Horse Riding

acking Horse was proclaimed to be Alabama's State horse in 1975 and is a naturally gaited horse known for its beauty, stamina, and calm disposition that originated on the great southern plantations before the Civil War. Plantation owners cherished the breed for its smooth, easy, natural-born gait. It was a horse that could be ridden comfortably for hours, allowing the great distances between and on the great plantations to be covered painlessly. The name "Racking" comes from the term "rack" which was the rural country word for the single-foot gait. The Racking Horse has its origins rooted deeply from within the ranks of the Tennessee Walking Horse, and this explains much about the breed. Some people...

V TROTTER* A breed developed between 1775 and 1784, the Orlov Trotter was dveloped by A.G. Orlov at Khrenov stud. The breed came from crossing Arabian horses with Mecklenburg, Dutch and Danish harness breeds. Evolution under the natural conditions that are characteristic of Russia, including flood plains and stables means that Orlov trotter is a breed that is adaptable to many conditions. Orlov Trotter's are used as draught horses, for utility horses and as a pleasure or competition horse. When used in breeding, the Orlov Trotter is used as the principal improver of smaller, native horses of the former Soviet Union. Orlov Trotter has a well proportioned head with a long neck and muscular back. Their...

One of the most dangerous sports on the planet is horse racing. Some of the nations best riders come out of riding schools or academies are still are faced with just as many chances for injury as anyone else. It's a choice they know too much if they want to ride. It's the chance they take. A jockey can take this difficult task molding the ride into an art form between man and horse. His passion is the ride, the horse, the race. The art of it all! The art of horse racing. Wikipedia: In sport, a jockey is one who rides horses in horse race or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing; however, camel jockey profession is slowly being replaced...

A relationship with the horse is founded on trust and bond between human and animal. There is no such thing as a problem horse, only problem owners. It will take great understanding from the horseperson's part to make any horse the best horse it can be. Educating yourself with tips in horsemanship will be the best investment you can make for your long term relationship with your horse. To be an effective horseman, you must think like a horse or understand how the horse's mind works. Horse psychology if you will. It is only through this that you can do well with horsemanship. There are so many aspects of horsemanship, it can be overwhelming at first. With experience and research, you will know to...

Do you study the official Going report when considering a bet? Weighing up the chances of a horse winning a particular race is a bit like completing a jigsaw. And I'm not talking about the jigsaw you bought for your 2 year-old last Christmas. I'm talking about one of those 2,000 piece monsters you never seem to be able to finish. There are so many things to consider. But each little bit of information, each scrap of historic performance, has a bearing on whether your horse is likely to finish in front, or to be an also-ran. But there is one vital piece of the jigsaw that often gets lost under the sofa. Many punters gloss over it, and some leave it out of their calculations altogether. But I consider...

Everyone knows how important it is to worm our horses regularly to make sure they are healthy and happy! This is especially important for those horses that are on pasture 24 hours a day, but is also important for stabled horses. A few tips for worming horses: - Treat all horses grazing together at the same time and with the same product. - Take into account the horse's age and type, local environment and climate. - Keep an accurate record of when you worm your horse and the product used. - Treat horses that are at grass during the winter, even if only for short periods.Do not overstock the paddocks. - When moving horses to new grazing worm them 48 hours before the move to help prevent the spread of...

Kids riding boots were created for children that love the outdoors as well as riding horses. These boots will come in many styles and will vary by manufacturers. Before purchasing a pair of boots for a child the parent should be aware of what to look for. The soles on the bottom of the kids boot should come with some form of non slip surface. This will help to keep the child safe when they are climbing on and off of the horse. Some form of ankle support from a boot will also help to protect the child's foot if they should happen to trip, stumble or fall. For the look of a true farm hand there are rubber kids riding boots. These boots are the traditional knee length boot and can help protect the...

