All horses come with a pedigree, whether they are good or bad but when we sell that animal, who is on that pedigree helps determine the price that we can ask for the horse.

Throughout this article, you will not find a price that you should ask for your horse. But we will discuss the importance of a pedigree when you are selling a horse, raising a foal or buying a stallion or mares.

To begin, we should examine those breeding programs that are in demand by the public, which stallion is producing the most winners out of a diverse population of mares and which mare is producing the largest number of winners. Once we have that information, we should examine the pedigree involved in producing those animals. They may be the product of line-breeding certain horses or they may be from an outcross that produces a superior animal. Something that you should keep in the back of your mind is that not all horses are created equal even if they are the same breeding or full brothers and sisters. Genetics are a fickle creature. In my personal experience, I have seen great horses and full brothers who were complete opposites. One being a superior animal and the rest were just mediocre in conformation and type. Because they were full brothers, they were able to produce foals that brought more than the average and as such were successful for their owners. However, they never attained the success of their sibling.
In order for us to be successful in the horse industry, I think that you have to research what the breeders and trainers have done with the bloodlines that you may or may not want to use. This will help us in our quest to train or breed the next world champion or super horse. If someone has made it work for them and has been successful, maybe we can be too. It will only happen though if we apply the same dedication to our business as the person who developed the type of horse that you are going to produce or train.

And there lies the problem. Many of us do not apply the same dedication and work ethic to our horse program that the original developer did. Every horse program that has succeeded in the past has been through the efforts and dedication of the major entities involved (horses and their owners). Even if you have the best in the barn, you will not succeed if you are not prepared to promote and sell your product at every opportunity.

A successful program involves being innovative in our methods. We should follow our research but we should be willing to change if it does not produce the results that we want. Over the years I have seen working horses evolve into halter horses and vice-a-versa, trainers have gone from look-pretty horses to ride and slide horses and are still very competitive. In a changing world we must change with it if we are going to survive in the horse industry. Our goals should be clear from the beginning but our methods of reaching those goals should be under constant change in order to achieve them.

Another thing to remember is that the program that you are emulating was the product of many years of trial and error. You will experience the same. You should not be disappointed but view it as a challenge to be met. The great horsemen who are the legends of our industry had an ideal in their minds at all times and labored to create that type consistently. If you have looked at many horses, in your mind you can tell which program the horse came from. The breeders created those horses to have certain traits that set them apart from others of the same breed. You can tell an Impressive bloodline from Doc Bar line, Barlink Macho Man from Scribbles, and etc. etc. simply by the type of horse that you are looking at.

Which brings us down to how much a pedigree is worth to you as a horse buyer or seller. If our interests are working horses as opposed to halter horses, or vice-a-versa we would look for an animal whose parents came from bloodlines that had that breeding. We would consider horses whose relatives, preferably close up in pedigree, had been outstanding individuals in the discipline that we want to play in.

If you are a breeder or wanting to produce a foal, you would want the same things. Your mares would be uniform in type, conformation and pedigree and your stallion should have qualities,(type, conformation, pedigree), that would improve the shortcomings of your mares. And the foals should as uniform as their parents.

Will it happen all the time? NO. But it will happen more often than not. The end result is that you, more often than not, will produce a product that will bring a better price than the horse that may be the equal of yours but does not have the pedigree that people are looking for. Translation; if you have horses that sell for more money than the average most of the time, you will survive the ups and downs of the market. They may bring less money, but certainly more than the person who has been haphazard about their program and its direction. Over time, one can be quite successful with their horse program.

By Ralph Bain

M. R. Bain has been a horseman all his life and a professional trainer since 1955. He is an owner and breeder and has been employed as a breeding and stable manager. His intent on writing these articles is to educate horse people on how to operate a successful horse business. You may contact him at MRBain@businessofhorses.com with your questions and comments.

Also, look for his upcoming book, The Business of Horses–Creating A Successful Horse Business

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Food is one of the simplest and greatest pleasures of our horses, so make sure that your horse always has all the food requirements that he/she needs.

