Tips on How to Care for Your Aged Horse

Horses just like us humans age at different rates, chronological age doesn't always match the aging process. With careful management and a little insight the veteran horse can live a longer and more productive life.

Protect your veteran horse with good nutrition, older horses, need much more protein and fat than a middle-aged horse, they also need access to good-quality fibre. Make sure the hay they have is of good quality and not too mature, older horses cannot chew their food efficiently. 

Good quality beet pulp, alfalfa pellets or complete pellets for the older horse, add oil and make into a mash, it's easier to eat and digest. Keep a vigilant eye on your horse's weight, obese horses are at risk from all kinds of disorders, as is the horse that is underweight. The effects that diet has on our own health is indisputable, it is much the same for the horse.

Keep an eye on your horses teeth, any kind of pain associated with the mouth, will discourage a horse from eating. They should have regular check-ups with a qualified veterinarian, or horse dentist. Twice a year is recommended for the aged horse. Add more water to their feed to prevent choke.

Have the farrier check your horse's hooves on a regular basis; poor hoof care is a risk in the aged horse, so your farrier should be able to alert you to any changes.

If your aged horse is still able, and happy to go for a short ride, then exercise helps keep them toned, and interested. Turning an aged horse out is highly recommended, you will increase their interest in life and help keep them mobile. If they suffer from any of the degenerative joint disease, then small doses of Bute can be added to their feed, check with your vet if you are uncertain.

A regular worming and vaccination programme is as essential to the aged horse, as it is to the younger horse. Be pro-active; plan your dates in advance.

Comfort is key in maintaining and managing the older horse. Keep your eye on the weather, older horses' soon lose condition if they are turned out in poor weather, a decent rug and access to a field shelter is a must for the older horse. The same rules apply for warmer weather, access to shade and clean water is essential, a summer rug can help to keep horse fly bites at bay.

If you see any changes in your horse, for example, rapid weight loss, diarrhea, depressed appetite, or he just doesn't seem right to you, then call the vet. There is no reason why your horse cannot live to a ripe old age, be vigilant, use your intuition and watch his behaviour, keep him/her comfortable and enjoy your time together.

What Is An Anvil and What Is It Used For?

Most of modern civilization's early steel products were born on the top of an anvil. There are many detailed writings, books, publications, and online videos detailing what an anvil is and what a quality anvil should look like. To cover the entire history would take volumes, but we will discuss the primary uses and how to find a high quality anvil.

What are the Different Types of Anvils

It is without question, the anvil has many unique forms applicable to the intended use for a particular anvil. Blacksmith anvils differ from Farrier anvils, and both differ from jewelers anvils. American anvils differ from European anvils, but they all perform the same basic task as a work station to form metal. Most anvils have a flat surface on top(face), and one or both ends have a rounded cone, the supporting bottom is called the base. The flat surface is used primarily for flattening the metal, and the rounded end is used to form a variety of shapes including horse shoes.

How Are Anvils Made

At one time the Europeans held claim to the best anvils in the world. Today, America is clearly the leader in the production of the highest quality anvils - being made of ductile steel which is then poured into molds. In times past, they were forged with hammers, and typically came in two pieces. These two pieces were called the top horn and face (flat surface), and the base. Upon completing the two sections, they were then forged together to form the complete assembly. Technology today allows us to measure the purity of the ductile steel so that the chemical composition is consistent throughout. Combined with the advances in heat treating, a through-hardened anvil, poured of ductile steel, is the highest quality you can buy.

One of the largest United States anvil manufacturers, JHM Anvils, still pours all of its anvils in a foundry in Texas. Every pour is measured for accuracy, and then they are sent to be machined. Upon completion of machining the base and top face, they are sent to a premier heat treat facility in Peoria, Illinois, to be through-hardened. They then return to the plant where they are ground, finished and painted. These are considered the highest quality anvils in the world for the farrier industry. Most of the anvils produced by JHM are focused on the farrier, otherwise known as a horseshoer.

Are You a Horse Rider?

Riding a horse is not just about sitting there and hanging on. Many people are surprised to learn that it's not just the horse getting a work out. Proper riding takes balance and skill to properly communicate with the animal.

