Horse Halter and Dog Collar Options

When you are on almost any ranch or horse farm, there are two animals that are a given: horses and dogs. These animals are at home in the country and on farms and ranches and are wonderful companions who provide hours of entertainment for their owners. As an owner of horses and dogs, however, you have an obligation to make sure your animals are safe and comfortable. This means exploring your options for horse halters and dog collars to make sure you get a functional, safe and comfortable collar and halter. Since your animals are so often with you, it also doesn't hurt to get a collar or halter that looks nice and makes a good fashion statement.
It's about variety
There are a wide variety of different horse halter and dog collar options available for any pet owner, so the problem won't necessarily be finding the right collar but instead will be choosing between all the different collars available.
In general, when picking a collar, the first thing you want to be concerned with is the material that the halter is made from. A durable nylon halter is a great option for horse lovers because it is an inexpensive fabric that is going to hold up well and that will be comfortable for your horse to wear. Dog collars also do well in nylon because the material is durable, soft and washable. This makes nylon collars both functional and long-lasting, a well as great for your pet's sensitive skin and head area.
Once you have selected the material for your dog collar or horse halter, it is time to explore all of the collar and halter options available that are made of that material. Size is one key factor when picking a collar and you can either find a pre-made collar if your horse or dog has a standard neck size or you can consider the option of a custom-fit collar to maximize comfort or to provide a collar for an animal with a neck size different than average.
The material and size are the technical aspects of picking out your horse halter and dog collar, so the last options you will get to consider are the fun aspects: what you want your collar or halter to look like. When picking out a style, think about what reflects your personality as well as the personality of the horse or dog. If you plan to ride your house in shows or competitions, you may also want to think about what colors will match all of your riding gear so you can have a cohesive look.
In many cases, you will have a choice between a solid color collar and a two-tone or even tri-color collar. You may also be able to add embellishments to dog collars such as Rhinestones. These are a perfect add-on for the fashionable pup and can take your collar from ordinary to extraordinary.
So, next time you order a horse halter or a dog collar for the animals in your life, take the time to explore all of your options to get the halter or collar that best meets all of your needs.
Find Horse Halter and Personalized Dog Collar online at KustomFitHalters.com.

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Horse Books - These Five Are Must-Reads for Kids!

Misty of Chincoteague
Author: Marguerite Henry
Publication date: 1947
Synopsis: An endearing and contagiously innocent story, this Newberry Award winning classic introduces us to the horse-loving children, Paul and Maureen Beebe, and their grandparents who live on a quaint farm on Chincoteague Island. The legendary Pony Penning Day has finally come and at long last Paul Beebe is old enough to accompany the adult men onto Assateague Island to round up the wild ponies who live there. He and sister Maureen have been working desperately to scrape together enough money to buy their own Chincoteague Pony; however, the particular horse that they desire is not just another one of the darling faces rounded up each year: she is the Phantom, the renowned mare who has cagily evaded capture year after year. Paul is convinced that he can nab the Phantom... and he does! But along with the Phantom comes her tiny filly foal. It takes only one look for the Beebe children to fall entirely in love with Misty, as they call the foal. They soon realize, though, that they only have the funds to purchase the Phantom; unless they can somehow scrounge up several more dollars within a matter of hours, Misty will not be theirs.
My Friend Flicka
Author: Mary O'Hara
Publication date: 1941
Synopsis: This book is the first in this timeless trilogy, beautifully written and completely gripping. It is the touching story of a ten-year-old boy named Ken who lives on an isolate Wyoming horse farm with his older brother, mother and father. All Ken wants is a horse of his own, but his father will not give him one because Ken is a 'dreamer' and valuable horses cannot be wasted on someone like Ken. Eventually, Ken's mother persuades his father to give Ken a horse of his own. McLaughlin has great plans for Ken's young horse, but Ken falls in love with an elusive sorrel filly, the daughter of an untameable mare called Rocket. Despite the fact that the filly comes from a line of wild, mean-spirited horses, McLaughlin agrees to give her to Ken. Rocket is killed in a freak accident and Flicka, the filly, is injured when her owner's attempt to catch her. Everyone believes that Flicka will die... except for Ken.
The Black Stallion
Author: Walter Farley
Publication date 1941
Synopsis: The Black (or Shetan), the savagely striking stallion starring in this series, was described by the New York Times as "the most famous fictional horse of the century". Although each and every book in this illustrious, masterful series is well worth reading, it is the first one that has enjoyed the place on the pedestal as one of the most treasured horse books of all history. Whilst returning to the United States of America via ship after visiting his uncle in Arabia, redheaded teenager Alec Ramsey and a viciously wild stallion nearly drown in the dramatic and terrifying sinking of their ship. Stranded on an in hospitable desert island, the pair form an unbreakable, inexplicable bond so intimate that not even Alec can understand it. Upon their rescue and return to the USA, Alec befriends a crusty retired racehorse trainer, Henry Dailey, who instantly identifies the Black's unmatched pedigree. Together, he and Alec clandestinely start to train the Black to race; as Henry first thought, the Black is wickedly fast, but he lacks the documents that would certify him as a horse that is able to race, and it appears as if Alec's dreams for the Black will all come to nothing.
Black Beauty
Author: Anna Sewall
Publication date: 1877
Synopsis: Composed in the final years of her life, this unmatched novel has become one of the most treasured books by old and young alike; it was also the first story to be classified in the now highly popular pony genre of literature. Told in the first-person from the point of the aging, retired horse, Black Beauty, we get a unique and stirring look into the world of an 1800s horse, right from his birth in the peaceful English countryside, to his days as the riding horse of various rich owners, to the harsh, exhausting existence of a cab horse in the bustling city of London. Beauty will have many owners, some kind and some cruel; he will meet many other horses too, some whose stories end contentedly and others whose conclusion is tragic. If you claim to be horse-crazy, this book is a must-read.
Phantom Stallion
Author: Terri Farley
Publication date: 2002-2010
Synopsis: Set in the dusty, inspiring landscape of the Nevada desert, the twenty-four books of this series captured the hearts and imaginations of all my horse-crazy friends and I during our early teenaged years. Plucky and realistic, they describe the homecoming and life thereafter of thirteen-year-old Samantha Forster, a motherless girl who was sent to live in San Francisco with her aunt after a horrific horse riding accident nearly resulted in her premature death. Upon her return to River Bend Ranch, her beloved colt, Blackie, has still not been found; he was the horse Sam was mounted upon when she got injured and fell into a coma. On that first night, however, a furtive, silvery stallion calls to Sam from across the river. Could he be Blackie matured? The rest of the books tell the captivating, fast-paced, heartfelt and marvellous stories of Sam's life on the ranch and all the unforgettable horses and people whom she encounters. They are more modern in date and flavouring than the other novels, but the quality is just as worthy. Once you have dug into just one of these books, you will have to read the others, and once you have done that, you will never fail to recall them.
Jessica Young is a fledgling writer from South Africa who has been passionately involved in the world of the horse for almost a decade. On her much-acclaimed website, Learn about Horses, she offers over two-hundred pages of equine knowledge, ranging from horse breeds to horse literature, from horse care to the basics of horse gentling. She readily invites you to come and learn more about these beloved creatures that we call our trusty steeds.

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Horse Care 101 - Four Tips For New Horse Owners

In this article I would like to share with you some important things you should know about horse care. It doesn't matter whether you ride one for recreational or competitive reasons, the information that I'm about to share with you will help you to maintain your horse's overall health and wellbeing.
Hydration is vital.
It is important that during hot summer days you provide your horse with plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Dehydration can quickly lead to organ damage and you want to avoid this by all means.
In addition to providing plenty of water you also want to make sure that you occasionally hose down your horse with cold water to cool him off.
Use high quality joint supplements.
You want to make sure that you supply your horse's diet with high quality joint supplements for horses. You see, the constant pounding and twisting of horse's joints puts them under a lot of strain and this can lead to joint injuries. To avoid this not only do you want to regularly get your horse checked by an experienced vet, not only do you want to control your horse's weight to avoid putting joints under more strain, but you also want to start using high quality joint supplements that will aid in cartilage repair and in the renewal of the synovial fluid.
Use horse calmers when travelling.
In addition to supplementing your horses diet with joint supplements you also want to always have horse calmers on you, especially if you are planning to travel a lot with your horse.
Probably this does not affect people who ride mainly for recreational reasons, but if you are involved in disciplines such as show jumping, dressage or racing you might want to take a look at calmers.
Horse calmers are great, because they allow you to quickly calm down your horse. This is very useful, because once you get your horse to new environments and once every move your horse makes is carefully inspected by hundreds of eyeballs you horse can become pretty stressed and this stress can negatively affect your horse's performance during events.
Protect your horse from direct sunlight.
During hot summer days you want to board your horse in places that contain plenty of shades where your horse will be able to hide from direct sunlight. The fact is that it is pretty easy for your horse to overheat and heatstrokes are common amongst horse owners. To avoid this make sure that you keep your horse hydrated and that he has a place where he can hide from the sun.
If you want to get more information about horse care you might want to check out this great article that I have found about what to look for in equine joint supplements.

