Stables

How To Build The Perfect Stables For Horse And Owner

Despite the fact that New Zealanders are renowned for keeping their horses outside, more and more people are deciding to add horse stables to their property. There are a myriad of reasons for this. For starters, it enables those with competition animals to keep their animals clean before events. There is nothing worse than meticulously bathing an equine, turning it out and then bringing it in the morning of the show, to find it top to toe in mud. Horse stables can also be very useful when a horse or pony is sick or injured. When stabled, their environment and feed can be closely controlled and monitored to ensure they have the best possible chance of recovery.

Once it has been decided that horse stables will be built, the design must be carefully considered to ensure the end product will suit both the horses and the individuals using it. To begin with, the owner needs to think about the style that would be most appropriate for them. The most traditional type of stabling and the one that is probably most suited to New Zealand conditions, comprises of either a single stable or several stables next to each other, each one with a stable door that opens out directly onto an open yard. The advantages to this design are that ventilation is very good and the structure is usually very flexible. If an additional box is required in later years, it is generally not too much trouble to add one to the end of the block.

If the horse stables can be incorporated into a structure that is already present on the property, this should also be taken into consideration as it will probably be a much cheaper, easier option. Stable suppliers and manufacturers, including providers of kitset stables, can insert stables and other related fixtures into a pre-existing barn, as long as the structure is sound. However, do bear in mind that if this type of barn stabling is being deliberated, ventilation must be given due attention. Barn systems can become very stuffy if there are not enough windows and vents. This is not healthy for the horse and can lead to serious respiratory problems if not taken care of.

When planning the design of the stables, the owner should think about whether they require a place to store rugs and other possessions. A tack room, separate feed room, and a coffee room with toilet if the stables are not close to the main house, can be very convenient extras.

Once the design itself has been settled on, specific sizes and other details should be considered. The recommended stable size for a horse is 12ft x 12ft (3.6m x 3.6m). However, this would need to be slightly larger for heftier individuals, preferably 12ft x 14ft (3.6m x 4.2m). For ponies the recommended minimum dimensions should be 10ft x 10ft (3m x 3m) and 10ft x12ft (3m x 3.6m) for larger ponies. The height of any stable should be between 9ft (2.7m) and 11ft (3.3m), with a minimum of 3ft (0.9m) clearance of the roof. Along with the standard boxes, if the owner has any breeding ambitions, foaling boxes are a good idea. A desirable size for a foaling stable would be 16ft x 16ft (4.8m x 4.8m).

Other things that can be weighed up are whether to have rubber matting or plain concrete floor. Rubber matting can be a sensible option as it provides cushioning for the horse when it lies down, preventing capped hocks and other blemishes. It also saves money on bedding as not as much is required. However, it is a pricier option so budget would need to be taken into account.

The construction of horse stables is a lifelong dream for many and a substantial financial investment. It is also a place that will have to be right for the horse, especially if they are going to be brought in every night. For this reason, it is important that enough time and thought is dedicated to the project to make sure the design will work for everyone. Get the basics right, and both horse and owner will be left with stables that are safe, attractive and an absolute pleasure to use.

Equine Trader was launched in 2007 and has quickly developed into a leading online equestrian resource. It appeals to New Zealanders who own, ride and are passionate about horses. However, the hugely popular website also attracts equine lovers from throughout the rest of the world. Membership is free and allows registered users to buy and sell through classifieds and auctions at no charge, browse over 400 horses and ponies for sale and participate in a wide range of exciting competitions and games. The site also boasts an extensive online stallion stud book, a comprehensive equestrian product and services directory, news articles, event listings and an ongoing educational TV series, featuring top Kiwi horse riders, trainers and competitors.

On top of that, in mid-2010 Equine Trader introduced a vibrant online discussion forum, which has become very well-liked and is frequently visited by members from both New Zealand and further afield. View our horse stables, horse shelters and barns directory listings here. NZ's most comprehensive online equestrian directory.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma_Van_Tuyl

Stables

Horses, Stables, And Horse Properties

If you are planning to buy and keep horses as pets or business, you must consider buying realty horse properties. Horses are not like cats and dogs that you can keep indoors or allow to sleep on your bed. Horses are big animals that need lots of space. In an ideal setting, a horse must have the following: a barn, a stable, and lots of open spaces. You can hardly keep a horse in your backyard without drawing the ire of your wife and that of your neighbors. The best thing you can do if you don't have the dough to buy several acres of land is to lease a stable. The internet and most equine magazines provide listings of major companies leasing horse properties to horse owners.

