A book review.

I’ve not done a book review here before, but having recently being told about and reading Joe Camp’s book, The Soul of a Horse, I really felt that I should spread the word. I love horses and I love a book that makes me think. The Soul of a Horse did that and more. The book is clever and witty, but at the same time, inspiring. I actually felt quite sad when I’d finished the book because I wanted to read more.

Many of Joe Camp’s lessons can be applied to life … not just horses!

Being one of those exploring horse riding as a kid and finally coming back to it in my early 50s, this book was just what I needed to help weed out all the conflicting traditional information. In particular Joe Camp challenges his own perceptions and the perceptions of others as he seeks to learn what a horse needs, rather than what we think they need.

Throughout the book you’ll see three separate perspectives exposed; a wild herd of horses, a neophyte horse owner, and experienced voices of experts in their field. These three views create an ever evolving, ever building understanding. The choices made in the book are not always the easy ones, but prove to be the right ones.

Life lessons from the herd.

To use the words of of another reviewer, Ysabelle Dean (Victoria, Australia) “ The Soul of a Horse examines the biological, physiological and emotional needs of the modern domestic horse and how successfully these are met by widely used and accepted methods of husbandry, handling and training. A delightful blend of autobiography, critical analysis and storytelling, this book engages the reader intellectually and emotionally from start to finish. Joe Camp  presents his ‘life lessons from the herd’ with the same humble, gentle yet persuasive persistence we admire in the very best horse trainers”.

If you’ve ever owned and loved a horse, then this book is truly a “must read”.                                                                             

 Be prepared however, once you begin to read this book you won’t want tp put it down! Joe Camp takes you on his journey into horsemanship and it’s a journey I’m sure you’ll enjoy. He weaves a fictional story alongside his real life story. Even non-horse people will love this book. He learns why natural horsemanship is a better deal, both for you and for your horse.  His experiences are real and well-described. He admits to being a new horseman but you’ll find you will learn a few tricks from him.  The Soul of a Horse is just a great book and a great read; one you’ll almost certainly want to read a second time.

Related posts:

1. Early Lessons ~ The Backbone of a Foal’s Higher Education.
2. A Horse First Aid Kit Could Save Your Horse’s Life ~ A Few Helpful Tips!
3. Do It Yourself Parelli Horse Training.

If you have a little horse sense, you can turn your love of horses into a moneymaking endeavour. Teaching horse riding can be very lucrative and you don’t have to be an expert to do it.  You do not even need to own a horse or stables.

Jenny Lee was a stay-at-home mother of four when she decided to do something about her desire to get back in the saddle again. In order fight off the guilt that all moms feel when they decide to do something for themselves, she found a way to bring some income into the home, as well.

Because she grew up caring for, riding, and showing horses, Jenny Lee has the knowledge and experience to market herself as a horse-riding instructor. From September through May, she charges $175 for ten one-hour sessions. She teaches all ages and ability levels, but most of her students are school-age children. During the summer months, she offers one-week camps to make even more money.

When she first started teaching, Jenny Lee advertised as frequently and as cheaply as possible. Eventually, her classes filled up and now the yellow pages and word-of-mouth are her main advertising media.

Minimal overheads.

The best part of Jenny Lee’s set up is that she teaches the classes at someone else’s stables. She uses their horses, their equipment, and their land. Because the stable owner is already being paid for the boarding and caring of the horses, Jenny Lee’s overhead is virtually nothing. However, she does purchase insurance as a safeguard; this is always a wise decision with any type of business.

Boarding stables provide a good opportunity for enthusiastic horse-lovers to find students. The average person boarding horses could use refresher courses too. Most could use more than just that. Moreover, not every horse boarder is interested in teaching.

When you haven’t got the experience …

If you have an interest in horses, but do not have the experience, you can still work your way into becoming a riding instructor. First, you could take lessons, yourself. In the beginning, it is true that you would only be able to teach the very basics. But you could pair  up with someone like Jenny Lee and offer to instruct horse care classes, leaving the riding to the expert. In fact, if you aren’t afraid of a little hard work, you might be able to negotiate a trade. You could do the “dirty work” in exchange for training on how to become an instructor.

