Caring for a pony

I know that many horse owners started out the same way… loving and caring for ponies. They look back on their pony owning years and a distant far away expression comes over their faces. And, of course, there are few horse owners who don’t have a pony story, some good some not so good.

I must admit that I’m not one of these horse owners as I’ve never owned a pony and I started riding very late in life. This is not entirely true as I recall that in my early teens I took it upon myself to travel to Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens to have lessons and to ride around the Garden’s picturesque Tan. I guess that at this time I probably did dream of having my own pony or horse.

But on with my article about caring for your pony.

For the most parts ponies are tough. They seldom seem to be affected by the illnesses and maladies that seem to strike their larger equine counterparts. Their toughness is one of the reasons that a pony is so often a good match for a child.

If you live in northern climates and keep your pony outside during the frosty winter months there are a few things to do that will ensure your pony stays sound and healthy.

Snow can be dangerous for your pony. Each time your pony takes a step on the the snow he’ll start to gather snow in the bottom of his hooves. Each time your pony takes a step the snow becomes harder packed until your pony will be forced to walk on rounded balls of ice. Not only is walking  on the ice balls treacherous, but if your pony missteps or slips he can strain or twist a leg.

An injury like this could create a lameness that could plague your pony for months. Smearing petroleum jelly on the bottoms of your pony’s hooves every couple of days can help prevent the snow from gathering on the hooves of your pony.

My beautiful pony

Your pony will need dental work.

Regular dental work is as important to ponies and horses as it is to their human caretakers. If you notice that your pony is suddenly losing a great deal of weight, have your vet take a look at his teeth. If your vet notices any sharp edges on your ponies teeth make sure the teeth are floated. Going into the winter months it is especially important to make sure that your pony’s teeth are in good shape.

Your pony will need fresh water. Make sure your pony has plenty of access to good fresh water. If you don’t have a water heater for your buckets plan on breaking the ice several times a day.

Caring for a pony

Your pony will need shelter.

If your pony is kept outside he should have access to shelter. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, a simple three sided lean-to facing away from the wind is enough. The most dangerous condition is if the weather is both wet and cold.

Many people tend to take the cold blustery winter months off, preferring to stay inside rather than ride. That doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with riding during the winter.  Riding through snowdrifts can be almost as good for conditioning as riding in a deep sand arena. It’s also invigorating and great fun for you, the rider!

(When writing this article, riding in the early morning snow reminds me of the dramatic scenes in the film, The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans. If you haven’t read the book, I suggest you do. It’s a great read!)

If you choose to work your pony it’s important to make sure he’s dry and free of sweat before you put him out in the field. A heavy dense winter coat can sometimes make this difficult. Some pony owners opt to body clip (remove all the long winter hair).

If your pony has been body clipped he shouldn’t be turned loose in the elements without some form of protection. So if you decide to keep your pony clipped and want to turn him out, be sure to use a warm turnout rug to protect your pony from the elements.

Finally, if you use a turnout blanket make sure the blanket it’s well fitted and clean. Check underneath the blanket for rubbing and chaffing on a daily basis.

I hope this article helps you keep your pony happy, warm and well right through this winter!

Recommended Resource:

 CLICK HERE to order this program.

Related posts:

1. Horse Care For Injuries And Wounds.
2. Why Join a Pony Club?
3. Horse Nutrition is a Vital Part of Horse Care.

Rain Rot (dermatophilosis))

However this is incorrect as dermatophilus congolensis shares characteristics with both fungus’s and bacterias. It is an actinomycetes, which behaves like both bacteria and fungi.

Many people believe that the organism is present in soil, however, this has not been proven. The organism is carried on the horse, who has it in his skin. A horse who has this organism in his skin may or may not be affected.

In horses the dermatophilus congolensis works by entering the follicle of the horses hair shaft. Once it’s in the horse’s hair shaft it can be seen in the form of a large hive. When these hives are removed from the skin horse owners can easily see several (literally dozens and dozens) of hairs embedded in each large lump. Because the dermatophilus congolensis damages the hair root removing these hives does not seem to bother or pain the horse in any way. Once the scabs/hives are removed owners can see that the skin under the hives is generally a pink color and oozing a yellow pus.