There are three types of food that your horse may eat. Pasture is the favorite meal of all horses, supplying needed nutrients, roughage and protein. Pastures and forage crops provide a major part of the nutritional needs of horses almost year-round. Horses are constant grazers, I mean 24/7. There are many types of pasture grass so do your homework, different parts of the country have different types of grasses that grow better in different areas and will provide the proper nutrients for your horse.

Hay is another type of food for horses, when fresh pasture is not available, hay is the best choice. There are many types of hay, such as alfalfa, coastal, T&A, Tifton, and the list goes on. Make sure you provide the best hay for your horses needs. Some hay such as alfalfa has tons of protein and for some horses you will want to give this type of hay sparingly as too much protein is not good for your horse, so do your research.

Secondly, always store hay in a dry but well-ventilated area. Feeding your horse with moldy hay can lead to various medical complications. Feeding your horse with hay alone will never make a sufficient diet so consider including another component in your horse’s diet such as horse pellets or sweet feet to ensure that all your horses nutritional needs are met. Do not forget to consider what your horse does, for example: racing, pleasure, show, competitive, jumper, etc. Horses that expend allot of energy need higher percentage of protein feed and a higher quality hay. Ask you vet for help in determining your horses diet needs.

WATER AS THE SOURCE OF LIFE

Horses are always thirsty, and can consume up to 10- 15 gallons of water daily. As such, it is extremely important that you have a ready supply of fresh water for your horse. During the winter months make sure that you place the water in heated buckets to prevent it from freezing.

SALT, MINERALS, AND HORSE TREATS

Salt and minerals are also important factors in your horse’s diet. Consult your veterinarian as to what your horse should take to consume the necessary vitamins and minerals. Salt blocks and horse treats can be purchased from your local feed store.

EXERCISING YOUR HORSE

The amount of exercise your horse needs depends primarily on its role in life. If you are using it for competitive riding, team penning or pleasure, whatever you choose will determine what type of exercise it needs and how many times it should exercise each and every week. As for all other types of horses, daily exercise is encouraged to allow horses’ muscles and bones to strengthen and not become affected by arthritis, etc. when they become older.

CARING FOR YOUR HORSES’ HOOVES

Horses need their hooves trimmed at least every 6-8 weeks. Pick your horses feet every day, and after each ride or workout. Depending on the work (pleasure, barrels etc.) you choose for your horse, will determine whether on not you need to have your horse shoed. Talk to some of your friends or your Vet, someone who can recommend a good farrier. Remember that just as it is with our feet, the hooves of horses are also the most abused and neglected part of their body so it’s important for us to give them the best care we can afford. The old saying “No hoof, No horse really does apply!

CARING FOR YOUR HORSES’ TEETH

Unlike human teeth, there is no end to periodontal growth for horses. As such, uneven usage of their teeth can lead to the development of sharply pointed teeth and which may cause chewing problems. Your Vet may have to (float) the teeth which means that he will have to file them down a little to help your horse’s eating enjoyment. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you have your veterinarian check your horses’ teeth annually.

GROOMING FOR YOUR HORSE

Allow your horses to enjoy baths regularly. Most horse enjoy their baths immensely but others need a little more coaxing in that area. Afterwards, use a sweat scoop to take off excess water and remember to brush their coat slowly, carefully, and thoroughly. Make sure that you use grooming products that are specifically designed for horses, they are reasonably priced and loads to choose from.

Above all, the best way to make your horse’s life absolutely wonderful is by showering them with your love and affection!

By Michele Anderson

Clipidy Clop to the Postershop for all your poster needs. Horse posters and western movie hero posters @ Posterhorse.com

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Tip1 – Don’t go about riding like you’re stomping snakes. You want to approach your horse with a gentle tone and manner so that they feel comfortable around you. I don’t like people yelling at me for no reason and neither does a horse.

