Horse Appeal

Do you know how Social Media and the Natural Horsemanship movement are alike? If you are into horses like I am you may figure out the answer right away but for those of you who only admire horses from a distance let me explain? All horses are prey animals (because their defense mechanism is to flee from danger as opposed to staying and fighting) and all humans are the opposite. Humans are predators because their natural reaction in the face of danger is to fight plus they eat prey animals. I am just talking about the basic nature of the beast here. Horses look large and powerful but are actually very easily intimated. Because of that, fear and intimidation has been the accepted method[..]

Natural horsemanship training techniques are beneficial for the horse and the rider or trainer. Natural horsemanship techniques stress intuitive communication between the horse and its trainer. Such techniques make for a less stressful and more fun experience for each in the long run. Lowered Expense Keeping a horse is expensive! Vet bills, food costs, boarding costs, and equipment do not come cheaply. Just as people, plants and other animals tend to have better health if they are not stressed, and worse health if they are stressed, so do horses. Natural horsemanship techniques promote training that works with the horse’s natural communication patterns and instinctive behavior.[..]

RHYTHM AND TEMPO Before you can pick the perfect freestyle music for your horse, you need to understand the difference between rhythm and tempo. Many people use the words rhythm and tempo interchangeably, but they don't mean the same thing. This month, I'll go over the meaning of each--both in musical terminology and in riding terminology. It doesn't matter if you ride DRESSAGE, HUNTERS, or you are an EVENT RIDER. Every equestrian needs RHYTHM!!! Rhythm - When riding, regularity of the rhythm refers to the even spacing between each step in a stride of walk, trot, or canter. In music, rhythm is made up of sounds and silences. These sounds and silences are put together to form patterns of[..]

As a three day eventor, the first day, or dressage, is the most important day. This gets you either a secure place in the standings for a ribbon at the end of the weekend, or a spot at the end where your hoping that someone has a horse that can't jump. I bought a horse that was a superstar at dressage, but I myself was not the most knowledgeable in the art of dressage. I did my research and found out how I could get higher scores on my dressage test, and these are the three steps I found to help me the most. Step One: Know your test! This seems extremely simple, but you would be surprised to find out that 1/5 people that enter a dressage ring forget their tests! Make sure you know your[..]

The idea of the "perfect riding" music has been in my head since last Saturday night when I was fortunate enough to watch some of the best riders in the world compete in the Masters Freestyle CDI*****. Eight riders competed, with no two rider's music even similar. How amazing and how fascinating. There were composed pieces, there was rock, there was techno, there was classical, there were vocals, there were non-vocals and they were all inspirational in one way or another. Finishing first was Anky van Grunsven with an 84.450 percent on Salinero. Finishing second was the American pair of Steffen Peters and Ravel with a score of 81.70 percent. Third place was Isabell Werth with Satchmo[..]

Dressage Tips Be aware of what your body is doing. You and your horse must move as one. Maintaining your balance is critical to performing dressage. Keep your hand connected with the horse's mouth. Dressage is about gentle control. Training never stops! You are always training your horse. Each time you mount your horse you are setting the rules. Your horse should know what to expect of you at all times. When your horse disobeys and does what he wants and you allow him, he is then training YOU! Stay in Shape! Dressage is physically easier on the body than other equestrian disciplines however, the rider still needs to stay in shape. In order to master dressage both the horse and the rider[..]

Are you an Equestrian who's in search for the durable and comfortable saddle to use or replace your old one? If you are, then you might already be aware that Portuguese saddles are of the best choices to find in the market. The saddles are handmade to perfection and proven to provide any equestrian, whether amateur or professional, the satisfaction he deserves. I have never been too involved with the sport, but I have a good friend who's an equestrian and he's always commended the quality of Portuguese saddles. He says that in 10 years that he's been riding a horse whether for fun or for competition, he's never been as comfortable with other saddles as with the Portuguese ones.[..]

The need to buy a new saddle is really unavoidable but we should be very careful in buying them. We should be careful because there are many alternatives that you can choose with regards to this horse riding supply. There are various horse saddles with various features. Some would suit for adventures. Some is for plain comfort for you and your horse. With this regard, you must be a little selective. Below are some types of horse saddles that might interest you. If you want to buy saddles just for plain comfort and relaxation, Australian Saddles are the most suitable for you. These saddles have comfortable seats made up of leather which helps the rider to be firm on where they are seated.[..]