Dermatophilosis is a condition commonly referred to as rain rot, rain scald, and streptothricosis. Dermatophilosis that appears on the horses lower leg is often called dew poisoning. Although Dermatophilosis can be seen throughout the country it is most common in the southeastern portion of the United States where the weather condition is frequently wet, warm, and humid. It appears that the younger the horse the more likely it is to contract Dermatophilosis.

One of the factors that encourages the development of Dermatophilosis is that constant rain washes out the protective skin oils, softens the horse’s skin and allows the organism a chance to invade the skin.

Horse owners that have dealt with cases of Dermatophilosis say that their horses had scabs or hive like bumps on that measured approximately one fourth of an inch across, these hives are typically easy to peel or rub off. Although these lesions were most commonly seen covering the horses haunch area it is not uncommon to see the horse’s entire body affected by Dermatophilosis.

In the early stages, you’ll be able to feel small lumps on the horses’ skin or hair by running your hand over your horse’s coat.

Fortunately horses affected by Dermatophilosis do not seem to be in pain nor do they appear to be embarrassed by their condition. The only time the condition appears to be painful is if the area affected is a covered with a saddle. Owners who have a horse who has signs of Dermatophilosis on their spine should refrain from riding until the condition has cleared.

Video:  Shows extreme rain rot  (dermatophilosis)

Treating Rain Rot  (dermatophilosis)

Typically, veterinarians recommend  that  the treatment of Dermatophilosis, when discovered early, is that the horse’s skin be dried and gently groomed to stimulate the body’s natural defense mechanism. However, if the condition is more advanced, it needs a more rigorous treatment. This is done by clipping away the hair surrounding the crusts and shampooing the skin with a medicated wash, such as Betadine or Chlorhexidine to remove the crusts. The uncovered sores will need an antibiotic ointment such as penicillin, amoxicillin and erythromycin. The application of the ointment will need to be repeated until the Dermatophilosis is clear up.

Contrary to the treatment I’ve just described is that you shouldn’t be using any ointments to treat Dermatophilosis because the ointments simply add moisture to the affected areas of skin. One old time method for treating Dermatophilosis is swabbing the affected are with used motor oil (for some reason fresh motor oil doesn’t have the same affect!).  I must admit that this is a treatment I wouldn’t my use on my horse!!!.

When the Dermatophilosis has cleared up most owners like to bath their horses with antibacterial shampoos.

Dermatophilosis is contagious.

If you have a horse that has been affected by Dermatophilosis  try to separate it from its pasture mates. Make sure that you keep its grooming supplies separated from those used on other horses. Don’t use leg wraps, saddle blankets, splint boots, and halters on any other horses. If you have to use equipment on other horses make sure you completely disinfect all the equipment before it touches their hide. Keeping equipment such as leg wraps and blankets dry will help prevent a second outbreak of Dermatophilosis.

Because the skin that has been affected with Dermatophilosis is hairless it is prone to sunburn. Rather than swab the bald patches with sunscreen which adds moisture to the skin, horse owners that keep their horses outside should use a fly sheet to protect their horse from UV rays. The blanket should be washed on a regular basis to kill the Dermatophilosis.

Finally, it’s usually hard to differentiate rain rot (Dermatophilosis) from other similar skin conditions, so if you are unsure, call your veterinarian.

And for those who have not yet checked out my Review Post of Applied Posture Riding, I recommend that you do so now by

CLICKING HERE

Related posts:

1. Equine Influenza ~ The Facts As I Understand them!
2. Some thoughts about sunburn (solar dermatitis) in horses.
3. Facts About Teeth Floating.

Jesse Beery.

The Jesse Beery Manuals

Perhaps this was due to the fact that I’m “way down-under” tucked away in Tasmania, Australia. Anyway, it appears that he was a significant figure in the “horse world” during the latter 1800s until he passed away in 1945.

Based on what I’d heard about Jesse Beery I did a bit of research and discovered that there’s lot of information available about his impact on the horse training world.

Wikipedia, in their introductory paragraph described Jesse Beery this way.

“Professor Jesse Beery (June 13, 1861 – February, 1945) was an American horse trainer and writer. He claimed he could train any horse, horses that ran away, horses that pulled too hard, horses that were spooked too easily and horses that refused to be shoed. His best-known work was Prof. Beery’s Mail Course in Horsemanship, and sold widely through mail-order ads placed in various equine magazines. His horse training methods are claimed to have been used by horse trainers all over the world over the last hundred years.”

