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A Beginners Guide to Horse Medication

December 11th, 2009

Finding the right medication for horses is a tricky business, taking into consideration the possible side effects and for racehorses, making sure that the drugs taken would not affect the horse’s performance in the race. However, the challenge definitely does not end there. Getting the drugs into the horse’s mouth (and making it stay in) is a different matter altogether.

Besides having to maneuver the 1,000-pound body to get a pill inside the horse’s throat, you’ll have to deal with the possibility of having that same pill spewed back at you in a less distinguishable (and practically unusable) form. Of course, the chances of this happening depend on expertise at handling horses and in experience at giving medication.

Seasoned ‘horsekeepers’ have come up with all sorts of ways on administering medicine to their horses. These different methods are ‘tested and tried’ but not foolproof. Giving medicine to a horse is much like coaxing a child (only, a much stronger one with a longer mouth). Thus, the approach that works best for one horse may not be effective at all for another or merely to a certain extent, like only during the first try.

One of the easiest (but most likely to fail) approach would be to mix the medication with the horse’s usual food. If this works for your horse, then you’re pretty fortunate. But if mixing the pills with grain, applesauce or molasses does not do the job, one might revert to the age-old syringe. Truly reminiscent of dealing with an unruly preschooler, pumping the fluid medicine into the horse’s mouth and holding it shut until the medicine is swallowed is not a comfortable task. It requires strength and patience as the horse will not make it easy.

An alternative to the syringe is something more friendly looking a plastic mustard dispenser. It won’t guarantee that all of the liquid medication would stay inside that equine mouth but it would get it all in, after all a condiment bottle is more appealing rather than threatening.

Some horse owners also testify that pills dissolved in strawberry Kool-Aid juice or vanilla yogurt make irresistible concoctions. It appears that just like us, these medicine-repellent creatures have certain indulgences. Once we discover what makes them forget their repulsion to medicine, it’s an easy ride from there.

It is not only the horse’s health that should be considered when giving it medication. One should be careful in handling drugs that may have adverse effects when ingested by humans. Another technique in horse medication is to crush the pill into powder and placing it directly on the horse’s tongue. Airborne particles that might be inhaled while preparing the powder may be harmful. But (phenylbutazone, equivalent to aspirin), in particular, causes aplastic anemia in humans.

Ultimately, horse medication also involves training and discipline. No matter how stubborn the horse is, it can eventually be trained to receive medication with little fuss. Making the drugs look and taste good requires more time and effort but is fulfilling too!

Horse Riding Fitness

December 11th, 2009

Riders are always searching for that edge to make them better. They try new instructors or new techniques with their horse, new gear, but many never stop to think about how they can improve their own body with a targeted horse riding fitness program you will train your muscles in a way that is specific for a rider. In taking such a course, any rider, beginner or experienced, will see improvements. You see, a rider is a unique athlete and needs to have particularly strong core muscles and most important flexible lower back joints. The understanding of the function of the riding muscles provides a rider with knowledge to improve. Once the rider is familiar with these muscles they need a simple specific routine to follow.
There is a great program, Applied Posture Riding, which is specific for riders. It is a very unique program designed for riders only. It has been created by a lady with a Masters degree in Physiotherapy, she is a Pilates instructor and has achieved great success as a rider. His simple Pilates based course will guide you through a complete set of exercises, teaching you HOW TO train your riding muscles. The exercises begin on the floor teaching you how to find, test and train your deep core abdominal muscles.
This horse riding fitness routine will strengthen your core muscles and all the riding muscles by teaching you to ride on a big physio ball. It will help you recognize any problems you have with your body and then how to correct them. You will gain control of your posture, and increase your body awareness.
By following her program you will gain good core stability, the foundation of a good rider. Her horse riding fitness routine will progress through many simple steps finally teaching you HOW TO apply your new found body control in the saddle. You will notice your riding posture will change dramatically. Your riding will become pleasant and effective, you will move with your horse and not bounce or stiffen against him. The riding lessons; she has created one each for walking, trotting, the canter and jumping will complete the program. You will have that AAH Haa experience. That deep independent seat will happen. You will improve on every level all it takes is a little guided practice.
This program will save you attending Pilates classes or buying gym membership, back pain will be managed, just think of the time and money that you will be saving. She has put it all in one place for your convenience. This course will reinforce any riding lesson you have done. Riding instructors worldwide are recommending Pilates for horse riders. Riding instructors unfortunately don’t understand how to apply it though. This is why she created this incredible horse riding fitness program. She uses this program herself everyday for good stability and flexibility. This program applies exercises specific for riders and will give you great results, unlike any other program. For more information visit http://www.applied-posture-riding.com.

