Since your looking for a new horse I would go with a smaller horse and easy going horse. You must first learn how to take care of your horse and make sure you have the right budget. If you are not willing to spend at least 3 hours a day with your horse, or more, DON'T GET A HORSE!
Because of their size and strength, horses are often misunderstood by people who don't know much about them. They often assume horses require little care - just stick them in a field and they'll be fine. They also tend to underestimate the safety aspects of being around horses - safety for both horse and human. Finally, many novice horse people, and even some experienced ones, don't understand horse behaviour and communication and so handle the horse inappropriately.
The information presented in the following fact sheets and articles is intended as an introduction to basic horse care. More detailed information is available in many excellent books and a growing number of web sites. Always remember that the primary source of health care advice for your horse should be your veterinarian who knows the specifics of your animal and your situation. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian.
Horse shopping is fun, so take along a friend to share it with.
Keep a level head, just because his color is super, his personality and training may not be compatible to yours.
Make sure you have the money and time to invest in your new responsibility.
I have included a lot of information below
Purchasing your equine companion can take a lot of time, effort and expertise. It is best not to rush because buying a horse is a long term commitment.
There are few steps as important to equine health as immunizations.
Nothing will help protect a horse from diseases as easily and effectively as vaccinations.
You help place a protective barrier between the horse and several diseases. A few of them are listed below:
Tetanus • Encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness) • Equine influenza • Rhinopneumonitis • Rabies • Strangles • Potomac Horse Fever
Vaccines are a vital part of proper program of preventative care.
Incorporate it into a program that includes regular deworming, lots of clean water, good nutrition and a safe environment to ensure a long healthy and happy life for your horse.
Sometimes called "lockjaw" tetanus-in-horses is caused by toxin-producing bacteria that can be found in the intestinal tract of many animals and found in abundance in the soil where horses live. Its spores can exist for years. The spores enter the body through wounds, lacerations. It is not contagious from horse to horse.
Clinical signs:
Muscle stiffness and rigidity, flared nostrils, hypersensitivity, stiff legs. the muscles in the jaw and face stiffen as the disease progresses. Convulsions may occur and death is caused by paralysis of the breathing muscles. More that 80% of affected horses die.
Treatment is difficult, time consuming, very expensive and often unsuccessful. It involves the use of tetanus antitoxin (Equivac TAT) to neutralize unbound circulating toxin, penicillin to prevent further growth of C/. tetani, muscle relaxants to relax the rigid muscles, and supportive therapy until the toxin is eliminated or destroyed.
Vaccination is the only way to provide safe, effective long-term protection against tetanus. All horses should be immunized annually.
Food
- 15-25 lbs. a day depending on size, temperment and work being done
- Free Choice of salt
- Good quality hay
- Grain mix or hay pellets
- Water - 5-10 gallons a day clean fresh and always available
Shelter
- 3 sided Shelter if living outside
- Box stall in barn with bedding cleaned daily
Horse Health Care
- Hoof care - trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks
- Deworming - regular program
- Dental Care - yearly
- Incoculations - consult a vet
- Exercise under saddle or daily turnout
Hoof Care: Cleaning and Maintenance
Horse hoof care is as important as regular brushing is for your horse.
Hoof picks are inexpensive and are necessary for the horse owner. They are used to clean out the underside of the foot.
Regular iron picks are great, and will fit in small spaces, such as hoof pick holders on a saddle. There are some pocket knives that come with hoof picks attached, and these are very good for the horse owner to keep in their saddlebag.
Hoof moisturizers are popular products for hoof care. If your horse has dry, cracked, or flaky feet applying moisturizers every day can help.
Hoof supplements are a good addition to your horse's diet if he/she has very poor feet and loses shoes often. Talk to your vet about what brand to use.
Hoof care equipment. Hoof wire brush with pick attached is my preference. The hoof pick below is small enough to go in a saddlebag or pocket when you are out on the trail. You never know what can happen.
Hoof Care Products
There are a growing number of hoof care products on the market. From the lowly hoof brush to impossibly expensive horse boots. Creams, lotions, potions, half boots, rubber boots, bandages...the list goes on and on... The prices go up and up.
