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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What You Need To Know About Equine Joint Care

In this article I would like to give you some useful information about equine joint care. Even if your horse currently does not suffer from joint problems the chances are pretty high that eventually your horse will suffer from a joint problem and this article will help you to get ready.

The fact is that all horse riding disciplines put a lot of strain on horse's joints. It does not matter whether you ride horses for recreational reasons or if you compete at showjumping, dressage or racing events.

Obviously there are discipline specific joint problems. For example people who compete in racing or dressage events have noticed that knee and fetlock injuries are very common in these disciplines. Amongst horses who compete at showjumping events coffin joint problems are very common as a result of substantial forces that are being put upon them.

If you don't compete you might think that this information does not affect you, but the fact is that even if you don't compete the chances of your horse suffering from problems such as arthritis are pretty high.

Now once we have learned that joint problems are very common amongst horse owners it is time to share with you some advice on how to prevent joint problems from occurring.

There are a lot of ways that will help you to prevent or at least reduce the chances of your horse suffering from joint problems. First of all you should make sure that your horse's diet is perfect and that you are not overfeeding it. In addition to this you also want to make sure that you don't under-exercise your horse. Regular checks is also a must.

You have got to regularly inspect your horse to see whether there aren't any swelling of the joints. You should also perform flexion tests and see whether they cause any pain to your horse or not. If you aren't sure about something it is probably a good time to call your vet.

In addition to this you also want to make sure that you supplement your diet with equine joint supplements. There are two types of joint supplements for horses:

The ones which are used to prevent joint problems.The ones which are used to treat joint problems.

When selecting supplements for your horse you want to focus on two things. First of all you want to make sure that the particular supplement that you are planning to buy contains proven and tested ingredients. There's no need to use supplements that contain questionable blends.

In addition to this you also want to look for companies that have a proven track record. You want to know that a particular supplement actually works and that it helped other people before you.

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Why You Should Go to Summer Camp and What You May Need

If you are unsure about going to a daily or week-long summer camp, here a few reasons why you should attend one.

1. A camp is a great place to meet and make new friends. Don't forget to exchange numbers and address when camp is over so you can keep in touch.

2. You will get to ride at camp and spend a lot of time riding and doing things with them. Not only will it make you a better rider, but it was also teach you things about horses you might not have known.

3. Depending on what camp you go to, you might be able to do other activities, like sports, swimming, hiking and other fun activities.

4. You may get to look after a horse or pony of your own and learn all about their personality.

5. A lot of horse camps may offer different classes so you can learn all about horses. You can learn about how to properly feed, groom, clean stalls and many other topics you might not have known about.

6. If you go away to summer camp, try a variety of different activities. You may find that you like something you never thought you would be interested in.

7. If you are old enough, you just might be able to be a camp counselor next year and help out with all sorts of games and activities.

8. Some camps offer horse shows at the end of the session. You may get to show off everything you have learned and even win some prizes.

9. Some camps might even do trail riding where you get to ride through the woods and water. They may even take you and the horses camping over night. Be sure to pack a tent and sleeping bag!

10. You will get to take lessons everyday from someone who is not your trainer. It is always good to learn from someone else because you never know what you may learn about riding.

11. Even if you don't have much knowledge or experience with horses, the staff and trainers are always there to help you and teach you new things. They may even put you in a group with other riders who have the same amount of experience as you do.

12. If you're going to a camp that is a week long or more where you have to stay overnight, you will get to stay in a cabin and bunk with other kids who might be just as horse-crazy as you are!

So you have decided to go to summer camp? Great! Now you will have to figure out what you may need to bring along with you.

Whether you are going to a camp that is day-long or you will be staying over night, there are several things you may need. It is important to make a list of all the items you need or want to take along with you to summer camp. You don't want to leave anything behind. Here are some of the essentials you may need at summer camp:

Riding Clothing - This includes britches, boots and a helmet. If you don't have one already, take a trip to your local tack store and by an inexpensive schooling helmet. You want a helmet that fits your head properly. You might not want to wear a smelly, dirty old helmet that a hundred other people have worn do you? Make sure you write your name on your new helmet too so others know who it belongs to.

If you don't ride on a regular basis, it might still be a good idea to buy a cheaper pair of riding pants and boots. Riding in jeans is uncomfortable and could rub and leave marks on your legs as well. Riding in sneakers is not a good idea either. Invest in a boot that has a heel for extra security and safety.

Camera - If you bring a camera along, you can take all kinds of pictures of you, your new friends and all the activities you will be doing at camp. Remember to bring the charger or extra batteries and another memory card too. If you don't have a digital camera, you can always stop at a local convenience store and buy some disposable ones.