If you're out and about shopping for the right western saddle, you'll be glad you found this article. I've got years & years of experience in the field of horseback riding, and I'm an expert at choosing the right saddle for the intended use. Step 1 in choosing a the right western saddle is figuring out the main intended usage of the saddle. There are numerous types of western saddles, and you want to pick the right style for what you'll be doing with it. To name a few styles, you've got barrel racing saddles, endurance saddles, all purpose saddles, roping saddles, and so on. You need to pick the right style before continuing your search. The next step is to determine which brand of[..]

Ranch or Stock Saddle When it comes to different types of saddles, the ranch or working style is a good place to start. This is a true cowboy's tool which is sturdy, resilient and heavyweight. The ranch saddle is meant for long hours of working with the cows and horses and features a deep seat that is set as low as possible. Trail Saddle Also sometimes called the pleasure saddle, this one is designed for enjoyable rides and is lightweight and features comfortable padding of foam rubber or latex. The trail variety carries a higher pommel and cantle to keep the rider secure in case the horse spooks. This type of saddle is the most popular of all saddles and as such comes in many different[..]

Hilason Treeless Saddles Treeless Saddle Barrel Saddles Western Saddle Manufacturer: Hilason Saddlery Co. Model: Treeless Saddle Category: Barrel Saddles Purchase: I have been long searching for treeless saddle but was constrained to stick to Bob Marshall treeless saddle that is good but has a lot of flaw. This search was over when I searched on Ebay and found Hilason Saddlery Co. providing a wide range of treeless saddles. They claimed that there saddle has considered and fixed all the flaws in Bob Marshall. This was absolutely right when I fearfully tried their Barrel Racing Type. I just could not control my joy in riding after such a long time. I could actually feel the breath of my[..]

Antares is a company that was founded fairly recently by some of the best riders in the world. Antares saddles are made with not only your comfort in mind but the comfort of the horse as well. Antares takes a holistic view of the horse and rider and with their saddles you and your horse can feel like one being with nothing impinging on your control. Antares saddles are built with the softest leather by highly skilled craftsmen in France and they're built to be stronger and sturdier than most other saddles. Antares is a company that knows what the horse and riders need because their saddles are designed by riders for riders and you can feel the passion in every ride. If you're going to[..]

Cordura saddles are generally made to fit trail horses, and are built upon saddle trees that have been specially made for riding comfort and back support. Many Cordura saddles are made with specific users in mind. For example some are made to fit female riders, and some are made for large and tall riders. But Cordura makes great all-around saddles with suede accents and fleece-lined skirts. They are also lightweight and very reasonably priced. All-purpose saddles, whether made with Cordura or not, generally have a deeper seat and larger knee rolls. There is often suede on the front part of the saddle flap. This helps the rider keep his or her legs in the proper position. For beginning[..]

Show saddles are made to look great in the ring but they're not necessarily designed to stand up to a lot of hard work. The styles change with fashions, and are also a matter of personal taste. Show saddles often have very elaborate tooled leather, and silver accents that are custom engraved. There are show pads to go with show saddles, and they also feature trim in silver and other accouterments, including rhinestones and leather. Dale Chavez Saddles hold their value well, so those who are new to shows and who don't have the budget for a new Dale Chavez show saddle can often find a used saddle that has been kept in excellent condition. With a Dale Chavez show saddle, as with any saddle,[..]

Billy Cook saddles are made in Sulphur, Oklahoma, and the company is owned by Billy Cook. There are counterfeit saddles, but all genuine ones are made in Sulphur, Oklahoma. There are three basic incarnations of these saddles. The "old" saddles, the ones built to the original Cook designs by Simco-Longhorn, and then the Billy Cook saddle that Cook started making again when he went back into the business. All are high quality options. The Team Roper Saddle is built around a Dally Roper tree with rawhide bound Quarter Horse bars. It has a short post, and is rawhide laced, in golden leather with half-breed basket tooling. It comes in 15.5 or 15 inch seat size with a 13 inch wide hand tooled[..]

I took my three year old Warm-blood gelding "Archie" to the Chiropractor a few days ago. He was a little touchy in some areas of his body and I suspected all wasn't right with him. It was his first time out so I wasn't sure how he'd react. Just as I thought, Robert Humphries (horse Chiropractor extraordinaire) took one look at the side of his face and knew immediately that his jaw was "out". After further examination the verdict was that Archie's poll and hips were also out of alignment. Robert went on to explain that when a horse is "out" in the poll, it seems to make them confused and a little "skatty". "Horses just don't understand why the tension or pain is there" he said. I could[..]