Having your horse's hooves trimmed every six to eight weeks by a competent blacksmith will almost ensure that your horse maintains healthy feet throughout his life.
Below are some therapeutic products for problem hooves.
Boots offer protection to the heels and foot. These 'anti-spin' boots have a reinforced striking pad, cushioned pastern roll, and they don't absorb water.
These are WHIRLPOOL BOOTS. Vinyl hydro-therapy boots are soft, yet durable. What they do is massage, reduce swelling and aid in injury recovery. They act like a jacuzzi. Water soluble medication can be inserted to suit your horses needs.
As you can guess this is a very expensive item. But when a horse's hooves are in trouble - the whole horse is in trouble.
Biotin for Hooves
Originally called Vitamin H, (from Haut, the German word for skin) biotin is a B vitamin so essential that it is manufactured in the gut naturally. But also used as a supplement to improve hoof strength. It is known to improve and lessen cracking and splitting of the horn, especially at the weight-bearing border,improve condition of the white line area. In trial studies the first improvements were evident within six months of biotin treatment, but the improved hoof condition continued over the next two years, as long as supplementation was continued.
Feed supplements to strengthen hooves are available through your vetrinarian or tack shop. One of the horses at our barn has half of a cup of biotin added to her feed each day because she has slightly soft hooves and loses her shoes from time to time.
Recipes of homemade horse treats for you to try. I don't mean for you to eat, they are for your best buddy, your equine companion. These are great reward ideas for clicker training These horse cookies are also a great way to fatten up a horse losing too much weight. And they are very healthy. They are fun to bake.
Bake them and put them in tightly closed jar and keep the lazy ones amongst us, there are plenty of ways to pamper your companion without using the oven.
My horse likes to eat grapes and bananas.
My quarter horse won't touch anything but apples and carrots. She is very conservative.
Hot and Nutritious Horse Treats
You can substitute your current feed for the primary ingredients in these recipes, if you desire.
Here is an excellent horse treat recipe to warm up your equine companion on a blustery day
Hot Mash
1 3/4 c. mixed grain (such as a corn, oats, and barley blend)
1 1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
2/3 c. dark brown sugar, packed
3 T. dark corn syrup
egg white from 1 large egg (well beaten)
Preheat oven to 375° F. Combine the grain and flour in a bowl and mix thoroughly. In a second, larger bowl, combine applesauce, brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir in egg white and then the dry mixture. Combine well. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between each. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until dark brown. Remove to a wire rack and cool. Yield about 25 cookies.
Steamed Oat Mash
One of our horses' favorites served up on a cold winter morning!1 or 2 T. saltA ration of rolled, crushed or crimped oatsA few cut up carrotsA few cut up apples1 c. molasses or 2 T. linseed meal for extra tasteMix all ingredients in a feed bucket. Combine with suitable quantity of boiling water (completely soaked up by oats). Cover and let steam until cool enough to feed to your horse. (30-45 minutes preparation time)Variation: Use applesauce instead of apples and carrots.
Bran Mash
This horse treat recipe is especially good for pregnant mares during the late months of their term!
8 - 12 c. wheat bran1 c. rolled, crushed or crimped oats1/4 c. corn oil1/4 c. molasses1-1/2 to 2-1/2 c. boiling water1 carrot, sliced1 apple, slicedCombine bran and oats in feed bucket. Add boiling water to desired consistency. Stir in oil, molasses, carrot and apple. Cover and allow to sit. Serve when cool enough to feed.
There are ways to make money with horses.
If you love horses and you want to make a living doing something in the equine industry
then this ranch is a perfect way to jump in to living with horses.
The joys of rural living!
At our ranch we make money in a number of ways
We run a boarding stable and have room for 10 horses in our stable. Some horse boarding stables also offer outdoor boarding as well. This means that the horses live outdoors all year around using the shelter in their paddock during rainy or cold weather.
By offering outdoor boarding as well you can increase the number of horses from 10.
We do not offer outdoor boarding here. But it can be an option if you like.