If you are going to be staying overnight at a camp, you are going to be needing a few different things than if you were only staying for a day. . .

Blankets and Pillows - Some camps do have blankets and pillows for your bunk, but sometimes if might make you feel more at home if you brought your own. Find out if you are going to need your own bedding before heading off to camp.

Books - It might also be a good idea to bring along some reading material, whether it's your summer reading for school or for your own pleasure. You could also read before bed or by the side of the pool or lake

Stationary - Some camps don't allow computers or laptops, so it might be a good idea to bring some pens and paper so you can write to your friends and family back home and tell them how much of a good time you are having. Yes, this may seem like something that your parents did back in the dinosaur times, but everyone will enjoy getting a letter or two from you.

These are just the essentials you might want to take along with you to camp. Make sure you make a list and check it twice before heading off to camp. Also, don't forget to back extra socks and a few extra pairs of clean undies!

Emily Heggan is a senior at Rowan University majoring in journalism. She currently competes in the 3' hunters with her horse, General, and enjoys writing about equestrian supplies like horse blankets.

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How To Keep Your Horse's Joints Strong and Healthy

If you own a horse already or if you want to purchase a goal sometime in the future you need to know that amongst horse owners joint problems are the most common health problems that horses are suffering from. It does not really matter in which horse riding discipline you are involved in. The never ending twisting and pounding of horse's joints leave them vulnerable to injury and it doesn't really matter whether you ride horses for recreational reasons or if you compete in horse racing, show jumping or dressage.In addition to this as our horses get older their bones and jones get weaker and as each year goes by the chances of your horse suffering from joint problems increase by a lot. What can you do to prevent joint problems from occurring? You can do a lot of things and it's always better to start taking preventative measures early.

The first and probably the most important thing that you should do is to have a veterinarian to regularly inspect your horse. You see, only an experienced veterinarian will be able to pick up on things that you would usually ignore and usually and experience vet will be able to notice a problem long before it becomes a serious health problem.

In addition to having your horse regularly checked by a vet you also want to make sure that you analyse your horse's habits. I know that for some of you this probably sounds a little bit weird, but if usually your horse is very active, but then suddenly slows down it may be a sign that he is suffering from a health problem and it would be a good idea for you to call your vet for a quick health check.

Finally you want to supplement your horse's diet with high quality joint supplements for horses.There are hundreds if not thousands of companies worldwide selling joint supplements for horses and while some of those supplements are great, majority of them are actually useless and they will not help your horse. How do you determine which supplements are good and which ones are bad? You check the ingredients to see whether a particular supplement contains proven and tested ingredients or whether it is packed with 'new formulas' and other useless stuff that promises hard-to-believe results.

Remember if you want to make sure that your horse's joints are healthy and strong you need to perform regular health checks so you would be able to spot a potential joint problem before it gets too serious. It's always better to take preventative measures.

If you want to learn more about equine joint supplements check out an interesting article that I have found about What To Look For In Equine Joint Supplements: http://www.horseandponydirect.com/2012/07/what-to-look-for-in-equine-joint-supplements/

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Rugging Horses

Should you rug your horse?

Under most circumstances horses don't really need rugging. They have their own internal combustion system which keeps them warm even in the harshest conditions. Horses can regulate their core temperature very efficiently, unlike us humans.

Did you know that most body heat is lost through the circulation system ie blood vessels running close to the surface of the skin lose a lot of body heat. For this reason, mammals with a large body mass do not have very many blood vessels close to the surface of their skin which means they do not lose much body heat that way. Coupled with a dense winter undercoat that is semi waterproof horses have their own very efficient thermal heating system.

However, because us humans like to stable and yard our horses, this restricts their ability to move around and keep warm naturally. So, under those circumstances, people do rug.

It's also interesting to note that rugging a horse has very little effect on whether or not they get a winter coat. Rugging may control the thickness and length of the winter coat they grow but it won't stop the fluff from coming. That is controlled by the hours of daylight a horse is exposed to... if you want to completely stop your horse from getting a winter coat you'll need to keep it under lights for a consistent time span to simulate natural summer daylight hours. There are specifications as to what sort of lighting you need but my experience has been that even normal stable lighting (standard fluoros) works to a degree. The cons - as soon as you start turning off the lights a bit earlier it will trigger hair growth, especially if you've created an artificially 'long day'. So... you could end up with a fluffy coat coming into summer.