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Horses And Hyperthermia

Since summertime is upon us I thought I would talk about Hyperthermia in horses. Remember hyperthermia is a medical emergency as is heatstroke.
Hyperthermia (heat exhaustion and or/heatstroke) can and will occur in horses as well as humans. Horses have a capacity to adapt well to the changing environments but if you live in a hot and humid area you will want to take some extra precautions for the health and well-being of your horse.
Symptoms you should look for in the horse are weakness, rapid breathing, sweating, dark urine, temperature of 105 or higher. The horse's heart rate will usually be higher than normal and just as dogs pant your horse may also, it is their way cooling down.
Heat exhaustion comes on slowly whereas heatstroke occurs fairly rapidly so get the horse cooled down as fast as you can. If heatstroke occurs your horse will be much hotter than with hyperthermia, as high as 115 degrees and the horse will actually stop sweating! The horses cooling system at this point has totally broken down. If you think your horse has hyperthermia or heatstroke call your veterinarian right away and start hosing your horse down with cool or tepid water.
Prevention: Good horse management. Horses should have free access to cool, clean water and plenty of shade, whether under a tree or an open shelter as long as the horse can get out of the sun and heat. When you exercise your horse try to exercise him or her in early morning or late in the evening as it is cooler. You may also try shorter exercise periods with frequent breaks in between. Horses can loose from 3-5 gallons of sweat per work-out. If you are going trail riding get some chewable electrolytes to take with you. Apple Elite Electrolyte by Farnam restores electrolytes and trace minerals lost by dehydration and exertion by your horse. Farnam (or whatever brand you choose) also have many supplements to help your horse replace the minerals lost during exercise from dehydration. Mineral salt blocks should always be placed so that the horse has access to it whenever they wish.
Hyperthermia is a medical emergency for your horse! You need to cool your horse down as fast as you can using tepid to cool water, a fan if you have one which will help in cooling him down faster. Call your veterinarian asap or have a friend do it for you. Keep the horse in the shade and give the horse some cool water with electrolytes if you have them to drink and also plain old pure water too. He may or may not want to drink, but keep trying in short intervals.
It is always good to keep electrolytes on hand at all times. You can give your horse electrolyte supplements when he/she is under stress, long trailer rides, long work-outs or if the weather is hotter than 80 degrees and especially if it is hot and humid. Make sure your he/she has free access to plenty of cool pure water.
Remember to monitor your horse when the weather is extremely hot and humid and if your he/she seems at all sluggish then give the horse frequent breaks and continue to monitor the horse, you know your horse the best and can tell if he/she is out of sorts.
I am a horse enthusiast and an online marketer. I specialize in horse related products and information. I own and operate Posterhorse.com: http://www.posterhorse.com/ and we also have a fan page: http://www.facebook.com/posterhorse. Posterhorse for all your poster needs. Please drop in anytime.

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Horse Barns - Here, There and Everywhere

Any dedicated horse lover and horse owner dreams of a horse barn. The demands of horse owners these days often require more than just the construction of simple barns. Because of our increasing love and respect for animals, people have been seeking barns that provide their equines with the most excellent and comfortable living stalls or quarters.
Depending on your needs, there are different designs for horse barns in the market ranging from the most economical such as shed row barns to the almost complete horse barns which are quite expensive. Some barns are even portable! Because of the need, other manufacturers offer prefabricated and modular barns.
There are a lot to consider if you are either planning to personally build your own barn or employ someone to do it for you. One of it is the budget you have allotted for your horse or horses. If you are on a strict budget and you only have a horse or two, prefabricated barns or shed row barns are preferable.
These options are significantly cheaper than building barns traditionally as it saves time, money, and effort. The designs and needs of your horses are also already included in the package or barn kits. This includes lighting, ventilation, and storage facilities.
Another thing to consider is the number of horses you own as this determines the size of your barn. Surely, if you have many horses, it didn't slip your mind that they generally need a lot of space where they can roam around. Some barns for horses are complete and even come with an indoor riding arena for recreational purposes and for exercising purposes should the weather not permit any outdoor activities.
Your horse barn should also have access to utilities. A functional horse barn does not necessarily have to be really expensive. What it needs is ample room for your horses to rest, feed, and move around.
There have been existing companies that build equestrian facilities for a long time. It is an assurance that they know what needs to be incorporated in your barns and what not. However, if you are in construction and love horses, you may opt to build your own barn and make it more intimate. You should remember though that there are a lot of inherent challenges to this task.
However, should you be able to complete your project, the personal joy and the sense of accomplishment is very rewarding.
Future champions deserve extra care and treatment. The horses that help you in your work need to be treated the same as well. So why would you board your horse away from home and pay someone to do it when you can have your own horse barn?
Offer the best horse barns for your horses, not just because you can take advantage of them but because you love them. For more idea and deals on horse barns, visit Waterloo Structures Horse Barns today!

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Horse Ownership

Owning a horse is a challenging responsibility and yet very rewarding, it involves a considerable amount of time, hard work and dedication because horse requires care every day. You must prepare and spend more time taking care of your horse than riding it; you need be aware and assign someone to feed, water, groom and exercise your horse. When a person decides to buy a horse, it is often influenced by strong emotion. Taking care of horses may seem like hard work and indeed it is. In fact, before you can own one, you have to spend time, money, and energy in finding the right stallion or mare. Afterwards, you need to dedicate a part of your life in caring for it.
However, even though looking after for the amount can be tough. All the rewards you can get are more than worth it. For one, if you own a horse, you are sure to ride it around. This regular activity can definitely help improve your health. Even if you do not constantly ride your steed the fact that you need to groom it, clean its stall, and shovel hay for food, will already give you enough exercise that is sure to make you hale and hearty. Aside from this, taking care of your horse can actually make you a better person by honing your sense of responsibility. You will actually become a more mature, trustworthy, and reliable individual.
Of course, interior design of a horse barn is very important as many owners want the barn to stand out and make a statement. A key requirement is that the colour scheme blends with the other buildings on the property as well as the natural surroundings. Not only do homeowners love to spend hours deciding which colours and furniture they should use to make their house truly feel like a "home", but the same goes for horse owners and their barns.
For many horse lovers, the stylish addition of a horse barn makes their property truly unique and customized to their everyday needs. You also need to choose a property which has good water flow and drainage that is close to utilities and easily accessible for cars and trucks. You can also search a stall for rent in your area that can help you secure your horse properly. As the saying goes, "It's not the buying of the horse; it's the keeping of the horse."

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How to Handle Horses That Kick or Charge at You Because They Do Not Want You In Their Stall

Walking into a stall and having a thousand pound horse charge at you with teeth bared and ears flat back on their neck really is no fun. Actually, it is quite scary.

Usually horses that exhibit bad stall manners are performance horses. Performance horses are in the stalls most of the day and night and if they are out of the stall, they are under the stress to perform whether they feel like it or not. Horses that are out in a field all day and night can exhibit this same behavior and that is a territory or a dominance issue, but it is rare.

Probably, the first part of this problem is figuring out why this particular horse is behaving in this manner. Is the horse unhappy because it despises being in a stall all day? Or maybe needs contact with other horses? Are they claustrophobic and just really want to get out of the stall and because they cannot, they become very angry? Is there a territorial factor; meaning that this is their space and they really do not want anyone in there bugging them? Or maybe they hate their job and they know that when you enter the stall, it means they have to go to work?

Another type of horse that may be difficult in a stall is a mare that has just had a foal. Even if the mare knows you and knows that you would never harm her baby, some of them become so aggressive that it may take a day or two to get to the foal. Broodmares do not play around so patience may be your best virtue when dealing with foaling mares, and, especially mares having their first foal.

