Lantana & Horses

Lantana is an ornamental shrub with colorful blossoms. Will cause liver damage, colic, and photosensitation.

Driving Wagons or Wagon Trains

Still today is the need for people and horses to travel by or with wagons. The farmer who is haying his fields still can make use of the wagon and the horses that are capable of pulling them. Most of our agriculture farms today, utilize a large quantity of farm help to replace the work done in by gone days by the farmers with their horses. In our grandparents farms, the wagon and Draft horses were used for carrying fallen trees in clearing acreage, haying, tilling in preparation for crops and the planting and harvesting. Today, with modern equipment, seldom is the need for the Draft horse; and their use comes about solely by the few individuals that have been persuaded over the years in a preference of the use of the horse.

Horse Birthday cake

Horse Cake: 2 Cups of Quick Oats (use Quick Oats, not Whole or Flatted) Half Cup of Soaked Barley Quarter Cup of Pre-Ground Corn (grind whole flatted corn in a coffee grinder) Half Cup of Apple Sauce Quarter Cup of Molasses Quarter Cup of Maple Syrup (natural flavored) 3 TBSP Ground Flax 3 TBSP Seeds (Sunflower, peanut, pistaccio...ground up by a Coffee Grinder) Add 3 cups BOILING water (add water as necessary to mix, but not be runny or WET...keeping mixture of a dryer consistancy). Microwave on Medium Heat for about 3-5 minutes Cool, and top with thin Apple Slices from Red & Green Apples Serve Makes enough for one large horse meal!

How To Load A Horse

G.F. (Andy) Anderson, DVM, who operates Equine Veterinary Associates in Broken Arrow, Okla., presented an effective technique of loading problem horses into trailers. With the use of a video and humorously delivered anecdotes, he explained to the listeners the necessary steps to take so that a horse does not learn how “not” to load.

Some very simple tools are required, Anderson said. They include a halter and soft lead rope—sometimes a chain shank should be available—a horse trailer in good repair, a a lunge whip or pole six to seven feet in length with a plastic bag taped to the end, and, “most importantly, a positive, patient attitude.”

The goal, he said, is to en-courage the horse to make positive choices to load, and to discourage any attempts to escape or evade loading. The plastic bag, he explained, is used to aggravate or annoy the horse until he reaches a point where he seeks the haven of the trailer to get away from the annoyance. The bag is not used to strike, whip, or beat a horse, merely to cause a slight unpleasantness (sound and touch) that the horse would rather avoid. However, he cautioned that the aggravation should be STOPPED the moment the horse demonstrates even the slightest indication that it wants to load.

Some of these signs are lowering of the head toward the trailer floor and pointing the ears forward. Anderson told his listeners it is at this point that many horse owners make a classic error. If the horse lowers his head to sniff at the trailer, they immediately jerk it up in an attempt to pull the horse into the trailer.

“I never pull on a horse or push on him,” Anderson said, “because I don't want him ever to find out that he can out-pull and out-push me.”

Patience is required with this approach because a horse normally will exhaust all of its evasive options before entering the trailer. One option might to be run backward. When that happens, Anderson advised, make the horse back up much farther and faster than he intended until the horse realizes that the “running backward option” is not one to be repeated. If the horse turns sideways to the trailer, don't lead him away; rather, aggravate him with the lunge whip and plastic bag until he is once again properly aligned.

Anderson also said he seldom uses his voice except to say “good boy” if the horse makes a positive move. He also doesn't jerk, yank, or put pressure on the lead rope except to point the horse's head in the right direction gently.

Once the horse steps into the trailer, he said, allow him to stand there as long as or little as he wants. If he wants to back out, don't resist. Nor should the rear door be immediately closed or the butt bar slammed into place when the horse does load.

“If you do that,” he said, “you have confirmed the horse's worst fears about being inside that trailer.”

At this point, back him out quietly and lead him away from the trailer, then reload him using the same procedure. Don't be disappointed if the second loading lesson is more difficult than the first. After he loads and stands quietly the second time, quit for the day and you will rarely have future problems.

It is highly important, Anderson said, to reward positive behavior by petting and praising the horse. Negative behavior is answered with annoyance and aggravation.