It also appears that in his early life he found that he had a unique skill at handling animals. So he decided to capitalize on these skills and he began to visit various areas of the US in order to display his techniques. After 16 years of impressing spectators with his talents, Jesse eventually finished up with a greater volume of demand for his work than he could handle.

To quote further from Wikipedia …

“In 1905, Berry made the decision to go back to his hometown and start an educational enterprise he would call the Jesse Beery School of Correspondence in Horsemanship. The main objective was to help others gain the skills and mastery that he believed he possessed. He propounded common sense horse training methods, and even today, his supporters claim him to be one of very few horse trainers to have had this kind of far-reaching effect.

“In addition to his unique talents in the realm of horse training, he was the inventor of an array of implements he claimed to be intended to help gain mastery over the animals he oversaw, creating an assortment of tools, bridles and bits that were also sold via mail order. The correspondence school was said to be inundated with scores of letters and notes throughout its history containing endless gratitude and respect for the techniques promulgated by its founder.”

Jesse Beery authored a series of 8 mauals covering these subjects …

1. Colt Training
2. Disposition & Subjection
3. Kicking & Baulking
4. Shying & Running Away
5. Bad to Shoe & Halter Pulling
6. Promiscuous Vices
7. Afraid Of Automobiles / The Story Of Kate
8. Trick Training & The Story Of Queen’s Life

These manuals have been commercialized in a number of ways and can be purchased in various media formats. I’ve included links at the end of this article, including a link to my own reproduction of the originals which you can download at no cost. At the finish of the YouTube video on this page is one way in which you can purchase the manuals.

There is so much information about horses and the fundamentals of training theme that I suggest it should be essential reading for everybody, whether novice or professional.  It may be old, but it is the basis of what every horse trainer is doing today.

On the lighter side, one of the manuals has a chapter on the life of two horses. It’s written from the horses’ perspective and covers how each horse was trained, their life experiences, their phobias, and feelings. It gives you a real insight into what it must be like to be a horse and also what a great understanding Jesse Beery had of the horse.

Though Jesse Beery passed away in early 1945, his legacy in the world of horse training is obviously still highly regarded and many thousands of students of horse training have learned his approach.

Now for the links to get your copy of  the Jesse Beery manuals I mentioned earlier … for access to these, please click the Google +1 button below.

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I believe Applied Posture Riding is a “must

program” for all horse riders.

Dressage

Applied Posture Riding is unique, easy to follow, and has been created by a professional. So many Horse Riders spend money on lessons to train their horse, but few spend any money on education to train themselves, for riding.

Annette Willson: Author of Applied Posture Riding

Applied Posture Riding is an exercise program that trains the horse riding muscles for horse riding. This program has been designed by an elite horse rider who also has a Masters in Physiotherapy.  Annette Willson is the author of this unique program which is available on DVD and E-book. Annette is also an experienced Pilates Educator. The combination of her talents as a horse rider and her university education give the Applied Posture Riding program credentials over so many other exercise programs.

The key to the Applied Posture Riding program is core stability, or, well known as Pilates.

The program explains in explicit detail how to find, test, train and use the deep abdominal muscles.  It also provides the same detail about all the horse riding muscles used specifically for horse riding. The package includes files providing qualified information about back pain management, and how to save money owning a horse. There is a file on protecting your body as a horse owner. Annette has also taken time to provide a detailed manual called “Pure Pilates”.

The style of the written presentations in Applied Posture Riiding is easy to follow. After downloading the files they are printable and accessible.  The information is clear, precise and backed-up with full colour photos and graphics.

The DVDs are in two parts. Part 1 is 1½ hours long providing education on the rider’s posture and all the horse riding muscles. The Applied Posture Riding program explains what the muscles do when riding and how to find, test, and train them. As I said earlier, the focus is on core stability so there is a large chapter on how to use the deep abdominal muscle. The riding Posture requires symmetry from both sides, so the teaching includes training left and right sides of the body using movement patterns unique for riding. There is a chapter Applied Posture Riding on pain control in the lower back and stretching for better muscle control.