Tip 2 – If you are a new to horseback riding, remember that no matter how much money you spend on those fancy clothes or boots, they’re going to get dirty. And the good news is that getting them dirty can be really fun. Also, money doesn’t make a good rider. I’ve seen some of the best riders in the world wear pants and boots with holes in them and a shirt thin enough it’s only there to keep the flies at bay and I’d give my eye tooth to ride half as good as they do.

Tip 3 – When you get on a horse you should always use the left side of the horse. Many horses are only trained to have a rider get on from the left side and might freak out if you get on the right side (I’ve actually seen that happen to people). This is just one of those things that is the way it is because it has always been that way in all horseback riding ranches.

Tip 4 – If you don’t want to get out of the saddle with a sore back remember your horseback riding posture. It’s never been good to sit all slouched over at any other time in your life and sitting on a horse is another time when it’s just not appropriate. You’re back will end up sore and it can mess up the rest of your body posture such as the way your hips are in the seat and the way that your feet are in the stirrups.

Tip 5 – Never, ever put your foot too far into the stirrup. I put some emphasis on this horseback riding tip because if you fall off of your horse with your foot shoved all the way in the stirrup nice and tight, odds are if you fall off you will be dragged behind the horse. I’m sure that you all remember the old westerns with the man being dragged by the running horse. When you put your foot in the stirrup, my rule of thumb is that you want the ball of your foot just about centered on the bottom of the stirrup. That way your toes (of course inside your boot) should just barely be out of the stirrup and the majority of your foot is out and should be pointing down. You don’t want your heel set above your toes as that might lead to the foot slipping into the stirrup further. But if your heel is slightly lower than your stirrup your foot should stay right in place where it belongs.

I hope that you were able to benefit from these horseback riding tips. They are ones that were always pointed out to me by my trainer when I was young and I have found them to still hold true today.

Did you know that 90% of falls and horse related injuries result from an inexperienced rider? Don’t let this happen to you. Take a few minutes to learn the essential horseback riding and horsetraining methods practiced by experts for generations which are guaranteed to improve your horse riding skills.

By Clinton Lyons

Clinton Lyons has been raising foals and horses for over 35 years. He is a professional horse trainer and expert horseback riding instructor. Visit his website to learn more about horse training and horseback riding here: http://www.horsetrainingranch.com

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

It is essential that you are providing your horse with all of the nutrition it needs to promote both good growth and healthy development. For almost all owners, a horse is something that you will invest a great deal of time and energy in, and in return it is going to be very loving and loyal to you. It is not enough to simply give your horse adequate nutrition – instead you must provide it with excellent nutrition.

Your particular make and breed of horse will have a strong bearing on its dietary requirements and what you will need to provide it with in terms of good nutrition. A shire-horse will obviously need a different diet to a miniature horse. Good horse fodder is essential and unless you are familiar with your animal’s feeding requirements already, you will need to do your research.

Another important factor to bear in mind is not only what the breed type, but also what their lives and routine involve. Are they working horses, pets, or even racing horses. Do you show them, or are they simply work horses fir use around the farm? All of these are important questions to ask, as the answers to will help you figure out the appropriate and best diet to give your horse.

Once you are clear on all of the above aspects of your horse, you can then go about choosing the right type of horse feed. Buying horse feed is not as simple or straight forward as buying for a dog or a cat. Make sure you find a good and reliable horse-feed supplier that can make the right decisions about the best feed for your horse and can provide you with good advice on quantities per feed.

The different seasons in the year can have an effect on your horse’s body and as a result the food requirements. It may be necessary that you change the feed or vary what you are giving them as far as amounts go, at different times of the year. This is also a question that you should discuss with your vet. Get plenty of advice and ensure you are doing what is right for your horse’s health at all times.

Finally, like any well loved animal you are likely to want to treat your horse to the odd snack now and again as a reward – particularly during training times. It is also important that you give them the right type of snack Talk to your vet about what type of snack is appropriate for your horse and keep a good supply of the snacks that you know your horse loves on hand.