Some horses will learn to load, then won't back out of a trailer. First, Anderson said, one must look at unloading from the horse's perspective. In most cases, the horse can't see behind himself and is being asked to step out into “space.” The horse doesn't know if he is going to step down into space for one foot or a hundred feet.

Anderson's solution at this point is, if possible, to allow the horse to turn around and walk out. After doing this repeatedly, he said, most horses will no longer resist backing out. However, if they do, he recommended teaching them to drive and back in long lines in a training pen. The lines can then be used to encourage the horse to back from a trailer.

Anderson concluded with these words: “I have loaded hundreds of horses without a single injury to horses or people. This method may require more time the first few times a horse is loaded, but it will save a lot of time over a lifetime. Many hard-to-load horses can be retrained in less than an hour, but some require longer. Most remain trouble-free afterward, so the experience is a wise investment."

Trailer Maintenance - Interior

Check seasonally for rust, loose screws/bolts, any form of separation of seams. Depending upon climate, will determine the specifics that are necessary.

BACK TO WORK

If your horse has been ill, lame, injured, or just in pasture for four or more weeks, starting back to training should be done slowly. Depending on the fitness level u left him at, and the length of the layup, a 15 minute training or riding session the first week, 20 minute the second week, 30 minute the third week, and so on works to bring him safely back to shape. Three days on and one day off is also a good rule to start. Prevent overwork or muscle soreness by monitoring your progress to avoid causing him to be tired and grumpy which will cause him to rebel or resist.

Before U Buy A Horse

Before you buy, research the disciplines that you really want to try out. Take lots of lessons. Compete on lesson/lease horses.

THEN take along a trusted coach, trainer, farrier, Vet and find the horse with the temperment that suits you, with the temperment, talent & ability that suits the discipline that you want to pursue with that horse!

Hauling safety

Whether you´re hauling your horse across town or across the country, safety is paramount. Keep yourself, your horse, and other motorists safe by completing and checking off each item on this handy list every time you hit the road with your horse in tow.

1. Safety point: Tires.

What to do: Check pressure, and look for signs of wear in truck, trailer, and spare tires.

2. Safety point: Wheels.

What to do: Make sure lug nuts are tight on all wheels.

3. Safety point: Hitch.

What to do: Look for loose bolts, hairline cracks, and other signs of wear. Check for proper hookup. (In conventional trailers, the socket should be seated on the ball and locked in place.)

4. Safety point: Safety chains.

What to do: Make sure chains are crossed and hooked to vehicle frame (not bumper).

5. Safety point: Breakaway brake cable.

What to do: Check cable length. It should be shorter than your safety chains, but not so short that it´ll break free when you make a tight turn. Weave the cable through a link of one chain, so it won´t snag and pull free. Make sure coupler is fully plugged in.

6. Safety point: Truck.

What to do: Check fluid levels and fill fuel tanks.

7. Safety point: Gear.

What to do: In addition to hay, water, buckets, and other horse supplies, pack emergency equipment in your tow vehicle.

Don´t leave home without:

Extra halter and lead rope for each horse, for off-loading in an emergency.

Emergency flares and reflector triangles.

Flashlight (rechargeable, with an adapter that fits vehicle cigarette lighter).

Jumper cables and spare fuses.

Spare tires, jack, chock blocks, torque wrench, and WD-40 for changing tires.

Tool kit: crowbar, hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers.

Duct tape, for covering sharp edges in a damaged trailer and other uses.

Fire extinguisher. (Make sure it´s pressurized.)

Horse and human first-aid kits.

Cell phone and phone numbers on a laminated card.

Yew & Horses

Yew is a ground hemlock, and an ornamental. Readily eaten by horses. Sudden death will occur by cardiac arrest~!

Carriage Driving

An elegant and not yet extinct form of Driving. Not yet disappeared are the days of driving elegance and glamour. Horses elegantly presented in fashionable carriages. Carriage horse(s) or pony(s) can be single, pair, tandem or teams.

Fiddleneck & Horses

Fiddleneck is a weed that causes liver damage as will be seen by weight loss, lack of appetite, depression, colic, lack of coordination, edema. The chances of recovery are poor.

