Horse Care For Beginners

What are bell boots?. The best way I can describe them is to say that they are ‘protective boots’. When they’re fitted they encircle your horse’s ankle, and serve to protect the back of your horse’s pastern and his heels. The boots are named ‘bell boots’ due to the shape they make when they’re fitted and wrapped around your horse’s feet. The primary purpose is to protect the coronary bands, heels and bulbs of your horse’s front hooves.

  Bolting horse … one of the most serious risks the novice rider has to face! There are numerous reasons why your horse may bolt. It could be that he’s just plain frightened or he may be just taking advantage of your lack of experience and ability. If it’s the latter, you can be sure [...]

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.

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!

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

Irrespective of what you may call them: equestrian bridles, horse bridles, or just plain old ‘bridles’, bridling a horse is not as easy as it may seem. If you do something wrong, it may be do long term trauma to your horse. And you may may be affected or injured as well.

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 .

Grooming is an important part of dealing with problem horses.
This may sound simplistic but I can assure you it’s true. I’ve talked about the importance of grooming before, in particular with regard to communicating with your horse. However it’s probably one of the easiest things to do when caring for a problem horse. A horse will often find love for and trust of his owner through the grooming process.