Horse Care For Beginners

Generally types of horse bits are divided into either Snaffles and Curb bits. A somewhat simplistic division but in this post we’re looking in more detail at the different types of Snaffle and some of the more exotic features you can find on this, what seems to be just a humble bit

The Curb bit. What the horse rider needs to know. Horse bits are the key to effective horse riding. There are countless different variations of horse bit available in the market place with each one providing features than can give excellent or terrible results depending on the choice and the skills of the rider concerned .

The relationship between horse and rider can be complex and many riders jump too quickly to conclusions regarding their riding problems . Horses are personalities in their own right and how you successfully control them, whether in horse racing, show jumping or just a sunday afternoon ride is not just about the bit. It is how you, your horse and the bit work together. Don’t forget it might be you that is the problem and not the horse. In this article we will investigate the ins and outs of what different horse bits bring to this relationship, plus how you and the horse need to work in synergy.

A guide to selecting the right bit for your horse.
Horse bits are a very important ingredient in the success of the horse and rider’s relationship . Literally dozens if not hundreds of different types of horse bit can be purchased so understanding how they work and how they can address your problems is critical to your relationship with your horse .

I’d like to begin with a little story, not about horses, but about dogs. Just an example of what the right type of exercise can achieve. For many years I was the proud owner of a German Shepherd (Alsation to some), named Valli, who was with me when I lived on my own in a large suburban house on a small land block. Being self-employed I also worked from home. My Shepherd was with me night and day and, by necessity spent much of her day inside.

Just as you mature, so does your horse. But don’t under-rate him. He’s probably been a great companion for you, possibly for many years, and he deserves your continuing love and attention. I was asked the other day what I considered to be “old” for horse. My brief answer was “any horse of twenty years or more”. When you think about it, a horse of 20, in human terms, would make him around 60 year.

My first horse. I was in my early 50′s when I first started riding. I was full enthusiasm and keen to get really involved. I’d just bought a 10 acre property with lush pasture and so had plenty of space to keep a horse. The fencing was excellent as the property had formerly been a deer farm and was fenced accordingly. So I decided to buy a horse.

What are the benefits of horse lunging?
Lunging your horse is one method of teaching him that you’re the pack leader and to understand and respect your instructions to him through your body language, with the assistance of a lunge whip, and well as your verbal commands.
Even in the later stages of your horse training and riding, lunging is a very affective method of using up excess energy prior to your mounted ride should you horse be ‘full of spirit’! But be sure you don’t overdo it prior to your ride. Ten minutes covering a short ‘walk’, a short ‘trot’, and possibly a short ‘canter’. Possibly five minutes in both directions.
When you are just too busy to get the ride you want, a period horse lunging is a great way to to provide exercise for your horse, which ideally he should be getting every day.

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.

“If you can’t BREATHE … nothing else matters!” 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.