Owning A Horse

If you are thinking of owning a horse, there are several pieces of equipment you will need in order to properly care for and enjoy your horse. Since you will most likely want to ride your horse, you will need an array of items to help make this much easier. The items associated with caring for a horse in this capacity are known as horse tack.

Horse tack includes the bridal, saddle, bit, girths, and other items needed to help you learn how to ride and do it effectively. The term ‘horse tack’ encompasses a wide variety of items, and they all come in many different types so that will fit a variety of needs.

There are different types of horse tack, so before you actually set out to choose the items you will need, it is a good idea to know just what you are looking for so that you purchase the correct tack. For example, English and Western tack are two very different types, so it is important to know what you are doing before making any type of purchase. If you are unsure about what you will need, you might consider reading materials on the different types of tack and what each item is used for before making any decisions. It may also help to consult other horse lovers who are more experienced and can guide you in the right direction.

Owning a horse is also quite an investment. It can take a good bit of money to properly care for a horse and to purchase the necessary equipment, so be prepared. Be sure that this is something you are willing to invest time in as well. You will need it to get used to your horse, and to learn how to break and ride it.

One of the most important decisions you will make when purchasing horse tack is in choosing the right saddle. This is crucial since you and the horse must be comfortable with your choice. The saddle must be right for you and the horse, and you must feel secure in it.

The bit is another important piece of equipment. When choosing a bit, it is important to keep in mind that different types of bits work better for different horses, so it may take some time to find one that will work. The horse will also need to get used to the bit, which may take some time, since horses generally do not like them. This will be especially important to you, the new owner, if the horse has never been ridden.

Most importantly, be sure you have the time to spend with your horse. It is just as important that the horse is used to you as it is that you are used to it. Remember, you are forming a bond with your horse, and with that bond, you are establishing trust. This is a relationship that will last for many years to come.

Horse Equipment Advanced Equine offers Horse tack, bridle, saddle, bit, girths, cinches, saddle pads and more.

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By Angel Abdulnor

Owning a horse can be an expensive proposition. Your life long dream of riding whenever you want on your own personal horse has been a reality. Now, unless you were raised around horses, you are probably in for the surprise of your life. Not just where to purchase horse supplies is important, but what you need to keep your animal safe and healthy is also very important.

You will need to purchase a variety of products. Start with the saddle and harness-there are several different types including the dressage, jumping, stock seat and the regular all purpose saddle. Most are made of leather which is strong and long lasting. The harness is usually made of leather, cotton, wool, web or nylon and should be designed not to pinch or chafe the animal.

Now, you need a special pad that goes under the saddle to protect the horse’s back. Safety stirrups are needed to make sure that your feet will break loose during a fall-you do not want to be dragged by the horse. There are different types of bridle and these vary, but its main purpose is to help you control the animal.

Okay, now you are ready to go riding. Unless you decide that you want to invest in special riding equipment. Riding clothes are usually traditional in style and materials while being practical. There are hats, boots, jackets, jodhpurs, gloves, and the list goes on. Or, you can just get comfortable in an old pair of jeans, a flannel shirt, leather gloves and boots-these will also work.

Now, you think that is all you need. Wrong! You have not considered the horse supplies needed for grooming purposes. Grooming the horse keeps their skin clean and is best done after their morning exercise. So, what do you need? The grooming routine involves a step by step process.

First you pick out the hooves. Next you bush the body from the front to the rear; brush the legs; brush out the mane and tail; and sponge the nose, eyes and dock. Each of these steps requires its own special horse supplies that include: hoof oil, hoof oil brush, body brush, metal curry comb, plastic curry comb, hoof pick, sponges, cloth, dandy brush and a rubber curry comb. Wow, did you ever think it would be this involved to take care of a horse or that you would have to purchase so many horse supplies?

Then, there is the food you must give them along with the vitamins, inoculations, and regular health checkups. What happens if your horse gets pregnant? Well there will be more horse supplies needed.

If you decide that you want to own a horse, make sure that you can properly provide for all of its needs. There are many places where you can buy your horse supplies-either locally or on the internet. All you need to do is to understand what you need and when to purchase it.