Once you’ve gained the appropriate knowledge and experience, you can become creative in your packaging of different classes. Some stables offer birthday parties on the premises, especially if there are enough barnyard animals nearby to make up a petting zoo. If the customer prefers, you could arrange to take a pony into town to a party. Classes could also be arranged through scouting and other youth programs. Your own imagination will reveal many opportunities to you.

If you have a little horse sense, and enough persistence, you can turn your love of horses into a moneymaking endeavour; in effect, into “horse cents”!

Helpful Resources:

http://hop.clickbank.net/?kimbarra91/rogerbee

http://http://4ebe5d-2-ou0f0ah17i7095v9u.hop.clickbank.net/

http://www.horsetrainingsuccess.com/?gclid=CLeV08SVi5QCFRaVggodQilGWQ

Related posts:

1. Ten Money Saving Horse Care Tips.
2. Horse Back Riding ~ Tips and Techniques for the Beginner Rider.
3. So, You Want To Buy Your First Horse ~ What You Need To Know

What you really need to know to feel safe and confident the first time you sit in the saddle …

 
“Introduction to Horseback Riding” covers the essentials of horseback riding, including:  

• What horseback riding terms you need to know to talk to tack shop owners and other horseback riders               
   
• What you need to know about horses to start horseback riding
   
• How to choose the right equipment for riding. Learn all you need to know about gear you need, such as
   
  • The helmet
  • Shoes and footwear
  • The right clothes, including pants and shirts
  • Sunglasses and sun block
  • Insect repellant
  • The saddle
  • Stirrups
  • Reins

• How to approach a horse so that the horse trusts you
• The difference between English and Western riding
• Mounting techniques
• Dismounting instruction
• Holding and using the Reins
• Sitting in the saddle
• What you need to do and remember once you are in the saddle
• Getting the horse to start moving
• Walking a horse
• Turning left or right on a horse
• Stopping and going backwards on a horse
• How to stop a horse that is moving too fast
• Stopping a horse from grazing grass during a trail ride                                                                                                                                      
• What to do if your horse wants a drink of water on a ride
• What to do if your horse needs a “bathroom break”
• What to do about branches and overhanging objects when riding
• How to stay safe and calm down your horse if your horse starts getting anxious on a ride
• How to get your horse to behave when other horses are around
• Trotting or Jogging techniques
• Cantering methods
• Galloping your horse
• Jumping tips and tricks
• Safety basics every rider needs to know
• The best ways to choose riding paths
• How to deal with children on a horseback ride

Summary                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Well, that’s the end of what turned out to be a rather long description of Roger’s e-book!  To finish up I’d like to mention that Roger’s offering seven additional e-books free with “Introduction of Horseback Riding”. I’ve found all to be of a high standard in terms of the information they provide. 
Additionally, Roger also has a club which offers access to a forum, a chat room, horse of the month, a section on horse health, books, DVDs, all the way through to dating.  There is a low membership fee, but you can try first as he provides a free 30-day trial. 

If you wish know more about Roger’s products and activities just click on this link.  

Advisory: The product I mention is done with an affiliate link for which I receive compensation if you make a purchase. This does not cause you to pay extra for a product purchase, or cause me to give a favorable review or recommendation of the product. 

Related posts:

1. How to Stop a Bolting Horse ~ Tips for the Beginner Rider.
2. Safe Riding: Tips On Keeping You And Your Horse Safe
3. Selecting the Right Horse Riding Saddle is Vital: Tips on Selection and Fitting.

 
Since doing my Post, “Here’s How To Fall Off Your Horse – Part 1″ I’ve come across a couple of articles on the subject which I felt had great content.  So with the permission of the authors’  I’ve put them in this Post and trust you’ll find them helpful.

Getting Back on the Horse – How to Overcome a Fear of Riding.                                                                                                                               Horseback riding is a fun and enjoyable pastime enjoyed by many – and it’s a very safe activity if you follow the guidelines and take the recommended safety precautions. Of course, sometimes accidents do happen – horses are independent creatures and they can sometimes throw a rider when they become alarmed or startled.