I have seen many horsemen take a carrot or apple into the stall, or a hand full of feed in order to coax a bad behaving horse. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. I have seen the horse take the offering quickly and spin around and kick at that person. I have never been one to give an offering. They do not deserve a treat and I think you are rewarding bad behavior. Remember one thing, horses are curious and usually submit very easily. If you have a horse that is almost impossible to catch in the stall, here are my suggestions - if you have the time. First, I would be spending time around that horse's stall. If someone comes over to speak with you, speak with them in front of that horse's stall. Grab a chair and read the newspaper sitting outside of the stall just far enough for them to barely put their nose on you. If you sit outside of their stall long enough, their curiosity level will get the best of them. You are now starting to spend time with that particular individual. The game here is trust. Hang out with your horse and make no demands on them. As you become friends, perhaps the horse will start to put their head out of the stall and allow you to speak with them and pet them, and eventually you will be able put the halter on them and THEN you give them a carrot or apple or some form of treat. So now they will associate being haltered as a positive event. Study your horse's behavior patterns and decide whether your horse is serious or just bluffing. Sometimes being very direct, walking into the stall with authority and as soon as this individual starts to move away from you, move quickly enough to subtly challenge their movements making sure that they do not get the upper hand of the situation. However, always use caution with bad mannered horses and respect their body language. Knowing when to approach, at what persistence level and knowing when to back off is crucial.

Another approach for an extremely difficult horse is to take a lunging whip. This is only to be used to move the horse into a certain position, not to be used as a punishing tool. Let's say the horse is standing on the left side of the stall with their head facing the opposite corner. Use the whip to motion the horse to move forward, clucking to the horse to encourage the forward motion. Ask the horse to move to the right side of the stall facing you. Ask the horse to whoa and give praise. Move back from the front of the stall speaking to the horse. Approach the horse with whip in right hand, motioning that horse to move to their right, keeping movement behind the horse to bring them full circle and ask them to stop at the same spot. This sounds easy and it is if you give the individual a chance to understand and respond. The object here is, first and foremost, to get the horse's attention. Secondly, to respond to commands, using the whip only for encouragement behind them, to go forward and stop in a specified area each time.

Once the horse is facing you and you have their attention and are speaking with the horse, you now can try to approach the horse. Having the horse facing you gives you the advantage. If you approach a horse that is facing you, you are clear of the hind legs and if the horse becomes aggressive you can quickly back up out of harms way as the door to the stall is near. If the individual does not behave, use a very stern voice of disapproval and start again with the exercise. Part of conquering this situation is not to show fear. Weakness will open the door for the aggressor. These particular individuals may need to live in a leather halter until they learn to submit and be caught easily. Patience and persistence usually will get the job done. If you can figure out why a horse is behaving this way, you may find another solution to suit that horse or can solve the problem much sooner with less effort.

Do not get discouraged; there is a solution for every problem and if you study a bad behaving horse long enough, the answer and method of operation will come to you. Getting to the source of the problem will relieve the symptoms.

Beverly Jansen
http://bevshorseadvice.com/
http://bevsequineproducts.com/
Co-Owner of BevWeb, LLC
I'm a licensed Thoroughbred Horse Trainer and a licensed Equine Message Therapist. I have devoted my entire life to horses and have over 40 years experience to share. My websites were created to share my knowledge and offer exceptional all natural horse products that are above and beyond any other products in comparison and will guarantee fantastic results or you get your money back.

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Equipment For Horse And Rider

A horse is a stunning animal full of grace and spirit. Owning a horse will completely change your life. Caring for them properly will take up a lot of time and money not mention the amount of effort and love you should, and want to, put into it. Having a horse in your life should not be decided on a whim, however if you love these animals then it will be the best thing you have ever done.

These intelligent species have been domesticated animals since around 3000 BC and over time humans and horses have developed a special relationship. They have been used for various jobs including transporting, in sport and during wars. The bond between humans and horses is still strong today.

If you have recently become the proud owner of one of these stunning animals there is a lot you will need know. One of the first things to check is that you have the right equestrian equipment if you plan on riding your horse, both for the animal and for yourself.

When planning what to buy yourself, you need to make sure you have all of the right clothing which is made to make sure you are comfortable and safe. Make sure you have jodhpurs, spurs, gloves, boots, riding hat and more before venturing out. The clothing can be found to look more stylish nowadays too.

The next set of equipment benefits both. A comfortable saddle is needed for the horses back and for you to sit on. This needs to be comfortable for both enjoyment reasons when riding your horse and also very importantly, for safety. As well as the saddle you have to have a bridle with bit.

You will need a whole host of grooming equipment, supplements, food, coats etc. for your horse. The list will be never ending but once you are stocked up on certain thing such as food and hay then this will be quite a large task completed. Horses hooves are an important part to make sure are kept in check. These need to be kept painted or oiled and also making sure that the correct horse shoes are fitted. The comfort of your beloved animal is very important, as the owner you are in charge of caring for them and making sure they are happy. With enough effort and hard work you get the enjoyment back of riding off on your horse that looks good but who is also content.

Zoe Robinson is an enthusiastic writer in the subject matter of pets, their supplies and also outdoor clothing. The websites recommended by Zoe Robinson have been thoroughly researched and come highly acclaimed from direct experience. Take a look at a range of quality equestrian equipment today.

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How to Exchange a Proper Greeting With Any Horse

Horses are wonderful creatures. They are a blessing on this earth for their loyalty and their wonderful minds. Human connections with horses are deep and rewarding for those who are lucky enough to achieve them.

Horses are products of their experiences. If a foal is raised correctly and treated with kindness their minds are open and willing. There is a look in their eyes that is recognizable if this is the case. They look at people with curiosity and a kind eye. Their ears are forward and as they approach people they dip their heads and stand still. What should you do? Well most people want to reach up and touch them on their neck or grab their mane. Do not do this. The horse is appraising you. They use their noses to identify safety. Do not stand in front of them. Stand to the side and offer an open hand extending only a few inches from your body. Do not extend your arm all the way out. Fold your arm at the elbow and open your hand near their mouths so they can sniff you. Standing to the side is safer for you if the horse decides to run away.

How do you determine if its safe to greet a horse? You should do this only if there is no indication they are going to pin their ears back, lift their lips to bite or strike out with a front leg. Snorting is not indicative of friendliness. Move slowly. Once the horse sniffs your hand then speak softly to them. Say hello and then touch their neck. Continue to move confidently and slowly. What is the hurry? Many horses love to be petted or scratched but do it slowly and see if the horse enjoys it. Remember that there are lots of horses in the world that will never enjoy being touched. You can still interact with them by talking to them.

What is the best way to greet a horse that is standing tied or in a stall? Be cautious of horses that are cross-tied. The ties will come from each side of the horse's head attached to the halter. Many horses have not been properly trained to be cross-tied and resent it. If the horse is inside a stall with his head reaching over the door it will seem inviting to touch their heads. Be aware that many horses have been teased or struck while standing this way. If a horse's ears are flat back, do not approach them.Walk by and say hello. Stand away and speak to them. Sometimes they will warm up and you can slowly move closer. Watch a horse carefully that has pinned ears. You do not know why this animal is warning you and it is always best to stay safe.

Many novice horse people do not realize that horses are as different as people. They are a collection of their experiences good or bad. If a horse has been mistreated they do not ever forget it. Humans are cruel to horses because they are afraid of them. Sometimes they are just happy to bully helpless creatures. Horses are ignored and neglected in many different ways. The ideal horse will be well trained and their owners keep them for life. The horse that has been victimized often is sold from one place to another. The relationship with humans that is ideal never occurs. Those horses can sometimes not be trusted. There are those from this kind of background that are dangerous.

If you are considering obtaining a horse, pay the extra money for a healthy, well trained horse that is friendly and confident. My horse neighs a greeting when he sees me. He comes up to the fence. I can put my arms around him. He follows me and he makes it clear that I am his favorite person. He ducks his head down so I can put on his halter. He stands still for grooming, for the farrier and for the vet. He is beautifully trained and a joy to own. He comes up behind me and puts his head over my shoulder. He licks my face. He is a real character. I feel honored that we found each other. He is greeted with kisses and hugs. He has been one of my best friends for almost eight years. A reliable horse is a blessing. Learning to greet a horse properly can be your introduction to your own special relationship.

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Five Horse Care Tips For New Horse Owners

In this article I would like to share with you some useful tips and advice on how to take care of your horse. I have been studying and learning about horses for a little over a year now and during that time I have learned some useful things and now I would like to share them with you.

Provide proper shelter

You need to make sure that you have an opportunity to provide a proper shelter for your horse in order to keep it healthy and in good mood. The main goal of your horse's shelter is to keep him dry and protect him from cold winds.

