object, allow him to sniff, taste and bump the object with his head, in this way he'll learn it will not hurt him and soon he'll get bored with it. You can use this method with almost everything your horse is exposed to, just remember repetition and constant, patient training is the key.

Is a Gelding Better?

2007-03-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

In many cases if you're looking for family oriented horse and you have your heart set on a boy, consider a gelding, or rather a male horse that has been neutered.

Stallions were originally the horses used in battle because of their aggression. A stallion would be taken in to battle by a rider because the horse would usually fight as well with their teeth and hooves. A stallion is a thousand plus pound animal that is full of male hormones and can be as territorial and aggressive as he can be alternately sweet and nice. When neutered (made into a gelding) the stallion will lose most of his aggression and the sweet and nice parts of his personality will be brought out.

A gelding makes a wonderful companion animal and you'll find if you don't have to fight the hormone battle that is raging in most stallions during your training period, it will go much better. The territorial and challenging aspect your horse's personality will be greatly lessened and his want to please and be a companion will be increased.

Gelding is best done on young horses. Some vets won't work on an older horse and in many cases, once the horse has reached maturity, gelding him won't damper his stallion spirit too much. Once you've removed the hormonal rush factor in your horse, you'll be seeing a wonderfully trainable animal that will make a fabulous companion for years to come.

Bad Training Techniques

2007-03-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

Training a horse isn't easy, no matter how good the relationship is between your horse and yourself, he will still have his days he will test you and push your patience to the limit - simply because he can.

A horse can be a wonderful companion and they can also be a one-thousand pound or better bag of mischief. Never let your horse get away with being disrespectful or downright rude to you. How you handle training and discipline of your horse will draw the line on whether you use good or bad training techniques.

First understand how your horse's brain works. Simply put, a horse is wired in his brain at the most primal level as a prey animal. He will consider almost any object or person a potential threat until he has a chance to taste, smell, and touch it and ascertain for himself that the object or person will do him no harm.

Yelling is a bad training technique. It spooks your horse and makes him unsure of you. Unless he is in immediate danger and need to move quickly; avoid yelling at your horse.

Hitting and slapping are another bad training technique that unfortunately many horse owners resort to get their horse's attention. You get his attention and you also teach him to be wary of human hands - they hurt!

Never starve your horse to get him to submit to your will. This is cruel punishment and although many owners equate it with sending a naughty child to bed without dinner - it often turns into days without adequate food and that can be life threatening to a horse.

Use positive training techniques when you work with your horse. You may force him to do something through yelling or slapping - but he'll never respect you and you'll completely miss out on having a horse/human companion relationship that can be fostered strongly through good training methods.

Good Training Techniques

2007-03-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

Now that we've covered bad training techniques, let's cover some good ones.

When you're training a horse - you need to hold on the training until you establish trust. It doesn't take a lot of time, you just need to be consistent. Even the most profoundly abused and neglected horses will come around quickly when you show them through patience and frequent visits that you mean them no harm and you are to be regarded as a friend.

Once you have the trust of your horse, your training boundaries are limitless. You will have an equine friend that will enjoy working with you and will look forward to your training sessions.
Soft but firm is a good rule when working with a horse. When he challenges your authority (and it's not a question of "if" it's a matter of "when"); gently tell him, "No" to whatever he's doing and talk to him while you distract him by leading him in a circle. Usually one to two walks around in a circle will distract most horses from trying to see if you're still "top horse".

Distraction is another good technique to learn. When your horse is acting out like a naughty toddler and won't listen and won't follow commands. A simple distraction like walking around the pen is a good way to let him get rid of some nervous energy and also calm down.

Biting or kicking are the only times you should really raise your voice in training. Your horse needs to understand both are unacceptable behaviors and if you tell him in a strong voice,"No!". Nearly all horses will back down and discontinue the bad behavior.

Treats are a good way to get your horse to enjoy his training. Most horses will work for treats and praise and you can dwindle the treats and reward him with praise only as your training sessions progress.

Keep working with your horse on a frequent basis. The more you work with him, the more he will trust you and that's a win-win situation for you both!

Finding Good Homes For Horse

2007-03-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

After a horse is placed in our rescue, finding them a good home is a priority. Many of the horses that are placed in rescue are there not because their owners were cruel or physically abusive, but because they didn't understand what it takes to properly take care of a horse.

