It’s a delight owning a horse. You get to ride whenever you feel like it. But along with the fun comes the responsibility. As the owner, you must know how to clean and maintain your horse’s home – their stables.
Think of it this way. If your horse lives in a filthy stable, there is a possibility that he could get sick. It will only mean added expenses on top of your equestrian bills. Prevention is better than a cure so you might as well learn how to grab that bucket and mop and start cleaning.
Maintain your horse’s stables by cleaning it at least once a day. Some horse owners do this right after they have their breakfast. They clean up the mess their horses made the previous night.
If you think this is similar to the poop by your dog or your cat, you’re mistaken. Horses can make such a huge mess in only eight to ten hours. While you were sleeping, your horse is pooping and peeing here and there, sometimes even in the feed dish.
No matter the mess and wherever it is, it must be cleaned up. It’s dirty work but somebody’s got to do it.
Always have a rake or stable fork with you when you enter the stable. Along with that, have a bucket or a wheelbarrow. Lead the horse out of your stable. Tie him up securely so he won't escape.
Using the rake or your stable fork, pick up those piles of poo and hose out the pee. Then check the hay for the poo that isn't visible. If you spot a pile, pick it up with your rake or stable fork.
Leave the floor exposed for a couple of minutes in order to dry it out. Afterwards, pull the bedding down using your stable rake. Even out the surface so that the floors are covered.
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Basic Horse Nutrition
Veterinarians & farriers merge these ingredients to come up with the necessary nutrient content for that horse class. Of coursework, the owner has a say on the ingredients. With the guidance of the farrier, the owner can select the right amount of roughage for the horse.
A horse's basic diet must include pasture or any kind of harvested roughage. By playing up the distribution of roughage & its concentrates, it determines the energy intake & the digestive tract fill. It also minimizes dysfunctions in the digestive process. And, it regulates the horse's consumption of feeds.
The key in feeding horses is that they must be fed at least 1% of their total weight every day. This lets them make use of up two to two.5% of their body mass in the 24-hour interval.
When feeding adult horses, the energy requirements are lower than the said figures. It can be achieved by feeding them with roughages that are of good-quality. The supplement needed in adult horses is salt. This is a balanced mineral supplement.
Be attentive when feeding pregnant mares because their diet must be a mix of both roughages & concentrates. These are measured in the necessary amounts so that the mare will be able to store up body fat which will be used for lactating & rebreeding.
When feeding growing horses, the necessary nutrient needs must be obtained so that the pony can reach the optimum growth. This will result to a well-developed & well-structure maturity phase. By providing growing horses with a balanced diet, there is less chance for them to suffer orthopedic diseases.
When feeding foals, you require to provide them with the appropriate supplements before the weaning phase. Some mares are poor milkers, therefore the foal will suffer from diseases. This is where the owner can contribute to the foals's health.
A balanced diet for growing horses is when all the nutrients are served in the necessary amounts making these relative to another. Diets for growing horses must be balanced depending on their energy consumption.
The practice of using growth stimulants, additives & antibiotics are said to be helpful in the livestock business but there is few conducted research that shows it's the same effect on horses.
A horse's basic diet must include pasture or any kind of harvested roughage. By playing up the distribution of roughage & its concentrates, it determines the energy intake & the digestive tract fill. It also minimizes dysfunctions in the digestive process. And, it regulates the horse's consumption of feeds.
The key in feeding horses is that they must be fed at least 1% of their total weight every day. This lets them make use of up two to two.5% of their body mass in the 24-hour interval.
When feeding adult horses, the energy requirements are lower than the said figures. It can be achieved by feeding them with roughages that are of good-quality. The supplement needed in adult horses is salt. This is a balanced mineral supplement.
Be attentive when feeding pregnant mares because their diet must be a mix of both roughages & concentrates. These are measured in the necessary amounts so that the mare will be able to store up body fat which will be used for lactating & rebreeding.
When feeding growing horses, the necessary nutrient needs must be obtained so that the pony can reach the optimum growth. This will result to a well-developed & well-structure maturity phase. By providing growing horses with a balanced diet, there is less chance for them to suffer orthopedic diseases.
When feeding foals, you require to provide them with the appropriate supplements before the weaning phase. Some mares are poor milkers, therefore the foal will suffer from diseases. This is where the owner can contribute to the foals's health.
A balanced diet for growing horses is when all the nutrients are served in the necessary amounts making these relative to another. Diets for growing horses must be balanced depending on their energy consumption.
The practice of using growth stimulants, additives & antibiotics are said to be helpful in the livestock business but there is few conducted research that shows it's the same effect on horses.
Care For Your Horse’s Hooves
Taking care of your horse's hooves won't take lots of your time. In fact, it is the basic horse care that you can basically squeeze in your every day activities
1. Pick your horse's feet. This is the most necessary thing you can do for your horse's hooves. Picking their hooves is not the task of a farrier. As long as the owner does it, then the horse gets an early start on having a set of healthy hooves.
2. Modify with the temperature. Try to decide what temperature your horse is most comfortable at. Notice that there will be variations in the environment and you require to be in tune whether they are slightly warm or a bit chilled. You can do this by locating their pulse with of your fingers pressed behind their pastern.
3. Look for signs of bacterial conditions. You can do this while you are picking on their hooves. The symptom is dark ooze or a foul smell from the cleft. When not remedied early on, this can lead to further hoof damage. You can find the cure from over-the-counter medicine as recommended by your veterinarian or farrier.
4. Schedule appointments along with your veterinarian or farrier. like a human being, your horse has needs. Aside from shoeing and trimming, you must also have your farrier check whether your horse has under-run heels, flare in the hoof walls or a club foot.
5. Check your horse's hooves each time you pick his feet. Have the finish of your horse's nails trimmed then clinched. This is to prevent the shoe from protruding beyond the hood.
6. Remove the shoe yourself. like the way you require to learn how to modify your car's wheels, you must also know how to remove your horse's shoes. Most of the farriers are over willing to teach their customers the procedure. This makes it simpler for your horse in the event you know the way to remove a shifted or a sprung shoe.
7. Assist your horse in growing the best hooves. It must be the genes but some horses have better hooves than other horses. But you can do something about it by fine-tuning his diet. Inquire from your veterinarian the acceptable feeding program for your horse. Soon , your horse's hooves will benefit from this diet and show some changes.
Everytime you get the chance, always check your horse's hooves when hauling. If your horse is not covering his heels, the fringe of his shoe can be partially pulled loose. prevent this from happening so he won't suffer any injuries.
1. Pick your horse's feet. This is the most necessary thing you can do for your horse's hooves. Picking their hooves is not the task of a farrier. As long as the owner does it, then the horse gets an early start on having a set of healthy hooves.
2. Modify with the temperature. Try to decide what temperature your horse is most comfortable at. Notice that there will be variations in the environment and you require to be in tune whether they are slightly warm or a bit chilled. You can do this by locating their pulse with of your fingers pressed behind their pastern.
3. Look for signs of bacterial conditions. You can do this while you are picking on their hooves. The symptom is dark ooze or a foul smell from the cleft. When not remedied early on, this can lead to further hoof damage. You can find the cure from over-the-counter medicine as recommended by your veterinarian or farrier.
4. Schedule appointments along with your veterinarian or farrier. like a human being, your horse has needs. Aside from shoeing and trimming, you must also have your farrier check whether your horse has under-run heels, flare in the hoof walls or a club foot.
5. Check your horse's hooves each time you pick his feet. Have the finish of your horse's nails trimmed then clinched. This is to prevent the shoe from protruding beyond the hood.
6. Remove the shoe yourself. like the way you require to learn how to modify your car's wheels, you must also know how to remove your horse's shoes. Most of the farriers are over willing to teach their customers the procedure. This makes it simpler for your horse in the event you know the way to remove a shifted or a sprung shoe.
7. Assist your horse in growing the best hooves. It must be the genes but some horses have better hooves than other horses. But you can do something about it by fine-tuning his diet. Inquire from your veterinarian the acceptable feeding program for your horse. Soon , your horse's hooves will benefit from this diet and show some changes.
Everytime you get the chance, always check your horse's hooves when hauling. If your horse is not covering his heels, the fringe of his shoe can be partially pulled loose. prevent this from happening so he won't suffer any injuries.
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Horses Should Have Regular Checkups
The owners ought to bring the animal to the vet every 6 months. If something out of the ordinary appears, it would be a nice suggestion to call the doctor immediately before it is late.
of the most common issues horses usually face in the work of the warm months is dehydration. This is because the animal doesn't only lack water but is also losing electrolytes.
When this happens, there will be some tightness of the skin. If no action is taken, the horse could collapse & even die.
This can be prevented by ensuring there is always tidy & drinkable water in the stable. Electrolytes may even be administered orally if necessary.
Most veterinarians visit the stable in lieu of the owner bringing the animal to the clinic. This is because it is hard to move the animal & also the specialist has to examine the diet & the environment to make definite it is in nice health.
Horses need proper cushioning when sleeping at night. The veterinarian ought to check the hay to be definite it is thick to resist the weight of the animal. This will prevent any injuries in the body or in the lower parts of the body.
The most important thing is the food being given to the horse. The owner must follow the recommendation given by the vet to only give products that are high in fiber. This usually comes in the type of supplements that are also rich in vitamins & minerals.
Mosquitoes & other pests may also cause harm to the animal. Doctors call this the "sweet itch" & this can be prevented by grazing in another location & regularly fumigating the stable. The owner can also bathe the horse using a chemical solution.
Another thing that the vet will recommend is to give the horse proper exercise & rest. Aside from riding on the animal, it ought to even be allowed to roam freely giving it time to relax & recover.
The horse is a magnificent animal. The owner must work hand in hand with the vet so that issues can be avoided. This can only happen when regular health checkups are scheduled every 6 months.
of the most common issues horses usually face in the work of the warm months is dehydration. This is because the animal doesn't only lack water but is also losing electrolytes.
When this happens, there will be some tightness of the skin. If no action is taken, the horse could collapse & even die.
This can be prevented by ensuring there is always tidy & drinkable water in the stable. Electrolytes may even be administered orally if necessary.
Most veterinarians visit the stable in lieu of the owner bringing the animal to the clinic. This is because it is hard to move the animal & also the specialist has to examine the diet & the environment to make definite it is in nice health.
Horses need proper cushioning when sleeping at night. The veterinarian ought to check the hay to be definite it is thick to resist the weight of the animal. This will prevent any injuries in the body or in the lower parts of the body.
The most important thing is the food being given to the horse. The owner must follow the recommendation given by the vet to only give products that are high in fiber. This usually comes in the type of supplements that are also rich in vitamins & minerals.
Mosquitoes & other pests may also cause harm to the animal. Doctors call this the "sweet itch" & this can be prevented by grazing in another location & regularly fumigating the stable. The owner can also bathe the horse using a chemical solution.
Another thing that the vet will recommend is to give the horse proper exercise & rest. Aside from riding on the animal, it ought to even be allowed to roam freely giving it time to relax & recover.
The horse is a magnificent animal. The owner must work hand in hand with the vet so that issues can be avoided. This can only happen when regular health checkups are scheduled every 6 months.
Bonding In A Horse Clinic
Those who have horses don't always must spend a fortune having this creature trained by somebody else. This is because clinics are conducted regularly giving the owner quality time with the animal.
Take for example the horse clinic held in Alvord, New york. The aim of the clinic is to see how well the horse responds to the commands given by the person. This is completed by going through various obstacles together that will check the various senses sight and sound.
The horse may not reply that well at first to the task but a trained professional will be on hand to teach various techniques so that the animal will be able to trust the owner and accomplish the task.
The program offered in the clinic was adapted from the techniques used for horses that are employed in mounted police work. This is because the who operates the facility is a law enforcement officer who works with horses.