So - to rug or not to rug

If you're stabling or yarding your horse or it has no natural protection from the wind and rain then yes, you probably should. Otherwise, it's perfectly OK to leave them au naturale. Just make sure they have plenty of protection from the wind and rain. Horses can tolerate either on their own but the two together can make them extremely uncomfortable if they have no way to shelter from it.

One other thing... if you are not able to rug and unrug according to daily weather patterns then you're far better off leaving your horse unrugged. Horses can easily warm themselves up if they get cold but if they get hot and they're wearing a rug they can't cool themselves down. Heat stress is a serious condition.

My favourite rugs

I bought a Rambo for my stallion years ago when he was just a youngster and he is still wearing it. There is no sign of wear or any tearing either in the shell or the lining which is still nearly as thick and full as it was when the rug was new. The rug is so warm that most nights it's all he wears even when the temperature drops to around 0 degrees C; he has a walk in walk out yard and stable.

I'm also a great fan of the synthetic rug BUT I have to say that if you're planning on leaving one on 24/7 you may need to consider a canvas rug because they do 'breath' better than the synthetic ones. 'Breathing' means the air circulates through the fabric a lot better and the horse doesn't sweat underneath nearly as much. Because the synthetic ones have a silicon lining for waterproofing the air doesn't circulate through them and horses can get extremely hot and sweaty underneath.

How to correctly rug a horse

You might think rugging a horse is simply a matter of chucking it on and doing up the straps and buckles but there are safe ways to do it (plenty of dangerous ways too).

If you're rugging out in the paddock and you don't have the horse restrained, always start by doing up the leg straps first. That way, if the horse takes off the rug will slip harmlessly over the rump and not cause any damage (or hopefully get damaged). If you've done it up at the chest first and the horse takes off the rug will fall off around its front legs, potentially a very dangerous situation. You'll also end up with a wrecked rug most times.

When doing up the leg straps, do them up on the same side and loop the other one round it between the back legs. This stabilises the rug much better and stops the straps from rubbing against the insides of the back legs. Also make sure you do up the clips with the tongue FACING INWARDS OR AGAINST THE HORSE so that they don't get caught on anything. The number of times I've come across leg straps done up with the tongue facing outwards. Clips done up like that run the risk of getting caught or clipped onto fences - another very dangerous situation.

With colts and stallions, make sure the leg straps aren't done up so tightly they pinch a very delicate part of their anatomy. If the straps do start pinching their testicles you'll probably cop a kick the next time you try to rug them.

When you take rugs off make a point of clipping up the leg straps again so that when you put it back on the straps and clips don't fly around and whack the horse. Those clips can hurt if they hit hard enough.

Rugging pregnant mares

Pregnant and lactating mares CAN be rugged safely if required. When purchasing a rug just make sure the leg straps can be removed, that the rug has either a surcingle or cross over belly straps and just replace the legs straps with a breech cord under the tail to stop it flapping around in the wind - make sure one side of the cord has a clip on it so it can be undone in an emergency. Also make sure there is not enough room between the mare's belly and the belly straps for a foal to get its head caught. I call them 'maternity rugs.'

Buying rugs

One of the first things you need to know is -

How to measure your horse correctly for a rug.

Measure from the centre of your horse's chest, along the side of the barrel to the point just before the tail. This is your horse's rug size in inches. If your horse is between sizes, round up to the next size.

If you live in the US you measure rugs in inches (60"); if you live in Australia you'll measure in feet and inches (6'3").

Well, I hope this article has provided some information for you about rugging horses.

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Peppermint, Not Just A Horse Treat: Using Peppermint Essential Oil For Horses

Most people who have been around horses for any length of time know that horses LOVE peppermint! Peppermint has been used as a cure-all for thousands of years by many ancient civilizations ranging from the ancient Egyptians to the Chinese. Horses are naturally drawn to the natural health properties of the peppermint plant (Mentha piperita). Animals instinctively know what plants are beneficial to their health and seek them out in their diets. Ancient peoples followed suit and learned from observing nature. You'll be surprised at some of the benefits of peppermint for your horse and see the importance of having it handy in your barn's medicine cabinet.

Natural Remedy For Colic/Digestive Upset

One of the most powerful benefits of peppermint essential oil is its positive effects on the digestive system. It has been used as a remedy for nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion and gas. Peppermint has a very soothing effect on the stomach and intestinal tract of the horse, and as such is a must for any natural colic remedy kit.