By Garnett Johnston

Garnett Johnston runs several free information service websites on the internet, including one for horse owners everywhere. If you are interested in more horse training information then please pop over to our site at http://www.masterhorses.info

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Bad habits are difficult to break. They can cause great distress for:

• The horse owner
• the boarding stable owner
• and the horse

Below are some ideas horse toys that might help keep your equine buddy occupied.

The “Jolly Ball” Can be pushed, pulled – even stepped on – and if not bitten or punctured, will re-inflate on its own.

I had a ball for my horse to kick around. She broke it immediately. I can’t remember what kind it was but it was not cheap and it still broke.

If you are going to get a ball make sure it has a warranty!

Horse Treats

This cylinder shaped horse toy has treats inside. When the horse pushes it with his nose, the treats fall out. This type of toy is supposed to encourage horses to graze in their natural, head-down position, while treats are dispensed by gravity. As long as there are treats it will provide hours of stimulation. Shown is one that is mounted on the wall.

Giant Scented Apple

This is a popular and relatively inexpensive horse toy. 10 inch high red plastic apple in the stall to amuse him. Hang it up from the ceiling and he will butt it with his head. It is a good deterrent for horses that have taken up the terrible habit of weaving side to side.

“Jolly Stall Snack with Apple Treat”

A new tasty way for your horse to be entertained, while helping to alleviate stall boredom. Hang it from the ceiling of the box stall.

The treat that goes inside is also sold separately. The horse can finish up the treat sometimes very quickly by knocking it out of the holder and gobbling it up. It is a great boredom alleviator if he licks it as he is supposed to do.

Make your own Amusement Ball

Horse toys don’t have to be expensive or complicated to make.

Here is what it takes to Make your own amusement ball.

Supplies needed

Directions

Clean out the empty container. Pierce small holes (about 10) around the sides of the jug, tie a strong rope to the handle and hang it from the ceiling low enough for the horse to be able to butt it with his nose.

Open the cap fill it a small quantity of grain or treats such as apple crunch and let him figure it out. If it breaks just make a new one.

The Scratch-Scratch-Post

A Scratch’n Pole provides a safe and comfortable place for your horse to scratch.
Natural sisal rope is wound around a heavy duty plastic pipe and supplies the feel good scratch for your horse, and can easily be replaced when worn out.

To make one:

Take a piece of strong rubber or plastic piping wrap it around with twine and fasten it to a wall of the box stall.

How about getting your horse a pet.

Perhaps a rabbit. My friend Anna Maria had a rabbit for her horse. The rabbit hopped around in the stall and the horse never stepped on it. The Rabbit was good company. A goat is also a good pet for a horse. But they tend to eat everything in sight. A rabbit is less upkeep.

By Ronnie Kellner

For more information on other horse games please visit my website http://www.livingwithhorses.com. Living with horses was created after moving to our ranch in St. Lazare, Quebec. As city “slickers” my husband and I sold our duplex in downtown Montreal, packed up our graphic design office and moved everything out to the country. We did it on a whim and we never looked back! Isn’t it time you started living your dream? I think life is about having experiences and having fun in the mean time.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

1. Learn Responsibility – Horses will teach your child responsibility very quickly. Make sure that your child does all the work involved in caring for the horse. Everything from feeding, cleaning stalls, grooming, saddling and riding. Children will want to ride but they may not always be eager to do the work. However children almost always fall in love with the horses that they handle and they will want to take as good care of them. Once they know that the horse depends on them and that in order to ride they have to take good care of the horses, they will learn to be more responsible in other aspects of there life.

2. Learn Trust – Horses must be able to trust their handlers. One of the first things that your child will learn about handling and riding horses is to be trustworthy and dependable, because if the horse doesn’t trust its handler it will not obey him/her. This can be a very valuable life long lesson for your child.

3. Learn to be Open Minded – Every horse is different and will have to be handled differently. A good horseman never stops learning, even experts and trainers will admit that they learn something new everyday from their horses. Horses will make your child realize that learning is an on going process that never ends. This can transcend into other aspects, such as school and relationships.