Horseback riding is all about balance and staying centered. You always want to keep your horse in good balance for his stage of training no matter what your discipline. It doesn't matter whether you’re a dressage rider, a western pleasure rider, a trail rider, or an event rider. Correct balance is essential to effective riding because the center of your balance directly affects your horse’s balance. Your goal should be to have an independent seat so you can effectively influence your horse as positively and as harmoniously as possible. In order to have this independent seat, you need to sit in the saddle properly. By that I mean that the both the placement and the position of your[..]

Pilates Based Exercises For The Equestrian To the uninitiated horseback riding can seem like an easy endeavour. But ask any one that rides and they will tell you otherwise. Controlling 1000 plus pounds at a gallop, over a jump or across terrain is a physically demanding sport. A perfect balance of strength, coordination and flexibility is required. Pilate's offers all of that and more.  For the amateur and professional alike Pilate's can be the missing piece. For some the sport comes naturally and maybe they could use Pilate's to prolong their career,  remain flexible or help ease any soreness and pain from past injury wear and tear.   But for many especially the adult amateur, to[..]

If you are looking to save money, cheap western saddles might be on your list of things to shop for. Since a new western saddle can easily run over $3,000 (and that is not including the high end decorative show saddles), finding something less expensive can sometimes be a challenge. But if you know where to look, saving money can be a bit easier. Tack Sellers: Often sellers of horse tack and riding paraphernalia will have sales. These are usually scheduled for specific times of the year, so check with the vendor to see if there is an upcoming sale. Also, sellers will usually carry clearance merchandise, where you can find better quality items at a lower price. Stable Message Boards: If[..]

The Western Riding class once became a highly competitive class with the competitors all but racing neck and neck through the class. The class was designed to show a horse's quality of lead changes, not how fast you could work the pattern. Today, there is a greater emphasis on working the pattern correctly rather than quickly. The Western Riding horse should have quality lead changes, quality movement and mannerisms. The scoring system for your breed's Western Riding class will be outlined in your rulebook. For most classes, the class is a performance of a horse that is sensible, well mannered, free and easy. The horses complete a pattern individually that is prescribed by the judge[..]

I often hear from horseback riders that they have irrational fears about being out of control or getting hurt when riding. The fear seems irrational because they've never actually had an accident or injury. So they wonder where the fear comes from. For what it's worth, I used to have "irrational fears" about flying. It was so bad that I would only do clinics within driving distance. It turns out that the fear of flying was just a convenient "hook" to hang stuff on. It allowed me to express fear, anger, or even grief. Apparently, my mind thought that fear of flying was an acceptable way to express those emotions. After all, no one was going to tell me I was crazy to be afraid to fly.[..]

As a riding instructor, one of the biggest challenges I face is that of convincing my students that the key to all successful riding is acquiring proper balance in the saddle. For some strange reason, many students think that horseback riding is easy and doesn't require much work. It's as though they should be born with the natural talent to ride horses. It isn't until after the first few lessons that they realize that proper riding requires the rider to do more than just sit in the saddle. It takes hard work and, particularly, a strong focus on developing a balanced seat. How does one "find" their seat? The following exercises have been designed to teach riders the necessary skills to[..]

Physical, mental and emotional fitness is important for your horse back riding and horse training. If you are fit and agile, your horse will carry less weight and you will be able to easily exercise your horse in the various elements. Just as swimmers keep themselves fit, eat healthy food, sleep well and socialise sensibly - Your horse will appreciate if you do this too! You need to have clear rational thinking as you work with your horse, so you can understand the concepts of the training program, and analyse and plan how you will implement the training. You need to think on your feet when working with and training your horse, referencing the theories and advise, that you need to apply,[..]

Infrared light therapy as a medical technique is not new - it's been in use for preventative and therapeutic treatments, mainly for muscular injuries, since the 1990s. Its applications for both veterinary and human conditions have been the subject of lots of research and experimentation, so we can be confident that it can really work. So what is it? Basically, light travels in different wavelengths, which affect how well it permeates different substances and the amount of visibility and heat it creates. For example, ultraviolet light has wavelengths that can penetrate many substances - even skin, hence sunburn! X-rays permeate into the body even further, and their reflections form denser[..]

Horses make great pets and are an extremely popular animal to own. However, these pets are typically a lot more expensive to care for than traditional pets like dogs or cats for example. Insurance for horses is a simple way to get cover for any treatment fees that may crop up, either as a result of an illness or even an emergency with your horse. There are a number of companies offering horse (or equine) insurance across the country. When choosing the company to go with, bear in mind a few important factors before signing up. The cost may be an important factor for you, but cheaper policies will insure you for less, and may even have a fixed limit on the cost or even the length of[..]

