When buying the right kind of horse it has to be made sure that the seller is being honest and not diplomatic while answering questions even though the best pictures and information related to horses available would endorse the website. Therefore, it is worthwhile to notice the online rating of the seller whom one is about to buy from. The horse should not only be healthy but of sound mind as well and good at socializing with new owners especially when it comes to buying grown up horses. Likewise, a horse should not be too young either, else most of the cost would turn out to be training related as compared to the original cost incurred while buying it in the first place. However, it also depends on the owner as to what age of horse is preferred.

For online purchases, often it is noticed that a separate sections are maintained for different categories, such as horse feed, hay, latches, horse saddles, horse jewellery etcetera. Therefore, it becomes much easier and organized to search for the perfect item sought as opposed to print classified advertisements that dump everything into one category of livestock or horses.

In terms of ratings made the level of seriousness of both the seller and buyer could be well evaluated. Ratings for the seller show how honest he/ she is for dealing with online horse sales and those made for the buyer show how serious the person is while coming up to a final purchase decision.

Great precaution has to be taken, especially while buying horses online. Those sold through online auction should be definitely avoided as usually this type of sale is a characteristic of those horses which are either belong to poor breed or which people are unwilling to buy. Similarly, a horse should not be bought just because it would be a good riding companion someday, a horse should be bought that would be more compatible for you in accordance to your experience of even amateur level.

There are other various important things to know before buying the horse, for instance, whether it ever kicks, bites, becomes colic or even has a slightest of tendencies to colic. How regular have the visits been to a veterinarian answer the horse’s health related queries which would also include it’s vaccination whether completed or ongoing. Finding out the last time the horse was ridden and if it is green broke are essentials of through research based on horses before buying them. Furthermore, the temperament of the horse should also be brought to one’s knowledge. This should be done by asking questions regarding whether it has been kept with other horses or stabled alone. This helps in coming to a conclusion about the behaviour of the horse with people and how social an animal it is or whether any further training would be required.

It is advisable to request a purchase agreement as it serves to protect the rights of both the buyer and the seller. This would include mutually agreed payment mode and time, circumstances of a void contract, trail period if any and the shipment procedure of the horse. Moreover, as discussed about last visit to the vet, a purchase health examination and negative Coggins test should also be asked for. The latter is a test for infectious anemia which a viral disease that cannot be cured. Even though many states demand this test, great precaution has to be taken where it is not part of the law so that the horse you are buying is free of any such vulnerability.

Richard Mark
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-buy-horses-online-709631.html

Pony riding games are extraordinarily helpful tools in helping student riders learn more by building up motivation. As with the other types of learning, games foster play, which increases incentive. Incentive supports the learning process by providing incentive. Incentive encourages students to engage in the act of gaining knowledge.

This essentially means the more students are having a great time with the lessons the more they gain knowledge. Pony riding lessons may also be incorporated with horse riding games.

The following are examples of horse riding games.

Musical Horses

However, instead of chairs, ground poles are used. The ground poles will be placed parallel to one another, about 8 feet apart. This will look like a “parking lot” for horses.

Step 1.

Step two. When the music stops, the riders will go to one of the ground pole parking lots while continuously walking or trotting or cantering, etc.

The amount of ground pole parking lots will be equal to the quantity of riders, so one pole will be taken away before the game starts again. By taking one ground pole, the number of ground pole parking lots will be one less than the quantity of riders. The last person to be on the the last ground pole car park will win.

This game is played by older riders who can mount from the ground and tiny riders with mounting blocks, who will be coupled with the older riders. Commands are asked of the older riders on the rail.

When the instructor says “halt”, the older rider will stop on the rail. They can dismount while the young riders run from the center to their partners. The older riders will get the tiny riders on safely and then the younger riders will race back to the mounting block.

The younger riders will then start their riding commands. When the instructor says “halt”, the older riders will run to the younger riders who will be dismounting. The older riders will mount, while the younger riders will run back to the mounting block.

