Your horse at leisure.

Fact! Your horse needs periods of rest from the work you do with him, just as you need rest from your work. You could do this by letting him loose in the pasture, ideally with one or more friends, for an hour or so each day. Or perhaps putting him out on occasions for a few days or even weeks during your busy periods when you really can’t spend the time riding.

A precaution though, it’s not a good idea to suddenly change your horse’s routine from strenuous  and regular work to a pasture rest. Doing this could affect his digestive and muscular systems, both of which need to adapt to the change for at least a week. As you’ll be aware, your horse will thrive on pasture grass which he’ll get when you put him out, with the possible exception of thoroughbreds which do find it difficult to adapt. So what can you expect your horse to do with his leisure time?

Play.

Young horses learn their communication skills from play. Just as you probably did when you were a youngster, they have mock fights. And really enjoy physical contact with other horses. This is where it’s desirable to have a friend/s for your horse, because if you don’t you must try to provide all the social contact yourself.

Sunbathing.

When your horse is in the paddock during his leisure time you’ll find he lies down quite frequently, especially when it’s sunbathing weather. When he’s relaxing in this way you may walk up him and think he’s unconscious. But just make a sudden noise an you’ll find he’s awake enough to be aware of possible danger.

Rolling.

This happens not just in leisure time, he may roll if he has irritation from drying sweat  commonly just after being untacked, or even just because he feels like it. It’s interesting to note that horses in a herd usually share the same spot for rolling. They’ll normally return to the same spot to roll every time. If you observe your horse blowing on the ground with his nose, he’ll be checking to see that his rolling spot is free from debris and that there’s enough dirt for comfort.

If you’re watching your horse you can tell if he going to roll when does things like blowing the dirt with his nose, pacing in circles (which is what my horse, Midnight, normally does), pawing at the ground, or possibly bending a little at the knee or leaning to one side. Of these three activities, rolling is the most beneficial for your horse. So let’s look at why horses roll …

Why do horses roll?

On the positive side, horses roll for pleasure. But on the negative side, they also sometimes roll when they have abdominal discomfort or pain. However, if you regularly observe your horse both before and after he has a roll, you should have little trouble in telling which kind of a roll it is.

Rolling is good for a horse as it involves almost all of the muscles of the body. It’s also a good indicator of his health. You’ll find that a healthy horse will roll vigorously from one side to the other without standing up. Whereas a horse in poor condition is more inclined to roll on one side and then get up before going down again to roll on the other side. Bear in mind, though, that a horse’s ability to roll right over from one side to the other is somewhat dependent on his age and his body structure.

In conclusion, one very positive way to get your horse to roll is to give him a good shampoo!

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Different Club types.

Depending on where you live, and I guess on your age, Clubs are called different things, ie. Pony Club which is normally for younger riders, Saddle Club which in Australia is the normal name for riders of all ages, and Horse Riding Clubs which is common for us older riders! In my case I joined the Merricks Saddle Club on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia when I became a horse owner and started out riding. This was when I was in my early 50s. For the purpose of this Post I’ll be referring to all clubs as Saddle Clubs.

So why join a Saddle Club?

 I’ll talk about what I see as the benefits in more detail but I think the core benefit is that it gives riders the opportunity to learn and progress in many riding disciplines under the guidance of qualified instructors and at relatively low cost.

It doesn’t really matter whether you’re a total beginner, slightly experienced, or very experienced. You’ll find that most clubs break-up the member riders into small groups, this being done in relation to your riding competence. And as your competence increases you’ll get moved up into a higher group.

The facilities.

A great benefit of a Saddle Club is that your have access to a full range of facilities, this obviously being dependent of the structure of individual clubs. You’ll find that you will probably have extensive grassed areas where your group can work, confined areas like a menage which are great for quite concentrated work, walking, trotting, cantering, and for dressage.

For jumping, jumps are normally set-up in the open grass areas. Then depending on the locality of your Club, you’ll have access to land for cross country riding and trail riding. However, this is often confined to clubs in country areas,

The safety aspect.

I sure that when you ride you take care to be sure you and your horse are safe. At a Saddle Club, if it’s like mine, on each Club day, before you ride instructors check your tack and how you’ve saddled up your horse. They’ll look for worn out tack and also check things like bridle fitting and girth positioning and tightness. These things are very important and can be overlooked when you’re riding at home because repetition can cause the best of us to become a little lax.

The social aspect.

I think this is significantly important. You’ll have the opportunity of meeting with a diverse range of people who all have one common interest. Horses and riding! At my Saddle Club lunch time is often a BBQ break and I have learned a lot during this break just chatting to other members on a variety of topics.

And of major importance is the fact that your horse is socialising. As is often said, horses are herd animals so being with, and mixing with, other horses is of great benefit.