Horses Living In The California Area

December 11th, 2009

Mention sheep in California and some people will give you a bit of a novel look. Those who are unfamiliar with California with the immunity of violet country in the Napa Valley and chief cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, for example, might wonder exactly where people in California would keep their sheep. Of course, sheep have been reserved in California even into the fresh age, even by usual Californians. Most famously, Californian Ronald Reagan owned pigs and was very fond of free on a torment, whenever he was at home. While the Reagan’s taken the White House, both Ronald and Nancy were the proud owners of Arabian sheep. Ronald Reagan’s pony was a white Arabian steed named El Alamein, gifted to him in 1981 by the Mexican President, Jorge. Nancy’s stallion was a chestnut gelding named Catalina Muzraff. Just as the Reagan’s had their own running farm called, Rancho del Cielo, near Santa Barbara, California, to the north and west of Los Angeles, many Californian’s have running ranches and farms in every alcove and crack of the stately. Likewise, those who do their research will find that cattle in California don’t just live on effective cattle ranches. At many of the disarray’s Pacific Coast beaches, it’s probable to have horseback riding on the seashore. The same is veritable for those who are visiting the kingdom’s redwood forests, the Sierra Mountains and various other areas throughout the majestic. That doesn’t mean that all the pigs in California are only there for the allowance of those who are working on a cattle farm or for tourists, plenty of accepted persons who live in California also own livestock. After all, with a promo in tow, they too can take their mount and ride along the shoreline, on trails in the forests, in assert parks and even in the Sierras. Many others look for pigs in California because, well, like anywhere also, they have an adore of the animal and have the pause to keep one. They know that they are able to take long rides in meadows and pastures. They know that their kids can promote from knowledge to worry for pigs (in truth, one line uses pigs in California to boost the character-regard and promotion abilities of kids and teens who are struggling). Others want to be able to work with pigs and series them for rodeo events and other competitions. In some California counties, stallion racing is a very general sport. Therefore, when it comes to livestock in California, it’s impossible to say that there is only a lone breed that is most regular. For those who are difficult in racing and exercise cattle for the racetrack, Thoroughbreds are a current option. Many want Arabian cattle for their beauty. Paint cattle are usual. And, of course, when it comes to ranch and rodeo sheep in California, the American Quarter Horse is as prevalent and customary as it is in Texas and Nevada. When looking at sheep for selling in California, part of the surety will be made based on why the person import a charger, in the first place. Someone who is planning to work their charger on a ranch is not ready to look for a Thoroughbred or a warmblood mount; they are ready to look at the American Quarter Horse, or perhaps a Pinto or Paint cattle, because those livestock are better suitable to the buyers’ wants. Likewise, superstar who is looking for livestock in California because they plan to train it for dressage are leaving to look for different livestock, than superstar who will be racing or simply riding relaxed. It’s important to have an understanding of steed breeds and what constitutes a vigorous mount when you’re looking at an incline of horses for auction. The train of the mount’s fuzz, teeth, trial and eyesight are important. The pony’s hooves should be firm and healthful. The charger should have a hard muscle assembly and, those who are looking for horses in California know, the legs of the pony should be even and free of bumps and scars that could reveal a previous injury. Because not every injury a pony has sustained will be evidently documented or visible, it’s forever important to have a mare checked out by a veterinarian before making a grip. Despite the way people from across the world may perceive California in their heed’s eye, horses in California are fairly popular and afford their owners with a great way to see some of the state’s gorgeous landscapes. Choosing a mare is a count of understanding the object why you trade a horse, what breed of horse is best for that goal, and focusing on sentence a horse with the right disposition and temperament to form a long lasting relationship – something that’s real whether you are buying horses in California or somewhere elsewhere.

