Archive for Horses

What to do when there may be horse colic

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

As opposed to with human babies, colic in horses can turn into really considerable. In simple fact, it really is considered as an emergency due to the possible destruction that it may do towards the horses. Even when treated immediately, only some will respond to treatment and treatment. The condition of most will only deteriorate.

Colic in horses, like in human beings, is pinpointed to a difficulty inside digestive procedure. Horses will really feel soreness in their abdomen, which can bring about them to act wild. Horses who are suffering from colic will also cry and shout. They’re going to also prance and buck wherever they are. This might result in injuries to themselves and also towards folks who go close to them.

There are many forms of colic in horses. One particular is a colic induced by a issue with gas. This really is referred to as spasmodic colic. An additional type is triggered by obstructions in some areas of the body, specially within the colon or during the intestines, in which the structure is a whole lot narrower compared to other species. Generally, impactions like this in distinct areas of their bodies will call for remedy, from some thing as simple as oil and medication to fluid therapy, dependant upon the severity with the difficulty. Other types that horse lovers and owners ought to view out for are colics brought on by overeating and those people caused by worms. 

Symptoms of colic in horses

There are several signs of colic in horses, principal of this stands out as the apparent restlessness and abrupt loss of appetite. Like infants, they’ll also be grouchy and fitful. Appetite is probably the most crucial details that horse owners ought to observe as this may be regularly overlooked. An additional achievable sign of colic is that the horse will grow to be restless at 1 time and listless another time. They will unusually be lacking in vitality and is going to be lying lower for a period of time. Other instances, they may be at their most active.

This can be when the colic is previously in its innovative kind as well as the horse can no longer bear the agony. They may tart to paw, prance, and kick the belly. They are going to be shopping at their sides frequently, and rolling their upper lip. Some will also be jerking their tails, stretching their legs and proceeding from a single position to an additional, unable to rest.

In critical circumstances, they can get so wild that they are going to throw ourselves lower and assume positions which can be so unnatural. They’re going to groan and roll and paw.
Though often, horses could be mighty moody at times, all these happening on the similar timeframe, recurring a lot more than twice need to witout a doubt sound the alarm bells especially if the behavior is so in contrast to your horse’s temperament.

How to proceed

The 1st point for you to should do in the event you suspect colic with your horse would be to not panic. This assistance is usually tough to take in when your horse is tearing the barn decrease with their wild behavior. But stress is not going to achieve anything. You may need a apparent thoughts to deal using the difficulty. Besides, the feelings of stress will only be picked up by your horse, thereby exacerbating their individual worries and fears.

The following point which you must do would be to call the veterinarian. Ask for assistance and do not attempt to solve it by your self or to wait till the problem improves. Remember that colic is usually a serious matter and ought to be handled as quickly as doable.

Thing You Should to Know about Pet Adoptions

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

There are other common reasons why pet adoptions occurs, including lost pets, where owners and pets are separated; owners’ change of mind, where owners no longer feel they can take care of a pet; and one of the saddest reasons; that breeders produce too many pets, which they then can’t sell.

Pet adoption can be an informal or formal arrangement. More common though is the formal adoption process whereby pet shelters and pounds have pets that they try to find homes for.

Pet shelters and pounds are normally more selective about who can adopt their pets, and will often check out perspective owners and homes before allowing pet adoption to go ahead. Any one of you though, when searching for a new pets, prefer to shop from a great breeder or pet market rather than adopt. Fortunately an increasing number of perspective owners are looking to pet adoption to find their new pets.

If more people were aware of pet adoption then there would certainly be fewer pets being put down each year. To reduce the numbers of pets being put up for adoption, perspective owners need to be aware of the responsibility that comes with pet ownership.

The online virtual pet adoption (VPA) works by you having to locate a cyber pet adoption site of your choice, where you register. On some VPA sites, you are allowed to select multiple virtual pets, but the number permitted will vary amongst the cyber pet adoption websites selected.

