A Horse Like Model

Is Euthanasia a Solution to the Wild Horse Budget Problem

2008-07-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has reassessed its position on wild horses and burros. It estimates that the population of the wild horses and burros double every four years, largely because they are virtually free of natural predators. Their ongoing challenge is to prevent overpopulation and adjust the number of wild horses and burros to be consistent with the capacity of public rangelands that supports them. As a result of higher fuel and feed costs, the number of animals adopted has been declining (noting a decrease from 5,701 in Fiscal Year (FY)2005 to 4,772 in FY 2007. possible each year into private care through public adoptions, but adoptions have been declining in recent years because of higher fuel and feed costs. Adoptions declined from 5,701 in Fiscal Year 2005 to 4,772 in Fiscal Year 2007.

An additional concern raised by the Agency is the costs of maintaining these animals in holding these animals in holding facilities. It projects that out of a $37 million budget for FY 2008, over $26 million will be allocated for holding costs. To maintain the short- and long-term holding facilities at their current level of operation, BLM estimates that it would need an increase in congressional appropriation to the Wild Horses and Burros Program to $44 million this fiscal year, $58 million in 2009, and upwards of $77 million in 2012.

BLM has approximated that an appropriate management level of wild horses and burros to maintain is around 27,000. The solution is to euthanize wild horses and burros that cannot be adopted. Is euthanizing wild horses the way to handle problems with budgeting and saving money? The Bureau of Land Mangement claims that they want your input. If you have any passion, or even an ounce of empathy for what these animals mean to the history of our country, I urge you to take them up on their invitiation for your input. To leave your comments or opinion, Click here to access the Agency's feedback form or call them at 1-800-710-7597.

Another Important Response to the Slaughter of Horses

2008-05-12T07:51:00.000-07:00

In January, 2007, American Airlines stopped overseas shipments of horse meat from Texas. A recent opinion issued Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has expanded the ban on the sale or possession of horse meat for human consumption to include the shipment of horse meat destined for overseas markets.

Slaughterhouses for horses have been closed in the US. Now thousands of horses are shipped from the US to Mexico and Canada. For those who crave the delicacy of horse meat will no longer be able to use the ports and international airports in Texas to satisfy their appetite.

Another step in the right direction for protection of horses in the United States.

Thank you Illinois House of Representatives!

2008-04-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

Last October (2007) a double-decker trailer was hauling 60 Belgian draft horses in a space designed for carrying pigs and cattle. As a result of the driver running a red light and colliding with another vehicle, 15 horses were killed. The horses were being transported for auction in Minneapolis allegedly for slaughter in Canada.

Today, the Illinois House of Representatives passed H.B. 4162, which amends the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act, prohibiting the transporting of horses in double decker trailers. The Bill passed 80-29. All eyes are on the actions of the Illinois Senate.

I want to give a personal “thanks” to the House's Driver's Education and Safety Committee for their timely response. Illinois is taking a leadership role in the protection of horses from abuse and inhumane treatment. I urge all of you who are concern with the welfare of horses to show that you care. Regardless of where you live.

Email: Representatives JoAnn Osmond (R-61st) osmondjoann@aol.com and Bob Molaro (D-21st) robertm@ilga.gov co-sponsors of the Bill to show your appreciation.

Click here for The Chicago Tibune Photo Gallary of the October, 2006 Accident

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act: Taking a Stand

2008-03-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

One of the most emotionally charged animal rights issues in recent memory centers on the legislation regarding the slaughter of horses. In question is The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This Act will prohibit the transporting of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption. In September, 2006, the Bill passed in the House of Representatives with votes of 263 to 146. It has yet to be acted upon in the Senate.

The remaining foreign-owned slaughter houses for horses have been shut down. The French-owned Bel-Tex Corporation in Fort Worth, Texas; the Dallas Crown in Kaufman, Texas and Cavel International in DeKalb, Illinois (both which were Belgium-owned) are no longer in operation. These facilities collectively slaughtered over 100,000 horses in 2006 for meat export to countries such as Belgium, France, Italy and Japan.

The shutting down of the slaughter houses have not ended the slaughter of horses. They are being transported across the border to Canada and Mexico to be butchered.

The pros and cons argued on both sides of the problem are many.

Some of the factors raised by those advocating the passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act include:

The role that horses have played in the building of this Country. Horses have made their contribution as a primary source of transportation in early days in addition to working the farm fields for planting and harvesting crops.

Many healthy horses are sold to middlemen at auction with intention of sending them to facilities for slaughter. Many times an owner will sell a horse at auction, thinking that it will be bought for adoption or sold to a stable where it will be cared for. The owner is unaware of the potential fate of their horse.

With the closure of slaughter hourses we are now faced with the problem of a 300% increase in the number of horses that are being transported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter.

Those in opposition to the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act argue:

Passage of the Act will result in a substantial increase the number of unwanted horses. They project that this will tax the financial resources and space available in rescue organizations for the care of these horses. The result is increase abandonment of horses by owners who will be left to starve to death.

Horses will have to endure grueling conditions as they travel hundreds of miles for slaughter in Canada and Mexico. Transport trucks are often hot, over crowded, and the horses travel without access to food or water.

Horses slaughtered across the border face more gruesome deaths. Once a horse crosses the border into Mexico or Canada, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) no longer has control over the fate of the horse.