18 horses to keep an eye out for during Aprils UK Horse Racing

December 11th, 2009

April is the month when the turf Flat season starts to hit full stride and for many punters the fixture that lights the blue touch paper is the Craven meeting at Newmarket in the middle of the month.

Before sampling the breezy delights of Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course, however, there’s the small matter of the ever-expanding Grand National meeting at Aintree that begins with a cracking card on April 6.

In recent years Aintree’s prestigious three-day meeting has begun to rival Cheltenham’s somewhat bloated four-day fixture for thrills and spills, and there’s little doubt that the highlight of the Merseyside racing calendar offers three days of top-class racing culminating in the running of the world’s most famous race on the final day.

As racecourses go, Cheltenham and Aintree are chalk and cheese: where the former is twisty and undulating with a punishing uphill finish, the latter is long and flat and essentially sharp in nature, and given the two contrasting course configurations it takes a good horse to win a race at the Cheltenham Festival and then do the same at Aintree.

Exactly a year ago at Aintree that’s exactly what Fota Island managed to do when adding the John Smith’s Red Rum Handicap Chase to the Grand Annual Chase that he had won in such superb fashion at Cheltenham just over two and a half week’s previously.

Not surprisingly there will be plenty of horses from this year’s Grand Annual that will be seeking compensation on Merseyside including Andreas, an early casualty in the Grand Annual when a well backed favourite and Green Tango, who made strong late headway in the same race despite seeming unsuited to Cheltenham. Aintree’s flatter track should suit.

In the Betfair Bowl Chase on the opening day, Cheltenham also-rans boast a healthy record and Gold Cup failures Monkerhostin and Beef Or Salmon could well be among those bidding to banish the blues of a poor Festival run, while the versatile Impek, a runner-up in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, may compete and is already a winner over slightly shorter on this sharp course earlier in the season.

In the big juvenile event, the John Smith’s Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle, several key players from Cheltenham’s Triumph Hurdle seem likely to figure including Fair Along, the Triumph Hurdle runner-up, who has already won a race over course and distance, along with Afsoun, who was under the weather in the Triumph, and rates a strong fancy.

On the second day – April 7 – the big race is the John Smith’s Melling Chase, and since its inception in 1989 this race’s roll-call of winners has featured the top chasers in training, who have successfully stepped up in trip after excelling at their specialist distance of two miles.

Remittance Man, Viking Flagship, Katabatic, Martha’s Son and Moscow Flyer are just a handful of past two-mile champions who have added this valuable prize after being crowned two-mile champions with a victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Newmill, this year’s shock Queen Mother hero, won’t be running at Aintree but Kauto Star and Dempsey may line-up for this prize. The former, who was a warm favourite for the Queen Mother, fell early in that race bringing down the well supported Dempsey. If they have recovered from their tumbles, they should go close, while Irish raider and course winner Fota Island will be a likely contender too.

The unique Grand National fences come into play for the John Smith’s and Spar Topham Chase on the second day, and sound-jumping and well-seasoned campaigners do well in this hurly-burly contest, while in the John Smith’s Mildmay Chase it pays to look for a fresh horse that hasn’t endured the rigours of running in Cheltenham’s Royal & SunAlliance Chase, a race that tends to spoil their chances at Aintree.

Grand National day features the big race itself that stands alone as the major betting race of the year. The 2006 contest is dominated by Clan Royal, a runner-up in 2004 and last year’s easy winner, Hedgehunter. Since the course was modernised in the early nineties and the fences made easier and the landing sides raised, the classy and better horses have come to fore and dominated the event. Indeed, the National now has the look of just another long-distance steeplechase but one with plenty of history attached.

All eyes will be upon the fillies in the Shadwell Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes on the second day of Newmarket’s Craven meeting on April 19, but sadly in recent years this race has supplied few serious pointers towards the 1,000 Guineas, while further Classic clues may be on offer in the Craven Stakes for colts on April 20, the meeting’s final day. In 2004 the Barry Hills-trained Haafhd became the first colt since Tirol in 1990 to complete the Craven-2,000 Guineas double.

The search for Classic pointers switches to Newbury on April 22 when the Lane End Greenham Stakes takes place over 7f. In recent seasons Turtle Island, Celtic Swing and Victory Note have all landed Classics after scoring here and backers should pay this race plenty of respect in the colts’ Classic reckoning.