Protection from Rain Horses don't mind rain showers. The problems begin during prolonged wet weather, which creates the ideal environment for conditions such as rain scald and mud fever. If there is no access to shelter from the rain, lightweight horse rugs made of waterproof and breathable material are perfect for keeping equine coats dry without overheating them. Horses accustomed to a warm stable part of the time will benefit from this type of rug when turned out in even light rain, as they get cold more easily than animals which stay out all the time. Protection from the Cold Two factors dictate what type of turnout rug is needed in cold weather: the condition of the horse (including his age...

Getting your first horse is one of the most important things in a young man or young ladies life. For me one of the things I was most worried about was not having that connection that I wanted so badly with my first horse. However, after riding a horse that you are interested it is safe to say that a connection is already made between you as horse and rider, however the connection can go much deeper than that. The connection between man and horse can over rule any just felt between being on an animals back. Here are three ways that with build your relationship with your horse. One: As cliché as this may sound it is important to get to know your horse. Know his worries, his fears, and his weaknesses...

While horse toys may not completely satisfy every kid's yearning for a live pony, there are many fabulous toys available today. There is not a kid in the world that does not fall asleep at night wishing they had their own horse. Since most of the time this is not possible, a toy horsey would have to do. The first type of riding horse to consider is the rocking horse. It is another classic horse toy that is essentially made of wood sitting on rockers not unlike those on a chair. A child can actively ride to the rocking rhythm of this toy horse. The real upside is the variety available. You can buy commercial rocking horses at most toy stores, but there are also custom-made wooden ones that many...

-- End Ad Box ---> Denmark Knabstrup One of the characteristics of the Knapstrup is its interesting colouring, for example, white body hair with all over dark spots. This eye-catching combination, together with remarkable learning abilities and a good temperament have made it a popular choice as a performer in the circus. Spotted horses date back to the age of the Vikings and they can be seen in early Chinese art. The Knabstrup dates back to the Napoleonic wars and is of Spanish ancestry. The breed was founded on a spotted mare, Flaebehoppen, who was acquired by a butcher called Flaebe (hence her name) when she was left behind by the Spanish troops. She was exceptionally fast with great endurance...

Old Dan the Horse ((A Minnesota, 1950s Poem) (A Minute Chronicle, in Poetic Prose) Through the fence, I'm feeding Old Dan the Horse, with hay; I can hear him crunching away, ripping it alongside his teeth- A gluttonous sound indeed, as his sides extend in, then out... Our lives-(a horse and a boy) are a farm and a fence; Behind us are weedy pastures, cows and wild flowers. Old Dan, is Old, his life is almost over, mine just beginning. Hard lines run though his body, he is like seven old horses pacing...! (Now, fifty-five years have past, I can now understand Old Dan) No: 2057 (11-18-2007) Old Dan A Legacy It really started with Old Dan. But he really wasn't old when I first met him. I was eighteen...

Many years ago I had a superintendent of a local school district call me knowing I was involved with kids and horses. Seemed his district had a school sponsored riding program and one of the little girls had in a lesson been dragged to death by the horse she was on. In horror I responded to the news with the question; "why had the safety stirrup not deployed releasing the girl's foot?" His response to my question was; "what's a safety stirrup"? I was shocked and after explaining the necessity of such precautions and shared with him the realization of how senseless the little girl's death was I warned him that he'd better hope that the parents didn't contact me regarding the tragedy because I would...

The horse is said to have four natural gaits, namely the walk, trot, canter and gallop. When you learn to ride you start off slow with the walk and work your way up in speed to the gallop. Each gait requires the rider to be balanced. Like a baby learns to crawl before he runs, I recommend that every beginner rider learn to walk before they gallop off into the sunset. Gaits are the horses way of moving. So do you really need to know all about gaits? It really depends on your personal situation. If you are a beginner rider and decide to join a trail ride at a holiday resort, it would be important for you and the other riders to know what speed you are comfortable in and can safely ride. If you say...

It may seem out of the ordinary for you to see a person with horse tattoos on them simply because it is not the usual designs you may see on people. However, there is a reason why certain people get these horse tattoos on their bodies and if you see one sitting next to you who has it, then you can assume that such a person has a certain fervor for horses, maybe. Here are some of the things that you should know about such tattoo designs in horses if you are keen on getting one yourself: • First, you have to realize that these horse tattoos have a history on them which can date as far as almost several thousands years ago. Basically, horses are known in earlier times as the most typical symbol since...