Having a horse is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have; however the flip side of that reward is that having a horse is a lot of work. You have a 1000+ animal that depends on you for good food, clean water, clean surroundings, vaccinations, on-going medical care, companionship and grooming. If you can't give all those basics to a horse, owning a horse isn't in the cards for you at this time.

If you're willing to work a little for and with your horse, you can create one of the greatest friendships that ever existed. People that have never experienced a horse - human friendship are often surprised at the depth of feeling and emotions that a horse can convey. Once you learn the body language and sounds your own particular horse makes, you'll find that he actually has a language that you can understand.

It's hard to find good homes for horses that meet those basic qualifications and while they are waiting for a good home, we give our horses all the basics they need along with lots of love.
If you're ready to add a horse to your family, visit a rescue near your home. A rescue horse will make as fine of a companion as any other horse and there's a very special bond that develops between a horse that's been given a second chance and their new human companions.

Exercises Your Horse Will Love

2007-03-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

When you have a horse, you'll find they need a good amount of exercise. Horses that have bowed tendons, which is a painful condition usually found in former race horses that have actually stretched the tendons in their legs, need gentle exercise while they heal. They can usually be reconditioned through light training to be fantastic riding horses but usually need to have been healed about six months to a year before doing so.

Never ride a horse that has had bowed tendons until the vet gives the all clear or you can aggravate the injury and prolong the condition. Exercises for these horses will consist of walking on a lead around eventually up to a good trot as they heal. Take it slow.

If you have a horse that is in good condition, most horses enjoy a good galloping run or a healthy trot through a local riding area. Horses enjoy going for rides in areas they know so they can relax. Try to have a regular place to work your horse out and he'll be a lot more relaxed if he knows beforehand the objects and people he's likely to encounter. Remember, a horse is psychologically wired as a prey animal and can get skittish in new surroundings.

Always cool down your horse after exercising. Just walk him until his breathing is normal and he seems to have cooled down. Working with your horse on a regular basis will give you a healthier and happier equine friend.

Shelter and Fencing for Your Horse

2007-02-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

One of the things most people don't estimate when they are about to get a horse for the first time is the cost of housing their horse. You already know it can cost quite a lot to feed and care for a horse including maintenance vaccinations and wormings; however another fee that is incurred with a horse that is properly cared for is putting a roof over his horsey head.

Many people say, well wild horses live outside and it's true they do just that. However, your horse isn't wild and he isn't equipped to shelter himself from extremes of temperature nor sudden hazards such as lightening or hail. Therefore, your horse will need someplace to stay.

A healthy and well cared for horse can put up with cold temperatures as long as they have a full winter coat and aren't exposed to wet weather or extremely windy conditions. A good rule of thumb when calculating space for a horse is he needs at least 64 square feet (8 feet by 8 feet) and a ceiling area of about 9 feet in height. This is at the minimum and isn't meant to hold him for hours upon hours a day.

The shelter should be free of leaks and offer a place for your horse to stay warm and dry. If it doesn't meet these minimum requirements, it's probably not adequate shelter.

In the wintertime, clean straw bedding in the shelter will make your horses more warm and comfortable. Bedding is necessary for foals because they spend a lot of time lying down. Similarly, old horses should have bedding. A horse kept in a stall should have access to clean bedding all year round.

Fencing Your Horse

2007-02-13T14:07:00.000-07:00

The old saying goes, "Good fences make good neighbors". Good fences also make happy, healthy horses.

Unfortunately, many horses are curious and will wander if given half a chance. That is where strong fencing comes into play. If your horse goes wandering and winds up on a road, he could be injured or even killed by an automobile.

Most horses will recognize a fence as a place where their boundary for roaming ends. A few horses will learn to simply jump a fence and go about their way. You can work with your horse to learn this is his boundary or you can take it a step further and increase the height of your fence or electrify the fence to give him a scolding shock if he touches the fence. Nearly all horses can learn their boundaries with repeated lessons over many week period, however there are a token few that will require electric fencing to discourage them from wandering and finding trouble and possibly injury.

You will also need to make sure you keep your fence in good repair. Horses are very clever and a good number of horses over the years have learned how to open pin-hinge gates by watching their owner lift the pin out and put it in again to close and latch the gate. If you know your horse tends to watch and learn rather quickly, watch out he might be letting himself out of the gate if you're not careful!