Horse Rider Supply Information

You know how important it is to check your horse’s legs before and after you ride for heat and swelling. If you find hard swelling in the area of the horse’s splint bones, your horse may be suffering from splints.

Splints are more common in young horses, and are most often found in the forelegs. Basically, splints are the injury and swelling of the interosseous ligament, which holds the splint bone to the cannon bone.

While overtraining is a common cause of splints, they can also be caused by concussion, direct trauma, poor shoeing, or conformation issues like bench knees. If your horse isn’t getting the proper amount of vitamins and minerals—if he is lacking in calcium, phosphorous, or vitamins A and D—he is also more prone to splints, especially if he is younger than two years old.

So what are the signs of splints? The two signs that generally show up first are heat and hard swelling along the side of the cannon bone. Your horse may or may not show signs of pain, and the degree of lameness—if any—usually correlates to the degree of inflammation. At some point the swelling will go down a bit in size, but will also become harder because of bone formation. As you notice the size of the splint going down this doesn’t mean that the bone formation is getting smaller. As a matter of fact, once your horse has a calcified growth, it will not go down in size. When the growth appears to go down in size it is just because the swelling in the surrounding tissues has subsided. Once the bone calcifies the lameness usually disappears, unless the calcification is positioned so that it interferes with the suspensory ligament, flexor tendons, or carpal joint.

There are several different treatments for splints, so it’s best to talk to your vet about what treatment will best work for your horse given his condition. Rest and cold therapy immediately following the tear of the interosseious ligament will help reduce inflammation and therefore bone growth. In addition, the vet may also recommend other treatments to manage inflammation including corticosteroid injections, topical nonsteroidal cream, or bandages over DMSO and Furacin or glycerin and alcohol. Plan on your horse being out for at least 30 days, and sometimes more.

When all is said and done, a case of the splints isn’t the end of the world. While the appearance of the limb can be permanently affected, most splints don’t cause permanent lameness. Treatment of inflammation as soon as possible can even prevent bone calcification. In cases where an ossification interferes with the suspensory ligament or carpal joint, surgery may be required. Only in relatively few cases, for example when the suspensory apparatus to the back of the cannon and knee is damaged, do splints cause permanent lameness.

Keeping your horse in moderate training and not overdoing it, especially if he is young, is the best prevention against splints. Be sure to check your horse’s legs before and after every ride, and if you notice heat and swelling take immediate action. Remember, the sooner you act the less likely it is that splints will cause long-term damage.

Want to learn more about splints and other leg issues? Just visit our equine resource links below and add them to your favorites or bookmark them around the web!

Thanks

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Ron Petracek was raised in Southern Idaho with horses and the great outdoors. With this continued passion He now shares through a a vast equine network. Learn more by clicking the links below. Amazing Equine Network System - Buy Sell or trade anything equine related. Get More Horse Classified coverage and distribution with less cost and work. Award Winning Horse Forum.

When a riding academy ran its instructor certification clinic, the first thing the clinician did was have all the instructor candidates mount their horses from the wrong side. The reason, she said, was to remind them what it’s like to be a beginner again. Even the most experienced of the bunch was humbled by having to take a moment to think it through.

Proper mounting is an oft overlooked but very important procedure in riding. Doing it correctly mean preserving the horse’s back while contributing to your safety.

Before you mount your horse, ensure that you have your helmet on securely. Make sure the harness is buckled.

You can mount your horse three different ways, all of which will be performed on the left side of the horse except in a very rare case when a horse may be blind on that side:

> A leg up (done for English riders): another rider or your instructor assists you by giving you a leg up. You will face your saddle, bend your left leg so your knee is at a 90 degree angle. The person giving you the leg up will grasp your knee and calf in both hands. The two of you will count together 1-2-3, you will bounce on your right leg on 1 and 2 and give a good bounce on 3 as though you were trying to jump up to the saddle.

On three is when the person lifts your left leg as you jump up and lightly swing your right leg over the horse’s rump. Most adult beginners are uncomfortable with this method because they think the person will be handling too much of their weight; however, you can help the person giving you a leg up by counting together so you are working together, hopping on the other foot to give you lift and going with the momentum of the other person lifting you by the leg.