When your horse gets sick, do you find that your first instinct is to "fix it"? Do you feel the need to make the symptoms go away immediately so that both you and your horse can feel better right now? This is an understandable reaction, since none of us want our horses to suffer if we can help it. But while the "quick fix" often makes us feel better about our horses, it can actually be detrimental to our horses' overall health. The quick fix is a poor choice for horse health care. Horse Health Care - Three Options When it comes to horse health care and coping with your horse's symptoms, you have three options: Palliation Suppression Cure Let's take a look at each of these three options,[..]

Horses are animals that need great care and affection. A horse's personality is usually determined by their upbringing and lifestyle brought upon them by their owner. Have you done everything so far in your possession to tend to your stallion's needs? You might be surprised how much time and effort someone actually has to display in order for their horse to be in top shape and health. Where can certain supplies for equestrian purposes be found? There are places around the country that offer just what is needed for your animals. Even if you are sure that you have done everything possible to raise your horse adequately, he may still have odd and bizarre behaviors. Not to worry. This is all[..]

Thousands of horse owners all over the world continue to put up with horses that are less than fully trained. Many have horses that they can't handle, are just plain afraid of or are neglected for one reason or another. There's plenty of things tugging at us for our time these days. But I want to suggest a few reasons why it would pay for you to spend a bit more time training your horse and enjoying them in the process. Here goes: 1. Safety - Without a doubt, this is probably the best reason to have your horse under control at all times. Anyone who's been around horses for a while knows well how dangerous horses can be - for the horse, the rider and all those around them. When you have[..]

The winter is finally over with and there are traces of spring showing up here and there. Time to recommit yourself to that barn project you stopped in the middle of last year. Let's just hope there isn't a stable full of soggy ponies standing knee-deep in water because the gaps in the roof were not sealed off properly. Hopefully, the horses were kept warm and bone-dry over those rainy, winter months because a tarpaulin was used over the unfinished parts of the roof. A tarpaulin is probably one of the best investments a horse owner can make when it comes to protecting the animals from the elements. Tarpaulins are a durable and inexpensive way cover a roof because they are made from such[..]

cl Horse Riding is seen as a lovely relaxing sport, with many children starting horse riding when there 4 or 5. People often don’t realise the weight and power of horse’s even small young ones. In America alone there are over 30 million people riding horses every year and 2,300 under the age of 25 are injured every year and need hospital treatment. Horses are heavy creatures and can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and can be as high as 3 metres tall. There are different kinds of horse riding from jumping, cross-country, stock work to pleasure riding. In jumping and cross-country the horses can travel as fast as 30mph and you’re on the back no straps just sitting on the saddle[..]

From the time they started out in the early 1990's, Ariat has been providing the west with quality footwear that is both, stylish and technology advanced. When they first started out, the designers at Ariat mainly made shoes for horse riding. They are well known equestrian boots that are great and provide comfort for an experienced rider, and for a person who has hardly been in the saddle. The Ariat boots are known to provide exceptional comfort along with great stability and support. They are extremely tough and come with special outsoles they call Duratread outsoles which increase the life of the boots and give the rider that extra grip they need. After people started finding the[..]

All winter long, you look forward to the warm days of summer, knowing how much you will enjoy going pleasure riding and trail riding without the discomfort of freezing temperatures. Now that summer is here, you might be wondering what on Earth you had been thinking as the sweat drips into eyes and your horse has never seemed more irritated or lethargic. Your trail and pleasure rides of summer can be made far more safe and comfortable with the appropriate horse riding apparel, horse riding equipment and the proper hydration. As you and your horse sweat, you lose critical amounts of water that your bodies need to function and stay cool. Providing your horse and yourself with significant[..]

Equestrian is one of the most sophisticated sports. It does not require only your skills but an excellent amount of styles. Equestrians do not only have to deal with getting their horse to abide with grace and speed. It has to be wear apparel that can help you perform at the top of the game as well as to command a certain appearance of professionalism and training, It is vital to be in excellent wardrobe from top to toe since this is a performance sport. This is also exactly the reason why competitive riders have to search for the perfect equestrian boots. Hence there are qualities that you have to search for once you are into searching for the best equestrian boots. You can check the[..]