However, don't just pick out a name and and drive your horse over. There are certain qualities that a stable must possess to be ideal and healthy for your animal. You don't want to visit one day and find your muscled stallion reduced to a whiny bag of bones. Go over the stable-choosing process methodically to ensure that you don't miss out important details. First, identify your stable and service requirements. Horse experts suggest making the safety, health, and the security of your animal as your primary concerns in picking out a stable. But don't forget about your convenience. You don't want to drive 20 miles or take a plane just to visit your horse. Ask the local horse enthusiasts for recommendations to good stables. These people know insider information you may not get from the internet. Magazines on horse properties also feature reviews about horse barns and stables.

Pick a stable you can reach easily in case of an emergency. After picking out candidates, do ocular visits to check the area. It is important to visit the stables in person. The pictures of horse properties in the internet or in the magazines are edited or taken for the purpose of advertising. This means that these pictures only show the good angles of the stables. In doing a random personal inspection, you see the good and the bad sides of the stables. For example, the stables may be impeccable, but the surrounding fences are rickety. Check the stables for cleanliness and ask the caretaker how often does the stable get cleaned. Take note of the supplies in the feed room to see if they have everything your horse might need like stable blankets and proper bridle. The construction of the fences are also important. There may be openings for possible escapes which can breach the stable security. This is not being obsessive or too demanding. This is about protecting your pet and your investment (horses don't come cheap) from no-good horse properties.

To know more about horse properties and stables, visit http://www.propertyhorse.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_T._Atilia

Stables

Horse Boarding Stables - The Important Steps to a Happy Horse

When looking through the different horse boarding stables around, it may become a little intimidating trying to figure out which one would be the best one for not only your horse, but for your needs as well. There are many places that offer good deals for boarding a horse, but of course the question in mind would be if the facility offers the proper equipment and enough free roaming space for the horse's happiness and good health.

One of the more important things that horses would need to get great exercise is a large enough area to run, play and interact with other horses. Check the amount of room available for the horses, while also keeping in mind the number of horses that are boarded in that particular stable. If there are too many horses in a small area, most, if not all of the horses will experience stress that may begin to affect them physically and emotionally. Horses are very social and athletic creatures that need opportunities to learn and grow with other horses, while also going out to explore their surroundings.

Another very important thing to look at is the stables themselves. Make sure the stables are well structured and in good working order, with a fair amount of room for the horses to stay in. Just as important as the exercise fields, the stables must be an adequate size to keep the horse relaxed and give them a sense of safety without being too constricting. Check the equipment in and around the stables to see their condition as well. If everything looks to be well kept and regularly checked and cleaned, shows the general care given to caring for the horses.

For most, finding the perfect horse boarding stables the first place they check would be considered very lucky, but of course it is quite possible. Ask around to people you know and trust, or check with the different equestrian shops that you know. The staff are usually horse experts and certainly the people who would have the most background knowledge of the various boarding stables around.

For more information about Boarding Stables in tx, have a look on the author's website at http://www.doringcourtstables.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Bert

Dream horse

How to Care For Your Dream Horse

I remember when I was a little boy; I would fervently pray to get a horse. Yes! I want to have my very own white horse that I can ride all day and night. When you grow old, buying a horse is not a small thing anymore. You need to be responsible enough and knowledgeable enough on how to take care, groom and even feed your horse. Do not worry! We have it all covered, we will give a few tips and tricks on proper horse care. So when you get your very own white horse or whatever breed of horse you plan on getting, you will be prepared!

Horse Care is something that should be enjoyable for both the owner and the horse. You are not just horsing around because proper horse care will do a great deal on your horse's health and it is a way to monitor the growth and progress of your horse. Like humans, it is best to treat grooming as a daily habit; this is to avoid too much dirt and grit on the horse's body.

Here are some useful tips and tricks to make grooming a fun experience for the both of you, read on and apply this on real life!

• First, it is important you buy a brush. A nice horse brush to brush that wondrous mane and tail. You would like to opt for plastic than metal since plastics are more durable than compared to metal which is prone to breakage.
• Next, a grooming mitt is a must for petting your horse; not only you get to pet your horse but also you care for his hair by brushing out those tangles and dirt.
• You need a lot of brushes for your horse but do not fret there are a lot of stores that carry different kinds of brushes, you just need to find the right one! Remember quality versus quantity.
• Another type of brush that you may want to purchase are body brushes it serves as brushes for the main body of the horse.
• Also, you might want to throw in a clean sponge or a dry cloth. The use of the clean sponge and dry cloth is for bathing and cleansing your horse.
• You could keep all your brushes in a bucket or a box for easier storage and handling.