Always inspect your horse before starting a ride

It is very important to visually and physically inspect your horse every time you go out for a ride. Check for cuts, bruises, bumps and other unusual things that shouldn't be there. If you see something that could be a cause of concern call a vet immediately.

Have at least two weeks of fodder ready

A lot of people who have never owned a horse before make a critical mistake by not keeping enough supplies for the horse. If you want to make sure that your horse is healthy not only do you want to provide your horse with the very best fodder, but you also want to make sure that you have plenty of fodder available in case of an emergency.

Grass is really important and is probably the main food that your horse is going to eat, but the fact is that sometimes mother nature can pull crazy tricks and flood your fields, devastate them with winds and so on. You always want to be prepared and have at least two weeks of fodder in advance.

Analyse your horse's eating habits

One of the best ways to know whether there is something wrong with your horse is analyse his actions every single day. If you horse is naturally greedy and eats everything in one go, but then suddenly starts eating slowing the chances are pretty high that something is not right.

Provide plenty of water for your horse

Just like humans, horses also need plenty of water to remain healthy. You need to make sure that you provide your horse with at least five to ten gallons of water every single day. If your horse starts drinking less water than usual you might want to call you vet for him to inspect your horse.

Finally when travelling you want to make sure that you use horse calmers. Horse calmers take the edge of your horse and allow you to easily control them. Check out http://www.bluechipfeed.com/2011/07/27/instant-calmer-applecalm-carrotcalm/

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Garlic For Horses - Why You Should Use It

I spend good amount of time reading horse magazines, visiting popular blogs, attending expos trying to learn as much as I can about horses and I have noticed that over the last year or so the amount of companies selling horse supplements has increased dramatically. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of supplements that you can choose to give to your horse: horse feeds and calmers to garlic supplements. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of different things you can buy at a supplement store that can help your horse and in today's article I would like to talk with you about garlic for horses. We are going to learn why thousands of horse owners all over the world use garlic for horses and what forms of garlic are the best.

Horses love garlic. I don't know why, but they love it and not only garlic for horses can be given to your horse as a treat, but they are also very good because of several other reasons and every horse owner who cares about his horse's health should use garlic for horses.

For example a lot of horse owners use garlic to prevent flies and other insects from biting their horse. We all know that flies and other annoying insects can cause bumps, lumps and rashes, and garlic supplements act as a preventative measure against this, because as a result of using garlic supplements your horse's sweat will produce odour that will keep flies and other biting insects away.

In addition to this garlic supplements are packed with natural antioxidants. We, humans, tend to eat a lot of garlic when we are ill to strengthen our immune system and help our organism fight againts diseases. Garlic supplements for horses serve the same purpose. You can give garlic to your horse to strengthen it's immune system.

Finally it has been proven and tested that garlic supplements can help to deter tapeworms, pinworms and roundworms, but they should not replace regular wormers.

When selecting garlic supplements you want to look out for liquid form of garlic, because it is much easier to absorb.

The point I want to make in this article is that garlic is great for everyone and it does not matter in which horse riding discipline you are involved in. It does not matter whether you ride for recreational reasons or if you compete at eventing or show jumping events - you should use garlic supplements to strengthen your horses immune system and to help him to get rid of annoying flies.

I have found Blue Chip Feed liquid garlic for horses really effective. Check it out at http://www.bluechipfeed.com/2012/02/12/garliq/

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Horse Care For Newbies - What You Need To Know Before You Buy a Horse

If you are planning to buy a horse sometime in the future then this article for you. In a minute I will share with you three tips that will make you a better horse owner, but first of all I want to get something off my chest.

A friend of mine is a breeder and when I visit his farm I have an opportunity to see some of his customers and what I have noticed over the past six months or so is that majority of the people who end up buying horses are not prepared for horse ownership.

I know that this sounds a little bit crazy, but the fact is that most of the first time horse buyers have very little experience in working with horses. In the past they took some horse riding lessons and that's it. I'm not saying that every horse buyer is like that. No way! There are plenty of people who get into horse ownership prepared, but the fact is that quite a lot of people don't really know what they are getting into.

Owning a horse isn't just all fun and games. It's a lot of work and before you buy a horse you need to be very clear about what you are getting into.

Now once I have shared with you a little bit about what I think about most of the first time horse buyers, let me share with you some important some horse care tips:

Water makes up around 70% of horse's body weight it and it is critically important for you to provide your horse with fresh, clean and adequate supply of water. An average horse which weighs around 1,000 pounds drinks around 11 gallons of water every single day. That's around 4320 gallons every single year! You've got to have a place ready, where your horse will be able to easily access clean and fresh water.If you want your horse to be healthy and strong then you've got to supplement your horse's diet with high quality supplements. From feed balancers and joint supplements to garlic supplements and calmers - there are a lot of horse supplements that will make your horse much healthier.Consider other costs that are going to be involved in horse ownership. A lot of people who have never owned a horse before underestimate other costs that are involved in horse ownership: stables, riding gear, supplements, feed, veterinary chicks and so on can add up really quickly and if you want your horse to be healthy then you've got to be ready to pay for any unexpected bill.

The fact is that I've only covered the so called 'tip of the iceberg' in this article. It is simply too difficult to put everything you need to know about things such as natural horse supplements into one single article. If you want to learn more about horse care, horse supplements and other horse related things, then check out http://www.bluechipfeed.com/

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Horse Feeds For The Pregnant Mare

Mares that are in-foal have quite different nutritional needs to other equines, and the horse feeds they are supplied with must be considered carefully. The energy requirements of the mare will skyrocket as the foal grows, particularly in the eighth and ninth months, and also when she begins to produce milk. The energy levels required can reach almost double the amount normally required. The amount of protein she needs to consume also goes up, for the same reasons. Obviously, these changing needs must be reflected in the horse feeds that the mare is receiving.

New Zealand is lucky enough to have good supplies of grass, which can provide many of the nutritional requirements demanded by an in foal mare. However, most will still need additional hard horse feeds, such as a broodmare or stud mix., to provide for the growth of the foal in the final few months of pregnancy and to help her produce milk once her offspring has arrived. It can be a good idea to test the nutritional content of grass, to help determine how much extra is needed, as far as nutrients goes. Many local equine and livestock vets can carry out this testing service for horse owners.

For the majority of the pregnancy, the mare can continue to be fed the horse feeds she has always been provided with. However, an especially thin mare will need to be receiving extra rations, or the foal's health will be negatively impacted and it will struggle to grow. Mares that are overweight will need to have their horse feeds carefully managed and continually monitored to ensure they don't become obese or fonder. This can also have a damaging effect on the foal and make it difficult for the mare to both carry her foal comfortably and give birth once the time comes.

It can be tempting to add a little bit of this and a little bit of that when feeding the pregnant mare, but do try to keep her horse feeds simple. Settle on a good concentrate product, that is trusted and it won't be necessary to throw in any other vitamins and supplements. Far too many mare owners overdo it when it comes to additives and extras, but it is rarely ever beneficial. At the very best, the mare will simply expel anything she doesn't need. On top of that, the more that owners put into her horse feeds, the more likely the diet will end up unbalanced and ineffective. If the owner is at all unsure, they should consult a reputable equine nutritionist or horse feed company for advice.

Finally, remember that water is one of the most important aspects of a horse feed regime. Intake of water can double while a mare is providing for a foal at foot so ensure a clean, fresh supply of water is available 24/7.

Equine Trader is NZ's most comprehensive online equestrian directory. Search our horse breeding directory listings here.

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First Time Horse Buyer? Here's What You Need To Know

In this article I would like to share some useful tips and advice for people who are planning to buy a horse. I'm a big fan of horses and I try to ride them every single weekend. As a result of my passion for this amazing animal I have spent hours reading various magazines, books and other sources learning as much as possible about horse care and in today's article I would like to talk about things every person who is planning to buy a horse should know about.

The first and probably the most important thing that you need to do when buying a horse is to find someone who has been riding for at least five to ten years. I know that this is probably not the greatest analogy, but just like when you are buying a car for the first time you want someone who is more experienced than you to be with you so he could ask the right questions and see whether there is anything wrong with the car. The same rules apply to buying horses. You don't want to end up spending thousands of dollars on a horse that is not right for you or even worse buying a horse that is suffering from a health problem that cannot be treated.

