Posted by admin | Under Horse facts
Friday Mar 27, 2009
Understanding the basic nature of horses and how they communicate with each other is a vital element to becoming a good horseman. If you understand the core instincts and innate responses horses have to their environment, you will learn to recognize certain behavior, know what it means to you as a rider, and anticipate the next move your horse may make.
The language of horses integrates the usage of his body, in varying degrees to express himself. One of the most communicative parts of his body are his ears. They can be suggestive of his future moves.
There are many different mindsets that you can make out by observing how your horse is using his ears. Are they pinned back just about flat on his neck, indicating anger? If so, he may lunge forward at another horse to intimidate him. Or, are they slightly tilted backward, indicating that he is listening to you or something behind him?
Are the ears forward, indicating that he is looking ahead and is attentive to his environment? Or, are they straining forward in fear of something ahead? If so, be prepared for him to try to bolt! All these positions can suggest what he may do next. Having an estimation about what to expect will help you become a better rider!
About the author: Lisa Blackstone is president of the American Horse Association and has been working with horses and horse enthusiasts for over 40 years. She hosts a children’s site teaching them all about horsemanship using video. Visit her at www.HorseAndRiderClub.com.
Posted by admin | Under horse training
Saturday May 29, 2010
i want to start a blog on interesting train, making your own treats, bomb-proofing horses and working with rider confidence building. is this something you would be willing to read or contribute too?
an example topic would be: how to desensitize your horse to new things
i would love people to contribute their own quality tips and stories to this blog. would anyone here read it?
http://onceuponaponytail.blogspot.com/
check it out, i want more opinons!
would you like it if i featured some Y!A questions on here?
I had saved your question because I did not have time to read it when I found it.
I looked at the web site and I think it looks great. Informative stories/articles that I found interesting and I will be going back to finish the losing a horse one as I did not have time to finish it with the respect it deserved.
I also loved that you picked up the mustang question posted here a short time ago. I saw it at the time and was horrified and hope it was an attention seeking brat with too much time on their hands. But it is certainly a good conversation starter.
So in answer to your question yes I would read it.
Posted by admin | Under horse breeds
Saturday May 29, 2010
I wanted to know what Horse facts Guide Amazon’;return true;” onmouseout=”self.status=””>horse breeds are good jumpers because I’m progressing at jumping and want a good, nice, quiet, not spunky or aggressive jumping horse. Pictures of specific jumping horses that are for sale would be great. Also, if you have any videos of really good hunters, that would also be GREAT!!!
Thank you so much!!
When I was a kid, Thoroughbreds were the most popular jumping breed. They remain a good show jumping choice, but many athletes and breeders are trying to improve the show jumping stock. In about the mid 1980’s, as I recall, more and more Warmblood breeds were entering the US show circuit. Warmbloods were originally cross breed horses between heavy and strong draft horses, and lighter and more athletic hot breed horses such as Thoroughbreds and Arabians. Current breeding efforts have created several warmblood registries in Europe and the US, with the breeding goal generally being sport horses.
Warmbloods tend to be less fragile emotionally and physically than their hot blooded counterparts. They are stronger and hold up better in general, while being less spooky and flighty. They mature more slowly, but may have a longer show life than hot blooded horses. Most top show jumpers are warmbloods these days.
Remember, however, that at their core these warmblood horses are cross bred. Even now, purebred horses from other breeds, such as Arabian or Thoroughbred horses, are bred into warmblood lines to improve them. And horses sold as warmblood in the US may have very little true registered warmblood lineage!
Different breeders have different goals. For a beginner, you will want to find a horse not bred specifically for pure jumping ability, but rather an honest horse with a good mind and a good heart. This horse will be able to carry you for years as you progress through crossrail hunters and perhaps up to the 3′ level. At this later date, you may want to consider purchasing a sport horse breed for the 3′6" level and beyond. Most horses (not all) who are able to jump these big fences are a bit spunky for the beginner.
So, my advice is to worry less about breeding and more about the mind and experience of the horse you are looking to buy. Check its show record on horseshowtime.com (or your local equivalent) if possible. Find a horse that can teach you–not a baby or "green" horse for starting out, even though they are less expensive. Quarter horses can be good athletes and are generally prized for their quiet and forgiving temperaments–a great quality to show you the ropes. However, a horse with years of successful show experience at the beginner rider levels–regardless of breed–may show the aptitude to be your initial guide. Try to find a horse who "fits" you in personality and size, as well.
There are some great web sites for photos, videos and research on horses for sale. Try dreamhorse.com to look at sale horses.
The best hunter I’ve seen in recent years is Rumba. He won the 2009 $100,000 International Hunter Derby Finals with rider John French. I’ve put a link below to a youtube video of his ride. He’s smooth, athletic, elegant and has perfect form over the jumps, with a beautiful bascule and tight, even limbs. You can’t do much better than that.
Good luck in your search. I have found riding and jumping to be an incredible, fulfilling, and challenging experience which provides a lifetime of learning.
I am not for sure yet but we might get a Horse facts Guide Amazon’;return true;” onmouseout=”self.status=””>horse. I might want a morgan horse but I am still thinking. Morgan horses are beatiful. I just need some information about them.