That is about it. Remember to enjoy the experience and make it a bonding moment with your pet horse!

You may even be interested in learning more about horse care.
Find out more by visiting the Horse Pro Site at http://www.TheHorsePro.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Toma_John

Riding Horse

Riding Horses - Safety First

No matter how well trained your horse may be there are always little things that can spook or startle a horse, causing him to jump sidewise, stop suddenly or even take off running. Knowing what bothers your horse is important, as you can be alert and watchful of any potential problems while you are out.

I

f you have a horse that is a known to shy or startle, it is important to be sure that they are as calm as possible before starting out on a ride. Using a longe line to work the horse for 20 minutes or so before riding will help take the edge off, plus it will help your horse work with your when you get on its back. A horse that trusts its rider is much less likely to over-react to a sudden noise or a bird flying out of the bush ahead.

A good idea is to start introducing new things to your horse in training, this helps them to understand that while you are around they have nothing to fear.

Aside from watching for blowing objects, flapping flags and weird shaped objects that may be new to your horse, as the rider you also have to stay in control of the horse. Always maintain contact with the bit through the reins, don't ever drop the reins or hang them over the saddle, this is really dangerous as if the horse bolts you will have no way to calm and steady the horse.

Also, don't allow the reins to become so loose that you cannot, with a gentle movement, apply pressure to the bit to control the horse. If your horse does become spooked or seems hesitant to go forward, stop the horse and allow them to become familiar with the object that is bothering him. Talk calmly to the horse and even cue him to back away and then approach the object from a different direction. You may also want to dismount and lead the horse past the object, allowing them to smell and look at it. When you return, allow the horse to walk past at a distance, soon they will accept the object or area without hesitation. Never try to run a horse past an object they are frightened of as this will establish a really dangerous habit.

Avoid any types of stunt riding with your horse unless you are in a training arena with someone that knows what they are doing. Riding side saddle, sliding off the back of the saddle or even trying to stand up in the saddle are simply accidents looking for a place to happen. You should also avoid your friends or fellows if they tend to engage in these types of activities as they are likely to cause problems for you and your horse through their actions.

Another consideration that a responsible rider will make is to avoid specific things that they know are upsetting or frightening to the horse until they have had a chance to desensitize the horse. For example, if the horse is afraid of vehicles, avoid riding them beside roadways, especially those with heavy traffic. If the horse is particularly excited in stormy weather, postpone your ride or do some work inside in a covered arena.

Susanne Malloy is an avid equestrian and an editor for [http://www.englishsaddleshop.com] , your complete resource for new and used English saddles [http://www.englishsaddleshop.com], riding apparel, and tack.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanne_Malloy

Riding horses

Riding Horses - A Great Sport

In war, horses were specifically trained to be "bomb proof." Most horses, like soldiers, would not survive many battles and wars. In the early colonization of america, horses were used as farming aids, and as a backing in building the railroads, large buildings, and many water canals. It is safe to say that as time has passed by, the human race has become more and more reliant on machines and other advances in technology, that eventually pushed the role of horses back.

In order to find horses today, one must look past the busy streets of urban cities and into the rural, or country sides. Horses take part in the rich-man sport of horse racing, as well as being found competing in sports such as equestrian, show-jumping, cross-country, or dressage. Today, many people are turned off of horse-back riding because it is seen as a boring or unpopular or an uncommercial sport. This should not be the case at all.

There has been disputes about horse-back riding, or equestrian actually being able to fall into the genre of sport. However, there are countless arguments against the claim that riding a horse is "not a sport." There are over fifteen different muscle groups that being used in simply riding a horse around in a circle.When you start competing, and moving to different speeds, such as the trot, and canter, almost every single muscle in the leg are being used. You are competitive in the sense that you compete for ribbons and an over all title in show-jumping, and horse eventing, it is a competitive and olympic sport.

Check out Carolina's new sites on Rocky Mountain Hardware or check out this new site on Modern Fan.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolina_White

Arabian horses

Arabian Horse Characteristics - Not Your Ordinary Horse

A Beautifully Built Head and Neck

Arabian horses have a distinct beauty that is cherished today, just as it was centuries ago in the Middle Eastern desert by the ancient Bedouins. This beauty is not only cosmetic but the Arabian horse's build also give it some great advantages.