Secondly when buying your first horse you also need to be clear about why do you to own a horse in the first place. I know that this probably sounds a little bit weird, but the fact is that there are a lot of horse riding disciplines. Some people ride horses because they compete at racing events, others compete at dressage events, some ride because they like to do show jumping, whereas others ride horse simply because of recreational reasons.

Being clear about your motivation will greatly improve your chances of finding the right breed that will meet your needs. Just like with cars there are hundreds of potential breeds to choose from and each of these breeds have their own advantages and disadvantages. Just like certain cars are really fast in the straight line, but burn their fuel very quickly, the same rules apply to horses. Some horses are really fast, but lack endurance, whereas other horse breeds such as Arabian Horses have amazing endurance.

You need to be clear about your motivations, because once you will know why do you want to own a horse it will be much easier to determine the right breed, age and budget.

Finally you also need to know that horse ownership can be costly. In addition to good shelter you also going to have to spend quite a bit of money of things like equine joint supplements and other supplements in order to keep your horse strong and healthy.

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Equestrian Supplies Checklist For Horse Competitions

With the equine competition season fast approaching, many riders will be planning their spring and summer show schedule. While now is the ideal time to be putting in some extra training hours, for both equine and rider, it is also the perfect opportunity to make sure the duo have enough of the necessary horse supplies to get them through the year.

Equestrian supplies are often cheaper out of the competition months, and some good deals can be had during winter or end of season sales. Here is a list of items that are absolutely vital and may well need replacing before that next set of events. It can be useful to go through such a checklist, deciding whether what is already owned is sufficient or more equestrian supplies need to be purchased.

A horse and human first-aid kit - It pays to be prepared for any unforseen circumstances.

Water and feed buckets, water carriers and sweat scrapers.

Spare saddlery- reins, stirrup leathers and so on. Having a few extra shoes in the horse's size can also be a competition saver...

Grooming kit, including body brush, curry comb, water brush, stable rubber, sponge, towel, Vaseline (or horse show specific make-up), hoof oil and brush)

Spare headcollar.

Spare lead rope.

Plaiting kit, including scissors, tape, cotton, needles and hairspray.

Summer sheet/cooler.

Saddle soap and sponge.

Once that first event of the year arrives, it is important to get back into a pre-competition routine. Make sure all the relevant equestrian supplies and rider equipment is ready well in advance- if anything is forgotten it is not often possible to dash home to pick it up. It is a good idea to double up with the most important equestrian supplies and leave them permanently in the horse truck or float. This way, vital items such as grooming kits and plaiting aids are always in there. On top of the aforementioned points, remember to do the following before setting off to that all important debut competition:

Check each piece of horse and rider equipment is in good condition. If anything is showing signs of excessive wear and tear, do not use it.

Get everything ready for the show the night before, because equestrian events usually involve early starts.

Make sure water and a haynet have been packed, along with everything the horse might need to keep comfortable and any equipment required for competition.

Don't forget to take a mobile phone- if the unspeakable happens (a breakdown) it can be a godsend.

If preparation is done well in advance and the vital equestrian supplies are bought in plenty of time, there is no reason for things not to go smoothly. Leave the yard early so the horse has enough time- probably about an hour- to settle once it is on the showgrounds. Have a warming up strategy in place leading up to the class and allow enough time to get them looking presentable before you enter the show ring, dressage arena or jumping class.

Once the competition is over, make sure everything that came to the show goes back home. It can be easy when horse and rider are tired, to miss that body brush that has slipped under the float ramp or those gloves next to the car door. Have a look at the checklist again and tick off each item as it is put back in the car or on the truck. Put in a couple of extra minutes before heading home and there will be no need to spend money on unnecessary replacement equestrian supplies.

Search our huge list of equestrian supplies from New Zealand on our website.

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Horse Care - Excellent Tips and Tricks for Stable Cleaning

Stable cleaning is one thing that all horse owners will agree to. The importance of a clean and organized stable cannot be ignored. Whether you own one horse or twenty, the importance of cleaning the stable does not decrease. Stable cleaning and organizing not only contributes to a better health of your beloved pet, but also makes taking care of your horse safer, easier and less costly.

Storing the entire supplies within a single bar can be quite challenging to a new horse owner. Therefore, it is very important to list down the factors you need to account for. First, de-clutter your stable. Divide the space and select different sides of the barn for storing different items.

For example, you may decide you keep the feed on the left, while the right one is dedicated to the grooming accessories. Potable toolboxes may help at times but they are considered a poor substitute when compared to a proper management plan. The following tips may help you better:

Your beloved horses can be really messy. Sometimes it is shocking to see how much mess a horse can create in just eight to ten hours. They poop anywhere they like, starting from the deed dish right till the entrance of the door.

However, no matter how much the mess is, you still need to clean it up. Stable cleaning is imperative because a poorly cleaned or dirty stable may cause diseases and bacteria to fester and will make the stable stinky.

For yard cleaning or stable cleaning, you will need a bucket or wheelbarrow and a stable rake/fork. It is always advisable that you remove the horse from the stable during the cleaning process as it will make it easier for you to move around.

Remove the piles of poop using the large stable rake/fork. Use the same tool to remove wet patches too. Make sure you dig down the floor in order to expose the bedding and then continue until you reach the point you initially started from.

If the floor still seems wet, give it enough time to dry. You may be required to remove the entire bedding in the horse stable on a regular basis for cleaning purposes. You can even use cleaning products for yard cleaning or stable cleaning to get rid of hard stains and smell. Once you are done, you can tie back your horse in his stable to enjoy the quality environment.

Regarding more info on equine infection control and equine rug wash, for more visit the website http://www.cleanround.co.uk/

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Geriatric Horse Care: Feeding Challenges For The Older Horse In A Herd Setting

As the owner of a small horse herd containing several geriatric mares, I have found feeding time can pose several challenges. Having spent the first couple of years of horse ownership without a barn, I had to sometimes get a bit creative during feeding time. I also learned the hard way that feeding time can be one of the most dangerous times to be around horses, especially when you are not so savvy in the ways of herd behavior. For the benefit of those that are new to horses or to a herd scenario, I would like to share with you some of what I learned.

Recognize The Herd Pecking Order

Understanding this one thing can save you a ton of grief at feeding time. Horses have a pecking order, and they live by it every day. It can occasionally shift, as horses decide every day on who will be the leader of the herd. Unfortunately, in many cases it's not the human! Pay close attention to your herd and know who moves whom around and you'll quickly learn who is in charge. The horse that can move the other horses around is usually the leader, and it may not always be the biggest horse, or the oldest horse. There will usually be a lead mare and a lead stallion (or gelding) in a mixed sex herd. Observing this pecking order, as well as the dispositions of the top horses, will help you determine if your older horse is getting bullied by a higher ranking horse. Severe bullying cases may require splitting the herd for the safety of your older horse.

When it comes to feeding time, always recognize your herd's pecking order when passing out the feed. You will find there will bea lot less chaos and less potential for injury if you feed the lead horse first, then second in command, and so on. In my herd, everyone has their very own spot that I always bring their feed bucket to, and they must be there in that spot before they get their bucket. I feed in the same order every time, so they learn the routine. My herd's lead gelding (stallion in his mind!) will sometimes round everyone up when he thinks they are taking too long to get to their spots, and he gets very upset when they aren't in the correct spot! Horses are pattern learners. They like consistency and they like to know what comes next.

I always dread having to go out of town and leave the feeding chores to others. My husband always scoffs at my routine when I give him my feeding instructions and tells me it's silly. But it never fails that if my horse sitter doesn't feed the horses in the correct order and put the buckets where they normally would go, it's like a free for all! Horses charging and kicking at each other and the higher ranking horses crowding around while trying to put the feed out. Very scary!! Horses become very defensive of their space during feeding time, and it is very easy to get between two horses' hind feet (or teeth) at the wrong moment or to get trampled. It is extremely dangerous for a human and can also be dangerous for the horses, especially for the lower ranking older horse that maybe doesn't move so quickly. Make sure and establish a solid routine for your herd to help make it as safe as possible for both horse and human.

Separate Special Needs Horses

One of the most frustrating things for me before I had my barn and the ability to separate my horses at feeding time was making sure that my older horses got all their feed and supplements. I had one mare that just took forever to eat her food. It would literally take her 1-1/2 to 2 hours to finish! She was a very challenging mare to keep weight on and needed all the help she could get. She was on a senior formulation, as well as soaked alfalfa cubes and several supplements. The other horses were just getting regular hay and a small amount of feed which wasn't nearly as appetizing. She was higher ranking than the two geldings at the time, so she was able to fend them off for a while, but eventually she would be harassed away from her food well before she was done. I had to find a way to separate them.

