http://www.horsechitchat.com/equinearticles en-us http://www.horsechitchat.com/equinearticles N/A Ron@equineinternet.com Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:58:30 EDT 20 http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineblogs/32/Horse-or-Human---Disrespect-Should-Not-Be.html Have you ever dealt with a disrespectful horse? They can make normally safe situations dangerous. I have had to train a few who started out respectful of humans, but ended up mean and aggressive. In one case, a lady had bought a yearling to raise. She did not have much horse experience and did not know how to properly handle a young horse. Instead of putting a halter on him and teaching him to lead, she played a game of chase with him because it was cute. She allowed him to push her around and she would push back playfully. She never established her dominance over him or gained his respect. When the horse got bigger the lady had no control over him on the ground or in the saddle. He did what he wanted when he wanted, like rushing backwards if she pointed him in a direction he did not want to go. Instead of having someone to teach him the correct way to behave, she actually started hitting him. She would head him in a direction she knew he would refuse, and then whip him if he did not comply. This made the horse scared to do anything. He started running from her when she tried to catch him. He would kick and bite at her when she went in his pen to feed him. I took the horse and started very slowly working with him. It is much harder to earn a horse’s respect after it has been shaken. I started out by spending time with the horse in his pen. I spent many hours grooming him quietly while talking to him. Eventually he would come to me before I opened the gate. This horse never once tried to kick or bite me. But I never raised my hand to him or threatened him in any way. I respected him and eventually, he returned that respect. Horses are bigger than us. We need to show them that they can not push us around, but not by hitting or whipping them. Ron Petracek Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineblogs/82/The-Cleveland-Bay.html When I mentioned to a friend that a colleague had bought a part Cleveland Bay horse (actually, a Thoroughbred-Arabian-Cleveland Bay), she quizzed me as to why a breed would be named after Cleveland (Ohio). She didn’t realize that the Cleveland Bay was an old breed that is actually England’s only native Warmblood. In fact, aside from native British ponies, the Cleveland Bay is thought to be the oldest breed in Britain. Some documents state that the breed may go back to the times of the Roman Empire. Ancestors of the Cleveland Bay were thought to be pack horses bred to transport goods between monasteries and abbeys. Many European Warmblood breeds can find Cleveland Bay among their roots—especially the Oldenburg, Holsteiner and Hanoverian, among others.   The Cleveland Bay is considered a critically endangered breed of horse. Estimates are that just over 550 pure bred Cleveland Bays exist in the world.   The Cleveland Bay’s history traces to a district called Cleveland in North Yorkshire, England.  The breed was a true jack of all trades—plow horse, pack horse, field hunter and carriage horse for the Sunday church visit. He was expected to do all jobs without going lame (try that with any breed of horse today!)   The breed stands roughly between 16 and 16.2 hands, is always bay in color with black points (legs, mane and tail) and with blue hooves. It is noted for its longevity, stamina and sturdy construction as well as its steady nature. (My friend's horse is 26 but has the back and body of an athletic 15-year-old.)   During the 1700s, the same foundation Middle Eastern horses that began the Thoroughbred breed were being used to refine the Cleveland Bay to make a more fleet carriage horse.   The breed suffered several successions of declining numbers: first, with the advent of the railroad, the Cleveland Bay was used less, then lost on the battle fields in World War I and World War II as the horses were sought after for the cavalry.   But during the mid 1800s, the breed made its way to the United States into breeding programs (including those for Quarter Horses, Morgans and Standardbreds, and into the U.S. cavalry as well as Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show.)   In the 1960s, a sire of note named Mulgrave Supreme was one of only the five remaining adult Cleveland Bay stallions in England. Originally destined to be sent to the United States, he was purchased by Queen Elizabeth II to keep him in England. (Her father had bred Cleveland Bays in the 1920s.) She made his breeding available to the public, and over the course of the next 10 years, Mulgrave Supreme sired horses that went on to become Olympic champions. His offspring showed success in hunting, jumping, dressage, driving and even just pleasure riding.My friend never knew what history she was getting when she purchased Jo Jo (Jo Jo! What kind of name is that for a horse with such ancestry!)Do you have funny names for classical lines? Leave us a comment here and share your experiences on our wonderful horse forum.Thank you for visiting! The Equine Internet Network Kris Equine Staff Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineblogs/83/Poor-Saddle-Fit-Can-Break-Your-Horse-Down.html Poor Tory had been getting more and more crabby. When being ridden, she was less inclined to move forward, and when she did, she moved hollow, with a roach in her back. She was moving so inverted that the muscle under her neck was growing far thicker and stronger while her crest flattened away to nil. When she started bucking, her owner sought advice from a horse trainer.   