The game will continue till only 1 team is left.

In horse riding games, riders are engaged in artificial conflicts that are designed by rules. Pony riding games also promotes interaction between riders.

About The Author:
Lisa Brooks Blackstone owns and operates Arabian horse training and breeding business. Having grown up with horses, she knows the basic benefits that emerge from a participation with horses. To learn more about horse riding, please go to Horses Games and Horse Facts.

Ashley Landon
http://www.articlesbase.com/equestrian-articles/horse-riding-games-building-up-motivation-1006102.html

There’s just something about the majestic horse that’s enthralled human beings for thousands years. Whether it’s the gentle giants’ grace and beauty or their ability to help humans get big jobs done – or both – humans and horses have gone hand-in-hand throughout history. In addition their more utilitarian functions, horses have also been greatly appreciated for their ability to race. In fact, horse racing has been and remains a big attraction.

The roots of horse racing date back to about 4,500 BC when nomads from Central Asia first learned to domesticate the gentle beasts. Known for their grace, agility and speed, horses were naturals for use in competition. In the past, horse racing was a sport of kings and nobility. Knights and their noble steeds would race, training for battle and long-distance runs.

Nowadays, horse racing is a big business that centers on a lucrative industry that rakes in millions and millions of dollars through the placement of bets. Modern horse racing is one of the few forms of legalized gambling and it’s one that’s enjoyed by people around the globe.

Horse racing is such a big sport, in fact, that figures from the late 1980s show that more than 56 million people attended racing events and bet more than $9 billion on their favorites. The numbers have only climbed from there!

Thoroughbred horse racing is by far the most popular of the types of horse racing that involves wagering. But what are thoroughbreds and why are they so fun to watch and bet on?

Thoroughbreds basically are a special breed of horse that traces its ancestry back to specific horses. Thoroughbreds are primarily horses that have Arabian descent that have been bred specifically for ability to carry weight while maintaining speed over extended distances. Sleek, beautiful and fast, thoroughbreds are born to run and run well. To be considered competitive stock, thoroughbreds must maintain a strict pedigree, as well.

The tradition of horse racing in America and elsewhere runs deep, especially with the thoroughbreds. American thoroughbred horse racing has long been a popular sport with winning horses becoming household names. With four-legged heroes such as Citation, Secretariat and Seattle Slew to champion the way, the American sport of thoroughbred racing is well established and followed.

In America the big thoroughbred races center around three particular events – the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Horses that can win all three races in a single year are deemed “Triple Crown” winners and are celebrated in much the same manner as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback would be. Very few horses can pull off wins in all three arenas.

So, what is the draw of horse racing?

That answer depends on the spectator in question. But, for many, it’s the thrill of the race itself, rooting for a favorite horse and the chance to rake in big on bets. Some, however, simply enjoy watching the incredible spectacle of the beautiful and large animals race around the track with a level of grace a ballerina could only hope for. Whatever the draw, horse racing is a sport that runs deep in tradition and is loved by millions.

Ray La Foy
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/horse-racing-in-an-ancient-sport-that-flourishes-today-83849.html

Finding the right medication for horses is a tricky business, taking into consideration the possible side effects and for racehorses, making sure that the drugs taken would not affect the horse’s performance in the race. However, the challenge definitely does not end there. Getting the drugs into the horse’s mouth (and making it stay in) is a different matter altogether.

Besides having to maneuver the 1,000-pound body to get a pill inside the horse’s throat, you’ll have to deal with the possibility of having that same pill spewed back at you in a less distinguishable (and practically unusable) form. Of course, the chances of this happening depend on expertise at handling horses and in experience at giving medication.

Seasoned ‘horsekeepers’ have come up with all sorts of ways on administering medicine to their horses. These different methods are ‘tested and tried’ but not foolproof. Giving medicine to a horse is much like coaxing a child (only, a much stronger one with a longer mouth). Thus, the approach that works best for one horse may not be effective at all for another or merely to a certain extent, like only during the first try.