The most common tools that will be a rope halter as well as a 12 foot cylindrical rope. This is not provided so the owner will must bring to the clinic. The individual may not have any idea how to make use of these but this will be explained later on as both the owner and the gets immersed in the program.
Most horse clinics are completed on weekends. This starts on a Friday and ends on a Saturday, which gives the attendees time to head back before a new week begins.
A day horse clinic will cost the owner about $215. This doesn't include the rent of the stables, which is not that expensive since the cost range will be from $5 to $15. The owner can stay in a trailer or drive a few miles up since there's hotels that will charge $100 to $150 per night for accommodations.
These usually start at 9 in the morning so the owner ought to be there at least an hour or before to get the horse settled in.
The horse owner ought to ask around or look on the Web to find out if there is a clinic being conducted nearby. It will be a nice suggestion to book ahead because the slots are limited.
The lovely thing about such clinics is that the pace will depend on the owner and the horse. There is no pressure to move on to the next if the current has not yet been done.
Take for example the horse clinic held in Alvord, New york. The aim of the clinic is to see how well the horse responds to the commands given by the person. This is completed by going through various obstacles together that will check the various senses sight and sound.
The horse may not reply that well at first to the task but a trained professional will be on hand to teach various techniques so that the animal will be able to trust the owner and accomplish the task.
The program offered in the clinic was adapted from the techniques used for horses that are employed in mounted police work. This is because the who operates the facility is a law enforcement officer who works with horses.
The most common tools that will be a rope halter as well as a 12 foot cylindrical rope. This is not provided so the owner will must bring to the clinic. The individual may not have any idea how to make use of these but this will be explained later on as both the owner and the gets immersed in the program.
Most horse clinics are completed on weekends. This starts on a Friday and ends on a Saturday, which gives the attendees time to head back before a new week begins.
A day horse clinic will cost the owner about $215. This doesn't include the rent of the stables, which is not that expensive since the cost range will be from $5 to $15. The owner can stay in a trailer or drive a few miles up since there's hotels that will charge $100 to $150 per night for accommodations.
These usually start at 9 in the morning so the owner ought to be there at least an hour or before to get the horse settled in.
The horse owner ought to ask around or look on the Web to find out if there is a clinic being conducted nearby. It will be a nice suggestion to book ahead because the slots are limited.
The lovely thing about such clinics is that the pace will depend on the owner and the horse. There is no pressure to move on to the next if the current has not yet been done.
The Need To Be Picky In Choosing Horse Care Products
Horses are special animals, thus, it is best to make use of products that are specially designed for horses. It is not wise to make use of human care products on horses since they may cause a few undesirable effects. For example, the coat may feely oily and horses don't like synthetic fragrances. Some horse products can leave the hair dry or perhaps waxy that attracts dust.
Horses are liable to skin irritations. In the event you didn't happen to receive a product that suits him, they would most probably spend plenty of time rubbing himself in his stable. It is important to experiment first on what horse care product works well together with your beloved horse.
Grooming is the best way to take care of the horse. Even if it's a short walk around, it is important to prepare the horse. You can try to check for any skin issues which can irritate him. Of coursework, you require to brush his hair throughly to accomplish a shiny coat.
Caring for your horse is not as simple as caring for other pets. It encompasses a wider range of considerations. When you select to curtail the horse's freedom, you have also accepted the responsibility of giving them the protection and comfort that they could have found for themselves in the wild.
Ideally, ph-balanced shampoos are better. They don't leave the horse's coat oily or waxy. You can also find lovely horse moisturizers that can help maintain the coat's natural shine, in lieu of making the hair brittle. Most spray polishes only give a temporary shine but will then dry out the hair.
When cleaning the horse, select products that make the horse blend to nature. Don't add any fragrances that would attract flies. Also, some ingredients in horse care products cannot be basically rinsed off which tend to cause artificial residues to build up.
The horse becomes dependent on you, not only for their forage and water, but also for their grooming and overall body care. Giving your horse the proper care it needs, will infuse more trust and obedience.
Horses are liable to skin irritations. In the event you didn't happen to receive a product that suits him, they would most probably spend plenty of time rubbing himself in his stable. It is important to experiment first on what horse care product works well together with your beloved horse.
Grooming is the best way to take care of the horse. Even if it's a short walk around, it is important to prepare the horse. You can try to check for any skin issues which can irritate him. Of coursework, you require to brush his hair throughly to accomplish a shiny coat.
Caring for your horse is not as simple as caring for other pets. It encompasses a wider range of considerations. When you select to curtail the horse's freedom, you have also accepted the responsibility of giving them the protection and comfort that they could have found for themselves in the wild.
Ideally, ph-balanced shampoos are better. They don't leave the horse's coat oily or waxy. You can also find lovely horse moisturizers that can help maintain the coat's natural shine, in lieu of making the hair brittle. Most spray polishes only give a temporary shine but will then dry out the hair.
When cleaning the horse, select products that make the horse blend to nature. Don't add any fragrances that would attract flies. Also, some ingredients in horse care products cannot be basically rinsed off which tend to cause artificial residues to build up.
The horse becomes dependent on you, not only for their forage and water, but also for their grooming and overall body care. Giving your horse the proper care it needs, will infuse more trust and obedience.
A Guideline In Horseback Training
In training horses, you ought to prepare the horse mentally & as well as physically in order for them to be played with any kinds of rides. There's0 phases in which the horse ought to be trained & these are relaxation, rhythm, contact, straightness, freedom of gaits, impulsion, balance, suppleness, collection & putting the horse on the aids. 90 percent of most instances, the horse has limited capabilities depending on his or her rider's ability.
It is best in case you start training kid horses because they are still naïve & have no bad habits which were taught by other owners. Horses with open minds are very simple to train. The average time span of teaching & training horses is about years. But for those few horses which are naturally gifted & have excellent trainers, it could take less than years before the horse gets prepared for any ride games.
The most important factor in training horses is the consistency. You must have a plan of consistent activities in case you need them to memorize & catch all the things that you are teaching quickly. Training the horses for to days is a must. You can do this by reviewing the things that you have taught them & inserting new things before the day ends.
With regards to training older horses, they may even be trained the way you will train a kid horse. The key here is to un-train the things that they already knows & retrain them with new things that you need him to be familiarized with. This may not be simple. There will be times that your horse will feel obstinate to do the new things but don't worry because they will come around at the right time.
Training horses may not be simple but seeing them progress as time pass by is a very fulfilling job. Dedication is necessary because training is sometimes time-consuming. The success of training depends on the trainer itself. It is up to you on the way you can effectively train horses.
Don't force your horses to do something exactly as soon as feasible. Giving a horse pressure will do no nice to the training. You must wait & see in training horses because there's occasions that they may appear to be slow in catching up. Treat your horses with love & care in order to gain their trust.
It is best in case you start training kid horses because they are still naïve & have no bad habits which were taught by other owners. Horses with open minds are very simple to train. The average time span of teaching & training horses is about years. But for those few horses which are naturally gifted & have excellent trainers, it could take less than years before the horse gets prepared for any ride games.
The most important factor in training horses is the consistency. You must have a plan of consistent activities in case you need them to memorize & catch all the things that you are teaching quickly. Training the horses for to days is a must. You can do this by reviewing the things that you have taught them & inserting new things before the day ends.
With regards to training older horses, they may even be trained the way you will train a kid horse. The key here is to un-train the things that they already knows & retrain them with new things that you need him to be familiarized with. This may not be simple. There will be times that your horse will feel obstinate to do the new things but don't worry because they will come around at the right time.
Training horses may not be simple but seeing them progress as time pass by is a very fulfilling job. Dedication is necessary because training is sometimes time-consuming. The success of training depends on the trainer itself. It is up to you on the way you can effectively train horses.
Don't force your horses to do something exactly as soon as feasible. Giving a horse pressure will do no nice to the training. You must wait & see in training horses because there's occasions that they may appear to be slow in catching up. Treat your horses with love & care in order to gain their trust.
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Dental Care For Horses
Providing your horse proper medical care includes looking after its teeth. Equine dental care is important because the horse's teeth condition have a direct effect on its nutrition which is relevant in maintaining its wellness. It is advisable to have a comprehensive dental checkup for your horse on a regular basis to safeguard its overall health & performance.
Dental checkups & procedures must be completed every 6-12 months after the first visit. A comprehensive dental care includes an examination of the mouth to check for malocclusion, infection, dental irregularities, loose teeth & other dental issues. X-rays are also completed when needed. If there's diseased teeth, extraction is also performed. Shaping tooth surfaces, filling, implanting teeth are also included to make sure that the horse remains healthy. The vet records all of the procedures & irregularities seen in the horse so that he's a reference for the future visit.
Getting your horse at the peak of its performance & at its optimum health doesn't happen overnight. You need to provide proper care needed by your horse in order to prevent any dental health complications. Although maintenance may be overwhelming, you need to pay close attention to the general well-being of your horse than dealing to the work of looking after it one time it becomes sick or worst when it dies.
Part of your responsibility as a horse owner is being sensitive to the needs of your horse. You need to anticipate sure issues that your horse may encounter like those affecting the teeth. In order to do that, you need to be aware of the signs & signs that indicate a budding dental issue. A quantity of the signs include head tossing or shyness, dull coat, foul breath, weight loss, poor performance, unwillingness to eat, facial swelling, excessive salivation, throat impaction & refusal to take lead. One time you have noted a quantity of these signs notify your vet immediately & schedule your horse for a checkup.
You ought to also check its mouth every week for sores. Don't forget to palpate the cheeks for pointed edges. Also check for the signs of dental issues.
To keep your horse at its optimum level of functioning, you must make sure that it gets adequate nice nutrition appropriate for its age & breed. Give your horse vaccines against infectious diseases that are transmittable to horses like encephalitis, influenza, rabies, & tetanus. For its dental health, have a vet check its mouth every 6-12 months.
Dental checkups & procedures must be completed every 6-12 months after the first visit. A comprehensive dental care includes an examination of the mouth to check for malocclusion, infection, dental irregularities, loose teeth & other dental issues. X-rays are also completed when needed. If there's diseased teeth, extraction is also performed. Shaping tooth surfaces, filling, implanting teeth are also included to make sure that the horse remains healthy. The vet records all of the procedures & irregularities seen in the horse so that he's a reference for the future visit.
Getting your horse at the peak of its performance & at its optimum health doesn't happen overnight. You need to provide proper care needed by your horse in order to prevent any dental health complications. Although maintenance may be overwhelming, you need to pay close attention to the general well-being of your horse than dealing to the work of looking after it one time it becomes sick or worst when it dies.
Part of your responsibility as a horse owner is being sensitive to the needs of your horse. You need to anticipate sure issues that your horse may encounter like those affecting the teeth. In order to do that, you need to be aware of the signs & signs that indicate a budding dental issue. A quantity of the signs include head tossing or shyness, dull coat, foul breath, weight loss, poor performance, unwillingness to eat, facial swelling, excessive salivation, throat impaction & refusal to take lead. One time you have noted a quantity of these signs notify your vet immediately & schedule your horse for a checkup.
You ought to also check its mouth every week for sores. Don't forget to palpate the cheeks for pointed edges. Also check for the signs of dental issues.
To keep your horse at its optimum level of functioning, you must make sure that it gets adequate nice nutrition appropriate for its age & breed. Give your horse vaccines against infectious diseases that are transmittable to horses like encephalitis, influenza, rabies, & tetanus. For its dental health, have a vet check its mouth every 6-12 months.
Useful Guide Before Competing In The Horse Event
- Prepare For The Event
If you are aiming to join tournaments for dressage, you require to prepare and know what to anticipate. Here are some tips that will help you before joining an equestrian event such as dressage.