Horses slaughtered in facilities located within US Borders fell under the supervision of the USDA which regulated the conditions and procedures under which horses were transported and slaughter.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), horses killed in American slaughterhouses died quickly with the steel pins that pierced their brains. The AVMA considers this a humane method for killing horses.

In parts of Mexico, horses are disable, in contrast, by being stabbed with knives to sever their spinal cords. This process may involve several attempts before the horse is disabled causing much pain and suffering for the horse.

The slowdown in the economy have caused economic hardship for many owners who cannot afford the increase prices in hay and grain feed.

Some of the organizations in favor of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act include:

The Humane Societyof theUnited States

Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights

The National Show Horse Registry

Wild Horse and Burro Freedom Alliance

For a more complete listing click here for the Animal Welfare Institute website

Those who oppose the legislation include:

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)

the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)

the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Both sides raise valid points, but can be interpeted in very subjective ways. Call me emotional, illogical, and not objective, but I am with the first group. I oppose the slaughter of horses and transport of horses across the border for slaughter. I think about Horses Like Model who have a lot to give us in terms of companionship, love, loyality and who only want to be adopted from rescue and be given a loving home. I am very passionate about the Belgian Draft Horse, The Gentle Giant.

If you have not made up your mind which side you support, it is time to examine both sides of the issue and take a stand. One day the US Senate might get serious and move from their state of stagnation on the Legislation. For your love of horses, you will have to get off the fence.

Another Focus

2008-03-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

When I started this Blog, I wanted to shed light on the challenges and joys of owning and training a rescue horse. My daughter’s horse, Model, is a rescue horse. When you look at Model’s photo, when she first arrived, you can see how underweight and frightened she was.

Model has made a great deal of progress since her adoption last year. She is now at her proper weight and is achieving many milestones in her training. My strategy in writing this Blog was to increase awareness of the hundreds of horses, like Model, who are waiting for love, support, adoption. So I started posting on topics such as training and grooming and our overall experiences with Model.

My focus in writing this Blog has started to change. The more I read about the problems facing horse rescue groups and cases of abandoned and abused horses, the more I began to think about the meaning of the Blog’s title, A Horse Like Model. I know that Model is loved and her everyday needs are being met. But I am saddened by the flight of other horses, like Model, who are still in rescue shelters and in need for adoption. I am frustrated about the neglected and abused horses that are falling victim to the economic climate we are facing. I have decided to spend more time focusing on the needs of rescue organizations and ways to advocate on behalf of horses in need of adoption and financial support.

I am not sure of the solutions, but I want to do what ever I can to improve the lives of these horses. I think this refocus will meet with Model’s approval.

More on Clicker Training

2008-03-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

In the previous post, we described the basis of clicker training. By teaching your horse to associate specified behavior with rewards initiated by the sound of a clicker, is conditioned to repeat the behavior for the positive consequence of receiving a reward. The behavior-reward pattern should then move from fixed intervals (rewarding the horse immediately) to a variable-reward pattern (in which the horse is rewarded periodically instead of every time he exhibits the expected behavior).

Clicker training is a systematic process. You define the targeted behavior and set the criteria for rewards. While it is a simple approach, in concept, it is important that you are reading your horse overall demeanor correctly as the click-behavior-reward cycle is implemented. You may have to make minor adjustments periodically to find the best combination of timing, rewards, and sequence of steps that works best for your horse.
Mistakes will be made as the start of the process. Just remember that mistakes are part of the learning curve, not an indication that system does not work. Use what you have learned as feedback to determine corrective action needed to improve the methods you are using and opportunity to learn more about your horse.

Implementing clicker training should be part of the total context of how your horse will be trained in the long term. It is a good starting point for overall groundwork training in which you are trying to establish your authority with your horse.
As training progression, the cues you use to get responses will vary. The clicker should give way to the use of physical signals, verbal commands, and finally to the application of pressure to get response.

Groundwork training sets the stage for advanced training. . Some of the major components of groundwork training include: yielding, leading, longing, round penning, lateral movement and trailer loading. Each area of activity is taking your horse to a higher level of preparation for riding or performing in horse shows.

Regardless of the level to which you plan on training your horse, you should develop an overall plan on how the training will be scheduled, where it will occur, and what equipment will be needed at the various stages. Use clicker training to observe how your horse is reacting to the skills you is trying to teach. What is his body language before, during and after the click-behavior-reward process? How is his breathing, his muscle tone? How is he holding his ears, his tail? Being in tune with your horse is ensuring that he is relaxed and in pain or not under stress while training.

Remember you and your horse are a team. Training should be a rewarding experience for both of you and used as an opportunity to strengthen the bond between you.

Resources

Clicker Training

2008-02-26T13:33:00.000-08:00

Clicker training is an extension of natural horsemanship. The process relies on natural instincts of horses in training them to learn targeted behavior. Clicker training can be traced to the research of Edward Thorndike (1874 - 1949) and B.F. Skinner (1904 – 1990). Both men were concerned with the relationship between stimuli, rewards and the consequences of behavior.

Thorndike’s theory, the Law of Effect, proposed that responses to stimuli which resulted in pleasure or satisfaction by the individual are more likely to be repeated again by the individual within the context of that situation. Conversely, responses to stimuli producing discomfort (or a negative experience) are less likely to be repeated. Skinner’s concept of Stimulus-Response (S-R) centers on the relationship between behavior and consequence. An assumption is made that reinforcement of behavior through rewards (positive reinforcement) will result in that behavior being repeated.

