The bit shank is the side piece or cheekpiece of a curb bit, part of the bridle, used when riding on horses. The bit shank allows leverage to be added to the pressure of the rider’s hands on the bit. Do shank bits hurt horses? Bits May Inflict Pain Most Read more…
Approach animals from the front and avoid their blind spots. Avoid the “kick zone” behind cattle and horses. Do not corner, tease, poke, or hurt animals—it can cause them to react violently. How do you approach a horse safely? Always approach a horse from the left and from the front, Read more…
Thus, it is highly recommended to feed what we would consider a lower quality “horse” hay at about 1.5% of their body weight per day. In addition to forage, all donkeys need further nutrient support. Generally, most donkeys do well when fed a ration balancer, like Essential K®. What kind Read more…
If a horse is grazing in a field and they come towards you when you are around you can be sure they like you. Horses that follow your movements in their presence show they are focused on and give you 100% of their attention. If your horse follows you around Read more…
Not only is it okay, it is actually a good idea! Keeping chickens along with horses is a time honored tradition that certainly can be manageable, and even beneficial – here’s why: Chickens are opportunists. What is the best companion animal for a horse? Other equines aren’t the only possible Read more…
A frightened horse might try to turn and bolt from the danger. If you’re in the way, the horse could step on you or they could kick out as they pass. The horse might also have a fight response—you can usually tell that’s happening if they pin their ears flat Read more…
OFF THE BIT/OFF THE BRIDLE describes a horse being pushed along by his jockey, losing contact with the bit in his mouth. What does it mean when a horse is off the bit? If you hear the racecaller announce that your horse is off the bit before the field enters Read more…
A headstall for horses is a strap that goes over the horse’s head behind the ears at the poll joint or crown. This part allows the bridle to hang on the horse’s head and attaches all the relevant details to the bit needed to communicate with your horse through the Read more…
When riding bridleless, you are essentially giving up the control that a bridle gives you. Always wear a helmet, just in case your horse decides to go with his own agenda. In general, do not practice bridleless riding on a horse that does not listen well, needs more training, or Read more…
Snaffle. A simple snaffle bit almost always is a good choice for any type of riding discipline, including barrel racing. When you are in the process of figuring out what type of bit you want to use, start off with a snaffle and make changes from there. What type of Read more…