From the mounting block: a mounting block can be a plastic or wooden one or two step box where you will lead your horse to so that you face him on the left side while standing on the mounting block. The mounting block should be very sturdy and not shift as you step up. Using items like buckets in place of a mounting block can cause rider injury or a horse to spook if the item tips while you are standing on it.

Some horses are particularly ornery about lining up at a mounting block; if your horse is, you can ask someone for assistance by holding his bridle on the right side. You can align him on the right side, then, as you mount the mounting block on his left side, take up a little more contact on the right rein to turn his head slightly right, keeping him from swinging his hindquarters away from the block. Have your reins in your left hand placed firmly in his neck where it meets the wither.

If you are not very balanced, grab some mane in your fingers so you don’t pull on the bit as you mount. Facing the saddle but with your body almost facing his rear, turn your stirrup with your right hand and place your left foot in. Grasp the cantle (back of the saddle) in your right hand. Bounce off your right foot and pull yourself up and swing your right leg over the rump without hitting him. Sit very lightly in the saddle so as not to hurt his back. Don’t flop into the saddle like a sack of potatoes. Your horse isn’t warmed up yet and his back could be quite sensitive. (If you notice his back drop out under you and his head shoot upward, you may have sat too hard on him.)

From the ground: you should be able to mount from the ground; however, understand that it places particularly more strain on your horse’s back. To alleviate that strain, have an assistant hold down the right stirrup while you are mounting. (She will hold the stirrup in her hand and apply pressure down to the right to balance the saddle from being pulled to the left.) At the horse’s shoulder, you will turn to slightly face the rear. Take your reins in your left hand and place it firmly on the horse’s neck.

Grab mane in your hand to keep you from pulling on the bit as you mount. With your right hand, turn your stirrup as needed to align with your foot and place your left foot in the left stirrup. Grasp the cantle in your right hand, bounce lightly on your right leg and gently gracefully swing your left leg over the horse’s hindquarters. Sit lightly and place your right foot in your right stirrup.

The reason you face toward the horse’s rear is if he starts to walk off with you, you are able to turn your body to keep up with him as you’re mounting instead of getting left hopping behind with one foot in a stirrup.

Now you know how to mount and are ready to learn how to ride!

For more great equine information please visit our resource links below and ad them to your favorites! So you can visit often. We thank you for telling all your friends about our great sites.

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Ron Petracek was raised in Southern Idaho with horses and the great outdoors. With this continued passion He now shares through a a vast equine network. Learn more by clicking the links below. Amazing Equine Network System - Buy Sell or trade anything equine related. Get More Horse Classified coverage and distribution with less cost and work. Award Winning Horse Forum

By the time a man finally decides to marry the love of his life, he thinks that he knows exactly who she is and that he will be able to get along with her for the rest of his life. The first few years of your marriage are wonderful. You have got a promotion at work and your wife has turned out to be the perfect spouse. Then one day you come home from work and your wife drops a bomb. She tells you that she wants to purchase a horse!

You do not know what to do. You think that purchasing a horse will ruin your wonderful lifestyle, but what many men do not realize is that letting your wife purchase a horse will score you some major brownie points. Most of you are thinking to yourself that there is no way that this could be true. You think that you are going to have a huge monthly expense because owning a horse is not cheap and you just know that eventually your wife will want you to purchase a horse so that both of you can go horseback riding together. If you stay calm and keep your cool, you will be able to come out ahead, your wife will be happy, and everyone knows that if the wife is happy, the husband will be happy.

If you refuse to let your wife purchase a horse, your relationship could eventually end in a divorce and that will be much more costly than paying for feed and boarding. If you let your wife purchase a horse, you will be able to benefit just as much as she does.

By letting your wife purchase a horse, you will be able to get just about anything that you want. This means if your wife tells you that you do not need a 72 inch flat panel plasma screen television all you have to tell her is that she did not need a horse and before you know it you will be watching your favorite football team play on a 72 inch flat panel plasma screen television.