DVD part 2 shows the rider how to achieve a good lower leg position to stabilise the leg first. The exercises are shown in the saddle to demonstrate and explain how to use the core muscles and establish balance through the lower leg then the seat and how to never balance using the hands.

Of all the programs on the net that I seen, I certainly recommend the Applied Posture Riding program to any Horse Rider … and if you follow it I’m sure you’ll feel better, ride better and be a more confident rider.  For immediate access to the Applied Posture Riding program CLICK HERE.

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West Nile virus

 area with a large mosquito population.

The virus is quite dangerous for many birds and mammals, people included. Owning farm animals like horses can put you at even higher risk, since the livestock are very susceptible to the virus. The disease is spread through the bite of mosquitoes, which carry the West Nile virus from one animal to the next in their quest for blood to eat. The virus often has fatal results, so as a horse owner you have the responsibility of not only protecting your horse from the virus but providing treatment if it becomes ill.

Since 2003, there has been a vaccination available that can help prevent West Nile virus. It has been shown to be very effective in protecting horses from the disease. The vaccination is costly, but if you live in a high risk area it could be well worth the investment. Talk to your vet to way the pros and cons, and with what frequency your horse will need to be vaccinated. Insurance on your horse may cover the cost of vaccination.

Reducing the mosquito population in your area is another very simple way to protect your horse from the West Nile virus. The single most effective way to control mosquitoes is to reduce the areas they have available for breeding. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so get rid of old buckets, tires and other places where water might accumulate. Fans in your barn or stable can help keep mosquitoes to a minimum in the evenings, as well. Finally, keep lights near your animals to a minimum, as they attract mosquitoes.

It’s important that you keep yourself safe, as well. The West Nile virus can be just as deadly for people as it can for horses. Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts, and if necessary spray yourself down with mosquito repellent. Make sure screens are installed properly and in good repair to keep mosquitoes out of your home.

The hours between sundown and sunrise are when mosquitoes are at their most active. Staying indoors during these hours is the best way to avoid being bitten. While riding in the evening can be fun, it should be avoided in the summer months when mosquito populations are high. If you find that your horse is getting a large number of mosquito bites, speak with your vet. Your main priority should be keeping your horse protected.

No related posts.

The Pessoa AO Saddle. This, Pessoa’s principal jumping saddle is a classic and has already hit their their top seller mark. It’s ideal for a wide range of riders, amateurs and experienced riders alike both of whom who will appreciate the quality and comfort of this  jumping saddle. Plus it’s standard or lengthened flaps provide an element of individual choice when selecting the saddle and the square cantle, deep seat build ensures a secure ride position.

This saddle incorporates the best of the Pessoa collection. Years of development have gone into the technology harnessed in this saddle and the refinement is also shown in the calf skin leather:

• Adjustable Gullet: The saddle tree can be refined using the xChange gullet system. This allows you to suit the saddle correctly to your horse.
• BayFlex Panels: An innovative memory fabric that offers the best comfort for both you and your horse by adjusting and adapting to the applied pressure.

Innovations like these keep the Pessoa AO out in front of  competitors saddles.

Real Riders

The popular Pessoa AO Saddle, as real riders will quickly tell you, is built to endure. These saddles will last and last with only a little thought to maintenance. You may decide to replace your sadddle, but it certainly won’t be because you need to. Riders regularly buy into another recognised marque but the value they get from the brand both in terms of comfort and longevity frequently means they come back to Pessoa time and time again.

What you’ll like about this jumping saddle:

• The flexible leather and BayFlex panels break in remarkably quickly meaning there is a reduced chance of rubbing as you and your horse get adapted to the saddle. 
• Wider ponies and horses are well suited for this saddle. Although the gullet can be changed to fit narrower horses and ponies as well. 
• Supple and forgiving to the rider, you don’t sense like you miss any of the stability you look for.

A potential dislike:

• For some horses, the saddle could look to sit slightly high if the gullet is not the right match.

The above opinitons of real riders will hopefully be beneficial when you’re looking and trying to decide on the right jumping saddle for you.

If you want the best out of a saddle and want to mix both operation and appearance, the Pessoa AO Saddle is favorably recommended. The last step is to find the best retailer. One where you’ll find true horse lovers can be found by clicking above.  They have an excellent customer support team and are all riders. They provide quick shipping and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  And they currently have a 10% deduction on the Pessoa ao saddle.  But, as always, it’s time well spent to shop around and compare.