Bulk buying.

Some clubs arrange for the members to form ‘bulk buying groups’. This is where horse supplies, in particular food items like hay, are bought in bulk at competitive bulk prices.

My recommendation.

I’ll finish this Post by suggesting that if you are not already a member, seek out your local Pony Club, Saddle Club, or Horse Riding Club. I’m sure you’ll not regret it. Ask any club member why they joined and the answer you’ll quite likely get will be “because it’s fun!”.

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Potentionally a problem horse.

This may sound simplistic but I can assure you it’s true. I’ve talked about the importance of grooming before in a previous post.  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.

Grooming is also a main necessity because much of  horses waste is eliminated through the pores of his skin. This can cause blockage and infection if the horse is not cleaned regularly.

Do you really have enough time for horse ownership? 

Ideally horses should typically be groomed for at least 30 minutes a day. A longer amount of time should be allotted for horses that become dirty with mud or debris.

There are many tips for easy horse care all over the Internet. It’ s worth checking out some reputable sites if you are in the consideration phase of horse ownership. That way you can decide if you have the amount of time necessary to properly care for a horse.

And do you have adequate space for a horse?

 Space is another factor that can make horse care easier.  Your horse should have adequate space as to not feel confined when you are grooming him. He should be able to feel relaxed and at ease. When possible, try to groom your horse outdoors so he can enjoy the sunshine as you pamper him.

Space is also important to give your horse room to run and play. He should have the feeling that he is free without realizing that there are significant boundaries to his freedom. Ensure there is ample room for him to run, play and to feed.  Horses don’t  like to feel they are crowded in and have to compete for food, love, or space. If you have stalls for your horse they should also be spacious and clean.

Keep your horse happy and he’ll not become a problem horse.

This is a typical happy horse.

Keeping your horse happy and content doesn’t necessarily have to be a difficult task. It can happen through some very easy horse care techniques. The main thing is to remember that your horse has feelings and emotions just like you and I. If he is treated tenderly and pampered a bit then you will have a happy horse. This can lead to years of enjoyment for you and your horse.

Animals really do treat  people the way they’re treated themselves. If you are unable to care for your horse or grow easily frustrated then your horse will become frustrated also. This is what can lead to having a probem horse and make training much more difficult than it has to be. But when treated properly, your horse will become a beautiful companion.

Recommended reading:  Considering the Horse: Tales of Problems Solved and Lessons Learned

Book review: The Best Book Ever Written
I have lots of books on horse behavior, horse psychology, etc., but this book is better than all the rest put together. I have a young mare who is my first horse at the age of 40plus, she is quite nervous at times which doesn`t do my nerves any good either! This book has been a great help in my ways of dealing with her & we now seem to have a closer partnership…

Related posts:

1. Grooming Tips For Horses ~ A Major Part of Easy Horse Care.
2. Horses and Computers – Love and Frustrations
3. So, You Want To Buy Your First Horse ~ What You Need To Know

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1. A Tip On Dealing With Problem Horses.
2. Grooming Tips For Horses ~ A Major Part of Easy Horse Care.

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.

 I’d heard of a horse for sale some distance from me and he sounded like he could be OK. So I arranged to see him for an inspection, even although I was totally inexperienced. I took a horse owner friend with me for guidance and went to see him. He turned out to be a rather tall, chestnut thoroughbred. The lady owner didn’t offer to ride him (my first mistake as I should have insisted she did) and my friend mounted him and did some walking, trotting and cantering.

Then it was my turn. With some trepidation I mounted up, but due to my total inexperience, only managed to walk him around the property for a short time. My friend gave the nod of approval and said he looked fine and so I made my first major mistake. I said “yes” to the seller and so became the owner of a horse of unknown origin known by the name of Ziggy.

Back on my property.

After I had Ziggy back on my property I enlisted the help of an instructress from our local Saddle Club who came to my property and gave me a series of lessons. Initially I only rode at home, but then ventured out my front gate and rode on some of the riding tracks that were plentiful in my area.

And then to my local Saddle Club.

 And finally I took him to the monthly all-day training meetings at our local Saddle Club. I learnt a lot, but the only problem was that Ziggy obviously sensed my inexperience and was inclined to fight my every move.

I just couldn’t win.

I persisted with Ziggy for six months or so, but then decided that he wasn’t the horse for me. So I decided to sell him to someone more capable of handling his strong spirit and did just that.

My second mistake (well, almost!) when I came to buy a horse.

Midnight. A Percheron/Thoroughbred Cross.

I’d heard a consistent rumour about a beautiful, big black horse that had apparently been left out in a paddock somewhere in my local area for quite some time.  I was intrigued and decided to check this rumour out. It turned out that it didn’t take me long to find that the horse was actually well attended and was agisted on a horse riding facility not far from my property. I promptly went and had a look. And, yes, he was big, beautiful and black and I instantly fell in love with him.  But was he available to be bought?

