Horses and Ponies
How Are You Going To Keep Your Horse? PDF Print E-mail
Sunday, 07 September 2008 08:00

It is usually cheaper to keep your own horse, than to have some one look after your horse. Not everyone has a pasture or field in their back yard. If you know of some one with horses you could approach them and see if there is room for one more. This could cost less than having to board your horse at a stable and or riding facility. If you have no place to keep your horse, you should research stables in your area. Doing some investigation could save you money. Some stables charge a set monthly fee and your horse is taken care of completely. All you have to do is arrive and mount up, after riding you can simply hand your horse over to a groom and go home. This set up is not cheap and not always necessary, so consider how much involvement you would like with your horse at a stable.

An inexpensive option is a stable that offers a "do-it-yourself" option. Your horse has a stable and field to occupy for a set fee. You are then responsible for his care such as feeding, grooming and mucking out (stall cleaning). This could take up a good amount of valuable time, which you may not have so perhaps a stable that is somewhere between the two would best suit you.

Stabling is an expensive cost and if you are buying a top level competition horse you are certainly going to want the best care for your horse. There is no benefit in buying an expensive horse and not having enough money to afford quality care and stabling. In the same respect if you are buying an older horse for trail rides on a weekend, you needn"t go to the expense of a upscale stable. Of course if you have the money there is nothing stopping you doing either.

Then there is the question of transportation. Would you need a trailer (horse box) to get places? If you have enough money to buy a horse and not a trailer, are you going to be happy riding in the same area and not being able to enter a horse show in the next town? Perhaps you could find some one to hire a horse box from or to share with. Otherwise you may need to spend a little less on a horse so you could also afford a trailer.

The questions may make you realize that buying a horse is not the best option and leasing (half-baiting) a horse would be far more beneficial. This is when someone else owns the horse and you pay partial cost of the upkeep so that you can ride the horse.

Asking yourself these questions and knowing the answers will help you select a horse to suit your financial circumstances as well as meet your expectations. They may give you a clearer idea of what it is you would like to have, but not necessarily afford at this time. Take time to research your options so that your budget can be met and you are satisfied with your first horse.

Your horse guide. Get information on buying, owning and caring for your horse, learn about Stabling Your Horse.

Paul Hegarty is the owner of learningfromdvds.com. Price compare Fitness DVDs, read reviews, download free E-books. Read this month’s e-book on "How To Spot A fraudulent Email". Grab your free copy today.
 
Choosing The Right Horse PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 31 July 2008 19:00

If you have no desire to train a horse or have a green horse (young inexperienced horse), then you ought to look at buying a horse that is around 5 years and older. That way the horse has had a number of years where he has been ridden and taught. If you are looking to learn a particular sport and compete, then it could be to your advantage to buy a school master.

This is an older horse that has successfully learned and usually competed in a sport and is looking for a little less action. The owner may not think the horse is ready for retirement and would be an excellent teacher for a beginner rider starting out. Depending on the age and health of the horse, you could learn and begin to compete on the same horse. Or you could learn on the older horse and buy a younger horse once you start competing. Of course that leaves you with another question of what to do with the older horse?

How much can you afford to spend on the horse? This question helps you decide whether you buy a young horse, an older horse, or even a foal. If you are seriously looking to compete you may be more concerned about bloodlines. Bloodlines relate to a horse’s ancestry. Typically horses with good bloodlines are pricier, so buying a foal could cut the cost however you have to then wait a number of years until you could compete with your purchase.

It should be noted that a foal with excellent bloodlines and good conformation (body proportion) can cost far more than a horse with an unknown or unproven bloodline. Usually a horse that has good bloodlines or has proven himself in a sport is going to cost you the most. Not only do you consider the cost in buying the horse, but in also purchasing all the equipment you"ll need for riding and caring for your horse.

Do you already have all the tack necessary, riding gear and grooming equipment? This can add up to a tidy sum and you may need to lower your budget so that you can buy all the equipment you need.

Your horse guide. Get information on buying, owning and caring for your horse, learn about Feeding Your Horse.

Paul Hegarty is the owner of learningfromdvds.com. Price compare Educational DVDs, read reviews, download free E-books. Read this month’s e-book on "How To Spot A fraudulent Email". Grab your free copy today.
 
Using the Right Saddle on Your Horse PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 22 July 2008 07:00
A saddle that doesn"t fit can make a horse uncomfortable and can even hurt him. It can cause stubbornness, bucking, rearing, biting when saddled, or difficulty mounting. It can give your horse back pain and stiffness and it can eventually lead to lower leg lameness. Here are a few tips you can use to check the saddle you use on your own horse to make sure it isn"t causing any harm.

First, take a moment just to look at how the saddle fits your horse overall. Look at it from the side and from the back and try to determine if it conforms to the shape of the horse"s back. Since some horses are fat and wide and some are skinny and narrow, and since some have straight backs and some have sway backs you absolutely must be sure to use a saddle that drapes over and wraps around the horse without pressing down too much in any one spot. In saddles, one size does not fit all.

Next, look at the front of the saddle. It should be completely behind the shoulder blades. If it is too far forward it will hamper your horse"s shoulder movement and this will probably cause head tossing and stumbling, and if not corrected could cause cinch sores or even scar tissue to form behind the shoulder blades. Then take a look at the pommel. There should be a big enough space under it so that you can put two or three fingers between it and the horse"s withers.

Then check the seat to be sure that it is setting level from side to side. And then look a the cantle. It should be level with, or just a bit higher than the pommel. Then check the panels under the saddle. They should touch the horse all the way from front to back as much as possible. Sometimes when you get into the saddle your weight will help the panels to snug up to the horse. Then look at the saddle skirt. It must not dig into the horse"s hip bones.

In general you should try to determine if your saddle is too narrow or too wide. Most problems come from using a saddle that is too narrow, but a too wide one will also cause harm. One good thing to remember is that if a saddle is too narrow it will keep trying to tilt back. If it is too wide it will tilt forward.

The shape of a horse"s back will change over time as it ages and gains or loses weight. A good saddle maker can often modify your saddle to respond to these gradual changes so that it keeps fitting right but sometimes you just might need to get a new saddle.

Copyright 2006, Terry Cunning.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Terry Cunning shares his interest in the whole world of horses at cavalcadeofhorses.com/ . Stop by anytime for more horse information.
 
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