Since I didn't have stalls, we installed tie rings on the larger fence posts and started tying each horse up to eat until the older horses were finished eating. This worked very well for us until we were able to build our barn. This, however, may not be practical for larger herds. Sometimes just tying up the offending horses is all that is necessary to ensure that the slower horses get to eat. Some situations may require a bit more imaginative solution. Creating a temporary stall in a corner of the pasture or lean-to using a couple of old stock panels attached to the fence or support posts for confining a single horse. Putting up a small portable electric pen works for some horses if they respect the electric fence.

Whatever solution you choose, it is important to provide an environment that allows your older horses to eat in peace! It also gives you the opportunity to make sure that your horse is eating its full ration. If you have a couple of stalls, you are already way ahead of the curve! If your older horse goes off its feed, you'll know it right away! You can monitor their fecals if necessary, as well as ensuring that they get all supplements and medications that you intend for them. Not to mention that allowing your older horse to eat in a stress free environment is much better for their digestive health. A stressed out horse is less likely to eat and also compromises its ability to digest its food properly.

Proper Equine Dental Maintenance

A common area of neglect for the older horse is proper balanced equine dentistry. A lot of people just don't realize that horses even need to have dental maintenance. This is particularly important for geriatric horse care. As horses age, they lose teeth. As their teeth wear, they develop hooks and ramps (sharp edges and ledges on the teeth) that impede the horse's ability to properly chew its food. If they've lost teeth, the opposing tooth has nothing to wear against and can continue to grow into the gap left by the missing tooth, again impeding the normal movement of the jaw. A large percentage of older horses that have problems holding their weight have dental problems that can be addressed through proper balanced dentistry.

Not all equine dentists are created equal! Do your homework before deciding on who to take your horse to for dentistry. Talk to other horse owners, get referrals, find out what experiences they've had with the dentists in your area. A bad dentist can do an enormous amount of damage to a horse's health and shorten its life expectancy. A horse only has so much tooth to erupt over its lifetime. Once it's filed away, that's it! There's no more tooth. A good online resource is Advanced Whole Horse Dentistry, where you can find helpful information on equine dentistry.

While geriatric horse care in a herd setting can be very challenging, having a herd is a very rewarding experience which far outweighs the negatives. Horses living in a herd are much happier and healthier (both mentally and physically) overall. It provides your horses with stable relationships, socialization skills, and living conditions much more natural than being alone or stalled all day. Your older horse fills an important role in the stability of your herd; teaching socialization skills to the younger horses, providing discipline when necessary, and adding to the safety of the herd through their experience and knowledge. I love watching my herd play in the pasture. It provides me with endless hours of entertainment!

About The Author:

Lisa Carter is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist (CEMT) with multiple certifications in equine bodywork.  She incorporates her knowledge and experience with Parelli Natural Horsemanship, equine bodywork and as a veterinary technician to provide her clients with the resources they need to make informed decisions for their horses.  She encourages and facilitates network building between equine health care professionals, working together to find the best combination of therapies to meet the needs of the "whole horse".  

Are you ready to get better results with your horse?  Put your equine health care team to work so you and your horse can be doing what you were meant to.   Click here to get started!

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How To Choose The Right Horse Feed For A Child's First Pony

The moment a child gets their first pony is an incredibly special one. After months of searching, a choice has been made and that perfect first equine partner, the one that ticks all the boxes, has been found. However, it is important to realise that the arrival of the child's new four-legged friend is not the time to start thinking about how to look after him. One of the most important things to think about is the horse feed he will be provided with.

Firstly, it's vital to ask the previous owner what the pony has been fed so far. Is there a specific brand or type of horse food that the pony has been eating? A horse's digestive system is very sensitive and doesn't cope well with sudden changes. It is a much better idea to change the horse's diet over gradually. This might mean sticking with what the pony was used to at its last home, and slowly introducing it to whatever diet the new owner has in mind. Be prepared and make sure there is enough hay and feed to give the pony, for when he arrives at his new home.

One of the main mistakes novice owners make is feeding too much. While it can be tempting to give a pony an extra scoop of hard feed, especially when he is new to the yard and everyone is trying to help him settle in and bond with his new owners, it is always advisable to feed according to the horse food manufacturer's guidelines. Feed too much and the pony might put on too much weight and the extra energy might have a negative impact on his temperament. Most pony breeds are very hardy and don't need an awful lot of hard feed. In fact, they can be susceptible to painful conditions such as laminitis when they are overfed. Stick to low-energy, high-fibre horse food and plenty of forage.

A number of other factors will determine how much food the pony needs to receive. If the child is a beginner rider and will only be doing light hacking and a bit of schooling, he will need much less hard feed than a more active pony that is being used for show jumping and cross-country training. How he is being kept and what the season is will also dictate the amount and energy content of the feed. If a pony is being kept outside 24/7 over winter, he will need more horse food to help him keep warm and to prevent him from losing too much weight. If he is on lush spring grass, a pony will probably need minimal hard food, and might even need to be put on restricted grazing if he is putting on too much extra weight.

Buying a child's first pony can be a huge learning curve, with choosing the appropriate horse food being just one of those lessons. Some of the best things a new owner can do is keep it simple, educate themselves as much as possible and never forget that horse food company Help Lines can provide excellent feed management advice.

Search our huge list of horse food suppliers from New Zealand on our website.

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Horse Retirement - Your Horse's Golden Years

Retiring a beloved horse is an emotional journey, but you can take most of the worry out of it by doing your homework first.

Horse retirement facilities offer a place for your horse to live out the rest of its days and although most retirement facilities specialize in geriatric horses, not all old horses qualify. Retirement farms generally accept only those horses that are in reasonably good health and will not require extreme veterinary care.

Most retirement homes are not free. Many of the nonprofit types require a one-time donation at the time of the horse's placement to help cover the costs of their operation while other farms, that are operated on a for-profit basis, have annual or monthly charges.

To ensure that your horse will be cared for as you wish, it is important to check out the facility's physical layout for adequate space for the number of horses on the premises and safe stalls, run-in sheds and fencing, the feeding program, the hoof care program and the veterinary program. Climate, altitude and topography are also important considerations and depend on your horse's state of health.

Even though your horse is no longer being ridden, it will still require minimal de-worming, annual dentistry, vaccinations and hoof care (trimming as needed) to stay comfortable and healthy.

Retirement programs differ from farm to farm. Find out how your horse will be turned out and if stabling is available during adverse weather conditions. Will your horse be pasture grazed or hay fed? Is supplementation available? What about grain? How will your horse be integrated into the herd? There are many questions you will need to ask to ensure that your horse will be taken care of the way you wish.

A quality horse retirement farm will allow you to visit your horse. If this is not the case, be wary of putting your horse there.

Horse retirement farms are plentiful and offer a variety of services. To begin your search, first rely on personal recommendations from trusted sources. Another option is to search the internet. Horse retirement websites should offer a description of the facility and have pictures of the property and their retirees. But don't just take the website's word for it... go and inspect the facility in person.

Selecting a facility that provides good, consistent care and an appropriate preventive health care program will go a long way in maintaining the well-being of your aged equine companion during its "Golden Years".

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What To Look For When Buying a Horse - Important Information For First Time Horse Buyers

In this article I would like to share with you some useful advice on what to look for when buying your first horse. The fact is that most of the people who have never owned a horse before have no clue about how to make the right buying decision. Way too many people make emotional decisions when making buying decision and as a result of this they end up buying things that don't really meet their needs. This is particularly important when buying your first horse.

When buying your first horse the first and probably the most important thing you need to do is to either pay a professional or have a friend who has a lot of experience to come with you and help you choose the right horse. This is probably the most important part of the process.

Experienced professional will help you to pick a horse that is right for your needs. You see, a lot of people who have very little experience do not understand that there are a lot of horse riding disciplines. Some people own horses for competitive reasons. They either compete at racing, dressage or show jumping, whereas others own horses just for recreational reasons. You need to be very clear about why do you want to own a horse in the first place.

Once you will have a clear idea about what kind of horse do you want to own you will be able to pick the horse that has the right temper and rideability that will make home ownership a pure joy for you.

When buying your first horse another important factor to consider is the first contact. Once you have picked the breed that is right for your needs and once you have narrowed down the list of potential horses that you want to buy you need to visit the horse at least a couple of times before buying it. You want to make sure that the horse that you are planning is calm around you.

