Keeping a Horse on a Budget

by Tim

A Surviving a recession or credit crunch is difficult enough, but when you have horses and ponies which rely on you for food, shelter and medical attention, every little bit helps. It’s a sad fact that many horses and ponies are given up or abandoned every week, as owners struggle to cope with the current economic climate, and there are currently many horses for sale. Sara Tuppen from the Horse Refuge in Wittersham Kent, knows all about looking after horses when money is scarce, having to rely solely on donations to keep over 40 rescued horses in good health.

She believes there are a few points which could help make owning a horse on a budget a little easier: 1. Many horses can live quite happily outside for most of the year, as long as there’s food, water and shelter available. If this is a suitable option for your horse, it could reduce the cost of stabling considerably.

2. Removing shoes is an easy way to keep costs down. If not ridden regularly, or on rocky ground, many horses will not need shoes.

3. Sharing your horse is a great way to cut (even halve!) costs, and provides a cheaper introduction to horse ownership for someone else.

4. In many cases you can get free stabling and occasionally hay and bedding in return for chores. Mucking out, grooming, maintenance etc. are all jobs which could save you money for a little hard work!

5. Vets bills are an unknown factor but still have to be considered. If money’s a little tight, you may find a lot of Vets will allow you to spread the cost, and pay in instalments.

6. Many people can make lifestyle changes! It’s not all about finding ways to keep your horse more cheaply, see if you can do it for yourself!

7. Wherever possible, horse owners can often club together to buy feed and bedding in bulk, reducing the overall price and passing on savings to all.

8. As a last resort, you can look into getting your horse a foster home, even as a companion. There are many ways in which The Horse Refuge can help.

If you would like any more information, or would like to donate, please call Sara on 01797 270555 or visit http://www.horserefuge.org If you’re in a position to loan, or even buy a horse or pony, there are many horses for sale at http://www.horseandponydirectory.com

Surviving a recession or credit crunch is difficult enough, but when you have horses and ponies which rely on you for food, shelter and medical attention, every little bit helps.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Keeping-a-Horse-on-a-Budget/1200640

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Submitted by chaptoman

A horse can be regarded as more than an animal to ride, more than a hobby. A horse owner can love that animal as easily as he can love a dog. The main reason for purchasing a horse is to ride but the horse/human relationship is much more than that. When a small child looks up and says, “Your horse is beautiful” the horse owner is filled with pride.

When a horse is well trained and accustomed to working “with” the rider it’s almost as if the two are merged during riding. There is no better example of this than a “cow pony” (also called a cutting horse) which is a horse trained to follow, chase and cut a cow from the herd. The need for a horse to perform this duty dates back to the days when range cattle were branded and herds turned loose to roam without benefit of fences. Each rancher used his own brand as a method of recognizing which cattle he owned. During a cutting horse competition, the cowboy can guide his horse without touching the reins. The shifting of the rider’s body weight in the saddle tells the horse what direction to take. The perfect communication between the two is amazing to witness.

Watching these competitions makes for a great spectator sport.

People watching can be an interesting pastime. Observing a herd of horses in a pasture is just as interesting in the sense that each has an individual personality just like people. In a herd of ten you might see two laying down, another two might be fighting with each other. A fight can be anything from nipping at each other to rearing up and lunging. If one horse approaches from behind, the horse who is crowded might kick out with one hind leg and sometimes both.

The remaining horses might turn to observe or simply continue grazing. Some will never fight even if provoked. Others seem to enjoy being disagreeable. When a horse lays its ears back it indicates anger against another horse and may result in a bite or a kick.

Every horse owner smiles when offering an apple or carrot as a treat. The warm muzzle and the soft whinny as the animal takes the treat from the open hand is a bonding moment. Petting the side of a horse’s nose is like touching velvet.

There are many things a horse has to offer to a human. He can be ridden for recreation or in horse shows. He can be part of a team and pull a hay wagon. Some can be trained to jump and the Royal Lipizzaner stallions which have been bred to perfection for half a millennium perform dressage which has been described as “horses dancing.”

Registered thoroughbreds are trained to win speed races. Registered quarter horses learn to run barrels and compete in other speed contests at the Western horse shows. Riding clubs take part in parades on the fourth of July and many Renaissance fairs feature exhibition jousting matches. The versatility and appeal of this magnificent animal can touch your heart if you let it. At that point the relationship becomes more than a joining of horse and rider; your horse has whinnied his way into your heart and become – your pet…

Tom Chapman

This article is written by the authors of www.petstuffgalore.co.uk .

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Do These 8 Tests Before You Buy The Horse

Author: Jon Weaver

Buying a horse is actually the simple procedure of exchanging dollars and cents for an animal of your choice. But buying an animal suited to your abilities is a difficult task. Before looking for a horse decide what use and purpose the horse will serve, for pleasure, for breeding, or for showing. Each of these is in a different category and requires a different kind of animal. However, you may be fortunate enough to find a combination of all three attributes.

Consider these tests before you buy a horse:

1. Look at him from a distance and examine his build as a whole. This is called conformation, and each breed of horse has certain characteristics that identify him by form. The animal should carry his head well and be neatly put together.