Position is the most important and will directly affect not only your security, but the comfort of the horse as well. Too many would-be riders think that sitting deep on their seats and rounding their backs will keep them in the saddle. However, this slouched position puts unnecessary pressure on the lumbar region of the horse's spine, gives no clear direction, and will soon fatigue the rider. 

Rather you should sit up on your ' sitting bones' located in your pelvis and straighten your back. Your shoulders should be relaxed and slightly back and your hands should be just above the front of the saddle. Your legs hang down either side of the horse and your heels must be down. Only the ball of your foot should be on the stirrup tread, and there should be an invisible straight line between your ear, shoulder and heel. 

Be very conscious of your leg position! It is very common for beginners to revert to a hunched toe-down position when they are frightened. Unfortunately this position will do nothing for your balance and also frightens the horse since it is similar to the stance of an attacking animal.

When communicating with the horse you will use your legs, hands, balance and voice. All of these aids should be subtle and light. Don't get into the habit of constantly squeezing or kicking with your legs! These signals tell the horse to go, but once he's moving it is not necessary to keep reminding him! If your heels are down with balanced pressure in the stirrups, you won't fall off. Likewise, don't constantly pull and fiddle with the reins. If the horse is wearing a bit, this can be painful and aggravating. The reins are for communicating directions, not something to hold you on the horse.

When riding your horse, try to move your hips in rhythm with his stride. Bouncing or swaying in the saddle will be uncomfortable for both of you. English riders learn to "post" the trot, which involves a controlled rising and sitting in tune with the horse's movements. Western riders don't normally post, but are expected to 'sit the trot' without bouncing in the saddle.

Riding a horse properly takes time and a lot of practice.  Just because you can stay on doesn't necessarily make you a rider. Proper use of the aids, complete control at all times, and considering the comfort of the horse are all part of the equation. Start slow and don't be in too much of a hurry to excel. In the meantime, enjoy your horse according to your current abilities and both you and he will be safe and happy.

High Tech Advances in Horse Health - Equine Thermography

Man versus machine

Using military-derived technology and techniques perfected over 30 years, the physiology of your horse can be objectively assessed, identifying those brewing problems. All animals are thermally symmetrical, so deviation from this indicates altered physiological processes which overlay the site of an injury or disease. Graphically mapping the temperature across the skin's surface with Veterinary Thermal Imaging instantly pinpoints problem areas.

Vets and owners have been feeling and palpating legs for centuries to gauge differences in temperature linked to injury. With the advent and application of technology, the degree of accuracy and objectivity that can be attained is far superior. The human hand can detect a difference of 2 degrees Celsius, whereas the Thermal Imaging camera used in Veterinary Thermal Imaging is 40 times more sensitive. When you consider that only a 1 degree Celsius increase may result from some sympathetic dysfunctions, without Veterinary Thermal Imaging, problems could be overlooked rather than promptly treated, which saves money, time, distress and gives better prognoses.

The camera is the size of a camcorder, silent in operation, non-contact, emits no radiation and Imaging can be repeated as often as required. This is ideal for owners, as it removes the hassle of travelling, the need for sedation, stress in the animal, and cost; a full anatomical report costs about the same as one x-ray.

Early Warning System

During a two-year study it was shown that Equine Thermography could effectively and accurately pick up subtle changes in temperature prior to major injury occurring in 95% of cases, and 2-3 weeks before the trainer or Vet became aware. Of those horses that underwent clinical examination for lameness, Thermal Imaging again correctly predicted the site of the injury in 95% of cases.

Most horses don't have just one problem associated with lameness or a bad back. Often there are other secondary causes which may be overlooked, and cause the primary problem to reoccur unless they're also treated. Thermal Imaging is an excellent tool to identify these secondary problems so they can be managed too.