I found that the owner was from Melbourne. I phoned him and he told me that he’d owned the horse, Midnight, for two years with the idea of using him at a Hunt Club but had never had the time. Subject to where and how I’d keep Midnight he could be bought for what I thought to be a high price. So I arranged for an inspection at the facility where he was agisted.

The day arrived and the owner finally arrived.  We took the horse to any undercover riding area and owner did several circuits in varying gaits. Then suddenly Midnight went lame in the right front shoulder. The owner instantly dismounted, but it was obvious that I wouldn’t be able to ride him in this condition. It was left that I’d call a vet to look at the shoulder and obtain a full “vet check”.

The vet inspection.
 
The vet found nothing that caused the lameness, but recommended that I not buy him. I was devastated! I reported this to the owner. He then suggested that if I was prepared to take the horse to my property and call in what ever veterinarian treatment was needed to fix the lameness that he’d re-inburse me for all costs and we could then discuss possible purchase. This is where I made my “next big mistake – well almost!” In spite of the vet’s advice I said “yes”.

Calling in the experts.

I called the best veterinarian care people I could find including the senior vet from the Melbourne Racing Club, chiropractors, and even an acupuncturist. All with no success. Then by chance I found a local young lady chiropractor who had a brief look and said “his shoulder has frozen up through lack of riding.  Just exercise and ride him and he’ll come good”.

Once again I reported back to the owner who promptly came down to see me. Standing in the paddock with Midnight he said that if I was prepared to work with the horse and accept all the fees I’d incurred, I could keep Midnight with no purchase cost. I immediately said “yes”.
The owner asked if I’d leave him alone with the horse before he left, and I could see he had tears in his eyes.

So Midnight was mine.

I worked with Midnight, whose name I abbreviated to Middie for everyday use, constantly. I lunged him, rode him in short bursts at first, and finally took him to Saddle Club. He was improving, but if he showed too much sign of soreness I cut the day short. To cut this story short, Middie’s lameness cleared up completely and we became the very best of friends.  He was an absolute gentleman, probably because he was a Percheron/Thoroughbred cross with the Percheron characterists showing through strongly. I had total trust in him and he appeared to have complete trust in me and we’ve had many, many happy years of riding.

Is there a lesson to be learned from this short story?

Yes, I believe there is.  You may just happen to be lucky as I was with Middie. But what I went through could have been a very expensive and disappointing experience. Should you not take the advice that you sought from an expert, in this case the vet, you may find yourself  in possession of horse that is basically unrideable and unsaleably and all you can do is give him a good home. So my advice to anyone deciding on the purchase of a new horse is …

DO NOT TAKE THE LUCK I HAD MIDDIE AND FEEL THAT IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU!.
WHEN YOU BUY A HORSE,  HAVE A QUALIFIED ‘VET CHECK’, AND TAKE THE ADVICE OF YOUR VET!

Recommended reading:  Horseback Riding For Dummies

Related posts:

1. Mistakes New Horse Owners Make.
2. So, You Want To Buy Your First Horse ~ What You Need To Know
3. Selecting the Right Horse Riding Saddle is Vital: Tips on Selection and Fitting.

You can probably feel it in your blood. Why? Because the warmer weather is coming. Spring is in the air. As you wander around out of doors you notice that, at last, the grass is starting to grow and the paddocks are recovering their lush, green look. At this time you can vividly imagine yourself meandering down a country lane or cantering across the green paddocks on your very first own horse.

All this feels so good to you, but you haven’t yet got your own horse! So you decide that now is the time to take positive action.

So just what do you need to know?

Here are 6 important and practical tips to help you find just the right horse.

1.   Where should you look for your perfect horse?

One of your best starting places are the contacts you have with people who already own a horse. Look for notice boards that you’ll find in your local horse supply outlets, saddle and pony clubs, and riding schools.
Then look for those horses that are advertised in both local and national magazines. One of these, if you’re in its coverage area, is Horse and Hound.
Bear in mind that for advertised horses you’ll need to be quick off the mark. You may well find that the best horses may be quickly sold in just the first few days. You’ll also need to be prepared to travel as many available horses could be quite some distance from your home. Be prepared for some disappointment along the way and realise that it may take some considerable time to find just the right horse for you.
2.   What questions should you ask yourself before you go looking for your horse?

Before you even go to look at your first horse give honest answers to these three questions:

*       What is my budget?
*       What do I want to do with my horse?
          Do I want hunt and jump, dressage, or simply trail ride?
*       What is the level of my riding ability?

