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.

I Am From…

From sunscreen and surfboard wax.

I am from the house where the beach was my neighbor,

And the waves were my friends.

I am from the island palms,

And the backyard banana tree`s fruits that were never tasted.

I am from surfing sprees and bee stings.

From people who fought for us,

And died for us.

I`m from beach bonfires and midnight grunion runs on the beach

I`m from “yes ma`am” and “no sir”,

And “lemon drops on chimney tops but why cant I?”

From watching fireworks on the sand.

I am from the eternal sunny place,

And countries far away.

I am from eating watermelon and drinking guava juice.

From stories about Grandpa`s wars,

And how he fought for the country he loved.

I am from the shells collected on the beach,

Being stored away in pails and buckets,

Treasured and kept for years to come.

I am from from the place where the beach was my neighbor,

And the waves were my friends.

 

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!