Horses

Tendon strains are dreaded by performance horse owners the world over. A strained tendon can put a horse out of work for months. If the injury heals improperly or incompletely, the horse may never...

As with all species in the animal kingdom, horses dominate, protect, bully, and submit to other horses in order to establish a pecking order. This order keeps all members of the herd safe, and...

Not everyone chooses to body clip their horse. Some people feel that their horse needs their winter coat to protect them from harsh weather, and some horses do not grow a very thick winter coat....

Equine parasite control is a very important step in keeping your horse healthy. Horses are unpredictable in there behavior so when deworming you should used caution. You will need to purchase a...

English riding crops are short, leather-covered sticks used as an aid in horseback riding--usually the hunter-jumper and eventing disciplines. Wielded by riders as an extension of the leg while in...

Clydesdale horses were developed in the early 19th century in the part of Scotland that was known as Clydesdale at the time. Today the area is called Lanarkshire. The breed was created by a cross...

Gentling a wild mustang is a life enriching experience. The first time that long whiskered beauty reaches his warm soft muzzle towards your extended hand is a magical moment you are not likely to...

A horse's tail is an extremely delicate thing to keep looking beautiful. If you show your horse, this is an especially important aspect you don't want to overlook. But even for your pets and...

Nothing compliments cowboy boots better than a pair of western spurs. Nothing says old west better then the jingle of a pair of western spurs. But, most of all, nothing tells your horse to getting...

Horses have been an important part of human history for thousands of years. Used by man in wars, for transportation and as working companions, horses have proved invaluable to nearly every...

The Spanish walk is a movement where the horse walks forward lifting his front legs in large, high, proud steps. Baroque breeds like Andalusians and Lippizaners are noted for the movement, but any...

Kids grow fast so we like buying things they can grow into, but we also want our children to be safe and comfortable. If their T-shirt is too large it is not a big deal, but an important piece of...

The piaffe is a trot-like movement that a horse performs on the spot, and looks like a dance. A competition-quality piaffe takes years of training and strengthening for the horse to lower his...

Horses of different ages and exertion levels have significantly different feed and nutrition requirements. Many grain- and pellet-based diets have been formulated for horses performing tasks that...

Equine massage is becoming increasingly popular as a way to help horses reach and maintain peak performance. Race horses, show horses and work horses all benefit from the healing touch of massage....

Corral stabilization is the process of constructing a basic dry lot for your horse. No grass will grow in the area, but it also won't turn into a muddy mess during bad weather. The idea is to...

Saddle racks can be expensive to buy, but there are several easy alternatives that work just as easily. Making a saddle rack helps to rein in the headstrong equine expenses while at the same time...

Fescue is a form of hay fed to around 700,000 horses each year. It is not the most common fodder and has a reputation as poor fare, but much of this may be counteracted by early harvesting and...

If you own a horse you can cut your costs significantly by keeping your horse at home instead of at the boarding stable. With full-care board costing $400, $500 or even more every month, horse...

Equine Cushing's disease is a hormonal disorder often associated with the pituitary gland. It will produce high levels of cortisol or proactin; stress hormones. While most herbal remedies are...

If you are a horse owner, you are undoubtedly familiar with the term “horse poor.” Any extra income likely covers feeding, housing and vetting our equine friends. Many of these costs are...

The Tennessee Walking Horse is a gaited breed known for its smooth running walk and typically placid disposition. However, as with any breed, a young or untrained Tennessee Walking Horse may be an...

Causes of hair loss in horses range from ringworm to anhidrosis to genetic disorders. Before starting a treatment, consult your veterinarian to find out what is causing your horse's hair to fall out.

A horse that is irritable, seems to be in pain shortly after eating, has had stomach ulcers or has had Bute or Banamine, may have hind gut ulcers. Horses do most of their digesting in the hind...

Bowed tendons are a serious problem for the horse owner. Any horse that works in a performance division--be it racing, jumping, dressage or working cattle--has the potential to bow a tendon. A...