When you take a fall ...

Are You a Nervous Horse Rider? Do Not Ride Your Horse Again Until You Have Read This …

Being a nervous horse rider can be a very debilitating feeling. You can remember your confident days where you jumped logs and galloped through the fields and the immense feeling of freedom that that brought with it. The smile on your face and spending the rest of the day on a high after a great ride. But now something has happened and you are afraid to get back on your horse, or to even be around your horse. Many others have overcome their fear of riding and you can too with patience and commitment.

... get back up again!

The first step in overcoming your fear is to fully analyze why you are afraid. Ask yourself what has changed in your relationship with your horse. Was the change sudden or does it seem to have been a gradual progression.

The first most obvious reason for being a nervous rider is that you have been injured in a fall, or you have a fear of being injured. I am not going to argue with anyone on this point – falling off a horse hurts! The fall may knock the wind out of you, or you could end up flat on you back in bed for months.

Another point I am not going to argue is that yes, horse riding is dangerous. People die and get severely injured every year. However, there are plenty of other outdoor activities that can be deemed to be even more dangerous, yet these endeavors have their enthusiasts as well. Its about being passionate about what you do and savoring the rewards that you will get from it. Weigh up the arguments for and against and if you are willing and wanting to achieve the good outcomes from horse riding then you are ready to start working on overcoming your fears.

Another reason for horse riders becoming afraid is because of the fear of lack of control. You may be afraid that your horse is going to bolt, buck or shy. If you ride or work with your horse in a nervous state, your horse will instantly pick up on your fear, and start to feel fear themselves. This often leads to them bolting or rearing because they sense that their is something to be afraid of. So you can see how your original fear only compounds the problem.

The new rider or the rider returning to riding is also often nervous. This can be overcome with the right knowledge. If a rider is taught not only how to ride, but also how a horse thinks and works, this will assist in overcoming the “newbie” fears.

If you can reclaim control of your horse, your fears will subside. The best way to do this is to improve your horsemanship and knowledge base of how to best control horses. Do lots of groundwork with your horse to improve your relationship and re-establish your position as leader of the herd. Groundwork exercises are essential in bonding with your horse as you will learn his reactions and he will learn yours. This increases his confidence in you which will in turn increase your own confidence. You will soon be able to hit the trails again and enjoy the time spent with your special equine friend.

Related posts:

1. Here’s How To Fall Off Your Horse – Part 1
2. Horse Back Riding ~ Tips and Techniques for the Beginner Rider.
3. Safe Riding: Tips On Keeping You And Your Horse Safe

They say it’s inevitable – if you ride, you’ll fall off!

In the life of every rider occasions will arise when it’s desirable or even necessary to leave the saddle in a hurry and without formality. The problem is to achieve this action without incurring more danger than is involved in staying on the horse. Unfortunately there is very little time to think out, much less apply, any kind of technique.

As a rider, you’ll probably come upon a time when you should get out of the saddle quickly rather than take greater chances. This may be the case if your horse threatens to get out of control in dangerous or rough ground that allows no room for a battle.

The real danger you’ll face in falling off is that of getting your feet caught in the stirrups and of having your horse step or fall on you after you’ve fallen. The first consideration is to get clear of the stirrups. It’s also a wise precaution to keep your grip on the reins, as it will often keep you from falling head first. When you’re clear of the stirrups and have a grip on the reins you can safely dive off, over your horse’s shoulder.

The same strategy is suggested if your horse stumbles badly, flounders, or looks like going down. In such a case, you should also concentrate on falling clear of your horse.

Experienced riders will always take their feet out of the stirrups when passing a rough spot or crossing a rocky creek bed, an unsafe bridge, or slippery pavement.

Tips on falling.

If your fall must be taken while your horse in running fast you should try to land on your back by ducking your head before taking off, and you should try to fall away from your horse. It’s worth remembering that a drunk person seldom gets hurt in a fall that may mean broken bones to a sober person. Not that this means you should be intoxicated when you ride but merely proves that your chances are better when you are relaxed.