Related posts:

1. Saddles and tack: Tighten up the girth ~ or not?
2. Wintec 2000 – Just One Of An Extensive Range of Saddles For All Riders!
3. Where To Look For Affordable Horse Tack!

Tips on buying affordable, quality horse tack.

You could possibly be a ’newbie’ rider or an individual doing your best to outfit a stable. Whatever the motive, you should be endeavoring to locate superior  horse tack at inexpensive prices. If you realize where to look, along with the manner in which to shop, you can wind up spending a lot less money to purchase the things that you need. All it takes is a bit of preparation, a little networking and the awareness of just what you want along with where to obtain it.

Horse care  can be somewhat expensive. Between grooming equipment and tack, fodder and added products you can finish up having to pay out a considerable amount of hard cash on a steady basis. The quandary is that if you are doing your best to get started, or are functioning on a budget, you may think that you are restricted in the selection of horse equipment you have got to choose from.

This needn’t be the case. You’ll regularly come across excellent deals on horsetack equally via the internet as well as at your neighborhood tack stores. Should you decide to search the internet , you can regularly hit upon many excellent supply stores that stock everything from grooming supplies to tack to riding clothing. If you are going to purchase by going online, you should study the online businesses you are thinking about buying from. You should take a look at the suppliers they represent and figure out if they manufacture high quality goods. If they do, you will feel more confident about purchasing things.

Consider networking.

If you can obtain price savings for obtaining a larger amount of products, this is where networking comes in. If you’re part of a riding stable, find out if other horse owners are in the market for ordering tack or other supplies at the same point in time as you might be. You may well have the opportunity to order many items and get a better price both on the per unit cost as well as on the shipping and handling expenses. You may perhaps be surprised at how inexpensive horse equipment may become when you consider purchasing it in this way.

Take the time to compare prices.

Consider that if you’re comparing cost between a shop and a web site, you should be sure that that you take shipping and handling and any minimum order charges into account. If viewed in this way, you may discover that opting for items from a tack shop can in point of fact be cheaper than buying on the internet. Or in may turn to be the reverse.

If you take the time to check around you will soon find a set of tried and true stores and websites that you are able to use to make all your purchases. A little research at first will save you lots of time and not inconsiderable amounts of money later.

A recommended supplier of tack:  Horse Saddle Shop

Related posts:

1. Saddles and tack: Tighten up the girth ~ or not?
2. A Modern Jumping saddle – the Pessoa AO.
3. Selecting the Right Horse Riding Saddle is Vital: Tips on Selection and Fitting.

What is a parasite?                                                                                                                       

One definition is a living organism that lives on and off another creature.  A parasite typically feeds off food ingested by the host animal, or feeds from the animal itself, but gives no benefit in return.

Internal horse parasites have the potential to kill your horse.

While horse parasites may be out of sight, they do extensive damage internally.  Parasites can steal nutrients from your horse and cause gastrointestinal irritation.

What are the most common internal horse parasites?

 It’s a fact that there are more than 150 parasites that can infest your horse.  The most common are large strongylus (aka bloodworms), small strongylus, ascarids, pinworms, bots, tapeworms, threadworms and lungworms.  And I find it a rather frightening thought that some of these species can lay up to 200,000 eggs a day.  This number is staggering. And the  thing with all these parasites is that they may all be present in your horse at the same time, just in different lifecycle stages.  So yes, while your horse may look healthy and happy, you don’t know what is going on inside.  These silent killers can damage tissues and vital organs, major blood vessels, cause obstructions and ulcerations in the digestive tract.  Pinworms can really irritate horses and cause intense anal itching.

Signs of infestation to look out for.

Bear in mind that signs of horse parasite infestation are not always seen, however the signs you should be aware of include:

•  dull, rough coat
• apparent weight loss
• tail rubbing (hair loss)
• colic (see post – Colic in Horses)
• depression
• coughing and/or nasal discharge
• loss of appetite

If you see any of these signs, play it safe and call in your Vet.