This tactic can be used over and over again because a horse is not a one time expense. As long as your wife owns a horse, you will be paying for feed, veterinary costs, and various other expenses. This means that anytime your wife tells you that you cannot have something that you want all you have to do is mention how much you spend every month on her horse and she will not be able to stop you from purchasing new golf clubs or anything else that you want.

So, while purchasing a horse for your wife may seem like a huge expense all you have to do is think of owning a horse as a get out of jail free card. You will be able to pressure your wife into purchasing things that you would not be able to buy if she did not own the horse.

Please visit our resource links below and visit our forum, we love to have you as part of our community.

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Ron Petracek was raised in southern Idaho with horses and the great outdoors. With this continued passion He now shares through a a vast equine network. Learn more by clicking the links below. Amazing Equine Network System - Buy Sell or trade anything equine related. Get More Horse Classified coverage and distribution with less cost and work. Award Winning Horse Forum

Owning a horse can be a very rewarding hobby. Whether you are a person who just likes to go for a peaceful trail ride or you are aiming for Olympic gold, there comes a time when we all will travel somewhere with our horse.

Whether this experience is just to go to a different trail riding area, heading to your first competition or moving paddocks, the following handy tips can help make the experience less stressful for all concerned.

First you will need suitable transport for your horse. If you are intending on moving your horse on a regular bases then it maybe necessary to purchase (if the budget allows) your own horse trailer (float).

Most towns will have somewhere to hire a trailer from, otherwise you maybe lucky enough to have some great friends who can help you out.

No matter the transport you decide on, it is your responsibility to check that it is roadworthy and suitable for your horse.

Is it big/small enough for your horse to fit comfortably?
Is it in good repair?
Are all the correct lights working?
Does the trailer have the correct brake set up?
Is the floor strong and not rotten?
Is the trailer registered?
Are the tyre’s in good order?
Do you have a suitable vehicle to tow the trailer?
Are you used to towing a trailer?

If possible it is always a good idea (especially if you haven’t transported your horse for a while), to have a practice loading session the day before.

Make a list of all the things you may need to take with you, such as extra feed, saddle, bridle, competition clothes, riding boots, grooming box, tack box, bucket, towel, extra blankets, human food, money and maybe even a map. Also make sure the vehicle has plenty of gas!

If you are traveling to a competition it is best to pack as much as possible the day before. Don’t forget any registration/membership papers or nomination forms.

Check out where you’re going to. You may even do a ‘dry run’ (if it isn’t to far away) to check out the best route to take. Work out how long it will take to get there and allow a bit extra so that you’re not running late.

Have prepared any protective equipment for your horse that you deem necessary for the trip. Are you using floating boots? Try them on your horse so that they get a feel for them and you see how they fit.

When the time comes to move your horse, stay relaxed as this will help your horse to stay relaxed. If possible have someone who is experienced with moving horses with you.

Once you arrive at your destination, park in a place that is suitable and safe to unload your horse. Unload your horse and take them for a walk around to have a look at their new surrounds. Perhaps offer them a drink.

If you follow these simple steps, then transporting your horse will be a simple and enjoyable process. Remember to plan ahead and relax!

Happy Horsing
Tina Williamson BA Sci (Equine)

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Tina is an editor at http://www.gifts-for-the-horse-lover.com where she writes about Painted Ponies and Rocking Horses.

Buying your first or new horse can be a very exciting but nervous time. Will I find what I’m after? Will it be the right horse for me? What is the real reason it’s for sale? Does it have any health problems? HELP…… I don’t want to be ripped off!

RELAX………..here are a few handy hints that can reduce the stress in choosing your new equine partner.

Whether you are looking at buying your first horse or your 3rdor 4th there are a few safe guards you can take to help ensure it is an exciting time in both your lives.

So you have decided to buy a horse, congratulations! Now that you have taken this first step there are a few things you need to decide.

What are your plans with your new horse? Do you just want to go trail riding? Do you want to compete? If so, in what equestrian sport? Western, Dressage, Jumping, Polo, Pony Club, Eventing, Rodeo, Show riding, breed classes???

Do you have a breed preference? What height horse is best suited to you? What sex animal do you prefer? Will it be run with other horses? Are you experienced enough for a young horse? How much are you willing to spend?