Have you ever wondered about considering stable matting? Many people have thought about the very idea. In fact, many horse enthusiasts have had exactly the same idea. Some have even taken action in order to make that come to reality. Most simply consider this for a while, and then dismiss the idea. Usually it's because they do not know how to start. At times, the reason is that there are quite a few unknowns. Sometimes they forgo taking that way because they just feel that there's no way they can accomplish it. Wait a second! Are those really valid reasons? Was the positive side included? Was that balanced? Have they assessed the "pro" side or just the "con" side? Before we let the negatives rule...

The City of Angels is known not only for the glamour of the metropolitan life and the irresistible charm of Hollywood, but also for the beautiful properties that can be found in all areas of the city. There's always a gorgeous property to be discovered in Los Angeles, whether it's a sprawling mansion, a high-end condo, a plush resort, or a thriving horse property, among many others you can easily find on the market. Owning a horse property is a sweet investment - and one that helps balance the fast-pace world of the city and the quaint world of the countryside. There's always a welcome room for a little peace and quiet, especially when you live in a city as big and bustling as Los Angeles. Not many...

Lake Como is a naturally occurring lake that has been raised for irrigation purposes. They have now developed a wonderful recreation area in the surrounding land as well as the new reservoir. There is boating, hiking, biking, interpretive trails, swimming, fishing, horse packing and use as a base camp to explore the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. It's often used as a starting point for hunting over the divide into Idaho, as it is located only about 20 miles from the state border. Due to the extensive efforts of the backcountry horseman, the trails and campsites area exquisitely maintained. The equestrian campground is the only handicap accessible horse packing area west of the Mississippi. It was...

Jumper courses are very demanding, calling for technical accuracy on the part of the rider and absolute obedience from the horse. Connecting with the horse from the hind legs, through the back to the bit will prevent most of resistance problems that horses have with jumping. As the riders head toward the jump, they focus on the rhythm of your horse's strides. Elements of successful show jumping include riding lines, related distances, bending lines, and jumping off of turns. Competitors in jumper classes are judged on number of faults caused by knocking down or refusing to jump obstacles and on speed. A typical jumper course is 8-12 fences consisting of natural as well as brightly colored jumps...

Horse have an attention span similar to that of men when they are distracted by something, that is they get distracted very easily. This propensity to short attention spans can be a problem for those of us who work with horses, as you always want your horse to be paying attention to you, especially if you are trying to teach the horse something new. If he's looking elsewhere and not focused on you, then how are you to teach him anything. One of the major reasons we ask a horse to move around is to maintain his attention on us and what we are doing. It is vital when you are doing ground work with your horse or attempting tot teach him anything new that he has his full attention on you and the task at...

If you own a horse, either for commercial or recreational use, then you must be aware that taking care of its hooves should be one of your utmost concerns. Some horse owners think that caring for the hooves of horses is simply entail putting horseshoes on them. The truth is, it involves a holistic approach which takes in consideration the horse's diet as well as his exercise routine. There are also products for natural hoof care for horses that are available in specialty pet shops and online herbal pet stores. There are conventional hoof care products but they pale in comparison with natural products that are in tune with a horse's immune system and natural healing capabilities. You will be amazed...

A common goal for all trail riders is to have a peaceful, pleasant ride. This is not always achievable if your horse consistently spooks or bolts from objects. A good trail horse will not come unglued if your hat goes flying off into the wind and will allow his rider to put on (or take off) a slicker. Building a better trail horse starts at home with slickers and hats! Step one:Start on the ground with your horse in hand. Slowly pick up a slicker and shake it lightly. Your horse may quickly move away, perhaps snort, and generally show fear. At this point, quietly move forward and allow your horse to smell the slicker. After your horse feels comfortable, begin to slowly move the slicker over his...