For horses showing signs of colic, while you are waiting for your vet to arrive, allow them to inhale some peppermint essential oil. Then drop about 20 drops of the oil into the horse's mouth by pulling out the lower lip and dropping the oil in the space between the lip and gum. You'll also want to apply 20 drops of the oil to the horse's umbilical area. Repeat about every 30 minutes as needed.

Natural Pain Relief For Sore Muscles And Joints

Peppermint essential oil is a wonderful pain reliever and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. I use it on myself for tension headaches and sinus pressure. It can also be applied directly to painful muscles and/or joints. You can use peppermint essential oils during in conjunction with an equine massage, particularly at the poll, temporalis (forehead) and TMJ areas. The oil seems to have a very relaxing effect on most horses when applied to these areas.

A Quick Summer Cool Down

If you have ever applied peppermint essential oil to yourself, you'll understand the cooling effect it has on the body. During hot weather, you can provide your horse with some quick relief by putting a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a bucket of water and sponging them down with it.

HINT: You can also fill a water bottle and add a drop or two of peppermint essential oil for a nice cooling spritzer for yourself on a hot summer day!

Aide Concentration And Alertness

According to Dr. Mary Starr, studies show that peppermint actually increased focus by 28% and that some schools encouraged teachers to give peppermint candy to their students just before testing. If you have one of those horses that has a hard time maintaining focus or has a short attention span, try putting a drop or two of peppermint essential oil in the feed bucket at feeding time or give it to them just before a training session.

Natural Pest Control

Peppermint essential oil has been used as a natural pest control for centuries. Its strong smell is useful in repelling insects like fleas, roaches, flies, mosquitoes and ants and has even been used to deter rodents. It's a great addition to any natural pest control program in your barn.

Add several drops of peppermint essential oil to a spray bottle with water and spray your horse down as an inspect repellent.

Soak cotton balls with peppermint oil and place around your home or barn to keep rodents and crawling insects away.

Natural Flavoring

In addition to all the wonderful health benefits of peppermint essential oil, it tastes really great too! To ensure that your horses drink enough water during both the summer and winter months, add a drop or two to their water buckets. It is a great inexpensive alternative to having to add molasses or other sweeteners to your horse's water.

The next time you are offered a peppermint, remember some of these benefits. Adding peppermint essential oil to your barn can replace several chemical-based products, making it a cheap and efficient natural alternative for your horse care arsenal.

Share your uses for peppermint oil by commenting on this article.

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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Is Your Horse Overheating?

You should be aware and concerned with horses overheating in the hot weather. It happens. Most of the time, mild cases can be easily remedied. But you need to recognize when it's happening. There are various signs and symptoms that range from a mild lethargic attitude to profuse sweating, or even worse - no sweating.

The ultimate check involves one handy tool to gauge your horse's condition - a thermometer. It is helpful to know what your horse's normal temperature is at rest (99-101 degrees F). You should also know his resting pulse (28-44 beats per minute) and respiration (10-24 breaths per minute), and even his normal slightly elevated temperature (104-105 degrees F) right after he is done working. Have them written down in your tack room and saddle bag. Quick recovery and return to normal temperature and other vital signs is also a confirmation that your conditioning and exercising program is right for your horse.

Overheating is serious, and if you don't have a thermometer handy watch for other symptoms. The signs can include a heart rate over 60 beats per minute, blowing hard, standing without showing any interest in what's going on, weakness, and no interest in grazing. Your horse's skin may feel hot and dry; his gums may appear pale and dry with slow capillary refill time (more than 3 seconds); a weak, irregular pulse; and no gut sounds, among others. All these symptoms require you to take action. Two veterinarians have written that contrary to warnings not to do so, it is OK to hose the horse's head, neck and back with cold water and then scrape off the excess to cool him down. It is very important to scrape off the water, otherwise his body will heat the water and he may get even hotter. Get him in the shade. Offer him some cool clear water and walk him, hose again, sweat scrape again, more water, repeat until he recovers. In extreme cases, a veterinarian is required to administer treatment to replace fluids and administer other medications.

Horses that are out of shape or overweight are more prone to overheating. Use common sense when it's hot. Try to ride in the morning and evenings when it's cool. Take plenty of breaks; seek out the shade; and be sure to have access to water. When riding in and out of the shade and sun keep up your pace in the sun and allow your horse to cool in the shade. Sponging at every available water source is critically important in hot weather because water is an excellent conductor of heat. Cool water will instantly transfer heat to itself, pulling it from the horse's skin and, in turn, cooling the body. However, for the cooling to be effective, the sponging must be continuous so that fresh cool water is constantly replacing the used, warm water. Supplement your horse with electrolytes during the hot months. Be extra watchful for signs of overheating when you exercise at speed, during prolonged riding times, and hill climbing which can all heat up a horse very quickly.