Sometimes it can be difficult to pin point exactly what type of horse is best suited to you and your equestrian pursuits. It is advisable to seek out the opinion of a more experienced horse person, someone you trust and has lots of horse knowledge.

Unless you are buying for a particular breed or show ring activity, the coat color is of no importance! I have seen lots of people make mistakes having brought a horse because of their coat color.

I personally have never been a big fan of grays (sorry to all the gray lovers out there), but I will tell you that some of my best horses have infact been gray!

There are quite a few different horse buying guides and sources around. Check out the internet, local paper and local saddlery shop. Don’t forget to ask your friends and horse acquaintances. These people will normally know who is for sale, why they are for sale and what the horse is like.

So you have found a horse that sounds great on paper and have contacted the owner to organize a viewing time. See if you can have a knowledgeable horse person go with you.

Try to arrive a little earlier than the agreed time. This way you will see if the horse has been worked before you get there and hopefully allows you to see the horse being caught and tacked up.

Get the owner to show you the horse being ridden first, and then get your friend to have a try and see what they think. If the horse doesn’t seem to be suitable at this point or it scares you half to death, then don’t get on!!! If you don’t feel comfortable now then you won’t when you get it home.

Ask lots of questions. Even if you think they are silly. You won’t know unless you ask. View any registration papers and competition results.

Have a good look at the horse, pick up all four feet, look in their mouth, under their tail, in their eyes and note anything that looks abnormal. If you don’t know what you are looking at get your friend to look.

If after you have put it through its paces and you think it maybe the right horse for you then I suggest two things, it maybe an idea to put a deposit down (if the owner agrees) and get a vet check done.

A vet will view the horse and conduct a few tests to see if it is healthy and sound. Remember to get an independent vet, one that hasn’t seen the horse before.

It may also be wise to have another viewing of the horse on a different day. Even if you arrived unannounced, at least this gives you an idea of what the horse is like naturally.

Talk to people who may have seen the horse before, they should be able to tell you anything that they have noticed.

See the horse loaded on to a trailer, lead the horse around yourself, try putting the bridle on, any think else you may have to do on a regular bases.

Once you have done all this and you still think the horse is suitable then it maybe necessary to negotiate the price. This is entirely up to you.

But remember that a lot of owners won’t budge on the price, especially if they know it’s a good horse (Although I have picked up a couple of great horses for half price their value, having been in the right place at the right time).

Remember to have all the registration forms transferred over to your name (or at least signed over) before you take the horse home. Also get a receipt saying you have paid for the horse in full before you leave the property.

Congratulations!!! You are now the proud owner of your new horse. May it be a long and satisfying journey together.
Happy Horsing

Tina Williamson B App Sci (Equine)

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Tina is an editor at http://www.Gifts-For-The-Horse-Lover.com where she writes about Horse Figurines and Horse Toys as Horse Lover Gifts.

You can find horse training tips just about anywhere, but how do you know that you are getting quality information that will really work with your horses? There are aspects you should desire in any program designed to teach you how to train these animals. A program without all of these parts will leave you wanting more.

First, find a program that includes both teaching and grooming instructions. In order to accurately train your animal, you must learn to take care of their physical needs first. An animal that has not been groomed or fed properly is not going to perform well. On the other hand, an animal that has the right care will want to perform for the person who provides their care.

Second, look for a program taught by someone who knows horses. With the ease of putting up a website and writing information, anyone can set up a site with horse training tips. However, not everyone has years of experience that will help you be confident in your ability to train your animals. A good program will be written by someone who has spent lots of time with horses. Look for credentials before trusting anything you read online.

Next, you want an instructional program with clear illustrations. Pictures can be a valuable teaching resource. Reading only text, you can have difficulty performing tasks discussed in a book or on a website. Photographs are great for illustrating how to train these animals. A clear photograph is worth many pages of explanation.

Another invaluable resource you should look for is online help and support. A good trainer will know that animals are unpredictable. When you come upon a behavior or habit that you need to change, but you are having trouble communicating with your animal, having an online help source is pretty helpful. You will be able to quickly get an answer to your question without too long of an interruption to your training sessions.