A clicker device is used to train a horse to associate sound made by the clicker to a reward given for performing targeted behavior. Target behavior is any action you want the horse to perform. It could be anything from allowing its hoof to be raised for grooming to approaching you on your command.

To start the process, click then give the horse a treat. You can give a carrot, apple, sugar cube or other food. Use your knowledge of the horse’s food preferences in selecting a treat. You want it to be something the horse enjoys. It will not take long for the horse to associate the sound of a click with a treat (the Stimulus-Response process).

The next step in the training process is introduction the clicker to the horse and encouraging him to touch it. Horses are naturally curious and you want the horse to begin to recognize both the actual clicker and the sound it makes. Prompt him to touch the clicker with his nose. Immediately click the clicker and give a treat. Consistency is important. The horse touches the clicker; you click then give him a treat. Begin to incorporate time delay in providing the treat. You may decide to give a treat after every three clicks. In this situation, you are building anticipation of a treat with in association with the sound of the clicker.

As training continues, begin to integrate verbal commands. Commands such as “come”, “back”, “walk”, “whoa” can be different aspects of the training process. Use only one command at a time so the horse does not get confused. Introduce a new command only after the previous command has been learned and demonstrated by the horse.
Keep training sessions short, averaging no more than 10 minutes at a time. This will prove to be an optimal time frame to keep your horse engaged without becoming bored with the process.

REFERENCES

Manure Management

2008-02-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

Implementation of a manure management plan is crucial for horses kept outdoors. The pasture is a natural grazing environment for your horse. It is an ecosystem offering fresh air, nutrition, opportunity to be with other horses and space to exercise. If properly managed, even a pasture of small acreage will decrease overall cost of feed and provide much enjoyment for your horse.

It is important that pasture where your horse is kept is free of hazards that can lead to injury and is maintained to minimize the buildup of manure. An adult horse weights in excess of 1000 pounds and will produce an average of 40 pounds of feces and 2.5 gallons of urine a day. Without proper measures in place, there is increased risk of soil and water pollution which poses health problems for your horse and raises public health issues regarding the safety of drinking water.

Unless you keep your horse on land that you own or lease, you should know the type of waste management procedures used at the boarding facility. As a responsible horse owner, you want to ensure manure is stored and disposed of within the constraints of environmental regulations. For many small operation, composting is a viable solution that falls within the realm of best practices for manure management.

Composting involves the process of decomposing manure and other waste. Organic material including straw, grass, leaves and household waste are added to manure to construct the compost pile. The actions of microorganisms convert these materials into a soil-like material known as compost.

Composting piles can be constructed using a free-standing approach where the pile is built by adding manure on top of previously added manure. The pile should grow large enough to maintain an internal temperature of 60 to 65 degrees to ensure that parasites and weed seeds are killed. The pile should be turned on a regular basis to thoroughly mix and aerate its contents which brings the outer materials internally so the entire pile is exposed to a critical temperature range. A pile that gets too hot (over 70 C degrees), can emit an ammonia-like odor; if it is not hot enough, parasite eggs and weed seeds may survive. Depending on the size of the compost pile, a complete decomposition process can take 30 to 90 days to complete.

An effective waste management plan will provide many benefits:

it will greatly reduce the volume of manure in the pasture, which will in turn, reduce odor and provide a healthier environment for your horse;

compose can be used to add organic nutrients to the soil which will improve the fertility of the soil which will result in improved grass production in the pasture;

it will can reduce the risk of ground and surface water contamination from runoff;

it will reduce the attraction of flies, parasites and bacterial and can pose the risk of infection to your horse.

Knowing how manure is handled is another consideration for being proactive in the care of your horse. It is another factor that can give you peace of mind in knowing your horse is in a safe and healthy environment.

Winter Months

2008-02-04T11:45:00.000-08:00

It is important that horses are groomed on a regular basis. Horses in the pasture need to be closely monitored to ensure healthy hoofs and avoid a build-up of dry mud and manure.

Winter has proven an emotional but educational time for us. This is our first winter with Model. We wanted to ensure that she was comfortable once the weather got cold and was not in distress. Being warm-blooded animals, we knew that horses had to maintain a certain body temperature to survive extreme cold. We learned that horses can naturally tolerate cold temperatures which can cause less stress than extremely high temperatures. Our winters in the South are mild, in comparison to other regions in the Country, however we experienced days when temperatures fell below freezing. We planned for Model to stay in the pasture during the winter. We are assessing this decision on a regular basis to see if we need to make other arrangements for next winter.

So far, we have not encountered many problems. Model’s coat grew longer, which we need would become a natural defense in adjusting to changes in the weather. We initially assumed that Model would need a variety of coats and blankets for the cold. During our research on preparing for the winter, we found many recommendations against the continuous use of coats. Using coats improperly can inhibit the growth of the longer coat of hair needed for the winter. As temperatures drop, an increase the overall body fat is a second level of protection.

Rasheeda examines Model closely during grooming. With a thicker coat, it is important to ensure that she is gaining proper weight gain, especially around the ribs. Special care is given when examining her hoofs. It is an ongoing task to keep her hoofs dry and free of mud, dirt and dry manure. Model does wear a coat to protect her on rainy days and she is regularly checked for rain rot and other skin conditions.

Other considerations during grooming include:

Checking the nostrils, gums, lips and inner eye for healthy pink membrane; purple or yellow discolorations should cause concern;
Checking her hoof for sores and cuts;

Making sure that her ears are not cold;

Observing behavior: shivering or standing stiff may indicate that she is cold.

