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Do you own a horse, or would you like to?
Posted by TheWriteShadow • 1/07/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: Equine, horse, horse training, new blog, rescue horses
Hey, I am starting up a new blog dedicated to horses in general and rescue horses in particular. Do you have any suggestions regarding specific topics that you would like to see covered in my blog posts? Horse care, horse training, making time for your horse, or just anything horse related. Just let me know. I would like to know what everyone's interests are right now.
User Comments
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Oh, by the way, the blog address is guidetohorses.blogspot.com.
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I had fallen once when I was a kid.. Have bad memories.. don't think I'd like to hv one-
Yeah, I've had some bad experiences in the past myself. Maybe I'll do some research on getting over the fear that comes with previous falls, kicks, bites, and the like.
Thanks for the reply, by the way.
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I had a bad experience with a horse.....dragged down a hill hanging off the horse stuck by the stirrup....no more horsies for me!-
Eek. That's awful. I hope you were not injured badly; I mean, I know you're alive, because you're on here, of course, but that doesn't mean you didn't sustain some pretty bad injuries at the time.
Actually, I ride bareback, partially to prevent the very thing that happened to you. (The other part of the reason is that I'm often struck with the desire to ride, but not the desire to mess with all the tack. Haha.)
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I have had horses in my life since I was 3.-
What breeds do you have? Are you into Western/English riding, trail rides, or other disciplines? You blog mentions racing in the 80's, if I remember correctly.
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We moved from Ohio to Alabama so I only kept my most sure footed gals that are low maintance. Both are Paints (Quarter horse.)
I myself rode hunter/jumper back in the 80's. My parents and other family members were into racing but mostly SB's not TB (I always loved a good TB from off the track for my jumpers. My sister never cared for them but that's ok she went into Mini's years later so that tells you something..lol.. Just joking.)
Now we ride with just an Aussie saddle. No more jumping for me if I can help it..hee..hee.
I am not in the market to buy another horse but if I was it would be for a Walker. Less bounce for these old bones would be nice.
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Cover the topic of masseuses for horses. I looked into a school for that once. Race horses need them especially.-
I'm excited to see your interest in it. I am actually researching for an article about equine massages right now. Do you have race horses or horses that you, personally, have done a massuese on (or had someone do)?
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having lived with a horse trainer better give people the heads up on how much money can be eaten up taking care of horses-
"Eaten up" nails it. Sometimes you just have stand back and look at all the manure and wonder, "What the heck am I feeding you for, if you're just gonna dump it all back out?" In fact, my husband has this lovely little sentiment when we're on the tractor and smell cow manure. He likes to say, "Mmm... Smells like money down the drain." LOL
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OMG I would love to own a horse, no one would ever buy me one though. I actually thought about having my own farm form sick and disabled and abused horses, but I figured it would be too much of a task with all the other things I want to do in my life.-
"having lived with a horse trainer better give people the heads up on how much money can be eaten up taking care of horses"
Boy, your not joking. -
One of my major life goals is to open up a Horse Rescue of my own after I complete law school. You're right about the expense, but you could always volunteer at one in your area like once a week or month or something. Then, you could help out without shouldering all the expense.
As far as getting a horse, I think it's like what people say in regards to law school. Once the idea gets in your head, it's stuck there, and you have two options. Succumb or live with the regret for the rest of your life.
Oh, boy! Isn't that a warm and fuzzy thought? (Maybe literally.)
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My girl friend is French so It would be impossible for me to own a horse because she would always be thinking of recipes for it.-
Mwahahaha! -
That's just disturbing... :}
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Yea, I own 3 horses. Well, I am now living on a sailboat so I don't have them with me now.
But my daughters have them. I guess "technically" they belong to them.... Right!
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Geesh... That image was too big. When I went to reduce it my computer FUBAR'd and I had to shut it down and re-start. I couldn't fix it within the edit time allowed. Let me try again!
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So Talk slowly, think quickly cowboy!!
Bang bang
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LOL. I think that may have just become one of my favorite quotes, "So, talk slowly, think quickly, Cowboy!" That's great!
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I'm scared of horses.
I like cows, slow, nice and friendly-
Aww.
Are you around many horses? I mean, did you have a bad experience with them?
Our family used to raise bison and horses, but the first time I got around cows I was actually terrified of them, because they were so slow. I thought they were always planning my demise. I mean, it was like they were on the verge of reacting, but just waiting to do so until I wasn't looking. LOL. Granted, I was a lot younger then...
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Horses have always been a part of my life until 2 years ago when my last two chocolate soldiers were laid to rest at 32 years of age.
As I have been both a horse trainer and a riding instructor I can say that without doubt there are no problem horses at birth but there are many people who create problem horses. The average registered horse will have 8 owners in his or her lifetime and most will be substandard when it comes to stable management, horse care, feeding and riding. Many are only "back-riders" who have no inclination to learn how to properly feed, care for, train, ride and keep a horse.
I'd like to see you cover the basic requirements of horses in terms of housing, feeding, stable management, grooming, foot-care, shoeing and exercise. There are people out there who think they can ride their horse hard on weekends and put them way wet ie. treat them like weekend warriors, without causing the horses physical problems. These people who treat living animals like motorcycles ought never to own a horse period.
I'd also like you to write about fathers who choose to over-horse their daughters and mothers who choose to over-horse their sons. They are like the ugly and nasty soccer moms and hockey dads loudly hooting from the sidelines like know-it-alls. They are armchair enthusiasts, who live vicariously through their kids, and who think buying them a younger and more expensive horse will put their kid in the ribbons.
I'd also like to see you interview some riding instructors and farriers and veterinarians. I believe doing so will elevate the knowledge level when it comes to appreciating the real needs of horses, respecting those needs and ensuring that they are met.
Every year horses are apprehended by animal rescue agencies from owners who abuse them. Every year people sell middle-aged horse to meat packing plants because their kids are now in college and have no time for them. It sickens me that the parents of these kids will sell the horse to gain the same amount of money that it would have cost to put the horse down, rather than cramming them into overloaded trailers and sending them to packing plants to stand ankle deep in manure and mud, and being in essence tortured before they are slaughtered and become dog food and cat food.-
Thank you so much! I'm not sure exactly where I'll start with all of your suggestions, but I'll try to get to everything. Please feel free to check out my blog and comment as often as you like. I mean, if I ever post something that you disagree with, feel free to share your opinion and experiences. One of the worst practices horse owners get into is knowledge complacency. I am quite aware that every horse is its own individual, and anyone who handles horses should recognize that there is always something more to learn. So, for instance, if I write an article claiming that treats are bad training aids, and you think treats are essential in the training process (yes, I know this is shallow, but it's just an example), I would love it if you would let me know that you disagree.
Anyway, I'm in a hurry and rambling, so I hope what I said made sense.
Thanks for you AWSOME reply! -
You're welcome. I don't think that treats are essential for training all horses. However, I have had some horses that I re-trained and I did use treats for them. ;-)
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I really can't add anything to TimeThief's excellent comment.
The one remark I will make about a problem I see all too often is the family that buys a horse or pony and takes it home, alone. Horses are herd animals and do poorly alone. Some are worse than others. Occasionally a "friend" like a goat or something will work. But horses really need to be with their own kind, if you get my point.
Also, I would strongly suggest a new-to-horses owner keep their new horse at a boarding stable for a while to learn the proper care.
Rob -
@sailboaterrob
Excellent additions. -
Great comments, guys!!! Thanks.
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