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• Horsemanship
  Articles written by professionals on horse training, horse care and horse ownership.
  
  
• Horse Ownership
  
  
  • The Responsibility of Owning a Horse
    Being the owner of a horse requires you to spend large amounts of time, hard work, and money. The price required to buy the horse is just a small step in the many things you will need to do when owning them. You must understand that you will have to dedicate time each day to caring for your horse. They will need to be fed, exercised, and groomed on a daily basis.
    
    
  • What To Consider When Buying A Horse
    If you are looking to purchase a horse for the first time, there are many things you need to watch for to make sure you get the best deal possible. You should have done all your research on horses and should also have an understanding of the time and hard work involved with owning them. If you have it is now time to begin shopping for your horse.
    
    
• Horse Breeds
  
  
  • Mustangs
    Mustangs are a type of wild horses which live in the western portion of the United States. They are known for being fast, graceful, and independent. The word Mustang comes from the Spanish word Mestengo, and was used to refer to straying cattle. The Mustangs which live today are descendant from the Spanish horses that were brought into the Americas by the Spaniards in the 15th century.
    
    
  • Percheron Horse
    The Percheron horse is a breed which is very popular in France. They are well known as being draft horses, and they come from the area of Perche. These horses are primarily used in farming work, and they are also frequently used in parades. They are very large and powerful, and have played an important role as horses rode by knights and used by farmers. They have played important roles in society over the years.
    
    
  • Thoroughbred
    The Thoroughbred is a breed of horse which was first bred in England during the 18th century. These horses were the result of breeding English mares with Arabian horses. This gave the Thoroughbred the trait of being a horse which could be used in distance racing. The term "thoroughbred" is often used by people who do not own horses to refer to full blooded breeds.
    
    
  • Arabian Horse
    The Arabian horse is an animal which has lived on the Arabian Peninsula for well over 2000 years. These horses were properly bred to demonstrate many traits which were attractive, such as strength, beauty, and endurance. Many experts on horses have concluded that Arabian horses are among the oldest breeds in the world.
    
    
  • American Saddlebred
    The American Saddlebred is a breed of horse developed in the state of Kentucky. Today they are featured in many showring competitions, and they are also used for racing, parades, and hunting. These horses have a disposition which make them good for virtually any task in which they are needed. They are well known for their stamina and the ability to learn quickly.
    
    
  • American Paint Horse
    The American Paint Horse is a breed of horses which are known for having a percentage of white hair over skin combined with another color. This color pattern is one of the most important characteristics of this breed. The American Paint Horse Association is one of the largest breed register centers in the US.
    
    
• Horse Health
  
  
  • How to Provide First Aid For Your Horse
    If your horse is in the field, and it suffers a severe cut, you will want to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. You will need to make a call to your vet, and there are steps you also need to take in order to provide first aid to your horse as soon as possible. You will want to stabilize the horse prior to the arrival of the vet.
    
    
  • How To Prevent Parasites From Harming Your Horse
    Like all animals, horses are susceptible to getting diseases, some of which may be life threatening. As the owner, it is your responsibility to understand many of the common diseases horses suffer from, and how you can either prevent or control them. Below is a description some parasites which are harmful to horses, and what you can do to fight them.
    
    
  • How To Provide Dental Care For Your Horse
    If you are the owner of horses, you will no doubt want them to live as long as possible. To do this, you will want to make sure you feed your horse properly, and care for their teeth. It is important to feed your horse good grass, grain, and make sure it drinks plenty of water.
    
    
• Horse Care
  
  
  • How To Choose The Proper Hay For Your Horse
    To have a strong and healthy horse it is important for you to feed them properly. Feeding them quality hay will give them the important nutrients and minerals they need. The amount of proteins needed by a horse are dependent on their metabolism, age, and rate of work. An adult horse will eat about 2% of its body weight every day, and experts recommend that half of the food eaten daily should be hay.
    
    
  • How to Handle Horses Safely
    Caring for a horse is an excellent way to gain new skills and build a strong bond the animal. However, it is important to practice safety procedures when handling your horse. There can be some risks involved in handling horses. They are large animals which are very strong, and can easily hurt you. This is why it is important to have an understanding of these animals.
    
    
  • Caring For Your Horse During The Winter
    When you care for your horse, it is important to make preparations for the winter months. Horses need to be able to tolerate the cold weather and stay as healthy as possible. During the winter horses will have special needs which you as the owner will have to address. It is important to prepare for winter in advance.
    
    
  • How To Manage the Space and Shelter of Your Horse
    Many owners of horses either keep them at home or in a special stable. Having a horse at home can give you more control over how their space is managed. Keeping your horse at home can also save you time and money. You want to keep a close watch on your horse to make sure it doesn't have any injuries or diseases.
    
    
• Riding A Horse
  
  
  • How To Place A Halter on Your Horse
    A halter is a type of headgear which you can place on your horse. It will fit over the neck, and will lie behind the ears while surrounding the muzzle. When the owner pulls on the muzzle portion of the halter the horse will move towards them. A halter doesn't have a bit which needs to be placed in the horses mouth.
    
    
  • How to Properly Mount Your Horse
    Mounting a horse sounds basic at first, but is far more complex than it appears. Whether you have a young horse which you have never mounted, or an adult horse which you've rode many times, mounting is an important issue that all horse owners should understand. If you are thinking of riding your horse for the first time you may feel apprehensive, and this is normal.
    
    
  • How To Saddle Your Horse
    If you are not familiar with riding a horse without a saddle it is important to place one on your horse prior to riding it. Most people who ride horses use a saddle, and they are a standard piece of equipment which are used with horses. Saddles come in many different shapes and sizes, and you will want to choose one which you find to be comfortable.
    
    
  • Tips On How To Ride Your Horse
    Being able to ride your horse is one of the most enjoyable aspects of owning them. There are some tips and guidelines you should be aware of if you are attempting to ride your horse for the first time. You want to make sure that you are calm and relaxed when you approach your horse. They can sense if you are nervous. It is also important to wear the proper clothes, including a helmet.
    
    
• Horse Training
  
  
  • How To Handle Horses Which Rear and Kick
    When you are training your horse, two of the most dangerous things it can do are rearing and kicking. Both can result in either serious injury or death to the owner. If you are the owner of a horse which practices rearing or kicking, you will want to hire a qualified horse trainer. They can help you effectively deal with this problem.
    
    
  • How To Prevent Your Horse From Biting
    Though horses don't have sharp teeth, if they bite you it can be very dangerous. Some people have been badly hurt after being bitten by horses. If you are the owner of a horse, or are considering buying one, it is important to understand how to prevent them from biting you or someone else. This is something you want to avoid at all costs.
    
    
  • Ponying
    If you are the owner of a young horse, you no doubt want make sure they are as healthy and fit as possible. If you are a first time owner you may be wandering what exercises are best. If you have an adult horse which has recently been ill, you may be looking for an effective method to train them as well. Ponying is an exercise which all horses can benefit from, whether they are young or old.
    
    
• Horse Sites