After you have finished the virtual pet adoption you are free to do anything you wish with your pet. One factor that separates this from other online games is that accountability for the pet is stressed in virtual pets.

It is one of the best things about virtual pets, your pets are entirely yours, and are similar to real pets. If your kids are interested in a pet to love and look after, you can consider virtual pet adoption.

Please also check out my other guide about : pet insurance, horse insurance and dog health insurance

Thoroughbred Horses

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

History of the Thoroughbred horse:
This form of horse was originally bred in The United Kingdom as a result of the English horsemens need to possess a swift race horse. There are three that founded this breed which are: Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian and Godolphin Arabian, all named after their owners, Thomas Darley, Lord Godolphin and Captain Robert Byerley. All of these stallions were shipped to the United Kingdom from the Mediterranean Middle Eastduring 1670 and 1710. The conclusion was a breed that could bear weight with consistent pace over extensive distances. In the region of 9/10 of current thoroughbreds have come from Eclipse whose grandsire was Darley Arabian, who was never beaten in eighteen races. This started a very selective breeding practice which has continued for nearly 250 years, breeding the greatest race horses, giving them superiority and distinction on the race track.

Around the turn of the 1700’s, breeding reports for Thoroughbred horses were meager and regularly unfinished, and typically, they would not name a horse until the juvenile horse had proven themself worthy. A man named James Weatherby, through his own investigation and relentless work, and by the collection of his own privately owned pedigree reports published the initial volume of the General Stud Book. This was done in 1791. The principal publication listed 387 mares, each of which could trace back to Eclipse. The General Studbook is still in print in the United Kingdom by Weatherby and Sons. Several years afterward, as thoroughbred racing increased in popularity in North America the need for a pedigree registry for American Bred Thoroughbreds, similar to the General Stud Book became apparent.

In 1873, the first American Stud Book was published by Colonel Sanders D. Bruce. This gentleman used up almost a lifetime studying the pedigrees of American Thoroughbreds. He followed the pattern of the General Stud Book producing six volumes of the register until 1896 when the project was taken over by The Jockey Club. The integrity of the American Stud Book is the foundation on which all Thoroughbred racing in North America depends. The initial edition of the American Stud Book released by The Jockey Club had a foal number of approximately 3,000. In 1986 in had grown to an incredible 51,000. These days The Jockey Club runs an elaborate new computer technology to meet the registration issues posed by the gigantic amount of annual registrations. The Jockey Club owns and runs one of the most complicated computer systems in the world today, with its record holding over 1.8 million thouroughbreds on a main pedigree record, with names that can be traced back to the 1800’s. In addition to bloodlines, this computer also deals with daily racing results of every Thoroughbred race in North America, not forgetting the capacity to handle electronically submitted pedigree and racing information from the UK, Ireland, France and other leading Thoroughbred districts. An extra offspring of Darley Arabian is Diomed; he won the earliest running of the Kentucky Derby in 1780. When he was twenty one years old he was brought over to America where he started the male line through his son, Sir Archie.

Thoroughbreds are the horse of choice for track racing. Most thoroughbred horsesare born somewhere between January and April, although their certified date of birth is January 1 of the current year. Through their first year of growth, they are developing bulk and muscle with the youth commencing his training as a yearling. Thouroughbreds learn to take a bridle and a saddle and a short while after a rider on its back to break in the horse and prepare him for the starting gate and the run around the track.

For more information and horses for sale, please visit the Horse and Pony Directory.

Horse Trailer Buying Tips

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

When choosing a horse trailer, there are many features to take into account. One important aspect is whether the horse trailer will be of a bumper pull or gooseneck design. There are many reasons why you may gain from either design. We’ll compare the two layouts to see which suits you best.

Bumper Pull Trailers – Good and Bad Points
Bumper pull designs, also known as tag-along designs, are horse trailers that attach to a hitch on the hauling vehicle. The trailer “tags along” following the towing vehicle and does not become a part of the complete vehicle.

