From the category archives:

Horse Tips

Horse Tack Basics

November 24, 2009

As a horse owner your tack will constantly grow and evolve. If you are just starting out, there are numerous things you will need to keep on hand for the daily care of your horse and tack. The items needed to care for your horse and tack should include at the minimum the following items.
Horse [...]

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Livestock Water Trough

November 5, 2009

Providing livestock and horses with fresh, clean water is an important and necessary part of care, especially during the colder, winter months.
Water troughs and buckets used for your horses and livestock should be checked daily during freezing temperatures for ice. Any ice can be broken relatively easily with a pick, hammer or any other [...]

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Winterize Your Barn

November 2, 2009

As the winter months fast approach, now is a good time to start thinking about preparing your barn and/or horse stables for winter. If started now, you can break up the necessary tasks so as not to burden yourself with a rushed or incomplete job. Maintaining your barn will provide your horses with a safe [...]

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Equine Assisted Therapy

July 12, 2009

If the thought of exposing yourself in therapy is scary, what about equine assisted therapy, where the therapist is equine? There is a growing field in the psychological and equine community that brings patients face to face, so to speak, with a 1500 pound four-legged friend…the horse.
You may be thinking right now how could a [...]

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Horse Colic

July 2, 2009

Often mistaken for a disease or illness, horse colic is actually a condition covering a broad range of abdominal pain. The conditions can be anything from a case of mild gas to something much more life threatening such as a twisted intestine.

Being the number one natural killer of domesticated Equines, most cases of horse colic [...]

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Horse Hoof Thrush

July 2, 2009

If you’re a horse owner, you no doubt have become familiar with a hoof condition known as thrush. Being a degenerative condition of the hoof, thrush can inflict damage to the sole, cleft and frog of the hoof. Basically harmless during the early stages if treated properly, thrush can escalate to more permanent damage of [...]

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Horse Boarding

July 2, 2009

If you are considering buying a horse, a crucial factor to take into account is where you will be boarding it on a daily basis. Most horse lovers simply do not have the facilities to properly care for their equine friend. This is OK, it is still possible to experience the joys of horse ownership [...]

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Horse Abuse

July 2, 2009

Being the owner of a boarding facility has its good times and bad. But it’s all I wanted growing up. When I finally made it happen I was full of excitement and good will toward my fellow horse enthusiasts. I have been fortunate enough to meet some really wonderful people over the years, but I [...]

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Calming Your Horse

July 2, 2009

Having a spooky horse on the trail is not fun and can be dangerous. It is very important to create a trust between you and your horse so they look to you for assurance when feeling uncomfortable or nervous. It takes patience and sometimes baby steps to reassure your horse when they come upon something [...]

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Horse Riding In Winter

July 2, 2009

Riding in winter weather, especially during the evenings can leave you with a sick horse if the necessary precautions have not been taken. A horse returning from a winter ride can be warm and sweaty, no matter how low the temperature, which makes them very susceptible to catching a chill if left to stand uncovered [...]

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Herd Bound Horses

July 2, 2009

The most common causes of herd bound horses are very similar to those of the barn sour horse, and can cause nearly parallel behavior problems.
Major causes are; A lack of human contact due to being in a pasture setting with other horses, and not having regular use.

This causes anxiety and panic when removed from the [...]

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Barn Sour Horses

July 2, 2009

There are many factors that can cause a horse to become barn sour. The most common causes for becoming barn sour are a lack of regular use and exercise, a lack of being turned out to blow off steam, or never being taken “off property” to be exposed to new stimuli.
These things can cause laziness, [...]

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Trail Riding Etiquette

July 2, 2009

Following proper etiquette when horseback trail riding with others is essential for a safe, enjoyable ride. There is nothing like trail riding to enjoy nature and bond with your horse. The more you do it, the more you want to experience and expose your horse to it. Finding a variety of trails to ride creates [...]

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Horse Grooming Tips

July 2, 2009

If you are a new horse owner, here are some basic horse grooming tips for you to start off on the right hoof.
Starting from behind the jaw and ears, work your way down the neck going with the hair growth. Follow this pattern over shoulders, back, ribs, belly, flank and rump. Work with a medium [...]

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Horse Stall Mucking

July 2, 2009

Horse stall mucking is simply cleaning the waste products for the health and comfort of your horse.
How difficult is it to muck a stall?
With pitchfork in hand you start shoveling. Stall cleaning is basic to horse care if your horse is not out in pasture. It is a daily requirement in order to keep your [...]

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Your First Horse

July 2, 2009

There are many things to consider when deciding to buy your first horse. The most important of which is, do you really know what it means to own a horse? There is a commitment you must be willing to make that reaches far beyond normal animal ownership. If the horse is for an adult, are [...]

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Horse Terms

December 29, 2008

B

Bale: a measurement of hay, equal to 10 “flakes”.
Barn Sour: a horse that does not like to leave the barn or stables.
Boodmare: a female horse used for breeding.

C

Canter: term used in English riding for a three beat gait. This is the same as a lope or slow gallop in Western discipline riding.
Colt: a male horse [...]

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