How to Speak Horse Post 1: The Ears

Because people rely on verbal communication, people often focus on a horse`s vocalization to try to figure out what he is saying. But what most people don`t know is that horses mostly speak through body language, and this post is going to tell you exactly what a horse is saying (through his ears), just by looking at it.

The first nonverbal communication are the horses ears. Here are some different ear movements that will tell you exactly what he is thinking.

  • Ears are Forward: This horse is alert, paying attention, or is interested in what is going on in front of him.
  • Ears are Pinned Back: When his ears are pinned back close to his neck, this usually means that this horse is angry and about to bite and kick. Words of Advice: If you are riding, turn your horse in a tight circle in case he might try to buck. If you are riding in a group, this might just means that he would like to be leading the ride. If possible, lead him up to the front of the group.
  • Ears Turned Out to the Side: This horse is asleep or relaxed, and he might not be aware of what is going on around him. Words of Advice: Don`t march up and pat him for he might be startled and strike out. Instead, make some noise so that he can hear you approaching.
  • Turned Back (not pinned): If you horse`s ears are pointed back, this means that he is listening on something behind him-he may be deciding wether to run away and check out the sound.
  • Rapiddly Swiveling: Ears that are swiveling means that this horse is in a peak of anxiety or alertness. He may be trying to locate the source of a frightening sound or smell.

 

 

 

What is Normal? (in horses)

Some people may think that if a horse looks fine and healthy, they think that the horse is sound. But there`s a lot more to it than that, and by the end of this post you`ll be able to see what normal really is.

The resting heart rate is however many heart beats a resting horse make in one minute. A normal adult horse makes about 28-44 beats per minute. The heart rate of a resting foal is 70-80 beats per minute. REMEMBER to NOT take your horse`s heart rate after he has had exercise, but wait a good 15 minutes before you take his heart rate.

The next normal indicator is the temperature of the horse. The normal temperature of an adult is 99.5-101.4 degrees Fahrenheit. A foal`s temperature is the same.

Third, the resting respiration rate of an adult horse is 8-16 breaths per minute. A foal`s rate can range up to 24 breaths per minute Again remember to wait 15 minutes before you take your horse`s respiration rate after he has been exercising.

Things To Look For Daily

Every day you want to make sure your horse`s eyes are clear, if he is hydrated, and if he has eaten his food (if he has has gotten it yet). To check if he is hydrated, pull (not hard) a fold of skin away from his neck and let it go. If the skin fold goes down slowly, that means that he is hydrated. If it goes down quickly, make sure that he drinks his water.

Other Stuff To Know

An average horse drinks up to 5-10 gallons of water per day, and sometimes more. Also, the minimum of roughage consumption of an average horse is about 1% of its body weight which is about 10-12 pounds of good quality hay. Horses sleep standing up or laying flat on their sides. They make pawing and led wringing movements while eating. They rest their hind legs alternately. Foals will also make mouthing motions.

 

And that is how you judge if a horse is normal. Be sure to check your horse`s normal status about once a month!

Laminitis

Whats is Laminitis?

Laminitis is a disease when the tissues of the horses hoof inflame. Laminitis can also tear the support structure of the hoof. It can effect any horse at anytime.

What it is caused by?

Laminitis is caused by overeating, a concussion from riding on hard surfaces, and putting to much weight on on one leg. It can also be caused by stress from a long distance ride in a trailer.

Preventing Laminitis

You can prevent laminitis in many ways. The first being that you can limit your horse`s time in the pasture. You also don’t want to feed the horses to much grain, or feed them the really green grass that grows everywhere in the spring and fall. Also, you want to feed on a schedule, feed according to work level, get regular hoof trimming, let your horse be turned out in sand arenas, only walk your horse on hard surfaces, and monitor your horse`s health.

 

If Your Horse Gets Laminitis and You Don`t Know What To Do

If you see that your horse has laminitis, here`s what you want to do:

1. Call the vet. Laminitis needs to be treated like an emergency.

2. Do not exercise the horse. If he is out in a pasture, put him in a stall with deep shavings. If the pasture/arena is a distance away from the barn, use a trailer to get him to the barn.

