You always wanted a horse when you were growing up and now that you are a successful adult, you have decided to take the plunge and purchase a horse. Keeping a horse is not possible today in most cities so you arrange to have it boarded and cared for at a local stable. Sounds easy, but owning and caring for a horse is a big responsibility that each owner must be prepared for. So, where do start to learn about what it takes to have a healthy horse?

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Depending on breed, management and environment, the domestic horse today has a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years. It is uncommon, but a few horses live into their 40s, and, occasionally, beyond. The oldest verifiable record was “Old Billy,” a horse that lived in the 19th century to the age of 62. The size of horses varies by breed, but can also be influenced by nutrition. The general rule for cutoff in height between what is considered a horse and a pony at maturity is 14.2 hands(h or hh) (147 cm, 58 inches) as measured at the withers. An animal 14.2h or over is usually considered a horse and one less than 14.2h is a pony.

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Training begins when you prepare your unbroken horse to be backed and ridden. Once he is broken in, you can get him to respond to your instructions so that you can get real enjoyment from riding him.

You may find that you can take your horse further with some dedicated training if you are interested in areas such as show jumping or dressage. Do bear in mind however, that the average horse and rider do not go this far, so don’t feel this has to be your next step. If you enjoy riding, continue getting pleasure from your riding and don’t worry about what else others are doing. There’s nothing nicer than feeling the breeze on your face as you ride through the countryside.

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In order to get the best performance possible out of a horse, proper nutrition is absolutely essential. Whether the horse is training for competitive riding or just leisure riding, good nutrition helps create and maintain a healthy horse. What basic things must each horse owner take into account to help create a healthy diet? These are a few:

There is one fruit and one vegetable that must be a staple of every horse’s diet. Carrots are important as a balancing food in the diet and can help the horse maintain his eyesight into old age. Even more important than that are the apples. Apples have long been a favorite of horses and for good reason. Whether red or granny smith, apples help make a healthy horse.

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The title of the book comes from the words of Lakota holy man Lame Deer:

We had no word for the strange animal we got from the white man—the horse. So we called it šunka waken, “holy dog.” For bringing us the horse we could almost forgive you for bringing us whiskey. Horses make a landscape look more beautiful.

Horses Make a Landscape More Beautiful is a slim volume of poetry written by the remarkable writer/activist Alice Walker. The work is a powerful collection of poems that are raw, honest, and celebrate the capacity to celebrate life and stand up against injustice and abuse.

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You always wanted a horse when you were growing up and now that you are a successful adult, you have decided to take the plunge and purchase a horse. Keeping a horse is not possible today in most cities so you arrange to have it boarded and cared for at a local stable. Sounds easy, but owning and caring for a horse is a big responsibility that each owner must be prepared for. So, where do start to learn about what it takes to have a healthy horse?

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Salt blocks are an essential part of a horse’s nutrition plan. For both the most active and least active horses, having a steady dose of sodium does the body well. For horse owners that want their horses to be able to go for extended rides, there should be an extra emphasis on salt blocks. There are many different brands of salt blocks, though. Each one brings a little something different to the table, so depending upon your horse, you will want to choose the salt block that best fits their needs.

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More questions!! This time to ask the owner over the phone. Things to find out are:

* Whether this horse is suitable for a beginner. Most people will be honest here, not wanting to endanger someone.

* The horse’s age, height and build. Does it match your criteria?

* Color and markings, if these are important to you.

* What sort of temperament he/she has. Quiet, calm, bombproof, gentle.

* If she is a mare, what to expect with any mood swings, if any.

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Though horses are born to run, there are many that experience the painful problem of having cramps while trying to change speeds. When a horse quickens his gait pace to a gallop, cramping has been an especially difficult problem to deal with. Horses are interesting in their running style because they link their breathing to the rhythm of their hoof beats. When horses run, they just don’t bring in enough oxygen to support their muscles, which constantly tire because of the natural existence of lactic acid that causes pain and cramping. Recently, there have been new findings in the industry that are allowing horses to break through this problem and improve their performance.

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A good photograph portrays your horse in his best possible light. A bad photograph, by contrast, draws attention to every fault, no matter how insignificant, and sometimes even exaggerates those faults!

Whether you are advertising your horse because he is for sale or advertising his recent show ring accomplishments, knowing how to photograph your horse correctly is a skill you must develop. If you derive income from your horses getting good photographs of them to put in front of the public is absolutely integral!

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