Buckets are checked several times a day for maintaining fresh water. It is estimated that horses need between 7 to 10 gallons of water a day. Monitor the water and keep it from freezing. Horses will not drink water that is too cold which can result in dehydration. It is recommended that water be kept at a temperature around 45 F degrees to encourage maximum intake.

Model is receiving extra minerals and hay. Increased calories will help to maintain body heat. The suggested intake for horses should average 1 to 2% of its weight (National Research Council, Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 2007).
Model’s feeding habits are being closely monitored to ensure that she is getting enough calories.

Our experience working with Model this winter will provide the baseline we need to assess if improvements are needed for next winter. For now, keeping her groomed is our most demanding challenge.

How Horses Learn

2008-01-29T10:19:00.000-08:00

For an inexperienced trainer, a horse will often learn through trial and error. You may try different approaches and eventually get the result you intended. However, to become a more effective trainer, you must systematically approach a task and monitor results.

The media has taken training strategies to a new level of awareness with films such as “The Horse Whisper” and “Seabiscuit”. These films show the gentleness of horses and the ease of bonding with humans with a gentle, non-violent approach is taken in training.

Each horse is different in the way it perceives its environment. Horses have a high sensitivity to the objects and movements within their immediate environment resulting from their innate “flight response”. Training a horse involves four key components: the stimulus provided, assessing the horse’s response, reinforcement, and skill attainment (training).

As a trainer, you begin the process defining the skill you want your horse to learn.
You initiate a stimulus (cue) to elicit a response from your horse. The use of your legs, hands (i.e. picking up the reins), voice (commands) and even the weight of your body can be used as cues for your horse.

When pressure is initially exerted, the horse’s first response is to move away. Using a lead rope is an approach to teach the horse to move in a given direction. Pulling on the rope will cause the horse to move in the direction of the pull in order to escape pressure.

The release of pressure when the horse moves in the right direction becomes its reinforcement. In this instance, reinforcement is positive. The horse can also experience negative reinforcement. If it fights the pressure from the reins by pulling against it, the horse will experience increased pressure and discomfort. Negative reinforcement is used to teach the horse how to avoid discomfort. Through consistency of each type of reinforcement, the horse learns comfort (i.e. the release of pressure) through positive reinforcement and avoidance (increased intensity of pressure) through negative reinforcement. It is repetition of stimulus and consistency in reinforcement that change behavior into conditioned (predictable) responses. The end result is attainment of the skill level identified as the training goal.

Using a systematic process to train your horse will allow you to establish incremental measures of the effectiveness of your approach. It will also provide a basis for assessing the adequacy of your stimulus to initiate behavioral responses. Keep in mind:

The cue/stimulus you use (verbal or physical) should be used on a consistent basis unless you find out that your horse responses better to an alternative cue;

If you are going to use reward as positive reinforcement for a maneuver or behavior, it should be given immediately after the behavior is performed so the horse learn by association

Define in advance what constitutes mastery of the maneuver by your horse. This will ensure that your horse is properly trained and will not have to be retrained in the future for bad habits.

Teaching the basic skills such as, walking, stopping and backing up will ensure safety and control when working with your horse. These skills are attainable with the proper approach to training. Understanding how your horse responds to your cue is a start. Setting goals, defining a procedure, and consequences and reinforcement will result in a better trained horse and cooperation as a team when you advance from basic skills to riding or competition skills.

References

How Horses Learn
Understanding Basic Horse Training Techniques

Training Basics

2008-01-25T11:57:00.000-08:00

Individuals looking to buy their first horse should purchase a mature horse. This is the recommendation made by many experienced horse trainers. While young horses can be charming, you may find they can easily become problematic, unpredictable and hard to control
The very young horse (less than a year old) is considered a foal. As a prey animal, the horse is born with the inherent first response of “flight” from anything it perceives as dangerous. This can be just about any new experience it encounters or anything that moves suddenly.
Because of its high sensitivity to the immediate environment, it is important that the foal becomes familiar with humans and begin to trust them. The concept of “imprinting” is often used to describe the horse-human bonding during this period. Dr. Robert Miller in his book, NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP EXPLAINED, suggests that imprinting is predetermined learning. He states that during this phrase of early learning, the foal will attach to its mother, and any other thing that is it sees moving around it, including you. The intended outcome is for the foal to accept humans, not fear them.
Given an ideal situation, the horse should attain key training milestones in its early years of life. As a yearling, the horse reinforces the skills learned as a foal, and is exposed to new experiences that he will accept without fear. It takes many man hours over a two- to three-year period to properly train a horse. Depending on where you purchase your horse and its past experiences, it may be difficult to assess how well your horse has achieved certain milestones until you have worked with him horse for a period of time.
A mature horse, one in the range of 2-3 years old or older, is usually trained in the basics. It may be easier to determine the temperament of the horse to determine if it is suitable for your purposes. The following lists some of the training milestones a horse should have achieved during the first couple years of life.

You should devise a rating scale to assess the skill level of a prospective horse that you are considering, or in planning for the training of a horse you recently purchased. The following list uses a basic scale of:
· No Training
· Complete Task with Resistance
· Complete Task without Resistance.

You want the horse to consistently perform a task without resistance.

