Nature equipped the horse with a few different means of protection. Speed and agility are among the horse's top weapons of self-defense. Kicking is another. Most horses kick because they are afraid. A startled horse may kick first and ask questions later. If you happen to be the one who startled him, look out. Horses also kick to get rid of something, or someone, who is bothering them. Dogs seem to get kicked a lot because they don't know to keep their distance. People get kicked, too, if they are doing something around the horse's flanks or rear end that the horse doesn't like. Follow these basic rules of safety:-Don't approach a horse directly from behind. Instead, come from a side angle. -Speak to the horse whenever approaching one from the rear. Letting the horse know you are there will keep him from spooking. -Yell "quit!" at the top of your lungs if a horse turns her rump to you with ears pinned, threatening to kick. Don't run away because this will show the horse you are afraid, and the behavior will be repeated. -If your horse kicks at you often, call in a professional trainer for help. #brandiwynetack
Equine movie stars have been around since the film industry first came into being. A popular subject for movies, horses have proven themselves to be box office winners. One early equine movie star was a black Morgan stallion named Rex, whose career spanned the 1920s and '30s. According to Petrine Mitchum, author of "Hollywood Hoofbeats," Rex was a difficult horse to train. Before Rex began his career as an actor, he was relegated to an isolated stall because he was difficult to handle, and a trainer had mysteriously died while alone with Rex. When trainer Chick Morrison discovered the horse, he immediately recognized Rex's charisma. He convinced Clarence "Fat" Jones, a supplier of movie horses, to purchase him. Rex was wild in person and on camera, and audiences loved it. Rex starred in several films, including "King of the Wild Horses," "Guardians of the Wild," and "Wild Beauty." Rex's wild nature made him a temperamental star who quit when pushed too hard for obedience. For scenes that required close-up shots with people and dogs, a horse named Brownie usually served as stand-in. Rex did learn to work at liberty, but he couldn't always be trusted. He once ran away from a set in Nevada and was found 17 miles away. Rex was eventually retired to a ranch in Arizona, where he died in the early 1940s. Pics from Google #brandiwynetack
The draft horse breeds were originally developed to pull heavy loads, which is something they have been doing for centuries. Although we now have motorized vehicles to do this work, draft horses are still valued in some circles for their ability to pull. Draft horse pulling competitions can be found around the world, and they are designed to test the strength of these mighty equines. Each pull has its own rules. For example, a pull will have two load weight classifications: Light Weight and Heavy Weight. Each team of working horses (usually a team of two, but sometimes one) is given two chances to pull a weighted sled 20 feet. In the Heavy Weight division, the sled weight might begin at 3400 pounds and increase by 2000-pound increments and may go as high as 10000 pounds before a winning team is declared. Horses pull these loads willingly and are not whipped or harmed in anyway in an attempt to get them to pull. To ensure the safety of the horses, most pulling clubs have rules on the humane treatment of horses. Pics from Google #brandiwynetack
A horse is a horse, of course, of course, but what is a Zorse? If you guessed that it's half zebra, half horse, you're correct. There are also Zebroids or Zebrulas (any hybrid horse with zebra ancestry), Zules or Zonkeys (when crossed with donkeys), and Zonies (when crossed with ponies). They are the result of mating between a male zebra and a female horse. Female zebras mated with male horses may be called Hebras. The unusual hybrid was first created by geneticist James Cossar Ewart, a professor of natural history at Scotland's University of Edinburgh from 1882 to 1927. He used a zebra stallion and Arabian mares, with one goal being to produce a draft animal that could withstand the heat and diseases of South Africa, and that would be more tractable than a zebra or a mule. Other experiments with the hybrids were made by the U.S. government and reported in science journals in 1929. Zorses are said to be stronger and faster than horses, resistant to heat, and tireless. They resemble horses more, but they sport stripes on their legs and sometimes on the body or neck. Although horses, donkeys, and zebras all belong to the genus Equus, they are different species. Because Zorses are a hybrid of two different species, they are infertile. While Zorses have many good qualities, they are not as docile as horses. Their strong, aggressive temperament makes them unsuited to being handled by novice riders. #brandiwynetack
If you ride regularly, you probably practice backing up your horse, especially if you are a Western rider. But how much do you practice backing your horse in hand? Start by putting your horse in a halter and lead rope. Find a place where you have a lot of room to maneuver. Ask your horse to back up by facing him, standing slightly to the side. Apply backward steady pressure on the lead rope until your horse drops his nose down. Release the pressure on the rope the moment your horse tucks his chin. Ask him again by applying pressure to the lead rope once more, waiting until he tucks his chin and shifts his weight backward before you release the pressure. Do it again, keeping the pressure until your horse takes a step backward. Reward him by releasing the pressure, then repeat, asking him to take two steps back. Continue until your horse is backing up several steps. Praise him and tell him what a good horse he is! Pics from Google #brandiwynetack