Importantly, you should not try to break your fall by stretching your hands and arms out in front of you. Try to curl up and you’ll probably roll safe out of harm’s way.

It may give you more confidence if you take a few mild falls in the safety of the ring, and are given the opportunity to occasionally roll of your horse while riding without stirrups or saddle, to find out for yourself that it’s not as bad as it looks!

Tips on preventing a fall.

1   Notice the emotional state of your horse. If your horse hasn’t been exercised in a while, it is more likely to spook, buck, or bolt. If the horse is young or inexperienced, it may also make unexpected movements, or lose its balance, possibly throwing you off balance as well.

2  Wear riding shoes with at least a 1-inch heel when riding a horse. These shoes will prevent your foot from slipping forward through the stirrups and getting stuck, which can cause you to be dragged.

3  Be aware of your surroundings. If it is a cool, windy day, or if the horse is being ridden in a new place, it may spook. Watch for objects that would appear strange to your horse, and expect it to startle at other animals, such as deer, cows or dogs

4  Ride horses that are appropriate for your skill level. A horse that is excitable should not be with a nervous rider, for instance. Also, do not attempt new activities, such as jumping, without the proper instruction or supervision.

5  Stay physically fit. One of the most common reasons riders fall off is because they are physically tired. If your legs can’t hold you up, nothing can.

How to fall off safely.

1   Kick your feet free of the stirrups once you are sure you are going to fall. It is important not to get tangled in them, as this can cause you to be dragged.

2   Decide if you should hold onto the reins or let them go. Often, maintaining some grip on the reins while you are falling is beneficial, as it cues the horse to stop and helps you land on your butt, not your head. But release the reins immediately if your horse does not stop, so you are not dragged or stepped on.

3   Allow your body to turn naturally as you fall. Remain calm. Hopefully you will slide down the side of the horse and land on your butt, leaving you relatively unharmed.

4   Roll once you hit the ground. Make sure you tuck your arms in toward your body to prevent injury from either breaking a bone or being stepped on by the horse. Roll clear of the horse’s legs.

5   Check for injuries once you are safely on the ground. If you are not injured, get back into the saddle. This action will help reassure both you and the horse. Believe it or not, horses are often just as rattled by a rider falling off as the riders themselves!

Finally …

Be aware that there is no sure way to avoid a fall or injury while horseback riding. Even knowing how to fall “properly” is no guarantee you’ll not be injured if you do fall.

Related posts:

1. Here’s How To Fall Off Your Horse – Part 2
2. Safe Riding: Tips On Keeping You And Your Horse Safe

Today, everyone is looking for horse care savings ideas. Fortunately, there are a lot of simple, practical ideas that can add up to big savings.

1. Prevention:

Keep everything running smoothly. That includes your horse, yourself and your equipment.                                                                                                

Pay close attention to your horse. Every day, do a daily horse checkup. Check for food and water consumption, manure production and general demeanor. Scan her body, pick out her hooves and watch her walk. You’ll both benefit if you catch problems early.

Keep up a regular program of dental checkups, hoof care, worming and vaccinating.

Use caution when working around your horse. Watch for kicks and foot tramples when you’re on the ground, and injuries sustained while riding. Stay limber and in shape so you can stay on top of your horse care (and your horse!)

Keep your equipment in good shape. Maintain your vehicles and tractors to save on gas as well as repairs. Clean your tack and store it properly. Good quality equipment can last for years if you take care of it properly.

2. Do It Yourself:

There are a lot of horse care tasks you can do yourself. You can learn how to give shots, pull and braid manes, clip your horse and clean his sheath. Ask your veterinarian for instructions on giving shots and cleaning the sheath.

3. Make It Yourself:

With a few simple tools and some skills, you can make your own jumps, tack boxes and horse clothes. And everyone can make horse toys-it’s as simple as stringing up a turnip!

