The New and Prospective Horse Owner’s Learning Module is comprised of a series of lessons designed to introduce new and potential horse owners to the basic care and management of horses. Materials provided in these lessons will help individuals determine how interested they are in horses and to what extent they want to become involved. The sections within this lesson include:
Many people choose to enjoy their horses in competitive events. These activities can be either individual or team events. Some are judged by a set of written rules and specifications, and other competitive activities are timed events. Each activity has it’s own rules, and most have organizations that plan the competitions at the local, regional, national, and sometimes international, level.
Some of the western competitive activities available for horse owners include:
There are many benefits to involvement with horses, for people of all ages. Equine activities may encourage physical activity, for people of varying abilities. For example, simply walking out to a barn, grooming a horse, lifting a saddle and riding may provide more physical activity than many people typically get, especially in our era of computers, television and more sedentary lifestyles. For those who don’t want to ride, grooming a horse, cleaning stalls or feeding may …
There are many different competitive events and disciplines available for horses and their riders. One of these many disciplines is english riding. While english may be used in reference to saddle horses and other gaited horses, this article refers to english as activities ridden in the hunt seat or hunter disciplines.
There are several english activities. These include:
Dressage is a competition which evaluates the horse’s training, responsiveness and obedience to the rider. …
While the age of horse-drawn plows and carriages have passed, many horses are still used today for work purposes. Horses can be found working with people and for people in a variety of places.
Riding for people with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities in the United States was established in the early 70s. The movement of riding a horse mimics the three-dimensional motion of actually walking for people who are unable to do so. Riding enhances muscle development …
Horse ownership continues to increase in popularity. While horses are still used for some agriculture enterprises, most horses are used for pleasure riding, breeding or competition such as showing or racing. The horse has played an important part in America’s heritage. The horse continues to play an integral part in providing a recreational outlet and creating income for individuals interested in professional employment with horses. Most horse owners will testify that their passion and love for the horse is why …
Gaits such as the running walk, slow gait, pace and rack are considered artificial gaits, however they are very natural to specific breeds of horses.
Artificial Gaits
Download this video! Artificial Gaits of Horses (23 MB)
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Navicular disease is an injury of the navicular bone of the front foot. Conformational faults or injury are the most common causes of navicular disease. A straight pastern and shoulder or small hoof will increase the concussion on the navicular bone, causing increased friction between it and the flexor tendon, resulting in injury.
Horses worked on hard surfaces are at greater risk to acquire navicular disease, which usually affects horses in their prime working years (ages 6 to 10). A …
When a horse backs naturally without interference from the rider they perform a two beat diagonal gait. The back has a similar hoof pattern to that of the trot, only backwards. The footfall pattern of the back might be the right front moves with the left hind and the left front moves with the right hind.
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