Combined Driving Events - Dressage Phase

During the driving of the Dressage division, judging is governed by basically the same rules as ridden Dressage Tests. The Driver is expected to follow a specified pattern in the arena, following specifically the directions of the test. Arena size is 40 metres by 80 metres for green, intermediate levels and for the advanced and open divisions, the arena measures 40 metres by 100 metres.

Oleander & Horses

Oleander is the highest toxicity in its wilted or dried leaf form. Cardiac affects will cause immediate death. Causes a profuse sweating and diarrhea.

How To Stay Deep In The Saddle

When starting out, and throughout your Horseback Riding Life, a person stays deep in the saddle by ALWAYS keeping toes pointed upwards AND heels dramatically down (or lower than ball of foot on the stirrup), keeping shoulders leaning backwards, and rotating pelvis inward & upward while pushing the fullness of your seat down into the saddle. Always work on the basics until they are second nature before moving on to the next learning experience, thereby making sure that you never regress more than one step back in the development of learning!

Hoary Alyssum & Horses

Hoary Alyssum is a frequent contaminate of hays. Causes edema of the limbs.

Equipment Safety

1) Tools such as Pitchforks, Manure Rakes, Brooms, Shovels should all have their proper place out of the aisleways-tack or grooming areas and stalls. A safe and secure place located securely on a wall that is not in the daily traffic flow or in any walkway that supports the traffic of horses or people!

Dealing With Fears/Anxieties

To Conquer Fears/Anxieties on a physical level, you MUST first conquer the fears/anxieties on your mental level. You will never overcome the body, until you have conquered the thoughts that seep into the mind.

Once you have the mental defended & controlled, then the body will begin to relax. With the body relaxed or even "controlled" the horse will follow the commands that the rider gives him quite quickly without inverting into his own "defence" or "coming on-guard" attack mode in his trying to understand why the rider is stiff and tense and therefore thinking that he needs to battle these unseen "demons" all by himself as he perceives his rider to have gone rigid from the mental attack!!! He will now sense that you are working together on tasks between you both, not on the unseen foes that try to disrupt your progress!

Types of Driving

Driving can be for fun, pleasure, racing or showing. In Showing, the classes are Cross Country, Pleasure, Show, Fine Harness or Park.

Driving - Use of The Whip

In the Fine Harness class, the whip is used to increase the impulsion from the horse`s rear quarters; hopefully with the ultimate goal of causing the horse to drop and drive in the rear quarters, propelling the front end of the horse up and increasing the motion-elevation-animation of the overall look. The Driver or "Whip" never hits the horse with the reins, but impulsion is always made by either a simple "cluck" or a light tap on the hip with the buggy whip.

Heavy Horses in Driving

Heavy Horses for years have brought tears to the eye, and "warm fuzzies" to the heart of many; the famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the Belgian Teams, The Norfolk, The Shires, all have the hearts of most, whether they be horse enthusiasts or not. The vehicles are usually wagons or farm equipment bearing great weight. The vehicles are heavy and substantial and solidly built and therefore so must be the horses that pull them.

Bad Judgement!

ALMOST ALWAYS accidents happen from someone´s bad judgement, and assessment of a situation.

Try to train yourself to recognize any hazzards, and then remove, change or secure them in order to have a totally safe environment in which to enjoy horses, spectators, and the fun that you are out to have with them.

Video´s On Beginning Driving Horses

A great video on Breaking & Training a Driving Horse is by Doris Ganton. This video is two hours, so get out the popcorn and the soda´s before you hit "play".

Wild Jasmine & Horses

Wild Jasmine causes excessive absorption of calcium, which leads to skeletal deformation, joint pain, hunching, weight loss. Recovery is possible if treated quickly.

Trailer Maintenance - Wheel Bearings

Check the Wheel Bearings on the Trailer every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Making sure that they are clean, repacked and sealed.

Maples & Horses

Maple leaves changes the blood chemisty of the horse causing liver & kidney damage, and eventually death.

Wagon Driving or Wagon Trains

"I came away with the feeling that our trek mirrored the trails of old in many more ways than a person might expect. Science and technology have progressed in great leaps and bounds but I wonder if human nature has seen the same changes.