One of the easiest (but most likely to fail) approach would be to mix the medication with the horse’s usual food. If this works for your horse, then you’re pretty fortunate. But if mixing the pills with grain, applesauce or molasses does not do the job, one might revert to the age-old syringe. Truly reminiscent of dealing with an unruly preschooler, pumping the fluid medicine into the horse’s mouth and holding it shut until the medicine is swallowed is not a comfortable task. It requires strength and patience as the horse will not make it easy.

An alternative to the syringe is something more friendly looking a plastic mustard dispenser. It won’t guarantee that all of the liquid medication would stay inside that equine mouth but it would get it all in, after all a condiment bottle is more appealing rather than threatening.

Some horse owners also testify that pills dissolved in strawberry Kool-Aid juice or vanilla yogurt make irresistible concoctions. It appears that just like us, these medicine-repellent creatures have certain indulgences. Once we discover what makes them forget their repulsion to medicine, it’s an easy ride from there.

It is not only the horse’s health that should be considered when giving it medication. One should be careful in handling drugs that may have adverse effects when ingested by humans. Another technique in horse medication is to crush the pill into powder and placing it directly on the horse’s tongue. Airborne particles that might be inhaled while preparing the powder may be harmful. But (phenylbutazone, equivalent to aspirin), in particular, causes aplastic anemia in humans.

Ultimately, horse medication also involves training and discipline. No matter how stubborn the horse is, it can eventually be trained to receive medication with little fuss. Making the drugs look and taste good requires more time and effort but is fulfilling too!

Paul Kramer
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/a-beginners-guide-to-horse-medication-609353.html

Horse riding has become exceptionally popular at Tswalu and the stables were very busy this festive season, with a wonderful giraffe sighting on the Christmas morning ride, followed by buffalo sightings a few days later.

Guests loved the thrill of being out on horseback, part of their natural surroundings.

The Tswalu stables now have15 horses varying of size, colour and breed. The breeds include Shire, Arab X, Appaloosa X, Saddler X, Boerperd, Friesian X, Quarter horse X and Pinto. We also have some retired racehorses from the Oppenheimer stud farm. Their sizes vary from 146cm (14.3H) to 172cm (17.1H).

Most of the horses are suitable for any type of rider but we do have a few that need more experienced riders. In December we welcomed Cindy to Tswalu, who will be assisting Almeri as Assistant Stable Manager. Cindy completed her Equine Science degree in South Africa and has worked with Arabian and Thoroughbred horses. She also worked at Saldannah Military Equestrian Centre where she was a Stable Manager and ran the eco-rides on the beach. She is looking forward to learning about the Kalahari and becoming a field guide.

This week we also welcome 2 new arrivals to the Tswalu stables. Levi and Lex are beautiful Shire carthorses, originally from England. In the past, this soaring breed was used to do farm work and pull carriages. Levi is 3 years old and already standing at 172cm (17.1H). Lex is 2 years old and is standing at 164cm (16.2H). They will continue to grow until about the age of five and will mature around 180cm (18H). Both horses are undergoing training and will be used for guests as soon as training is complete.

Lyrene Zimmerman
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/horse-riding-at-tswalu-752777.html

A horse is for life and not just for Christmas. When you do not have a horse paddock of your own you are also taking on a partner in caring for your horse. That partner is the horse agistment provider and the various people who do the caring at your horse’s home when you are not there.

This partnership with your horse agistment people is very much like a marriage of parents where the horse is the child. Both partners have responsibilities and duties towards the horse. Both partners have a vested interest in making the horse agistment partnership work amicably and effectively for the lifetime of the horse. Neither partner wants to end up separated from the horse or worse in the agistment divorce courts in dispute over the minutiae of equine care. Unlike a marriage though, a pre-nuptual agreement is not a matter of controversy more a matter of necessity. The horse owner should take as much care, if not more, in selecting a horse agistment partner as they do in selecting a marriage partner. This can only be to the benefit of the precious horse.