Finally, the most important thing when buying a horse is to hire a veterinarian to come with you and inspect the horse that you are planning to buy. A lot of new horse owners who previously had no experience with horses end up buying horses that were suffering from health problems. When buying a horse you want to make sure that the horse that you are planning to buy is strong and healthy, because if you will buy an unhealthy horse you can end up spending considerable amount of money on supplements and other things in order to improve your horse's health.

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What To Look For In Good Joint Supplements for Horses

In this article I would like to give you some useful advice on what to look for in good joint supplements for horses. Over the past few months I have spent hours researching and reading about horses and their health. It's not because I ride horses for competitive reasons, it's simply because I ride horses, I love them and I want to know as much as possible about their health and well being. That being said let's talk about what you should look for in good joint supplements for horses.

There are hundreds if not thousands of supplement companies selling supplements for horses and it looks like every month or so at least one of them come up with something new. You see, when it comes to ensuring your horse's joints' health there's no need for you to look for new suppelements in the market. What you need to focus isntead are supplements that contain ingredients that are proven and tested by time and now I would like to share with you two key ingredients that will help your horse's joints.

First of all when looking for joint supplements for horses you want to look for supplements that contain glucosamine HCL instead of glucosamine sulphate. Glucosamine HCL when compared to glucosamine sulphate simply because of purity. Glucosamine HCL mainly arrives from vegetable sources, whereas glucosamine sulphate mainly arrived from selfish which were known to cause allergies to horses.

What does glucosamine HCL?

To put simply glucosamine HCL aids in renewal of connective tissue in and around the joints. Giving your horse supplements that contain glucosamine HCL is particularly important if you horse performs a lot of movements that put a lot of pressure on his or hers joints. In addition to this glucosamine HCL aids in formation of synovial fluid which is a natural lubricant of the joints. If you want your horse's joint to remain healthy and lubricated you need to supplement your horse's diet with glucosamine HCL.

In addition to glucosamine you also want to look out for supplements that contain Methyl-sulphonyl-methane, MSM in short. MSM provides all of the essential materials and building blocks for your horse's joints to function properly and this why MSM works in perfect synergy with glucosamine.

To conclude this article I highly recommend you to focus on supplements that are proven and tested by time. When it comes to ensuring your horse's joint health there is no need to reinvent the wheel and give it something that is not yet proven to be effective. Look out for supplements that contain both Glucosamine and MSM.

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Veterinary Horse Supplies

Many people ensure they keep a well-stocked human first aid kit at their home or place of work but it is just as important to have an equine version on hand, usually best stored in a safe, dry location at the yard. It is not nice to consider a much-loved horse or pony experiencing health problems or having a nasty accident but it is one of the realities of equine ownership. Being able to access the right veterinary equestrian supplies easily and quickly can make a massive difference to the eventual outcome. It is a good idea to purchase the following veterinary equestrian supplies for the first aid pack. Keep the veterinary equestrian supplies in a waterproof, secure container, that won't be too challenging to find and carry whenever it is needed.

A good equine veterinary book

There are a number of these veterinary guides on the market. Choose one that is as detailed as possible while still remaining relatively easy to understand. They can help owners swiftly determine what is most likely to be wrong with their horse.

Emergency contact card

Make a note of the local veterinarian's name and contact numbers and keep it with the veterinary equestrian supplies. If help is needed quickly, all of the relevant details will be immediately on hand.

Notebook and pen

This can be used to keep note of any symptoms and changes in the horse's behaviour. This can make the vets' job a lot easier if they need to attend.

Bandages and gamgee

If the horse has a bad wound, it is important to apply pressure in order to stop the bleeding. Make sure a set of clean bandages is kept as part of the supplies. VetWrap can also be extremely useful when it comes to keeping wound dressings in place, especially around more awkward areas.

Antiseptic cream or powder - Ideal for all kinds of wounds, scratches and grazes.

Wire cutters - These can be a lifesaver if a horse is found tangled in wire.

Thermometer - If a horse seems out of sorts, a thermometer can be a useful addition to the veterinary equestrian supplies collection, enabling the owner to pinpoint an out of the ordinary temperature. Once the first aid kit has been assembled, don't just forget about it. Some products will expire so keep an eye on them and replenish when necessary.

As well as keeping a full collection of supplies at the yard, it can also be worth having a smaller version to take to shows and other outings. Pack some wound powder, VetWrap and gamgee and an extra bucket and water. Some leg cooling gel or cream can also be useful if the horse is show jumping or eventing, as there is always the likelihood of them hitting a fence and bruising their leg. Remember, being prepared is key. Hopefully, none of the equestrian medical equipment that has been mentioned will be needed. However, if the horse does have a mishap, the chances of them making a full and healthy recovery will be much improved if the injury or illness is treated as quickly and effectively as possible.

Search our huge list of equestrian supplies from New Zealand on our website.

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What Horse Supplements To Buy? 3 Most Important Supplements for Your Horse

In this article I would like to share with you some useful tips and advice about supplements for horses. If you want your horse's coat to be blooming, if you want your horse to be healthy and strong, and if you want to minimize the chances of your horse suffering from conditions such as laminitis or arthritis then you are going to have to supplement your horses diet with high quality horse supplements.

There are dozens if not hundreds of different supplements for you to choose from: from horse calmers and garlic supplements to joint supplements and feed balancers. In this article I would like to share with you some crucial info about the top horse supplements so you would know what supplements to buy to make your horse's life much easier.

Joint supplements

The constant pounding and twisting of your horse's joints leave them vulnerable to injury. Combine this lack of nutrients in the diet and the chances of your horse suffering from a joint illness become really high. If you want your horse's joints to be healthy and strong you are going to have to supplement his diet with high quality joint supplements that will aid in renewal of connective tissue in and around the joint.

Feed Balancers

Feed balancers are great for those of you who live in countries such as United Kingdom or regions where climate is very unstable. For example in United Kingdom, during winter, the amount of nutrients our horses get from their usual diets decreases dramatically as a result of cold weather. To make sure that your horse gets all of the essential vitamins and minerals to be in top condition you are going to have to supplement his diet with high quality feed balancers.

Horse Calmers

Horse calmers are great for those of you who are involved in more competitive horse riding disciplines such as dressage or show jumping. You see, competitive horse riding disciplines require you to travel a lot and in addition to this you get to meet and see hundreds of new faces. As a result of travelling and presence of hundreds of new faces your horse can become particularly stressful and this is where horse calmers come into play. They allow to relieve the stress in your horse quickly and easily.

The key ingredient in hore calmers is magnesium, which helps to regulate blood pressure and helps to keep the horse calm. When a horse becomes stressed magnesium stores are depleted more quickly. It can take a couple of weeks to build up magnesium levels within the blood to help the horse stay calm. For very nverous horses or particularly stressful situation you can give extra amount of horse calmers to boost magnesium levels still further.

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What You Need To Know About Equine Supplements

In this article I would like to share with you some simple, yet very important information about equine supplements. A lot of new horse owners want to know which equine supplements are the best and in this article this is exactly what we are going to talk about. I am going to reveal to you three proven and tested horse supplements that are used by millions of horse owners worldwide.

Feed Balancers

There are a lot of different types of feed balancers. Some are for older horses, some are for competitive horses, whereas others are all around type of feed balancers. The simplest way to make a serious difference to your horse's well-being is to start supplementing your horse's diet with high quality feed balancer. Feed balancers are packed with high quality nutrients, vitamins and minerals to make sure that your horse is healthy and strong.

Joint Supplements

In addition to this you also want to supplement your horse's diet with high quality joint supplements for horses. Horse's joints are constantly under a lot of strain and it doesn't really matter in which horse riding discipline you are involved in. The constant pounding and twisting of your horse's joints leave them vulnerable to injury. If you want to strengthen your horses bones and joints you must supplement your horse's diet with high quality joint supplements.

This type of equine supplement contains ingredients which aid in things such as the renewal of the synovial fluid (joints' natural lubricant), tendon and ligament repair and they also aid in the renewal of connective tissue in and around the joint.

Calmers

Horse calmers are great, because they allow to turn highly strung, nervous and difficult horses into more trainable and confident ones. Horse calmers are particularly great for those of you who are involved in more competitive horse riding disciplines such as show jumping, dressage or eventing. Competitive horse riding disciplines require you to travel a lot and travelling can cause a lot of stress for your horse. Constantly changing environments and presence of new faces can cause a lot of stress for your horse and horse calmers will help you to avoid this problem.