Riding instruction
You can also offer lessons (we have a large training ring with lights) Horse back riding instructors are always looking for places where they can teach, you make money by taking a portion of the riding fees as payment for using your facilities.
Trail rides
Although we toyed with the idea, we chose not to offer trail riding due to other commitments. (we also have a design company ) but we have many people asking us for trail riding. I suggest offering exclusive trail rides with a small number of riders. With 2 quiet horses you can charge 50.00 for an hour ride with only walk and trot. The trails here are so beautiful and if you have nice horses you are in business.
We bought a horse property and moved out to Saint-lazare on a whim to try our hand at rural living.
It was time in our life to start doing what we loved to do instead of having life control us. We decided to control our destiny. We always loved animals especially horses. I was always a city girl but in my heart I loved the country life.
So it was time to make a change. And we jumped in with both feet. We did not know a thing about running a boarding stable or horse keeping in general. But it was easy to learn and since we love our new life we are having so much fun.
We wake up each morning ready and eager for the new day.
I love caring for the horses. I even like mucking out the box stalls. I find cleaning the stable very zen. I don’t have to think, it is easy work and I find it to be very meditative and calming. I get my best ideas as I clean out the barn.
If you don’t have the time or energy to clean boxstalls, there are people you can hire to do it for you. Last winter we took on a boarder who did the cleaning for in exchange for board. It is a win win situation for both parties.
Pony parties
Another service you can offer is pony rides. Get 2 ponies and you are in business. You can offer pony birthday parties for children as well as just pony rides.
Horse Treats
This cylinder shaped horse toy has treats inside. When the horse pushes it with his nose, the treats fall out. This type of toy is supposed to encourage horses to graze in their natural, head-down position, while treats are dispensed by gravity. As long as there are treats it will provide hours of stimulation. Shown is one that is mounted on the wall.
Giant Scented Apple
This is a popular and relatively inexpensive horse toy. 10 inch high red plastic apple in the stall to amuse him. Hang it up from the ceiling and he will butt it with his head. It is a good deterrent for horses that have taken up the terrible habit of weaving side to side.
"Jolly Stall Snack with Apple Treat"
A new tasty way for your horse to be entertained, while helping to alleviate stall boredom. Hang it from the ceiling of the box stall. The treat that goes inside is also sold separately. The horse can finish up the treat sometimes very quickly by knocking it out of the holder and gobbling it up. It is a great boredom alleviator if he licks it as he is supposed to do.
Make your own Amusement Ball
Horse toys don't have to be expensive or complicated to make.
Here is what it takes to Make your own amusement ball.
Supplies needed
1 gallon milk or water plastic jug Grain or fat and fiber
Rope
Hook
scissors
Directions
Clean out the empty containerPierce small holes (about 10) around the sides of the jug, tie a strong rope to the handle and hang it from the ceiling low enough for the horse to be able to butt it with his nose.
Open the cap fill it a small quantity of grain or treats such as apple crunch and let him figure it out. If it breaks just make a new one.
The Scratch-Scratch-Post
Here is a picture of a Scratch’n Pole. It provides a safe and comfortable place for your horse to scratch. Natural sisal rope is wound around a heavy duty plastic pipe and supplies the feel good scratch for your horse, and can easily be replaced when worn out. To make one:
take a piece of strong rubber or plastic piping wrap it around with twine and fasten it to a wall of the box stall. A little friend for your horse
How about getting your horse a pet. Perhaps a rabbit. My friend Anna Maria had a rabbit for her horse. The rabbit hopped around in the stall and the horse never stepped on it. The Rabbit was good company.A goat is also a good pet for a horse. But they tend to eat everything in sight. A rabbit is less upkeep.
Besides toys keep your friend happy with a large assortments of treats.
Horses and ponies are important parts of American culture. Your horse-owning experience will be most enjoyable if you carefully consider if horse ownership suits your family, home, and lifestyle. Make an informed decision. Take time, involve your family, and give careful consideration to the following questions.
What's special about horses and ponies?