Let's take a look at the head and neck of the Arabian:

o A refined, wedge-shaped head that is finely chiseled
o A broad forehead
o Large, lustrous eyes that are set far apart
o Large nostrils
o Small 'teacup' muzzles
o Lips that are fine and thin
o Ears that are smaller in stallions and of good size in mares. They are set evenly together and they have great flexibility.
o The skeleton of the head is characterized by a relative shortness of skull, slender lower jaw, and a larger size brain area within the skull.

The Arabian's head has always been considered a thing of beauty and the Arabian's face really sets it apart from other horse breeds.

The majority of Arabian horses display a distinctive concave or "dished" profile. Also, many Arabians have a forehead bulge between their eyes, known as the Jibbah. The Islamic people believed the Arabian horse was a gift from Allah and that the forehead bulge held his blessings. From a physical standpoint, the forehead bulge gives the Arabian extra sinus capacity, a plus for endurance. Another characteristic that helps with breathing and endurance is the arched neck with a large, well-set windpipe set on a refined, clean throat latch. This high-arched neck often signified courage to the ancient Bedouins and Islamics. The cheek bones are spread wide apart at the throat, typically between five or six inches. This enables the muzzle to be drawn in without compressing the Arabian horse's windpipe, and permitting the animal to breathe easily when running. As you can see from some of the characteristics that an Arabian has in its head and neck, this horse is built for long rides and running.

A Powerful Body, Bred to Perfection

Arabian horses have a broad chest and a short, but strong back and sloped shoulders which give them power and floaty gaits. In general, all horses that are bred to gallop or run need a good length of croup (posterior or backside) and a good length of hip for proper attachment of muscles (as a rule, both go together). Typically, a good-quality Arabian has both a relatively horizontal croup and a properly angled pelvis with good length of croup and depth of hip (or length of pelvis) to allow agility and impulsion. Of course, within the Arabian breed there are variations:

An Arabian horse with wider, more powerfully muscled hindquarters is more suitable for intense bursts of activity such as reining.

An Arabian horse with longer, leaner muscles is better suited for endurance riding or horse racing.

Size and Colors

Arabian horses typically stand between 14.1 and 15.1 hands (57 to 61 inches) tall. Of course there will be an occasional horse that is over or under this. Therefore, all Arabians, regardless of their height, are classified as horses even though 14.2 hands is the traditional cutoff height between a horse and a pony. A common misconception is that the purebred Arabian isn't strong due to its smaller height. Their bone density, though, is much greater than that of many other breeds. This gives the Arabian breed physical strength that is comparable to many taller animals.

For color, Arabian horses are bay, gray, chestnut, and black and sometimes roan. Common markings on Arabians include:

* Stars, stripes, or blaze faces
* Snip noses
* A white foot or more, or white stockings

Arabian horses that appear white are actually gray since their skin is black. White hair on horses grows out of pink skin. Arabian horses follow suit and any white markings found will show white hair growing out of pink skin.

A Pleasant Disposition

Arabian horses are well known for being affectionate and bonding well with humans. This goes back to their early history with Bedouin tribes in the Middle Eastern desert. The ancient Bedouins and Arabian horses lived inter-dependently as a means of survival. The Bedouins often prized these animals and sheltered them from the harsh elements of the desert by keeping them in their family tend. A strong bond formed and through the centuries, the Arabian breed has kept its gentleness and its willingness to learn and please. This makes purebred Arabians perfect for activities such as riding and showing and it makes them a perfect horse for children and families to enjoy. Having such a mild and gentle temperament makes Arabians one of the few breeds that the United States Equestrian Federation allows children to exhibit stallions in nearly all show ring classes, including those that are limited to riders under 18.

A High Intelligence to Boot

Arabian horses are classified as a "hot-blooded" horse. Even though they are in the "hot-blooded" category, most Arabians have a natural tendency to cooperate with humans. This category includes other refined, spirited horse breeds that are bred for speed such as Thoroughbreds. Like other hot-bloods, the sensitivity and intelligence of Arabians enable them to learn quickly. It also enables riders to communicate with Arabians more easily than other horse breeds. Thus training them is typically easier than other horse breeds.

A Perfectly Engineered Horse

Throughout the ages, romantic myths and stories have been told about Arabian horses that give them near-divine characteristics. The ancient Bedouins and Islamics considered these horses perfect, prizing them for their unparalleled beauty, sturdiness, stamina, high intelligence, and friendly nature. Virtually unchanged through careful breeding, Arabian horses still exemplify these same characteristics today and their popularity continues to grow.

Randy Meyer, along with his family, are well-respected breeders of high-quality, beautiful purebred Arabian horses on their farm, Red Oak Arabians. They usually have fine quality Arabian horses for sale at all times.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Meyer