All hats and horse riding helmets worn for horse riding should be designed and manufactured to conform to the correct safety standards. Safety standards for riding hats in this country include BSEN1384 and EN1384 which are the basic minimum safety standards that get reviewed every 5 years if a complaint is made and PAS015, which is a revised safety standard that addresses new areas of protection for riding hats including stability tests on hats when worn. The Kite mark signifies continually tested products conforming to the required safety standards and the CE mark shows quality and ensures that any product being sold in the European Union meets the required safety standards. All riding[..]

Starting a new sport or pastime can be one of the most exciting things you can do. In the UK, horse riding has grown massively in popularity over recent years, and the trend looks set to continue as more people discover the pleasure of equestrian sports. In 2006 The National Equestrian Survey revealed that 4.3 million people in Britain had gone riding in the previous 12 months, a significant increase on the 2.4 million people estimated to have ridden in 1999. There are many reasons for wanting to learn to ride a horse, such as improving your own fitness levels and getting out and about in the countryside. Horse riding can be massively rewarding and exciting, and it is no wonder that so[..]

If you're fairly new to horse riding and have just got your own animal, then the temptation can be to push yourself and get out riding as soon as possible. Don't! Before you even think about getting on a horse you need to make sure you have all the right equipment and even more importantly, know how to use it. Some pieces of riding equipment can be seen as desirable extras that will make the experience of horse riding more pleasurable. Safety equipment does not come into this category. Anyone who rides, irrespective of their level of competence, needs to take precautions and ensure they have the correct horse riding safety equipment. A riding helmet is probably the most straightforward[..]

When you first learn to ride a horse it is important that you acquire great techniques to be successful. The first thing you want to do is choose a horse that has the right temperament for you. You may like a horse that is beautiful but this does not ensure that it is tame enough for you to ride it without any complications. Once you have chosen a horse that you can ride it is important for you to take riding lessons. Remember that you are on an animal that can be on predictable at times, so learning how to ride properly is very important for you. How to: Ride a Horse The most important thing that you need to do is to find an instructor that you trust and works well with you. It is[..]

Horses chew, we all know that, but if you've ever watched horses out in pasture they'll perform types of grooming and bonding rituals with their teeth. Take a look sometimes and you'll notice many times horses standing together while one is almost seemingly biting the flesh of the other. They'll grab a little bunch of flesh and in a careful way kind of nip away with a little tug of the skin. This is very common and it's a cooperative event where one horse allows the other. I'm quite sure I wouldn't discourage such behavior amongst horses. Now we (humans) come along and from day one we teach our horses- even from babies- not to bite. At the slightest indication the young horse is nipping[..]

Horses are considered to be gentle animals and training them needs a healthy balance of discipline and sensitivity. The trick is to teach this gentle animal to obey your commands without breaking its spirit or abusing it in any way. So here are some steps on how to train a horse to ride. Click Here For Gentle Horse Training Instant Access Now! Before anything else, it is very important to establish what you want of the horse and better make sure that the breed is ready for it. For one year old or younger horses, work with a halter and lead line. Reward it with pats and treats like grains, carrots or apples immediately when it walks or trots with you, lifts its feet or turns according to[..]

When looking for a trainer, you need to decide what your goals are. They may change depending on what you and your horse decide to do, but at least have an idea of what you want to do. Do you want to show or just take lessons? Do you want to trail ride and just want to learn how to control your horse and ride better? WHERE to look for a trainer You can start with your vet, horse-related magazines, local tack store, friends or the classified advertisements in your local paper. Tack stores usually have a bulletin board, where they allow barn owners and trainers to post announcements when they have stalls available and if they're accepting new clients. If a tack store has been established[..]

Thoroughbred horse racing is one of the oldest types of horseracing and is enjoyed on almost every continent around the world. One thing that makes Thoroughbred horseracing so exciting is that the spectators and horseracing fans can place wagers on the races in hopes of winning some extra money. What many people do not realize is that there are many different methods available in which horseracing fans can place wagers on Thoroughbred horse races. The most traditional method that is used to place wagers on Thoroughbred horseracing is to visit one of the live horseracing tracks and place the wager in person at the ticket window. While this form of wagering has many advantages, there are[..]

A great collection of leather horse saddles can be found online in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. Some popular categories are Showman, Blue River, Circle S, and Double T saddles. Each of these varies slightly, providing many choices of saddles for the avid or weekend rider. There is also tack to match any of these saddle styles as well. Showman: These are great for barrel racing and have either a round or square skirt on them. They also offer full quarter horse bars. They are made from a hardwood tree covered in bullhide, making them built to last through tons of usage. Ranging between fifteen to seventeen inches in seat sizing, these also make a great roping saddle. Blue River:[..]