Horses and ponies can be wonderful, loving, long-time companions. They have average lifespans of 25-30 years — some even live to be forty years old or older! They may also be willing riding partners for exercise, recreation, and competition.
What choices do you have in horses and ponies?
There are more than 200 breeds of horses and ponies in the world. Each breed has unique qualities and not all breeds are suitable for all riders and activities. There are also many breed combinations that produce an almost endless variety of mixed breed horses.
Because riding requires teamwork between the horse and rider, it is important that you select a horse that suits your temperament and riding style. A nervous, fearful rider should own a calm horse that will not respond in fear. Beginning riders should look for experienced, well-trained horses. An experienced rider may prefer a sensitive horse that responds to the slightest commands, or a young, inexperienced horse that can be trained.
Before deciding to buy a horse of your own, you should have some riding experience or have taken riding lessons. Once you understand your riding abilities and limitations, you will be in a much better position to choose a horse with the temperament and training that will suit you.
Before buying, also consider what type of riding you intend to do -- English or Western. Both styles of riding are suitable for pleasure riding; however, advanced riders may pursue an English riding style for activities such as dressage, jumping, hunting, and eventing. A Western riding style is chosen for barrel racing, cutting, reining, and rodeo events.
Whatever style of riding you prefer, it is best if your first horse is already "schooled" or trained for that purpose. An older horse that already has the skills you need is usually a better buy for a first-time owner or young rider rather than an animal that requires a lot of training.
What are the special needs of horses and ponies?
Owning a horse is a big responsibility. It requires a commitment of both time and money. A new owner should be prepared to spend time grooming, exercising, and caring for the animal — or assume the responsibility to see that the basic care will be performed daily. Dental, veterinary, and hoof care are also vital to maintaining a healthy horse or pony.
Who will care for your horse or pony?
Boarding stables offer levels of care ranging from complete board (where the stable provides feed, turnout, and basic care) to self-care (where the owner performs all duties, including cleaning the stall). Owners may choose to have their horses in stalls, turned out on pasture, or a combination of both.
Before buying a horse for their children, parents should assess their child's level of commitment. Horses are a lot of fun, but they are also a lot of work. One way to assess a child's commitment and ability to care for a horse is to arrange for riding lessons at a local stable or time to help care for another person's horse. Once a child realizes the amount of time and effort required to properly care for a horse, the decision to buy a horse now or wait until later may become easier.
Does a horse or pony fit your lifestyle?
Decide if your lifestyle affords you the time to devote to a horse or pony. Determine where you will house the animal and how much it will cost. While a boarding stable may provide for your horse or pony's basic needs, these animals deserve more attention from you than just weekend riding. Consider the time involved in getting to and from a stable.
If you live on property that can support a horse — legally and physically — be sure you have adequate stabling to protect the horse from inclement weather. Think about the time commitment necessary to meet the daily feeding, grooming, and other maintenance involved in owning a horse.
If you live in a cold climate, consider boarding the animal at a stable with an indoor arena if you plan to ride during the colder mohths. Riding in freezing weather can be unpleasant and dangerous for both horse and rider.
Can you afford a horse or pony?
The costs of owning a horse can add up quickly and include expenses such as shelter (if boarded), feed, veterinary medical care, hoof care, and riding equipment. Other potential expenses include equipment costs (saddle, saddle blankets, bridle, halter, and other accessories), training fees, riding apparel (including a helmet), show registration fees, and transportation. In many instances, the purchase price is less than the annual boarding fee and maintenance costs.
Where can you get a horse or pony?
Possible sources for horses and ponies include: the stable where you ride or plan to keep the horse; riding instructors or trainers; breeders; fellow horse enthusiasts; classified ads; tack shop bulletin boards; and the Internet. Each resource has advantages and risks. Regardless of the source, it is recommended that novice horse buyers seek help from a trusted, experienced horse person.
What should you look for in a healthy horse or pony?
An animal's temperament should be the most important characteristic to you. Look in the horse's eyes and ears and at its general demeanor. Be sure you observe the animal in a well-lit place, preferably outdoors in the sunlight. Watch the owner groom and saddle the horse and never buy a horse with bad stable manners.