BUGS ABD GERMS

You may ask,   “Won’t I see them worms in the manure ?”  The answer is ” no, you won’t”,  but the eggs will be visible to the Veterinarian under a microscope. Your Vet will probably do a fecal examination.  By counting the types and number of eggs, your Vet can then tell you which de-worming program will best work for you.  This test in combination with a good worming program will keep your horse protected from the ravages of  horse parasites.

How to use wormers.

You can give wormer four ways, oral paste syringe, oral liquid syringe, nasogastric tube and as a feed additive.  In many cases horses will not eat something they smell in their feed, so if you can work with the other two methods, you’d accomplish worming effectively.  Nasogastric tubes are best left for your Vet to administer wormer.  Make sure you give the proper dose and at the proper time – usually every 6 to 8 weeks. (foals will differ, so check your wormer labels)

All three methods are effective. The key is that the deworming product must be given in the proper dose (given by weight) at the proper time, and that your horse actually swallows the wormer.   To make sure he does, you can do one of two things – insert your thumbs into either side of your horse’s mouth to make him open his mouth and swallow the paste or liquid he was holding in his mouth, or put your hand under his chin and tip his head up so that he has to swallow.

To plan the best worming schedule, talk to your Veterinarian.  Your horse is too precious for you to lose to horse parasites.

Recommended reading:   Vaccination and Worming of Horses: What You Need to Know (Cadmos Horse Guides) by Anke Rüsbüldt

Related posts:

1. Prevent Parasites from Attacking Your Horse.

"Midnight" ~ my Percheron/Thoroughbred Cross.

Given the opportunity of owning a Percheron horse, or a horse with strong Percheron genetic signs (i.e. a Percheron cross), I’d say, based on my experience, “go for it”!  I’m possibly slightly biased in my opinion of the breed as, of the three horses I’ve owned my Percheron/thoroughbred cross, Midnight (“Middie”) stands out as my absolute favourite and a horse I truly came to love.

What makes a Percheron horse so special?

I’ve listed a few of the facts about Percherons that I see as being special …

• An extremely placid and relaxed personality. I found Middie to be what I can only describe as an absolute gentleman. Over the period of nine years of ownership I learned to have absolute trust in Middie and he appeared to have the same regard for me. There were numerous occasions at my Saddle Club when we were requested by the instructor to ride with a club member who was having a very difficult time with a very ‘frisky’ horse. Middie’s presence seemed to have a magical calming affect on the ‘frisky one’.
• The Percheron is proud, alert and has an in-built intelligence and a boldness of character combined with a gentle willingness to perform well under almost all conditions. The encylopedia,Wikipedia, describes Percherons as”easy keepers and easy to work with and train”.
• The Percheron is almost maintenance free, largely due to lack of feathering, a quality coat and excellent feet. In regard to the feet, they are large in size,  are extremely hard, and need minimal input from a farrier.  I found I could leave Middie unshod for most of the year with no ill effect on his feet.
• It’s a breed with exceptional strength and staying power. It’s said that a Percheron can trot from 7 to 10 miles per hour and has the stamina to do it day in and day out. Not that I ever asked this sort of effort from my horse, Middie!

Background on the history of the Percheron horse.

“The Percheron is a breed of draft horses that originated in the Perche valley in northern France. The Percheron is usually black or grey in colour, often with a white flash on the head, are well-muscled and known for their intelligence and willingness to work. The ancestors of the breed were present in the Perche valley back in the 1600s. They were originally bred for use as a war horse, but over time, they began to be used for pulling stage coaches, and later fror agriculture and hauling heavy goods.  In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Arabian blood was added to the breed.

“In World War I, Percherons were used extensively by the British. In the 1930s, Percheron horses accounted for around 70% of the draft horse population in the United Sates, but their numbers declined substantially after World War II.  However, the population began to recover, and as of 2009, around 2,500 horses are registered anually in the United States alone. (It’s interesting to note that in the late 1800′s the Percheron became America’s favourite horse and almost 5,000 stallions and over 2,500 mares were imported into the USA from France, mostly from the Perche valley area).  Today, the breed is still used extensively for draft work. They have been crossed with several light horse breeds to produce lighter horses for range work and competition including such riding disciplines as dressage and show jumping.” *

Portrait of Midnight, courtesy of Jill Miller ~ www.jillmillerart.com

What’s the availability of the Percheron horse, and what about price?