Athletic horses frequently suffer from tendonitis, or bowed tendon. It is a primary reason for the retirement of many horses, in particular racehorses. With this type of injury, the tendon fibers rupture to varying degrees. Blood vessels also rupture, and fluid can accumulate in the affected area. A bowed tendon usually occurs after a horse has been exercised improperly. Fatigue and poor condition are contributing factors. Horses that are shod improperly, and those with joint malformations, are also prone to tendonitis. A bowed tendon injury can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term). Signs of tendonitis are severe lameness and hot, painful, swollen joints. Stall rest is advised for horses with acute tendonitis. Cold packs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help to reduce the inflammation, but injected corticosteroid drugs into the tendon is not recommended because it can cause infection. Depending on the severity of the injury, support and immobilization may be necessary. Gradually reintroduce exercise. In horses with chronic tendonitis, the fibrous tissues surrounding the tendon become thickened and scarred. Often, these horses look sound at a walk or trot, but they go lame at a gallop. Forelegs are more likely to be affected than hind legs. Tendonitis commonly occurs in the mid-cannon region of the superficial digital flexor tendon. That location has a relatively small cross-sectional area compared to the impact it must withstand when the fetlock is hyperextended at high speeds. Even if the injury heals, it's not unusual for reinjury to occur. The prognosis for complete recovery from tendonitis is limited. Researchers are studying the potential of bone marrow injections that contain stem cells and growth factors. #brandiwynetack
For decades, horse-loving children around the world have enjoyed the exploits of a jet-black Arabian stallion named Shetan, but most often called the Black, and his adventurous offspring. The creation of Florida author Walter Farley, the Black or his progeny has appeared in 21 books in "The Black Stallion" series. The book that started it all was "The Black Stallion," published in 1941. The story focuses on the Black, who is shipwrecked on a tropical island after being mistreated by his handlers. Also washed up on the island is Alec, a young boy who was traveling on the same ship. The Black and Alec become close friends, and when the two are ultimately rescued, they go back to the United States. Here the Black becomes a successful racehorse. The success of "The Black Stallion" led to a number of sequels and prequels, including books about three of the Black's offspring: Satan, Bonfire, and Black Minx. The book's success also led to movies and a tv series. #brandiwynetack
A Western sport born in the Old West is roping. Now a rodeo event, roping uses a calf and features specially trained horses and very skilled riders. Ropers compete in a few different classes. In tie-down roping, a horse and rider pursue a calf that comes out of a chute. The rider throws a lasso around the calf's neck and leaps off the horse when the calf is snagged. The trained roping horse holds the rope taut, which immobilizes the calf. The roper then throws the calf down on its side and ties three of its legs together. The event is timed, and it stems from the cattle work done on ranches to secure calves for branding or medical treatment. Another event is team roping, or heading and heeling. In this event, there are two horse and rider teams. One rider ropes the steer by the horns, while the other ropes the steer's back feet. Once the steer is secured, the riders face each and pull their ropes taught to lay the steer on the ground. This event also stems from the cattle work done on ranches. In the breakaway roping event, a rope is tied to the saddle horn with a string. A flag is also attached. The rider ropes the calf, and at that moment, the horse stops short. The string and flag break from the saddle, signaling the end of the rider's time. This can be less than two seconds!Roping events are popular, but they have drawn criticism from the animal rights movement, which argues that the treatment of calves in these events is inhumane. Over more recent years, new rules have been put into place by the different rodeo associations to ensure the livestock's safety. Veterinarians are also on stand-by at most events to treat any injuries or to pull livestock from competition if needed. Pics from Google #brandiwynetack
Irish farm horses of the 19th century filled multiple roles, from tilling the fields, to pulling carts, to fox hunting on the weekends. That called for a lighter-weight animal than the traditional draft horse, but it was still substantial, making it popular today for its breeding qualities. Irish Draught mares produce excellent hunters when mated with Thoroughbreds, and Irish Draught stallions mated to lighter-weight mares bequeath extra bone and substance to their foals. The docile but strong Irish Draught dates to the 19th century. Despite being economical to keep, living handily in winter on boiled turnips or bran, or meal of that could be spared from the cows, it was fortunate to survive the poverty and famine that plagued Ireland during that time. Breeders often couldn't afford to register their horses, and thousands of them went to slaughterhouses when it became too expensive to keep them. Breed enthusiasts, working with the Irish Horse Board, labored to start a new stud book and save the breed from extinction. In appearance, the Irish Draught has a big, kind eye and a proud bearing, carrying its head and neck gracefully. It is powerful but not ponderous and moves freely. Stallions stand 15.3 to 16.3 hands, mares 15.1 to 16.1 hands. The Irish Draught may be any whole color, including grey. The Irish Draught is a versatile mount for riders of all ages. Its jumping ability, soundness, and stamina make it capable of participating in various levels of jumping, eventing, dressage, hunting, and driving. Pics from Google #brandiwynetack