Environmental triggers such as mold, dust and grass proteins are the most common causes of equine allergies. However, sometimes horses develop allergies with little or no warning. At the initial...

According to the Colon Therapist's Network, a professional registry for colon therapists, colon cleansing for humans includes colonic irrigation, colonic hydrotherapy, colon lavage and enemas....

Feeding horses is a huge part of their care. High performance horses often need a higher level of protein in their diet to meet the demands of their bodies, but doing this without causing adverse...

There are many types of snaffle bits and it is important to choose the correct one that fits both the horse's and rider's needs. Although the snaffle is a common style of bit, it comes in many...

Insulin hormone is produced in the horse's pancreas to regulate the metabolism of glucose in the body. Insulin-resistant horses need more insulin than normal to facilitate this because their body...

Disorders of the pituitary gland can lead to a hormonal imbalance known as Cushing's disease in horses. The disease occurs most often in older horses, with 20 being the average age of diagnosis,...

If all of your defenses have failed and your horse is stolen, be prepared! There are steps you can take to help recover your horse!

Horse theft is not just lore from the Old Days. It is still prevalent today. On August 23, 2009, someone tried to steal my horse. Here is what we have done to try and prevent further attempts.

When you're training a horse, you might not always get the ideal personality to work with. Horses can easily become bored, unfocused, fearful or skittish. According to Catherine Bird, an...

If horseback riding is your hobby, you probably have a few saddles hanging around. In order to keep those saddles looking like new, it is important to store them properly, and that means either...

Measuring the length and width of an English saddle is a moderately easy task that just about anyone can do. There are many styles of English saddles from multiple saddle makers. However, one of...

Whether you are new to horseback riding or an experienced old pro, it is important to choose the right size saddle. A saddle, whether Eastern style or Western style, that is too small for your...

Dressing in formal turnout, also called formal attire, is common at many English riding equine events. As the name infers, formal turnout is reserved for formal riding events. Riders may choose...

In horsemanship at halter classes (also called showmanship or showmanship halter classes), the handler is judged and not the horse. However, the horse plays an indirect, yet vastly important role...

Whether you are an experienced equestrian or a new rider, you will need a secure and sturdy place to keep your saddles. Placing a sadlde on the ground can cause severe wear to the leather and make...

If you own a saddle you need to have a secure and sturdy place to put it when it is not in use. No matter what type of riding you do, a saddle is a major investment with some saddles costing...

Have you ever seen white hairs on a horse's withers? When pressure is applied anywhere on the body, it cuts off circulation to the hair follicle. If the pressure is applied for too long a period...

Equine arthritis, or osteoarthritis, refers to degenerative changes to the articular cartilage and bone in a horse's joints. Articular cartilage is the collagen-rich bone covering that evenly...

Miniature horses or ponies are smaller versions of full-sized horses. To be considered a miniature, an animal must be no taller than 34 inches. In 1978, the American Miniature Horse Association...

Just like any other baby animal, foals can be mouthy and nippy. They may just be trying to test their boundaries, or they confused a hand with a carrot. Whatever the reason, if this behavior is...

Renal failure happens in horses when the kidneys stop functioning properly. According to "Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook," symptoms of renal failure in the horse do not appear until about 70...

Treeless saddles are made of fiberglass, leather and foam padding. They have a feel similar to that of a bareback pad, allowing for close contact with the horse. A treeless saddle can be a good...

Whether it is used for show or for trail riding, an Australian saddle can be an excellent choice for both beginning and experienced horseback riders. An Australian saddle combines the security and...

Miniature horses can be house-trained with positive reinforcement and dedication. Potty training a miniature horse is a project best suited to experienced trainers who don't mind cleaning up a few...

The stirrups are an integral part of any saddle, and if a stirrup is damaged, it is important to replace it before using the saddle again. Replacing the stirrups on an English saddle is not as...