Advantages
There are many plus points of bumper pull horse trailers. They generally cost far less than a gooseneck design. It’s not necessary to use a pickup truck for towing the trailer, and more people can haul this layout of horse trailer with their current vehicle. Manouverability is often more easy because the tag-along design will follow the path of your tow vehicle. You won’t need as much storage space for the trailer as required for a gooseneck trailer. Finally the trailer doesn’t need to be labelled as a “commercial” vehicle for licensing purposes as the total weight of both the trailer and pulling vehicle is usually under 10,001 lbs.

Bad Points
There are several disadvantages as well. These type of trailers do not offer as much storage for tack and clothing. A few bumper pull trailers might not be enough for transporting over two horses as a result of the design of hitch necessary for the weight of the trailer. Also, these trailers tend to snake on curvy roads, which can be dangerous.

Gooseneck Trailers – Plus and Minus Points
Gooseneck trailers are different from bumper pull designs in their hitch style. The gooseneck is joined inside the hauling 4×4’s load bed using a ball and coupler mating. The gooseneck trailer provides a number of benefits. It won’t sway or fishtail like a bumper trailer tends to do, and towing is therefore more stable. They also provide more space for living quarters, which can be suitable for camping and long trips. The gooseneck layout is more simple to back up to and align with the ball while attaching it to your pulling vehicle, because you can see it clearly from the rear window. The gooseneck design is more safe without the fear of the trailer coming detached while travelling on the highway.

Negative Points
There’s also a few bad points. Gooseneck designs cost more and are generally larger so they have to be pulled with a pickup that is powerful enough to tow it. The hitching system is also more pricey for a gooseneck design. Another negative point is that while attaching the trailer, you must climb into the bed of the pickup to finish the attachment. Also, you will need to take off your camper top from your pickup to pull a gooseneck trailer.

The Right Design For You
Whether looking for a bumper pull or gooseneck layout, you can search online to check out a range of features of each. If you’re budget is limited, you can find many used horseboxes for sale and horse trailers for sale to find a bargain. Reflect on the advantages and negative points of both designs prior to making a purchase. For more information and horses for sale, visit the Horse and Pony Directory

Useful Advice On Purchasing Your Next Horse

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

When looking for horses for sale, there are a few points which are worth thinking about to make the buying process easier, and to make sure you end up with your dream horse.

  • No horse is perfect – just make sure that your chosen one has niggles that you can put up with and that won’t reduce your enjoyment.
  • Bring an experienced rider along, someone who is knowledgable of your capabilities and strengths. In an ideal world take someone who is able to spot lameness or any illnesses. Or perhaps your instructor who will be able to tell if the chosen horse is appropriate for the way you ride – your aptitude and confidence.
  • Check any relevant documets and passport.  A passport is not legal proof that your chosen horse is owned by the seller so ask to see a receipt as proof of purchase. It is unlwful to sell or purchase horses minus a passport.
  • Ask if all innoculations are current. A course of vaccinations can cost a lot of money and take months to come into effect before you can compete.  It will not go down well if you move a horse to another horse if it is carrying an illness with it.
  • Once you’ve chosen you new horse, ask a vet to perform out the highest check that you can buy. Don’t rush or be forced into purchasing if you believe you need the horse checked out by your vet.
  • Try to watch the horse or pony carrying out the tasks you would like it to do. Retraining a horse will add a considerable amount to the total cost if you are unable to do this yourself.
  • Try to negotiate a trial loan in which the horse can be sent back if it is not suitable.
  • Make sure you are realistic when purchasing a young horse, ask yourself if you have the necessary knowledge to bring it on. Another thought is that, a more mature horse may just have the character and maturity to build your confidence and teach you the basics.
  • Don’t feel pressured to buy the first one you visit and don’t be pressurised by the many other people just waiting to purchase the horse if you don’t – more than likely this is just a ploy to rush you into an impulse buy. Take your time when buying a horse.
  • As soon as the sale is agreed take out insurance on the horse before you transport it.  Most injuries happen in transit or settling a horse into a new yard with other horses.
  • Trust your instinct – if you believe the vendor is hiding something from you then the likelyhood is they are.
  • Remember that your horse is a huge investment of both time and money – be sure you have considered a budget for all the expenses that you will encounter.