Ask the owner to ride the animal and take the horse through its gaits. If you are buying a hunter, a jumper, or other specially trained horse, ask the owner to demonstrate its skills. When it is your turn to ride, try out any special skills that the horse is trained to perform. This is a major investment and you should be allowed to test the animal thoroughly. Do not rush to a decision; arrange for a second visit to once again observe the horse's behavior. You may make important observations on a second visit that you missed the first time. Many times a brief "trial or lease period" (7-10 days) can be arranged for a prospective buyer. This gives you some time to determine if you and the horse are truly compatible.
Finally, do not buy a horse or pony before the animal has been thoroughly examined by a veterinarian with experience in performing prepurchase examinations. Such an exam can reveal health problems that could negatively affect the horse's performance and quality of life. The exam consists of a thorough physical examination and evaluation of the horse's eyes, ears, heart, lungs, legs and hooves, digestive system, and skin. In addition, the horse is evaluated in motion for any evidence of lameness. Other procedures that may be performed based upon the horse's intended use, a purchaser's request, or veterinary recommendation, include radiographs (x-rays), blood tests, drug tests, ultrasound examination, reproductive evaluation, or endoscopic examination.
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Remember that after you have purchased your horse, your veterinarian is your best source of information about vaccinations, parasite control, dental care, and other routine health matters, as well as emergency medical care.
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Finally, A Note On Your Horse's General Good Health
Your horse's daily well being requires regular care and close attention to any hint of ill health. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that you consult your veterinarian if your horse shows any of the following:
Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes or other body openings
Sudden changes in behavior
Abnormal lumps, loss of hair, open sores, or a ragged or dull coat
Limping, or difficulty getting up or lying down
Loss of appetite, marked weight loss or gain, or excessive water consumption
Difficult, abnormal or uncontrolled waste elimination
Excessive head shaking, scratching, licking, or biting any part of the body
Foul breath
When you acquire a horse or pony, you accept responsibility for the health and welfare of another living thing. You are also responsible for your animal's impact on your family, friends, and community. A horse will be part of your life for many years. Invest the time and effort necessary in advance to make your years together happy ones. Choose your horse or pony wisely and you will enjoy one of life's most rewarding experiences!
Being a riding instructor can sometimes be a frustrating occupation. Some students take forever to master what you may think of as a basic skill, but then we all started knowing absolutely nothing. It is always easier to teach children to ride than adults because they are more willing to take the risk of falling off and hurting themselves than adults are. They also tend to think it’s funny when they do exercises that make them face backwards, whereas adults tend not to see the humor. So if you are stuck for new ways to teach adults and kids the basics of horsemanship then read on.
Exercises on horseback are a vital ingredient to learning to ride. Get the pupil to do them at the halt, then the walk. This will teach them balance, as well as confidence both of which are of extreme importance. Some of these exercises can include Round The World. In this the pupil turns around on the horse, so that he is facing sideways then backwards then to the other side ending up facing the right way again, effectively traveling three hundred and sixty degrees on horseback. You will find that many children will fall off when doing this at the walk but they won’t hurt themselves and will probably find it very amusing. Another common exercise is doing ‘Scissors’. The person leans forward over the pommel of the saddle, swings his legs forwards, backwards and up towards the tail and in mid air crosses them to end up facing backwards. They can then do it again to face forwards though it is harder this way as there is no pommel to hold onto and the cantle of the saddle may hurt their stomachs. Again this is much harder at the walk. Windmaling the arms, and dropping one hand off the reins will all help to teach the pupil about control without them realizing what they are learning.
An exercise that will teach the pupil to use his legs, instead of his reins to control direction and speed of his mount, is to ride without reins. This is an invaluable skill than can and should be used throughout the riding career. Simply knot the reins on the horses’ neck and get the pupil to stop using his seat and legs, as well as do circles and jumping exercises. When jumping either get the pupil to extend his arms by his side (airplane style), and keep his head up. Should he look down the chances he will fall off will be that much greater, and looking down, or to the side (ducking) is a bad habit many top riders fall into.
