Lauren Cordes

Horses are a beauty to behold. The graceful arch of their strong, lean backs. The swish of their silky, shiny tails. They are one of God’s most marvelous creations. That’s why horse breeders can’t help but show off their pets’ exquisiteness.

For many horse breeders, a breeding show is not just a simple affair. It requires massive preparations to get their horse in tip-top condition. The food they eat, maintenance of their coats, and general physical well-being are all taken into account in preparation. The breeders themselves undergo some preparation in order to reflect the confidence and grace of their horse. Much time is devoted into creating a deep bond with their pet to display a fluid sense of unity during the show. Along with showcasing the strength of their steed, breeders highlight their ability as top handlers. With their abilities, they are able to properly display their horse’s intelligence, energy, and beauty.

Before the show, handlers and their horses train together to be in constant sync. When the handler walks, their horse does too. When they speed up, their horse does too. The handler showcases their horse’s ability to learn by displaying its teachableness. The handler draws out their horse’s energy throughout the routine, at the same time displaying its discipline. The right amount of energy is exhibited in every trick. From walking to trotting, their steed must reflect a youthful vitality of a strong, energetic horse. Throughout the show, the handler must maintain their horse’s vivacity while keeping then in line. During training, an assistant sometimes follows behind with enough distance not to disturb the horse. With a line or a whip, the assistant helps direct the horse when necessary.

Aside from training and bonding, breeders take care to trim and groom their horse. They want to show off their horse’s sleek and glossy coats. In case of breed classes, guidelines are laid down by breed associations for breeders to follow. Certain breeds are showcased in their most natural state with flowing long locks and tail, while some breeds are shown with the right trimming and clipping. Either way, the horse’s appearance should stay in line with the breed show’s guidelines.

During the show, handlers dictate the routine, as well as the energy of their horse. However, breed shows are about the competition or showing off. It’s mostly about the handlers and their horses feeling and enjoying the excitement and fun of the event.

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How to prepare your horse for a dressage.

Dressage is just a fancy French word for “training.” A dressage show is a type of competitive horse training that emphasizes the horse's ability and willingness to perform a series of movements that become increasingly difficult through the levels.

If you have developed an interest in dressage and have been working on building your horse's strength, impulsion, and suppleness, you may wonder how to prepare your horse for a dressage show. Preparation somehow alleviates the stress involved in the dressage show process.

Here are some of the tips to help you prepare your horse for a dressage show:

1.   Purchase a current booklet that covers the dressage tests for the level you are riding at. Booklets may be purchased through dressage equipment supply catalogs or online at various dressage associations. This is probably the most important to remember. This will serve as the basis on how you are going to train your horse.

2.   Practice the movements of the dressage test with your horse. This helps your horse to get used to the lessons. Remember, practice makes perfect.

3.   Two months before your first show, start working on his level of fitness and help him get back into shape so he can perform at his best. Get him used to listening to your aids. Work on some basic schooling exercises.

4.   Ensure that the health of your horse is up-to-date. This includes vaccinating your horse against common ailments and getting a health paper if you will cross state lines. Do this at least four weeks before riding your first dressage test. Also, check your horse's feet and have them trimmed or re-shod as needed. And take note: do not try to trim or shoe on the week of the show.

5.   Examine your grooming utensils and products to be sure you have enough of everything. In dressage, the horse's tail is left free and flowing. However, the mane and forelock will need to be braided, and you will need rubber bands the same color as the mane. You will also need combs, gel, or yarn.

6.   Arrive at the show several hours before your ride time to properly groom your horse and to prepare yourself.

7.   Schedule at least 30 minutes in the warm-up arena to prepare your horse and for it to relax before your scheduled ride time.

8.   Once you enter that area, get your game face on. Don’t go into the arena a nervous wreck because you and your horse will not have a good experience. Relax and try your best. Showing isn’t a life-or-death situation; it should be enjoyable for you and your horse, as well as a fun learning experience.

Set a goal to show and have fun. This is the best way to prepare you and your horse to do your best. Good luck!

 References:

http://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-Your-First-Dressage-Test

http://www.ridemagazine.com/horse/article/western-dressage-are-you-ready-show

https://itsshowtimenj.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/horse-show-preparation/

If you are a lucky lass or lad who has been gifted with the wonderful creature that is the horse, you must know everything about it. Horses are majestic creatures, and owning one can be thrilling, but like any responsible pet owner (for horses are indeed pets), it is essential to know how to groom, feed, train, bond, and keep your horse in good health.

Like with all pets, a horse’s living environment is important. Horses cannot live inside a house or sleep in your room; that’s just silly. These freedom-loving creatures usually live outdoors with access to shelter from the elements. Most horse owners keep them in a barn or stable and let them out in a pen or pasture to exercise. For horse owners who don’t own their own land, fields and barns may be rented from private land owners, or the horse may be put in a boarding farm.