Complete MOT

Whilst Equine Thermography is excellent for detecting leg problems, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Further uses include identifying and assessing;

- bad backs; 

- joint damage; 

- muscular problems; 

- dental pain; 

- skin conditions; 

- nerve dysfunction; 

- foot balance; 

- saddle fitting;

all of which could be picked up within one hour-long Imaging session. As thermal images are objective, and graphically map the extent of an injury and healing progress, owners can review and assess treatments together with their Vet and physiotherapist, getting the horse back into work as soon as possible.

Animal Communication and Healing - Talking With Horses

As the concept of animal communication becomes more universally accepted it can bring extra insight and help toward understanding behavioural problems. This may make a difference if an animal is considered to be out of control, or is displaying signs of stress or discomfort for no apparent reason, and the owner is considering parting with it. Coupled with hands-on healing, communication is very useful as a complementary tool as it can bring to light problems that are not easily noticeable. However, it must always be considered complementary and it can never replace veterinary care.

Whilst studying animal care I was invited to a riding stable to see a small pony, and a large mare, both young animals that were not behaving well despite having had several vet checks, and also having had help from an animal communicator. The small pony had not given any idea as to why she was naughty and seemed to enjoy her misbehaviour. When I started the hands-on healing, to my surprise (and also to the surprise of her owners) she relaxed completely, almost to the point of going to sleep, she behaved very well, obviously enjoyed it, and went off happily. We were no wiser except to conclude that she was young, liked being naughty and would need a lot of training. 

The large mare, Betty, was very different, according to the communicator she was aware that her owners had talked of getting rid of her, she was very frightened about this but, nevertheless, when being ridden after a short while she would rear up and throw the rider off. She had received many veterinary checks, and also had checks on her spine and there didn't seem to be a valid reason for this. She was quite relaxed whilst I moved along her right side and came round to the front, in fact she was friendly. As I moved round to her left side she became more tense, and as soon as my hands went past her shoulder, her head came round and she pushed me firmly away.This was repeated in front of her owners who said " We really have done our best and nothing can be found to be wrong.

" Eventually it was decided that as she was only young, and of good stock, she would go to a breeding stable to see if she could be a brood mare in due course; her behaviour was only difficult when she was being ridden. At that stable she was given a complete body scan, and was found to have an ovarian cyst which was affecting her left side, once dealt with she became much happier and confident and now enjoys life. Whilst the healing and communication could not solve the problem it was able to show that the horse was genuinely frightened, and had a good reason for her apparently dangerous behaviour.

The concept also works the opposite way in which the animal itself instigates the communication. I was given a very good example of this when having a telephone discussion with a friend about a horse she planned to buy. As she explained to me that a veterinary check had taken place, and that a problem with one leg had shown up on an Xray, and this problem would need looking at and would cost more money, I had the image of a horse's head come into my mind and the distinct feeling that they should not waste their money. 

I could 'see' the horse clearly in my mind and was able to describe it, and it appeared to be the horse my friend was talking about. We were both amused by this occurence but wondered if she should go ahead with the purchase, was this the 'message' that was coming across? She referred the Xray back to the vet that had taken it, and he said " that is just a shadow on the Xray, is nobody capable of reading an Xray properly?" The horse's leg was fine and the purchase was made, we could not explain how the horse had managed to join in our conversation, but she is a very sensitive animal may be as we were concentrating so hard on her we made a connection.

There are different ways that people use to make the connection with animals, I personally think that anyone that is a genuine animal lover would be able to do it, and also anyone that is a genuine healer. In the UK a prominent animal communicator is developing a system he calls 'The Trust Technique' and he is using it with wild animals as well as domesticated ones. Another very experienced horse owner is using E.F.T.(Emotional Freedom Technique) to great effect. This is a therapy that uses tapping with the finger on meridian points around the body, a bit like the concept of acupuncture but without needles.

 As an E.F.T. practitioner she used the technique on herself when she had experienced a serious fall, and was very wary about getting on a horse again; and as the technique had worked for her she used it on the horse as well. Since that time she has helped many people, and animals, sometimes from a distance using photographs.These are her words " Horses, more than many domestic animals, are just big emotions on legs. They FEEL everything, and some of the emotions that appeared to me whilst tapping, surprised me with their complexity."