2. Check for soundness. Run your hands up and down his legs. Look for an unexplained lump or sign of soreness.

3. Test his vision. A horse should blink when you wave your hand in back of his eye.

4. See whether or not he leads in or out of the stable easily.

5. Watch saddling and bridling. See if he is uneasy when cinched. Some horses are afraid of a girth, caused by too tight a cinch. Notice whether or not he is bridle shy, touchy about the ears; whether he opens his mouth to receive the bit.

6. Have the owner ride the animal so you can see how he handles. Watch whether he stops easily, reins well, backs, and has an easy gait. Have the owner work the horse to a gallop. Try to determine if he is speed crazy. The owner should guarantee the safety of the animal as to training. Also, note whether or not there is excessive breathing, noise with the breathing, and flanks that heave spasmodically.

7. Most important! Ride the horse yourself. Is he smooth in the walk, trot, and canter? Does he shy? Is he spooky? Can you start and stop him? Is he too spirited for you to handle? Does he switch his tail constantly? Can you ride him away from the stable? A tail-switcher means that the animal has been pushed too fast in training and indicates nervousness. Usually a horse that has been trained by a woman will not like a man rider, or will be uneasy with a man on his back. Sometimes this works in the reverse. Many times it is because of the handling of the reins. A man is normally heavier handed than a woman. However, this depends on the horse and the rider in the main, but it is something to consider in buying a horse that has been privately owned by one person for some time.

8. Don’t buy a stallion. He may look good in the movies but is not practicable in real life. He is likely to be unpredictable and should be managed only by an expert horseman. He belongs, mainly, on the breeding farm. You’ll find just as much spirit and animation in a good mare or gelding and far less trouble.

No horse is perfect, but whatever faults are present you must decide whether or not they may be eliminated with some training. Many times all a horse needs is work. Horses also respond to owners. They have their likes and dislikes. Personalities clash just as between people. Whole personalities have changed with ownership. Be sure the animal is suited to your own capabilities.

And, once again, don’t buy the first horse you see. Some­where there is a horse suited to you. Two things are important: the age of the rider and of the horse, and the experience or lack of it in both rider and animal.                 One must equal the other, rider and animal, because no matter how well trained      the horse, if the rider does not understand this training, then the horse will not   work well. And a good horse can soon be ruined by a poor rider.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/do-these-8-tests-before-you-buy-the-horse-6745.html

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So You Want To Own A Horse?

Author: Micheal Manning

As a boarding stables in Atlanta we have had many customers go through the wonderful experience of buying their first horse. If this is you, we hope this article helps you make the right decisions! So you are thinking of looking for a horse!

Congratulations! But before you rush into anything… Owning a horse is a big responsibility. Just like owning any pet, you should put a great deal of thought and consideration before you decide to purchase an equine. Since most peoplewill have to board horses off their property, you should first consider finding a suitable stable before you purchase a horse. Also, consider your wants and needs. If you or your boarding stable has limited space, you obviously don’t want a draft horse like a Clydesdale. However, if you are in need of a large horse to do a great deal of work pulling wagons, you should consider breeds other than Shetlands. There are a great number of breeds, each with a different pro and con. Carefully review each breed, and you will be positive to find the exact type of horse to fit your needs and your lifestyle.

Answering these questions will be hugely beneficial prior to purchase!

1. Do you want a horse that you can show?

2. Do you want a horse for work purposes?

3. Do you want a horse to jump or ride competitively?

4. Do you want a horse to race?

5. Do you want a horse to ride on trails or one that is compatible with kids?

6. Do you want a horse with good resell value?

After you know why you want a horse (and the answer should be better than “just because”), you can set out deciding what breed is best for you. Keep in mind, even though the breed might fit everything you want, each horse will have a different personality. Before you run out and buy the first horse in your desired breed, take a careful look at the specific horse in question. Investing in a great farrier and veterinarian check now will pay off in the long run!

If you are interesting in showing a horse for its beauty and grace, an Arabian horse is probably your best bet.These beautiful creatures are well-liked on the show circuit and enjoy being fussed and fawned over. (Although they can be a bit – well – headstrong!)

For those brave riders who want a horse for jump training, the strong-legged Thoroughbred may be the perfect fit. These gentle giants are rugged enough to withstand the abuse of jumping, but are agile enough to soar over the highest gates.

If you would rather have a rough-and-tumble horse perfect for uneven trail rides, the American Quarter Horse should be your top pick. These famous horses are often used in competitive Western riding events, including the exciting barrel racing. American Quarter Horses are perfect for the hardtraining required for competitive racing, but also have the sure-footed step necessary for making the fast turns and negotiating rocky terrain.

A Tennesse Walker or Mountain Horse is the perfect fit for the horse owners who want to go on quiet rides. The gentle gait of these beautiful creatures gives these horses the best ride over even terrain.

Finally, if you are looking a horse for a kid, think about a smaller breed like the Icelandic. The shorter stature better fits the proportion of a child, and their smooth gait and easy-going attitude will prevent much bumping and jostling.

Whatever your choice of breed, carefully consider its pros and cons. Even though you may have your heart set on one specific breed, if it will not meet your needs, you should carefully rethink your choice. A horse is a huge responsibility and you cannot simply return the magnificent creature because you did not seriously research all your options and hastily chose a horse that will not fit into your lifestyle.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/so-you-want-to-own-a-horse-964321.html

About the Author: http://highcountrystables.com is the most family friendly boarding stables the NW Atlanta area, offering lessons, camps and pony birthday parties. Visit the best today!

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