How To Get Acquainted With Your Horse
Topics: horse health, horses, horse
Before anyone can become a successful horseman there must be an understanding between owner and animal. The horse is in many ways like a child. He forms habits readily and whether they are good or bad is up to you. The good habits must be developed and the start of bad ones stopped at the first sign. You must build confidence. Establish in your horse’s mind your method of approval and whenever he does your bidding always use the same manner of compliment whether it be reward or voice.
The horse’s upper lip is his finger. He uses it to examine everything. Before presenting something new to your horse, let him feel it with his lip. Don’t rush him. Let him take his time. You will be surprised how quickly he will accept what is requested. A horse and rider work best as a unit.
Because the main quality of this unit is understanding a rider will get the most from his horse if the animal has full confidence. He fears disfavor, so we work on his craving for approval. The best way to become acquainted with a horse and to discover his little idiosyncrasies is by grooming. Take much time at this, and stop to talk and pet him. He will not understand the words, but it will accustom him to the tones of your voice.
Have a few pieces of carrot in your pocket so he will look to you for tidbits. However, don’t feed him sugar. The animal becomes so fond of it that he will get overanxious and be apt to nip at you in an effort to get more. Make your horse feel you mean him no harm when you approach him. You will notice how alert he is at this time because he does not know what to expect from you. Horses often sleep on their feet. Be cautious until you get to know him well.
When you approach him in the stall, be sure he knows you are behind him before entering. Be sure his weight is on the side on which you intend to enter. If he is inclined to kick or if you startle him, you can be safely out of the way before he can change position and kick with the leg on your side. You will find that your horse will relax around you as soon as he is used to your presence and knows how you will act around him.
Take every precaution with a new animal until you thoroughly recognize his likes and dislikes. When walking around his rear, stay close to him. If he should kick, he will only be able to shove you, but if you are two feet away you could receive the full impact of the kick.
An animal likes the feel of a hand. Run your hand along his back when close to him. Examine your horse thoroughly to see what condition his coat, head, and feet are in. A rough coat may indicate worms or improper feeding. Examine his feet for small rocks and need of trimming.
Sometimes a new horse is hard to catch in a pasture. If you carry bits of carrot or apple when you go to catch him you will find he will come to you as soon as he sees you. Don’t approach in a hurry.
A horse who thinks you are not interested in catching him will soon approach you with the hope of a “handout.” If you have taught him to “come,” then stop and wait for him. Some like to run a little, to tease, before they decide to come to you. Let him have his fun; it is quicker than chasing him. Don’t leave your horse tied for hours at a time. Always tie him while grooming or cleaning his feet.
If these guidelines are followed, you and your horse should become acquainted in no time.
Who Else Wants The Best Horse Guidance And Information Online - From a True Horse Lover?
Click here for FREE online Ebook
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Showing Your Own Dog (1)
A sincere breeder would not sell you an inferior animal if he knew he was to be shown. Many people when they are buying a dog ask for "just a pet," thinking they will get the animal cheaper.
How To Select Your Aquarium (2)
In selecting your aquarium there are three things you must consider. Where you are going to locate it; what size will be right; and what style you should choose.
Learning The Basics Of Hockey (3)
Skating is to hockey as running is to football. Starting fast, changing pace and direction, bursting into top speed, and keeping good balance are common to both games. The blades on hockey skates and the cleats on football shoes provide gripping and braking surfaces which allow short, digging, breakaway steps and sure-footed, sudden stops.
Breathing: The Key To Speaking (4)
Topics: demonstrative speech, speeches Correct management of the breath is of first importance to the student of elocution, and for all those wishing to speak publicly. Below are a number of breathing and relaxation exercises which will greatly enhance your ability to speak well.
A Traveller's Guide To Barbados (5)
Visiting the Rastafarian market held at Temple Yard, Bridgetown. If visiting in mid-July, the Crop-over Festival is a must, which originated in colonial times as a celebration of the sugar cane harvest.
Volusia County Florida: Not Just A Tourist Destination (6)
Ormond Beach provides a natural beauty that includes beautiful tree-lined streets, extensive beaches along the Atlantic coast, lush vegetation throughout the community and a climate of warm, mild weather the whole year around.
Camping, Caving, And A Scenic Drive At Ozark National Forest (7)
The Dripstone Trail tour explores the upper level of these caverns; the Discovery Trail tour is longer and more strenuous leading through the middle level; and the Wild Cave Tour offers an introduction to spelunking or caving.
Will The New Home Run Record By Barry Bonds Be Tainted? (8)
But, it is not so much this particular home run that is so controversial, but all the home runs combined by this one player. For years now, rumors have run rampant that Barry Bonds used illegal performance enhancing drugs, known as steroids.
11 Steps To Making Original Gel Candles (9)
It is important to make sure this container is non-flammable of course! If possible, the best option would be a glass container. 2. The wick needs to be about 1.5 inches from the sides.
Refreshing N F L Moments (10)
Those reflections might help them realize that there were a great many people who sacrificed something for them to be earning the excellent salaries that they are given. The award that they hold in their hand is just a symbol of the level of appreciation that is passed on by coaches and players on the team or in the game of football and a reflection of the moments in history that can never be repeated so successfully as when they were under their guidance or hand.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Understanding The Basics Of Tennis (1)
Later he will learn to control his shots. Although many of his shots will miss the target, it is better to try for them during practise than to be content with "Dubland" shots.
Brevard County Florida: Home Of The Astronauts (2)
Combining the common attractions of Florida such as golf, beach sports, and overall relaxation with several rocket launch sites including the famed Kennedy Space Center, Brevard County has become the most sought-after vacation destination in the entire state of Florida.
The Truth About Fresh-Water Game Fish (3)
The easiest time to catch him is at daybreak and dusk; the best place is close to shore, especially near lily pads, underwater rocky lairs and large surface snags such as fallen trees.
Boating Terms Explained (4)
'Tis a strange sort of lingo and you must know at least a bit of it before you take to the high seas. Glossary Of Boating Terms ABACK: With the wind on the forward sides of the sails instead of the after sides.
The Accessories You Need In Travelling (5)
If you have any electrical appliances with you always buy an electrical currency converter. Take with you all the important things that you use at home whether it's a coffee maker or a clothing steamer.
Cancun Weather - Always A Bright Day (6)
But you're really not surprised with this turn of events as its just par for the course with your unhappy streak of vacation disasters. That's why you chose Cancun Mexico in the first place, because you thought that you could escape from the problems that generally beset your vacation getaways.
How To Build Your Own Deer Hunting Blinds With Prefab Sets (7)
These wooden areas tend to be areas that deer feed and drink. But most of these blinds are permanent blinds erected in specific, highly commercialized, deer hunting grounds. These grounds are part of a deer farm or preserve where hunters pay to use the land.
How To Find The Best Golf Gifts For The Women Golfers In Your Life (8)
It may be a surprise to some, but the best golf gifts that you can give are the ones they can use on the course. There are many golf gifts for women that are made just for women, to be used on the course.
Do You Know What One Of The Highest Selling Automobile Components Is? (9)
The demand for automobile tires keeps getting bigger and bigger there are more and more cars getting invented and getting put on the market which means more automobile tires are going to be needed to be produced.
What You Need To Consider Before You Shop For A Home Treadmill (10)
The most important of these components is probably the engine size. This is one of the main reasons why many treadmills don't last, people try to save money by getting one with a smaller motor, you are better off doing away with some electronics than skimping on the motor.