I agree with other posts so far – a horse is not an animal you can do a little research on and jump into. It’s extremely expensive and poses a lot more hazards than something smaller. Do you know anything about farriers? Equine dentists? Colic? Vaccinations required for horses? Do you know what vices, health problems, and conformation issues to look for in a horse when buying? If you don’t know the basics, find a stable or nearby barn where you can work or ride for some time until you really know the animals better.
Owning a horse without experience handling them can end up with you or the horse getting very ill, very injured, or worse. Buying a horse out of your league can lead to the same, escalated because you’re not experienced enough to correct the behavior properly or avoid it getting worse. Buying a horse without knowing much of horse health can lead you easily into thousands of dollars of vet bills or, again, worse. There is simply no way to post all necessary info for horse ownership here, even the basics, if you’re not intending to go elsewhere and get hands-on experience first.
As for Morgans, I believe they’re bred to be rather intelligent and gung-ho with strong and willing personalities. If you’re not experienced with horses, a smart Morgan could walk all over you, literally or figuratively. Not because they’re particularly bad or ill-behaved, but because they have a lot on their minds and can easily misbehave without being told what of their ideas are good and what are bad.
For Project on Horses. Any help will be greatly beneficial.
Thankyou.
If u wanna mail me = bc_gupta94@yahoo.co.in
ROCK STAR
Hi, there.
Rock Star.
How are u?????
I’m also an Indian.
So coming on to ur question =
For Images = http://images.google.co.in/images?q=Horses&hl=en
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=Horses&fr=FP-tab-web-t400&toggle=1&ei=UTF-8&fr2=tab-web
Information = http://www.answers.com/horses?gwp=11&ver=1.1.2.381&method=3
Images + Info = http://www.google.co.in/search?q=Horses&hl=en&sa=N&tab=iw
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Horses&fr=FP-tab-web-t400&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8
Thankyou for giving ur e-mail address.
I have a lot of beautiful pictures on my Yahoo! Photos.
I’ll send u an invitation to see it.
Hope this helps.
Dude
Don’t have a tension because of ur project Rockstar, U rock.
I started a twitter account and atleast once a day I will send out Horse facts Guide Amazon’;return true;” onmouseout=”self.status=””>horse tips,tricks,facts or other things you need to know. please fallow me! also spread the word!
Posted by admin | Under horse trivia
Saturday May 29, 2010
It’s cloudy and freezing, so there’s no point of staying in the barn all day. All my barn chores are done and I cleaned tack and did extra chores today. And all three of my horses are spotless. So I’m going to make a trivia game The goal is to answer every question correct.
1. True/False: Horses always sleep standing up.
2. What are the two types of vision a horse has? Which is used more?
3. When a horse’s ears are pointing in two seperate directions, what does that usually mean?
4. When is a horse considered a horse, and not a foal?
5. True/False: A horse’s lower jaw is wider than the upper jaw.
6. How many gallons of saliva does a horse produce each day?
7. What is the average weight of a horse heart?
8. Which breed was used by Louis XIV and Napolean for their armies?
9. What is the heaviest horse breed?
10. What breed is a gaited horse, that is pony sized and from NW Spain?
I posted it before, but it was 20 questions. I’ll post the other ten if someone gets all of these right.
NO COPY CATTERS, it’s so annoying.
I have a whole list of questions, so I’ll try to do this weekly
Good luck!
So far..no one has a 100%. Good guesses though!
1. False
2. Monocular and binocular. They use monocular more
3. He is concentrating on (listening to) two different things)
4. This one’s kind of ambiguous. After he’s weaned, a horse is no longer a foal, however, people usually don’t call a six-month-old a horse. If you’re going by that school of thought, they go from foal to weanling to yearling. Otherwise, many people will call any horse under four a colt or filly, and stallion or mare when they reach four.
5. False
6. 8-10 gallons
7. 8 lbs.
8. Comtois
9. Brabant
10. Galiceno
I didn’t look at anyone else’s answers yet, so if mine are the same, we must both be really smart!!
Posted by admin | Under facts on horses
Saturday May 29, 2010
What I have done/experienced/know:
1. I have owned a pony for 2 years. She is a special needs horse for she has many issues and I take care of her completely. Well my mom helps me with her medicine because I spill and she has the schedules and stuff because I don’t have a date book but besides that I take care of her.
2. I have worked at a rescue farm and delt with abused intermediate horses. They were quite scared. One time one of them got freaked out while I was walking her to the feed bucket. She literally almost backed up into the barn, but I calmed her down steadily and brought her to her bucket without losing her (she was really quick too)
3. I’ve been riding for 9 years now. Since 3rd grade and I’m in 12th. I ride 2-5 times a week, but I go to the barn a lot more than that. And I ride all summer long. I have ridden 7 days a week for a year, but my pony’s old so I can’t do it anymore. And I take lesson 2-3 times a week.
