Tell me AAALLLLLLLLL about horses...

[Peaches Lee]

Quote:
Well, right now, I would find a lesson stable to reaquiant yourself with horses. This will be the best way to learn--hands on, with professional, skilled and knowledgeable horse people.

I think conformation is more of a concern when looking at breeding animals as opposed to riding animals unless you plan on high performance showing like dressage or jumping. Right now, I don't think it should be too much to look into.

I prefer my horses to have 12 or more hours of turnout on grass fields, grazing is very important to me. When you purchase your property, make sure you have land suitable for equines. I would try and avoid pasturing in a wooded lot but if it is the only option be sure to have plenty of hay/feed available--some trees are toxic to horses, and hungry horses begin to eat things poisonous to them with fatal results.

I always like to recommend Pony Club books to read because they give excellent information on proper grooming, health care, stabling arrangements and some tips on correct riding and training with always the emphasis on safety for horse and rider. I would also recommend to never stop learning.

There is a wealth of information out there to be discovered!!

 

[welsummerchicks]

Horse breeds - Horse keeping styles

Most horse people feel very strongly about their favorite breed of horse (and style of riding!). That's the best breed, the best way to ride - we take the best care of our horses, etc. Breeds of horses generally were developed for a certain riding style, and do best when ridden in that style.

In horses overall, there are three types - Heavy Draft Horses (for the heaviest farm work), Saddle/Riding horses, and Driving/Carriage Horses.

There are two big major styles of riding horses in the US - English and Western. Each have their own styles-within-a-style.

Within English, there's hunt seat, saddle seat and dressage styles. Those are the major ones. The hunt seat saddle is designed for fox hunting - a lot of galloping and jumping. "Saddle Seat' saddles are flatter and longer, and designed to accentuate high stepping front legs as the landowner rode around his plantation or into town. Dressage saddles are designed for riding dressage(horsey gymnastics), though they can be comfortable for trail riding and even a little jumping.

Each riding style has its own ideas about training, what sort of bits and bridle to use, what constitutes a 'good performance'.

Pick the riding style you like best and stick with someone who's good at teaching that style. Buy a horse, and equipment - saddles, bridles and gear - that suit that riding style.

English riding styles tend to favor certain breeds or types - Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, and half - Thoroughbreds (to name a few). These horses tend to be taller and slim.

Western riding tends to favor certain breeds too - Quarter Horses, Appaloosas, Paints(to name a few). Western horses tend to be lower to the ground and more heavily built, but it depends on which type of competition they're aimed for. Within Western, there's a saddle type for cutting, reining, pleasure riding, and there are just pleasure riding saddles too.

But for a novice, the breed isn't really that important. A peaceful older half draft horse, a very quiet Quarter Horse, all nice sorts to start with. Good novice horses are found in all breeds and they are individuals. But honestly, yes, those 'stereotypes' about breeds really are good to know and horses DO tend to 'follow their breed'.

Some breeds are bred to be very active and sensitive, and have high exercise requirements. They MAY be daunting for a novice to take on as a first horse. Older individuals and exceptional individuals of those breeds, may still be suitable for beginners - but there IS a difference in breed. Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Warmbloods - were bred to be very energetic and active. Again, you MAY find an exceptional individual, but this is generally true. Quarter horses, on the other hand (while there ARE exceptions!!), generally are more 'laid back' and less excitable and sensitive.

Training and habit is also a big part of that quiet, reliable horse. Just being a certain breed doesn't guarantee a quiet, relaxed, laid back horse.

What's important is having a reliable, gentle horse that they're safe with - and riding in a way that they enjoy. If it's wearing a Western saddle or a dressage saddle, he'll do equally well. SOME riding styles do feature a pretty slim shaved down saddle that is a little harder to learn in. Some 'close contact' hunt seat saddles tend to be flat and take skill to learn in, but there are hunt seat saddles that are more supportive and better for beginner riding.
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Horse Keeping Styles -

Horses don't tend to worry too much about mahogany paneling and brass trim in their stables! They don't worry about not going to a horse show. They don't complain to the other horses that your truck and trailer aren't the latest model. It's possible to have a plain, sensible stable that works very well. A little bit of mud never hurt any horse. Healthy horses can be outdoors in all but the worst weather. Those basics - sensible feeding, consistent routine - exercise, the company of other horses, plenty of room, safe solid fences, those are really what keeps horses healthy and happy.

However, standing in water or mud 24/7...that can cause disease and problems with the feet. Constantly standing in a mucky pen full of manure, urine and mud - yeah that is going to be a problem. Being outdoors is good, but not when lightning is striking down. Eating poor quality feed, yeah, that's going to cause a problem. A saddle that doesn't fit-girths and saddle pads that are matted with dirt and burrs - yup, that's going to be a problem. Untended wounds - no farrier, no vaccinations or worming...yeah, that's going to be a problem.

You CAN have a plain, practical place for your horses. Horses don't need to be stalled up and showed to be happy and healthy. You can ride in that used saddle, sure - if it fits on the horse's back properly! You don't need fancy britches - but a helmet wouldn't be a bad idea! You don't need to fuss over every little hair or spend hours grooming every day - but checking horses regularly and some basic grooming can help you detect a health problem before it gets to be a big, expensive problem. You CAN save money - but on the right things.

In short, it's possible to have a very plain unfancy setup, and take very, very good care of your horses, and enjoy them to the fullest.

 

[theoldchick]

Nope, horses don't need fancy to be happy. Just a good horse buddy and a nice bale of hay.