The main goal is the loving care you want to provide for the horse. Nothing can compare to the joy of an early morning or evening ride after a stressful day, but you have to make sure that your horse has everything it needs.

For more information on horses, try visiting http://www.interestinghorses.com - a website that specializes in providing horse related tips, advice and resources including information on horse supplies.

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By Riley Hendersen

When you own a horse you become responsible for its health. Horses can become affected by many health problems such as colic, thrush and internal parasites. A number of conditions can be prevented and treated by an owner, but every horse owner should have the aid of a local equine veterinarian.

Before purchasing your horse, you should have a veterinarian give it an inspection to make sure that he is in good health. Thereafter it is advisable to have your veterinarian give your horse an annual checkup.

I was interested in purchasing a school master for show jumping from the stable where I kept my horse. I really did not have an in-depth knowledge of horses, but I knew enough to request a veterinary inspection. I did not know any vets, so I did not mind when the owner suggested using their local veterinarian.

We had gone over the horse and all seemed to be going well until we had him running loose in a lunge ring. I overheard the veterinarian inquire as to whether I was planning on doing much with the horse. I have no idea what he meant exactly, but I did know I was planning on show jumping. Ultimately I assumed that the horse had some health problems and would not be a long term investment.

The owners did not divulge any of the veterinarian’s words, but I was saved from making a costly unsound investment. When you buy a horse you usually part with a substantial amount of money and it makes complete sense to ensure the health of your investment.

Horses require regular upkeep, they need to be dewormed and vaccinated regularly to prevent health problems and to maintain good health. When you do not deworm your horse, he becomes infested with parasites which can infect other horses he is around and it affects his own health.

You may not see the internal damage worms create, but with large infestations you will see the difference on the outside when his coat is no longer glossy and he keeps losing weight no matter how much you feed him.

When you look after horses you can do other prevention techniques besides deworming, to increase chances of a good healthy environment for your horse.

- Remove droppings from paddocks and fields on a regular basis. If completely removing is not possible then disk or harrow the field to break up the droppings.

- Rotate your pastures, leave a field completely empty for a period of time

- Remove bot eggs from the horses with a bot knife

- Grazing with cattle can aid worm control

The usual vaccinations given to a horse are for equine influenza, tetanus and equine encephalitis. It is strongly recommended that you have all your horses vaccinated; your local veterinarian will be able to assist you and determine which vaccines your horse needs and when he should be given them.

Having a horse is a huge responsibility and they are reliant on you for good health. Take pride in owning a horse and ensure he is well cared for. Have a basic first aid kit at hand and develop a relationship with your local veterinarian.

Horse Guide.

Get information on buying, owning and caring for your horse, learn about horse health. Learn about Horse riding safety.

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By Benjamin Wise

If you are thinking of owning a horse, there are many aspects you will need to consider before making any purchasing decisions. Owning your horse will be an investment, so you will want to choose carefully. Since you will most likely ride your horse, supplies are among the most crucial of details, and choosing the right ones is crucial.

The term used to describe these supplies is tack. The first thing you will need to consider is the type of supplies you will need. For example, English horse tack is much different from Western tack, so make sure you know what you need before buying anything. If you are unsure, consult someone who already owns horses to find out what is needed for the particular breed of horse you plan to own. You can also find a wealth of information about horses and tack in a variety of books and on the Internet.

Horse supplies can range from what is needed to feed and care for the animal, to the necessary items for breaking and riding your horse. Choosing the right supplies is key. For instance, if you do not buy the right type of saddle, or do not find one that is comfortable for both you and your horse, your riding experience will probably not be a good one. If you are a new rider, this could be quite discouraging. Again, it often pays to speak with other fellow horse lovers to obtain information. They can also tell you the best places to get supplies in your area.

Another consideration that should be given when choosing horse supplies is the money you will need to invest. Because there are many different types of horse supplies, ranging from bits to saddles, bridals to girths, and so on, it will take a good investment in order to properly care for your horse. You will also have many options available to you. For example, if you plan to ride your horse in parades, you will want to purchase items to suit the occasion. Even just purchasing the essentials can cost a good bit of money, so you will need to keep this in mind before actually deciding that owning a horse is right for you.