Your pre-nuptual agreement or horse agistment contract will spell out in full the depth and breadth of your partnership. Your visitation rights and financial contribution are inversely related. The more you visit and do with your horse the less your agistment partner needs to do and therefore the less you will have to pay them to do. The lowest level of commitment to your agistment partnership would have you visiting daily, cleaning, exercising, training and monitoring health. Your agistment partner would be providing the basic pasture, shelter and exercise facilities. You may even need to bring all of the equipment or ‘tack’ that you need with you each day unless you commit to moving this stuff into your partners premises. If this were the case of course your partner would be committed to securing your tack.

The basic level of commitment in your partners agistment vows is not only to provide the facilities agreed but also to maintain a watching brief over your horse when you are not there. This means notifying you of any changes in the horse’s condition or changes that may affect your horse at the agistment site.

Are you looking for a deeper, more meaningful and permanent partnership? Because, your horse agistment partner almost certainly will be. The only question from their point of view is do they have the resources to give you everything you want. Are you looking for a partnership where you simply have all the riding and the petting fun parts while your partner does ALL the hard work and maintenance tasks?

A top of the range horse agistment partnership would provide and charge accordingly for twice-daily exercise, washing down, personals secure tack room, owners’ recreation facilities, horse treadmills, hydrotherapy swimming pools, and veterinary services on twenty-four hour call.

Like all relationships the ‘ménage a trois’ with you, your agistment partner and your horse will be successful and best for your horse if communication channels are always open and honest.

Lina Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/horse-agistment-partnership-726824.html

What is Horse Cribbing and How can I get my Horse to STOP?

WHAT IS CRIBBING?

Do you know that CRIBBING is not only rough on barns and fences, but it also may be detrimental to a horse’s health? The horse wears down his teeth and swallows air, which can lead to inappropriate digestion and colic. Cribbing can lead to serious health problems, such as poor digestion, colic, and various dental problems.

Cribbing is an obsessive-compulsive behavior when a horse chews on wood and swallows air. The cribber uses its upper teeth to grab a stationary object, such as a fence board, and then arches its neck, pulls backwards while swallowing air and grunting. Other horses crib by resting their incisors on an object without grasping it; still others rest their chin on an object and swallow air.

WHY DO HORSES CRIB?

It’s not known what causes cribbing in horses.

There appears to be an inherited susceptibility to STRESS in horses, so genetics are part of the answer. When a horse cribs, it is believed that his body releases endorphins, which stimulate the pleasure center of his brain as why it is such an addictive habit, and such a hard one to break. This may explain why horses crib when under stress, as well. A horse’s INABILITY TO GRAZE can be a significant stress that is commonly thought to lead to repetitive cribbing behavior.

IMPROPER DIET AND FEEDING PRACTICES are commonly cited as factors that may lead to cribbing. Improper diet and feeding is also thought to contribute to cribbing, perhaps because it may cause a horse more stress.

Another popular theory is that cribbing is due to BOREDOM, AND LACK OF EXERCISE. Horses kept stalled are more likely to become Cribbers than horses that are allowed to roam in a pasture. Semi-wild horses or horses in the wild or in the pasture naturally spend 90% of their time grazing and are less likely to crib.

Every horse handles stress differently, some better than others. It appears that susceptibility to stress in horses is INHERITED, so genetics may play a part also.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR A CRIBBER?

Food – Horses need to eat throughout the day and keep their minds active lest they become bored and stressed, since boredom is the most common reason why a horse will pick up the cribbing habit.

Cribbing Straps – Crib straps aren’t perfect but they do succeed in suppressing many cribbers, so it’s an inexpensive option that’s worth a try.

Electro-Shock Collars – These collars are worn around the upper neck just like a crib strap; the strap emits an electric shock to shock the horse each time he takes hold of a fence to crib.