There's usually judges that will look at your horse's obedience and accuracy to perform commands and on your attitude and the way you ride. Before engaging in a contest, know what to do inside the ring.
Staying at the perimeter, you will usually listen to a bell or a whistle before entering the ring. On entering, you require to salute the judge. Using the letters as your guide, you will then ride your horse according to what is described in your check.
You will be tested to ride in varied gaits. One time you have completed the check, you will cease to salute the judges before leaving the ring. Your score card together with your final score will be posted at the finish of the competition.
- Prepare Your Horse.
Proper training must be completed to make definite that your horse learns their lessons . Seldom rush on to the next lesson unless you are satisfied together with your horse's performance. Continue to practice and devote to hone the skills necessary to be competitive. Permit your horse adequate rest. Groom your horse for the event.
Prepare to extend your patience and to work hard before the competition. Dress in comfortable clothing depending on the weather. It is better in the event you will find some time to memorize the position of the letters. Refine your movements and aim for precision. Concentrate and practice more.
- Prepare Yourself.
At the finish of the day, your greatest enemy is yourself. Focus on what you require to improve and not chiefly on bringing home the bacon. With each score you get, pay special attention to what you require to work on.
If you are aiming to join tournaments for dressage, you require to prepare and know what to anticipate. Here are some tips that will help you before joining an equestrian event such as dressage.
There's usually judges that will look at your horse's obedience and accuracy to perform commands and on your attitude and the way you ride. Before engaging in a contest, know what to do inside the ring.
Staying at the perimeter, you will usually listen to a bell or a whistle before entering the ring. On entering, you require to salute the judge. Using the letters as your guide, you will then ride your horse according to what is described in your check.
You will be tested to ride in varied gaits. One time you have completed the check, you will cease to salute the judges before leaving the ring. Your score card together with your final score will be posted at the finish of the competition.
- Prepare Your Horse.
Proper training must be completed to make definite that your horse learns their lessons . Seldom rush on to the next lesson unless you are satisfied together with your horse's performance. Continue to practice and devote to hone the skills necessary to be competitive. Permit your horse adequate rest. Groom your horse for the event.
Prepare to extend your patience and to work hard before the competition. Dress in comfortable clothing depending on the weather. It is better in the event you will find some time to memorize the position of the letters. Refine your movements and aim for precision. Concentrate and practice more.
- Prepare Yourself.
At the finish of the day, your greatest enemy is yourself. Focus on what you require to improve and not chiefly on bringing home the bacon. With each score you get, pay special attention to what you require to work on.
Applying The Principle Of Operant Conditioning In Training Horses
Clicker training is a great tool to compliment other training methods. All you require to start is a clicker, some treats, as well as a container for the rewards. One time you have them, your horse is now on its way to obedience. There's no set rules to follow when using the clicker training but the following will guide you to make use of this method to your advantage.
Using the idea of operant conditioning in psychology, an animal learns a sure behavior or a task when positive reinforcement follows the action that the trainer wishes the animal to repeat. Consequently, the undesirable behavior or actions done by the animal are not rewarded and ignored. Thus, giving rewards for getting things right make horses more enthusiastic and speedy to learn.
- Condition Your Horse With The Sound Of The Click.
Let your horse know that the sound click means that a reward is coming. Try to click your clicker for several times and reward your horse with a treat every time it hears the sound. Then after about 10-15 minutes, repeat the sequence of clicking followed by treating. There's horses that basically get accustomed to the method after sequences, but some horses may require more sessions.
- Don't Rush Your Horse.
It is important to think about that every horse differs in its readiness and ability to learn new tricks. It will be counterproductive to train for over 10-15 minutes. Try to maintain short sessions broken in to several days than having a long in a day.
- Use A Target.
Use a target for your horse to aim. Let this be the first task that your horse needs to accomplish when applying positive reinforcement. For example you can hang a plastic bottle and ask your horse to bump it using its head and reward it every time it does the right thing. Timing is important. Click each time the horse bumps the target then give a reward. Repeat it until the behavior is reinforced.
- Do The Next Step.
Once your horse learns to bump the target, move on to the next step. Let your horse follow the target then head bob it before giving a reward. This will check your earlier training and will tell whether you have properly conditioned the horse to answer the click. But keep in mind to wait and see and to conduct each session in short periods. You also require to think about that not all horses will learn in the same manner.
Using the idea of operant conditioning in psychology, an animal learns a sure behavior or a task when positive reinforcement follows the action that the trainer wishes the animal to repeat. Consequently, the undesirable behavior or actions done by the animal are not rewarded and ignored. Thus, giving rewards for getting things right make horses more enthusiastic and speedy to learn.
- Condition Your Horse With The Sound Of The Click.
Let your horse know that the sound click means that a reward is coming. Try to click your clicker for several times and reward your horse with a treat every time it hears the sound. Then after about 10-15 minutes, repeat the sequence of clicking followed by treating. There's horses that basically get accustomed to the method after sequences, but some horses may require more sessions.
- Don't Rush Your Horse.
It is important to think about that every horse differs in its readiness and ability to learn new tricks. It will be counterproductive to train for over 10-15 minutes. Try to maintain short sessions broken in to several days than having a long in a day.
- Use A Target.
Use a target for your horse to aim. Let this be the first task that your horse needs to accomplish when applying positive reinforcement. For example you can hang a plastic bottle and ask your horse to bump it using its head and reward it every time it does the right thing. Timing is important. Click each time the horse bumps the target then give a reward. Repeat it until the behavior is reinforced.
- Do The Next Step.
Once your horse learns to bump the target, move on to the next step. Let your horse follow the target then head bob it before giving a reward. This will check your earlier training and will tell whether you have properly conditioned the horse to answer the click. But keep in mind to wait and see and to conduct each session in short periods. You also require to think about that not all horses will learn in the same manner.
How to Take Care of Your Horses
When feeding the horse or the pony, you must remember that it needs about three percent of its body weight for nourishment daily. You may feed it with grass or hay and hard feed. It must be fed with about seventy percent of grass or hay everyday.
Feed only good quality of grass, hay and feed. Usually, rotten hay can cause stomach pain to the horse. There must be plenty of fiber or bulk in the hay. The utensils for the feed or water must be clean. The food must be given on a regular basis. Allot at least one hour before bringing the horse to its routine exercise.
Feeds for horses may be composed of oats, barleys, bran, nuts, sugar beet, linseed or a course mix of cereals. Try to prevent the horse from eating too quickly since this can cause it to choke. One tip is to mix large rocks in the bucket of the horse’s food. This way the horse is forced to take smaller amounts of food as it avoids the large rocks.
Horses should also have regular foot care. Usually, every four to six weeks depending on the condition of the horse and the weather, the horse’s footwear are checked and fixed. At least once a day, the feet of the horse must be cleaned by removing any stones or mud. Keeping the feet clean at all times would prevent infections and lameness.
The teeth of the horse must also be checked at least once a year. Sharp teeth can be problematic when feeding and riding the horse. To rasp or file the teeth of the horse, the vet would do a floating to remove the sharp points of the teeth.
To prevent horses from growing parasitic worms in their tummies, they must be given a worming program. Depending on the type of worms, the horse may be wormed every eight to thirteen weeks. Veterinarians can give wormers that can be mixed with the horse’s daily food. These wormers may be in the form of paste, gel, powder, granules or capsules.
If not treated properly and immediately worms such as the lungworm, pinworm or seatworm, tapeworm and redworms may grow in numbers in the horse’s stomach. Bot eggs can also hatch on the coat of the horse. The horse may also have ringworm which is a contagious skin disease and can be treated through an anti-fungal wash.
In caring for horses, you must keep a first-aid kid intended for horses. This would include: a thermometer, petroleum jelly, salt or saline solution for wounds, animalintex, gamgee, scissors, bucket, sponge, antiseptic cream or gel, bandages, medical gloves, towel, soap and brush. The horse or pony must also be vaccinated to fight possible equine flu or tetanus.
A few special problems that horses may have are the equine infectious anemia and laminitis.
The Equine infectious anemia is a serious health problem that amounts approximately to 500 cases each year. EIA is a viral disease that affects the immune system of the horse. Due to this, the horse may develop other infections such as bronchopneumonia. There is no cure yet for EIA. The horse may be tested through a serum test.
Laminitis on the other hand is also a horse killer. This disease affects the horse’s feet caused by the disruption of blood flow to the laminae of the horse. The causes of laminitis are toxins in the horse’s body, high fever, digestive upsets due to overfeeding, severe colic, severe stress and excessive weight carried.
This may be detected when there is heat in the horse’s feet, increased pulse, pain in the toe and lameness. Treatments may include administering medical fluids to the horse’s body, dietary restrictions and therapy.
To know if the horse is sick, remember these few symptoms. The horse’s appetite suddenly decreases. You could also notice a reduction in the horse’s stamina and irregular heartbeats. The horse may also suffer from too much sweating, depression, red eyes and swollen legs. Call for the veterinarian when the horse seems sick to prevent serious problems.
Feed only good quality of grass, hay and feed. Usually, rotten hay can cause stomach pain to the horse. There must be plenty of fiber or bulk in the hay. The utensils for the feed or water must be clean. The food must be given on a regular basis. Allot at least one hour before bringing the horse to its routine exercise.
Feeds for horses may be composed of oats, barleys, bran, nuts, sugar beet, linseed or a course mix of cereals. Try to prevent the horse from eating too quickly since this can cause it to choke. One tip is to mix large rocks in the bucket of the horse’s food. This way the horse is forced to take smaller amounts of food as it avoids the large rocks.
Horses should also have regular foot care. Usually, every four to six weeks depending on the condition of the horse and the weather, the horse’s footwear are checked and fixed. At least once a day, the feet of the horse must be cleaned by removing any stones or mud. Keeping the feet clean at all times would prevent infections and lameness.
The teeth of the horse must also be checked at least once a year. Sharp teeth can be problematic when feeding and riding the horse. To rasp or file the teeth of the horse, the vet would do a floating to remove the sharp points of the teeth.
To prevent horses from growing parasitic worms in their tummies, they must be given a worming program. Depending on the type of worms, the horse may be wormed every eight to thirteen weeks. Veterinarians can give wormers that can be mixed with the horse’s daily food. These wormers may be in the form of paste, gel, powder, granules or capsules.
If not treated properly and immediately worms such as the lungworm, pinworm or seatworm, tapeworm and redworms may grow in numbers in the horse’s stomach. Bot eggs can also hatch on the coat of the horse. The horse may also have ringworm which is a contagious skin disease and can be treated through an anti-fungal wash.
In caring for horses, you must keep a first-aid kid intended for horses. This would include: a thermometer, petroleum jelly, salt or saline solution for wounds, animalintex, gamgee, scissors, bucket, sponge, antiseptic cream or gel, bandages, medical gloves, towel, soap and brush. The horse or pony must also be vaccinated to fight possible equine flu or tetanus.
A few special problems that horses may have are the equine infectious anemia and laminitis.
The Equine infectious anemia is a serious health problem that amounts approximately to 500 cases each year. EIA is a viral disease that affects the immune system of the horse. Due to this, the horse may develop other infections such as bronchopneumonia. There is no cure yet for EIA. The horse may be tested through a serum test.
Laminitis on the other hand is also a horse killer. This disease affects the horse’s feet caused by the disruption of blood flow to the laminae of the horse. The causes of laminitis are toxins in the horse’s body, high fever, digestive upsets due to overfeeding, severe colic, severe stress and excessive weight carried.
This may be detected when there is heat in the horse’s feet, increased pulse, pain in the toe and lameness. Treatments may include administering medical fluids to the horse’s body, dietary restrictions and therapy.