Obviously there are more great equine supplements out there, but these three are proven and tested by time and if you don't own them yet then this is something that you should get as soon as possible. To wrap up this article I would like to point out that the most important thing when buying equine supplements is to look for companies that have proven and tested track record.

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What You Need To Know About Horse Laminitis

In this article I would like to share with you some really important information about horse laminitis. After the unprecendeted levels of rainfall throughout 2012 in United Kingdom, experts are worried than ever before about automn laminitis.

Autumn is the season of the year when this health problem becomes particularly common amongst horses therefore taking preventative measures is really important if you want your horse to remain healthy and strong.

Laminitis is an inflammation of your horse's laminae of the hoof. Early detection of this condition is vital, because if left untreated the inflammation can leave permament damage to laminae tissue which eventually can lead to permament damage to the supporting structure of your horse's foot.

If own a horse and if you have been riding horses for some time then it is going to be pretty easy to spot symptoms of laminitis. The first thing that occurs when your horse starts to suffer from laminitis is that his energy levels rapidly decrease. Laminitis is very painful and because laminitis will cause extreme pain to your horse's feet, your horse will intuitively start to move less.

Laminitis usually affects the front feet, therefore when suffering from laminitis horses usually rock back on hind legs in an attempt to remove the pressure and pain from front feet. In addition to this if you notice that your horse is sweating, rapidly breathing, or has warm and swollen front feet then the chances are pretty high that your horse is suffering from laminitis.

So what causes laminitis in the first place?

There are a lot of things that cause laminitis. One of the primary causes of inflammation is overeating and obesity. Extra weights puts a lot of strain on your horse's joints therefore the simplest thing that you can do to reduce the chances of your horse getting laminitis is to simply make sure that his weight is in check.

In addition to this laminitis is also caused as a result of overeating on foods rich in carbohydrate or rapidly fermentable fibre such as. cereals, coarse mixes, rapidly growing or fertilised grass.

Third cause of laminitis is cold weather. A few horses show laminitis during cold weather. Fitting warm leg wraps during cold snaps prevents the problem in most cases.

Finally you also need to think about how you can reduce stress, because stress can also cause laminitis. Worming, vaccination, traveling or separation from a "friend" can trigger an attack of laminitis. If your horse is stressful you should consider giving him horse calmers.

To learn more about which horse supplements are good to give your horse to reduce the chances of your horse getting laminitis, check out http://www.bluechipfeed.com/

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Why Girls Like Horse Riding

There are not too many girls who dislike horses. Just about every little girl that you see is absolutely in love with them and has to own a large collection. There are a couple of reasons why girls love horses one reason is the all popular My Little Pony series. When youngsters watch that, they just have to own all of the things having to do with My Little Pony. The other reason may be how horses are portrayed in Disney movies. The female characters in some of these movies own horses, and seeing this makes these young girls want to own them as well. Many little girls want to go as far as taking horseback riding lessons, so they can enjoy horses in a realistic way.

If you have a daughter who is interested in horseback riding, you can get her enrolled into lessons for a reasonable price. Many areas have horseback riding camps where your daughter will not only be able to ride horses, she will also be able to learn about feeding them, caring for them and grooming them. These camps will cost on average of $200. If money is an issue for you, you will be able to find programs that will sponsor your child and enable her to attend such a camp. Sometimes, nonprofit organizations hold these types of camps, and children can attend them for free or low cost.

In these camps, children will learn about the different riding styles. What many do not know is that the riding styles used to differ between boys and girls, though now, both can ride the same way. During the middle ages, it was thought to be very inappropriate for a girl to ride a horse by straddling it with lag on each side. Girls were made to ride a horse by sitting sideways with their legs hanging over the one side. Now, girls are not made to follow such standards. Camps may also teach the differences between Western and English riding styles.

Most teachers will offer lessons to children who are five years and older. You will be hard pressed to find teachers who are willing to take on children who are younger than five. If you have a tot who wishes to experience a horse ride, you will want to negotiate with a local stable owner.

If your little girl wants to get really engrossed in the world of horses, there are some games she can play. Feed the Horses, Egyptian Horse and Farm Assistant among the most popular games that little girls love, and they also can help your child to learn a thing or two about having horses do tricks, feeding them and caring for them. In the game of Farm Assistant, the player has to do all of the things that are required to care for a horse. In the game Egyptian Horse, the player has to get the horse to do various tricks, such as jumping over a variety of obstacles. Feed the Horses is self-explanatory. The games coupled with horseback riding lessons will allow your little one to become amerced into a world of horses.

Horse riding could be a bit expensive. In case you would prefer more safe and less expensive options, a good alternative might be online horse games. As I mentioned in the article above, here you can actually play games like Egyptian Horse, Farm Assistant and I am sure your daughter would equally enjoy other girls games.

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What You Need To Know About Equine Joint Health

In this article I would like to talk with you about equine joint health. More specifically I want to talk with you about joint supplements for horses and how to ensure that your horse's joints are healthy and strong.

Over the past few months while reading various horse related magazines I have noticed that the amount of companies selling different types of joint supplements for horses has increased by a lot. Literally just few years ago there were maybe two or three companies, but now there are dozens and each of them make ridiculous claims about how their supplements can potentially help your horse's joints.

Let's slow down for a minute and talk about horse joints in general. When talking to my friends I like to compare horses to human athletes. They are similar in a way that they are constantly moving and the constant pounding and twisting of the horse's joints can put them under a lot of strain and leave them vulnerable to injury. In addition to this as our horses get older their tendons and ligaments get weaker each year and the chances of your horse suffering from a joint problem increase by a lot.

To minimize the risk of joint related problems a lot of people decide to use equine joint supplements, but as I have mentioned earlier - with so many different companies selling joint supplements sometimes it can become pretty difficult to choose a high quality supplement.

Instead of telling you which supplement companies are good and which ones are bad I will instead tell about which ingredients you should look out for in good joint supplements for horses.

The first and probably the most important ingredient in any kind of joint supplement is Glucosamine HCL. It is important that you look for supplements that contain Glucosamine HCL and not Glucosamine Sulphate, because Glucosamine HCL is primarily derived from herbs unlike Glucosamine Sulphate which is primarily derived from shells, which were known to cause allergies to horses. So what does Glucosamine do? It aids in the renewal of the connective tissue in and around the joints. It also aids in the renewal of the synovial fluid in and around the joint.

In addition to looking for supplements that contain Glucosamine HCL you also want to look for supplements that contain MSM (methyl-sulphonyl-methane). MSM is very effective when it comes to relieving inflammation and it's also aids in ligament and tendon repair.

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What You Need To Know About Horse Joint Health

In this article I would like to share with you some useful information about horse joint health. The fact is that horses are very similar to human athletes in terms that the constant twisting and pounding of their joints puts them under a lot of pressure and can cause health problems.

Joint problems are very common amongst horse owners and it does not matter in which riding discipline you are involved in. Of course certain riding disciplines such as horse racing or show jumping put the joint under more strain than others, but the fact is that even if you own a horse for recreational reasons you need to do whatever you can to ensure your that your horse's joints are strong and healthy.

The first thing that you, as a horse owner, need to do to make sure that your horse's joints are healthy is to hire a veterinarian so he could inspect your horse's joints. You see it is so much better (and less expensive) to solve a problem before it gets serious and only an experienced will be able to pick up on joint problems that are in the early stages of development. He will be able to perform flexibility tests and other stress tests that will allow him to determine whether there is something wrong with your horse's joints or not.

In addition to having regular checks by veterinarian you also want to supplement your horse's diet with high quality joint supplements. There are hundreds, if not thousands of joint supplements for horses for you to choose from and I highly recommend you to use the supplements that contain proven and tested ingredients. First of all you want to look out for supplements that contain Glucosamine HCL. Why Glucosamine HCL?

Simply because when compared to Glucosamine Sulphate, Glucosamine HCL is much purer form of Glucosamine. In addition to this Glucosamine HCL is derived from herbs, whereas Glucosamine Sulphate is derived from shells and these were known to cause allergies in horses.

In addition to this you also want to look for supplements that contain MSM. MSM is very effective when it comes to relieving inflammation in and around the joints. It helps to relieve pain and most importantly it aids in ligament and tendon repair. If you want to make sure that your horse's joints are strong and healthy I highly advise you to look for supplements that contain MSM.

You want to look for joint supplements for horses that contain proven and tested. I have found Horse and Pony Direct supplements to be very good: http://www.horseandponydirect.com/horse-supplements/joint-supplement/

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