Mounting is the first thing you tackle when you learn to ride a horse. After all, you can't do much until you at least get on. Some riders are very adept at mounting, swinging gracefully into the saddle with hardly an effort. Others struggle to hoist their weight up. Some can only mount if they have a mounting block available. Most can only mount from the horse's left side because that is the way they were taught. (The tradition of mounting from the left side goes back to the days of the cavalry when soldiers carried swords on their left sides, making it hard for them to mount from the horse's right.) It's a good idea to be able to mount without effort, from the ground and from the off, or right, side of the horse. This is especially true if you are a trail rider. You never know what kind of situation you might find yourself in out on the trail. You may not be able to find something to boost yourself up with, and you might not be able to get on from the left side. The best time to hone your skills in such matters is when you are in a safe environment, with a patient and reliable horse. If you have trouble mounting gracefully even from a mounting block, take some time to practice this before you ride. Much of graceful mounting has to do with upper body strength. With practice, your arm muscles should get stronger, and you'll be able to lift yourself up so you can swing into the saddle. (This is usually more of an issue for women riders, who usually have less upper body strength than men.) Your purpose when practicing is to be able to swing up and over without pulling on your saddle (and hence the horse), and without landing heavily on the saddle. Practice mounting several times before each ride to make sure you've got it down. Mounting from the ground can be trickier, especially if you are an older rider. Don't be afraid to use a mounting block whenever you can because it helps you, and it also helps your horse since pulling on the saddle is hard on the
The condition called Equine Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of problems that includes obesity, insulin resistance and laminitis, or founder. It tends to affect horses with certain characteristics: they tend to be overweight or gain weight easily, even when they don't eat much or eat only hay or pasture grass; they have fat deposits at the crest of the neck or at the head of the tail; and they have difficulty regulating the levels of glucose in their blood. Breedings may not take in affected mares. Any breed can be affected by EMS, but some breeds appear to be more prone to it. They include some pony breeds, domesticated mustangs, Paso Finos, Peruvian Pasos, Morgans, Arabians, Quarter Horses, European warmbloods, and American Saddlebreds. Affected horses generally range from 6 to 20 years of age. Diagnosis often begins with a history of laminitis, which often strikes horses in the spring when they are grazing on lush, green pasture grass. Chronic laminitis is indicated by abnormal growth rings on the hoof wall. Blood work may show slightly to moderately elevated levels of blood sugar and triglycerides in some horses with EMS. An intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) can measure the effectiveness of insulin in a horse suspected of having EMS. Together, the physical signs of EMS (obesity, fat deposits, and laminitis) and supportive evidence provided by diagnostic tests can provide a definitive diagnosis. If EMS is diagnosed, the goal of treatment is weight loss and control over future weight gain. This can be done by reducing caloric intake. Feed only hay - no grain, pellets, or sweet feed - and avoid giving fat-enriched diets to senior horses or high-concentrate diets to young, growing horses. Supplementation with vitamin E and chromium picolinate may benefit horses with high blood levels of insulin. Implement an exercise program for horses that don't have laminitis or that have recovered from the condition. Appropriate exercise includes walking on a l
Humans communicate primarily through speech, but horses do their talking, and listening, through body language. The horse's face is the focal point of its body language, sending messages using the ears, eyes, mouth, and nostrils. Head posture is also a way of expression. Here are some examples. Aggressive horse: Horses send a message of aggression loud and clear with ears tightly back and nostrils tight. Bared teeth may also accompany this expression. Horses often lunge toward the object of their aggression. Scared horse: Horses who are frightened express themselves by showing the whites of their eyes and tensing up their bodies. The head usually goes up in the air, and if the object of the fear is in the distance, the ears are pointed straight up in the air. Relaxed horse: When a horse is feeling happy, healthy, and safe, his ears are in a neutral position. His eye has a calm look to it, and his muscles are relaxed. Besides being good at expressing themselves through body language, horses are experts at reading it. They get particularly good at sensing a human's intentions or emotions by reading the person's body language, which can be disconcerting to people who aren't confident around horses. Horses sense this lack of confidence and sometimes take advantage of it. Whenever you are around your horse, remember that he can read you like a book. Even if you think you are hiding how you really feel, your horse probably knows exactly what you are feeling. #brandiwynetack
