The Falabella is a miniature horse that hails from Argentina. It might descend from Andalusians brought to South America and later abandoned by Spanish conquistadors. Natural selection, for whatever reason, led to horses of a smaller size. They were eventually developed as a breed in 1868 by the Falabella family, who still maintain it today. Some of the earliest photos of miniature horses depict the Falabella and date to 1905. Most Falabellas live at the family's farms in Argentina, but they are also found in North America, Great Britain, and other countries.These little horses are gentle and docile. Outgoing and amiable in nature, they enjoy being petted, and they learn routines quickly, making them good companions for children. Falabellas have a long life span, with some living to be 45 years old.A Falabella can resemble any breed, depending on the breeder's preferences. It has fine, silky hair and thin, supple skin. The mane may be short and straight or long, falling on both sides of the neck. Narrow hooves have an oval shape. In color, it is usually black or brown but may also be found in Appaloosa, pinto, bay, or chestnut. All colors are permitted. The Falabella moves with an energetic gait. Most Falabellas stand between 28 and 34 inches, but there is no height restriction, and some are as tall as 38 inches.This is a rare breed, with fewer than 2000 registered with the Falabella Miniature Horse Association. Other associations that register the breed are the Falabella Horse Breeders Association and the International Falabella Miniature Horse Society. Only a few thousand are believed to exist throughout the world. This rarity makes them prized by people who appreciate the unusual.
It's a dirty, boring job, but it must be done. At least once a month, preferably twice a month, you need to clean your tack.If you are like most horse people, much of your tack is made of leather. You probably have a few synthetic pieces as well (such as a girth or halter), as well as metal parts.1. Gather together whatever pieces of tack you use regularly. This will include your saddle (with the girth or cinch, and stirrups), bridle (with reins, martingales, & other devices you might use), halter & lead rope, breast collar, saddle pad, and other accessories.2. Put together all the items you will need. -Two buckets, both containing lukewarm water-Leather soap-Leather oil-Leather conditioner-Two tack sponges-Clean rags or towels-Toothbrush-Small paintbrush3. Start with one piece of your leather tack, such as your saddle. Wipe the dust off it with a rag or towel. Put some soap on the damp tack sponge and work it into a lather, using a circular motion. When trying to clean tight spots, use the toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies. (This is especially necessary if you have a Western saddle with tooling.) If your tack is very dirty, the sponge will need frequent dipping into one of the buckets of water to clean it out.4. After washing the entire piece of tack the sponge and soap, use a clean sponge to wipe away all the soap residue. You want to make sure you get the soap off, but you don't want to saturate the leather with water.5. If your tack is very new, dry, or old, you may want to oil it. Use a paintbrush (we use a small piece of wool) to apply a light coat of leather oil over it, being careful not to get it on your clothes. Let the oil sit on the tack for at least an hour, then wipe off the residue with a towel or rag.6. Next, use leather conditioner on the tack. After conditioning, rub it down with a dry cloth to bring out the sheen.7. For synthetic tack, use a damp sponge and wipe it down. Do this several times until the water runs clean wh
Most of the time, horses themselves are transportation, but on some occasions, they must be transported on wheels rather than on their own four legs. Whether you & your horse are heading to the vet, a show, or to meet friends for a ride, getting there safely is an essential element of the trip.For a horse, walking into a small, dark trailer & then moving along the road without being able to see what's happening is an unnerving experience. As a prey animal, all of a horse's instincts tell him to have a means of escape. When escape doesn't seem possible, the horse will feel stressed. Fortunately, you can make travel more comfortable & less stressful for both of you.First, teach your horse to load politely. This will save time getting on the road and can be essential in an emergency. Consider the size of the trailer. It should be large enough for the horse to move its head around, move forward & backward a step, & shift his weight slightly from side to side. All of these factors will help the more maintain his balance.Drive thoughtfully. When the trailer moves smoothly as a constant speed, the horse will be less anxious. Avoid sudden starts or stops, going too fast around corners, & changing lanes. Factor in the weight of the horse in the trailer when braking or changing lanes.You will need to start braking at a greater distance because of the additional weight. The extra weight will also increase the "whip" effect if the trailer swerves, so look ahead as you drive & be aware of any potential obstacles.Maintain your vehicle & the trailer appropriately. Inflate the tires properly & ensure they have good tread. Check the brakes & lights to ensure they work. The loaded trailer should pull level. If it doesn't, check the hitch & rebalance your load if necessary. See a mechanic if necessary.Make your horse comfortable. Ensure that your horse has plenty of fresh air coming into the trailer, especially during hot weather. Try to travel at times when roads aren't congested so