Horses sweat to maintain their core body temperature; therefore, when riding, it is important to use materials that do not interfere with this process. The development of cooling products, in particular saddle pads to prevent overheating under the saddle has taken leaps and bounds forward in recent years. Fabrics have been developed that breathe to help alleviate heat buildup under the saddle. Some are designed to draw the heat away by absorbing excess body heat, and reduce sweat. Other fabrics are highly breathable to allow air to circulate, and enable normal sweating to keep your horse cool.

Being aware of the symptoms of overheating will lead to taking steps to prevent and abate it. Using products with new cooling technologies can help keep you and your horse comfortable all summer long.

Author Sarah Crampton works for Action Rider Tack, an online horse tack store with saddles, tack, supplies and clothing for Trail, Endurance, and English riders. It was established in 2004 in Medford, Oregon, by Candace Kahn who has ridden in endurance and competitive trail over the past 30 years. Visit http://www.actionridertack.com/ or join them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ActionRiderTack.

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How To Keep Horse Stables In Good Condition

Once a horse owner's dream stable complex has been planned, developed and the equines have moved in, some might think that the hard work is over. However, this could not be further from the truth. Horse stables need to be well maintained and closely managed to ensure that they stay in good condition and continue to be suitable for the job that they were intended.

Cleanliness and stables that are in good condition should be a priority for everyone, as it makes for a hygienic, safe environment for the horses. However, it is even more important if running an equine business. Fist impressions are very important and a clean, well-kept yard and living quarters inevitably reflect how well the horses themselves are cared for. Any visitor will assume that if the stables are kept to a high standard and are tidy, whatever the time of day, the yard must devote the same careful attention to the equines.

Keeping them clean doesn't have to be a monumental task. If a well-thought out routine is put in place, keeping things neat and ordered simply becomes a part of daily life. This should include making sure that the yard and stables are tidied last thing at night, ready for the next day. As well as looking nice, a clean and tidy set-up, where everything is stored away and easily accessible, makes for a much more efficient and healthy yard. Horse feed that is stored in safely secured bins, for example, will attract less vermin. Gates that are kept neatly fastened, rather than swinging all over the place, will result in fewer accidents.

Caring for horse stables involves a good dose of common sense and knowledge. If forks or tools are left out, or loose stones aren't brushed away, it could lead to injury. It is also of the utmost importance to clear the ground once the farrier has been. A stray nail from an old horseshoe can quickly lead to serious lameness if it pierces the sole of a hoof. These things seem obvious but it is surprising how often these precautions aren't taken at horse stables up and down the country.

Ongoing maintenance work is imperative. Stables should be regularly mucked out completely, washed and disinfected. As well as keeping them looking neat, it will keep nasty infectious diseases at bay. All horse stables should be inspected whenever possible, so any sharp edges, gaps or breakages can be promptly fixed. Another vital point when maintaining horse stables is ensuring there are always one or two fire extinguishers on hand. These will need to be serviced regularly and anyone that spends time around the horse stables should know how to use them.

Everyone loves the sight of well looked after horse stables, but the visual factor is only a very minor part of it. The number one reason to keep them in good condition is health and safety. Pay attention to the maintenance of them and the end result will be happier, healthier and safer horses.

Article brought to you by Emma Van Tuyl of http://www.equinetrader.co.nz/

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Equine Trader Horse Feeds Article - Bringing the Horse Back Into Work

Whether the main focus is show jumping, dressage, eventing or simply hacking around the local fields and tracks, it is important that a horse receives adequate dietary support when it is being brought back into work after time off. They will require different amounts and type of horse feed as the athletic demands on them change.

A horse in moderate condition will usually be fed concentrate horse feed and forage in a 50-50 ration. However, if the workload increases, this should change to around 60-40, as horses with a lean body condition will need more energy in their diet. There is a vast variety of horse feed on the market, for all stages of a horse's fitness programme. One of the most cost effective ways of increasing energy intake is through oil, which can be purchased from the local supermarket. As with any new horse feed, introduce it gradually so the horse's digestive system has time to adapt.

One thing to bear in mind is not to overdo things. Only increase the horse feed once the animal's workload has stepped up a couple of gears. An overfed horse can quickly become overweight. On top of that, if too much energy is going in, but not enough is being expended, even the calmest horse can become unruly and difficult to handle. Increasing the horse feed too early can also lead to a condition called 'tying up' - a muscular abnormality, which can be caused by too much carbohydrate in the muscle tissues.