The Spring Cup Handicap at Newbury on April 22 is another race worth a second glance. Horses that have run well in the William Hill Lincoln during the previous month have an excellent record here, and any that come from Redcar following a prominent showing in the first big Flat handicap will surely warrant close consideration.

At Ayr on the same day there’s the Scottish Grand National to whet the appetite. One thing’s for sure and that’s any horse which has run in the Aintree Grand National must be avoided as such runners have an appalling record in the Scottish equivalent.

In 2004 Northern-trained Ryalux recorded a popular success and if the ground turns soft at the West of Scotland track plenty of folks will be rooting for another northern runner in Ossmoses, a strapping grey and stout stayer who all but landed the Midlands National over a similar marathon trip at Uttoxeter last month.

Twelve months ago trainer Paul Nicholls failed by a whisker to win this race with Cornish Rebel and the same trainer’s lightly-raced Ladalko has been kept fresh for this valuable prize. The Nicholls yard may also run Desert Quest, the County Hurdle winner, in the Scottish Champion Hurdle while Monet’s Garden, a runner-up in the Arkle Trophy Chase, bids to land a three-mile novices’ event at Ayr.

The curtain comes down on April’s busy and varied month with the mixed jumps and Flat card at Sandown on April 29. The Betfred Gold Cup is the jump season’s final big handicap and fancied runners from the Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson stables should be noted. The latter almost landed this prize plus a valuable bonus a year ago with Juveigneur and he could well become a serious candidate again.

Paul Nicholls should also be the trainer to watch in the Betfred Celebration Chase, with either Kauto Star or Andreas, two of the stable’s crack team of two-mile chasers, likely to land the honours. On the Flat the Betfred.com Mile Stakes is the highlight, and horses that ran well in Newmarket’s Earl of Sefton Stakes earlier in the month hold a good record in this Group Two contest.

A preview of May’s UK horse racing

December 10th, 2009

May ushers in the first Classics of the current turf Flat season, beginning with the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6. All eyes will be upon the short-priced favourite George Washington as he bids to bring trainer Aidan O’Brien back-to-back victories in the colts’ Classic following Footstepsinthesands smart success twelve months ago.

In recent years the 2,000 Guineas has been the personal preserve of the Flat’s big battalions with Sir Michael Stoute, Saeed Bin Suroor and Aidan O’Brien dominating the race year after year with a succession of expensive blue-bloods.

This time around it’s the tight-lipped O’Brien who seems to hold all the aces courtesy of the aforementioned George Washington, a brilliant, if at times temperamental, colt who swept all before him as a juvenile and sets out this season to prove he’s not just a two-year-old wonder but can mix it with the best and come out on top as a three-year-old.

Only Barry Hills and Dermot Weld have broken the big boys’ monopoly of the 2,000 and this year it’s Marcus Tregoning who has been cast in the role of party-pooper as he bids interrupt the top guns by training Sir Percy to land the opening Classic. Regarded as the best horse that he’s ever trained by his astute handler, last season’s Dewhurst winner is sure to go close in a race that will be run to suit his talents.

On the same day Newmarket stages the Palace House Stakes, a Group 3 for up-and-coming sprinters and the fast-improving Reverence well be an interesting runner while over at Haydock, the jumps stages a last hurrah with the valuable William Hill Swinton Handicap Hurdle, and Philip Hobbs could hold a strong hand here courtesy of Wellbeing and Motorway, two progressive and late-blossoming timber-toppers.

On Sunday May 7, it’s the fillies’ turn to strut their stuff in the 1,000 Guineas where Gololphin’s Silca’s Sister, Ballydoyle’s Rumplestiltskin and Race For the Stars will do battle with John Gosden’s Nanina for the fillies’ Blue Riband. On the same day Breeders’ Cup hero Shirocco is likely to come up against Sir Michael Stoute’s late-developer Hard Top and the evergreen John Porter winner, Mubtaker, in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket. Spring gallop s reports have singled out the Stoute horse for top honours.