4. Consign It!

Visit your local tack shop. They may have gently used items available for purchase. Blankets, tack, even clothing may be waiting for your keen eye.

Take a hard look at your gear, too. If you haven’t used it in a year, think about consigning it. Couldn’t you use those extra dollars? And the extra space?

5. Barter:

Do you have a special skill? Something you could barter in exchange for horse care services? If you can fix a car, design a website, setup a home theater, drive someone to the airport, babysit…you’ve got a barterable skill. Don’t be afraid to ask!

6. Don’t Waste:

Don’t waste hay or feed. Learn to reduce horse feed costs for big savings. Protect hay to minimize loss.

7. Don’t Overdo It:

Don’t oversupplement your horse. If your horse is healthy and eating a nutritious diet, she may not need much in the way of supplements.

8. Be A Cheapskate:

Prowl the dollar stores for great bargains on things like towels, storage containers, wipes, combs and measuring cups. Never pass up a garage sale-these are great sources of used tools, vacuums…you never know!

9. Buddy Up:

Your farrier or equine dentist may be willing to reduce fees if s/he can see more than one horse at a visit. See if you have friends that may want to participate in a group visit.

A group might help reduce hay costs, too. If you can gather a few horse owners together to purchase a larger quantity of hay, you may be able to negotiate a better price.

10. Offer Your Services:

Offer to exercise someone else’s horse. You can make money doing what you love!

Saving money on horse care is more important than ever. Take the time to look at your horse care routines-there may be room for some money saving improvements!

Related posts:

1. Hints and Tips: How to Save Time and Money As a Horseowner.
2. A Lot of Horse Sense (Cents!).
3. Horse Care For Beginners: 5 Helpful Tips To Keep Your Horse In Top Trim.

Based on talking to the Instructors at my local Saddle Club, here are some of the more common mistakes that are frequently made by riders who take on the responsibility of becoming a new horse owner. See if any of them apply to you!

Mistake #1 - Assume you can ride any horse.

Horses are not all the same. You’ll find that some will let you mount up and that you can ride them easily. But others may be so green that you could get hurt if you have little or no riding experience. Or it could be that the horse has become so used to being ridden by only one rider that he’ll be determined to unseat any strange rider.

The horses that will let just about anyone on and ride are usually the older horses. Because they have been ridden the most, usually with a variety of riders, they’ll be the most forgiving of the mistakes that a beginner rider can make.  The younger horses are usually a lot tougher to ride and should only be ridden by an experienced rider.

Mistake #2 – Assume there is only one way to train a horse.

When an experienced horse owner starts having problems with their horse, they will ask questions and look for solutions. One of the first places they’ll look is at how the horse was trained. They’ll question the training technique that was used to see if they can find the answer. The new horse owner may assume that the same technique is used by all horse trainers. So they apply this technique to try to find the answer to their particular problem. If they don’t find the answer they can then think that they just have a dumb horse or that the horse just can’t be trained.

But there are a wide variety of ways to train a horse. So if you are using one particular technique and this doesn’t seem to be working, then you’ll need to try something else. It is at this stage that a new horse owner should probably be looking for advice and assistance from a more experienced rider. And from my experience, this is where belonging to a Saddle or Riding Club becomes a valuable asset.

Mistake #3 – Not riding your horse enough.

As a new horse owner, if you are having trouble with your horse, chances are that you’ve not been riding him frequently enough and that he’s ‘gone sour’. Irrespective of your horses age, it’s really important that you ride him often. From time to time, for a variety of reasons, you’ll find that you just don’t have the time to saddle your horse up and go for decent ride. If this is the case, at least take half an hour to give your horse some grooming and fifteen minutes or so of good lunging.

The best thing you can do for your horse is to ride him, ride him, and ride him. Riding every couple of weeks is not enough for your horse. It might sound like a strange thing to do, but even just taking your horse for a walk using a lead rope is better than nothing. It gives your horse a chance move his muscles, a change of scenery, and an aid to avoid boredom.

Mistake #4 – Thinking your horse is at fault when there is a problem.

Your horse needs plenty of exercise.