Alongside the many types of horse feed in the shops, there are a multitude of supplements and added extras. While it is important not to go too overboard, running the risk of upsetting the horse's dietary balance, there are a few supplements that can be beneficial when bringing a horse back into work. If a pre-mixed horse feed is being used, it should already contain the appropriate mix of vitamins and minerals. If straight feeds, such as barley and oats are being used, the horse will require a vitamin and mineral supplement in the horse feed. A joint supplement can be a useful addition to the diet, supporting the body's natural repair mechanisms during training. Electrolytes and a salt lick are also recommended if and when the horse starts doing faster, more strenuous work.

As always, forage is a vital part of the horse's diet. Make sure they have access to quality forage at all times, not just when training. A poor batch of dusty, mouldy hay can lead to respiratory problems, making fitness work much more difficult once it is time to bring the horse back into work. If finding good hay is proving a challenge, consider purchasing haylage instead or thoroughly soak the hay that you do have. On top of that, plenty of time out on nicely maintained pasture is not only good for the horse's physical and dietary health, but also helps them mentally, allowing them to take a well earned break from the rigours of being brought back into work again.

Search our huge list of horse feed suppliers and directory listings from New Zealand on our website.

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Be an Amazing Horse Owner!

Every horse owners, dream of having a horse in their backyard; it is a very nice dream and maybe it is right for you, as long as you know what it is ahead of you. Raising horses has many benefits, even though horse ownership can be very expensive.You must dedicate your time, care and patience to find a new environment where your horse will not only be secure but also prosper. Once you are certain of your horse's condition, you will be in a much stronger position to make an informed choice and the odds of matching your horse needs and the right environment that will be greatly enhanced.

Many parents have discovered how horses kept their children out of trouble and keep them occupied, especially during the difficult teen years. It is also a natural part of owning a horse that will help you in building character, teaching responsibility, punctuality, sportsmanship, patience, commitment and self-esteem. We are all different and what may be a perfect situation for some people may be others don't agree. There are a few more things to think about when you are looking for a horse boarding facility or considering boarding at home.

Where and how you board your horse is subject to your personal preferences and the resources you have. Horse ownership is a very satisfying and rewarding experience; these amazing creatures provide inspiration and companionship that is very unique and personal. Be extra careful in your steps especially in choosing a home for your horse, it should also complements your lifestyle and how you provide their needs. Start providing a proper place for your horse by checking your area and look for a good property that can fulfil your horse the environment that suits them well.

Of course, it will be a great help for you if you can find a horse property for sale that offers affordable and fantastic rates. As a horse owner you can't just settle for anything less, you always want the best for your horse and provide them the best land and environment. Having a good place for your horse to stay is a good start of attending and securing their every need. Taking care of a horse's needs can help you establish good habits and routines; it can also bring order to a chaotic life. Some may consider care-giving as a responsibility that must be fulfilled but others see it as more of an opportunity to nurture. Horses are a feast for the eyes, but of course you knew that already!

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What You Need To Know About Horse Calmers

In this article I would like to share with you some useful information about horse calmers. I have noticed that this type of supplement is becoming very popular amongst horse owners and horse calmers in general are booming. Some people use calming supplements for their intended purpose - to calm down their horses when needed, whereas others use it to help their horses to recover from injuries faster.

There are a lot of different types of horse calmers. There are some companies that sell calming supplements which are required to be fed on on-going basis, whereas other companies sell calming supplements that are designed to used only when you need to calm down your horse quickly.

The point I want to make here is that with so much choice out there you need to be very clear about your and your horse's needs to make sure that you end up buying a high quality calming supplement for your horse.

Horse calming supplements are great for all kinds of reasons. For example if you are involved in more competitive horse riding disciplines such as show jumping, eventing or dressage the chances are pretty high that you are travelling a lot and the constantly changing environments and hundreds of new spectators could cause a lot of stress to your horse. We all know that stress negatively affects performance, therefore to keep their horses calm a lot of horse riders who are involved in competitive disciplines use calming supplements quite often. If you ride your horse for competitive reasons you might want to have a look at calming supplements, but be careful! Some calmers could contain ingredients that are banned by certain event organisers, therefore before buying make sure that you do your research!

In addition to this calming supplements are great for those of you who travel a lot. I know that this is somewhat related to the previous point that I have just made, but the fact is that once you are on the road you want to make sure that your horse is as calm as possible.

When looking at companies that sell horse calmers you want to find a company that has proven track record and you also need to be aware of the idea that what works for some horses does not necessarily work for others.

