Remember, strong, forward-going horses will simply get stronger if they feel restricted. By allowing them forwards on a small circle you’re letting the confines of the movement keep them in check, reducing the amount of contact you need. How do you handle a strong horse? When the horse starts to Read more…
Italy is also home to some of the most beautiful horse breeds in the world. There are over 25 horse breeds with whole or partial Italian heritage. The most common Italian horse breeds are the Italian Heavy Draft, Italian Trotter, Murgese, Sarcidano, Sardinian Anglo-Arab, Bardigiano, and Esperia. Do Italians ride Read more…
Denton County. 1 million horses within our borders, and the primary breeding and ranching areas are in Denton County, north of Fort Worth almost to the Oklahoma border. The area is a national equine breeding and training area with over 300 large farms and ranches. Where are most horses in Read more…
This is really important as horses do not store fat evenly over their bodies, some horses may appear “ribby” but have large amounts of fat over their neck, shoulders and hindquarters. These horses could actually have too much fat and be overweight despite being able to see their ribs. Is Read more…
Pulling on the reins can be used to steer or stop the horse. The sides of a horse’s mouth are sensitive, so pulling on the reins pulls the bit, which then pulls the horse’s head from side to side, which is how the horse is controlled. What do you hold Read more…
There can be some between the ribs, but ideally not over them. Gently move your hand over your horse’s spine and withers: ideally, you should be able to see the backbone and feel its arch with light pressure. How do I know if my horse is too skinny? Tailhead/Croup: In Read more…
Some view it this simply: if ribs are visible, the horse is at least a body condition score (BCS) of 4 and maybe lower; if ribs are not visible, the horse is at least a 5 and perhaps higher. Ribs are not the end-all, be-all in body condition scoring, though. Read more…
In regard to how much cracked corn to feed, the general guideline would dictate no more than 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) for an average horse at each feeding, given the conventional safe level of starch recommended by nutritionists is 0.45-0.90 g of starch per lb (1-2 g of starch per Read more…
Most underweight horses are categorised by factors such as visible ribs and protruding hip bones, so seeing the ribs of a horse can be quite alarming for some people. Visible ribs are not always a sign of malnourishment, however – it’s important to look at the horse as a whole. Read more…
Avoid riding your horse when the combined air temperature (F) and relative humidity is over 150, especially if the horse is not acclimated to the heat. What temperature is too hot to ride in? While high heat (85°F or higher) or high humidity (above 80%) alone is not a problem, Read more…