Horse are not unlike any other creature, they have their own unique problems. However it is not unusual for many of the problems you will see in your horse are not actually his fault, but your fault.  When you come across a problem with your horse, stop for a moment and make an effort to assess the real reason behind the problem. In many cases you’ll find that it could be that you don’t have the control over your horse that you need to make you and your horse an effective team.

If you can’t find the root of the problem then you must realise that there are various alternative methods of gaining the needed control. Once again, I recommend that you don’t fumble around seeking the answer but get the help of an experienced horse person. This is another instance where belonging to an active Saddle or Riding Club can be of assistance.

Mistake #5 – As a new horse owner, you don’t realise that every interaction with your horse is a training exercise. 

You need to realise that whether you’re just petting your horse, brushing him down or giving him a full groom, you are also actually training him. If you are a new and inexperienced horse owner you should stop and think about what you do and how you do it. In some ways your horse is like a child; he will pick up things from you. You have more of an effect on your horse’s behaviour that you may be aware of.

Mistake #6 – As  a new horse owner, if you ride your horse when you have little or no experience of riding and horsemanship, you may do more harm than good.

In their enthusiasm to get going with their horse ownership and riding career, many new horse owners will ride their horse when they have virtually no real horse riding training or skills. Horses react to leg pressure, how you sit in the saddle, whether or not you are tense, and many other sometimes subtle signals, so it’s important that you have a comprehensive understanding of riding procedures.

It is best that you have riding lessons from a qualified trainer right at the start. In my case, I had an instructress from my local Saddle Club come to my property for quite a period of time to give me one-on-one riding lessons, as well as instruction on general horse care. This was followed by the group riding training I received at my monthly Saddle Club meetings.

Related posts:

1. Horseback Riding ~ Avoid the Mistakes I Made When Buying a New Horse!
2. The bit is the key to the horse.
3. So, You Want To Buy Your First Horse ~ What You Need To Know

I was motivated to write this Post about Wintec  after becoming aware of it’s evolution (and also being Australian,  just like me!). Apparently Ron and Ken Bates, owners of Bates Saddlery Australia on Perth, Western Australia are the designers behind the revolutionary Wintec saddles.

Wintec 500 All Purpose Saddle

I learned from further research that this first ever full cloth race saddle was given to a local jockey to test. He absolutely loved the saddle and would, in fact, take it into the shower with him after a race to wash the mud and sweat off it. In no time there were enough jockeys interested in the saddle to send it into full scale production.

The Wintec saddles took the global market by storm, especially in England where in 8 out of the next 10 years the famous English Derby was won by jockeys riding in Wintec saddles.

I’ll probably do Posts on other Wintec products at a later stage, such as the Wintec 500 and the Wintec dressage saddle, but for this Post I cover some of the features of  the …

Wintec 2000

Wintec 2000 All Purpose Saddle

The Wintec 2000, a strong contender in the synthetic all purpose family saddle field. Toward the top of the all purpose range, this great multi discipline saddle offers exceptional performance. It feature Flexibloc inset panels that form to your horse and you, the rider, working with the deep designed Equisuade saddle to promote a stronger riding position. The popularity of this saddle is understandable when you consider the Wintec 2000 offers the best of all worlds to riders.

With a formidable heritage, the Wintec 2000 takes some of the strongest features of the synthetic all purpose range. The range boasts a number of new attributes to ensure you get the most out of your saddle.

Features of note.

• Easy Change Gullet System – adapting to your horse or pony as it matures, the gullet can be changed to assure a marvellous fit.
• Equisuade Saddle – ensuring a excellent grip in the saddle even in wet weather.
• CAIR system – Greatly improving the comfort of you saddle, this system reduces friction points on your horse or pony. (The CAIR system is also available in the Wintec girth range which has also taken off in popularity).

Real Riders

The Wintec 2000 invariably scores high with real riders who cite quality and security as the key features of this saddle. The saddle is soft and comfortable unlike many leather saddles. The design of the seat gives an improved position enabling you to sit more properly with the fabric of the Equisuade adding to the feel.

