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Best Places To Raise Horses

Posted by :Arabian Horse Foundation On : February 1, 2012

If you are going to own horses or already do it is important to know that it is not worth owning horses unless they are happy and healthy. Horses are an investment and beautiful creatures that need to be strong and healthy to thrive. Horses need a lot of outdoor space to be free to run, walk, graze and roam. Horses are big animals and need big amounts of space to feel comfortable. For these reasons horses should be kept out of the cities because cities have artificial spaces, little nature and space constrictions and horses need wide open spaces and natural habitats. The horse riding cowboys of the old west blazed the trails and the western part of the United States is still a great place for raising horses.

The great open spaces and abundant nature of the western United States are the perfect environment for raising horses. There is great space in this area and subsequently more options for raising horses. There are plenty of horse ranches and equestrian farms that are already built and ready with all of the amenities for living and raising horses. In this case it is easy to move in and bring the horses there without any headaches. There is also a great amount of land that can be purchased and cleared so a horse ranch can be built from scratch in the perfect location to the owners specifications like where the stables and pastures will be built.

Another great thing about this area is that the horse culture in the western US is rich. Finding breeders, trainers, and groups like clubs involving horses is right around the corner. If tack or equipment like trailers are needed it is close at hand and easy to obtain when there is a rich horse culture in the immediate area.

Advantages of Arabian Horses

Posted by :Arabian Horse Foundation On : January 15, 2012

Category: Racing Horses

If you know your horses, then you will find that there are many good reasons of having Arabian horses. There are many advantages of having them. Here, you can read about some of those good things about owning these sort of horses.

One thing you will notice as one of the advantages of Arabian horses is their speed. If you are looking for a good racing horse or such, you will find that they are really fast. That is one thing to love about this. People will love their speed and agility. There are other things that make this such a great thing about this sort of horse.

One of the other advantages of Arabian horses is that they have a great spirit. There is something about these that make them gentle and great to be around. They are gentle creatures that will give those who train them a lot of pleasure. They are a character all their own. That is what some want is a horse that is spirited which means they will do great things as they have will and strength.

The way they look is a benefit as well. Those who have seen these sort of horses will find that they are great to be around. They are beautiful looking and just full of strength and such. However, that is just an added greatness to why people want to have them. Others will find that they are confident when you go to train them. If you train them correctly, they can be gentle and fun for those who work with them. Many find them great to use when just riding and such as they are easy going and natural in ways like that. They are quite bright as well so they train and are adjusted to what they are to do in a pretty decent amount of time. Sometimes they are a bit stubborn though.

Different Breeds of Racing Horses

Posted by :Arabian Horse Foundation On : December 2, 2011

Category: Racing Horses

The history of modern horse racing dates back to the 12th century when knights returning from the crusades with Arabian horses bred them with native British stock. The resulting offspring were speedy horses with impressive stamina. Two horse races for private wagers became a hobby of these returning knights giving birth the sport still practiced today. Like those 12th century racing horses, most competitive horse breeds are descended from Arabian horses.

A breed dating back thousands of years, the Arabian is prized around the world by race horse breeders. The Bedouin people saw the horse as a gift from god and refined the breed over the centuries creating a strong, brave, fast horse with great endurance. Records of the Arabian breed date back many centuries, having been painstakingly kept by the Bedouin tribes so as to keep the breed pure.

Thoroughbred horses are one of the Arabian’s most successful descendants and trace back to the 17th century. Three Arabian stallions were the basis of the Thoroughbred breed and were named for their respective owners: Lord Godolphin, Thomas Darley and Captain Robert Byerly. These stallions were bred to the native horse breed in England, which was a stronger, less precocious animal. The resulting offspring had all the traits of the Arabian along with the added physical strength of native British horse.

The quarterhorse is a breed developed in the U.S. and was designed for short distance speed over endurance. It is a breed with uncertain origins, but it is thought that it is essentially derives from wild horses left over from the first Spanish conquests in the Americas. Thoroughbred stock was introduced to the gene pool to create a stocky, powerful animal which was prized for its speed and agility. Over a quarter mile race this breed is the fastest by far, compared to other breeds it is a true sprinter.

There are many more racing breeds found throughout the world including varieties that sprang up in Europe such as the Oldenburg and Trakehner. In some way, all of these breeds trace back to Arabian bloodlines. With the exception of what are known as cold blood horses, the Arabian has influenced almost all known horse breeds. Cold blood breeds are larger, more docile animals such as the Clydesdale, Shire and Belgian breeds. These are not suited to racing due to their large size and calm manner. All racing breeds fall into either the warm of hot blooded categories of horses.

Getting Deals on Horse Products

Posted by :Arabian Horse Foundation On : November 28, 2011

Category: Horse Care Products

When you own a horse or multiple horses, there are many different products that they need. There are products that are needed for everyday use such as feed buckets or horse treats. There are also products that are good to have on hand in the event that you may need them such as worming medicine or bandages.