4. Build Confidence – Horses are large and intimidating, so naturally it takes a lot of confidence to be able to control one. Letting a your child handle a gentle horse will do wonders for their confidence. Most people are naturally a little bit timid, especially a child of horses because they are so big. By handling a gentle horse children will overcome their fear and learn that they can safely handle and control the same animal that they were once had great fear of. The better your child learns how to handle the horse, the more confident he/she will become. When children do well with the horses that they handle, their confidence goes up and their self esteem improves. They now realize that this huge creature they were once afraid of is a beautiful and loving animal.

5. Learn Patience – Horses are like children themselves, and training a horse is much like teaching a child. When your child has become a confident and skilled rider, letting them help train a horse will be an excellent experience for them. Horses require a lot of patience because training a young horse involves a lot of repetition and time. This is a lesson that will follow them in all aspects of life.

6. Self Discipline – Horses take a lot of time and work, so your child will have to be dedicated to learning how to ride and handle horses effectively. I have found that dedication is rarely something that children lacks when it comes to horses. People, especially young people, have a natural attraction to horses and enjoy spending time with them. However, because horses are a lot of work your child will soon learn self discipline. For example, instead of sleeping in in the morning, they will be up and out feeding and cleaning. Horses must be fed twice daily and have access to fresh water at all times. Their stalls must be cleaned regularly and they must receive regular exercise. This will take a lot of time, but most people find that it is worth it for the time they get to spend riding, or just being with horses.

7. Teaches Sensitivity – Horses can be very sensitive creatures. They have keen senses, and can sense if someone is afraid, angry, happy, etc. They communicate with body language and are very sensitive to their handler’s body position. Because horses are so sensitive, the handler must be also. The handler must be able to tell how the horse is feeling and why it is behaving the way it is. The handler must learn to interpret the horses body language and to communicate effectively with the horse using its own language. When a horse misbehaves, the handler must decide whether or not the horse is doing so out of fear, stubbornness, anger, pain etc. and must respond appropriately.

8. How to Learn From Our Mistakes – When your child first starts learning to ride and handle horses they will make a lot of mistakes and will learn quickly not to make the same mistake twice. That is what horsemanship is all about. When a rider makes a mistake he/she cannot deny it. They must acknowledge the mistake and correct it. The rider must move on after correcting the mistake and not dwell on it. Handling and riding horses will teach your child to use their past mistakes to improve their future horsemanship skills and this will tanscend into other aspects of your childs life.

9. Learn Respect – Children will learn to respect their horses and themselves. Horses are large, dangerous creatures and they demand respect, yet in order to be handled safely they must also respect their handlers. By learning how to handle a horse, children will become more respectful of there horse and its nature. By being trustworthy, confident and responsible your child will earn the respect of there horse.

10. To Have Fun – Last but certainly no least, your child should have fun and enjoy being apart of the horse life style. You don’t want to put too much demand on your child, you need to let them have fun with there horse as well as know when its time to be serious.

I hope the information provided here will help you realize how important it is for you to find a creative yet fulfilling way for you to teach your child all aspects of owning and caring for a horse.

About the Author:
Sean Russell – Owner and Operator of MyEquineSource.com Horse Classifieds

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Owning a horse is a huge responsibility. Just like owning any pet, you should put a great deal of thought and consideration before you decide to purchase an equine. Since most individuals will have to house horses off their property, you should first consider finding a suitable stable before you purchase a horse. Also, consider your wants and needs.

If you or your stable has limited space, you might not want to consider a sizable draft horse like a Clydesdale. However, if you are in need of a large horse to do a great deal of work pulling wagons, you should consider breeds other than Shetlands. There are a great number of breeds, each with a different pro and con. After carefully reviewing each breed, you are sure to find the exact type of horse to fit your needs and your lifestyle.

