Horse Appeal

I once took my 4 year old mule, Jake, to a training clinic. When we joined the other 13 riders in the ring the first morning, Jake was a bit overwhelmed. He was pretty wound up with all the activity and just a step away from an out-of-mule-body experience. It occurred to me that I had not given him any Rescue Remedy or taken any myself. I usually give us both Rescue Remedy when we face something new and challenging. I took Jake back to the trailer and we both took a dose. The rest of the morning went much better. It was a long day and the heat index was well over one hundred. Jake gave his all and was a bit sore and grouchy at the end of the day. I took a little extra time to do a short[..]

I recently started doing research for an article on beneficial use of infrared light therapy for pain management. Per the usual approach, I started by looking for studies to validate that it worked or did not work. After about three hours of sifting through abstracts on studies associated with infrared, laser, bright, red, blue and a combination of red and blue light therapies for pain management, I came to several conclusions: - Most of the unsubstantiated data found, suggests that it works for pain management in humans. There are few concise studies associated with humans, that I could find, that would validate the benefit of light therapy for pain management (they may be out there and[..]

It’s funny how a person can work his tail off for over thirty one years in an industry that is highly competitive (and very fickle) and manage to make a living helping a lot of horses, along the way and still be derided by so called ‘professionals’ just because he doesn’t have a DVM or a PhD after his name. I must remind readers that in no way am I ‘anti-vet’ or against higher education. Without the great strides that have been made in academia, we would have none of the products or the procedures that allow us to care for and treat our horses when they need help. I have a very good relationship with my vet and her staff. I regularly consult with a number of vets across the[..]

ing is the equestrian version of a human triathlon, but instead of biking, swimming and running, it features dressage, show-jumping, and cross-country. Eventing began as a cavalry test to show the prowess of both the horse and rider. It can be a one day event or a three day. It used to be known as The Military, Horse Trials, and Combined Training. Eventing requires an athletic rider, but an especially talented horse. The Dressage phase comes first. This usually takes place in an enclosed ring of 20x40 meters. The test is judged on balance, rhythm, suppleness, obedience, and harmony between horse and rider. This is to prove that the horse can be swift and powerful in the jumping phases,[..]

Being a nervous horse rider can be a very debilitating feeling. You can remember your confident days where you jumped logs and galloped through the fields and the immense feeling of freedom that that brought with it. The smile on your face and spending the rest of the day on a high after a great ride. But now something has happened and you are afraid to get back on your horse, or to even be around your horse. Many others have overcome their fear of riding and you can too with patience and commitment. The first step in overcoming your fear is to fully analyze why you are afraid. Ask yourself what has changed in your relationship with your horse. Was the change sudden or does it seem to[..]

Nutrition, training, breeding and care are the ingredients that make up the horse athlete. The top ranges of efficiency in working or show horses could only be recognized when standard feed and supplement necessities are achieved for the equine. A horse supplement should deliver a total and healthy package of vitamins, nutrients, probiotics and digestive aids in 1 carrier which is required by equines in all types and levels of performance. There are many nutritional vitamin supplements available on the market today. However, hardly any are produced, well-balanced and buffered to fulfill the specifications of all categories of horses, and quite a few are expensive and difficult to make[..]

When Civil War historian and preservationist Robert Hicks released his book The Widow of the South in 2005, he fictionalized the story of Carrie McGavock, who turned acres of her family's home, Carnton Plantation, into a cemetery for the Confederate dead after the second Battle of Franklin, Tennessee. A best-seller, Hicks' novel brought a long-forgotten chapter in the story of the Civil War to a new generation of readers. Hicks' novel is a work of fiction, but the real story of Carnton Plantation, Carrie McGavock and the cemetery she helmed is just as fascinating. Carnton Plantation, located at Franklin, Tennessee, was constructed between 1815 and 1826 by former Nashville mayor Randal[..]