To know if the horse is sick, remember these few symptoms. The horse’s appetite suddenly decreases. You could also notice a reduction in the horse’s stamina and irregular heartbeats. The horse may also suffer from too much sweating, depression, red eyes and swollen legs. Call for the veterinarian when the horse seems sick to prevent serious problems.
The Tack On Your Horse
Horse tack means any of the different equipment and garnishes worn by horses whenever they are used by people for riding and shows. Horse tack is composed of the saddle, stirrups, bridles, halters, bits, harness, and martingales. The horse uses a horse blanket.
The English saddle is used in every Olympic equestrian discipline. This has no horn and its panels are pairs of pads which are attached to the side. These pads can be filled with foam, air or even wool. The Western saddle is designed for Western riding. This is also known as the “cowboy saddle”. Unlike other saddles, this doesn't have pads of its own so this is used with a saddle blanket or a separate pad to provide a more convenient and comfortable fit for riders.
The saddle’s parts are: the tree- base where everything is attached; the seat where riders sit; the pommel or swell- part in the front that is slightly raised; the cantle or the back of the saddle; the stirrup- where the feet of the rider rests and provides leverage and support; the leather or fender-the straps made of leather which connect the stirrups to the tree, and the D-ring- the ‘D’ shaped ring at the front of the saddle where other pieces of the horse tack are attached.
The breastplates and the breastcollars are additional things used to keep saddles from sliding back. These are used for fast-paced sports.
The bridle is an arrangement of straps or ropes around the head of the horse. This is mainly used for communication with the animal. The bridle holds the horse bit that is attached to the reins. The bridle is used for riding, driving and controlling the horse.
The bridle is also called the headstall and is consisted by the following parts: crownpiece, cheekpiece, throatlatch, browband, noseband, cavesson and reins.
The halter is also an arrangement of straps or ropes used as a headgear or a headcollar to guide the horse. This is fitted over the back of the horse’s neck and around the mouth. When the rider pulls the end of the halter, the head of the horse turns towards the rider.
Unlike the bridle, the halter doesn't have a bit that is placed on the mouth of the horse.
The bit and the hackamore are parts of the horse tack placed at the head of the horse. Like the bridle, these are used for control and communication. The bit is placed particularly at the mouth of the horse while the hackamore goes around the nose of the horse.
The basic types of the bit are the curb bit, snaffle bit and the Pelham bit. Different bits offer different levels of control and pressure to the horse by the rider. The bit is designed to fit the needs and condition of the horse to serve its purpose properly.
The hackamore is made of rope, leather, cable or plastic. The hackamore is used whenever the horse has dental problems or tongue injuries and also during winters to avoid hurting or freezing the mouth of the horse.
The harness is a complicated arrangement of straps that attaches the horse to the cart or sleigh. Depending on the type of vehicle or load the horse is attached to, there are different kinds of harnesses.
The martingale is also a strap that keeps the horse from putting its head above the point of control. This also keeps the horse from tossing its head that would be risky to the rider’s safety. The martingale has various types such as the running martingale, standing martingale and the Irish martingale.
The horse blanket gives the horse warmth and comfort. This is intended also to protect the horse from other elements. This is made especially to fit the body of the horse. It has straps crossing the underneath of the horse so that it won't fall when the horse moves freely. This also has a hole at the back for the horse’s tail to pass through.
Naturally, the long hair of the horse makes it warm especially during winter. But horses are preferred with short hairs. It is believed that the horse blanket keeps the hair of the horse short. Short hair for horses is important for shows.
The English saddle is used in every Olympic equestrian discipline. This has no horn and its panels are pairs of pads which are attached to the side. These pads can be filled with foam, air or even wool. The Western saddle is designed for Western riding. This is also known as the “cowboy saddle”. Unlike other saddles, this doesn't have pads of its own so this is used with a saddle blanket or a separate pad to provide a more convenient and comfortable fit for riders.
The saddle’s parts are: the tree- base where everything is attached; the seat where riders sit; the pommel or swell- part in the front that is slightly raised; the cantle or the back of the saddle; the stirrup- where the feet of the rider rests and provides leverage and support; the leather or fender-the straps made of leather which connect the stirrups to the tree, and the D-ring- the ‘D’ shaped ring at the front of the saddle where other pieces of the horse tack are attached.
The breastplates and the breastcollars are additional things used to keep saddles from sliding back. These are used for fast-paced sports.
The bridle is an arrangement of straps or ropes around the head of the horse. This is mainly used for communication with the animal. The bridle holds the horse bit that is attached to the reins. The bridle is used for riding, driving and controlling the horse.
The bridle is also called the headstall and is consisted by the following parts: crownpiece, cheekpiece, throatlatch, browband, noseband, cavesson and reins.
The halter is also an arrangement of straps or ropes used as a headgear or a headcollar to guide the horse. This is fitted over the back of the horse’s neck and around the mouth. When the rider pulls the end of the halter, the head of the horse turns towards the rider.
Unlike the bridle, the halter doesn't have a bit that is placed on the mouth of the horse.
The bit and the hackamore are parts of the horse tack placed at the head of the horse. Like the bridle, these are used for control and communication. The bit is placed particularly at the mouth of the horse while the hackamore goes around the nose of the horse.
The basic types of the bit are the curb bit, snaffle bit and the Pelham bit. Different bits offer different levels of control and pressure to the horse by the rider. The bit is designed to fit the needs and condition of the horse to serve its purpose properly.
The hackamore is made of rope, leather, cable or plastic. The hackamore is used whenever the horse has dental problems or tongue injuries and also during winters to avoid hurting or freezing the mouth of the horse.
The harness is a complicated arrangement of straps that attaches the horse to the cart or sleigh. Depending on the type of vehicle or load the horse is attached to, there are different kinds of harnesses.
The martingale is also a strap that keeps the horse from putting its head above the point of control. This also keeps the horse from tossing its head that would be risky to the rider’s safety. The martingale has various types such as the running martingale, standing martingale and the Irish martingale.
The horse blanket gives the horse warmth and comfort. This is intended also to protect the horse from other elements. This is made especially to fit the body of the horse. It has straps crossing the underneath of the horse so that it won't fall when the horse moves freely. This also has a hole at the back for the horse’s tail to pass through.
Naturally, the long hair of the horse makes it warm especially during winter. But horses are preferred with short hairs. It is believed that the horse blanket keeps the hair of the horse short. Short hair for horses is important for shows.
A Comfortable Stable For Horses
Tips On Building A Stable
Location – Stables must be located in a well-ventilated area not only for the benefit of your horses but yours as well. The smell of the stables is rarely desirable and it’s best for everyone to keep it at a considerable distance from the house.
Box Space – If you have more than one horse, you’ll have to divide the stable accordingly. Each box or stall must provide sufficient space for the horses to be able to lie down and stretch its legs in comfort.
Height – Height isn't much of a factor when building a stable just as long as the horse’s head doesn’t hit the ceiling.
Stall Doors – You have two choices for stall doors: sliding or swinging. Sliding doors are the practical choice for stalls of limited size because you won't have to move the horse farther back whenever someone enters or leaves the stall. Regardless of your choice, however, make sure that you install heavy duty locks for the doors. Stall doors should also be made of extremely durable material so that horses won't kick it open when they’re having a fit.
Aisles – For stables housing a number of horses, an aisle must be created if two rows of stalls will be built. If so, make sure that the aisle is wide enough for you and your horse to walk in comfort.
Flooring – Concrete is considered the best choice of flooring for stables because it’s easier to clean and disinfect compared to other types of flooring. Whichever flooring type you end up using, just make sure that you have an effective drainage system to rely on to prevent ammonia or any other undesirable material from building up.
Lighting – Light is a source of comfort for horses as well as it is for us. When having light fixtures installed in the stable, the safety of your horses should be your top priority. Firstly, lighting must be sufficient for all the horses in the stable. Secondly, it must be kept out of reach from horses to prevent them from getting injured in the event that there’s electrical failure.
Food And Water Storage Area – Food must always be kept in a warm dry part of the stable and kept clean at all times to prevent rats and other small animals from getting in and eating the horse’s food. It’s also essential that you keep the water heated at all times because some horses are picky when it comes to what they’re drinking.
Other Tips To Keep Your Horse In Comfort
It’s possible for you to keep your horses in a barn alongside other animals but expect them to undergo a noisy period of adjustment before they can settle in properly.
Clean your horse’s living area regularly. Don’t wait until they resemble Augean stables. Regular cleaning won't only allow horses to live in a beautiful environment but this can also reduce the health risks on your horses.
Always keep a sufficient amount of hay in each stall to allow your horses to feed whenever they feel the need. At the same time, make sure that your horse always has at least a bucket of water nearby since horses get easily dehydrated.
If you don’t have sufficient budget for building a comfortable stable for your horses, the best you can do is to rent living space from boarding stables. Your monthly fee may also include food, water, and other living expenses of your horse.
Location – Stables must be located in a well-ventilated area not only for the benefit of your horses but yours as well. The smell of the stables is rarely desirable and it’s best for everyone to keep it at a considerable distance from the house.
Box Space – If you have more than one horse, you’ll have to divide the stable accordingly. Each box or stall must provide sufficient space for the horses to be able to lie down and stretch its legs in comfort.
Height – Height isn't much of a factor when building a stable just as long as the horse’s head doesn’t hit the ceiling.
Stall Doors – You have two choices for stall doors: sliding or swinging. Sliding doors are the practical choice for stalls of limited size because you won't have to move the horse farther back whenever someone enters or leaves the stall. Regardless of your choice, however, make sure that you install heavy duty locks for the doors. Stall doors should also be made of extremely durable material so that horses won't kick it open when they’re having a fit.
Aisles – For stables housing a number of horses, an aisle must be created if two rows of stalls will be built. If so, make sure that the aisle is wide enough for you and your horse to walk in comfort.
Flooring – Concrete is considered the best choice of flooring for stables because it’s easier to clean and disinfect compared to other types of flooring. Whichever flooring type you end up using, just make sure that you have an effective drainage system to rely on to prevent ammonia or any other undesirable material from building up.
Lighting – Light is a source of comfort for horses as well as it is for us. When having light fixtures installed in the stable, the safety of your horses should be your top priority. Firstly, lighting must be sufficient for all the horses in the stable. Secondly, it must be kept out of reach from horses to prevent them from getting injured in the event that there’s electrical failure.
Food And Water Storage Area – Food must always be kept in a warm dry part of the stable and kept clean at all times to prevent rats and other small animals from getting in and eating the horse’s food. It’s also essential that you keep the water heated at all times because some horses are picky when it comes to what they’re drinking.
Other Tips To Keep Your Horse In Comfort
It’s possible for you to keep your horses in a barn alongside other animals but expect them to undergo a noisy period of adjustment before they can settle in properly.
Clean your horse’s living area regularly. Don’t wait until they resemble Augean stables. Regular cleaning won't only allow horses to live in a beautiful environment but this can also reduce the health risks on your horses.
Always keep a sufficient amount of hay in each stall to allow your horses to feed whenever they feel the need. At the same time, make sure that your horse always has at least a bucket of water nearby since horses get easily dehydrated.
If you don’t have sufficient budget for building a comfortable stable for your horses, the best you can do is to rent living space from boarding stables. Your monthly fee may also include food, water, and other living expenses of your horse.
Tips When Selecting And Hiring A Farrier
Shoe makers are for humans as farriers are to horses. Yes, horses need their own expert hoof care specialists. It is very rare that a community attends to the foot care and needs of horses.
Those areas where the need is recognized are fortunate to have a few farriers around. Farriers are people who are specially trained and experienced to make horse shoes and take care of the hoofs.
To the ordinary horse owner, the expertise of a farrier isn't really necessary, but for those who are very keen and meticulous over their horses' health and overall health, farriers are one of the most important aides an owner could provide to the animals.
When Hiring A Farrier :
Once upon a time, farriers were considered as estranged bed fellows to the blacksmiths because it had been assumed that the nature of the two jobs were one and the same.
But through the years, the distinction between the two eventually surfaced. Though, the two are considered almost the same, their expertise are different. Though, both professions command great recognition because it takes a significant amount of skill and talent to emerge in both of them.
The work of farrier is as complicated as the work of the blacksmith because trimming hoofs and making special shoes for horses is as tedious as crafting glasses and furniture.
That is why when hiring a farrier for horses, the owner must pay particular attention to the applicant-farrier's expertise and knowledge base.
The first thing the horse owner must look at when selecting a farrier from a pool of applicants is the history of experience. Though, it would somehow seem unfair to the new farriers, old and seasoned ones are more favored.
That is because experienced farriers know what to do in certain difficult situations. Whatever challenge or problem that may arise, the experienced farrier will definitely know how to handle each obstacle.
Experience must have also taught him how to get along with the horses, especially those which are bred and raised to race and join other equestrian events.
Farriers must know when to shoe horses or what to do when there are problems fitting the horse for shoes. Farriers must also be experienced on trimming hoofs.
The new farriers might not be shut out, however. Some horse owners prefer them over the veterans because their services are less expensive. They can also be further trained so they can get along with the horses on a ranch.
Interviewing The Farrier-Applicant
Of course, hiring a farrier is just like hiring regular employees. Other than just looking at the work experience sheet, the horse owner must take time to interview the applicant.
It is through casual talk that the horse owner can get to know the prospective employer. Ease and rapport between the horse owner and the applicant-farrier must be established for they would have to work hand in hand in maintaining the overall foot care of the horse.
The horse owner could ask strategic and inquisitive questions that would gauge the applicant's personal knowledge and experience. For example, the prospective employer could ask about the applicant's work history and experience personally.
Through questions, the horse owner could also tell how the applicant would fare when faced with situations. For instance, you could ask the applicant about his experience on doing gaited horses.
Those farrier-applicants who are tending to be too know-it-all should be screened out because based on the experiences of other horse owners, such farriers won't be helpful in maintaining the over all health of the horse. Such farriers would also disregard suggestions and comments from horse owners, which would be a source of a gap between the two.
Overall, when hiring a farrier, you, the horse owner, could seek advice and recommendations from friends and acquaintances. Asking your local veterinarian about good farriers would also be helpful.
Those areas where the need is recognized are fortunate to have a few farriers around. Farriers are people who are specially trained and experienced to make horse shoes and take care of the hoofs.
To the ordinary horse owner, the expertise of a farrier isn't really necessary, but for those who are very keen and meticulous over their horses' health and overall health, farriers are one of the most important aides an owner could provide to the animals.
When Hiring A Farrier :
Once upon a time, farriers were considered as estranged bed fellows to the blacksmiths because it had been assumed that the nature of the two jobs were one and the same.
But through the years, the distinction between the two eventually surfaced. Though, the two are considered almost the same, their expertise are different. Though, both professions command great recognition because it takes a significant amount of skill and talent to emerge in both of them.
The work of farrier is as complicated as the work of the blacksmith because trimming hoofs and making special shoes for horses is as tedious as crafting glasses and furniture.
That is why when hiring a farrier for horses, the owner must pay particular attention to the applicant-farrier's expertise and knowledge base.
The first thing the horse owner must look at when selecting a farrier from a pool of applicants is the history of experience. Though, it would somehow seem unfair to the new farriers, old and seasoned ones are more favored.
That is because experienced farriers know what to do in certain difficult situations. Whatever challenge or problem that may arise, the experienced farrier will definitely know how to handle each obstacle.
Experience must have also taught him how to get along with the horses, especially those which are bred and raised to race and join other equestrian events.
Farriers must know when to shoe horses or what to do when there are problems fitting the horse for shoes. Farriers must also be experienced on trimming hoofs.
The new farriers might not be shut out, however. Some horse owners prefer them over the veterans because their services are less expensive. They can also be further trained so they can get along with the horses on a ranch.
Interviewing The Farrier-Applicant
Of course, hiring a farrier is just like hiring regular employees. Other than just looking at the work experience sheet, the horse owner must take time to interview the applicant.
It is through casual talk that the horse owner can get to know the prospective employer. Ease and rapport between the horse owner and the applicant-farrier must be established for they would have to work hand in hand in maintaining the overall foot care of the horse.
The horse owner could ask strategic and inquisitive questions that would gauge the applicant's personal knowledge and experience. For example, the prospective employer could ask about the applicant's work history and experience personally.
Through questions, the horse owner could also tell how the applicant would fare when faced with situations. For instance, you could ask the applicant about his experience on doing gaited horses.
Those farrier-applicants who are tending to be too know-it-all should be screened out because based on the experiences of other horse owners, such farriers won't be helpful in maintaining the over all health of the horse. Such farriers would also disregard suggestions and comments from horse owners, which would be a source of a gap between the two.
Overall, when hiring a farrier, you, the horse owner, could seek advice and recommendations from friends and acquaintances. Asking your local veterinarian about good farriers would also be helpful.
How To Help Youngsters In Training And Raising Their Horses
one. J. Rydberg is the 2006 Faculty of the year in Lamar Community College. They joined the Horse Training & Management in 2000 August. Before joining the community, they had spent most of his life training horses & competing for professional rodeos. They had been ranked as of top twenty horse trainers. They teaches clients of all ages with horse roping, barrel racing & cutting.
There are lots of trainers but there's only few who can touch the youngsters's lives & bond with their horses. The lives of the youth can radically modify when being enriched & when skills are being enhanced. Among the nice trainers of kids are the following:
three. Jill Chase coached successful FFA national champions. They started horse production, reproduction, management & evaluation. They has been involved in horse business since nine years elderly. They graduated from Colorado State University of Equine Science.
two. Jason Kravig spent three years in horse training & rodeoing. They gained other insights & techniques from professional trainers like JJ Rydberg.
four. Truck Sant is the daughter of Vicki & Ernest Truck Sant. A ten year experienced equestrian who often wins in horse shows. They is a member of FFA for very four years. They enjoys photography & her usual subjects are horses.
Helping kids in riding, raising & competing with their horses is a tedious yet enjoyable task any trainer can love in the event that they have patience & dedication. Youth have the enthusiasm to learn new things & they are very passionate one time they get involved in any activities. Willingness to teach & create a kid's skill can be essential for a smooth learning method. As trainer said, the most important thing in youth training is setting a nice example.
There are lots of trainers but there's only few who can touch the youngsters's lives & bond with their horses. The lives of the youth can radically modify when being enriched & when skills are being enhanced. Among the nice trainers of kids are the following:
three. Jill Chase coached successful FFA national champions. They started horse production, reproduction, management & evaluation. They has been involved in horse business since nine years elderly. They graduated from Colorado State University of Equine Science.
two. Jason Kravig spent three years in horse training & rodeoing. They gained other insights & techniques from professional trainers like JJ Rydberg.
four. Truck Sant is the daughter of Vicki & Ernest Truck Sant. A ten year experienced equestrian who often wins in horse shows. They is a member of FFA for very four years. They enjoys photography & her usual subjects are horses.
Helping kids in riding, raising & competing with their horses is a tedious yet enjoyable task any trainer can love in the event that they have patience & dedication. Youth have the enthusiasm to learn new things & they are very passionate one time they get involved in any activities. Willingness to teach & create a kid's skill can be essential for a smooth learning method. As trainer said, the most important thing in youth training is setting a nice example.
Friday, 26 March 2010
Tips On Selecting A Horse
When selecting a horse, you need to ask yourself the following questions in order to arrive at the ideal choice.
Why Are You Buying A Horse?
This question tackles the appropriate breed or type of horse you should select. Are you interested in owning a horse for recreational purposes? Are you interested in competing? Do you wish to engage in the business of breeding horses? Are you going to use a horse as an all-around work animal on your farm or ranch?
Who Is Going To Use The Horse?
This mostly concerns individuals who are simply riding enthusiasts and wish to own a horse they can ride whenever they wish. If you are the only one who’s going to use the horse then you have your preferences alone to consider. If, however, you’re purchasing a horse that will be of use to the whole family then you need to take into account the riding level, size, and weight of all possible riders. You need to select a horse that can easily accommodate the biggest rider among you but won't be inclined to throw off an inexperienced rider off his back.
How Old Should A Horse Be Upon Purchase?
A slightly older horse may be “house-broken” already but this also means that it also had the time to get used to certain routines. A slightly older horse for instance may be used to being able to graze free in a large area and being handled by competent riders. If you only have a small stable and little riding skills to be speak of, such a horse is obviously not the ideal choice for you.
A foal, on the other hand, may not have any such considerations but it will however require efficient care and professional training from its owner. As the foal’s owner, it’s your responsibility then to ensure that it’s comfortable with its quarters, being fed regularly, and with a gentle disposition that will allow people to ride it safely.
What About Gender?
Gender is mostly a concern of would-be horse breeders. Owning a mare will allow you greater rights in all future offspring. Having a stud is mostly suitable for experienced riders. Geldings on the other hand are ideal for riders with skills at the beginner level.
Do You Have Any Color Preferences?
The skin color of horses is generally any of the three: black, brown, or white. Skin color is only a factor if you're particularly concerned with aesthetics.
How Much Are You Willing To Spend?
Expect to spend a considerable amount of money whether you wish to purchase a horse for riding or working purposes. Make sure that you consider the costs of feeding, caring and grooming as well. If you don’t have a sufficient budget and space at home to build a stable for your horse, you will have no choice but to use the services of a boarding stable.
A Brief Guide To Different Breeds Of Horses
Arabian
– One of the oldest and arguably the most beautiful breeds in the world, Arabian horses are primarily bred by the Bedouins, a roaming Arab tribe, and mainly used for competitive and recreational riding. Expect to pay expensively if you wish to acquire an Arabian horse. This particular breed led to the development of Thoroughbreds.
Quarter Horse
– The United States is the proud and original breeder of quarter horses, and they can be used for riding, racing, and work purposes. Most of the photos you’ll see around featuring cowboys are mounted on quarter horses.
Andalusian
– Also referred to as the Spanish horse, the Andalusian breed originates from the Iberian Peninsula and has a considerable influence over almost all other horse breeds except for the Arabian and the brab.
Belgian Heavy Draft Horse
– This breed is one of the most popular choices for working horses.
Mustang Or Bronco
– These horses are also known as Indian ponies. They are essentially intelligent and capable of enduring long hours of work.
Why Are You Buying A Horse?
This question tackles the appropriate breed or type of horse you should select. Are you interested in owning a horse for recreational purposes? Are you interested in competing? Do you wish to engage in the business of breeding horses? Are you going to use a horse as an all-around work animal on your farm or ranch?
Who Is Going To Use The Horse?
This mostly concerns individuals who are simply riding enthusiasts and wish to own a horse they can ride whenever they wish. If you are the only one who’s going to use the horse then you have your preferences alone to consider. If, however, you’re purchasing a horse that will be of use to the whole family then you need to take into account the riding level, size, and weight of all possible riders. You need to select a horse that can easily accommodate the biggest rider among you but won't be inclined to throw off an inexperienced rider off his back.
How Old Should A Horse Be Upon Purchase?
A slightly older horse may be “house-broken” already but this also means that it also had the time to get used to certain routines. A slightly older horse for instance may be used to being able to graze free in a large area and being handled by competent riders. If you only have a small stable and little riding skills to be speak of, such a horse is obviously not the ideal choice for you.
A foal, on the other hand, may not have any such considerations but it will however require efficient care and professional training from its owner. As the foal’s owner, it’s your responsibility then to ensure that it’s comfortable with its quarters, being fed regularly, and with a gentle disposition that will allow people to ride it safely.
What About Gender?
Gender is mostly a concern of would-be horse breeders. Owning a mare will allow you greater rights in all future offspring. Having a stud is mostly suitable for experienced riders. Geldings on the other hand are ideal for riders with skills at the beginner level.
Do You Have Any Color Preferences?
The skin color of horses is generally any of the three: black, brown, or white. Skin color is only a factor if you're particularly concerned with aesthetics.
How Much Are You Willing To Spend?
Expect to spend a considerable amount of money whether you wish to purchase a horse for riding or working purposes. Make sure that you consider the costs of feeding, caring and grooming as well. If you don’t have a sufficient budget and space at home to build a stable for your horse, you will have no choice but to use the services of a boarding stable.
A Brief Guide To Different Breeds Of Horses
Arabian
– One of the oldest and arguably the most beautiful breeds in the world, Arabian horses are primarily bred by the Bedouins, a roaming Arab tribe, and mainly used for competitive and recreational riding. Expect to pay expensively if you wish to acquire an Arabian horse. This particular breed led to the development of Thoroughbreds.
Quarter Horse
– The United States is the proud and original breeder of quarter horses, and they can be used for riding, racing, and work purposes. Most of the photos you’ll see around featuring cowboys are mounted on quarter horses.
Andalusian
– Also referred to as the Spanish horse, the Andalusian breed originates from the Iberian Peninsula and has a considerable influence over almost all other horse breeds except for the Arabian and the brab.
Belgian Heavy Draft Horse
– This breed is one of the most popular choices for working horses.
Mustang Or Bronco
– These horses are also known as Indian ponies. They are essentially intelligent and capable of enduring long hours of work.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Dog Lover Gifts
Many times, a dog lover's gift is designed with a specific breed in mind; among the various popular breeds owned include the following:
Beagles
Boston Terriers
Chihuahuas
Bulldogs
Jack Russell Terriers
Pugs
Golden Retrievers
Poodles
Dachshunds
Shih-Tzu
Plenty of owners are fans of the smaller breeds, often often called "toy" canines. Among these include Pomeranians, Shih-Tzu & toy poodles. These animals are often purebreds, & owners historicallyin the past love showing off their animals to somebody willing to admire. These canines often are "stereotyped" in movies, hiding out in the purses of "well bred" females who are polished, coiffed & manicured. These small animals often are depicted as enjoying a trip to the salon with mom for a brush & trim. Smaller breeds of canines are often the ideal choice for families living in smaller apartments. Some canines are even smaller than popular breeds of felines! The Yorkshire terrier is a ideal example of a pup small to slot in the palm of your hand!
The type of dog an owner has often is a reflection of their personality; thus it should not be difficult selecting a dog lover gift that is well suited for Fido & Fido's parents.
Still other canines are cherished for their warm, loving personalities & "family" natures. Golden Retrievers for example, are a popular choice among families with children. These animals are usually high energy but well behaved, making them the ideal choice for a relatives with plenty of young, energetic & playful children. For these, toys would be well received, as the children can play with them, while enjoying their pet.
Plenty of owners of specialized breeds enter their pups in to competition. Plenty of hours are spent grooming, fluffing & primping the animals for show; thus dog lover gifts might include any accessories that help complement their dog's matchless features or characteristics. Without a doubt on entering the house of of these award winning animals, you will find ribbons & hundreds of pics of the stunning champion. The ideal dog lover gifts for people owning a prize dog would be anything that highlights & helps show off puppies stunning nature & well behaved persona. Clothing & picture frames are often popular choices for this section of dog.
Beagles
Boston Terriers
Chihuahuas
Bulldogs
Jack Russell Terriers
Pugs
Golden Retrievers
Poodles
Dachshunds
Shih-Tzu
Plenty of owners are fans of the smaller breeds, often often called "toy" canines. Among these include Pomeranians, Shih-Tzu & toy poodles. These animals are often purebreds, & owners historicallyin the past love showing off their animals to somebody willing to admire. These canines often are "stereotyped" in movies, hiding out in the purses of "well bred" females who are polished, coiffed & manicured. These small animals often are depicted as enjoying a trip to the salon with mom for a brush & trim. Smaller breeds of canines are often the ideal choice for families living in smaller apartments. Some canines are even smaller than popular breeds of felines! The Yorkshire terrier is a ideal example of a pup small to slot in the palm of your hand!
The type of dog an owner has often is a reflection of their personality; thus it should not be difficult selecting a dog lover gift that is well suited for Fido & Fido's parents.
Still other canines are cherished for their warm, loving personalities & "family" natures. Golden Retrievers for example, are a popular choice among families with children. These animals are usually high energy but well behaved, making them the ideal choice for a relatives with plenty of young, energetic & playful children. For these, toys would be well received, as the children can play with them, while enjoying their pet.
Plenty of owners of specialized breeds enter their pups in to competition. Plenty of hours are spent grooming, fluffing & primping the animals for show; thus dog lover gifts might include any accessories that help complement their dog's matchless features or characteristics. Without a doubt on entering the house of of these award winning animals, you will find ribbons & hundreds of pics of the stunning champion. The ideal dog lover gifts for people owning a prize dog would be anything that highlights & helps show off puppies stunning nature & well behaved persona. Clothing & picture frames are often popular choices for this section of dog.
3 Basic Tips For Better Handling Of Your Dog
The temperament and individual characteristics of each dog must be considered and the training technique varied to meet the occasion.
When a trainer knows what he can expect from a dog and what his reaction will be, he has the advantage. The trainer automatically anticipates the dog's next move and decides whether to force the issue or to lessen his demands. There is an art in knowing when to be gentle, when to be firm, when to rebuke, and when to encourage. The good trainer is born with essential qualities that give him the natural ability to coordinate his body motions with every move the dog makes. The result is perfect timing. When the trainer is definite in his actions because he knows what he is doing, the dog then knows that he knows, and the result is respect! Respect gained through admiration and not through fear will bring a happy response that is proof of one's training personality.
A dog can be forced to be obedient, but he cannot be forced to like obedience! He recognizes the fact that all training is progressive and that each new step becomes easy if the preceding lessons have been thoroughly understood. He is not afraid to retrace his steps momentarily if in so doing it will give the dog confidence. Because of his experience and understanding, the proficient trainer is aware of the disastrous effects caused by nagging and he will avoid it at all costs. Because he is patient, he does not become exasperated if results are slow in coming. The clever trainer succeeds in making the dog feel responsible for the correction. He is kind, yet firm, and above all will make obedience fun for the dog.
A good trainer, however, does not necessarily make a good training class instructor. Some people may train at home and give private instruction with success, but when faced with a large group they lack the necessary qualities of leadership. In the training class it is not a question of working out a single problem, but of solving about thirty to fifty different problems all at the same time.
The training director must be a likable person and have the admiration and respect of his pupils. He must have diplomacy and be patient and tolerant of others. It is not always easy to teach someone else how to accomplish what one is able to do oneself. The good training director never permits the class to be held up for a long period of time while he discusses one dog's problem with the owner, nor does he hold back the group for one or two backward dogs. The owners with special problems should be asked to come early or to stay after class for personal instruction.
A good dog trainer/class director should divide the beginners' group into two parts. This will allow for a rest period at which time the owners may watch the others and see how they train. Knowledge can be gained from watching, if only to learn what not to do! He should not dismiss his class without introducing a new exercise or a variation of the class routine in order to encourage the owners to practice at home. The owner who thinks his dog is good and needs no training between sessions can be made to understand that there is always room for improvement.
The initial meeting of a training class should be held without dogs unless it is a club affair and the dogs have had previous training. The confusion that results when a group of untrained dogs and inexperienced owners come together for the first time is too much to cope with and little training would be accomplished. A quiet meeting where problems can be discussed calmly and the various steps are demonstrated without the noise and excitement is more productive. This will give the beginner an over-all picture of what he is expected to accomplish during the weeks that follow.
The trainer would do well to demonstrate the basic steps with two or three untrained dogs brought to the class for this purpose. When this is followed by a short exhibition with dogs that are already trained, the group can see by comparison how quickly results may be achieved. A question-and-answer session will benefit the entire class.
The questions should be repeated clearly by the instructor and his answers given so that everyone in the class can hear. Usually one person's question is relevant to the problem of other members of the group. A general discussion will thus avoid time-consuming repetitions of the subject.
Participants should be warned what to expect the following week when they arrive with their dogs. They should be shown how to stop uncontrolled barking by keeping the dogs on a short leash, and how to handle the situation if a dog fight develops. It must be impressed upon the owners never to stand still while his dog lunges forward toward another dog. He must turn away and jerk hard on the leash. A demonstration should be given of the proper way to control an aggressive dog by a careful quick jerk on the leash and a sharp "No!" This technique can be used to prevent fights and to stop excessive noise.
He should remind the owners not to feed their dogs for several hours before coming to class and to see that they are exercised. Request the owners to keep their dogs on a short lead when entering and leaving the building, to walk in the center of all hallways, and to keep the dogs (particularly the males) away from corners and posts. A dog that deliberately misbehaves inside the building should be barred from the classroom.
When a trainer knows what he can expect from a dog and what his reaction will be, he has the advantage. The trainer automatically anticipates the dog's next move and decides whether to force the issue or to lessen his demands. There is an art in knowing when to be gentle, when to be firm, when to rebuke, and when to encourage. The good trainer is born with essential qualities that give him the natural ability to coordinate his body motions with every move the dog makes. The result is perfect timing. When the trainer is definite in his actions because he knows what he is doing, the dog then knows that he knows, and the result is respect! Respect gained through admiration and not through fear will bring a happy response that is proof of one's training personality.
A dog can be forced to be obedient, but he cannot be forced to like obedience! He recognizes the fact that all training is progressive and that each new step becomes easy if the preceding lessons have been thoroughly understood. He is not afraid to retrace his steps momentarily if in so doing it will give the dog confidence. Because of his experience and understanding, the proficient trainer is aware of the disastrous effects caused by nagging and he will avoid it at all costs. Because he is patient, he does not become exasperated if results are slow in coming. The clever trainer succeeds in making the dog feel responsible for the correction. He is kind, yet firm, and above all will make obedience fun for the dog.
A good trainer, however, does not necessarily make a good training class instructor. Some people may train at home and give private instruction with success, but when faced with a large group they lack the necessary qualities of leadership. In the training class it is not a question of working out a single problem, but of solving about thirty to fifty different problems all at the same time.
The training director must be a likable person and have the admiration and respect of his pupils. He must have diplomacy and be patient and tolerant of others. It is not always easy to teach someone else how to accomplish what one is able to do oneself. The good training director never permits the class to be held up for a long period of time while he discusses one dog's problem with the owner, nor does he hold back the group for one or two backward dogs. The owners with special problems should be asked to come early or to stay after class for personal instruction.
A good dog trainer/class director should divide the beginners' group into two parts. This will allow for a rest period at which time the owners may watch the others and see how they train. Knowledge can be gained from watching, if only to learn what not to do! He should not dismiss his class without introducing a new exercise or a variation of the class routine in order to encourage the owners to practice at home. The owner who thinks his dog is good and needs no training between sessions can be made to understand that there is always room for improvement.
The initial meeting of a training class should be held without dogs unless it is a club affair and the dogs have had previous training. The confusion that results when a group of untrained dogs and inexperienced owners come together for the first time is too much to cope with and little training would be accomplished. A quiet meeting where problems can be discussed calmly and the various steps are demonstrated without the noise and excitement is more productive. This will give the beginner an over-all picture of what he is expected to accomplish during the weeks that follow.
The trainer would do well to demonstrate the basic steps with two or three untrained dogs brought to the class for this purpose. When this is followed by a short exhibition with dogs that are already trained, the group can see by comparison how quickly results may be achieved. A question-and-answer session will benefit the entire class.
The questions should be repeated clearly by the instructor and his answers given so that everyone in the class can hear. Usually one person's question is relevant to the problem of other members of the group. A general discussion will thus avoid time-consuming repetitions of the subject.
Participants should be warned what to expect the following week when they arrive with their dogs. They should be shown how to stop uncontrolled barking by keeping the dogs on a short leash, and how to handle the situation if a dog fight develops. It must be impressed upon the owners never to stand still while his dog lunges forward toward another dog. He must turn away and jerk hard on the leash. A demonstration should be given of the proper way to control an aggressive dog by a careful quick jerk on the leash and a sharp "No!" This technique can be used to prevent fights and to stop excessive noise.
He should remind the owners not to feed their dogs for several hours before coming to class and to see that they are exercised. Request the owners to keep their dogs on a short lead when entering and leaving the building, to walk in the center of all hallways, and to keep the dogs (particularly the males) away from corners and posts. A dog that deliberately misbehaves inside the building should be barred from the classroom.
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Understanding The Herding Dog Group
The Herding Group
There are seven standard group of dog breeds that are assigned by the American Kennel Club (AKC). They are: The hound group, the herding group, the sporting group, the working group, the toy group, the terrier group, and the non-sporting group. Below is knowledge regarding specifically the Herding group.
These clever, hard-working canines were originally bred to herd cattle, sheep, and other domestic animals under the supervision of a shepherd. There's types of canines that fall under this section - cattle and/or sheep driving canines and sheep herders.
Cattle and/or Sheep Driving Canines
Examples of cattle/sheep driving canines are: Briard, Canaan Dog, Australian Cattle Dog, Bouvier des Flanders, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
The cattle and/or sheep driving canines moved sheep and cattle over long distances and usually without any human direction. These canines have a solid and stocky build. They can be unpredictable, aggressive, and reserved with strangers. These traits, however, can be prevented through proper training and early socialization.
Sheep Herders
The other type of canines in the herding group are the sheep herders. These canines were bred to move the flock. They are alert, agile, and athletic. They are affectionate to their relatives but suspicious of strangers. When properly trained, these canines usually get along with kids. They require lots of exercise and a job to do. Set some time to socialize and train this breed on herding or other constructive exercise.
Examples of sheep herders are: Italian Shepherd Dog, Puli, Shetland Sheepdog, Elderly English Sheepdog, Collie, Border Collie, Bearded Collie, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Malinois, and Belgian Tervuren.
There are seven standard group of dog breeds that are assigned by the American Kennel Club (AKC). They are: The hound group, the herding group, the sporting group, the working group, the toy group, the terrier group, and the non-sporting group. Below is knowledge regarding specifically the Herding group.
These clever, hard-working canines were originally bred to herd cattle, sheep, and other domestic animals under the supervision of a shepherd. There's types of canines that fall under this section - cattle and/or sheep driving canines and sheep herders.
Cattle and/or Sheep Driving Canines
Examples of cattle/sheep driving canines are: Briard, Canaan Dog, Australian Cattle Dog, Bouvier des Flanders, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
The cattle and/or sheep driving canines moved sheep and cattle over long distances and usually without any human direction. These canines have a solid and stocky build. They can be unpredictable, aggressive, and reserved with strangers. These traits, however, can be prevented through proper training and early socialization.
Sheep Herders
The other type of canines in the herding group are the sheep herders. These canines were bred to move the flock. They are alert, agile, and athletic. They are affectionate to their relatives but suspicious of strangers. When properly trained, these canines usually get along with kids. They require lots of exercise and a job to do. Set some time to socialize and train this breed on herding or other constructive exercise.
Examples of sheep herders are: Italian Shepherd Dog, Puli, Shetland Sheepdog, Elderly English Sheepdog, Collie, Border Collie, Bearded Collie, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Malinois, and Belgian Tervuren.
A Quick Fix To Urine-Greeting
This behavior ought to be tended to immediately. Not only does it do destroy to your house & surface areas from the frequent urination, but more importantly it is a sign that there is something causing your dog to feel high levels of stress & anxiety. As a responsible dog owner, it is your duty to do your best to help alleviate these kind of behavioral signs.
Ignore Him
Although it may sound cruel, the quickest way to help your dog overcome urine-greeting is to basically ignore them when you arrive home. The greeting home is the most typical time that a dog who has these behavioral characteristics tends to pee. This means that there is something going on that causes your dog to get so nervous & worked up when his master is home that he cannot help but spray all over the place.
As I said earlier, it may appear difficult for you to practice the habit of coming home & walking right past your dog without giving him a second glance. Trust me, I do know how difficult this can be because I had to initiate the same protocol for of my Chihuahuas. But the truth is that your dog won't perceive the experience in the same manner that you see it. In fact, a sure sense of relief will kick in your dog's mind after only a couple of minutes of realizing that the standard ritual of greeting & urinating does not must happen.
Keep in mind, for some reason your dog is feeling that the moment you come home is a very stressful situation & by eradicating the greeting altogether, you have taken away the reason for his anxiety. So keep this in mind as you are trying to fix his urine-greeting behavior. As you walk in to the house & must ignore your small pup, always keep in mind that you are helping his condition & not hurting his feelings.
Ignore Him
Although it may sound cruel, the quickest way to help your dog overcome urine-greeting is to basically ignore them when you arrive home. The greeting home is the most typical time that a dog who has these behavioral characteristics tends to pee. This means that there is something going on that causes your dog to get so nervous & worked up when his master is home that he cannot help but spray all over the place.
As I said earlier, it may appear difficult for you to practice the habit of coming home & walking right past your dog without giving him a second glance. Trust me, I do know how difficult this can be because I had to initiate the same protocol for of my Chihuahuas. But the truth is that your dog won't perceive the experience in the same manner that you see it. In fact, a sure sense of relief will kick in your dog's mind after only a couple of minutes of realizing that the standard ritual of greeting & urinating does not must happen.
Keep in mind, for some reason your dog is feeling that the moment you come home is a very stressful situation & by eradicating the greeting altogether, you have taken away the reason for his anxiety. So keep this in mind as you are trying to fix his urine-greeting behavior. As you walk in to the house & must ignore your small pup, always keep in mind that you are helping his condition & not hurting his feelings.
Using A Clicker to Train Dogs
A clicker is a simple & compact tool that basically makes a "click"sound when the trigger is pressed. Animal lovers who condone positive dog training are seeing wonderful results from utilizing a clicker in lieu of other more negative approaches when using training aids. & brilliantly, clickers are being used successfully in the training of felines, horses, & even dolphins!
What Is A Clicker?
How Does It Work?
In order to make use of a clicker successfully, the sound must spark off an inviting response within your dog's mind. This is so simple to do & you can literally train your dog to yearn for the sound of the clicker in less than day. All you need to do is connect the sound of the clicker with of your canines most tastiest of treats.
Click the clicker. Now give your dog a treat. Again, click the clicker. Follow through with another treat. & again, yes you guessed it click the clicker & immediately give your dog the tasty snack.
Here Is How You Do It
Sounds simple, doesn't it? Think it or not your dog may build that in mind/treat/clicker connection in less than ten clicks! Some canines may take longer but when it comes to pleasure most pets are responsive, when you are utilizing tasty food as a motivator.
Now your dog will yearn to listen to that sound as often as they can. It means that something nice is on the way & when the click goes off they cannot wait to receive a tasty treat! Now you are prepared to start positive dog training with the use of the clicker.
Finally, after plenty of makes use of of the clicker with different training techniques, it is possible for you to to eradicate the use of treats. This is what is so great about using a clicker - you can continue to make the sound & as long as you follow through with lots of praise & affection, your dog will get the same euphoric feeling as they did when you were giving him dog treats.
There's lots of ways to do this. For example, in case you are trying to teach her dog to sit then click the clicker every time they does so. Follow through with a treat until your dog anxiously awaits to perform the next command.
What Is A Clicker?
How Does It Work?
In order to make use of a clicker successfully, the sound must spark off an inviting response within your dog's mind. This is so simple to do & you can literally train your dog to yearn for the sound of the clicker in less than day. All you need to do is connect the sound of the clicker with of your canines most tastiest of treats.
Click the clicker. Now give your dog a treat. Again, click the clicker. Follow through with another treat. & again, yes you guessed it click the clicker & immediately give your dog the tasty snack.
Here Is How You Do It
Sounds simple, doesn't it? Think it or not your dog may build that in mind/treat/clicker connection in less than ten clicks! Some canines may take longer but when it comes to pleasure most pets are responsive, when you are utilizing tasty food as a motivator.
Now your dog will yearn to listen to that sound as often as they can. It means that something nice is on the way & when the click goes off they cannot wait to receive a tasty treat! Now you are prepared to start positive dog training with the use of the clicker.
Finally, after plenty of makes use of of the clicker with different training techniques, it is possible for you to to eradicate the use of treats. This is what is so great about using a clicker - you can continue to make the sound & as long as you follow through with lots of praise & affection, your dog will get the same euphoric feeling as they did when you were giving him dog treats.
There's lots of ways to do this. For example, in case you are trying to teach her dog to sit then click the clicker every time they does so. Follow through with a treat until your dog anxiously awaits to perform the next command.
Should You Buy A Newborn Or A Matured Puppy?
When getting young puppy, you need to think about several factors. Puppies that are less than 8 weeks elderly will do lots of nipping & biting. They do this to try to decide a hierarchy. Sometimes, they will bite at their sister. When this happens, they makes it clear, by growling & using her body language, that these behaviors are unacceptable. It is around 6 weeks elderly that puppies learn about respect the most effective way, from their sister. Taking them home at this age & trying to teach them how to behave is harder because they don't talk dog language.
Are you planning on getting a new-born puppy or perhaps that has aged a bit? In the event you need a young puppy, wait until they is at least 8 weeks elderly. In the event you need a more mature pup, around 6 months is the best age. Bringing home a more mature puppy is simpler than bringing home a infant puppy. The reason for this is that an older puppy will more likely have outgrown his infant ways such as excessive chewing & biting, & most importantly ought to be potty trained!
Older puppies, however, are much more calmer & understanding of the every day activities in the household. Although this is only true in the event that they have been properly trained & socialized in their birth home. Puppies who are neglected will show signs of nervousness, unpredictability, & some aggressiveness. It is important to carefully observe the puppy of choice before you make the acquisition.
In addition to chewing & biting, puppies that are under 6 weeks elderly have not yet developed their bladder & bowel control. They cannot hold it in like mature puppies can. What this means for us is that it is much harder to house-train a more youthful puppy & there is going to be much more cleaning up to do.
Are you planning on getting a new-born puppy or perhaps that has aged a bit? In the event you need a young puppy, wait until they is at least 8 weeks elderly. In the event you need a more mature pup, around 6 months is the best age. Bringing home a more mature puppy is simpler than bringing home a infant puppy. The reason for this is that an older puppy will more likely have outgrown his infant ways such as excessive chewing & biting, & most importantly ought to be potty trained!
Older puppies, however, are much more calmer & understanding of the every day activities in the household. Although this is only true in the event that they have been properly trained & socialized in their birth home. Puppies who are neglected will show signs of nervousness, unpredictability, & some aggressiveness. It is important to carefully observe the puppy of choice before you make the acquisition.
In addition to chewing & biting, puppies that are under 6 weeks elderly have not yet developed their bladder & bowel control. They cannot hold it in like mature puppies can. What this means for us is that it is much harder to house-train a more youthful puppy & there is going to be much more cleaning up to do.
3 Simple Tips To Help Keep Your Sanity In Dog Bathing
When giving your dog a bath, would you like to have a pleasant experience or would you like to get frustrated like most dog owners do when they do not adequately prepare? Obviously the first choice is preferred so below are a few simple tips when giving your dog a bath :
1. Preparation is key and the last thing you require to experience is your dog leaping out of a tub filled with water and ruining your carpet all because you had to leave the bathroom to get something you needed. In order to prevent this from happening you must place everything that you will require inside the bathroom or your preferred dog wash area before beginning your dog's bath.
2. Expect to get dirty and wet! The last thing you ought to wear before giving your dog a bath is a piece of clothing that you care about. Put on your raggedy elderly denims and a T-shirt that you could care less about. You may even require to put on a pair of swimming trunks like I prefer to do. The truth is that your clothes are going to get wet so you may as well be prepared.
Make definite that you have your shampoos prepared, conditioner on hand, any brushes you may use, and naturally lots of towels. All of this stuff ought to be basically reachable while you are giving your dog a bath so that you can always keep hand on him while the other and is reaching for a supply item. This way, you won't must leave your dog to look for something you needed which will give your dog the chance to hop out and drive you crazy while they gets everything in your house soaking wet.
3. As soon as the bath is over be definite to leash your dog and get him outside immediately. In the event you do not do this, then your whole room will be soaked with water and suds from him shaking it off. It is impossible to prevent your dog from shaking off water, so ensuring that they is in an area outside and can do no destroy is important.
Of coursework this advice is more appropriate for larger dog breeds that have more hair.
1. Preparation is key and the last thing you require to experience is your dog leaping out of a tub filled with water and ruining your carpet all because you had to leave the bathroom to get something you needed. In order to prevent this from happening you must place everything that you will require inside the bathroom or your preferred dog wash area before beginning your dog's bath.
2. Expect to get dirty and wet! The last thing you ought to wear before giving your dog a bath is a piece of clothing that you care about. Put on your raggedy elderly denims and a T-shirt that you could care less about. You may even require to put on a pair of swimming trunks like I prefer to do. The truth is that your clothes are going to get wet so you may as well be prepared.
Make definite that you have your shampoos prepared, conditioner on hand, any brushes you may use, and naturally lots of towels. All of this stuff ought to be basically reachable while you are giving your dog a bath so that you can always keep hand on him while the other and is reaching for a supply item. This way, you won't must leave your dog to look for something you needed which will give your dog the chance to hop out and drive you crazy while they gets everything in your house soaking wet.
3. As soon as the bath is over be definite to leash your dog and get him outside immediately. In the event you do not do this, then your whole room will be soaked with water and suds from him shaking it off. It is impossible to prevent your dog from shaking off water, so ensuring that they is in an area outside and can do no destroy is important.
Of coursework this advice is more appropriate for larger dog breeds that have more hair.
How To Manage Your Attention-Seeking Puppy
Let's say that you are trying to have a pleasant, calm dinner, but your puppy keeps leaping up and down, standing like a prairie dog right in front of you to get your attention. When you try to correct him by pushing him down or yelling Off!, they gets increasingly excited and continues to jump up and down. He is doing so because you responded to his behavior.
Puppies love attention. They crave for it, they cry for it, and when they get it, they will do anything to keep that attention focused on them. Your puppy does not care if the attention that you are giving him is in response to something positive or something negative. All they cares about is getting attention from you.
Here is another example. Your puppy gets a hold of your key chain and starts walking around the house with it. What do you do? You cease whatever it is you are doing and start chasing him. Your puppy does not register chasing as a type of discipline. In his mind, you are either playing with him or that whatever they has must be nice because you need it. So they will keep on walking until you cease or of you finally gets worn out of playing chase.
By yelling at him and pushing him down, you are actually giving him what they desires. You are answering to his needs whether you recognize it or not. The response (attention) that you gave him, although it is not positive, motivates your puppy to keep going because they knows that whatever he is doing is working.
The fact that you are upset together with your puppy's action does not represent anything to him. His reaction is based on your body contact and excitement. Even in the event you yell at him and then push him hard, they will most likely cease and walk away. However, the only thing that you have accomplished is scaring him. It is feasible to train your puppy without having to establish fear.
To your puppy, attention can be as simple as giving him a smirk. This acknowledgement is saying to him that what they is doing is right. The reason for this is because puppies think that they are like them. Therefore, when your puppy gets excited and you reply back by getting excited, whether it is positive emotion or negative emotion, your puppy will think that you are following his lead, which further reinforces his behavior.
Show your puppy that the way for him to get your attention is through positive behavior. The best time to do this is when they is calm and resting or chewing on a bone peacefully. Slowly go to him and give him a light pat or a soft stomach rub while whispering a warm praise. Finally, your puppy will recognize that being calm and calm is what gets him the attention they desires. They will then repeat the behavior of what you are being attentive to.
Puppies love attention. They crave for it, they cry for it, and when they get it, they will do anything to keep that attention focused on them. Your puppy does not care if the attention that you are giving him is in response to something positive or something negative. All they cares about is getting attention from you.
Here is another example. Your puppy gets a hold of your key chain and starts walking around the house with it. What do you do? You cease whatever it is you are doing and start chasing him. Your puppy does not register chasing as a type of discipline. In his mind, you are either playing with him or that whatever they has must be nice because you need it. So they will keep on walking until you cease or of you finally gets worn out of playing chase.
By yelling at him and pushing him down, you are actually giving him what they desires. You are answering to his needs whether you recognize it or not. The response (attention) that you gave him, although it is not positive, motivates your puppy to keep going because they knows that whatever he is doing is working.
The fact that you are upset together with your puppy's action does not represent anything to him. His reaction is based on your body contact and excitement. Even in the event you yell at him and then push him hard, they will most likely cease and walk away. However, the only thing that you have accomplished is scaring him. It is feasible to train your puppy without having to establish fear.
To your puppy, attention can be as simple as giving him a smirk. This acknowledgement is saying to him that what they is doing is right. The reason for this is because puppies think that they are like them. Therefore, when your puppy gets excited and you reply back by getting excited, whether it is positive emotion or negative emotion, your puppy will think that you are following his lead, which further reinforces his behavior.
Show your puppy that the way for him to get your attention is through positive behavior. The best time to do this is when they is calm and resting or chewing on a bone peacefully. Slowly go to him and give him a light pat or a soft stomach rub while whispering a warm praise. Finally, your puppy will recognize that being calm and calm is what gets him the attention they desires. They will then repeat the behavior of what you are being attentive to.
Adopting A Shelter Dog
When a dog is hyperactive it is usually the result of the combination of living a long life of boredom mixed together with his nerves, all due from experiencing high anxiety levels. When your dog was in the shelter then he probably used pacing and loud whining as a favourite past time. In case you think about how long they are locked up and with so small to do, it is understandable why this hyperactive behavioral issue comes in to existence.
If you have recently adopted a shelter dog or are thinking about doing so than this editorial is for you. of the most common behavioral issues that you will experience when bringing home a shelter dog is extreme hyperactivity.
Some new shelter dog owners think that the answer to this hyperactive issue is to coop the dog up in order to keep them from moving around a lot and acting irritably. However, this is not the answer. Exercise is also another common solution that new shelter dog owners think may work, and it does to an extent, but it won't solve the hyperactive issue forever. Although vigorous exercise will tire your dog's muscles out and take away the nervousness for a timeframe, the hyperactivity will finally come back.
Now that your dog is at home with you and in to a more roomier and positive surroundings, this may translate itself in to a brand spanking new stressor that your dog is feeling. Although the atmosphere of the new living situation is a positive thing, the changes are usually stressful to new shelter canines. It will take some time for your dog to get used to the new setting. Needless to say, the elderly habits of pacing back and forth and/or crying out loudly may come back to your dog as a way of coping.
Proper Training & Spending Time Together
Getting your pet involved in dog training and obedience training may help the hyperactive dog to rectify its behavioral issue because it will help give the dog confidence as well as help the dog pay more attention to general commands such as sit or stay. These simple commands can be used to subdue a dog who has been trained to listen to them whenever he is showing signs of hyperactivity.
Proper training will also help you and your dog spend more time together. As long as you keep the training periods positive and fun, your dog will start to show signs of improvement when it comes to being hyperactive. The more time you spend keeping your dog busy with training and bonding with you, the more you will notice the elderly hyperactive habits start to fade away.
If you have recently adopted a shelter dog or are thinking about doing so than this editorial is for you. of the most common behavioral issues that you will experience when bringing home a shelter dog is extreme hyperactivity.
Some new shelter dog owners think that the answer to this hyperactive issue is to coop the dog up in order to keep them from moving around a lot and acting irritably. However, this is not the answer. Exercise is also another common solution that new shelter dog owners think may work, and it does to an extent, but it won't solve the hyperactive issue forever. Although vigorous exercise will tire your dog's muscles out and take away the nervousness for a timeframe, the hyperactivity will finally come back.
Now that your dog is at home with you and in to a more roomier and positive surroundings, this may translate itself in to a brand spanking new stressor that your dog is feeling. Although the atmosphere of the new living situation is a positive thing, the changes are usually stressful to new shelter canines. It will take some time for your dog to get used to the new setting. Needless to say, the elderly habits of pacing back and forth and/or crying out loudly may come back to your dog as a way of coping.
Proper Training & Spending Time Together
Getting your pet involved in dog training and obedience training may help the hyperactive dog to rectify its behavioral issue because it will help give the dog confidence as well as help the dog pay more attention to general commands such as sit or stay. These simple commands can be used to subdue a dog who has been trained to listen to them whenever he is showing signs of hyperactivity.
Proper training will also help you and your dog spend more time together. As long as you keep the training periods positive and fun, your dog will start to show signs of improvement when it comes to being hyperactive. The more time you spend keeping your dog busy with training and bonding with you, the more you will notice the elderly hyperactive habits start to fade away.
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Five Essential Dog's Accessories
English Shepherd Dog |
I. Dog Beds
Every dog needs a bed, for older canines like ours. As our house is tiled, & the floor gets very chilled. If your pooch is that likes to have a small bit of a gnaw on her slumber place, then spending additional on a hardy will save you tons of money in the long run. Another thing is the pillow part on the bottom. Some canines are terrible wrigglers, constantly moving around in the bed trying to get comfortable, & often the bedding comes out. The bed they have at the moment has clips on the bottom that keeps it in place, so they don't must keep putting it back.
II. Harnesses
Harnesses are necessary for travelling in cars. They restrain your dog properly, so that they don't get hurt in an accident, or get in your way while drivingour dog finds it hard to resist climbing in to an empty lap, so that is handy for me! They has a very stylish purple that matches her collar. Harnesses are also nice for jogging, in the event you are a dog that pulls, or a sneaky dog like ours - that has worked out how to make use of the leash to pull out of her collar! Harnesses are much better for dog's that pull, than choker chains. Choker or "Check" chains are very bad for dog's necks, & can destroy their throats.
III. Collars
Collars are very important, for identification as well as restraint. All canines ought to have a collar, & all of your pooches need identification tags on them, along with your phone number & your name. Collars are as well as a basic dog fashion accessory.
IV. Leashes
In the event you have a huge strong dog or a medium size dog like ours, your will have a much better time controlling her with a short leash - in the event you need to cross the road. For a small dog an extended leash is probably better, since they are not strong to pull away anyway... But I do know how feisty your small pooches get - definitely huge canines trapped in small bodies! Also, as with the collars, leashes can be very fashionable dog clothes & accessories.
V. Collapsible Water Bowls
Of coursework everyone needs water - when they take our canines for walks, & they get all hot & thirsty. Canines can get heat stroke very quickly, you know! Of coursework you can give them a drink from a tap, but what in the event you cannot find? Better safe than sorry, when it concerns their health. Or perhaps you have a dog like ours who refuses to drink from taps. They hates it when water gets up her nose, & refuses to drink from a tap.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)