3. When the vet comes he will usually give your horse painkillers and a sedative to lie down. He will also give you a diet for your horse while he has laminitis. Usually, the diet the vet gives your horse is 1% of his body weight.

4. Make sure to give your horse/pony extra attention, and call if you see symptoms of founder.

Dealing with Cushing`s Disease

Cushing`s disease is an incurable disease which is caused by a tumor in the brain. This disease is found mostly in older horses, usually 19 years old. The signs of Cushing`s disease are a wavy coat that doesn’t shed in the summer, weight loss, and drowsiness.

There are a variety of tests to diagnose Cushing`s disease, but none are very sensitive the disease is just developing. Even though this disease is incurable, researchers have found was to slow the disease`s progress, also possibly avoiding a heavy laminitis episode.

While taking care of a Cushing`s horse, make sure to maintain its health by doing the following. Regular dental care to avoid gum disease and tooth loss is very important. Regular trimming and shoeing can help reduce your horse`s risk of laminitis. Lastly, daily grooming and regular coat clipping with help your horses coat and skin stay healthy.

Fun Things to Do With Your Horse

Are you a horse owner who is looking for something fun to do with your horse? Well here are some great ideas that you and your horse have fun.

1. Do you have a rake that you aren’t using at the moment? Give your horse a good scratching with a rake. Horses love it.

2. Go on a trail ride. Trail rides are fun and the more relaxed riding you spend with each other, the better trust you will have between each other.

3. Hide your horse’s favorite treat and have him find it. Get out some buckets and arrange them spread out from one another. Then, get one of your horses favorite treats and hide it under one of the buckets. Next, lead your horse to the place where your buckets are and have him go “find the treat”.

4. Play tag. Get together with a group of friends and their horses to play tag. The person who is “it” uses a log dressage whip to tag one of the riders.

5. Teach your horse tricks. It is a fun and rewarding experience to teach your horse how to do things on command. Make sure you reward him with treats often.

6. Ride bareback. My friends and I like to play “Indian Adventures” when we go riding. The horses seem to have fun with no saddle.

7. Make an obstacle course.

 

Pony Club

Are you a person who enjoys riding and learning about horses? Do you like being around other horse lovers? Well if you have answered yes to any of these questions you should definitely think about signing up for Pony Club.

What is PonyClub?

PonyClub teaches riding skills, horse care fundamentals, and team participation in sportsmanship. In PonyClub you are able to take part in many mounted events and also able to acquire many riding skills that will help you succeed as a rider. PonyClub also emphasizes on horse management and also teaches members of pony care.

How It Works.

PonyClub is made up of different levels of experience called ratings. The ratings are D1, D2, D3, C1, C2, C3, B, up until A3. Every three month you are able to test for a higher level rating.

Where Do I Sign Up?

You can visit the link to the Pony Club online. Have fun!

 

 

Is Horse Racing Inhumane?

For decades people have been breeding horses for races and attending races to watch the intense running of one of the most amazing animals on the planet. These thoroughbreds are brought up in some of the most magnificent barns where they have been well cared for and have trained in hope to be the new racing legend. But by the time of the race, is it really humane to push these horses to their limits?

As soon as the new thoroughbred is born, the owner has already begun preparing for its long racing career ahead. By the time the horse is about one and half it is shipped off to a training stable in one of the horse racing capitals of the country. There they train and train, and if they prove themselves as a potential winner, they are entered in various races to bring in the money, and also the fame of winning.

But is it healthy for these horses to race their hearts out just for a lousy pot of money and and bragging rights? Let me name some well known horses and how racing caused their sorrowful deaths.

Riva Ridge: Broke down from a Handicap when he was pushed to race to hard with to much weight on his back. He was only 16 years old, and could have lived to be 30.

Barabro: 2003-2007: Won the 2006 Kentucky Derby and in the Preakness Stakes he shattered his legs and this led to his death.

Dark Secret: 1929-1934: In 1934 he broke his foreleg and had to be put down.

Flying Water: 1973-1978: Died in a racing accident in 1978

Eight Belles: 2005-2008: Finished second in the 134th Kentucky Derby and dropped dead immediately after finishing the race.