Allowing you to touch to the various parts of its body (face, sides, legs, rump, tail)
Responding to your voice and basic commands for walking and stopping
Allowing you to pick up its feet
Allowing you bath and groomed him
Allowing examination by vet and furrier
Allowing to be caught haltered and tied
Can be lead into a trailer without much resistance
Longed in a round pen with commands to walk trot or canter
Responding to your commands while being led, walk trot
Backing up in a straight line
Desensitized to blankets and other objects
Will not spook at items such as plastic bags or leaves blowing in the
wind or the roar of an engine nearby
Will not resist a bit, bridle or reins
Responses positively to teats and other reinforcements

At age three the horse can begin to receive more disciplined training that will prepare him for the style of riding you intend (English or Western). You can also begin setting a training schedule if you intend to show your horse or compete with him. While you want your horse to be disciplined, be careful that the training pace is you set is not too strenuous. A three-year old horse may be near maturity, but they are still growing. You want to avoid any injuries to tendons or ligaments. Once your horse reaches four years of age, training can become more refined toward mastery of skills. In considering training guidelines, remember, each horse is unique. Your horse has his unique temperament, physical endurance, and mental maturity. Assess his skill mastery based on a baseline level that you have previously defined. This will make the training experience more rewarding and your expectations more realistic.

References

Training and Maneuvers for the Halter Horse
The Horse Training Age Criteria
Articles from Horse Training - Ground Work

Grooming Your Horse

2008-01-21T14:38:00.001-08:00

A Grooming Session for Model

Grooming is an essential task in caring for your horse. It can be be a special time for bonding between the two of you. If you are new to grooming, work with someone who can to explain the different techniques that will ensure a comfortable experience for your horse, and a safe outcome for you. A grown horse weights in excess of 1,000, pounds; there are safeguards you must adhere to for your protection.

Grooming provides opportunity to examine your horse for cuts, bruises, and other injuries. Over time, you will be able to recognize subtle changes on your horse’s body and identify any new injuries, infections or skin irritations. Regular grooming not only beautifies your horse’s coat, it releases the natural oils that are necessary for healthy skin and a shiny coat. Be careful around the sensitive areas of the horse’s body: the face, sides, stomach, legs and frog of the hoof. As you groom your horse, gently stroke him as you move from one part of his body to another. Avoid any sudden moves that can alarm or startle your horse, you want to be sure that he is aware of you at all times.

Identify an open area where you can groom your horse, one that is free from distractions. The location should have a rail where you can tie and safety secure your horse. Make sure that there is enough room so you can walk behind your horse, at a safe distance, to avoid the possibility of being kicked.

The Grooming Kit
There are a number of items that should be part of your grooming kit. The basic items you need to clean the hooves, coat, face, mane and tail of your horse include:

• Curry Comb
• Hoof pick
• Brushes: stiff brush and finishing brush
• Mane and tail comb and/or brushes
• Sponges
• Coat conditioner
• Fly Spray and insect repellent
• Hoof ointment, if recommended by your farrier
• Grooming mitt
• Large bucket, can be used for storage of grooming items.

Cleaning the Hooves
The hooves of the horse are cleaned with a hoof pick. Gently run your hand down the leg of your horse and give it a squeeze to lift the hoof. Begin cleaning at the heel of the hoof and move toward the toe picking out any mud, rocks and other debris. The most sensitive part of the horse’s hoof is “V-shaped” pad, known as the frog. Avoid this area while picking.

Check horse’s shoes to make sure none are loose. Inspect the hooves closely for signs of thrush. Thrust appears in the deep crevices of the frog and is identified by a puss-like discharge with a strong foul order. Work with your farrier for preventive measures and treatment. Your farrier may also recommend the use of ointment for your horse’s hooves. Apply ointment after cleaning to keep hooves from becoming dry.

Cleaning Your Horse’s Coat
One technique to systematically clean your horse’s coat is to move from top to bottom; go from front to back; start on its left side and end on its right side. Start with the curry comb. Use small circular motion while applying pressure to loosen dirt and other debris embedded in the horse’s coat. Beginning on the horse’s right side, brush from the top of the neck and down the chest. Next brush the shoulder, going along the back, next the stomach. Brush the rump and the upper part of the back leg. Check the leg for swelling. Repeat this process on the right side.

A stiff brush is used in the next step to remove any dirt loosened by the curry comb. Starting on the left side, brush in the direction of hair growth using an upward flicking motion to keep dirt from falling back into the coat. Use the same procedure that you used with the curry comb. Remember to periodically pat your horse to keep him aware of your presence. Do the same on the right side.

A finishing brush is used to remove any remaining dirt. Long sweeping strokes are made with the brush that leaves the coat shinny.

Cleaning the Face
With a small damp sponge, clean around your horse’s face, eyes and ears. Check the eyes for drainage, redness or swelling. You can also use the finishing brush to brush the face.

Brushing the Mane and Tail
If needed, use a detangler when brushing the mane, forelock and tail. You want to avoid ripping out hair as you brush. When brushing the tail, stand to the side of the horse and hold the tail in your direction. Divide the tail into small sections and brush the ends before brushing the length of the tail.

Applying Conditioner and Insect Repellent
Complete the grooming process by spraying coat conditioner on your horse, follow with insect repellent. This is an extra measurement to ensure a healthy coat for your horse. You want to avoid discomfort for you horse by reducing insect bites that can cause loss of hair or skin infection.

Reward your horse when grooming is completed. Give him a small treat to enhance his enjoyment of being with you.

