How to Keep your Horse Happy
Horses are incredibly sensitive and it is important that they get the care and attention they deserve. It’s not enough to only provide the bare necessities like food, shelter and whatever healthcare your horse insurance policy will cover. Like us, they also need to feel a bit special, and the little extra love will go a long way.
It’s best to keep your horse among other ponies or horses, as they are herd animals in nature and will need to have company. You should be also seen as part of their herd, ideally as the herd leader. A horse’s chewing or licking are both signs of affection and of sumbission to your status as leader. The development of trust and a lasting emotional bond with your horse relies on you spending quality time with your horse. When this is achieved, it will have a positive effect on all areas in the horse’s handling and riding.
Approach your Horse using Three Ps of Horse Training
When you wish to train a horse you’ll have to catch it first. This sounds simple enough, but if this is your first attempt at doing so it can be surprisingly frustrating. This is actually the most important step of all in training. The trust foundation is laid in this step. No matter what you do with any horse at any stage of training, remember the basic 3 p’s- patience, persistence, and positive reinforcement. These three training elements work together and are relevant with each step of training along the way.
The most efficient way to begin the approach is to have the horse in an enclosure of easily manageable size. A round pen is ideal, but if you don’t have one a paddock or other large fenced enclosure will work.
Begin by approaching the enclosure with a casual demeanour. Do your very best to relax and give the impression of calm. Leave your life’s stress outside the pen. Since horses are prey animals, they are easily intimidated by anyone or anything that emits stress or aggression of any kind. This represents a possible threat and the last thing you want is for your horse to see you as a threat. Trust must be built between the two of you.
Basic Horse Training Tips
Training horses requires the use of the three p’s – patience, persistence, and positive reinforcement. Before undertaking the rewarding task of teaching your horse to do what is desired, you must understand these basics. Following these basic tips will provide the foundations of a great relationship between horse and rider.
Beginner's Tips For Riding Horses
Learning to ride a horse isn’t easy. There are so many things that you need to remember and they aren’t always related to the horse. Always ensure that you have the correct clothing and a helmet that fits properly before you start. Then you are ready to continue with the rest.
How to correctly mount a horse
When the bridle and saddle have been correctly fitted and double-checked, stand to the left of the horse. Place your left foot in the stirrup, and grasp the withers (mane), not the saddle as this will cause it to slide. Then keeping both of your hands on the front of the horse or on the cantle (back) of the saddle, push up and swing your right leg over the back of the horse, being careful not to kick the horse, so that you seat yourself comfortably in the saddle. When comfortable, reassess your grip on the reigns and hang both your legs down near the stirrups. Make sure they are at the correct length by having the stirrup reach your ankle. Then you should be able to just slide your feet into the stirrup whilst your foot is raised a few inches. Remember that it important that you are balanced to the horse, not them to you.
Best choice of animal bedding
Consider this when you choose animal bedding. Most of the time, you will use the product one time, then muck it out. Whether large animals or small pets, you are constantly changing their pens. Why not use a recycled product instead of purchasing one that you will use only a single time and then it goes into the rubbish? Here are just some of the reasons you should consider recycled cardboard as an option.
Learn to Ride a Horse – Some Tips to Help You
There are three rules that I believe should be followed whenever someone decides to learn to ride a horse:
1. Get a good instructor.
2. Get an older, experienced horse, preferably a schoolmaster, which is a very well-educated horse.
3. Start with horse handling skills from the ground.
Having a good instructor is vital to help a new rider gain confidence and knowledge at a pace that you can take on. There are different levels of instructor, and also different disciplines, so getting the right one is key to learning how to ride successfully.
Full article “Learn to Ride a Horse – Some Tips to Help You“
Fun With Horse Riding Games
Are you someone who likes to have some fun with horse riding games? Are you skilled in the art of horse riding and do you need something more challenging on horseback? Or do you look for the maximum thrill of horse riding? In that case, this article is for you. While you read here, you will see that there are various games that can be enjoyed while riding on a horse.
Essential Horse Riding Equipment For Riders
When it comes to horse riding, having the appropriate horse riding equipment is necessary, so as to be comfortable and safe. Saddlery, clothes and tacks are important, if you want to have an enjoyable and memorable experience.
An Introduction to Horse Riding Video
An Introduction to Horse Riding
I did a show in the beginning of the decade where I learned bareback
horse-riding. Before that time my most active involvement with horses had
been at hokey wilderness trails and occasional discussions with avid
equestrians I’d randomly meet near my home town in southwestern Ohio. I
had seen horses on screen all my life, of course, but being that I grew up in
a mid-size city (even though it was surrounded by farmland on all four sides,)