Likes

• The Equisuade seat compared to basic end Equileather seats meaning you can essentially benefit from the improved grip provided by the fabric.
• With the gullet system meaning you don’t have to buy a new saddle as you switch horses means this saddle is a excellent investment. Very straight forward maintenance saves you cash and work.
• Just rinse off the saddle with warm water while your friends have to oil and treat their leather saddles.

Dislikes

• The grip provided by the saddle can take a bit of getting used to. A few riders have suggested the Equisuade holds some moisture for a period after rain.
• Change is distressing for some people and they see anything but leather as inferior. ( I’ll cover the features of synthetic saddles in a later Post).

There’s a lot to recommend the Wintec 2000 saddle and this will be appreciated most by multi discipline riders who are looking for function and value. As well as trusting your saddle, you need to be able to rely on your supplier. Wonderful guarantees and a ‘trial ride’ service make the organization at the link above a great recommendation. But as always, I strongly recommend that you check out all  suppliers available to you

Related posts:

1. Synthetic Saddles: What are the Benefits?
2. A Modern Jumping saddle – the Pessoa AO.
3. Saddles and tack: Tighten up the girth ~ or not?

My dream horse, a true black beauty.

Like many in the early years of their riding career I had this great desire to own a big, strong and beautiful pure black horse. Are you the same? Circumstances were in my favour and I found Midnight , a Percheron/Thoroughbred cross who turned out to be just what I knew I really wanted.

In those days, now some years past, I’d never heard of a breed known as a Friesian. Had I known what I know now, the Friesian would probably have been the first on my list.

Their origin.

I should mention here that as I have personally had little contact with owners of Friesians, I’ve drawn some of the following descriptive information from Wikipedia.

The Friesian (also Frisian) is a horse breed originating in Friesland, a province of the Netherlands. Although the breed’s conformation resembles that of a light draft horse, Friesians are extremely graceful and nimble for their size. During the Early Middle Ages and High Middle Ages, their size enabled them to carry a knight in armour. In the Late Middle Ages, heavier, draft type horses were needed.

It’s interesting to note that although the breed nearly became extinct on more than one occasion, the modern day Friesian horse is growing in numbers and popularity. They are popular in both Europe and the United States, and are often now used today for dressage competition, pleasure riding, and driving. Friesian horses can do well in dressage competition due to the breed’s movement, trainability, appearance, power, and body control. The breed is particularly known for it’s brisk, high-stepping trot.

The purebred Friesian

A hallmark of a purebred Friesian horse is its black color.  While small numbers of them are known to occur in additional colors such as chestnut.  Although the typical purebred Friesian horse does not bear any markings, some have a small star shape located on their foreheads.

Others have more elaborate white markings.  Typically only plain, unmarked black ones or the ones wearing only the small star are selected for registration.

These handsome horses have, in addition to their typical gleaming black coats, a thick mane and tail, and “feathered” hair on the lower legs.  This distinctive hair is not cut, but left on the legs to feather gracefully, giving the horses an attractive and unique look.

Along with their genuine beauty, these horses are sturdy, dependable animals who have routinely functioned both for “harness work” that is, as hitched to a wagon or plow for farm work or other device, or “saddle work,” being ridden as seen at shows and horse races.  Well disciplined, these horses are able to perform well in both types of use.

Friesian horses were typically raised with dairy animals.  Part of their early work was to help with the dairy farms.  When mechanization became a way of life on the old farms, replacing the use and dependence on the horses, these elegant horses began to fall out of use.  However, their well-known attributes enabled them to survive and continue as a viable breed.

Where to locate a Friesan horse.

While these beautiful animals are of European extraction, and enjoy a good market on the continent, there’s a booming Friesian sale market for the breed and you can usually find a local Friesian horse sale at well-advertised breeding farms that can be found on the Internet.  This online listing of Friesian horses gives a comprehensive amount of detail of  well-known horse farms and the horses they breed at those farms.  The farms also share additional information about the breed, such as Friesian Sale

Breeding developments.

Friesian in a playful mood.