If you are not sure what exactly show jumps are, then this will help explain them for you. They are generally affiliated with the English style of horse shows or events. The event is generally called show jumping or stadium jumping, these are instruments that the horses are trained to jump over in. Show jumping can be an event on its own or it can be combined with other events such as dressing, hunters and several other events. This type of event is done in horse shows all over the world, you can even find it in the Olympics. You will find several different classes competing in these English style events, the hunter and jumper classes being the most common. A horse in the hunter class will be judged...

There are a lot of organizations around the world who care for horses which were rescued from their mistreating owners. When you adopt a rescue horse, you may find yourself having a fulfilling feeling and experience. Adopting a rescue horse may also lead you to promote this kind of act. But you must carefully consider a lot of things before deciding adopt a rescue horse. Before you look into anything else, making sure that you possess the finances and the facilities needed in looking after a horse is extremely essential. Adopting rescue horses is free most of the time. If not, then the expenses are a lot less than purchasing a new horse. But you should also take note of the various things which will...

Give us speed, ever we are kids and learning to walk we want to go faster and faster. There are numerous riding vehicles that won't break your budget, from the traditional bicycles and scooters to rocking horses to classic cars to farm equipment vehicles. Many riding vehicles are made of plastic, which is fine, but if you are looking for higher quality vehicles those made of sturdy wood and metal are your best options. Bikes are probably the most common toys among children or all ages. When we are a couple years we begin riding until we are old and grey, the only thing that changes is the types of bikes we use. We all know of the standard bicycles but what about a Silver Race Car Speedster (also...

  The Lost Coast        The day had finally arrived to ride the Lost Coast. Immediately upon being stationed back in Northern California I traded in my BMW RT 1100 for a 2008 KLR 650. What better route for an inaugural ride? After many years of “hotel” touring I was transitioning back to my “pack it light, freeze at night” mode of travel. The Usal Road and Lost Coast road conditions were an unknown. The winter months of 2008 had seen a lot of rain on the North Coast near Eureka California and my research indicated that the roads could be impassable if wet.  Would the KLR be able to conquer what the King’s Range and Sinkyone Wilderness threw our way in late March? To hedge my bets...

If you are currently in the planning process of a riding arena, look no further then steel. The benefits of a steel riding arena are endless. Environmental benefits, cost efficiencies and horse comfort are just the beginning of the advantages found in metal riding arenas. Steel riding arenas are a great solution for indoor riding arenas, horse riding arenas, bull riding arenas, roping arenas, and most any other riding arena need that can be needed. The environmental benefits of using steel buildings are a key factor that should influence your decision. Made of 100% recyclable material, steel buildings are a great way to slow deforestation. Additionally, due to the insulation properties of steel...

The one place where the truth is revealed at the horse races is on the tote board and in the money. A lot of things may not be clear at the track when you are handicapping the races, but one thing is right in front of your face and can be scanned quickly to pick winners. How the money is distributed in the pools is a clear indication of which horses are "well meant" to win, if you know what to look for. Many people are under the impression that stables only place win bets on their horses, and many times that is true. But if you have a horse that is going to go off at a good price, the last thing you want to do is to drop a lot of money in the win pool that will alert the public that your horse is...

A horse is another one of those plant eating animals with his stomach able to hold up to eighteen quarts of food. The unusually long intestines of a horse enables' him to store much food in its body. The horse chews its food very slowly and very thoroughly. Unlike the cow, it does not chew a cud. The eyes of the horse are located on the sides of his head. This permit's the horse to see forward, sideways and even a little bit backward. The pupil of the horse's eye is not round but oval shaped. The longest part runs crosswise or horizontally. The shape of the pupil cuts down the amount a horse can see when it's looking straight ahead...The horse cannot see above the level of its eyes. The pupil of the...

I thought as English Horse Races are famous worldwide I thought my article on the earliest English horse races would be of interest to horse lovers and readers from all over world. The origins of modern racing lies in the 12th century, when English knights returned from the Crusades with swift Arab horses. Over the next 400 years, an increasing number of Arab stallions were imported and bred to English mares to produce horses that combined speed and endurance. Matching the fastest of these animals in two-horse races for a private wager became a popular diversion of the nobility. Horse racing began to become a professional sport during the reign (1702-14) of Queen Anne, when match racing gave way to...

