Some Horse Facts
Horses and humans have co-existed for thousands of years, with both species benefiting from the arrangement. Some relationships, such as that between a working cowboy and his horse, are reliant upon the two working together with as little hassle as possible.
*** Horses can rear up for many different reasons: if started, in play, out of excitement or as a way of displaying their dominance. *** Hooves are made of keratin, a protein that is the same substance as hair or human fingernails. It can be cut or filed without any sensation of discomfort. *** The heard is the basis of equine society, providing its members with safety in numbers, the opportunity to reproduce, friendship and support. *** It is vital that a young horse be give the chance to get the feel of a saddle on his back, at all paces, before having to learn to accept rider. *** Horses with a brown coat and reddish highlights are known as chestnut or sorrel horses. Usually the mane and tail will match the coat of be slightly lighter. *** There are famous ancient cave paintings in Lascaux, France, that include representations of horses, proving that humans were familiar with them long before domestication. *** Horses mirror their riders, so if a rider is stiff so is the horse. If a rider lacks confidence, the horse will, too. Unfortunately, it is difficult for some riders to admit that the problems they experience with their horses are their own making. *** Never swap horses crossing a stream. *** A horse’s behaviour can give clues as of being stabled. Hey may not like being stabled next to a bully and will act nervous, or he may prefer quiet and become restless if too much foot traffic continues to pass by his stall. *** The tail of a horse often acts as a means of communication to other horses. When raised, the tail alerts horses to possible danger. *** Sometimes a horse’s ears may be slightly back, but it does not necessarily mean he is being aggressive. He may just be listening to sounds coming from behind him. Generally, it is best to read as many signals as possible to determine how the horse is feeling. *** Healthy horses take an active interest in life, whether they are living in the wild, in stables of out in the filed. *** It’s important to take good care of tack. Clean a saddle and bridles often and always remove dirt and sweat after each ride. *** Horses have such a wide repertoire of expressions that it is sometimes difficult for less experienced people to understand the message that is being conveyed. *** If a horse’s contact with humans has not been enjoyable he is likely to avoid their company, but if horses are used to good relationship with people they may well lavish their attention or any passing strangers. *** A horse can sense whether the rider he is carrying is competence, worried, upset, angry or scared. You can’t hide your feelings or your mood from a horse! *** Horses are designed to eat grass. In the wild they cover a large distance each day as they graze. Domesticated horses may have only limited access to grass if they are turned out for just a few hours. In addition, they gaze the same paddocks day after day so they will not get the full range of herbage, vitamins and minerals they require. *** A well-balanced rider makes life easier for a horse. A horse can feel a fly landing on its skin, so imagine how it must feel to have a person sitting on it’s back-especially someone who isn’t sitting properly. *** Gray coats are sometimes classified as either “dappled” (small gay circle on a lither background) or “flea-bitten” (small flecks of gray or brown on a white coat.) *** On draft horses there is often a tuft of loner hair over the fetlock, above the hoof on the back of the horse’s legs. *** |
Changes in a horse’s behaviour can be warning that he is not feeling well. He may be lethargic or grumpy; he may not want to play or he may refuse to jump or show enthusiasm. Recognizing these subtle signs means you can take action sooner and avoid more serious problems.
*** Nature is a mutable cloud which is always and never the same. *** It is natural for horses to be curious about other horses and want to be with their own kind. For this reason, they are suited to activities that involve being in a group, such as sponsored rides, racing or hunting. *** Horses are very rarely solitary animals. They generally need the security and comfort offers by other horses in order to fully relax and be at ease. *** Forehand is the term used to describe the front half of a horse and includes the head and neck, the shoulders and the forelegs. *** When a horse is listening attentively, its ears will flicker. *** The burden is equal to the horse’s strength. *** Standardbreds are muscular, with well-defined winters and should that are in perfect relationship to the neck. Standardbreds are usually bay, black, brown or chestnut in color. *** The warm, winter coat of a horse does a good job of protection it from the cold, but a shed or lean-to will help protect it from freezing winds. *** Horses must be given at least an hour after they have finished a hard feed before they are ridden. This is because when work starts, digestion stops. Horses should be fed little and often in imitation of nature. *** Palominos are a recognized breed only in the U.S. They are not defined by their body shape, but by their golden color. *** Horses have to be educated to accept a rider and if the process is not done properly, problems can occur later on. *** Horses not only taught his rider riding, but they also made his rider understand many a wisdom of life bedsides. *** A foal is a horse or a pony of either gender -up to 12 months old. *** There are four types of clips: the blanket clips the trace clips, the chaser clips and the hunter clips. All clipping is designed to thin a horse’s thick winter coat to prevent overheating during exercise. *** A pinto is also known as a “paint” witch is in Spanish is pintado. *** Horses use body language, touch, smell and sound to communicate with other horses and to strengthen the bond between them. *** Horses were respected and prized above all other animals in ancient civilizations. Tales of mythical, winged horses, centaurs and magical unicorns became part of the legend and folklore of the time. *** A mare or a gelding (castrated male horse) is usually the leader in a head of domestic horses. *** Horses are very social animals and love the company of their own kind. If they are denied contact with other horses, especially over a long period of time, many problems can arise, manifesting in mental, physical or behavioral difficulties. *** If a mare is trusting and accepting of humans, then the foal is unlikely to have issue with people. *** The horse was the last of the domestic animals to be tamed. Some experts say that this was because of their size of their high-strung nature. *** All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. *** In the wild, the foal will usually stay with its mother until the arrival of the next foal and will not leave the herd until it is two or tree years old. *** |