There can be much enjoyment in owning and riding a horse. Because of their long life span, they make good companions, and appeal to many people for many different reasons. Before buying a horse, make sure you have what you need to properly care for it. The results will be rewarding.

Horse Supplies Advanced Equine offers Horse tack, bridle, saddle, bit, girths, cinches, saddle pads and more.

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By Angel Abdulnor

Having a horse is fun, but a major responsibility, so be thorough on your research of barns to board it at. It pays to choose a place that is close to where you live, has facilities that are well maintained and most importantly, gives its horses proper care and nutrition. Each barn has its own atmosphere, is it one you can live with? If you want to participate in horse shows, it may be a good idea to choose a barn that frequents the kinds of shows you want to be in. If you live in a cold climate, make sure the barn has a large indoor arena for winter riding.

Do you ride English or Western? If English is your thing, then make sure your barn has jumps available, and/or a dressage ring. I ride English, and my barn had a top show trainer in it, so if I needed to prepare for a show, he was there to critique my riding during lessons. I liked boarding my horse at a place with a competent, experienced trainer, one that took the time to explain the exercises and gave me quality instruction. Since I spent most of my money at this sport, I wanted to make sure I was doing everything right.

If you ride Western, make sure there are trails to ride on nearby your barn. And again, find a barn that has a trainer suited to your style of riding in order to get the proper instruction. Once you find a barn you like, whatever style you ride, spend time taking lessons there before buying a horse, just to get a feel of the place. If you haven’t found a horse yet, trainers can assist you in looking. Ask around, and tell them how much you are looking to spend on your first horse. Another great way to find a horse is during the summer, many young horse owners are getting ready to go off to college and need to sell their animal fast. This is a good bargaining time, if the seller is motivated, you may talk the price down on his horse. Have them throw in the tack (saddle, bridle, etc) too, as part of the bargain. When I sold my horse to go to college, I gladly gave the buyers (a well maintained show barn) all my tack since I knew he was going to be in good hands. It pays to ask about the tack, to save on money, since having a horse is very expensive any way you look at it.

Make sure the horse is healthy before committing to buying it. This is incredibly important. Make sure to have a vet look it over, and tell you what condition he is in. Are his legs sound? Has he ever been lame? Has he had all his shots, and is he disease-free? Also, make sure there are no growths on his ears. A friend of mine bought an expensive show horse, only to find out he had skin cancer on one of his ears. One of his ears had to be partially removed, it was really sad. Make sure the animal is completely sound and has a personality you can live with.

One way to try out horse ownership is to lease a horse from its owner. Most barns have horses that are up for lease, you can even get a half or quarter lease sometimes. Then, you help with the bills of the horse, but are not fully responsible for it. You work out with the owner, and anyone who may be sharing the lease with you, what days you will ride. That is a great solution if you have limited time, because owning a horse, even when boarded at a show stable, is still very time consuming. You must groom, saddle, ride, unsaddle, wash then clean its feet every time you ride. And, I used to let my horse out into the paddocks and wait for him to have fun kicking up his heels every day, instead of paying extra to have the trainer do it for me. I spent at least four hours every afternoon at my stable since he was my full responsibility, I owned him so his well-being was totally up to me alone. The barn workers fed the horses, mucked stalls and kept the grounds up. I kept the horse clean, healthy and happy, as well as my tack spotlessly maintained.

Keep in mind, horses have other bills that must be paid, such as vet bills (worming, shots, etc) and farrier (horseshoes, hoof trimming, etc). These must be done on a regular schedule and not ignored. Taking good care of your horse’s feet is of major importance so never skimp on cleaning or trimming them. Also, buy shampoo and other grooming products online to save money. If you don’t have a locker in your barn, get a caddy to hold your grooming supplies, and keep it in the back of your car. Leaving it out in the open at the barn invites trouble, in the form of others “borrowing” things and forgetting to put them back, so it’s best to have a locking trunk or keep the caddy in the back of your car.