4. I have shown one season in long stirrup hunter, low large hunter, and large pleasure pony. I got a red merit in low large hunter and large pleasure pony (7 points total). And I also got 5th place in long stirrup hunter. I only did 6 shows in long stirrup hunter, but I got at least 5 ribbons every show (7 classes each jumping 2’3”). Also, I only showed once in the other two so yeah. I got 47 points total out of 7 shows. And that was my first time ever showing
5. I know all the stuff around the barn. I know how to muck, feed, clean buckets, water buckets, turn in/out, how to catch a run-away horse, clean area, give hay clean tack etc….
6. I know how to give a full groom, bath, braid
7. I know how to take care of a horse when sick, ie take temperature, give syringe (well I’ve never done it but I have watched MANY times and I could do it easily), when to call vet/Ferrier etc.
8. I know all the parts of the horse, all parts of English tack (bridle/girth/martingale/breastplate/sad… etc), horse colors, horse breeds, horse terms, vet facts to know about horses, random Horse facts etc.
9. I know how to tack up and everything. I also know how to get on WITHOUT a mounting block
10. I know how to steer/walk/trot/canter/gallop/jump up to 3’ (would jump higher but my pony is only 14.1 and has health issues and is old)
11. I know diagonals, leads, simple and flying lead changes by heart. And any other things with riding
12. I know what to look for when critiquing people and am always willing to give advice
13. I’ve ridden English hunter and I do a tiny bit of dressage with my trainer (bending etc)
14. I’ve fallen off 18 times, from a standstill/walk/trot/canter/gallop/jump/… and gotten right back on EVERY time and redid what I had to do.
15. I’m always willing to learn new things, read new things, read books/magazines/websites (horse, young rider etc)
Needed to improve:
1. I have bad habits while riding. I have issues keeping my heals down because of medical issues (I have bad feet/ankles/thighs)
2. It is hard for me to relax sometimes because my back/shoulders/legs are ALWAYS stiff. But I do ignore it and get on with things.
3. It’s hard for me to lift heavy stuff/lead stronger horses because I’m not that strong. I only weigh 100 pounds and am kind of wimpy but I learn to work around it.
4. I tend to stall at times. I mean like sometimes it takes me awhile to get ready because I’m sort of slow. I also have ADHD/OCD so it’s hard for me at times. I have a bad memory and tend to forget my course or where I’m going at times.
That’s all I can think of. I’m sure there’s more I just can’t think of it.
thanks for answering.
yeah. i have ridden other horses. i haven’t lately because i have my own horse and take care of her, but whenever someone asks me, i do. it’s just that some of the horses at the barn are tbs and quick snobby horses or haven’t been trained much. they’re sweet, but i don’t really want to get on a horse i don’t have permission to ride and don’t know…
also i am ALWAYS reading horse books. i must have about 20 horse books and every time i go to the tack store/book store i get more (which is why i don’t always go haha) but yeah i love to read and find out new things so its all good
yeah i’m always stiff when i ride. that’s only because my shoulders don’t become unstiff. but whenever i ride i’m always trying to loosen them up by rolling them and stuff, but it never works. that’s the only reason i like the winter because my trainer can’t yell at me because he can’t see how stiff i am under my jacket and three outfits haha…
and yes i know i’m not the best. i’ve been at a REALLY FANCY barn where people have gone to the olympics there and yeah they can like jump 7 ft amazingly. so i know i’m not the best rider, but i always like to improve
i have shortened my stirrups. that was back in september and i have shortened them a hole. now i’m at 14 and back then i was at 13. my trainers have helped me quite a bit. the sad thing is that i think my trainer is moving back to peru next year. he is an amazing trainer and extremely nice. he’s been my trianer for like 2 years now and has helped me so much. he knows that i have illnesses, and works around them. i also have a hearing loss and he kind of has a soft voice but i’ve gotten used to it and he’s learned to scream.. haha but i’m going to search for a new trainer when he leaves. plus i won’t be riding as much because i’ll be busy in college. i’m thinking of mabye putting my pony on field board and leasing her out idk. but yeah i’ve learned to work around my illnesses. i know i have them for i do go to a special ed school but horses help me know that i can do stuff and i am IN LOVE with horses (if you read my pro you will see.. lol)
Well i would say your intermediate but you should be proud of what you have achieved. An its good to know people are still willing to learn more a bit like myself. With the riding videos your very good altho i think if you worked on a few things it would be a BIG improvement to how you ride like loosening up a bit more in your upper body as you were very stiff , bending your elbows more , sitting back and deeper in your seat which no stirrups is a very good way to help balance but also your seat and core stability. And i agree with a few people who have said you should put your stirrups up a bit more for jumping and maybe if it was just me that if that is the length you ride on the flat or if there longer you will bbenefitby popping them up a few more holes. An you deffoo know a horses stride , and strengthening your legs will also help you be more secure in your jump ppositionand your leg wont go so far back. But other that that your really good , i always enjoy teaching people who are willing to learn more and like you said you like to give advise on riding , well why not get some experience and have a go at teaching , its would be something new for you to try and i think you would love it. Ohh and your horse is beautiful
Understanding the basic nature of horses and how they communicate with each other is a vital element to becoming a good horseman. If you understand the core instincts and innate responses horses have to their environment, you will learn to recognize certain behavior, know what it means to you as a rider, and anticipate the next move your horse may make.
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