We were able to keep our wagons on the ground the whole distance, staying as close to the original trail as possible and in this day and age that is quite an accomplishment. We may have made the last trip in a covered wagon that will ever be made on the original California Gold Rush Trail.

Donny Marincic - Trailboss

an exerpt taken from the diaries of a recent Trail Boss in the reinactment of the Wagon Trains moving in from the East to the West.

Combined Driving Events - Marathon Phase

The Marathon Phase is Cross Country Driving over diverse terrain, including the walk and trot. This Phase of the competition is a combination of hazards and consecutive gates in which the "team" must negotiate in a sequential order in a specified time frame. Very often water obstacles will be encountered in this Phase of the competition.

The Pleasure Driving Preferences

The Show Pleasure Driving Horse and class are sensible, calm, relaxed and dependable horses. The Show Horse must flat walk, trot and strong trot both ways of the ring. In the days of "Gone With The Wind", these were the working mans' horses. Flashy enough for Sunday best, but dependable enough for taking the children to school, or the wife into town to shop for necessary staples. These horses often being used in the fields for working the fields and crops throughout the week/year. The cart used in Pleasure Driving Classes are two wheeled, and can range from a single seat to a double or triple bench type seat.

Riding For Success

Riding For Success by Gayle Lampe is an excellent resource material. Gayle is the Head Coach at the famous William Woods University and uses this book to describe how to get the most out of all the gaits and the dynamics to be the best in the ring and out.

Trailering Tips on Vacation

Is there room to maneuver a trailer at the site (will you be required to back) and provide fine tuning in placing your trailer in a secure manner to unload/load your horses.

Trailering Tips on Vacation

First, are you taking a Camper attachment for yourselves as well? You will want to know how close you will be located to the enclosures for your horse(s).

Do You Have Stable Management Common Sense?

When riding, working or just being around horses, if you see a potential accident situation, then rest assured, sometime, somewhere, and to someone, it will happen.

Do you have the ability to keep it from happening? By moving an object, or securing a flapping door, or closing a feed bin?

Then you owe it to YOUR future in Horsemanship to do it NOW, even if it only be for someone else´s safety.

REMEMBER ALWAYS SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS!

Sample Diet For A Racehorse

In feeding horses, the higher the energy content, usually the higher the energy level of the horse increases.

For racehorses, usually corn mixes are fed. Corn is the highest energy resource in equine diets.

A sample daily ration for a Racehorse could be:
(given the horse is a moderate keeper, 16 hands tall, 1500 lbs., sent out only once per day, to work for 15/20 minutes).

2 - 24 quart buckets filled with water. Filled/Monitored (usually 2X daily).

Haynet kept FILLED with high quality local hay (usually 2X daily is necessary).

One 24 quart grain bucket kept filled with alfalfa cubes (usually 2X daily is necessary).

One 24 quart grain bucket (fed 2X Daily) of:
Two 5 lb. coffee cans of sweet feed,
One coffee can of soaked beet pulp,
1 cup Rice Bran,
1 half cup of ground flax seed.
Vitamins as per the needs of the horse as prescribed by the Veterinarian, and the particular needs as viewed by condition.

A flake of Alfalfa upon returning to the stall from working; A flake of Alfalfa at last feeding (and stall check for the night).

High performance horses that are moderate to hard keepers, need to have a balance between energy, and roughage, with feed available to them at all times of the day/night.

Sweet feed is flavorful, high in calories, and high in energy production;
beet pulp is flavorful, and slows down the digestion rate;
rice bran adds in slowing of the digestion, adds oil for digestion, and the coat enhancement;
ground flax seed adds in oil for digestion, and coat enhancement.
Specific vitamins as prescribed for that particular horse as viewed from condition at work, and by the Veterinarian knowing the horse, and the work regime will be necessary as well.

Too Heavy To Ride

Have you become to heavy to ride a horse? Have you thought of taking Driving Lessons? Driving can be more fun, you can take along the family dog, a friend, a child, and you get to travel together. Properly done, most horses, and ponies love learning to drive, and then weight is not a factor.