Ask yourself what you are looking for in a horse. Do you want a horse that you can show? Do you want a horse for work purposes? Do you want a horse to jump or ride competitively? Do you want a horse to race? Do you want a horse to ride on trails or one that is compatible with children? After you determine why you want a horse (and the answer should be better than “just because”), you can set out determining what breed is best for you. Keep in mind, even though the breed might fit everything you want, each horse will have a different personality. Before you run out and buy the first horse in your desired breed, take a careful look at the specific horse in question.

If you are interesting in showing a horse for its beauty and grace, an Arabian horse is probably your best bet. These beautiful creatures are well-liked on the show circuit and enjoy being fussed and fawned over. For those daring riders who want a horse for jump training, the strong-legged Thoroughbred may be the perfect fit. These gentle giants are rugged enough to withstand the abuse of jumping, but are agile enough to soar over the highest gates. If you would rather have a rough-and-tumble horse perfect for uneven trail rides, the American Quarter Horse should be your top pick. These famous horses are often used in competitive Western riding events, including the heart-pumping barrel racing.

American Quarter Horses are perfect for the intense training required for competitive racing, but also have the sure-footed step necessary for making the quick turns and negotiating rocky terrain. A Tennessee Walking Horse or Mountain Horse is the perfect fit for the horse owners who want to go on quiet rides. The gentle gait of these beautiful creatures gives these horses the best ride over even terrain. Finally, if you are looking a horse for a child, consider a smaller breed like the Icelandic. The shorter stature better fits the proportion of a child, and their smooth gait and easy-going attitude will prevent much bumping and jostling.

Whatever your choice of breed, carefully consider its pros and cons. Even though you may have your heart set on one specific breed, if it will not meet your needs, you should carefully rethink your choice. A horse is a huge responsibility and you cannot simply return the magnificent creature because you did not seriously research all your options and hastily chose a horse that will not fit into your lifestyle.

To find more information about selecting a horse, just log on to the Internet and visit locations such as www.ahorsesite.com/dir/typesofhorses to do a thorough search.

© Copyright 2005 by Lynn Walls. All rights reserved.

Looking for information about horses? Go to http://www.ahorsesite.com. A Horse Site is an excellent horse information directory and resource Site. Provides a consolidated listing of the best Horse sites in one easy to navigate location.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Here’s what you should know about helping someone who is mourning the death of a pet since there is great sorrow involved that can go on for long periods of time.

1. Just as in the death of a friend or family member (and most animals are considered part of the family), grief is to be expected due to the degree of emotional investment in the object of loss. Emotional investment means caring and concern; it is love in-depth. Only the mourner knows the depth of that investment. Sometimes pet grief is more intense than the grief associated with the death of a loved one.

2. Give permission to show emotion by something you say or do. Give the person a hug and say, “This must bring deep hurt” or “I’m so sorry to hear that.” Use the name of the pet when you can. Recognize how close the relationship was between the pet and the mourner and encourage him/her to talk about the illness or what led up to the death.

3. Offer to be of service in some way. Bring food over to the home, if appropriate. Go with the owner to the pet cemetery. Provide transportation. Simply showing you are aware of the impact of the death will be of great help to your friend.

4. Review the relationship the person had with the pet in a gentle caring way. Ask questions regarding how long the pet was part of the family and where he/she came from. Encourage story telling involving what the pet did or did not do. All of this will give you a better idea of what the loss means to the person.

5. Grief over the death of a beloved animal is just as individual as grief over the death of a family member. There will be a wide range of differences, some demonstrative others very reserved. Do not judge the depth of grief by outside appearances. Respect all expressions of grief. Some individuals will hide their grief over fear others will ridicule their behavior. Be sure to include children in learning about grief and death through the death of the pet.

6. Keep in mind, especially with older adults living alone, some companion animals may be the only family the person has. Thus the animal is one of the few or perhaps the only one the mourner received unconditional love from.

7. If other losses have preceded the death of a pet, it can make the pet death more difficult to deal with. For example, if a pet owner has had to give up driving, has had a debilitating illness, has had friends move away, or experienced the death of a loved one, these or other losses can easily result in bereavement overload. The mourner will especially need a nurturing and understanding community at this time of transition.