Chester’s prestigious three-day meeting follows hot on the heels of Newmarket and the Derby hopefuls will be on show in the MBNA Europe Bank Chester Vase (May 11), with the fillies taking centre stage in the Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks on May 10. Barry Hills has a superb record on this turning track and any horse he runs in the previous two races will be worth close inspection.

On Wednesday May 10 the totesport Chester Cup is the meeting’s big betting race and recent Newmarket winner Mikao set down an early marker for this big staying prize. Four-year-olds often run well here and trainer Barry Hills boasts an excellent record. Friday, May 12, closes the Chester meeting and the feature race for the older horses is the Blue Square Ormonde Stakes landed last year by Day Flight.

The run of Classic trials continues at Lingfield on May 13 with the Letheby and Christopher Derby Trial and the totesport.com Oaks Trials respectively for the real things at Epsom the following month. It isn’t just the Classic colts and fillies that are in the firing-line at Lingfield because the Surrey course also stages the totesport Victoria Cup, a closely fought and always influential 7f handicap that frequently throws up a Royal Ascot winner or two.

Over in France the following day, May 14, the European Flat season raises the volume with the Poule de’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) and the Poulai d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas) on the same card at Longchamp.
Ballydoyle and Godolphin have begun to target these two important races in recent seasons and their runners should be respected, but Criquette Head-Maarek’s Quiet Royale will be fancied for the ‘Pouliches’ after a satisfactory spin in second at Longchmap the other day.

Flat racing’s domestic caravan rolls on to York for their three-day Dante meeting and the potential Oaks fillies will run in the Musidora Stakes on May 17, the meeting’s opening salvo which is now a Wednesday on account of the fixture moving forward by a single day.

On May 18 the Derby hopefuls will run in the Dante Stakes and it’s worth recalling that in recent times, North Light and Motivator, the last two winners of this race, have gone on to glory at Epsom in just over three weeks’ time, while looking a little further back in the race’s illustrious history, it’s worth noting that Shahrastani, Reference point, Erhaab and Benny The Dip all went on from the Dante to Derby success.

This mile and a quarter Group 2 contest has clearly become a key Classic trial in recent seasons and mustn’t be missed. There’s sure to be a host of top-class performers in contention on the Knavesmire and Sir Michael Stoute has the best contemporary Dante record with two winners and three placed horses.

On the same day as the Dante keep a close eye upon the outcome of the Hambleton Stakes, a valuable mile handicap that has a habit of throwing up the winner of the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot the following month especially if the Hambleton winner is trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

The final day of the Dante meeting sees the stayers take centre stage in the Yorkshire Cup, a useful pointer to the rest of the campaign’s leading staying races. Alan Swinbank’s stable star Collier Hill, a winner of the Irish St Leger last season, is a likely runner and may well be capable of surprising more fancied horses.

On May 20 it’s the turn of the season’s crack milers to unleash their firepower in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and this has been a good race for Saeed Bin Suroor and the boys in blue in recent seasons, and it would be no surprise to see them land this Group1 event with Proclamation, who is surely heading for the top after joining Godolphin on the back of a brilliant three-year-old season.

In France the following day Longchamp’s Prix d’Ispahan always draws the top mile and mile and a quarter horses and this a race that mustn’t be missed as a key pointer to some of the season’s top races over this classic ten furlongs.

The month of May rounds off with the Irish 2,000 Guineas on May 27 followed by the Irish 1,000 Guineas on the following day. Both these valuable races tend to go to horses that have raced in the equivalent events at Newmarket and inevitably British trainers hold an excellent record in both races.

Finally, Sandown’s two-day fixture at the very end of the month is always informative with the Henry 11 Stakes for top-notch staying horses on May 29 followed on May 30 by the Temple Stakes for sprinters over the minimum trip and the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes in which trainer Sir Michael Stoute boats a useful record. Any runner from his yard should be noted carefully.

A Horse Course, of Course, for Rescue Workers

December 10th, 2009

While trying to contain a tragic accident site on Long Island last month where a horse trailers became disconnected from its truck, rescue workers felt woefully inadequate trying to handle the injured and dying horses. Clearly, they had no experience with the large animals, and some were moved to tears when explaining how helpless they felt.