Degenerative Joint diseases are commonly seen in humans and in pets such as dogs and cats but did you know that even horses fall prey to this condition? Horses are generally physically-active animals. They can stand for hours, gallop, jump and clear hurdles (for trained horses) of varying heights. But like humans and pets, they are susceptible to the everyday wear and tear of cartilages in the joints. This is inevitable and is the leading cause of degenerative joint diseases with ageing as a complementary cause. Whether or not the horse is physically active or is a retired beast of burden, arthritis usually comes and is manifested by lameness. Standing alone provides a lot of pressure to the...

Many riding helmets are ugly and uncomfortable, but ATSM/SEI certified Troxel equestrian helmets offer lots of stylish, lightweight options for all types of riders. One of the most important pieces of equipment for any equestrian rider is a proper helmet. It should provide the best protection, comfort, and style so that the rider is not tempted to leave it behind due to discomfort and vanity. What makes a great equestrian helmet? The most important feature of any helmet is that it is ATSM/SEI certified. This certification ensures that the helmet provides adequate protection to absorb the dangerous energy of an impact to the head. Most equestrian sports today require that most of the riders wear a...

Being exceptionally tall has many advantages, but what about when it comes to sporting endeavour, in particular when it comes to equestrian sports. So just what are the plus and minus points of height when it comes to horse racing, show jumping, dressage, 3 day eventing etc. How can a rider use extra height to gain a competitive advantage over an opponent who has a different physical make up. Let's look at the key attributes of the taller sports person. Being taller implies longer limbs, in turn meaning longer reach. This is a tremendous advantage in many sports, but not particularly for any horse related sports, where the emphasis is usually on balance, technique and seeing a good stride for...

Most people consider barns to just be a covered area on a farm where animals are kept. However, this view is very limited when you understand all of the purposes that a structure such as this can be used for. In order to see all of the ways these structures fill people's needs, you should learn about all of different types of barns that are available. This includes all types, whether the buildings are huge red containers on a farm, or a small shed-like storage in the backyard. The first type of barn that I will bring up is the standard horse barn. These barns, as the name implies, are made to serve as a shelter for horses. This is a very crucial part of horse care for breeders since they need to...

Today, buying a prefab horse barn can prove to be a better alternative to building your own barn for your horses. This is because these prefab horse barns are much cheaper and can be set up much faster than a traditional or ordinary horse barn. The reason for this is that these barns are 90% completed and come as individual sections from the manufacturers. On receiving the sections, either you, or if you are not competent enough, you could hire construction workers, assemble the barn. With the help of experts, you will have your barn set up over the weekend. The prefabricated horse barn should have non-slip flooring so that there is no possibility of your horses slipping and falling at any time...

Does it matter? Of course it does! Horses are just like people in that their self confidence and belief in who they are has everything to do with how they respond to us. Their self esteem will affect how much trust they have in us and how willing they are to do whatever it is we ask of them or even give to them. Let me illustrate such a concept by telling of an experience I had recently with my neighbor's horses. She has two, both rescued. One was a lovely older Arabian whose owner passed away. She was very shy, timid, scared and fearful, hard to approach or put a halter on and had never been taught to go undersaddle. The other was a young Pinto Nat'l Showhorse, similar breeding but this horse was...

For a quick and simple horse betting system false favourites is not what you're looking for!  But if you want a detailed full and comprehensive system to laying horses for a great, consistent profit while developing your horse punting skills at the same time false favourites is a home run. False favorites is a horse laying system written by Jonathan Burgess who is a BetFair accredited horse trainer.  As a co owner of the horse bet racing web site I personally requested a free copy of the false favorites horse betting system to look at and review. Jonathan Burgess replied quickly and in a friendly manner with no problem whatsoever giving me a copy of his false favorites were horse betting system...