A horse is a social creature and will become bored if it does not have the regular company of humans or other horses, so make sure that your horse is put in a nice environment where its physical and social needs can be satisfied. Stables must also have clean water for drinking at all times.

Like regular mammals, horses need to be fed every day. So be prepared to feed it hay, concentrates and grains like oats, barley, and corn, and treats like carrots and apples to keep your equine friend in good health and spirits. Since horses have small stomachs relative to their size, they eat little but often, so you need to spread out their food in two to three feedings a day, and they should never go more than eight hours without a meal. A typical horse that gets ridden for one hour for five days a week should have a diet of two to five pounds of concentrates and fifteen to twenty pounds of hay per day to keep it healthy.

Grooming is another serious aspect of horse ownership. Hiring a groom may be convenient, but it can be expensive, and a good horse owner must know how to take care of their horse. Stables usually have grooming areas, so it should be easy to manage with enough experience or the right supervision. There are dedicated websites to grooming horses, and a good amount of research, as well as having a good relationship with a veterinarian, will go a long way in helping manage your horse.  

This is just a quick overview. If you would like to learn more, you can go to http://www.horses-and-horse-information. com/.

Kids, watch this video to learn some facts about horses

Horses and human beings have been in tandem for a pretty long time now. While humans haven’t always been completely honest, horses have remained pretty transparent about their feelings.

Domesticated horses possess the ability to assess a human’s emotional well-being, as they have been side by side with us for thousands of years. What’s interesting is that horses do not attempt to establish relationships with any other predators. A pilot study conducted by Alliant International University Professor Ellen Gehrke and the Institute of HeartMath noted that the heart rhythms of horses reflect their emotional state and are able to respond to the emotional state of a nearby human.  The study suggests that horses can mirror the feelings of human beings.

Children, in general, love horses. Maybe it’s the freedom one feels while sitting atop the beautiful creature. Maybe it’s the idea of establishing a friendship with them.  For whatever reason, kids are just drawn to horses.

Being friendly with a horse has many benefits for children. Horseback riding can be good exercise for kids who want to go out and be active. Not only that; it provides an opportunity to get some fresh air and soak in nature. It can also improve balance and coordination. On top of that, it also helps children develop confidence and gives a sense of freedom as they hone their skills. Aside from being a physical activity, horseback riding is also a great social sport; it allows children to interact with one another while taking riding lessons together at stables. Maintaining and taking care of a horse is a learning opportunity for children to be responsible. Knowing how to properly care for animals prepares kids to care for their fellow humans.

Horses and children can form solid friendships. Although it may take time, effort, and dedication, the results will surely benefit both. After all, who wouldn’t like such a trusting relationship?

 Sources:

 http://www.fivestarranch.com/articles/kid-horse.html

Weighing the Pros and the Cons

Many animal lovers, at a certain point in their lives, have thought about owning a horse but are often daunted by the impracticality and expensiveness of the equestrian endeavor. Although the costs may not have a guaranteed monetary return, there are other benefits that can compensate for the cons. When properly done, the hobby of horse care is a rewarding recreation.

Physical boon

The responsibilities of raising a horse requires more physical exertion than ordinary pet care. Feeding, grooming, saddling, and riding can be considered a workout regimen. These daily tasks will ensure the equestrian’s physique to be well-maintained—without the need to dedicate time in the gym. Not to mention the bonus of getting fresh air and good sunlight.

Social benefits

Like any hobby, horse care has clubs and communities that cater to newbies and veterans alike. Joining them is a great way of befriending new people, especially when they share the same passion for the equine. And since having a horse is uncommon, the hobby will attract people and widen the owner’s network.

Growth in character

Training a horse builds character. When a stubborn animal finally obeys a command, the pride of the accomplishment adds to the trainer’s self-esteem. And if it remains headstrong, administering the proper discipline will improve the trainer’s sense of responsibility. These examples of empowerment can only be found in working with large animals.

Stress reduction

Owning a pet, exercising, and engaging in sports are three activities that significantly reduces stress. Having a horse enables all three: the companionship with the horse, the physical exertion in caring for it, and the fun in horseback riding. When the rider becomes one with their mount, their mind clears itself of all distraction as the steed gallops and gains speed. Furthermore, grooming the animal induces a meditative state for the caretaker.

Mood improvement

If an animal’s bond with its master is strong, it can easily detect and sympathize with the latter. A horse is no exception. There is a reason movie characters go horseback riding when the plot frustrates them. Any negative thought gets trampled under the horse’s hooves as the equestrian focuses on riding, and they find serenity when placing full trust in their steadfast steed.