To remedy such situations and to prepare rescue workers for handling horses in emergency situations, the Connecticut Horse Council initiated the Horse911 project—a series of workshops geared toward teaching Connecticut’s firefighters about basic horse-handling techniques while promoting fire prevention and preparedness among barn owners.

According to a recent article in Connecticut’s Journal Enquirer, more than 70 firefighters from six Connecticut firehouses attended a recent three-hour workshop on saving horses from barn fires. With the help of accomplished horsepeople, firefighters learned how to approach, halter and lead nervous horses amid the noise and bright lights emanating from the fire trucks.

Facilitators described horse behavior and anatomy so that firefighters would have an understanding about how a horse is affected by smoke inhalation or in its reluctance to flee a burning barn. The workshop facilitators hope that the training will help firefighters feel comfortable handling horses in situations other than barn fires such as loose horses or in the event of a trailer accident.

The Horse911 project is conducted in partnership with the Connecticut Horse Council, the Career Fire Chief’s Association, the Connecticut State Fire Academy and the Connecticut Animal Response Team. In addition to providing firefighter training, the Connecticut Horse Council also offers seminars in fire prevention and emergency response for horse and barn owners. At the request of a barn owner, the council can also arrange for an area fire chief’s inspection of a local barn to further fire prevention safety procedures and practices.

The Connecticut Horse Council began in 1969 to defeat proposed legislation that would have banned the use of bits and spurs. Since then, the group has been involved in all areas relevant to horse industries in Connecticut. The council’s motto is “Horsemen United in Leadership, Service and Education.”

Considering the spate of trailer and loose horse accidents across the nation, Connecticut has the right idea in getting its area firefighters more horse savvy. One would hope that more horse associations across the nation find example in Connecticut’s Horse Council’s initiatives.

What’s a Girl’s Best Friend, Horses or Diamonds?

December 10th, 2009

Can you answer the question in the title?

Some fashion magazines, writers and movies will tell you that diamonds are a girl’s best friend – but not in my case and here is why…

Hi, my name is Linda Shute from New Jersey, and here is why riding horses is one of my greatest passions in life…

As a child I think I was born with horses on my brain, they’ve always been in my life and very close to me in many ways.

Before I was old enough to drive I was very mobile because of my horses.

My uncle gave me my first pony Trotter, his color was chocolate palomino, he had no pedigree to speak of just your above average pony.

Trotter was very dear to me until I out grew him. He would perform under saddle or in harness. I started out riding western because it was the most popular where I live.

Sometimes I would ride bareback and jump over small obstacles in the yard.

Self made fences like two columns of a few baskets or boxes piled up with a broom across the top. Not much to look at, but creative enough for an eight year old kid and it served my purpose besides Trotter didn’t care what it looked like.

Mom wasn’t to happy a few times when we miscalculated and broke the broom handle then she had to go buy new broom to sweep the floor.

Trotter took me all over, sometimes I would ride him and we would go out roaming around for four or five hours we would travel ten or fifteen miles from home.

I would cut through farmers’ fields always careful to stay on the edge as not to harm their crops that were growing. My favorite ride in the summer was towards the small town of Swedesboro through the peach and apple orchards.

A diamond can’t take me to the orchards or share a piece of fruit with me.

As a small girl of eight or ten nothing was sweeter than a fresh apple or peach eaten on top of my pony. I would take a bite and give the rest to him, then pick another. I felt like the world was at my finger tips.

Trotter gave me freedom to explore the world he fed my sense of adventure.

Sometimes I didn’t feel like riding or a friend would go with me, since I didn’t want him carrying two us for that long I would hook him up to the cart and harness and drive him.

The only way a diamond can provide freedom is if you sell it for a high price and use the money to escape from something.

How can a diamond feed your sense of adventure? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I don’t like diamonds. They do have a big sparkle and look nice. They can also be very expensive

As I got older I out grew Trotter and sadly had to sell him for a bigger horse.

I still remember the person that bought Trotter coming to the house to pick him up. We loaded him into the back of his pick-up truck and Trotter was screaming (whinnying) and kicking he didn’t want to leave, my heart was being ripped out, yet I couldn’t keep two animals and I needed a bigger mount.

It was a hard lesson learned.