 

[GhostRider65]

Lots of good advice.. I definately agree do not buy a green horse being a green rider, it's a nightmare waiting to happen, or an injury waiting to happen
maybe both for you or your horse. Where are you I'd be more than happy to show/ teach you all I know, would be best done in person. I'm over here by Nichols 25 miles North of Appleton. Horses are awsum animals, they are also very big powerful animals, there expensive to keep and maintain, they are also basically maintenance with legs. Meaning you can have a well broke old horse who come spring acts just like an unbroke new horse. Preparation and consistant training in a given and if you don't time to keep them up, it can be a misrable existance for both of you.
If you can go somewhere to learn the ropes is your best bet, lesson would be awsum, but also realizing how much work horses can be just maybe an eye opener, and most people think chickens poop alot LOL just wait till ya see how much comes out the back end of a horse. It would be almost comical if it wasn't so much work. My hubby says put in 25 lbs of hay and 30 pounds of pooh comes out LOL. It isn't that bbad but it's more than anyone that don't own horses might think. Id add some pictures but I ain't figured out how to do that yet. My babies can be seen at my webshots page though. so best of luck with your dream, 1 final note yes they are alot of work and money but I would not give my babies up if it meant I starved to death first. here is the link..... http://community.webshots.com/user/ghostrider65

 

[GhostRider65]

LOL I think you are way to far away.... hehehe just noticed you are way yonder in cali. just a short drive to wisconsin only 2200 miles. so anyway heed any advice I can give and specific questions are also welcome. Hugz Kim

 

[welsummerchicks]

You might want to peruse the thread about maintaining pasture and grass for horses. Your county extension office WILL get involved if you have lots of mud and pooh on a small property, or if erosion, runoff and such are an issue.

You'll see this especially in neighborhoods where properties are small and neighbors are NOT farmers and horse owners. In 'mixed land use and residential' areas, having horses isn't always easy.

It's a very, very good idea to have a rural excavator go over your property with you and point out where problems might...'accumulate'.

It's not such a bad idea to be aware of what the laws in your state, county and township are, about owning horses and maintaining your property. It's an EXTREMELY good idea to know the deeds, covenants, easements and the general level of cheerfulness your neighors will greet a neighorhood horse with.

"All a horse needs is a buddy and hay".

Nope. Many states require specific shelters and fencing. You can, in fact, have your horses removed from your property if they are not housed and kept according to the laws of the land - if they get out and run on your neighbor's property....all that.

And....a riding teacher once told me that whenever anyone declared they were going to ring a horse home, she'd ask, "what are you going to do with all that manure?" Yes....all those nitty gritty details, they need to be worked through.

It REALLY pays to know your legal rights and responsibilities before you buy livestock, even if you are planning on boarding your horse at a stable so very knowedgeable skilled people are taking care of your first horse (a very wise idea for a novice).

 

[turney31]

 

[welsummerchicks]

are you ok? I'm sick. Writing is all I can do. LOL.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Wow you guys are amazing AND awesome! I have learned so much from this thread already!

WIChookChic- your horse is GORGEOUS to me. Granted I have a "green" eye, but her conformation looks to be very good. I mean this in the nicest way (because I want to learn) but does she have any faults?

We are planning on moving way out into the boonies, on acreage, so the horses would have a large paddock/ pasture. I don't think there is much grass, but there might be a decent amount during the summer. Most likely it would be more wooded. We are looking at a couple pieces of property near my family in Washington, so there will be snow and stuff. (Something I am NOT used to).

Oh, and I LOVE the pics!!! MORE MORE!!!

When I rescued my Morgan I guess I got pretty lucky, he was 8 years old and just barely green broke, I had never had a horse before. So I guess I basically trained us together. He ended up being a really good boy, but "barn sour" as he would always just want to go home every time we went out. Also, he was a real easy keeper.

Also, one thing I always wanted to find out about him was every once in a while he would "nick" the back of his front hooves with the rear ones... what causes that?

So if drive and heart (and being an easy keeper) are more important than conformation how is that something you can "tell" by looking at the animal or working with it a bit before buying it?





And yep I'm still here, feeling a little bit better, but yesterday I think I ate something that didn't agree with me and I broke out in a painful itchy rash,

ON TOP of having the flu.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Some of it is intuition, many owners allow people trials before they decide on a horse. A good bet is to get a horse that does what you want to do. Ex, you want a laid back trail horse, get a proven laid back trail horse. If you want a hunter-jumper, get a horse that already jumps.

Horses let you know when they're unhappy or bored. I got my gray mare to do dressage with, she got very bored doing patterns and when I began taking her on trail rides to help with ring sourness, she really took to it and I tried distance with her. She LOVES it. My bay mare I bought to do distance with but she didn't really have the desire for the longer rides. She liked short, slow rides and she enjoyed doing patterns in a ring. She's now a combo trail/show horse for a teenage girl.

A lot of show horses get burned out and take on "second careers" as endurance, trail, or other odd events like historical reenactments, search and rescue or any other thing.

Watch a horse getting worked. If you're looking to buy a seasoned western pleasure horse and it humps its back and wrings its tail when asked to lope and looks stiff and unhappy, than it is. It's not meant to be a western pleasure horse. On the other hand, if someone tells you a horse has endurance potential but it shuffles along at a trot, it won't be a top contender. I once saw a horse advertised as "jumper potential" because it was too clumsy for dressage.

Also, if you live in a dry area, get a price on hay and then DOUBLE it to see if you can afford feeding a horse. A lot of hay in Southern Cal can be very expensive.