One of the most oft-used training devices, a set of cavalettis should be a part of every serious horseman's equipment.Cavalettis are small jumps measuring anywhere from 4 to 12 inches in height. They are used to help horses learn where to place their feet when moving. Going over cavalettis helps the horse become aware of her foot placement and teaches her to collect her gait. It also helps her from getting bored when you are working the arena.Even just one cavaletti can be used for training, although it's good to have at least three. You can buy ready-made cavalettis, or you can build your own. It's best to use heavy wood for the poles so if the horse hits them with her foot, she will be aware of it and will learn to avoid doing this. Paint the poles a light color so the horse can easily see them on the ground.When teaching your horse to work with cavalettis, you can start in-hand. Place the pole from the cavaletti directly on the ground and ask your horse to walk over it as you lead her. You can add other poles as well, making sure all are equally distant from each other and at least 6 feet apart. Once your horse is comfortable walking over them and doesn't step on them or trip over them, graduate to a jog.Next, work on cavalettis under saddle. Start with poles directly on the ground and gradually raise them. If you are working with a Western horse or one you don't plan to jump, keep the poles low--8 inches or lower. Your horse may hop over them. Anything higher may elicit a bigger jump. If you are planning to jump your horse over larger obstacles, working first over cavalettis is a great way to build her confidence. Pics from Google. #brandiwynetack
In 50 years, you won’t care if the laundry was folded right away or the grass was cut perfectly. But you will care if you missed out on a good ride. So go ride your horse. #brandiwynetack
Guide dogs for the blind are a common sight in cities around the world. These dogs dutifully provide assistance to their sight-impaired handlers. But have you ever seen a guide horse for the blind? If the Guide Horse Foundation has its way, guide horses may become as common as guide dogs.Some of the benefits of using a guide horse include: -They're good for people who are allergic to dogs and they have a long life span (30+ years in some cases) The Guide Horse Foundation, located in North Carolina, promotes the concept of using Miniature Horses as guides for people who are legally blind. Guide horses serve the same purposes as their canine counterparts; they help the sight-impaired find their way out in public. They also receive the same privileges as guide dogs, and they are allowed in all places where guide dogs are allowed, including on airplanes.The Guide Horse Foundation program uses Miniature Horses that are donated by breeders around the country. It takes years to train a guide horse, and it must be done by a professional trainer. Training even includes housebreaking, which allowed the handler to take the horse indoors. All candidate horses are given an intelligence test prior to be accepted into the program. The horse must also demonstrate stamina since guide work can be physically demanding. Potential guide horse owners must also receive training so they know how to handle their guide horses.Guide horses are taught the following jobs:-Basic leading-Voice command recognition-Stationary obstacle avoidance-Moving obstacle avoidance-Surface elevation change recognition-Housebreaking-Intelligent disobedience, which involves the horse making its own judgments about safety and disregarding the commands of the handler if they would put either the horse or handler in dangerThe Guide Horse Foundation is a volunteer-run organization, and it provides guide horses for free to qualified handlers. To have a guide horse, a sight-impaired handler must live in a s
Don Key says “let me sing you the song of my people!” #brandiwynetack
Unlike many sport horses that were originally developed as driving or working horses, the elegant and intelligent Swedish Warmblood has been bred in Sweden as a riding horse for more than 400 years. It was created as a military horse in the 17th century. Breeds that contributed to its development included Swedish work horses, Friesians, Hanoverians, Trakehners, and the Thoroughbreds. The first official studbook for the Swedish Warmblood horse was developed in the late 1800s. In 1928, breeders founded the Swedish Warmblood Association.The breed is known for its exceptional athleticism, and as the need for horses in the military went by the wayside in the 1970s, the Swedish Warmbloods were repurposed as sport horses. They make excellent dressage horses, having both the mind and the movement to excel in the sport. They also excel at jumping, three-day eventing, and carriage driving. Some members of the breed compete successfully in multiple disciplines. It's not unusual for Olympic riders on Swedish horses to medal in dressage and combined training.Swedish Warmbloods stand from 16 to more than 17 hands and are distinguished by a long, muscular neck, rhythmic gaits, willing temperament, and versatility. The ideal Swedish Warmblood is noble in appearance, correct and sound, and has superb competitive temperament, rideability, and movement or jumping ability.Swedish Warmbloods mature slowly, and they may not reach their full growth until they are 7 years old. Young horses are not started until age 3, and they don't begin serious schooling until they are 4 years old. Approximately 3500 foals are born each year in Sweden, and approximately 150 Swedish Warmbloods are registered annually in the United States.This is a friendly and sensitive horse with a positive attitude and a competitive nature. Treat it with "horse sense," and it will always give you its best.Pics from Google. #brandiwynetack