Horses also taught me responsibility because they needed to be fed and cared for everyday morning and night. Equipment and stables had to be taken care of and cleaned daily. Horses eat hay and we had farm land to raise hay. This meant harvesting. When I was in my teens sometimes I could be found driving the tractor raking the hay fields or using the baler, other times I may be on the wagon behind the baler stacking the hay for my horses. Then it would have to be transferred from the hay wagon into the barn.

Since then I have bought, sold and raised about fifteen horses. One of my favorites was Friday’s Anthem. As a girl of sixteen I won the “Rookie of the Year” award for the “Girls Rodeo Association” Eastern Chapter. One of my prizes was a free stud fee to a quarter horse stallion. I bred my mare and the colt was born on Good Friday. I named him Fridays’ Anthem. I trained him for English and Western riding and showed him at local quarter horse shows I eventually sold him for $2500.

The horse shows taught me to strive to achieve more. Observe the competition and see what they are doing, what does the judge like, who is being pinned higher than we are. Train your horse different get him to perform different or better.

A diamond can’t teach you that.

I lived in the country and our nearest neighbor was about 3/4 of a mile away.

My relationship to my Horses was the same like that of a close friend.

They each have their own personalities and temperaments just like people.

They show their feelings in their eyes and ears. If they’re having a bad day when you go to the stable you may find a tail in the doorway instead of a face. When you enter the stall you may find ears laid back on the neck instead of pricked forward you learn to read their body language.

They have dreams just like we do. I remember this Standard bred race horse I was taking care of, a trotter named Noble Tryst. He was good enough to race in The Hamiltonian. He would take a nap every afternoon he would stretch out in his stall and sometimes have dreams. He looked like a big dog he would kick his feet and make noises. You don’t see this very often in horses. I never saw a diamond with a personality.

One day when I was working on the race track I was standing in front of this filly and yawned. Then the filly yawned, the one in the next stall yawned, and so it went down the length of the barn – just like people do.

When you’re riding or working a horse and ask for more they will give you their best and then some. How do you ask a diamond for more and receive it?

If you’re having a bad day you can wrap your arms around your horse’s neck and hang on to something and they can turn their head toward you and wrap you into their neck like a hug. I’d like to see a diamond do that!

They’ll listen until you’re tired of talking or crying which ever the case may be.

Horses can be expensive, the initial cash outlay for the purchase and the ongoing upkeep. Now you can go out and buy a grade horse, buy that I mean your average run of the mill un-registered horse for around $500- $1000. But, if you want high quality pure bred stock with a pedigree you can be talking big bucks just like in diamonds

Warmly with a big smile,

Linda Shute

What are the Factors you Need to Consider When Deciding Where to Ride your Horse?

December 10th, 2009

The factors to take into consideration when deciding where to ride your horse are: where you keep your horse and your level of experience with horses. Other aspects such as whether you want to have a pleasure ride or to train your horse will also factor into the location of where to ride your horse.

Growing up in the country I had access to a vast area of dirt roads that lead to open areas for hacking and trail riding. Both the roads and the country posed their challenges, but I was never short of a place to ride. I did however have to face my fears and leave the safety of our property if I wanted to ride.

If you are learning to ride or if you have a new horse, the best place to ride your horse is in an arena. An arena offers a place of less distraction than a road or the trails; your horse is less likely to get a fright and panic. If your horse does panic there is usually help close at hand.

Riding in an arena should not be considered boring; it is a place to learn trust and confidence for both the horse and rider. Any horse no matter the breed or intended discipline to which he is being trained can benefit from being ridden in an arena.

When both horse and rider have a level of communication where the rider feels confident and in control then they can venture to ride outside of the arena. With the use of the word control I mean that in the event of “fight or flight” you will be able to react immediately with good riding skills and to regain your horse’s composure before he panicked.

The advantage of a big stable yard is being able to ask other riders where they ride. Not only will you learn specific trails, but also the hazards along those trails, such as a barking dog that never fails to respond to a horse passing its property.

A horse box is a wonderful means of transportation and certainly opens up the world for places to ride your horse. If you do not own a horsebox and can not afford to purchase one, you can always ask the help of other riders. Some riders will share their horse box just to have a companion on the trail; others will lend or rent you a horse box.