As our knowledge about the working of the mind, human and animal, grows and expands, I believe that we will accept that many of our pets, and animals that we are connected with, blend with our energy systems, and we with theirs benefiting human and animal alike.

Reining Horses For Sale - 7 Movements They Should Know

In 2000, reining horses made a total of $4 million in the US. This figure rose to approximately $12.5 million in 2010, reflecting a 150% increase. Unlike cutting horses, their reining counterparts are raised for competition and rarely used for actual ranch work. Trained from the age of six months, these horses have high tolerance for physical exercise. 

Reining horses for sale usually feature a pedigree of stock horse breeds, especially the American Quarter Horse. Reining competitions are a test of the horse's ability to do spins, circles and stops. There is a fixed set of movements, based on which the rider and horse are scored.

Movements That Reining Horses for Sale Should Know

There are certain movements that reining horses for sale should all be trained in. The horse is trained in such a way that these movements are almost instinctive for them.

Circles: The horse must be able to perform large and quick circles at a near gallop speed, and smaller circles at a lope. The circles should be perfectly round, and the rider should be able to control the speed.

Flying lead change: During the suspension phase of the gait, the horse must be able to change its leading front and hind legs mid stride, while in a lope.

Rundown: While maintaining a distance of 20 feet from the fence, any horse trained for reining must be able to gallop down the long side of the competition arena.

Sliding stop: This is a particularly tricky move, since it requires precision for the horse to finish the movement in a straight line. For this move, the horse has to gallop down the arena and suddenly come to a halt, by allowing his hind feet to slide down, while his forefeet are in the 'walking' movement.

Back or backup: The horse backs up rapidly for about 10 feet. The backing up must be in a straight line and the horse must stop when asked to, while showing hesitation before going into the next move.

Rollback: A rollback is a continuous movement, where the horse has to turn 180 degrees after a sliding stop, and immediately move forward in a lope.

Spins or turnarounds: As the name suggests, the horse needs to do a 360-degree spin, while keeping his hind legs stationary. This move is judged on correctness, cadence and smoothness. 

Well-trained reining horses for sale should be able to perform all of these movements. To ensure that you buy only well-trained horses, select from a respected ranch.

Boxing Horses Over Long Distances

Plan your trip well in advance and be prepared for any pitfalls. The Horsebox should be safe and reliable. A full service should be done on the vehicle before your trip. The box should be big enough to take the weight and size of the horse, check the latest regulations; keep your horse safe and stay on the right side of the law. Have a tick list, check that:

Doors open fully, close and can be secured;

Windows fully open and close;

Brakes are in good working order;

Lights are in working order;

Vents fully open and close;

The floor needs to be fit for purpose and up to weight;

Tyres checked for pressure and fit for purpose, including the spare;

The jack, in case of a puncture is in the horsebox;

Making the horse feel safe, secure and calm, is important to both the horse and yourself, if the journey is to be a successful one. Make sure your horse loads and unloads in a clam manner well in advance of going on a long journey. Check with your vet that the horse is fit and well before making your journey.

You will need to think about hydration during transport, stocking a first aid kit, and feed. Make sure you have plenty of hay - probably enough to feed him throughout his trip and a few days into his stay. Depending on the time of year, and the turnout, it is always a good idea to take his rug, a spare halter, spare lead rope, spare buckets, bedding and last but not least a fire extinguisher.

Bandaging horse's legs as a means of protection on a short journey can be a benefit; on a longer journey it may cause sores

Standing for long periods take a massive amount of effort and energy, it is a constant balancing act for the horse. The amount of traffic on our roads means having to manoeuvre into and out of traffic, increasing speed, breaking and lane changes. Even with an excellent driver the horse will get tired.

A rough guide is to have a parking break every three to four hours, a minimum of twenty minutes will allow the horse to relax and "unlock" his legs. Check your horse carefully for any sign of stress, heat/cold and dehydration. Make any necessary adjustments. Offer the horse water at every stop and refill his hay net. Have a safe journey.

Are You Having Horse Problems?