Resources

Horse Grooming: The Basics
Horse Grooming: An Article from Equusite.com
How to Groom a Horse: Video from Expert Village

Featured Products from:

Drs. Foster & Smith

Oster Equine Care Series Collection

Special Edition Oster Equine Care Series Collection 7-piece Grooming Kit

Understanding A Horse Body Language

2008-01-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

Learning to communicate and develop a relationship with your horse goes two ways. We must become attune to how a horse uses its body to show feelings. In turn, the horse must be able to interpret our behavior to know what we expect of him. A horse uses different parts of his body, eyes, ears, legs and tail, to express such emotions as fear, aggressive, playfulness, and excitement. Being sensitive to a horse’s need for safety and trust is the first step to bonding as a team.

When thinking about Rasheeda’s first encounter with Model was not very inviting, on Model’s part. She was in a new environment full of strangers. She communicated this through her body language. Whenever Rasheeda approached Model, she would back away with her ears back. It was only over a period of time that she would approach Rasheeda to be groomed.

Model’s behavior was understandable. It is only through persistence and soft persuasion that Rasheeda began the process of gaining Model’s trust.

Like any task at which you are trying to develop a level of proficiency, the more you work with a horse the more confident you will become in interpreting its behavior and responses. A horses use various parts of its body in responding to its environment – ears, lips, legs, tail, even facial expressions. As you work toward building a relationship with your horse, you must be able to read his body language in various situations. This will be essential when time comes for you to begin training your horse or communicating with him as a rider.

You want to observe your horse in different settings. What is he like in the pasture? How does he interact with other horses? What makes him nervous, anxious or excited? How does he display fear or distrust? What is he like when he’s relax? How do you know when he is focus on you or distracted by something?

Personal safety dictates that you realize signs of aggression. The task of understanding what your horse is trying to communicate will depend on a number of factors: the overall “personality of the horse”, is it by nature passive or somewhat aggressive. How you approach the horse – are you a stranger approaching the horse from the front or from behind? Is the horse interpreting your approach as predatory?

Some of the common signals displayed by horses include:

Holding his head down: this usually indicate that the horse is relax;
Lowering head, licking and chewing: many interpret this behavior as submissive

Holding his head high: this tends to be a sign of resistence

Ears back, teeth showing – these are warning signs that could mean aggression, anger, a high level of alertness.
Ears held in an upward position toward you means that the horse is attentive to your directions, focus and listening to you

Tail swishing – this tend to indicate that something is agitating your horse. It could also mean that he is bothered by flies and other pests.

Bucking – horses will buck and run around the pasture. This is their way engaging in playful games and activities

Turning his rear end toward you – another warning sign, the horse may be preparing to kick.

Bonding with your horse will not happen overnight. You must be willing to invest the time to get to know your horse to the point where you can recognize and understand subtle changes in his behavior or responses. Working with horses is both an art and a science and how you put your horse at ease and gain his trust is a function of how the horse is interpreting your actions. There are signals that the horse gives that shows how he is responding to you and what is immediately happening in his environment. The basic signals such as tail swishing, bucking and even licking can have different meanings within different contexts. There are many resources available on understanding horse behavior, many hold disclaimers, which should be only as a guide to help you know your horse. Horses are complex. As a new horse owner, do not simplify the nature of the horse. Be patient. You are in horse ownership for the long-term. Give yourself time to develop a win-win situation for both you and your horse.

Click on the Links Below for Additional Resources

Horse Safe: A complete Guide to Equine Safety

Encyclopedia of Farm Animal Behavior Information

The Basics of Equine Behavior

Understanding Horse Behavior

My Horse University
Horse Behavior and Welfare:
Michigan State University Extension

Resources: Selecting Your Horse

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Check the classifies of your local newspaper to find breeders advertising horses for sale. Classifies are also a source of upcoming horse auctions scheduled in your area. Additional resources on breeders and dealers can be found in the association directory for the specific breed of horse that you are considering.

The following listings provides resources for finding more information on annual horse shows; characteristics and traits of different horse breeds; and the location of horse rescue organizations.

Click on the following links for more resources:

Listings for Horse Shows

Directories of Horse Rescue Groups

Listings for Breeds of Horses

Selecting Your Horse

2008-01-15T09:36:00.000-08:00

Over the years, there has been an “on again – off again” desire to buy horses. The problem was that I never could decide upon what I wanted in a horse. I loved draft horses, but wasn’t sure what I would do with one if purchased. While living in Lexington, KY, I would attend horse auctions at the Red Mile Track, assessing quarter horses on the auction block. I loved all breeds of horses and never took time to really consider what would be the best horse to buy.

In retrospect, buying a horse at that time would not have been a wise decision. I did not have a plan, and I did not appreciate the fact that loving horses was not enough for ownership of one. It would have been a big mistake to buy a horse without taking riding lessons and working more with horses for experience.

While I understood the costs involved in purchasing and maintaining horses, I was really inexperienced regarding temperament and behavior. Although Rasheeda’s selection of Model was based on the bonding that developed between them, there are many considerations that should lead to the decision to purchase a horse.

What Type of Horse is Best: Registered or Unregistered
Your interest and motivation in owning a horse will determine what type of horse would be best for you. Do you want a horse for pleasure or do you want a show and competition horse? The answer will have a big impact the breed of horse you select.

If you want a horse for pleasure or trail riding, an unregistered horse can be purchased. You want to look for a horse that is easy to handle and a good disposition. If you want a horse for showing or competition, then you will have to be more selective on the breed and quality of horse you purchase.