Barn Construction

When constructing a barn, keep in mind:
a)Ventilation
b)drainage
c)fresh water/fresh air
d)cross winds
e)manure removal/storage
f)exits & accessibility for trucks, emergencies, difficult horses
g)foundation ground
h)design efficiency
i)insulation
j)storage
k)feed
l)shavings
m)if self board, is there separate provision for self boarders hay, grain, tack.

Warm Up/Cool Down Your Horse

Just like their human Olympic counterparts, an equine athlete needs to limber up and cool down properly. Warm-ups/cool downs should be no more than 10-15 minutes long and will improve the efficiency of the muscles working. At the same time it reduces risk of injury to ligaments, tendons, and joints. WALKING on the road is perfect for a warm up/cool down, but remember to ONLY WALK!

Combined Driving Events - Presentation

The Presentation division of the Combined Driving Events, is judged at the halt for the introductory and intermediate levels, and then in the advanced and open divisions, judged while on the go. The Judge wants to see clean, in good repair, proper fit, appropriate dress for all participants, and safety features of all pieces of tack, harness and vehicle.

Step One In Beginning A Driving Horse

First Step is to have the horse going well, wearing a surcingle w/bridle & side reins on a lunge line. Listening to the commands as given, and responding immediately! Walk-halt-trot-hoe (as in slow down, come back to me, steady, easy).

IF your horse is not responding immediately then don´t start the second step.

Dressage

Dressage Training & Exercises by Leonie Marshall.

Trailer Maintenance - Hitches

Check the hitch of your trailer B/4 and after every useage. Making sure it is operational, cleaned of all rust & debris, and kept locked when not in use.

Equine Massage

Massaging major muscle groups, specifically back and hip muscles, will improve a the use of your horses´ musculature, and increase circulation. With GENTLE but, firm pressure, (preferably with a rubber grooma) or the use the heel of the hand, create circular massaging motions over the horses body. Usually begin at the poll, working down over the neck, shoulder, thru the back, sides, over the loin & croup, and down the rear quarters, first one side then the other, equally.

Wild Winter Pea & Horses

Wild Winter Pea can be found in California hays. Toxic only if seed pod is ingested. Horse will be in great pain, walking hunched over, rear limbs will exibit abnormalities such as seen in stringhalt. The changes can become permanent.

List of Plants Poisonous To Horses

Azalea; Black Locust, Black Nightshade, Black Walnut, Bracken Fern; Chokecherry; Fiddleneck, Foxglove; Hoary Alyssum; Kleingrass; Lantana, Locoweed; Maple, Milkweed; Oleander; Poison Hemlock; Ragwort, Rattleweed, Rayless Goldenrod; Sorghum, St. Johnswort; Whitesnakeroot, Wild Jasmine, Wild Winter Pea; Yellow Star Thistle, Yew.

Care of Aged Horses

1) Annual Dental Floation & Check up.
2) Observe Daily for weight, temperature, respiration & pulse. Make note of them on a daily basis in a diary. Older Horses can drop in weight so suddenly is the reason why.
3) Feed Separately from other horses.
4) Adjust feed to maintain/weight/condition.
5) Daily Exercise, even if only lungeing free or on a lunge line for 10-12 minutes on each lead.
6) Daily Grooming! They need that muscle/skin stimulation!
7) Regular Hoof Trimming.
8) Regular Vaccines & Worming!
9) Make note in your diary of lumps/tumors, and any changes in these in size, shape or appearance.
10) Give an apple a day! FOR LOVE~!

Trailering Tips on Vacation

Is there fresh water available, and will there be fresh water for you to top up your trailer tanks.

Lights

Lights before you turn any arena lights off, be sure to check the barn property, or the riding/lesson board, and to inquire if anyone else will be riding. Often times, arena lights take about 30 minutes to "come back on" when they have been already in use.

FINAL HEIGHT OF HORSES

The final height in hands of a grown horse is reached dependant upon the individual horse and it´s type,breed or the genetic family makeup. Horses PHYSICALLY appear to be grown before they reach full mental and emotional maturity. On average a horse is said to be full grown by age six. Muscle developement and fitness from proper training also play a part in how tall a horse can be since the forelegs and shoulders are attached to the body via a musculature suspension system and the height of a horse is measured from the top of the withers to the ground.

