How to Care for Your Horse During Summer

To most equine lovers, summer is the best time to bond with their horses. Farms and ranches abound with horse shows and competitions. And sunny days lend themselves to pleasurable trail rides downhill and uphill. All these factors encourage them to engage their horses in more outdoor activities than usual.

While there’s nothing wrong with this, a responsible horse owner must remember that summer heat can expose horses to serious health problems. Therefore, knowing several simple ways to keep horses cool and healthy during summer is important. Here are a few tips which you should observe to help your horse beat the summer heat.

1) Know your horse’s normal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate. This information will help you recognise whether or not your horse is suffering from heat stroke. She may experience heat stroke while exercising under the sun or when simply standing inside a hot stall. Transfer your horse to a cooler environment and call your veterinarian as soon as she shows signs and symptoms of heat stroke.

2) Stick with your horse's normal schedule. Drastically increasing your horse's daily activities can make her feel tense and experience colic (gastrointestinal problems). If you need to add physical activities or make changes to her schedule, do this gradually so that your horse will have enough time to adjust.

3) Provide a run-in shed. A run-in shed offers horses a quick escape from the sun while they’re grazing or exercising outdoors. If you can’t provide a run-in shed, turn her out early in the morning to avoid excessive heat from the sun.

4) Buy your horse a suitable electrolyte supplement. Severe loss of electrolytes happens during excessive sweating. It can cause colic, fatigue, muscle cramps and can create other health risks for horses. If you can’t stop your horse from sweating excessively, give her some supplements that will replace the electrolyte or salt loss in her body.

5) Observe proper ventilation in your barn. Install a misting fan near your horse’s stall. This will keep her cool as she rests. Also, leave the doors and windows open to allow air to flow inside the barn.

If you want additional tips on keeping your horse in good shape this summer, read this detailed infographic from Horseland.

Horses need the utmost care not only during summer. They need proper care every season. Click here to discover other insights and different tools you can use to keep your horse healthy and happy through out the year.

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Six Top Tips for First-Time Horse Owners

Horse ownership can be a frustrating experience for both owner and horse if you don’t think carefully about it beforehand. It is a huge responsibility in terms of the time and money needed. Taking good care of your equine companion will include, among other things, yearly immunizations, regular dental care, hoof care and parasite control.

These responsibilities notwithstanding, horse ownership is a most rewarding experience. But the right horse must be matched to the right owner. For the match to be successful, the owner’s goals and equestrian ability must be taken into account.

Are you currently thinking about choosing a suitable horse for your family? Here are a few tips that will help you find just the right horse for you.

1. Learn horse riding – Do you know the right way to ride a horse? This is different from sitting on a horse while someone leads it around. Invest in some riding lessons so you and your horse can be safe and comfortable.

2. Consider all possible expenses – Horses are expensive pets. Apart from the high cost of buying one in the first place, their maintenance demands a big budget. Think about the money you will need to spend on feed, bedding, vet check-ups, stabling, horseshoe maintenance and the other supplies which every horse needs.

3. Take a professional with you – Once you have decided to buy a horse, take an equine trainer with you to see him. He can check whether your prospective horse is healthy and whether it rides well.

4. Know the horse’s history – Ask the seller about the horse’s previous owner and the reason he is being sold. You can also ask for the horse’s registration papers. If possible, ask the seller for the contact numbers of the horse’s farrier and veterinarian. This will help you find out about any health issues the seller might be keeping from you.

5. Handle the horse yourself – Instead of riding the horse right away, lead him around as he leaves the stall. Watch how the seller or owner groom or tack him up so you can spot any behavioral issues.

6. Ask the seller to ride the horse before you do – The seller will be happy to ride the horse if it has no problems. Observe how the horse moves and behaves while being ridden.

When all these things check out, you have probably found yourself a great horse. Make sure you continue to treat him well, providing all his needs and giving him plenty of love and attention. You will have then have a companion you and your family can enjoy for a very long time.

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Plaiting Your Horse's Mane - All You Need to Know

Growing up, I have always wanted to own a horse. I got interested in it because I used to help my grandfather groom horses for public ceremonies during holidays. My grandfather and I didn’t get paid much for it. But it gave us the creative satisfaction – from dressing up horses down to quarter marking their rumps.

Plaiting is one of the grooming skills that my grandfather and I have perfected in those early years. Keen to know how this is done properly? Read the following tips.

Prepare your plaiting tools – You will need a mane comb, body brush, elastic bands, hair gel, sponge and water.

Wash your horse’s mane – This is best done a few days before your scheduled plaiting. Apply shampoo and conditioner to avoid flyaways.

Position your horse – Choose a spot where you and your horse will be from distraction. Hang a hay net in front of your horse. This will keep him still. Tie him with a quick-release knot. Stand by the side of the neck where the mane is falls.

Brush the mane – Brushing will get rid of the tangles. Once the mane is untangled, comb it gently into sections. Moisten each section with water.

Plait with elastic bands – Plait each section tightly from the top to the bottom. Use an elastic band to secure each plaited section. Fold the plait twice. Use another elastic band to secure it. Repeat the same process all the way down the neck of your horse.

French braid your horse’s forelock – Do this up to your horse’s nose. Fold it under once done and secure using an elastic band.

Plaits are key in making your horse’s mane more presentable. They train the mane to fall on the preferred side. Moreover, they reveal your horse’s beautiful neck and crest.

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What Can Having Pets Teach Your Kids

Are you always rejecting your child's request to have a pet? If yes, do think about it again. Experts in the field of medicine and psychology often relate the wonders of pet ownership in kid's health and behaviors.

Pets of whatever kind can relieve kids of depression. If your child is bullied in school or is often alone, she can feel very sad and have a difficulty in sharing her feelings and thoughts. This is why some parents often choose  man's best friend as pet for their kids. The charm and warm personality of dog can urge children to lighten up and talk with things they cannot disclose  to their anyone even their parents. More so, a dog is a good companion it will tag along your child wherever she goes. She can feel safe with a canine friend always behind her back.

Pet ownership also teaches responsibility, care and love for animals and people alike. With a pet, your child would be thinking of its needs all the time. She will act as a parent who is there to support the needs of her pet every step of the way. In truth, she will just display whatever she sees you do for her.

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