Horses

How to properly lunge your horse. **i am not responsible for any injuries that might occur after the reading of this article**

With Christmas fast approaching, some of us are stumped on what to purchase for that special horse- person in our life. Below are a few suggestions, suited for horse folks.

Does your horse hold a special place in your heart? Is he the elusive Horse of a Lifetime? The loss of this companion is terribly difficult. But there are things you can do, to help keep their...

Polo has been a popular equine sport for centuries. Originally developed as a war game between Iranian soldiers as early as the 5th century, polo is still enjoyed around the world by spectators...

When riding a horse, a saddle may be required. There are many types of riding saddles, but English saddles are best for jumping and allowing the rider to have a balanced seat. Putting an English...

Cowboys and horses have roamed the wide expanses of the West for more than 200 years. The hilly terrain of the Rockies often made riding difficult and the heavy Western saddles popular with...

Horses that are being kept in a stall should have a clean, dry environment. There are different types of bedding used in horse stalls. Wheat straw and rubber mats are often used for bedding but...

As the mercury falls, we start to wonder if it's time to pull out the blanket brigade. There is a weight, a style, a color for every occasion. Unfortunately, we too often blanket our 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

A spur is a metal device designed to be worn on the heels of riding boots. Riding boots have an extended heel or shelf for the spur to rest upon. The objective of the spur is to assist in cuing...

A sliding stop is a beautiful movement to watch and is the crowning glory of the equestrian sport of reining. The horse runs down the length of the arena, then, at a simple cue from the rider,...

A horse's shoulder injury can be difficult to diagnose. Pain originating from another location such as the lower leg can be misdiagnosed as shoulder pain. Injury to the shoulder can also be...

The equine cold is also known as equine influenza. This virus is an upper respiratory infection found in horses, zebras, donkeys and mules across the world. The virus is extremely contagious and...

There are many possible causes of diarrhea in a horse, some of which are not too serious and are easily treated. However, it is important not to ignore this symptom in your equine friend, as it...

Even the toughest equine athlete can be sidelined by a strained tendon. Most suspensory injuries are caused by overexertion, resulting in pain, stiffness, swelling, and often lameness. If the...

Reining is an equestrian sport that requires the horse to perform sliding stops, circles at different speeds and sizes, spins, flying changes and rollbacks in one of the 10 patterns developed by...

A horse that won't stand still while you are trying to mount or dismount (get on and off) is very dangerous. Your saddle could slip. You could fall and get caught in the stirrup, then dragged. You...

Shopping for a pre-owned horse trailer involves more than picking the right color. If you've decided it's time to start checking out the used trailer market, take the time to find the trailer that...

Unlike humans or dogs, urinary tract infections in a horse are a rare occurrence. They most often occur in horses that have other health problems. An equine UTI can be either mild or severe,...

A headstall combined with a bit is what is known as a bridle. A bridle is an essential piece of horse tack which, in concert with the saddle, provides the means to effectively control a horse...

An equine bladder infection is the inflammation of the urinary system in a horse. Unlike humans, bladder infections in horses are rare. They most often occur in female horses than male horses...

The horse is possibly more susceptible to flesh wounds than other species because of their comparatively thin skin, less protective hair covering and their nature of quick movements and...