Purchasing a registered horse for showing is an investment. It will be more expensive to purchase and maintain than the non-registered horse, but the value of your horse will increase in value over time, especially if it place well in shows. You have to ensure that registration papers are current and in compliance with the breed registry. You want to make sure that the horse you purchase has been well cared for, is healthy with good traits for its breed. You want to spend time riding the horse. How does it handle with ease? You does he respond to you as an unfamiliar rider? If possible, look at a number of contenders before making your selection. This will give you a basis to make comparisons and make the best decision in a horse. Imagine what the hose would be like with more training. Different shows and competitions are based on different criteria for judging. Assess your horse on the standards set by judges.

The sex of your horse is another important factor to consider. Mares and geldings are preferred for individuals with limited experience with horses. Geldings are castrated males and tend to have slight advantage over mares because they can be more consistent and quieter. While mares may seem more elegant, they can more excitable and exhibit dramatic changes in behavior when in heat. The option to breed is the main advantage of owning a mare; her traits and temperament becomes important factors in the selection process. New owners are discouraged from owning stallions since they can be difficult, and even dangerous, to manage.

Where to Buy Your Horse

There are a number of options in buying a horse. You can buy from an auction, private breeder, a dealer or rescue organization. Although Model was a rescue horse, many professionals recommend the purchase of your first horse from a breeder.

Breeders are in business to produce a quality horse and have a satisfied customer. They know that “word of mouth” is often their best marketing channel, and they will work with you to help you select the horse that is best for you. You might find that their prices tend to be higher than other channels, but the personalized attention they provide and their knowledge of the horse can be invaluable. A disadvantage is the age of their available stock. Most of the horses are young, under the age of three, and have not received the training needed.

Another alternative is to buy your horse from a private individual. There may be any number of reasons why the horse is for sale, however like the breeder, the private seller may know more history about the horse and the extent of its training. The classifies in the newspaper may be a good start to locating persons who have a horse for sale. You can then make arrangements to visit the location of the horse and assess it in its home environment.

Dealers
Greater caution may be warranted in buying a horse from a dealer rather than a private party. Your level of knowledge about horses will determine the level of risk you assume is buying from a dealer. There are many dealers who are honest and who value their reputation, but the burden is still on you to be able to see through the hype and make an informed decision. Keep in mind that dealers are in business to make a profit, so as a buyer, beware. Ask for and check references. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the dealer. If an offer is “too good to be true”, it probably isn’t that good of a deal in the long run.

Auctions
Auctions tend to be riskier than the other sources discussed. Many times, there is only a short period in which you can observe and evaluate a horse before the bidding starts. Most of the time you are buying the horse “as is” with no guarantees as to the health of the horse or its history. If not careful, you can be the highest bidder on a horse with serious health or emotional problems.

Rescue Organizations

Adopting a horse through a rescue organization poses the greatest risk. These horses fall along a sprectrum of reasons for rescue. Some are given away because of a changes in the life of the owner: divorce, illness, financial difficulties. Others are brought into rescue by law enforcement officers reporting to cases of animal abuse or neglect. Some horses have seriouss emotional or physical issues that will require extensive retraining and rehabilitation. Extreme caution must be exercise when considing adoption of a rescue horse. It is so easy to empathize with the flight of these horses and make an emotional decision. If the decision proves to be a wrong one, the result is a lose-lose situation for both you and the horse. If you decide to adopt- research, research, research. Check who has ownership of the horse, you or the adoption organization. What other restrictions might be defined in the contract? Some agencies restrict you from selling or breeding. You are making a long-term commitment to give a horse a second chance. Be sure that you understand that will be demanded of you.

Many of these horses are rescue from abused and neglected situations and hold strong fear and distrust for humans. .

You have options regarding what type of horse to buy and where to buy your horse. Rasheeda found a horse that she really loves and has developed a strong bond with. It could have been a different outcome. Having a plan to follow in purchasing your horse will minimize the risk of buying a horse that is not conducive to your needs. Do your homework before making a decision.

Why Was Model Selected

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It is easy to fall in love with horses. They are beautiful and magnificent creatures. The bond formed with a horse can last for decades. Owning a horse is a rewarding, yet humbling experience. These were some of the many reasons why Model became such an integral part of our family. We are on a long-term learning path that hopefully will synchronize our expectations for Model with her needs.

Horses, by nature, are prey animals. Danager may be perceived in anything object or experience that is new or novel to them. Their first reaction is flight. If a horse is cornered, however, with no where to run, it will try to fight back by biting or kicking. Model was rescued from an environment of neglect with no human interaction, to one that was strange and unfamiliar to her. Gaining her trust and minimizing fear was the first step in Rasheeda’s quest to build a relationship with her.

The dominant personality trait of horses can vary. A horse can be tense, hyper, stubborn, gentle or defiant. Unless you know the history of a particular horse, it can seem highly unpredictable and defensive. For an abused or neglected horse, its behavior can become more understandable when assessed within the context of its treatment and experiences before rescue. The approach to Model was very slow, yet deliberate. One factor that was worked in our favor was the discovery that Model liked apples and this was used to minimize her fear and eventually gain her acceptance.

Rasheeda first saw Model a month after she was rescued from Alabama. Rasheeda was in the process of learning how to groom some of the horses boarded at the stable. As her confidence with grooming increased, she began to look for other horses to work with. She saw a horse named Highlight, that later became Model. Rasheeda was initially attracted to Highlight because she thought Highlight looked like a model. Highlight began to hold her head high and developed an air of confidence and elegance about her.