Grooming to Win

Grooming to Win : How to Groom, Trim, Braid, and Prepare Your Horse for Show written by Susan E. Harris commentary by Claudia Beaudet from Amherst, MA This is one of the best books that I´ve found that explains grooming your horse step by step - not only for the show ring, but for everyday maintenance. Ms. Harris details breed protocols for the show ring (good news for the novice showman!). Did you know that it is considered bad form to braid the hunter on the left side of the neck, and vice versa for western pleasure horses? From achieving that showring bloom to step by step braiding guides, this book is a must for any competitive horseman´s book collection!

Step II In Starting A Driving Horse

Step II is to be commenced only when Step I is absolute!

Now with no blinkers/blinders on the bridle! Once your Mock Cart is formed, attach PVC piping (cut 7´ long) {the kind that has the drainage holes in it} shafts to each side of your surcingle at the point that shafts on a cart would rest on the body of the horse. Use boot or shoe laces to tie to surcingle ring. Cut a piece of PVC pipe to connect the two PVC shafts. About 30" long. Tie to connect behind the horse.

Have a handler walk the horse with a lead rope at the Bridle. Loop through the near side bit ring to the far side & snap. Walk very slowly, expecting the horse to want to bolt, buck or rear when they realize that something is now attached to their sides and rear end! Have the handler keep the horse calm. STOP if the horse becomes upset. Don´t start walking again until the horse is calm. Have another person walking behind. At this point you don´t have to have any driving reins nor contact, just simply walking behind the shafts about where you would be if you were driving the horse. Walk for only a few minutes each day. The object is not to overwhelm the horse, but to climatize the horse to the entirely new arrangement.

Be Aware of Horse´s Activities/Actions

Remember to always be aware of your horse. No matter what you do, remember he/she is telling you something in everything they do.

Combined Driving Events - Obstacle Driving

The Obstacle Driving is usually driven in an arena (as would be the counter in riding, of Stadium Jumping). The obstacles are pairs of cones, set in a specific order and to be negotiated in that order within a specified time frame. Should the horse begin to canter in this Phase, it is usually not well taken, and although can not incur penalty points, it is a practise that is not encouraged. Drivers will be asked to perform circles, serpentines and changes of direction.

Horse - Leg Markings

Leg Markings
Leg markings are important in identification.

Heel: A horse has only one heel on each hoof. A white marking may be found across the entire heel or just on one side.
Coronet: The coronet occurs as the first inch above the hoof and extends all around the hoof including the heel.
Pastern: A pastern extends from the top of the hoof to the bottom of the ankle or fetlock joint. A pasterns marking which is irregular and extends to the ankle joint at only one point is called a partial pastern.
Half-Pastern: A white marking that extends to midway between the coronet and the ankle.
Ankle: An ankle marking extends from the top of the hoof to the top of the ankle joint.
Stocking: Any white marking extending from the hoof and covering the leg up to or above the knee or hock is considered a stocking , also known as a full stocking
Half-Stocking: This white mark extends from the top of the hoof to the midway point on the cannon bone, not the midway point from the ground to the knee or hock. Partial markings can occur in both the stocking and half-stocking categories.
Lightning Marks: Irregular white markings on the legs that do not contact the hoof.

Wear A ASTM Approved Hard Hat!

Always, Always wear an ASTM approved hard hat for Trail Riding. If your horse is startled, at least you will be sure to save your Brain!

Entering Arenas

Entering always, when entering an Indoor or an Outdoor arena, you should always announce yourself BEFORE opening any gates or door. Shout loudly "Coming In" and then wait 30 seconds before proceeding. This will allow anyone whom are so focused on the performance in which they are doing in the arena, to prepare them and their horse for your entry. This type of an entrance will always prevent accidents from happening.

Escape The Jump!

Coaches, Instructors, Trainers, must provide an alternative or escape route around any jumping obstacles, for their students in jumping lessons! Just in case, this will prevent a wreck if the horse is not going to go over!

Important Documents-PHOTOCOPY

8) Business and Insurance Licenses and policies kept in a locked but humanly accessible area in the case of emergency.

Trail Etiquette

Always, Always, Always, slow down for approaching horses or people or pets on the trails to a WALK. This is common universal Trail Etiquette!