Some older horses don't seem to mind just standing around, but if you have a young horse - or one who is young at heart - consider providing him with some toys to keep him amused when he's not working.Horse toys come in all forms, from edible treats to things he can push with his nose or pull with his teeth. Both types attach to the side of the stall of hang from the ceiling, and the edible toys require the horse to work to get at the food attached to the toy.Mouthy horses particularly like toys that are designed to be picked up. Balls with handles on them are a favorite. (Some horses have been seen tossing these toys and chasing them.) Large toy balls are meant to be bitten at or pushed, and they double as a great despooking item. They help your horse feel confident around a large, unfamiliar object.Go to a tack store or shop online and peruse the horse toys available in your price range. Think about your horse's personality to figure out which ones are most suitable to him. If money is tight, consider making your own toy. A lot of horses love construction cones and can play for hours picking them up and tossing them around or you can devise a contraption that you can attach to your horse's stall to keep him amused, as long as it's safe. Items such as balloons are good, as well as flags and plastic bags (with supervision). Your horse may act afraid of them at first, but if he's a playful sort, he'll be going at it in no time. #brandiwynetack
One of the most intoxicating smells to a horseperson is the smell of leather. Walk into a tack room, and the scent overwhelms you with warm feelings about time you've spent with horses.Your leather tack is valuable because you love the way it looks, smells, and feels, and it's valuable also for the work it does for you. You depend on the straps on your leather bridle to stay strong and the leather on your saddle to stay pliable and supple. You need all those leather straps and pieces to be at their best so they can serve you while your ride. Remember, your life could literally depend on it.To keep your leather in good shape, you need to clean it on a regular basis, at least once a month. Use products made just for leather when you do. Dry is thoroughly after cleaning.Store your tack in a dry cool place, out of the rain and sunlight. If you get caught in the rain while riding, dry your tack off with a clean towel when you get back to the barn.Protect leather saddles with a saddle cover when not in use and dust them in between cleaning with a towel. Treat your leather tack well, and it will last for decades.Another subject I'm extremely adamant about is buying quality leather. Buy the best quality leather products you can afford. Some used equipment is cheaper than buying new "pretty" but flimsy, unsafe tack. #brandiwynetack
Most horses in mythology are benevolent creatures, mystifying humankind with their beauty and magical powers. But in the case of the Mares of Diomedes, horses take the form of monsters.In Greek mythology, the Mares of Diomedes were wild and spectacular, but they were also man-eaters. The four fire-breathing horses belong to Diomedes, a giant who lived on the shores of the Black Sea. One of the Twelve Labors, dangerous tasks carried out by Heracles as penance for killing his wife and children, was to steal the Mares. Two different versions of this myth exist. In one, Heracles' favorite companion, Abderus, was eaten by the Mares, garnering Heracles' wrath and causing him to kill Diomedes and feed him to the Mares. In the other version, Heracles used the Mares to lure Diomedes to him and then fed the body of Diomedes to the Mares.The Mares of Diomedes are pictured in both Greek and Roman art as wild, untamable beasts thirsting for blood. Alexander the Great's horse, Bucephalus, was believed to be descended from the Mares. #brandiwynetack
It's what Thoroughbreds do best: flat racing. Flat racing is a form of horseracing that takes place on a flat track. The track can be a dirt track or turf (grass track). The horses break from a starting gate. In Thoroughbred racing, they usually run anywhere from three furlongs (3/8 mile) to more than 2 miles, depending on the country's standards.Other breeds also participate in flat racing in the United States. Quarter Horses, which are sprinters, run at 3/4 mile or less. So do Paint Horses and Appaloosas. Arabians flat race from three furlongs (3/8 mile) to 1 3/4 miles.Wagering is popular with flat racing, particularly Thoroughbred racing. People who bet on flat racing practice handicapping, which is the art of predicting which horses will win based on a variety of factors. The term "handicapped" is used in another context as well. Horses are literally "handicapped" in certain races, which means they are saddled with extra weight to level the field, which may vary based on performance and age.Thoroughbred racehorses begin their careers at the tender age of two, and they rarely race beyond the age of five. Controversy rages over whether these horses are started too young, before their bones have a chance to fully develop. The death of several Thoroughbreds (notably the death of the champion Barbaro in 2008) has led to an outcry to reconsider the starting age of racing Thoroughbreds. #brandiwynetack