What they found was that Tory’s saddle didn’t fit. Her close contact saddle (an English hunt seat saddle) actually sat lower in the front and higher in the back. The front collapsed down and appeared to pinch the horse around the withers.   Some horses just seem to have luck fitting every saddle their owners put on them; but others, like Tory, can suffer under a poor-fitting saddle.   When fitting a saddle, you should place it on the horse’s back without a saddle pad beneath it. You should be able to see sunlight through it as you look through the back of the saddle along the tree to the front as no part of it collapses down on the horse’s backbone. Looking at the saddle from the side, it should appear level, with the deepest part of the seat clearly level. In other words, if you imagine letting a pencil roll down from the top of the pommel, it would rest in the deepest part of the saddle. The cantle (back of the saddle) shouldn’t appear to be tipping up. At the front of the saddle, you should be able to fit four fingers lengthwise between the pommel and the horse’s wither.   When working horses, one needs to keep in mind that their bodies change shape when they go from being young just started horses to moving into more advanced training. A new saddle may be necessary. Also horses whose training has advanced dramatically and now have marked muscle development may require reflocking or a new saddle.   If you’ve switched saddles and your horse shows the same signs of soreness in her back, switch back to your old saddle.   To see if your horse’s back is sore, run the pads of your fingers along each side of her spine with some added pressure, as though you were massaging someone. If her back ducks down from under your fingers as she moves away from pain, if she pins her ears or swishes her tail or if you feel a spasm jump under your fingers, your horse may have pain in her back.   Tory’s owners had to try several different saddles and finally found two that fit. Still recovering from years of soreness, Tory is beginning to carry herself in a more relaxed and rounder frame. At the end of her ride, she now stretches down through her back into a soft long and low stretch—something she never did with the poor-fitting saddle.Hope this helps you with thinking twice about proper saddles and fitting. Take a moment and visit our award winning horse forum.Thank you for visiting!The Equine Internet Network Kris Equine Staff Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineblogs/84/Retraining-the-ex-racehorse-Part-3---getting-the-right-lead.html One of the more difficult aspects of Lady's training was getting her to travel balanced while going to the right and taking the right lead at the canter. Not all of Lady's unbalance can be attributed to racing (as racehorses go counterclockwise or left), but her being bred soon after she came off the track also created balance issues. She was bred to a Dutch Warmblood, and her foal was quite large. The odd thing about Lady was that she carried the foal more on her right side. (When looking at the horse, she didn't have nearly the same size bulge on the left as she did on the right.) This unbalance in weight carriage also made turning Lady to the right more difficult for her, and she felt like she was about to fall over.Much of her retraining was geared toward building equal strength in her hindquarters as well as equal suppleness and balance.When asked to take the right lead she typically did one of three things: 1) scurry into it by trotting at warp speed; 2) take the lead but then switch the back lead several times and cross canter; 3) refuse to take it and took the left lead.Three exercises helped set Lady up better to take her right lead as they better set up the outside hind leg to strike off on the correct lead:1) haunches in on a circle 2) leg yield sitting trot into canter 3) spiraling circle sitting trot to the right, spiral in with correct bend, spiral out and when good crossover is felt, much like in a leg yield, sweep the outside leg back while positioning your inside hip forwardAll three exercises were successful in preventing her from evading the request by picking up the wrong lead and they also prevented her from scurrying at warp speed. Instead, often she just rolled right into the lead balanced and content.Was this information useful? We hope you will comment and stop by our horse forum to say hello. Thanks The Equine Internet Network Kris Equine Staff Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineblogs/85/Judging-Leadline-Classes.html If you think judging is hard, imagine how hard it is to rank adorable little tykes on cute ponies in the leadline class. It’s especially difficult to judge leadline classes in schooling shows because this is the first taste of showing these youngsters get, and my goal as a judge in schooling shows is to make showing a positive learning experience.   