8. Guilt, anger or depression can also be associated with pet loss. Guilt is the most common reaction, especially if the owner had to have the pet euthanized, was not there when the pet died, or did not recognize the illness until the later stages.

9. Help create or suggest a memorial. A picture, toy, or collar can be used as a way to honor or remember the pet. An object belonging to the animal can be encased in Lucite or placed on a shelf that can be easily viewed.

No longer do pets play a low key role in homes throughout the country. Rather, they have come to fill the role of companion, supporter, and old friend. Consequently, the death of a pet can become a major grief experience for the young or old alike. Become sensitive to the role the animal played in the life of the family and you will be better equipped to provide ongoing support and appropriate remembrances that will be immensely helpful in the months ahead.

By Lou LaGrand

Dr. LaGrand is a grief counselor and the author of eight books, the most recent, the popular Love Lives On: Learning from the Extraordinary Encounters of the Bereaved. He is known world-wide for his research on the Extraordinary Experiences of the bereaved (after-death communication phenomena) and is one of the founders of Hospice of the St. Lawrence Valley, Inc. His free monthly ezine website is http://www.extraordinarygriefexperiences.com.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

Conformation – the way a horse is put together – will determine not only how sound a horse remains throughout his life, but will also determine to what extent he will excel at his particular discipline. While some points of conformation vary with the type of horse and what job he is doing, there are some general rules of conformation that most horsemen agree on.

Feet

Feet should be large enough to support the horse and his weight, and the hoof wall should be hard but not brittle. The front feet and the back feet should appear to be symmetrical from all angles. The sole should be slightly concave, and heels should be even where they join the sole.

Legs

Legs should be straight. Legs that are out of alignment can result in soundness problems, as the forces that travel up the leg of the horse as he moves will affect other parts of the body, depending upon where legs deviate. Legs should also be symmetrical, with no bumps or bulges. Each pair of legs should also match each other.

Joints

Good joints are imperative to any horse who performs. Joints should have the correct axis, and they should be symmetrical, free of lumps, cool to the touch, and should be in proportion to the size of the horse. If one joint seems too large it should be examined for injury. If all joints seem too large the horse should be examined by a veterinarian for nutritional or metabolic problems. From the front view, a line dropped from the point of the shoulder to the ground should bisect the knee, fetlock, and hoof. From the side view, the line from the front of the fetlock, along the top of the pastern, and continuing along the front of the foot to the ground should be straight.

Shoulder

Good shoulder conformation will depend upon what the horse is being used for, as shoulder slope and how long the shoulder is varies with breed type and use. As a general rule of thumb, horses used for speed should have a long, sloping shoulder, while those used for power have more upright shoulders.

Withers

Since withers are what keeps a well in place, any ridden horse needs to have appropriate withers. Horses with flat withers, often called mutton withers, often have difficulty being ridden up and down hills, but can sometimes fare well on the flat. Poorly conformed withers can cause pain in the ridden horse and can lead to unsoundness.

Hip

The angle and length of the hip should match the angle and hip of the shoulder. While short hip lengths rarely cause unsoundness they can negatively impact speed and power.

Back and Neck

The long back versus short back debate continues depending upon the use of the horse. While long-backed horses do tire more easily, they can be more comfortable to ride. Long-backed horses can also excel at jumping because of the scope the long back allows them. Long backs also allow more movement in the horse’s legs, which is why many long-backed horses excel at driving.

The length, shape, and way a horse’s neck connects to the chest and the back will vary depending upon the breed and use of the horse. Horses who run need longer necks, while horses who show in park or pleasure classes often benefit from aesthetically pleasing upright necks.

Eyes

Horses need big, well-placed eyes. Horses with small eyes may suffer from impaired vision or have a medical problem. Eyes should not be set too far toward the sides of the head, otherwise peculiar fields of vision are sure to be an issue.

Nostrils

The nostrils should be open and symmetrical, to allow for maximum air intake. Horses with extremely dished heads or thick necks sometimes have difficulty taking in the right amount of air despite nostril size, so make sure you take these things into consideration.