To conclude this article I think that horse calmers are great and it doesn't matter whether you compete or not.

If you are looking for horse calmers you might want to check out instant horse calmers from Blue Chip Feed. I found them to be really effective: http://www.bluechipfeed.com/2011/07/27/instant-calmer-applecalm-carrotcalm/

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10 Do's and Dont's When Buying a Horse

1) Do

Be realistic of your riding ability. Be honest with yourself, if your new to jumping a nice brave horse with experience that you can learn from, is a far better choice than a green tricky youngster with quality to jump grand prix, but that may be unsuitable in the future.

2) Don't

Buy the first horse you see. It's a good idea to see whats available and do your research. If your buying a competition horse check out his record, winnings etc.

3) Do

Take your trainer with you It's really important to take someone with you who can offer advice and give you an honest realistic opinion.

4) Don't

Be afraid to ask questions. There's no such thing as a stupid question, and an honest seller will have no problem answering them.

5) Do

Get someone to video you when trying the horse. If your going to try a few this will help with your final decision and sometimes how it looks and how it feels are two very different things.

6) Don't

Be put off by horse dealers. Reputable dealers have their reputation to maintain and will usually offer a selection of horses to try as well as offering a good after sale package with a warranty, exchange policy.

7) Do

Be respectful of the sellers time. It's only polite to let people know if your not coming/going to be late.

8) Don't

Forget to draw up a contract between buyer and seller. European law states you have 30 days to exchange a horse that is unsuitable, and 6 months if the horse has a previous injury that now affects the horse. Have this all clarified in a contract.

9) Do

Get the horse vetted/xrayed No matter ho much you pay for the horse you must get him checked out, even if the horse is under 5. Navicular and Arthritis can strike early in some horses, insurance companies usually require a minimum of a five stage vetting on horses over £5,000.

10) Don't

Buy before you try! Unless you are buying an unbroken horse, always try the horse to check if it's suitable for you.

And finally, when your new horse arrives home allow him time to settle in, don't be afraid to speak with the old owners to ask advice for feeding, general routine etc. They will be happy to hear how their horse is getting on in his new home.

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Increasing Forage in Your Horse's Diet

Forage is a vital part of your horse's dietary needs. Some horse owners often believe that bagged feed (mixes and cubes) is important in keeping your horse in a good condition and with plenty of energy. In many cases plenty of horses and ponies will function very well on a couple of slices of hay a day and then their bucket of hard feed (cube and mix) at breakfast and dinner. It is worth considering though, that unless your horse is competing every weekend and in hard training daily (that's some serious canter work, dressage training, endurance/point to point work) they may well be able to gain everything they need from a largely forage based diet.

Always bear in mind that your horse was meant to graze for an average of 18 hours per day, as such his teeth and intestinal tract functions to cater for such. Care must be taken when feeding diets that contain large amounts of grain and hard feed. There are many issues concerned with a high starch (in hard feed) low forage diet, including and not limited to; dietary induced laminitis, gastric ulcers, ERS ('Monday morning Sickness') and other metabolic issues such as diabetes. You may think that racing thoroughbreds are the only types that have problems with gastric ulcers, and that Shetland ponies are the only ones likely to have laminitis, but in fact both are just as probable to suffer from any of these issues if exposed to the 'correct' dietary conditions.

The causes of laminitis still haven't been properly discovered, but it is known that those eating low forage diet are at high risk of suffering from dietary induced laminitis - as with those that are overweight, though not always. By providing your horse with ad-lib hay, you imitate the horse's natural diet. Always consider that the diet that you feed your horse can put him at risk, even though he might have never shown any signs of laminitis or you think it's not an 'at risk' time of year.

When subjecting your horse to periods of time when he might not have anything to eat, even if only for a few hours over night, can lead to an acidic environment in the stomach. This is because the hydrochloric acid that is naturally in the stomach doesn't have anything to digest, very simply starts to digest the lining of the stomach. Again, providing ad-lib forage can help reduce this problem, as well as promoting chewing. Chewing promotes the production saliva, which acts as a buffer to the acid but is only produced when a horse chews. Always consider that a large amount of horses and ponies can suffer with gastric ulcers without actually showing and clinical signs.

If your horse is a bit elderly and struggles with the usual large strands of hay or haylage and you're concerned that they're not able to eat enough fibre. Never fear, there are many fibre based products on the market! Take a look at Allen & Page Fast Fibre and Topspec FibrePlus, which are soak-able or specialist veteran based chaffs that are made of softer fibres.