Finally, enjoy your new addition and enjoy many hours horse riding together! Click here to find horses for sale online!

Colic in Horses – Advice and Information

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Confirmation of equine colic is a situation that worrries any horse lover. So what exactly is colic? What indicators should you be aware of?

Colic in horses refers to pain which stems from the abdomen. Generally horses do not tolerate pain of the abdomen well. So in the event of any disturbance of gut function they will usually show signs of discomfort.

Signs of discomfort could be stretching, standing as if to urinate, and hoofing the ground. If in great discomfort the horse will stand up and lie down, and roll to try to become more settled.

The horse will start sweating. More serious cases it will stand up and lie down and continuously roll.

What Should You Do?
If you think your horse has colic, it’s best to call an experienced equine vet immediately. The vet will be in a position to supply rapid pain relief and make a decision whether additional action is appropriate.

What should you do while waiting for the vet? Leading your horse for a walk sometimes helps. It can sometimes encourage his intestines to start working ina normal manner and soothe the discomfort. It may also further prevent the horse lying down and rolling. However if he is currently lying down peacefully then you should let him stay lying down.

It was thought that a horse could twist its gut by rolling around. That is probably incorrect. But it is best to stop him rolling if possible. This way you can stop your horse causing injury himself by knocking itself on any walls. But be careful that you don’t hurt yourself. Horses often lose all their manners if in pain.

There are several different reasons as to why horses get colic. But often the signs look the same regardless of what caused it.

So how will the vet look into the issue? They will listen to your horses abdomen with a stethoscope to show them whether there is more or less activity in the gut than there should be.

Monitoring the heart rate provides a good indication of the seriousness of the pain and the seriousness of the problem. Usually a horse with a normal heart rate does not have a serious problem. However a high heart rate is not such a good sign.

A very useful area of the examination is the rectal examination. By physically feeling the intestines, your vet could be able to find the root of the problem. It goes without saying that this is a very skilled procedure, that could be hazardous for both parties. Though for an experienced equine vet the information it gives is invaluable in concluding the cause of the issue. It may reveal a blockage, or a swollen gut loop as a result of a loop or another problem with the intestines.

In all but the simple cases the vet may inset a tube through the horses’ nose an into the stomach. Though it sounds unpleasant but often may make the horse more comfortable by lowering any pressure from the stomach. This process can also give the vet detailed feedback as to whether the stomach is emptying correctly.

Sometimes the horse might be so much distress that it is impossible for the vet to diagnose properly without first applying a dose of sedative.

Only by collecting all of the information revealed by a detailed examination is the vet able to make an initial diagnosis. Though it might not be possible to diagnose exactly what the problem is.

Sometimes, after the initial examination, your horse needs surgery. Though more usually the vet will decide to treat the horse with a short-acting painkiller and review his condition after a few hours. Most examples display a rapid improvement. Although others will either not respond to the treatment, or they will respond initially, only to start displaying signs of discomfort again later on.

In preference to having to bring the vet out multiple times, it is normally better to transport these cases to a specialist equine practice where they can be monitored closely and surgery can be performed if appropriate.

Conclusion
Thankfully most examples respond to medical intervention. But if surgery is needed – it is important to operate as soon as possible. The likelyhood of a successful outcome is far greater if the operation is performed before too much damage has occurred.

For more information, horses for sale and more, please visit the Horse and Pony Directory.

The History of Arabian Horses

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

The Arabian horse originates from the Arabian Peninsula, where it can be traced back over 2000 years.

The Arab horses, when properly bred display many character traits including endurance, strength and beauty. Studies have show that Arabian horses are amongst the oldest breeds discovered in the world.

