Equine and Horse Blog October Archive

To blanket or not to blanket is a matter of personal choice

By Horse Lover at 10/30/08 11:58

I have been reading articles about blanketing horses in the winter. Everyone has their own idea about whether you should or shouldn't and why.

I believe it really comes down to your personal choice. In areas that are severely cold, people may want to blanket if their horses are outside. Some may choose to blanket because they do not want their horses to develop a winter hair coat.

Read more: To blanket or not to blanket is a matter of personal choice [click]

Open Shows are Family Friendly

I think of all of the showing that I do, the open fun gaming shows are probably my favorite. People off all ages participate and it doesn't usually cost an arm and a leg to enter classes. I love that there are kids classes too and they pay back and have ribbons, which kids really love! It is also probably good for the horses to go out and run without the rider being stressed out. Whether we realize it or not, our stress can transfer through our seat to our horses and then they end up stressed out as well.

That is why I like the stress free fun shows. The events are fun too. It is not just poles, barrels and keyhole. There are things like the egg and spoon race and the catalog race. These are great games for everyone and it gets horses used to doing different things. I know my horse gets burnt out from doing too many barrel patterns, so it is good for him to have something else to think about. Best of all everyone is supportive of each other and kids really learn good sportsmanship.

Keep Your Equine Business Professional

I have been in many boarding stables and places where horses for sale where the conditions really take away from the business. Like excessively dirty stalls and walkways really make a bad first impression. This is especially true in the boarding stables. I know that I would not want to keep my horses in a place that seemed unsanitary. A barn is going to be dirty, but a little effort can make it look tidy.

Read more: Keep Your Equine Business Professional [click]

Choosing a Good Saddle Pad is Just Like Choosing a good Chair

We all know that having a saddle pad that fits our horse is one of the most important things we can do. So many problems can stem from a sore back so we need to take care of our horses. Not only that, but they will perform so much better when they are comfortable and not being pinched or squeezed by a pad that does not fit.

Another perk of a good saddle pad is that it makes your actual saddle fit correctly. When the saddle fits correctly, we ourselves have a more comfortable ride. If our horses hump their backs because of soreness or pinched, we aren't always able to keep proper balance, which just does more damage. So really, when you choose a pad, you are choosing for your horse's and your own comfort.

Proper Trail Riding Etiquette

I am new to the large organized trail rides and was not sure of proper etiquette before my first ride. I made sure to stay a little ways behind the horse in front of me and did not gallop or even really trot to catch up to prevent spooking leading horses. I just wonder if there are other rules I should be aware of?

And as far as what to bring, I just kind of winged it. I made sure I had water and a small first aid kit in my saddle bags. I also packed some food and lead ropes to tie my horse when we stopped. Other than that I was not sure what to bring. I need to find someone who frequently goes on rides to show me the ropes.

Does a Horse Chewing on a Tree Hurt the Tree?

I was on a trail ride recently and we all stopped for lunch and I noticed a horse that was nibbling on a tree that it was tied to. He wasn't stripping bark, just nibbling. A man approached to owner of this horse and really let her have it. I felt very bad for her. I am sure that no one wants to look at a forest full on gnawed trees, but he was just cruel about it. He yelled at her in front of the whole group and she just kept apologizing and looked near tears.

So my question is, does it damage a tree if a horse chews it a little. I am not talking stripping huge sections of bark, but just a nibble. It seemed like he overreacted just a touch and the woman seemed like she never wanted to come on an organized trail ride again. There must be a way to educate people without being so hateful. And if it really doesn't hurt the tree, why such a severe scolding?

What is the Best Way to Worm?

I have heard many different things about the proper way to worm or what worming schedule to use. It always seems arbitrary like someone just pulled months from a hat rather than having a logical reason for choosing a certain time of year. Some people, I think, worm excessively, to the point that I think they may be actually harming their horse rather than helping. But on the flip side, I think some people do not worm their horses enough. We need to find a happy medium with sound evidence for when whe should worm and why that specific time is important.

Read more: What is the Best Way to Worm? [click]

Spook Proof Your Horse with Bubble Mailers

My horse really isn't usually spooky, but when he hears popping or banging like a gun, he is just beside himself. He will bolt or sometimes even kick out if such a sound startles him. It always confused me because other loud noises never bothered him. He would tolerate like rustling of a plastic bag or maybe the sound of a hammer banging or motor sounds. It was just popping sounds.

Read more: Spook Proof Your Horse with Bubble Mailers [click]