Backpack Contents

Your Backpack on a Trail Ride Away From Home, should include the following (these items can be shared by all that are in the group, or left in the Trailer):
Gauze/Telfa Bandages
Leg Wrap & a Stable Bandage
Vetrap
Hoof Pick w/Brush
Ziplock of Poultice Paste (dry)
Absorbine Brace in a Spray Applicator (diluted/mixed)Easy Boot
Wire Cutters
Knife (that is sharp enuf to cut thru leather)
Scissors
Thermometer
Toilette Towels (Wet Ones)
Clean Towels
Eye Ointment
Bute or Banamine paste
Betadine Scrub
Cotton Sheeting
Surgical Gloves
Large Syringe
Qt. Container of Water
Neosporin
Antibiotic Cream or Biozide Cream/Gel
Cell Phone
Power Bars
Large Ziplock Bag of Alfalfa Cubes
Stop Watch or Watch
Extra Halters & Lead Shanks
Extra Stirrups & Reins
Happy Trails To YOU!

Carriage Driving Preferences

In the Carriage Driving interests, the horses are slightly heavier, and stronger due to the increased size of the vehicle and the increased number of passengers. Carriages can range from simple and light weight buggies carrying two to four persons, to heavy, ornate and fancy multiple passenger vehicles. The most popular horse for this division is the famous Friesian Horse, from the movie "The Princess Bride". The big black horse with his long feathers on the legs and his proud and elegant carriage strikingly catches an eye wherever they go. They are driven four in hand; or a single; or a Team (two)(side by side); or Tandem (one in front of the other); a "Unicorn" which is two side by side, with a single in front. This division includes the combined driving events, which are found to parallel the Dressage and Eventing interests from the under saddle divisions.

Spectators, Guests or Visitors

Spectators, guests, visitors should always make their presence known to the Ownership or the Management. Frequently, Barn/Farm insurance does not cover visitors that are not granted permission; or persons that do not own a horse on the premises, or persons that are not enrolled in a current lesson plan, in the insurance policy. Ask, and then comply.

Low Backed Horses

To Ride A Low Backed (Swaybacked) Horse or NOT?

Your horse will let you know if it hurts him or not: swishing tail while you ride, grinding his teeth, pinning ears, crow-hopping with his back-end. All of these he will do once you are in the Saddle if it is the riding that bothers him.

The biggest problem that you will have is finding a saddle to fit correctly. For the comfort of the horse, I would go the extra mile and hire someone who truly KNOWS how to fit a saddle to him.

Trailer Maintenance - Windows/Ventilation

Check the windows & ventilation of your trailer at least annually, preferably in the Spring B4 you start a season of hauling. Add WD-40 to ease in the open/close of all windows and vents.

Driving Wagons or Wagon Trains

In various parts of America, Heritage sites have continued the tradition of the Wagon Train as a means of keeping history alive. One such site is the California National Historical Trail Wagon Train. A brief except of their extensive site is included below, and the link to their site is: www.californiawagontrain.com

Endurance Riding Competitions

Endurance Competitions cover a specific distance (from 10 miles to 100 miles) in a specified time period. The winner is the horse who is there the fastest, but also the fittest. As temperature, pulse, respiration & hydration are all checked at regular intervals.

Designated Parking Areas

Vehicles should always be parked in the designated areas. Guests waiting in the vehicles should be quiet and still. The best bet for them is to bring along a book or a lap game in which to occupy their time during the wait. Often times a spooked horse will not even see a vehicle that is not in a usual place, and the horse will crash right into the vehicle while spooking from something else. Keep vehicles in one area that the horses are accustomed to seeing vehicles located in.

Sizing of a Helmet

To properly size a helmet, measure around the circumference of the head, about 1 inch above the eyebrow.

If you have long hair that you wear up under the helmet, be sure to do so before you measure.

That will give you your helmet size.

Azalea & Horses

Ornamental plant that causes various cardiac effects.

Tick Powders

Prevent tick problems in the forelock, mane and tail. If you horse is having problems with ticks in these areas, simply dust with rotenone powder. This will provide nearly total protection.