Make sure you’re totally honest and keep the answers to these questions firmly in mind. It’s easy to go astray by falling in love with a totally unsuitable horse. In such a case you may find that you end up with a horse you cannot control or if, for example, you want to jump, a horse that has a total aversion to jumping. Keep a clear head and let it rule your heart! And remember, keeping a horse can be an expensive business – there is no point in overstretching yourself in buying a horse as you’re going to need to buy saddle, and other expensive tack.
3.   When you go to inspect a prospective horse, what should you look for?

Be sure you see the horse in every day situations. Don’t just rely on the seller’s statements, ask to see for yourself. Watch him be saddled up. Does he stand quietly or does he move and fidget around? A horse may behave well when being ridden, but be inclined to kick and bite when being fitted up with his tack, or having a rug put on or off.  

Examine the horse carefully for signs of sweatmarks. He may well have been lunged or given a vigorous ride before you turn up making him appear much quieter than he really is. Also realise that a horse that is used to being exercised more than you have time for may mean that you have a much more excitable horse on your hands than you can handle.

4.   You’ve never bought a horse before, so what should you do when you try him out?

If you’ve only ridden at riding school or saddle/pony club before, without having your instructor standing in the middle telling you what to do, you may find yourself at a loss. So, before you go to your horse inspection it’s advisable to decide on a short routine you’ll use to test the horse you’re assessing to decide whether this is the right horse for you or not. It’s also a good idea to take an experienced horse riding friend along with you for the inspection. Your friend can also help you with the following sample routines:

Sample routines:
Walk the horse, halting once or twice to make sure the horse is listening to you.
Walk a 20 metre circle, watching to see if he leans in or out. Change rein and repeat this walk in the reverse direction.
If he bends easier on one rein than the other, this is not a fault as most horses tend to have a stronger rein. More important, is he is attentive to you?

Then trot the horse. Does he go forward eagerly, or is he reluctant?
As in the walking exercise, work a circle on both reins. Does he drop out of a trot as he bends?
Does he try to go forward into a canter?
Whatever the result, you will have to decide if you’d be happy with the horse’s behaviour. 
Once again, your experienced friend may help you decide.

If you’re happy with the trot, try the canter on each rein. The horse should make the upward transition smoothly when you ask him to do it. It’s important that he do it on the correct leg. If you didn’t learn this at riding school or saddle/pony club, hopefully your friend can help you with this also.

If you want a horse for jumping, make sure you put him over a fence or some other reasonably high jump.
Is he eager or is he inclined to baulk and need a lot of encouragement?

It’s important to decide before you visit the horse and try him, exactly what you’re looking for, and what you’re prepared to work with. There’s no point falling in love at first sight with a beautiful animal you can’t control – or one which is reluctant to jump when that is your reason for buying!

In buying a horse you’re forming a partnership which you’ll have for quite some time. Your partner must be chosen very carefully to make sure he is compatible with your level of riding and what you want to do. Commonsense should rule here – not your heart!

5.   When you go to see a horse, should you see him ridden first?

Without a doubt, YES! Should the vendor say there’s no one available to ride him, think about just going home! It may be that the horse is too difficult for anyone to ride. You should only attempt to ride him if you are a very experienced rider – otherwise be prepared to walk away, or at the very least try and arrange a time when you can come back and see him ridden before you try him.

The current owner should ride a routine along the same lines to the one previouly outlined to let you assess the horse’s way of going, and how he responds to the rider’s instructions. If he makes upwards transitions easily for someone else, but not for you, this may be something that can be overcome with some lessons – but be wary. There is a saying that a horse’s ability sinks to match those of its rider! Just because the horse you’ve fallen in love with makes flying changes on demand for its current owner does not mean that it will make them for you if you can’t ride at the same level of competence.

6.  You’ve found the horse you want. Is there anything else I should do before buying him?

Just one thing more. And it’s really essential. You need to arrange to have your potential new horse thoroughly checked by a qualified veterinarian. Try to select a vet who is well experienced in dealing with horses. Yes, it is quite expensive, but a few dollars spent now could save you a lot of heartache and many dollars in the years to come.

Finally, be prepared for it to take quite a few months to find the right horse for you and to fit him out with the right saddle and tack, but be assured the wait will be worthwhile. One thing is almost certain. At the finish that palamino mare you had pictured yourself riding away into the sunset may well turn out to be a percherson thoroughbred cross gelding! But whatever size, colour or sex you end up with, if you’ve taken your time choosing, you’ll have a wonderful partnership for many years to come!

Recommended Reading:   Horseback Riding For Dummies (Paperback)~ Audrey Pavia (Author)

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1. Safe Riding: Tips On Keeping You And Your Horse Safe
2. A Horse First Aid Kit Could Save Your Horse’s Life ~ A Few Helpful Tips!
3. Horseback Riding ~ Avoid the Mistakes I Made When Buying a New Horse!