The breed continues to flourish today both as its conventional durable form, and with at least two new breedings, both of which are lighter, agile, attractive horses in the same form as the traditional purebred Friesian horse, which has graced the horse world for ages.

These newer breeds of the horse may be found under the names of the “Friesian cross” and the “Friesian Sportbreed.”  These two outstanding horses are imbued with both the most valuable attributes of the well-loved Friesian breed but now carry the benefits of newer genetics from a well-chosen cross breed.   However, that being said, ‘true’ Friesian enthusiasts will only own and invest in an ‘approved’ Friesian.

Should you think that a Friesian horse could be what you’re looking for, you could start your search at Friesian Sale  Or you may care to email karen@FallsvaleFarms.com

Recommended reading:  Torden, Hear the Thunder by Christy Kirkham

“This book is both timeless and ageless and very heart warming. I found myself going back to my childhood and my love of horses and reading the adventures made me feel as though I was there living them with each page. I applaud C. Kirkham for bringing the history of the Friesian horse into such a GREAT read and look VERY forward to the sequel. I highly recommend this book to everyone, young and old, it’s OUTSTANDING !”    Ronda

Sipke’s Son – The Story of a Friesian Colt  by Ruby Wooten and Rebecca Dennett

“This heartwarming, so wonderfully written & illustrated book is by far one of the best new books for children I have had the pleasure of reading in a very long time. I bought a copy as soon as they were available as my Grandson’s first book & will soon be ordering one for my very own. The love Ruby & Rebecca have for these amazing horses shines through in every page. I feel such joy every time I read it to my grandson & will have to buy him another copy too because this book will be well-worn! Thank you so much Ruby & Rebecca!”

Review by Lora L. Brewster

Related posts:

1. Remembering “Black Beauty”.
2. How To Own Your Dream Horse!
3. The Percheron Horse ~ A Breed Worth Knowing.

Does your horse show signs of fear during grooming?

This article deals with the subject of grooming and, in particular, body-clipping. Although the following discusses the body-clipping of Gypsy Vanner horses, the principles outlined are common to the grooming and clipping of all breeds. The following  is supplied with the compliments of Lisa the groomer for Gypsy MVP, America’s most trusted source for Gypsy Horses.

We all know it is body-clipping time if you work with Gypsy Vanner Horses. When the temperature in your area is above 70 deg F it is time to dispose of that fuzzy undercoat . Most Gypsy Vanners are used to being body clipped if they are from a warm climate area. If they haven’t ever been clipped, they may be afraid of the clippers.  So if they have never been clipped before, you’ll need to take the time to introduce them to the clippers.

 Introduce your horse to the clippers slowly.

We’ve found that if you hold the clippers on your horse and also give him some loving , he will begin to understand that the clippers will not harm them.  Horses are prey animals in the wild , so they are naturally afraid of many things.   As a horse groomer it is your duty to make this as good an experience as you can.  Should the big clippers scare your horse, try starting with smaller ones (the ones used to trim the face).  The large clippers (the ones used on the body) make a loud noise, so understand that it is a fear reaction, not misbehavior.

Start with a clean horse

Brush and thoroughly clean your horse’s coat.   At Gypsy MVP we use a medicated shampoo from EZ-Groom. We find that this shampoo prevents irritation.

Be sure you keep the clipper blades cool and clean.

This makes  horse grooming job much easier plus it will give a better clip for your horse.  Keeping the clippers cool and clean is very important. Clippers can get hot rather quickly , so make sure you study them often. And if they are dirty they are louder and clip slower.  

Offer treat when you are finished with the grooming session.

When you’ve completed your grooming session , make sure you give your horse a treat, so it makes it a good experience for him .  This way the next time you put your horse in a stall for clipping (or any other reason) he will look forward to the experience.

Related posts:

1. Grooming Tips For Horses ~ A Major Part of Easy Horse Care.
2. A Horse First Aid Kit Could Save Your Horse’s Life ~ A Few Helpful Tips!
3. Make it easy for your Farrier to pick-up your horse’s feet.