Finally, find a source of horse training tips that will teach you how to be more confident as a rider and a trainer. Confidence is the key to successfully teaching your animal to behave in the manner you want. A confident horse owner is a successful horse owner. The confidence (or lack thereof) that you feel is transmitted to your animal, increasing their level of confidence as well. When both human and beast are confident, the sky is the limit when it comes to what the animal can do!

If you are looking for this type of quality information, Horserealm has compiled horse training tips downloadable book written by an expert equine caretaker, Bob Howarth. Visit http://www.horserealm.com to get more information or to purchase a copy.

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For information on horse training, horse training tips, and on how to train a horse please visit our site at http://www.horserealm.com.

Colic is one of the most common horse conditions in which you will need to call your Veterinarian. Colic is not a disease; it is a clinical sign of many possible diseases. Increasing your knowledge of this common condition of horses could save your horse’s life.

Colic means literally a pain in the abdomen. When a horse “colics,” this means that the horse is acting painful, and it appears that the pain is coming from the abdomen.

Horse colic can vary greatly in severity. Some colics will go away with just taking your horse for a walk, but other forms of colic will require surgery, and can be life threatening. So if you think your horse has colic you should contact your Veterinarian immediately.

There are many possible causes of colic in horse. One possible cause of colic could be from a changing diet. The diet could be too high in grain or maybe there is moldy hay in the feed. Another possible cause is when a segment of the horse’s intestine twists in the abdomen, this happens not infrequently in horses. Generally your Veterinarian can diagnose this by ultrasound, palpation, or by use of a stethoscope. To cure this type of colic, surgery is often required. This means you have to take your horse to the Veterinary hospital. Colic surgery in horses is very expensive costing $2,000 at a minimum. Plus the hospitalization is rather extensive too.

Some common treatments for horse colics could include products that relive the pain like analgesics called Banamine or Aspirin. Also, mineral oil is used sometimes if it is thought that extra lubrication in the intestines would help the pain pass. Sometimes in severe cases intestines can rupture which often leads to death. But with proper feeding and care you can prevent most cases of colic.

Often times when calling your Veterinarian about your horse having colic they will often advise you to not let your horse try to lay down and roll over. If they are in pain many horses will try and lay down and roll around on the ground trying to relieve the pain. It is important to prevent this as a horse can do even more damage to themselves in this condition.

A secondary problem often overlooked when horses colic is that lameness could develop. This is a disease of the feet which is also a very common problem of horses.

If you think your horse has colic you should contact your Veterinarian immediately, even if it’s late at night. When your horse has colic minutes and hours count towards finding a resolution to the problem.

Another important thing to be aware of is that some horses are more prone to colic than other ones. This is a question you should ask a horse owner if you are thinking about buying their horse.

By becoming aware of the common disease conditions in horses you can catch them earlier and provide relief earlier. If you have more questions on colic, or think your horse may have colic, be sure to contact your Veterinarian.

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Article by http://Dog-and-Cat-Training.com Visit http://www.dog-and-cat-training.com/other-pets/ for more pets articles, over 100 dog and cat tips, and more!

Choosing a horse will be one of the most important decisions you ever make so for the sake of both you and the horse - take your time.

At 50 I was a bit older than the average first time horse owner, so should have got it right. I fell in love with a pretty little horse that I had ridden on a riding holiday when he was in his own environment and I was relaxed and had all the time in the world.

9 months later, after a lot of heartache I admitted that he was the wrong horse for my lifestyle and experience and fortunately he was able to go back to his original owner. Pretty traumatic for me, but less so for him as he was going back to where he was happy.

Our livery yard owner helped me decide what type of horse I was looking for by considering the following:

1. My horse riding experience
2. Who I would be able to ride with
3. The grazing, stabling and riding available to me
4. How much time I had for horse care and training
5. How much money I had to buy a horse and care for it
6. What size horse I was comfortable with and was sensible for me
7. Whether I wanted a particular horse breed or colour

We decided that based on the above, a traditional coloured gypsy horse would be ideal and found Amy, a 5 year old ex brood-mare. She was road trained and gentle with lovely paces, but was oblivious to all the standard horse training commands.