Electric Fencing – Stringing electric fencing along the top of any paddock and/or pasture fences is an effective way to stop them from cribbing on fences. Electric fencing is highly encouraged since it will effectively stop cribbing in its tracks on the protected locations.

Chew Stop And Related Products – Some Non-Toxic Products are now available in the market. These can be sprayed or painted on popular cribbing areas to lend a very unappetizing taste and smell, thereby discouraging a cribber from taking hold of the area. These products are typically recognized as the most humane and cost effective methods to stop your horse from cribbing.

Surgical Procedure – This procedure entails cutting some of the muscles and nerves in the ventral neck region as well as the removal of some muscle tissue.

Anti-depressant – It is an injected to the animal, which prohibits the creation of endorphins, thereby suppressing the natural high a horse gains when he cribs. This is not a practical solution since the effects are short-lived, but further research is being done on similar drugs that may have a longer lasting effect.

MORE TIPS AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Once a horse starts cribbing it is difficult to get them to stop. The best thing is to try to distract and prevent it from occurring in the first place. One of the most common aids in breaking your horse from the cribbing habit are:

-Allow your horse as much pasture time, in as big a pasture as possible

-Spend time training and handling the horse to help prevent boredom.

-Provide your horse with a companion, preferably another horse, but goats also often make good companions for horses.

-Distract your horse with multiple feedings; pasture time and toys before the habit becomes ingrained.

-Allow your horse access to fresh grass, or grass hay at all times.

To date we know of no proof or studies that indicate a horse learns to crib from being around a cribber, and it is likely that several factors come in to play to cause this disorder.

Finally, if your horse suddenly picks up cribbing and doesn’t seem to have developed it from one of the normal causes, it would be a good idea to ask your veterinarian to check your horse and make sure there isn’t a medical cause for the cribbing.

For more helpful information on cribbing please visit www.horse-cribbing.com

Richard Lindner
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/what-is-horse-cribbing-119616.html

Learning how to train a horse successfully starts with the right materials. You will need a guide to show you the proper training techniques that are proven to work with horses, from pint-sized ponies to spirited stallions. When you have the right material in hand, you will have the confidence you need to find training success.

Training your animal starts with your attitude. If you are scared of your animal, they will know it. A scared owner is never in control! You need to find a resource that will teach you how to harness the emotion you feel when you are around your horses, and use that emotion to your advantage. Intense emotions, such as fear or excitement, create a poor environment for training sessions. Learning how to train a horse starts with learning how to control emotional levels.

Once you have mastered the right attitude, a quality training resource will show you how to groom and care for your animals. Look for a training resource that ideally has illustrations along with instructions on how to properly groom your animals. Having illustrations makes it easier for you to compare yourself with what the resource instructs you to do.

Next, find a resource that will show you the proper way to mount. While this might sound like an obvious activity, many equestrians start every ride and training session incorrectly by saddling and mounting their horse in the wrong way. When you are working on training, everything must be done in the proper manner, with the proper attitude. When you are working with a new mount, your animal will need this predictability in order to learn how to trust you.

Learning how to train a horse also involves learning how to anticipate the animal’s actions. This means you will need to be able to “think” like horses do. You will not be able to do this without a training resource that explains the movements and body language of these animals. Understanding the animal you work with is the most important aspect of being a successful owner, trainer, and rider.

The best way to learn training techniques is from an experienced trainer. Many people can write about their opinions about training, but an experienced trainer will know what works and what does not work. When looking for a training program, look for one with qualified staff. Their experience will work toward your success.

Horserealm offers a downloadable book on how to train a horse at http://www.horserealm.com. The guide includes photographs that accompany the text on step-by-step instructions for riding as well as care and attention. The book covers various topics such as spooking, rearing, trailer loading, and familiarizing horses to unfamiliar environments such as beaches. The book is meant for beginners as well as experienced riders.