At one ride school where I judge, every child in the school show’s leadline classes gets a ribbon, but small children are often more savvy than we adults expect. Many figure out when fourth, fifth or sixth place is tied, and can be especially disappointed with not winning first place. That’s why, I feel, the judge’s interaction with these students can really make the difference in how they feel, even if they walk away with sixth place. I like to chat with each one and tell them what their strong points are and what they need to work on. Ending with some words of encouragement can quickly turn tears into a grin. (My personal feeling is that all schooling show leadline contestants be awarded a blue ribbon. In fact, I think that we could have each child win a particular area of the leadline division such as best control, winner of the red light green light game, best hands, best heels, winner of the Simon says game, etc.)   So, how do I judge school show leadline classes? Position, control, appearance and knowledge. I don’t really like to penalize a child whose parent or assistant assists in helping to steer or halt the pony unless the child doesn’t try at all. For example, if two children both require the aid of assistants to get their ponies to turn or halt, the child who actually tries to steer or halt will pin over the child who just sits there and allows the assistant to do all of the work.   Good form includes heels down, straight back with shoulders back, lower leg underneath them, not jammed forward, low and soft hands, eyes looking ahead, steady and balanced seat not wobbling from side to side.   Most of the schooling show leadline classes that I judge have children who mostly ride at the walk and require assistance to do an individual trot to the end of the line. Many students may not have learned yet to post the trot, sit trot or demonstrate two-point position, so I usually ask the instructors the extent of their basics in this training. In schooling show leadline classes, the instructors are often in the ring with me or acting as the assistants leading their charges.   I incorporate games as well as understanding of parts of the horse or equipment. With red light green light 1-2-3, we get much giggles and smiles as the children try to outsmart the judge, and it’s always fun when I, as judge, get nudged by the winning pony.   The Simon says game helps to test the children’s knowledge of parts of the horse and equipment without seeming like a lot of work. Simon says touch your helmet, Simon says touch your stirrup.   Regarding appearance, safe equipment like certified helmets and correct footwear are required. Safety vests are optional. Beyond that, the child just needs to look clean and neat. A child in a hunt coat and jodhpurs will not pin over a child in a sweater and jeans in a schooling show just based on attire. Some families can afford to buy fancy show attire for such youngsters and other families cannot. Those who cannot for a schooling show are not penalized. I do, however, inform the parents of the difference rated show leadline classes.    While testing for knowledge, I have to keep in mind that in a schooling show, these children are on school horses and ponies. They may not even know their mounts’ names. But I ask to see if they do and to see if they know the color of their mount and whether they think he’s a pony or horse and why. I’ll also ask them to point to the girth. Depending on how knowledgeable the class is, we might even get to the parts of the saddle, like pommel and cantle.   A final test as to capability of the riders is to ask them, while they are halted, to drop their stirrups and reins. Then ask them to pick them up again. Many children are just accustomed to having their feet placed in the stirrups and the reins put into their hands. If they can take back their stirrups on their own and adjust their feet to have heels down, it’s a pleasant surprise. If they can pick up their reins correctly, it’s a very pleasant surprise!   I’ve sometimes been jokingly chastised for taking too long in schooling show leadline classes, but I think it’s important to make this first experience a positive one for our future horsemen and women!Do you agree? Any opinions? Drop us a note and stop by our horse forum and comment as well. Thanks The Equine Internet Network Kris Equine Staff Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineblogs/86/Take-Your-Riding-with-Patience.html I was observing a junior rider while she was schooling her horse. The horse, ridden in dressage tack, was moving in a nice soft frame, round and on the bit. They looked as though they were schooling training level. Suddenly, the rider hauled both her hands up and back, jamming her seat down and shoulders back. The horse came to an abrupt halt, head high, eyes wide with surprise, back hollow.   “Sorry,” the student said somewhat sheepishly. “She was heavy in my hands.” Being that I am a hunt seat instructor, I didn’t feel that it was my place to comment especially since the rider didn’t ask for my opinion.   However, my feeling is that anytime you ride on contact, you owe it to your horse not to punish her for something that is a minor evasion…and perhaps not even an evasion at all, depending on her level of training.   If the horse were heavy in her hands, she could have performed a simple training technique that would have encouraged her horse to get lighter in her hands by attaining self carriage. All the rider has to do is give with her inside rein for three strides, then take back contact. Give (with the hand moving forward toward the horse’s neck, and easily take back contact.) If that doesn’t work, she can alternate giving with the inside rein for three strides, then with the outside rein for three strides. Regardless of gait, the horse will become softer in her hands when performing this exercise.   