You’ll find the Percheron’s price range varies tremendously. It will be dependent largely on the availability in your country and the breeding and training of each individual horse.  For example, do you want a pure bred Percheron, probably for heavy working activity, or a Percheron crossed with a lighter breed for everyday sporting or pleasure riding.

There are over 290,000 Percherons registered with the Percheron Horse Association of America and they should be able to direct you on where to find Percherons for sale in your area.

In my country, Australia, I’d suggest you contact the Horse Breeders Association of Australia. There will be similar Associations in many other countries to whom you can go for advice and assistance.

  * Modified from Wikipedia

Recommended DVD for children who love horses:   Saddle Club: Season 1 DVD

Related posts:

1. Horseback Riding ~ Avoid the Mistakes I Made When Buying a New Horse!
2. A Black Beauty – For Character, Strength And Elegance, You Must Look At The Friesian Horse.

That’s a very true saying from The Australian Lung Foundation.  A rather similar well-known saying in the horse fraternity is “no foot … no horse“. It’s a fact that most of the horse lameness problems have the origin in their feet. So it’s important for you to regularly check  your horse’s feet, if not daily, then very frequently. This brings us to a problem that many people who are new to owning a horse have, and that’s lifting a horse’s foot.

This where some practice should come into play. A horse known to play up when being treated by a vet or farrier can be a real problem. Some farriers will not shoe or otherwise tend to your horse’s feet when the horse is difficult. Farrier care is one of the most important parts of caring for your horse so it’s important to teach both yourself and your horse to have your horse’s feet picked-up without fuss to make things as easy as possible for the farrier, your horse, and yourself.

Don’t leave the training to your farrier.

Here the farrier has no problem in picking-up this horse's foot.

If your experience is like mine, here in southern Australia, finding a good farrier is hard enough, so you don’t want him to refuse to trim or shoe your horse because your horse is behaving badly. Squirmers who snatch their feet away, kickers, wigglers, stompers, lazy leaning horses  are the bane of a farrier’s existence.  Farriers are always busy and they don’t have the time to train your horse to pick up his feet and stand quietly. That is your job. So, train your horse to do this early and do it well. And yes, it can also be taught to older horses. Just don’t ask for too much too soon from them and it will all work out.

You need to understand some of the reasons a horse isn’t  happy about picking up his feet.  A horse’s feet are used to run to safety. Holding his foot makes him feel vulnerable. It might be they have not even been shown properly how to lift their feet. He might have been handled badly in the past when having his feet picked up, or there may be a physical problem – like a sore foot.

Also horses seem to have the knack of sensing when farriers, or vets for that matter, are about. This could be caused by a variety of things such as the smell of of other horses clinging to their clothes, or perhaps medical smells. The cause for your horse having this sense is impossible to isolate.

Suggested strategy for training your horse.

Here’s a suggested strategy for you start with to teach a horse to pick his feet up and stand quietly. You should start with small bits at a time, perhaps about 5 to 15 minutes twice a day should work. Having said that though, each horse is an individual so pace yourself accordingly.

Be sure to start in a safe place such as a round pen. Don’t work with the horse tied for your safety and his. Begin by stroking your horse’s neck and then work slowly down to the shoulder and then the front leg. If he’s happy, you’re on the right track. If he fidgets, just slowly remove your hand at the spot he started getting jumpy and start over again until he settles. Keep doing this until you touch his feet. If you can’t during the first session, don’t be concerned. Just end things on a good note and try again another time. This same routine can be used with the back legs. Just remember, slow, easy and calm does it.

Once you get to your horse’s feet, try picking one up and holding it for a mere fraction of a second and releasing it before your horse takes it away. Then  praise and reward him. Go on to another leg and so on. When you are first working with your horse you don’t want a long hold, you just want to be able to pick the foot up and put it down right away. This teaches your horse you’ll not harm him. Keep increasing the hold time over your sessions with your horse. Eventually, and who is in a rush here anyhow, you will have your horse  stand quietly for not only you, but the farrier. Always keep in mind that trust is a major issue here, so treat your horse with respect and he’ll respond willingly.

Related posts:

1. How To Select And Hire a Farrier
2. How To Pick Up Your Horse’s Hoof
3. Grooming Tips For Horses ~ A Major Part of Easy Horse Care.