For further information on similar topics, visit http://www.anythingequine.co.uk/ who are experts in the equestrian field. They provide a range of products as well as Anything Equine equestrian articles, which offer advice and tips for those who are interested.

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5 Horse Supplements You Should Start Using

In this article I would like to share with you five equine supplements that most of the owners neglect to use. No, I'm not going to tell you to supplement your horse's diet with feed balancers, joint supplements for horses or any other popular horse supplement. Instead I will share with you five horse supplements that aren't very popular amongst horse riders, but that will make your horse's life much easier.

Fly repellents for horses

Flyes, mosquitos and other annoying insects can cause rashes, bumps and lumps to appear all over your horse's body. In addition to this some horses have hypersensitivity to flying insects and their bites can cause some serious health problems. Treatment of such allergies can end up being very expensive. This is where fly repellents come in to play.

Mane and Tail Conditioners

Mane and tail conditioners are useful for those of you who are involved in more competitive hore riding disciplines and where aesthetics of the horse matter a lot. Mane and tail conditioners help to give your horse or pony a luxorious look.

Garlic Granules

Garlic granules are very similar to fly repellents in a way that they aim to eliminate the same problem. By supplementing your horse's dieth with garlic granules you will make your horse to release odour which will scare off all of the annoying insects and this will stop them from biting your horse. From my own experience I can tell you that to see the best results you should use external fly repellents and garlic granules together.

Hoof Supplements

Horse's hooves are particularly vulnerable and need to be taken care of all the time. Not only do they need to be constantly cleaned and looked after, but it is also wise to start giving hoof supplements. Most of the hoof supplements contain ingredients such as biotin, zinc, methionine. These ingredients support healthy and pliable growth of the hooves.

Horse Calmers

Calmers are becoming increasingly popular and there's are reason for that - they work. Calmers are particularly useful for those of you who are involved in more competitive horse riding disciplines such as dressage, eventing or show jumping.

A lot of horse riders who are involved in more competitive horse riding disciplines travel a lot and travelling can cause a lot of stress to your horse. New environments, presence of new spectators can negatively impact your horse's performance, because of stress and horse calmers will help you to overcome this problem.

There are other useful horse products such as hoof oil, coat shine supplement, digestive supplement, mud ever and etc. To learn more about these products check out http://www.horseandponydirect.com/

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How to Train to Become an Equine Dental Technician (Horse Dentist)

Training to become an Equine Dental Technician (EDT) will take many years of hard work and commitment. Before you decide that this is the right route for your career it is advisable to speak to qualified dentists about their work and where possible spend some time doing 'work experience' to ensure it is the right move. Once you have decided that becoming an Equine Dental Technician is a career that you want to pursue there are certain steps you will need to follow:

The British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT) recommend that you should find a suitably qualified EDT or veterinary surgeon and train as an apprentice with them. Until recently it was possible to complete a degree course through Hartpury College however upon completion of this you would still need to sit the BEVA/ BEDA exams at the end to be considered suitably qualified by the BAEDT. The Equine Dentistry course at Hartpury College has now been discontinued and does not look likely to start again in the near future.

The BAEDT are not the only organisation to offer equine dentistry qualifications which are recognised by DEFRA; there is also the Worldwide Association of Equine Dentistry (WAED) and The International Association of Equine Dentistry (IAED). However the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians is the only organisation that requires all members to have passed the BEVA/ BEDA exams and is therefore the only organisation recognised in the UK by the British Equine Veterinary Association.

There are various colleges around the world that offer courses in Equine Dentistry, these range in length from a few weeks to many months. As there is no law in the UK making it compulsory to sit the BEVA/ BEDA exams in order to practice as an EDT it is possible to follow this route. If you have not completed the exams you will however only be allowed to carry out category one procedures which include: teeth rasping and removal of tartar. More advanced procedures do require you to be qualified by law.

In the UK, more and more horse owners and equine professionals are taking interest in the qualifications of those dealing with their animals. It is possible that eventually a move will be made to ensure that all Equine Dental Technicians are qualified. This is something to take into consideration when deciding on the route to go down.

Whichever training method you choose it is important that you are confident and capable in the treatment you are administering to horses. Poorly trained Equine Dental Technicians can cause harm and pain to the horse they are treating. Those Equine Dentists that do a good job will get a great reputation and find it easier to build a successful business so it is worth investing in solid training for as long as it takes to get you to the standard you want to be.

Equine Professional is a supplier of quality Equine Dental Tools, Rasps, Blades and Speculums. We have packages available for equine dental students to provide everything you will need during training and beyond. http://www.equine-professional.com/

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