Go For Wand: 1987-1990: Leading the race till the 16th pole where she got a open fracture on her cannon bone. She was put down on the track.

Dulcify: 1975-1979: In 1979 he broke his pelvis in a race and was put down on the track.

Cool Reception: Finished second in the Belmont Stakes after riding the last 20o yards with a broken foreleg. He died later that week.

As you can see these horses had a whole life ahead of them, and most of them died a 3-4 years of age. Americans are known for being prideful of living in this amazing country. But should we be proud of the races that caused the deaths of these innocent animals? Can we be proud to know that our enjoyment of a three minute race could cost the life of one of God`s beautiful creatures?

To see more horses that died from this sport visit

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Horses_who_died_from_racing_injuries

Fort Worth Stockyards

Are you an avid horse back rider? Do you want a place where you can get away to on the weekends? Then if you have answered yes to any of theses questions you should definitely check out the Fort Worth Stockyards. Located a ways out of the city of Fort Worth, this place has attracted horse back riders from all over. The Fort Worth Stockyards is the home of the oldest rodeo in the nation, The Fort Worth Rodeo and Stock Show, dating back to 1896.

The Fort Worth Rodeo and Stock Show lasts from January 13th to February 8th, so buy your tickets now! The stockyards are also home to the twice daily cattle drives, which thrills audiences year round. Also come to just be in the old wild west feel of the stockyards.  You can also shop for saddles, boots, hats and many more things. Make sure to check out this awesome attraction

 

The Mystery Gait Explained

Are you a horse person who has ever wondered if there is another gait besides walking, trotting, cantering, and galloping for some horses? Have you ever noticed that a Tennessee Walker just is doing something out of the ordinary? Has a video of an Icelandic Horse ever caught you by surprise? Well in this new post you will learn all about the mystery gait called ambling.

Ambling is the general word to describe the group of gaits that some horses have. They are usually faster than a walk, slower than a canter, and always slower than a gallop. They always have four beats. Some horses that do have this mystery gait are: Tennessee Walkers, Icelandic Horses, Missouri Fox Trotters, American Saddlebreds, Paso Finos, Rocky Mountain Horses, Racking Horses, and the Peruvian Paso Finos. Usually the ambling gait that each horse does, has its own name. In an Icelandic Horse, the ambling gait is called a tolt,  A Tennessee Walker`s ambling are described as running in the front legs, and walking in the back. All the Paso horses have a 1-2-3-4 rhythmic gait, and it is usually very slow. Pasos also preform a gait called a Trocha and a Pasitrote.

There are many more ambling gaits, but these are just a few of the most common and well known ones. Please check my blog for next week`s post on The Horse Page, make sure to check out my post: Best Place to Go Horseback Riding in Austin, Texas. 

 

 

Best Place To Go Horseback Riding in Austin, TX

Is anyone looking for an awesome place to go on a beautiful, scenic trail ride? Does anyone have a dream to ride horses and become a skilled rider? If you have said yes to any of these questions then it is about time you stopped by Texas Trail Rides.  Make a reservation to go riding on some of the most beautiful trails just outside the city.

If you are someone who wants to travel a gorgeous 2 hour ride through Slaughter Creek Park, then plan your trip in the morning (8:00, 10 am), or a sunset ride in the evening (5:00pm). There is also a shorter property ride (30 minutes), and a thrilling creek ride (50 minutes-1 hour), that takes you through a creek bed that is sometimes filled with water. No matter what level of rider you may be, after just one ride you will be back for more.  And, will have gained more knowledge than you would have ever believed possible.

For those of you who want to take lessons (English or Western), there are many trainers who love kids and make people shine as riders. Trainers are all graduate Pony Club members, and help children achieve their goals and dreams. Some topics that might go on in a lesson is barrel racing, weaving, cross country jumping, the basics of English and Western riding, and various exercises. Feel like being in the next rodeo? Then test your skills in hope to win the 2013 barrel champion saddle. For more information visit

Texas Trail Rides. Happy trails and ya’ll tell them Aubrey sent you!