The Bedouins were a nomadic people who are given credit for first taming the Arabian horse. The Bedouins took pride in the purity of the Arabian breed and could trace the history of every horse they owned. At these times it was crucial to have a dependable horse that was quick, brave and strong. It was important that it could withstand the harsh desert environment. The Bedouin tribes were constantly at war with other tribes in the region, and it was necessary to have a horse which could lead them into battle.

The Bedouins bred some of the most striking horses. These horses would often be traded and much importance was placed upon their lineage and ancestry. Arabian horses come in a variety of different variations or strains. They are similar in appearance and share ancestry. Dahman, Hadban, Kuhaylan are some examples.

The Arabian horse (Arab) is possibly the most popular breed known. Arabs have a small muzzle, large expressive eyes and a characteristally triangular shaped head. Possibly the most prized Arabs are the ones with concave noses. The neck of an Arabian horse should be arched, and their legs should be muscular and lean. Arabian horses have a silk-like coat which shines in the sun. Due to the fact that they do not have a fair arc(bascule)Arabian horses are not often observed at showing jumping contests.

Most Arabian horses have a coat which is grey or brown, and some horses also have black coats. As the desert heat is so intense, black coated Arabs were a lot more rare as the heat absorption could be dangerous. Because the Arabian horse is so genetically pure, it is commonly used in enhancing the characteristics of other breeds of horses. Arabs are known for their relaxed temperament, making breeding them very attractive.

Professional horse competitions have used Arabian horses for a great deal of time, and there are even competitions each year between Arabian horses and there owners.

For more information, Horses for sale and more, please visit the Horse and Pony Directory

Hoof Care – Advice and Information

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Hoof care is a vital part of ensuring your horses overall health. Ideally you should check your horses hooves daily, and at least twice each week.  You will be able to become very familiar with what is normal and what is not, and will be able to to spot any issues that might be beginning.

Reading this simple list will hopefully aid you in your daily grooming practices.

1. Approaching your horse ensure the symmetry is close, they don’t have to be exactly equal, but very close to the same size and shape.

2. Examine for defects in the wall and coronary band.  Lift up the hoof, run your hand along the outside of the wall to pickup any defects.  Apply the same procedure for the coronary band and then press it softly. Applying these two procedures will also point out soft spots and water bearing areas.

3. Carefully inspect the sole. Examine the colouring in every hoof. If correct they should be similar in colour.  A well defined dark spot will indicate bruising or hole.

4. Examine and compare the frogs.  The front hooves should be of similar proportions and shapeand it should be a similr case with the rear hooves. You should lightly press each frog using your hoof pick, in the majority of areas, with the exception of desert areas, they should be a little spongy.

5. If your horse is shod, hold the shoe and see if it wiggles. Examine for lost clinches, if loose you may choose to remove it before your horse misplaces it by itself and perhaps removes a chunk of hoof with it.

If you frequently check each hoof, you should avoid a great deal of issues by catching the problem before it worsens.

It is recommended you work into your routiene a couple of simple steps. Use a pick from heel to toe.  If packed solid you might be required to loosen it up somewhat before it is removed. Once the material has been taken out, check all the areas of the hoof and make sure that there is not a bad odour as this is normally a clear sign of thrush.  Be certain there aren’t any rocks or gravel lodged anywhere, even underneath the shoe.

All hooves should exhibit a natural sheen on the wall of the hoof.

If you find a smooth level surface free of cracks, circles, depressions, flares and a concave sole that meets the horseshoe, then you should be positive that the hooves are in good condition.

For more horse information, horses for sale and more, please visit the Horse and Pony Directory.

Keeping Your Horse On a Tight Budget

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Surviving a recession is difficult enough, but when you have horses and ponies which rely on you for food, shelter and medicine, every small amount saved helps.

It’s a sad fact that too many horses and ponies are abandoned every week, as horse owners struggle to cope with the current economic climate, as a result there are presently many horses for sale.

Sara Tuppen from the Horse Refuge in Kent, knows all about looking after horses when money is scarce, and relies purely on donations to keep more than 40 rescued horses in good health. She believes there are many ways which could help make owning a horse during a recession a little easier:

1. Many horses can live comfortably outside for most of the year, providing there’s nurishment, water and a place to shelter available. Providing this is an acceptable option for your horse, it could reduce the cost of stabling by a large amount.

2. Removing shoes can be an easy way to keep costs down. If not ridden regularly, and not ridden on rough surfaces, many horses will not need shoes.

3. Loaning your horse is a fantastic way to cut (even halve!) costs, and helps to provide a cheaper introduction to horse ownership for someone else.

4. In many cases it is possible to receive free stabling and perhaps even hay and straw in return for helping out around the yard. Mucking out, grooming the horses, maintenance etc. are all ways which could reduce your outlay for a little hard work!

5. Vets bills are an unknown quantity but still have to be allowed for. If money’s a little tight, you may find a lot of Vets will allow you to spread the cost.

6. Most of us can make lifestyle adaptations! It’s not all about finding ways to keep your horse more cheaply, you can do it too!

7. Wherever possible, horse owners can often join forces to buy feed and straw in bigger numbers, reducing the entire cost and passing on savings to all.

8. Finally, you can look into getting your horse a foster home, even as a family friend.

If you’re in a position to loan, or even buy a horse or pony, there are still many horses for sale and ponies for sale available.

Learn The Essentials About 4 Common Laser Printers For The Home Business

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Photo printer cartridges can be very expensive and knowing which printer to use will help. A lot of persons ask us, ” Which is the best laser printer for me?” Inkjet printer ink cartridges come in various sizes and prices. This isn’t an easy inquiry to lay to rest for the reason that it depends on what you want your laser printer to do. The type of printer you buy will determine the type of cartridge for printer that you will use. Whether you would like a high quality laser printer, an all-in-one workhorse, a tiny photo printer, or a easy single-function inkjet, we’ve got you covered. How much are you willing to spend? There is also an after sale expense that a lot of customers are uninformed of; the expense of replacement printer cartridges. Below, you will find our review of four different printers. This starting point can help you in your pursuit. If you’re interested in certain categories or products, you should at least possess a base level of data with which to start.

HP Officejet Pro 8500- The HP Officejet Pro 8500 wireless printer is an inkjet that can handle an office situation with a high degree of printing needs. With several networking options, a function touch screen and an awfully fast print rate, this is one inkjet printer that most definitely deserves consideration.

HP PhotoSmart 7350- is a wonderful printer if you are looking for a reasonably cheap printer to print all of your digital photos. The terrific point in relation to this printer is that you can put in your digital camera’s memory card right into the printer and viola, you can print. No laptop needed. This is a tremendous option for those who possess a digital camera, but don’t have a laptop and do not mean to invest in a additional notebook simply for the sake of viewing and printing their personal digital photos. The HP PhotoSmart 7350 prints quality photos, is quiet, swift and moderately compact in size. Whereas this printer might not include the absolute best paper feed (at times feeds several sheets at a time) the individual really can not go wrong with this printer, especially at such an affordable price.

Samsung CLP-600N-This color laser printer can make a enormous addition to the household or small workplace. It is network equipped and has the zip and duty cycle and printing quality that is wanted. The Samsung CLP-600N prints at 20 pages per minute in both color and black and white. With a 2400×600 dpi resolution and a duty cycle of up to 45,000 prints per month makes it a good quality value. The sole downside is that the duplex printing is manual, but manual is better than nonexistent.

Brother HL-5250DN- This Brother printer is network raring to go and promises high-quality graphic and text prints for the small company or family use. There is a good element called a duplexer that allows you to conserve paper and the simple to understand setup directions make installation a snap. At 30 pages per minute output for text, the printer’s speed is nice. There is merely one minor problem and that is the paper tray. It will barely hold 300 pages which is fairly small and barely fitting if you’re using it for home purpose or running a truly small enterprise operation.