Another great way to learn balance and control is to ride without stirrups. Trotting is always the hardest gait to get used to without stirrups with cantering being extremely easy. Encourage the pupils to do a rising trot using their thighs and seat instead of their lower legs. Remember though, it is extremely tiring and so should not go on for too long. Jumping without stirrups is something all show jumpers will have to learn to do at some stage. How many times do we lose stirrups while in the ring, and have to complete the course with only one stirrup? Being proficient at riding with no stirrups is vital to all disciplines from dressage to cross-country. Do exercises, which include lines, bounce jumps, and dropping reins over jumps as well. Balance and a quiet seat will all be a learnt during this exercise. In fact a sitting trot with or without stirrups is always a good way to teach them to control their seats and stay quiet in the saddle.
Should any of your pupils have a problem with sitting up straight then try this handy tip. Put a crop behind their back and through their arms at the elbow. This will encourage them to keep their hands quiet, release a tight hold on the horse’s mouth, and make them sit up straight.
When a rider is only learning the tricks to controlling his horse or pony, then doing circles, figure eights and serpentines are all vital to his education. But vary them a little. Get them to begin with the standard three loop serpentine, for example, then get them to do a six loop and then a ten loop and so on. Split the lesson into two groups and make one begin their figure eight in the top of the school, and the other in the bottom half, then get them to pass each other. These will assist them in learning to control the horse using their hands, legs and seats. Many beginners are too reliant on their hands and doing some of the above exercises can help reduce this dependence.
Allow them to do some basic dressage tests as a motivator to learn new things and don’t be afraid to put them on the lunge, and do lunge work with them. This will include exercises at the walk, trot and canter, as well as removal of reins and stirrups. Trotting poles, and bounce jumps as well as basic jumping (over a small upright, then stop in a straight line, turn round and back over the upright), will all help to teach a novice to jump. As will trotting and cantering in a jumping position. (Slightly elevated from the saddle, leaning forward with the hands halfway up the neck). Again this can be murder on the legs so try and only use it when they aren’t listening to you.
One of the first steps in developing any skill is to determine where you are starting. Although the words beginner, intermediate, and advanced are vague, see if the descriptions that follow help you to find where you presently fit. Persons of all ages can be found in any of the categories. Some people feel that any person who is riding a horse is also training that horse — whether purposely or inadvertently and whether good or bad habits are being formed. Theoretically, I agree with that. However, I use the word trainer for those riders who have advanced enough in their skills that they can ride a variety of horses well and that they have a very good chance of eliciting the desired response from a horse the first or second time they ask the horse to perform a specific maneuver.
The PRE-BEGINNER rider is someone who is interested and curious, but totally inexperienced with horses and needs to learn about them from the ground up. She is learning how to lead horses, groom them, and relate to their size and movement from the ground. The pre-beginner rider has no knowledge about horse training and care. She may be timid or fearless.
The BEGINNER rider is entering the awareness-development stage. She might have spent a total of 10 hours in the saddle, either by riding once in a while over a period of years or by taking an introductory group of lessons. She can control a quiet school horse at a walk and trot with turns and can stop the horse. The beginner rider slows down and walks if she feels she is losing her balance at the trot. She will remain a beginner until she has developed the balance and confidence to lope or canter the horse.
The ADVANCED BEGINNER can sit on a quiet, well-schooled horse without losing her balance when it is loping or cantering.
The INTERMEDIATE rider may show signs of competitiveness or seriousness about riding. When she works with a school horse, she can mount without assistance, walk, trot, canter, ride circles, serpentines, knows what diagonal or lead she is on, and can stop the horse from any gait.
The ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE rider can perform simple and flying lead changes, variations in the gaits, turn on the forehand, turn on the hindquarters, and lateral movements on a school horse. She has the interest to ride horses other than school horses and she is gaining the knowledge and is developing the skills to be able to train horses.
The ADVANCED rider is a horse trainer with a well- developed sense of balance and timing. She understands sophisticated concepts of horse movement and sound principles of training and can perform the advanced maneuvers in her style of riding. When she rides it is very difficult to see the aids she is giving her horse
Hope this helps!!!