The stable owner told Rasheeda that she did not think anyone could groom Highlight because she would not let anyone touch her. Through persistence, Rasheeda requests to groom Highlight were granted. Highlight ran away whenever Rasheeda approached her; so she had to groom Highlight while standing on the other side of the gate. Gain was used as an reward and incentive for allowing Rasheeda to groom her. Eventually, Rasheeda was able to go inside the gate. Grooming consisted of brushing and spraying Highlight with fly spray.

A special bond developed between Rasheeda and Highlight. Apples became a regular investment item. Rasheeda decided to adopt Highlight and rename her Model.

Malissa's Surprise - Working Around the Stable

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Rasheeda was able to make arrangements with the stable (where she leases horses for the kids and where Model is boarded) exchanging chores for a reduction in the cost of boarding. This resulted in a win-win situation for both parties. One of Malissa's chores is feeding the horses. The following video shows her feeding some of the horses and the surprise she encountered.

Working at the stable is making Danny, Malissa and Dakari more responsible individuals. Malissa now feeds the horses with greater caution and an increased appreciation for safety issues. Malissa's advice on feeding horses: "Don't let the horse get too close to you. Shoo it horse away before you put the hay in the stall".

Budget Summary for Model

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Boarding options can range from full-service stall rental to pasture boarding. Full service stall rental includes includes the day-to-day care and feeding, and turning the horse out to pasture and beinging it back. With pasture boarding, the horse's owner assumes responsibility for daily for care and grooming. Model is pasture boarded. Her boarding fee includes daily feed, hay and use of saddles, tack, trails and rings. Model's boarding fee averages $196 a month. Additional fees include: worming, $6-$12 every two months; ferrier fee is $120 every two months. Other charges are based on individual needs of the horse. Rasheeda is training Model using the Natural Horseman Approach. Training by the stable would be extra. Riding lessons begins at $25 an hour for small group instruction.

A General Budget

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Paying the purchase price was only the first step in a long-term commitment to owning a horse. Developing a working budget for Model was an ongoing process that lasted nearly three months. As members of the local 4-H Horse Club, Danny, Melissa and DaKari decided to start participating in horse shows. As a result we ended with a budget that entailed not only care of Model but also one that included cost for shows and rider outfits.

Motivation for purchasing a horse will determine what type of horse will be best. The next decision is on where you will keep your horse.
Each of these factors will impact your budget.

Motivation for Purchasing a Horse
Different people decide to buy a horse for different reasons. Some buy a horse for participation in horse shows or races. Others buy their horse for recreational riding. Still others buy horses for therapeutic riding. Once you have determined your objective in wanting to buy a horse, you can begin assessing different types and breed of horses to find the best match for you.

You want to consider a horse’s natural and physical ability, including its potential to be trained, as criteria for suitability; especially if children will be involved with its care and riding activities. Once you have identified an purchased your horse. The expense of caring for it becomes a financial reality.

Caring for Your Horse
There are a number of alternatives on how you will care for and hourse your horse. They tend to fall within one of the two categories: keeping your horse in a stable or keeping it at pasture.
Unless you own land with suitable pasture or barn facilities, boarding your horse at a commercial stable may be your best option. The following lists some of the ongoing costs of owning a horse. Expenses vary in different regions of the country, and with different suppliers within a given location. Shop around for the services and products that will fall within your budget.

Clink on the following link (the budget format) to view a format for a working budget. Costs and fees will vary by different regions of the country so it is important to obtain estimates from a number of sources in developing your budget.

Once a working budget has been developed, it should be monitor, on a monthly basis, to identify any variances in projected cost estimates. This will establish the true cost of caring for your horse and will establish any items that are over- or under-budgeted. Varianes will flag items that may need adjusting.

More About Model

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Model is a Tennessee Walking Horse. She is a rescue horse from Alabama. She was found on a ranch owned by an indivudal who could not care for her because of a physical injury. When Model was brought to Georgia, she had limited contact with humans and was greatly underweight for her age.

Rasheeda bought her in May, 2006 with hopes of training her. Model has made tremendous progress since moving to her new home in Georgia. She can now lead with a rope, back up, and lift all four feet. She is responding well to groundwork training.

Model is now one and a half years old. Rasheeda talks constantly about the potential she sees in Model.

Model represents the love and potential that can be realized by adoption of a recuse horse. Since becoming part of the family, the budget for her care and training is regularly updated.

We will share more about the efforts of horse rescue agencies and financial considerations of owning a horse in the next post.

For All New Riders and Horse Owners

2007-12-31T17:56:00.000-08:00

My daughter, Rasheeda, has always wanted a horse. Although we lived in Kentucky for a while, we had limited opportunity to get involved with horses.

After moving to Atlanta, Rasheeda decided it was time to get involve with horses. She enrolled her children Danny, age 13; Malissa, age eleven, and DaKari, age 7 in riding lessons.

One day she took me to the barn with her to show me her surprise. She bought a horse. Her name is Model. Now I have two generations who are obsessed with horses which became the catalyst for this Blog. A special bond seems to develop between a child and their horse. I am dedicating this Blog to all kids, regardless of age, who dream of working with horses. This Blog is also dedicated to Model and all horses like her who will provide a lifetime of joy, milestones, and growth for all who learn what it is to love a horse.