Instead, if this rider keeps up with the snatching of the bit with her horse, she will have great difficulty gaining this horse’s trust, and training will be difficult as the two move on. If I were that horse, I’d be hard pressed to go round and on the bit if I had to fear my rider’s hard hands! I find this snatching to be far more egregious in abuse than spurring the horse unnecessarily hard. Snatching may be necessary if your horse has run away with you and you’re heading toward a cliff; in that case, you might need to snatch or go to a pulley rein. Otherwise, I see no use for it. Whether the rider was stressed with my presence (her instructor asked me to observe) or whether she lost her patience, clearly she isn’t doing right by her horse.   When you ride, you owe it to your horse to always maintain your patience and never lose your temper.How about some more riding tips? Just visit our beautiful equine forum or stop by our equine classified network. Kris Equine Staff Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineblogs/3/Taking-the-First-Ride.html There was a time when many horse owners would bring their colts in from the pasture in the spring and then would let any cowboy they knew jump on them to begin their training.  Well, today, many more people are realizing that doing this might not be such a good idea.  They are also beginning to realize what an impact the first ride has on a colt.    Colt-starting clinics are more popular today than they have ever been.  More and more people are looking at the mechanics of starting the colt versus just having any willing person jump on.  When visiting the clinics, it is important to remember that these are professional horsemen and although you may have a lot of equine and riding experience under your belt, how many colts have you actually started?  Not many people have had the experience of taking a colt from the halter breaking stage to the first ride stage and the professionals make it look very easy.    The point is that starting your own colt can be a very rewarding experience.  Taking your colt from halter breaking and building a bond through groundwork is one of the most spectacular feelings you will ever feel.  Before you decide to start your own colt, however, make sure that the risk is worth the reward and that you are willing to spend the time it takes to make sure your colt is ready for that first ride.  Even if it means waiting a year and working on groundwork before you put your foot in the stirrup for the first time, the wait will be well worth it.  The more mature and bonded your colt is with you, the better the first ride will be.  Remember that the goal is to get on and he doesn’t buck.  Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t even want to move.  Sitting on him will be rewarding enough.  Whomever you choose to give your colt his first ride, you should research thoroughly.  You might even do a little soul searching yourself, because who knows-you might be the one who will give your colt the best start possible. Ron Petracek Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineblogs/87/Being-a-Good-Boarder.html Being a good boarder isn’t difficult, but you wouldn’t know it by the way people move their horses around from barn to barn. Most people probably think that if they pay their board on time, they’re set. But many barn owners will tell you that paying board at the first of the month is less important than having boarders who make for a pleasant environment. If you follow some suggestions for good boarder etiquette, you’ll find a happier place for you, your horse and your barn’s owner.   Clean up after yourself. Though you are a paying customer, remember that you are also a guest. Clear your grooming area of your items and sweep up after yourself. If someone uses a grooming stall before you and didn’t clean up some manure droppings, don’t be petty and think that since your horse didn’t do it that you’ll leave it. Be a team player and clean it up. Don’t get involved in barn politics. For some, running a boarding facility is a business, but for others, it’s a hobby and an escape from their former work lives. Neither wants to be involved in petty disputes or barn politics. Nothing raises the ire of a barn manager or owner like suggestions of inferior care—especially when it’s muttered from boarder to boarder instead of being brought directly to management. Being a good boarder means not getting sucked into rumor spreading or whisperings among each other. If you have a problem, go directly to management and ask politely about the issue. Share. You’ve heard the classic term “ring hog”? Share the riding area with other boarders and don’t make others feel as though you want the entire ring to yourself. Ask. If lessons or a clinic are going on in the arena and you wish to ride, ask if you may enter and ride while the lessons are going on. Most of the time the answer will be yes, especially if you’ve been polite enough to ask. Be a part of the family. It’s easy to get wrapped up in just being concerned with your own horse, running in, doing your thing, and running out. Try to take the time to get an overall look at the other horses. If your horse’s water bucket is empty, don’t just fill hers. Check the other horses’ buckets too. What you give is what you’ll get. Great barn environments have boarders who help each other out, especially when things are looking low. For example, it’s a Sunday, the tack shops are closed and someone’s horse has come up lame with what looks to be an abscess. You still have the soaking boot, Epsom salts, drawing poultice and diapers from your horse’s last abscess. Offer to help them. It’s not only courteous to help, but you never know when you’ll need their help later.   