In the world of endurance, it seems that you cannot discuss fitness without discussing VO2 max. Ask any endurance athlete about it and you will hear epic stories with names like Indurain, LeMond, and Armstrong. Many of you however, may find yourselves wondering what exactly VO2 max is and why is it so important. To better understand this concept let's take a little trip back to school, specifically back to physiology class. According to the Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning textbook, VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen in milliliters, one can use in one minute per kilogram of body weight (ml/kg/min). In other words, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) is the greatest[..]

There years ago I had the local jeweler add six diamonds to the band of my wife's wedding ring, five for our children and one for our dog. The reason we had one for the dog was that we had to have an even number of diamonds. The dog died from rat poisoning. Rodent Poison Do you know those cute little yellow boxes that you poke a hole in, the mice eat the grain and poison and you are free of mice? Watch out! The label warned about pets. They were right. It kills them. The pets die a miserably slow death. We put those cute little mouse-killing boxes where the dog could never get to them. That's what we thought. Either the dog somehow got his paw far enough under the bottom shelf of my work[..]

There is often much confusion as to what exactly are English Classic races and what are simply Group One races. The first aspect to remember is that there are five English Classic races and they are all carry Group One status, but due to the history of these races they carry a much higher prestige and status in the Racing world. The second point is that they are only open to three year old thoroughbred horses. The Five Classics are: 2000 Guineas This is the opening Classic of the season and it is open to three year old colts and fillies. It is raced over the famous Rowley Mile at Newmarket and is a big test of speed, stamina and courage over an undulating straight course. Although it is[..]

The Melbourne Cup 2009 horse race is going to be another Australian spectacle rarely seen in the sporting world. Attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators, both at Flemington and in front of TV’s, radio’s and the Internet, many of them wonder about the odds of betting for the Cup. Horse betting odds and how you can increase your chances of backing a winner: Backing a winning horse with favourable odds is just about everyone’s dream when it comes to sports betting. But as it happens none of us is any the wiser when we finally pick our sweep stakes, the only thing that sets the winners apart from the losers is inside knowledge of the stars of the show – the thoroughbred horses[..]

Thoroughbred horses are amazing animals that are one of nature's greatest accomplishments. They are designed to run over long distances and can also carry weight on their backs while doing so. The reason they have so much strength and stamina is their cardio-vascular system and lungs. Oxygen is the fuel that they run on and they have huge nostrils, lungs, and hearts to deliver and use that oxygen. However, some horses have a tendency to choke down on their own tongues. Their tongues get in the way and they run out of oxygen while running a race. A simple device like a tongue tie is the answer to that problem. There are also horses who have a problem with weak nostrils and their nostrils[..]

Racehorse partnerships bring the thrill of the track to everyone interested, capturing the excitement of the sport without requiring great time or financial expense. Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leading racehorse partnership offers unparalleled experience in the sport with business savvy. Partners in turn get all the rewards of ownership at a fraction of the cost. Blinkers On is headed up by company founder, Scott Sherwood, and trainer and thoroughbred buyer, Greg Gilchrist. The experience of Blinkers On management ensures that your racehorse partnership is being handled by qualified members of the racing community, Sherwood handling essential business aspects while Gilchrist manages the[..]

A farmstay can be an enjoyable experience for kids and adults alike. Depending on the nature of farms, some specialize in rearing sheep and chickens, while others have cattle, horses, calves and goats. A farmstay provides an abundance of learning activities and memorable hands-on opportunities. Things to Do at the Farm You stay can include : 1. Feeding and caring for animals 2. Learning about breeding horses 3. Planting and harvesting organic vegetables 4. Gathering the horses 5. Milking the cows and collecting eggs 6. Feeding out the hay 7. Riding on a tractor 8. Shifting stock 9. Watching sheep dogs at work 10. Learning about haymaking and sheep shearing 11. Making country wines and[..]

A huge contingent of Irish horse racing fans, particularly those who prefer National Hunt racing have made the trip over the water each March to enjoy the greatest four days of racing possible at the celebrated Cheltenham Festival. The visit has become a pilgrimage for many which started in earnest back in the mid 60s when a certain horse called Arkle became an all time a Cheltenham legend when he won the coveted Cheltenham Gold Cup three times in succession. His first victory in that race was billed as England v Ireland, as it was the English horse, Mill House who was favorite and was expected to follow up his success of the year before. He had already beaten Arkle in the Hennessey Gold[..]

These dreams can be realized up to a certain extent by breeding horses online. Online horse races can be played and even training a horse can be done through the internet. But of course all this is in the virtual world. However it can give you some extent of satisfaction. Horse racing video games are a common fad among people nowadays and people like to play online horse games in their leisure time. When you search with the words free online horse racing games on the internet, you would get hundreds of results. Free games are available everywhere on the internet. These games are very user friendly and easy to learn. Some games allow you to create your own stable and breed your own[..]

If you want to experience one of the coolest and most pristine, cleanest cities in the US then make sure that you checkmark Charleston on your list of places to see before you die. Perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country, Charleston offers an amazing and historically-rich city that many locals refer to as the 'Holy City' for the abundance of churches - which number in the 100s and which steeples are obviously notable portions of the skyline. From the older and historically-rich downtown area that is packed with two-level town homes to the newer uptown district that features plenty of shopping centers, restaurants and boutique stores, indeed Charleston is major[..]

If you are an avid horseman or woman, chances are that you have been well versed in horse and rider safety. However, there are beginning riders or ones who are learning outside of a riding stable environment that may not know much about how to stay safe when you are on or around horses. One thing that many people may not realize is just how large horses can be. This can be especially true of the large draft horses such as Clydesdales, Percherons and Shire horses. They are normally quite gentle but if they are startled or feel threatened they can bite or kick. Keeping this in mind can help you stay safe around horses. Remember that the most dangerous place to stand is directly behind a[..]

A Gypsy Caravan Holiday is an adventure! It's an escape from the busy every-day life: imagine living in a Gypsy caravan for a few days, handling a horse and driving through an unspoiled, idyllic countryside. You can spend a holiday like this for example in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Hungary with different horse breeds and vardos in different variations. How can I book, how does it work? There are hire-companies and travel agencies that offer you a trip with a fully fitted and very practical Gypsy caravan for the holiday together with usually one horse, sometimes two. Bow top wagons, made out of wood and stretched canvas are used[..]

You'll find the Oklahoma State Fair in the State Fair Park of Oklahoma City each year during mid-September. The fairgrounds are over 435 acres and one of the largest fairgrounds in the United States. The fair features fun and activities for all ages and types of people. There are Duck Races, a rodeo, a lumberjack show, Percheron Draft Horses, Plains Indian Dances, and for the car and truck lovers, a truck and tractor pull, motorcross, monster trucks and a demolition derby. There's too much for you to see in one day. The PRCA Championship Rodeo fills the Oklahoma State Fair Arena with fans who want to see the extreme bullriding for two hours. Later over the course of 3 nights fans[..]

Every day many horses are diagnosed with laminitis, which is a painful condition that affects the feet of horses. Most of the time laminitis is preventable so it is important that you know laminitis prevention so that your horse does not have to suffer with this painful condition. Causes of laminitis: - Grain overload (eating too much grain at one time such as your horse breaking into the feed room and eating too much) - Too much lush pasture (this happens many times in the spring when your horse eats too much grass before his body has time to adapt to the sudden changes) - Retained placenta in a mare after foaling - Drinking too much cold water when overheated - Severe colic - Excessive[..]

The Northwest Fur Company established historic Fort William in present day Thunder Bay, Ontario on the Kaministiquia River in 1803 as its interior headquarters and distribution center. The company's headquarters were originally in Grand Portage, Minnesota, forty miles Southwest. The company moved because it was an English company doing business on United States soil. The US government wanted them to pay taxes on the fur they were exporting to Europe. The predominate fur being traded was the beaver, which was used to make hats for the gentry in every major city in Europe. The beaver had been eradicated in Europe, but were plentiful in North America, especially in Northern Canada. The[..]

As keyword marketing becomes more and more expensive and competitive, it has become essential when building your lists to focus on the maximum number of phrases and their variations that a surfer might enter into the search engines. Why? Because according to Amit Singhal, principal scientist at Google, a guy who really should know what he's talking about, over 50% of the 200 million searches performed a day have never been searched before. He also said: "When performing a search most surfers give a 2-4 word query". So here are my top 18 recommended ways to build massive keyword lists: 1. Visit your competitor's web pages and look in the title and meta tags. 2. Search for brand names in[..]

Is it a waste of life if we don't make our dreams come true? I believe so, which explains why I built a Roman Chariot, trained the horses and taught myself to drive it. I remember exactly when and where the idea was born. Sitting in our local Odeon with three ten year old friends, I watched wide eyed as Ben Herr fought for the lead in The Collesium. At that time I never imagined I would ever be able to emulate Charlton Heston. Nearly fifty years later I owned an Equestrian centre in Colchester. Originally Briton's capitol, (prior to London,) before Boudicca in her chariot burnt it down. Also UK's oldest recorded town and once proud possessor of the second largest Roman circus in the[..]

These basic instincts of horses are inherited from wild horse ancestors. Once you are aware of these instincts you will be much safer as you handle, catch and ride your horse. Horses and ponies are flight animals. Their first instinct is to flee from danger. If they think they are really in danger, the flight response will take over even if they are normally very quiet in their nature. Keep your pony safe and reassure him when you are with him. Be aware of your pony and what he is doing at all times. Understand these natural things about your pony and you know how to handle horses and ponies safely. Horses have a blind spot in front of them as well as behind them. Be aware when[..]

Anyone wanting to know the basic method of horse breaking applied in the past can rent a western movie. Watching is about all the method is useful for as today there are far kinder ways in which to break in a horse. I really do not like to use the term breaking simply as the word breaking, denotes force. Ultimately horse breaking is training of the horse. Training for a work or pleasure horse, has the same basic method of getting a horse to submit to man. Training horses has two main methods, the old and the new. The old technique is still very much in use today, but has been refined and altered along the way. That is to say that in most countries where horse folk are being educated,[..]

First Steps - Approach Your Horse Training a horse can only start after you have first caught him. This sounds simple enough, but if this is your first attempt at doing so it can be surprisingly frustrating. This is actually the most important step of all in training. Hereby are laid the foundations of trust. During each stage of horse training remember the importance of using the three P's - patience, persistence and positive reinforcement. These three elements work together to help you with each step of horse training. If your enclosure is of an easily manageable size you will find that the approach stage will be much more efficient. Ideally use a round pen, but a paddock or any large[..]

As the saying goes, "There are horse properties and there are horse properties." Everyone has their opinion of what makes a property, conducive to boarding horses, but one thing you should always consider when working with a real estate agent is, does that agent know anything about horses. Does he or she own horses? I am not saying that you have to own a horse to know about horses, but it sure helps. What some agents call horse property, I would not put a mountain goat on. I have seen listings that agents call horse properties, only to find, the property is mountainous, with steep terrain, heavily wooded and does not properly accommodate horses at pasture. The old saying, One horse per[..]

Toddler birthday party ideas are one of the most fun events that you will handle, since your child during his toddler years is at the most imaginative and the options for transforming his special day into something even more magical is great during this time of his life. Here are the ten most popular themes that you can choose from: Fairy - Nothing beat making a fairy out of your toddler. Bring in the colorful fairy wings from the toy store and the magical wands and add some glitter and pink around the house to make an easily enchanting birthday party for your child. Cowboy - with a little brown ruffles, a toy lasso, and a rodeo hat you can begin your toddler's party set in the land of[..]

-- End Ad Box ---> What color is a horse? The words for a horse’s coat color have very specific meanings. A bay horse has a body coat that is a shade of brown with black legs, mane, and tail. Within the bay group, there are blood bays which is a more dark reddish shade of brown and bright bays which can look a golden brown. There are also black bays, which might appear to most people as a black horse. Truly black horses are a more rare color. Most horses that you might think look black are black bays, which is a very dark brown. You will see lighter colored hair between the hind legs and tummy area and around the muzzle. This makes them black bays instead of black horses. People[..]

The twelve virtually impossible tasks were the means of penance the Oracle of Delphi revealed to Hercules to regain peace of mind and to free himself from the guilt and remorse for having killed his wife and kids. The rampage was caused by a fit of madness induced by Hera. The labors were conceived by King Eurystheus, Hercules’ cousin and enemy, a Hera’s protégé. Hercules felt powerless just like we do at times when the odds are overpowering. Some unfortunate individuals, when  facing a crisis, are so overwhelmed that turn to substance abuse and or promiscuity and adultery. The lucky ones have family and friends capable to provide psychological support. These fortunate people will[..]

ticletext"> Quick, can you name the largest appliance in your home that moves? That’s right – it’s your garage door! Garage doors are by far the biggest parts of a home that are designed to move easily and regularly—usually several times a day. Most of us take them for granted, at least until garage door problems crop up, but the garage doors of today are the result of many people’s innovative thinking and clever engineering design. Garage doors were of course first invented with the advent of automobiles. Initially, cars were stored, or “stabled,” alongside the other main form of transport—horses—sharing the same building. This shelter was[..]

During the winter in the UK all-weather race course tracks come into their own. They are often the only type of racing that is possible because of the frost and wet weather. However, there are some difference between racing on turf and and an artificial surface. If you are looking for winners it is important to remember that there are two distinct racing surfaces on all-weather tracks =. The fibre sand at Southwell is completely different from the polytracks of Lingfield and Kempton. Some horses will perform well on surface but be unable to cope with the other. Equally form shown on the all-weather will not necessarily transfer to the turf or visa versa. The all-weather courses tend to[..]

Jeep Safari Make your way down windy dirt tracks and secluded beaches on a Jeep Safari. The safari leaves from the town of Cala en Porter and is suitable for anyone over the age of six. The jeep darts through dense forest and sheltered woodland, before taking a slower pace through traditional picturesque villages and country lanes. This excursion is perfect for children, and nature enthusiasts will love the chance to hear more about the island's wildlife population. The safari makes for the perfect excursion whilst on your Menorca holiday and there are plenty of stops en-route for swimming or exploration. The island's spectacular scenery means that mountain-biking is a popular choice of[..]

Alan McCabe has survived a mid-year move of stables and a couple of months when he didn't have a runner. In the process he lost several of his best horses as his chief patron and owner of the Haygarth House stables Paul Dixon, brought in Jeremy Glover to take over being in charge. Alan though is now settled into his smart new stables at Averham Park and there are the first signs of better things to come. 14 out of 19 sprint winners so far this year have been achieved on the all-weather and that's about the same proportion as the stable as a whole since it started in August 2006. The McCabe horses are mainly low grade and obviously get more wins in weaker races of which there are a higher[..]

You probably already know that protective clothing, including riding hats, are necessary for your horseback riding safety. Although equestrians and others love horses - they are horses beautiful, often friendly and intelligent, and fun to ride - they can become dangerous when startles or scared. Although all riders are vulnerable to injury, novice riders are especially at risk. That said, all riders need to take precautions. Any horse - even one you know well - can be spooked and start to kick or gallop when she gets scared. A car backfiring, lightning, or even static electricity can spook a horse into running. One never knows what might happen. The best idea is to prepare with safety[..]