Is there a lack of understanding between you and your horse? Is your horse not responding to you the way you think it should? Are you in need of assistance in your relationship with your horse? Do you need answers to questions that have never been answered? Are you just feeling lost and don't know where to turn? Then keep reading because we just might be able to clear up some of those questions.

We have all experienced the same problems when trying to find answers to questions that we could not answer about working with horses. Many times we have heard questions that seemed to have no answers, or at least answers that seemed to make no sense. What are needed are answers to questions, not answers that create more questions. That is why we have to search for direct answers, the ones that did not leave more questions in our minds. Believe it or not, these very answers are rather simple if you take them step-by-step.

In addition, we have all have found programs that want to take us to an end result that we are not searching for, like the programs that have you learn to be a horse trainer - but, you do not want to learn to be a horse trainer. You want something much simpler, you are not looking for a program to mold you into what other thinks you should be... you are already who you are and in most cases who you want to be. Just as you are who you are, I am a horseman that does not need to re-invent myself; what I do or even how I do it. After all, if your search has been anything like mine, all you are searching for is simple information that is easy to understand, allowing you to work safely and enjoy the time with your horse.

People that have horses today have lost sight of the number one goal of horse ownership and that is learning to become a "Horseman".

A "horseman" is a person that believes that the horse has a communication style and social structure that, if respected, can be understood. In addition the horseman is a compassionate individual that is willing to open themselves up to what the horse and the herd can teach them about their language, culture and behavior. Once that a human being begins to respect the animal by communicating with them, on their own terms, they are then accepted in to the equine social structure. This is the very first step in becoming a horseman. By the way the term "horseman" is not gender specific, either a man or a woman can become a "horseman".

All information has to be built on a foundation that is very solid and creates interaction that will allow the horse and handler to start and progress through the areas of understanding, development, trust and shared experiences at a very astounding rate of progression.

Earning Respect Builds Relationships

The horse has to accept you into their world; you cannot break down the door and demand to be let in. Fear may get compliance, but it will never earn respect. Respect will earn trust, which is also called friendship, and this leads to solid foundations that then create great partnerships. One of the weakest points that I and other horsemen have seen is that most people who are working with horses today are not willing, or do not know how, to start at the very beginning of the education ladder. These same people are starting further up the line of progression and in doing so have overlooked many of the basics that are so important to the relationship between the horse and the handler. You have to be ready and willing to invest the necessary time to obtain the results that you are looking for.

This comes from our own lifestyle of wanting to make things happen at a faster rate so that we can get what we want and in many cases this includes cutting some of the corners that we feel may not be that necessary. The main point that is overlooked with this thought is that the mind of the horse does not think that way. Believe me, it is a problem that most people have, even I had to re-learn and re-program my own method of thought to be more like that of the horse. It has been my experience that many people involved with horses today have a hard time accepting that the building a relationship with a horse is a process, remember we live in a society that wants it all "NOW"... it revolves around instant gratification. We may live in a "quicker-faster" world, but the horse does not.

A Clash of Cultures

Develop a basic goal that is to help yourself understand that there is a process to be able to understand the relationship that you are creating with the horse.

The learning of the fundamental steps creates a relationship between you and your horse that leads to mental soundness as well as physical soundness. You cannot separate physical well-being from mental well-being. There have been countless incidents where horses were punished for behavioral problems that were really problems of lameness, ill-fitting equipment and poor communication on the part of the rider or handler that could lead to a failure to understand the horse's attempt to communicate their problem.

It it also a known fact, among horseman, that any problem that a rider has comes from not having a solid relationship or an understanding of the horse when that rider is on the ground for once that a rider becomes a great horse handler on the ground then and only then can they move onto being a great rider.

A "Building Block" Process Evolved

People have been witnessed over the years trying to work with their horses ~ and not being able to understand that they were creating many problems that they had and that they were making those same problems worse. These same people wanted to do what was right but did not know where to start. They had gone to trainers to learn what to do ~ but in the process they weren't allowed to start at square one, instead they were starting at about step 12 or 14 and had no solid foundation to build upon.

What these people needed to do is to be able to start at the very beginning and build the relationship that comes from the solid foundation of mutual understanding.

Until next time "Ride for the Brand".