2 years on I can’t imagine life without her. She may not be the most beautiful horse around (though I think she is) and with a full time job to fit round her, she adapts to whatever horse care and horse riding routine I need. We have had a lot of fun improving our horse riding skills together and I hope that we will still be doing so for many years to come.

So step back and consider the above points before you choose your horse, as he/she will be relying on you to make the right decision.

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Learn the essential information for picking the right Horseback Riding Vacations at http://www.horseback-riding-vacation.info

There are many different types of horse supplies and equipment that can be purchased for a number of reasons and uses. When you go to make your purchased, you will be faced with a wide variety of options, so knowing what you need before hand is very important. This can be especially relevant if you are planning to spend a lot of money on your horse equipment, and it can definitely turn quite costly. Still, even with all the options available to you, you may find yourself wishing to purchase horse supplies and equipment that will meet your vast equine needs, and this is where custom horse equipment can serve you well.

Whether you are planning to ride your horse on your own property, on frequent trail rides, or enter the beautiful creature in horse shows, you will need many different supplies. There are a variety of companies that will customize this equipment just to fit your needs. They may also be good resources from which to seek advice if you are unsure of your exact equipment needs. For example, if you are planning to ride your horse often, you will want to be sure you have the right saddle. Your saddle should be comfortable for both you and the horse, and there are many different types from which to choose.

If you are a new horse owner, it would probably be a good idea to read as much information as you can about owning a caring for a horse, as well as riding it. You may also consider joining a local trail riders’ organization if you plan to mingle with other horse lovers. There, you will find beginners as well as advanced riders, along with people who have raised horses for a good number of years.

If you are seeking customized horse equipment, the first place you should check in your particular area. It may be better to do this, especially at first, so that your needs can be more easily met without having to keep sending equipment back if it doesn’t meet your specifications. This also gives you an opportunity to get advice right there on the spot, and can also help those customizing your equipment to get to know you and your horse better.

Once you have become a more experienced rider, and know what you need in terms of equipment, there are many online companies who specialize in customized horse equipment. There, you will find an array of bits, saddles, bridals and so much more, and can easily prepare you and your horse for a horse show. You will find everything you need right at your fingertips.

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Equine Products Advanced Equine offers Horse tack, bridle, saddle, bit, girths, cinches, saddle pads and more.

Horses are susceptible to a variety of diseases and the wide majority of them we are not too concerned with because we vaccinate our horses. It is important to remember that just because some diseases are vaccinated against, your horse may still be able to contract them but the vaccination will lessen the effect of the disease. Vaccinations are important because you never know what may be floating through the air from a sick horse passing by in the stable or even riding down the road in a trailer.

Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis

These are respiratory diseases that are very similar to the human flu. These diseases have very similar symptoms to the flu. Your vet may recommend that your horse be vaccinated every 3 months or at least every 6 months for these diseases, depending on how often you travel with your horse and often the horse is exposed to other horses.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a bacterial disease that a horse contracts through open wounds. A horse should receive regular tetanus boosters, as the disease is easily contracted through puncture wounds and lacerations. The bacterial disease wreaks havoc on the horse’s nervous system and may cause brain damage. The prognosis is generally poor for a horse that contracts tetanus, so horse owners want to do their best to prevent it. The symptoms include extreme sensitivity to touch and spasms in the neck and jaw muscles. It is recommended that horses receive these vaccinations at least once per year.

Strangles

Strangles is a very contagious disease that spreads from horse to horse very easily. Many horses will have the virus, but show no symptoms, which makes it even harder to detect until other horses begin to show symptoms. Horses will generally have a pus discharge from the nose and abscesses form in the lymph glands. The abscess will often burst with thick yellow pus. The horse may develop a fever and go off feed. Most animals will recover, but the care for these horses can be very difficult, especially if they develop the abscesses. Horses should be on a regular vaccination program for strangles, especially breeding and performance horses. Strangles live in the ground and there are various strands that may develop. High-risk horses include broodmares, stallions and performance horses. They should be vaccinated every six months. You should also vaccinate if you are moving to a new stable and ask if they have their own version of the vaccine for their particular strand of virus.

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Now you can enjoy your home horse décor, knowing your horse is protected.