BE SURE that if you are exposed to ticks in your area, that you have your horse checked/treated for Lymes Disease which is spread by ticks.

Rider Position Alignments

Between Rider & Horse´s head:
Straight line formed from elbow, to wrist thru hand down rein to the bit in the horse´s mouth! The change & flexibility must be thru the wrist & elbow in maintaining an even & steady contact...providing a relaxed, yet constant contact & give w/take on & with the horse´s mouth.

Horse Identification

Can you fully describe your horse if he were to go missing?

Take Photo´s...front, rear, each side. Summer & Winter if he changes in coloration. Take photo´s of the chestnuts, as they are like fingerprints to each horse. Photo lip or tattos, brands, markings. Keep hair folicle samples for DNA.

Keep a journal with his pedigree, health reports, concerns, temperature fluctuations if any.

VITAL INFO

vital information on poisonous plants, pasture, drought, and manure management, and other topics geographically related to your specific area can be found through your county or state EXTENSION AND AGRICULTURAL SERVICE

Pets at the Barn

Pets, often times the horses of others do not like small domestic pets. Leave yours at home, even when you have someone coming to pick you up or drop you off. If you must bring along the pet, suggest to them to wait for you at the end of the driveway, rather than take the chance of causing someone else´s horse to spook. You may find yourself liable for the Insurance Claims if the other rider was to have an accident!

Outgrown Pony

Do you have a family pony that is outgrown by all. Have you thought of having the Pony retrained to drive? Then he remains an active, contributing member to the family, and more members can enjoy his new activity.

Milkweed & Horses

Milkweed will cause sudden death by cardiac arrest.

Timid Riders

Timid or Indecisive Riders will confuse or upset a timid horse.

Rider´s Eyes

Your EYES direct your shoulders (which guide the horse´s head & neck), which direct your hips (which guide the horse´s body) in the direction in which you want your horse to go.

All of this only prepares your horse, and develops his reliance on you for direction.

Eventually this helps build an inseparable team between you, when the horse knows that he can depend on you for advance preparation of his direction!

Tender Feet - Rough Surfaces!

Should you have areas of rough surfaces that you must cross and you have a horse with tender feet, it may be worth your while to buy a pair of Easy Boots!

Car tire rubber melted into the shape of a horse´s hoof.

Can be easily taken off & on.

Also can be used for soaking, poulticing, and protection if your horse looses a shoe.

Pleasure Division - Combination Class

In this division, often the Combination Class is offered as an alternative to the Drivers. The Combination Class is when the horse enters the ring in Harness, is Driven as would be in a normal class. Then the Horse/Rider is to change tack and clothing and then return to the rail to be judged under saddle.

Arena Etiquette

Riders always * always * always pass left shoulder to left shoulder when approaching one another.

Slower horses or fussy horses, always are kept on a track just inside of the main flow of traffic from the outside arena track. Say, 12´ inside of the arena track.

Always look behind and beside you BEFORE you give your horse the commands to stop or to back or to turn into the center of the arena.

Approaching A Horse - Loose or Tied!

Always talk to the horse in a soft, and gentle tone first before moving. Approach from off of the shoulder, NEVER, EVER from directly infront of!

Announce to the horse your intentions to either pat him or to halter him, or just to groom him in this manner.

Barn Hoses

3) Hoses kept in convenient locations, and kept coiled on hose spools to prevent a leg or foot or person from tripping and getting caught up in them.

Gates

4) Gates both inside and outside kept securely locked; and high/railed enough to prevent the temptation of jumping over or sneaking under. Safety gates to the driveway and the roadway are the ultimate protection.

Harnessing Up, A Recommended Book

Harnessing Up, Allen Photographic Guide by Anne Norris & Caroline Douglas. This pictoral book shows the most efficient method of putting on a single harness and adjusting it correctly. Clear Pictures with easy to understand text, take you through the stages of the complete procedure.

B4 U Buy A Horse

Before you buy, research the disciplines that you really want to try out. Take lots of lessons. Compete on lesson/lease horses.

THEN take along a trusted coach, trainer, farrier, Vet and find the horse with the temperment that suits you, with the temperment, talent & ability that suits the discipline that you want to pursue with that horse!