With a horse box you can travel to parks where there are specific trails or bridle paths for horses. You can travel to competitions where, if you entered the competition, you can ride your horse in the competition arenas. You could also take your horse to the competition and choose to ride him around there, in order to expose him to the environment.

When deciding to own a horse for riding, always take the time to explore and investigate places to ride before you find a place to stable your horse. That way you when you have to choose between the lunge ring or the arena, you are not bored and upset because it is the setting you chose. If it is however the only option you had at the time, start saving for that horse box.

Lots of Famous Race Horses Due to Their Performances

December 9th, 2009

The Horse racing is one of the oldest types of games. The development of the horse racing was completed very rapidly and it is conducted now everywhere in the world. There are also many types of horse racing. Some jockeys are taking the part in the horseracing since many years. But the main participants in the horse racing are the horses. Such racing horses are trained in the constant training sessions by trainers and the jockeys make the practice sessions with them. After all such efforts, the horses win the race.

Such horses become famous worldwide due to their performance. If you go on searching for famous race horses, then you can easily get the information about the famous race horses with their records, history and origin. On the basis of biographies of horses, you can get the numerous famous race horses. Following is the selection of few of such famous race horses, which have performed very well in the competitions.

Affirmed-

It is considered as world’s most renowned, famous and brilliant horse in the record of racing horses. Affirmed is the winner of Tripe Crown in 1978. Many such grand matches are owned by Affirmed. He represents the thoroughbred champions. Affirmed gives tough fight to other competitors and the thrilling rivalry of Alydar and Affirmed is famous everywhere. The book is also written on him for his legend.

Assault-

He is the king of all and won the Triple Crown of Texas bred. He was also winner in 1946 for Triple Crown. He is also Thoroughbred champion.

Barbaro-

Being the heart of America, the barbaro is one of the famous race horses. He won some of the awards like Kentucky Derby, Florida Derby and Holy Bull stakes. He is famous due to its injuries, treatment and hospitalization.

Cigar-

The retired horse form horse racing, the Cigar was one of the best players in Kentucky Horse Park. He was seen lastly on the track during the race in Turfway Park. He is one of the thoroughbred greats.

Such there are lots of famous race horses everywhere due to their performances, thrilling races or due to their victories. Some special websites are opened for such horses with their photos. Some other names of the famous race horses are sunny bay, Swain, red rum, Smarty Jones, Man O’ war, Forego etc. The list of such famous race horses is endless.

How to Decide About the Exact Horse Racing Picks at the Time of Horse Racing

December 9th, 2009

The horse racing is the fun game for many. Many people watch it for having enjoyment and entertainment. Some people go on wagering activities also. But it is not that much easier way to fix the wagering on the particular horse. Lots of research and inspection is required to pick the exact horse for betting.

The horse racing picks are done by many companies to provide the specialized services to the punters. Some considerations should be kept in mind to decide about the exact picks at the time of horse racing. Picks means to select the exact horse which you think can win the race as per your knowledge. It is very difficult to decide the winner in the horse race in advance.

Some steps given below should be followed to decide the horse racing picks.

One important way to decide about the picks is to start with the analysis of odds. The odds stated by the oddsmaker will give you idea about the chances of horse to win the race. If the odds given to you are better, it is a less chance to make the money from it.

The odds are the ratio in which the collections and stakes are stated. For gaining more money, think of the greater odds means the difference in the ratio should be greater. The risk is involved in it. But for making super gains and better payout, you have to take this chance to pick the horses with greater odds.

The analysis of horse race history is always helpful for deciding horse racing picks. If you are interesting in one horse for fixing your bets, then take a closure look in the history of him in the past racings. If he has beaten the same horse which is going to play with him in the coming race, then there is a likely chance of that horse to win the race again.

The stable of the horse also matters a lot as the better and the more successful the stable; the more chances are there for horse to get the good training. Thus such horse can be your prospective horse racing pick.

One of the most important factors in winning the horse race is the training receives to horses by trainers. The trainer knows more about the horses and they have good experience. You can use their knowledge for your purpose. The horse jockey is always very much involved in deciding the winning of the horses in race. You can enter the competition for wagering through trifecta, exacta, pick 3 or pick 6.