About The Author

Ron Petracek is the founder of Equine Internets vast 15 site classified and social network. You can view its amazing size here Http://www.equineinternet.com/network.php or to further your equine habit please visit our forum by clicking here http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineforums and start posting Need to sell a horse or tack? Place a free ad here http://www.click4equine.com and always the barn door in left open on purpose.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.

It is not uncommon that trends in veterinary medicine to mirror trends in human medicine. To that end, it’s not surprising that alternative medicine is being used more frequently on sick and injured horses. Instead of prescribing the latest wonder drug, some veterinarians are instead prescribing a little hands-on healing in the hopes that less invasive techniques will bring about a return to health. In this article, we’ll examine two alternative healing practices that are becoming very popular in the horse world: chiropractic and massage.

CHIROPRACTIC

Equine chiropractors traditionally deal with “subluxations” of the vertebrae. Defined, subluxations are incomplete or partial dislocations of the vertebrae; in other words, vertebrae that are out of alignment. These misalignments can not only cause the horse pain in his back, but can also cause soft tissue damage around the area of the spine. And since the spine is said to be the conduit to the central nervous system, subluxations may possibly change neurological function of the spinal cord, the spinal nerve roots, and portions of the nervous system. The equine chiropractor adjusts these subluxations—in plain speaking he put the spine back into alignment—and returns the horse to optimal health.

What conditions does chiropractic treat?

Chiropractic is used to treat back and neck pain in the horse, as well as nerve damage. It can also be used to diagnose and come up with a treatment plan for certain lamenesses. Some people even use chiropractic during prepurchase exams to determine whether the horse has any neck or back injuries.

How is chiropractic administered, and how much does it cost?

Like a vet exam, the chiropractic exam begins with a case history. Posture analysis, gait analysis, static palpation, motion palpation, orthopedic exam, and a neurological exam follow. Based upon his or her findings, the vertebra is then manipulated during the adjustment by the practitioner.

How much does a chiropractic treatment cost?

A chiropractic exam and adjustment cost approximately $50-75, depending upon the extent of the problem and the length of the session.

Are there any risks?

Some believe that in the wrong hands, chiropractic can cause back and neck pain, lameness problems, and spinal cord injury. The equine chiropractor must have strong knowledge of equine vertebral anatomy, including vertebral joint relationships, the relationship of neural components, muscle attachments and nerve supply, and normal and abnormal range of motion.

MASSAGE

During a massage, the soft tissues of the body are worked by experienced hands and fingers. As any human who has been the recipient of one knows, massage stimulates acupuncture points and relieves tension. Myofascial release therapy, in which the fascia that connect and surround the muscles are manipulated, and myotherapy, a method of relaxing muscle spasm, improving circulation, and alleviating pain, are two of the most common types of equine massage therapy.

What conditions does massage treat?

Massage can really help sore muscles and tendons. It is frequently used to repair damaged muscle fiber, such as contracted tendons, ligament and muscle strains, chronic inflammatory conditions, peripheral nerve injuries, scar tissue, and chronic edema.

How is massage administered?

The soft tissues of the body are worked by the hands and fingers. The strokes are generally performed in the direction in which blood flows, which is toward the heart.

How much does equine massage cost?

A massage costs between $25 and $75, depending upon its duration.

What are the risks?

If your horse has acute inflammatory processes of the skin, soft tissue, bone and joints, fractures, sprains, circulatory disorders, presence or danger of hemorrhage, lyphangitis, and tumors, then massage should be avoided.

About The Author
Ron Petracek is the founder of Equine Internets vast 15 site classified and social network. You can view its amazing size here Http://www.equineinternet.com/network.php or to further your equine habit please visit our forum by clicking here http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineforums and start posting Need to sell a horse or tack? place a free ad here http://www.click4equine.com and always the barn door in left open on purpose.

Copyright 2009 Fine Pet Care.com. All Rights Reserved.