If you plan to show your horse, ask your barn how much they charge to use their horse trailer. Most barns will haul the horse for you, for the asking, as long as they have enough trailer space for all the horses going to the show. Showing is addictive. Start at a small, local show and see how you like it. Then, if you do well and enjoy yourself, work your way up to bigger shows. Going to a horse show is a enjoyable family event. Many people bring picnics to watch the show as their children ride. If you win a prize, it’s a bonus, but do it for the sheer pleasure of it all. If you show, make sure to wear the appropriate clothing and boots. Advance preparation of both the rider and horse is the key to a successful day of horse showing.

Once you and your horse are settled in and know each other, you will make a good team and build on your experiences together. Bring him treats, talk to him and give kind approval so he learns to trust you. My horse used to whinny whenever he saw me walking towards him. We were buddies and I used to make him carrot cake every New Year’s Day (he was a Thoroughbred and all registered Thoroughbreds share the birthday of January first, whether they were born on that day or not). He plowed through that cake in minutes flat and looked for more. We were a great team and I’ll never forget him. These little things make the relationship you have with your horse all the more special. Owning a horse is a special privelege so enjoy each and every day with him. Grow together, learn new things, and both your lives will be enriched and happy. I highly recommend it.

Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. She has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico, among other interesting professional assignments in other countries. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.

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By Carolyn McFann

Horses are beautiful, fascinating creatures. Many people are drawn to their beauty and grace. As young people, we dream of owning a horse like Trigger or Silver. We love the sight of them, the feel of them and the smell of them. However, the reality of owning a horse is a little more complicated. You need plenty of space. You need the financial means to care for a horse. Maybe the reality of standing next to or riding on a huge 1000 pound animal is really a little more overwhelming than you thought it would be. Whatever the reason, owning a horse is just not always possible for some people.

Collecting Model Horses is a wonderful way to enjoy horses without the responsibilities of owning a real horse. If you are already a collector of Model Horses, you know how much fun it can be to be able to own nearly every pretty horse that you see, or to be able to focus on your favorite breed and own a whole “stable” of them! Model horses come in just about every size and style you can imagine and are very affordable to collect.

Probably the best known Model Horses are the Breyer Horses. Some of the other collectible brands include Trail of Painted Ponies, Grand Champions, Hartlands, and Peter Stone, just to mention a few. All of these brands of Model Horses are very affordable to own and can increase in value in time.

Besides collecting the actual Model Horses, there are many other ways to enjoy the hobby. There are accessories such as halters, bridles, saddles and costumes that are made especially for these horses. You can buy stables and other props to show your horses in. There are even places where you can “show” your horses and get together with other horse lovers to trade and sell your horses.

So if you long to have a horse or horses of your own, or even if you already own horses, consider collecting Model Horses. There will be no limit to how many you can own and keep and you never know, you might just end up owning “Trigger” or “Silver”! For more information about Model Horse collecting and Model Horse Shows go to horsecrazycollectibles.com.

Darlene Anderson is an avid horse lover and collector. She has been collecting Horses and western style memorabilia for many years. For more information and a source of Model Horses or Western Collectibles visit http://www.horsecrazycollectibles.com or http://www.rusticbarnwesterncollectibles.com

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By Darlene Anderson

Every little girls wants to have a horse or a pony of her own. Of course the time commitment is huge and time consuming. If your daughter wants a horse and you are not involved in the local equestrian community, then you need to get involved and learn a lot more about it first. The costs to owning a horse are not a mild commitment either.

Horses eat a lot, wouldn’t you if you were that large? Who knows maybe you are and do? Indeed, you need a diet, but a horse needs the food and bulk and they love treats too. Then there are the boarding costs and that is not cheap at all. Horses must be ridden and exercised and if one does not have time, often someone else must be paid to do so.

If you pay someone to take care of your horse and board it, you are talking about some serious money. Owning a Horse is Time Consuming and someone has to get up early and feed it, ride it and take care of it. There are often issues when specialists must be called in also. Horse shoe technicians are not cheap and vets are outrageously expensive if your horse gets sick and they do too.

Owning a horse is a serious commitment and you must know what you are getting into before you buy one. I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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By Lance Winslow