Iprwire Staff Writer
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/learning-how-to-train-a-horse-135852.html

There are several mental strategies you can use to build or restore your horse riding confidence. The following ten are particularly effective.

“Horsemanship is not merely a matter of bodily skills, but is based on scholarship and, therefore, is a matter of the mind and intellect. Good horsemanship is based on proper character development and, therefore, is also a matter of mentality and spirit. Without the correct attitudes and insights, there cannot be the right sport.” – Charles de Knuffy

1. Be flexible
Always be prepared to change your viewpoint, even radically so if you encounter evidence that prove that you may have been wrong in you assumptions, whether it is about horses, riding or training. It sounds so obvious, but in reality very few riders are prepared to admit that their way of doing may be wrong. We are much more likely to take any advice as criticism, whether it is coming from our horse our, bodies or other people.

2. Stay positive
A lot has been said, and even more written about the power of positive thinking. Most riders have become immune to the call for a positive attitude. However, just because we have heard enough about it does not mean it is any less valid. Cultivate a positive outlook on a daily basis. It is one of the crucial foundation stones that support equestrian confidence

3. Be patient
It doesn’t matter how experienced or inexperienced you are as a rider, somewhere along your horse riding career you must have come across one or all of these paramount characteristics : patience, perseverance and the ability to overcome procrastination

4. Get organised
Not always easy if you are trying to juggle all the conflicting demands on your time that is part of modern living. Good organisation and time management do make things so much easier and safer.

5. Resuscitate your sense of humour
Set aside some time to spend on anything that makes you laugh: a good movie, book, stand-up comic, friends…some riders even have horses that can make them laugh!

6. Be prepared
Being prepared is a bit like being organised, except being prepared involves you in actively planning and preparing for a challenging event. Much better to be over-prepare, that to risk your or your horses safety.

7. Breathe
Deeply, consciously and regularly. There are even different types of breathing exercises that you can do. Breathing gets oxygen to your brain so that you can think clearly, but it also calms you down, relaxes you and maximises your riding confidence.

8. Be curious and eager to learn
We have all encountered the dressage diva or show-jumping superstar who thinks they know everything. Arrogance can be very detrimental to a horseback rider’s health. Always be open to new learning experiences.

9. Accept yourself as you are
And accept your horse as he is. No one is perfect, so don’t be a perfectionist. It’s a waste of precious riding energy.

10. Aim for balance
In life as well as in the saddle.

Putting your mind through its paces is as important as training your body as a horse rider. Regular mental work outs will not only increase your horse back riding confidence, but will also enhance your ability to master new riding skills and improve your riding performance.

Margarethe De Clermont
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/rider-and-horse-facts-how-to-maximise-equestrian-confidence-by-exercising-your-mind-347966.html

It is important that you keep your horse active and having enough room for them to run around is key. Most horses need to be able to move around and gallop so make sure that if you do not have a large place to keep your horse that you get them out and ride them to allow them to get proper exercise. It is important that you make sure that your horse gets the proper shoes so that they can have less issues with there feet when they are moving around. The horse needs ot have a good cardiovascular workout so that they can maintain good health.

How to: Exercise Your Horse

Along with making sure your horse gets the proper exercise you want to feed them the best food so they will stay healthy. It is important that if you see any issues with your horse that you get them medical attention so that the vet can give them treatment and prevent any damage. You need to remember that a horse is a living breathing animal and needs to be exercised. Some people think of there horse like a motorcycle they can jump on and ride at anytime. It is crucial that you build a trusting relationship with your horse so that when you ride them you will have a good relationship with them.

Advice for: Horse Exercise Tips

Remember that when you are Training A Horse they need to be exercised to maintain good health. It is important that you have a space that is big enough for hem to move around. A horse is a living breathing animal and they need to be treated with respect.

Bryan Burbank
http://www.articlesbase.com/equestrian-articles/learn-how-to-keep-your-horse-active-how-to-get-your-horse-to-exercise-1044170.html