Being a good boarder doesn’t mean keeping your mouth shut or walking on eggshells when you have a concern. It does mean respecting others’ property, being a pleasure to be around (at least a courteous member of the barn family), and not stirring up problems. For more great topics on boarding and stable management visit our beautiful form or article hub.Thanks againThe Equine Internet Network Kris Equine Staff Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineblogs/88/Planning-for-the-Future-Weighing-Risks.html It all started when I looked at a Dutch Warmblood for sale on behalf of a friend who later changed her mind and suggested that I look at her as my potential next horse.   I’m not great with conformation but there was something about this horse that didn’t look right. Dutch Warmblood or not, she looked like she had the front end of one horse attached to the back end of another.  Her back was swayed. “I don’t think she’ll stay sound,” I said to my friend. Something about the way she was put together looked really off, and at three-turning-four, I thought she should look more together than she did.   Though I knew I didn’t want this mare, even if she were free, it started me thinking about my next horse.   Being in an area of the country where it typically costs between $600 and $800 per month to keep just one horse, I wasn’t really thinking about the potential horse #2. My plan was to eventually breed my Thoroughbred to the same Dutch Warmblood sire she had been bred to before for a nice cross as my next horse. Her baby was recently started under saddle and doing wonderfully.   So, that was the plan until I started reading all these breeding your mare books…all of which forewarn of great risk in just the first few sentences. Then my friend told me how her mare’s foal was stillborn at 9 ½ months. My other friend mentioned how her trainer “lost two out of 10” bred last year. The thought of losing Lady or her baby was just overwhelming. Then my friend made another good point: “What happens if it’s born with a twisted leg, can never be ridden, what are you going to do?” I didn’t answer. “I know you. You’ll keep him anyway.” She had a good point. That’s what another friend did. The foal born to her favorite eventer had a twisted leg that made him pasture sound only. She kept him until he passed away from old age.   “Besides,” she added. “Are you really willing to wait that many years before having a horse to ride again?” Lady’s still sound, but she is arthritic. At 15 years old, I’m not sure how long she’ll hold up to being ridden as much as I’d like. I’d be looking at almost five years down the line before having a green horse to ride.   And then I kept thinking about all the horses that need homes already now. Do I really want to breed when I could find a nice youngster that needs a home?   So, while I was debating what I was going to do, a friend sent me a link to a yearling for sale. She was a Quarter Horse/Belgian cross. I called my friend. “Have you been reading my mind?” I had been carrying around an old issue of Practical Horseman that had the article “Beautiful Blends.” There, it mentioned unusual draft crosses like a successful eventer that was ¾ Thoroughbred ¼ Clydesdale.   I printed out the yearling’s photos. Boy, did she look nicely put together! I ran the photos by several friends. “I love her! Buy her!” They all exclaimed.   The yearling goes up for auction in a few weeks but we can arrange for a private showing before then.   So, we’re going on a road trip to see the yearling this week. Will this be my next horse? Stop by and let me know what is your next horse on your list!Thanks and say hello at our community horse forumKrisThe Equine Internet Network Kris Equine Staff Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineblogs/89/Kids--Responsibility.html I was thinking back when I was a young man and got my first horse. It was a very important day in my life. My sisters had already got their first horse and I was being teased that I hadn't received one because I wasn't responsible enough.Now this being a true statement when I look back. But at the time it was quite a ego crusher. I knew I could take care of a horse, I had been faithful in other responsibilities. A cat and dog and a bakers dozen of chickens, not to mention all the other animals I had captured for pets, lizards,snakes and mice from the hay stack. But back to my point of rant. When Molly came into my life I knew I had arrived at manhood and the responsibilities were at hand. I must have brushed that horse down to its hide multiple times per day. And she just stood there and let a boy learn. I wonder how many kids today would have a better chance at their younger years if they had a horse or even a large animal and the responsibilities that come with? My horse taught me many things and cost me few in return, now that I look back. There were many times not being able to go away on a moments notice with my friends until I set up her care taught me planning. Not spending all my money on BB's or new arrows so I could pay for half her shoeings. A lot of good sound principles were instilled in me. I just wished she could have taught me better grammar. I truly think kids today that don't get any time in rural life miss a big chunk of a great plan. Till next time I can't sleep. Peace to you and yours.RonThe Equine Internet Nework Ron Petracek Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST