Horses chew, we all know that, but if you’ve ever watched horses out in pasture they’ll perform types of grooming and bonding rituals with their teeth. Take a look sometimes and you’ll notice many times horses standing together while one is almost seemingly biting the flesh of the other. They’ll grab a little bunch of flesh and in a careful way kind of nip away with a little tug of the skin. This is very common and it’s a cooperative event where one horse allows the other. I’m quite sure I wouldn’t discourage such behavior amongst horses.

A good photograph portrays your horse in his best possible light. A bad photograph, by contrast, draws attention to every fault, no matter how insignificant, and sometimes even exaggerates those faults!

Whether you are advertising your horse because he is for sale or advertising his recent show ring accomplishments, knowing how to photograph your horse correctly is a skill you must develop. If you derive income from your horses getting good photographs of them to put in front of the public is absolutely integral!

There is no one breed of horses that are called miniature-this is just a term that is used to describe a horse that meets certain height requirements. Most breeds are measured in hands-where one hand equals four inches. However, minis are measured in inches or centimeters. They are measured from the ground to the base of the hairs on their mane.

Miniature horses are less than half the size of a regular horse and breeders select the smallest stallions and mares for breeding. This way, they hope to ensure that they have even smaller foals the following spring. A new foal weights about 18-22 pounds and stands 16 to 21 inches at birth-making it about the same size as a medium-sized dog.

A geriatric or senior horse is typically one that is twenty years old or older. They often begin needing specialized care around this part of their life, because things simply begin to wear out. Just like humans, things start to not work as well as they once did. Their eyes, teeth, joints, liver, gut and kidneys all begin to lose their functionality. These are the areas of the older horse that you must begin to pay more attention to.

You are now thinking-what are your crazy? Why would anyone purchase insurance on the average horse? You know that the special thoroughbreds, Arabian, and other special breeds are covered but why should you spend the money for your own horse?

Well, it is no longer an issue for the very wealthy owners and breeders. If medical attention or surgery is needed, this can make a difference between saving your horse’s life or putting them down. And, who really wants to sacrifice their pet just because they can not afford to pay the veterinarian?
If you own a horse of any breed, you know that it is a major financial investment.

When it comes to shoeing and Farrier talks one of the least understood topics is the discussion of hoof balance. Ask half dozen different Farriers the meaning of hoof balance and you’re likely to have half dozen different answers. While hoof balance is so misunderstood it’s also most crucial to avoiding permanent lameness to horses. Put those two ingredients together and you have a recipe for disaster. Until hoof balance is completely understood there’s a 98% chance a horse will remain at serious risk. Let’s discuss balance and reduce the risk.

We all have those visions in our heads of the perfect horse. Maybe it’s a 16-hand palomino mare with a snip and two socks and a beautiful, wavy blond mane and tail. Maybe it’s a well-muscled solid black gelding with just the smallest of stars . . .

So why don’t we ever end up with it? Well, probably for good reason. Is it possible to find the perfect horse for you? You can certainly get darn close. But will he look like the vision you’ve carried in your head since childhood? Doubtful. If you want to find the right horse for you, you are going to have to do a lot more than go on looks alone.

Broken colored horses are associated in the popular imagination with the old American west. In particular, they are associated with Native Americans, with whom they were a popular choice, as the pattern of broken colors made the horses hard to see, either during a hunt or during war.

Broken colored horses - also known as pintos - continue to be popular today, both in the American west and around the world. However, even though “pinto” is the Spanish word for “paint”, pinto horses are not quite the same thing as paint horses.

Have you ever gone to camp in the summer and watched other people riding horses and wish you could join them? Well, you may not have gotten the chance when you were small, but today, kids from anywhere can go to horseback riding camps for such fun and adventure.

Horseback riding camps provide much more than just merely riding through hills and valleys. Instruction about horse care and grooming are also basic requirements for attending a horse camp. Most riding levels are catered to in horseback riding camps, and they are suitable for both novice and experienced riders who may find themselves fortunate enough to own a horse for the first time in their life.

I’m told that little girls love horses. Then when they get older other things, perhaps boys (LOL) take that place.

Well not for some girls and woman. I’m one of them.

I’ve loved horses from the first time I was near then. The first time I was near them was when my parents would take us to a local farm for pony rides. I was probably one of the few children that didn’t cry when put on their back. I instead loved it. I’ve always been petite and thought it was great to see the world from their back. It was a perfect perch for a little girl. I also thought they were gentle and beautiful.