Anyone that has a horse hates to think that anything bad could ever happen to them, but being prepared with having bandages and medications on hand in the event anything would happen is a good idea.

With all of the supplies and products that are needed for a horse, it can be costly. In order to cut down on the costs, you can look at the products that you need and see if there are any that can be cut out or you can look into how to get deals on the products that you need.

It is important to ensure that you have the products you need for your horse, so how can you go about getting deals on horse products? When ordering your supplies online, there are many sites that will give you different deals on the products that you need.

One of the most popular deals that can be found is free shipping. When you purchase a certain dollar amount worth of products you can get your products shipped for free. Other deals to keep an eye out for is a buy one get one. There are sites that will give you the second product at a percentage off or at times even free.

Another thing to keep in mind when looking to get a deal on horse products is buying in bulk. If there is a product that you use frequently and use a large amount of, it is best to try and purchase it in bulk. Most often when purchasing in bulk, you will get a better deal on the product than purchasing it in single quantities.

With the amount of money that horse products can cost, it is great to find a deal.

The Cost of Owning a Horse

Posted by :Arabian Horse Foundation On : October 22, 2011

Category: Horse Care Costs

Owning a horse can be one of the most rewarding experiences for anyone who doesn’t want a regular “house pet”. Although it is fun and exciting caring for one of these exceptional animals, it can be quite expensive for those of us who are not educated in knowing the everyday needs of our quadruped friends. Of course, the upkeep cost for these animals vary depending on the size, nutritional needs, and location of each individual horse.

Assuming your horse is going to be on your property the cost of owning a horse is lowered significantly compared to having to professionally board a horse at a stable. The monthly cost of boarding a horse at a facility is around $500 depending on what area of the country you live. Also the boarding price will be higher if the facility provides care for your horse on a daily basis. There are boarding residences that allow people to provide the care for their own horse and the rent will be considerably lower in that type of housing.

Feeding your horse will likely cost you around $3.88 a day. That price will cover a half bale of hay, which is what is recommended for a full grown horse and mineral supplement that is vital to a horse’s overall health. It also covers salt block, concentrate, farrier, dewormer, vaccines, and any dental work your horse needs. It all comes up to about $1,416.20 per year, but that cost does not include any one time fees of stable, reigns, saddle, blankets and any other items that your horse will only really need one of.

There are several factors that can contribute to having to pay more than is necessary for the care of a healthy horse. If your horse requires shoes on a daily basis it will most likely cost you an extra $300 per year. That only applies to horses that will be ridden a lot or lives on harder or graveled ground most of the time. If you have a horse that you will be competing or have a horse that is ill it will definitely cost more than owning a healthy, horse as a pet.

It is a big financial step for any person who wants to own one of these beautiful animals but it is also a great opportunity for those who absolutely cannot live another day without owning a horse.

How To Go About Buying A Horse

Posted by :Arabian Horse Foundation On : September 12, 2011

Category: Buying a Horse

The decision to purchase a horse is momentous. Never again will your life be the same! Time and money spent on boarding, training, and veterinary care are serious commitments. However, the rewards that come from horse ownership are worth every minute and penny spent in the presence of one of these magnificent animals.

Prior to purchasing a horse you should first decide on your goals. If you are hoping for a show horse that you can enter competition with, consider the type of competition you are interested in and make your decision on which breed would do best within that field. As an example, if you are interested in jumping competitions you will do well to purchase a breed known for success in this type of sport. If you’re simply looking to ride local trails, you’ll want to avoid “hot blooded” horses such as Thoroughbreds.

Once your purpose is clear and you’ve chosen a breed, begin your search for the perfect companion. Go online and look up local horse shows. These offer the opportunity to network with people who more than likely know of horses for sale, or might even be looking to sell their own horse. Stop by local barns and place an ad on their bulletin boards if one is available. Search horse-specific websites and scroll through their classified sections. Place a “Wanted” ad on these sites if you’re able to. Go to general bulletin board websites and place ads there, as well as search their section of “pets for sale.” If your search is leading you toward a very specific type of horse, look up their breed association website for breeders all around the world. Just keep in mind these horses will be pricey!

Alright, you’ve done your research and have found the perfect horse. What’s next? Don’t just sign on the dotted line! You want to ensure soundness in both mind and body before forking over your hard earned money. Have a complete examination performed by a local equine vet and farrier. Also take the time to meet and ride the horse in person. The last thing you want is to end up with a “lemon” on your hands!

What these magnificent creatures give to us as humans is priceless. Take the time to ensure your purchase is the right one and you will be sure to have many happy years of riding together. Happy trails!

Vacation Destinations Where You Can Go Horseback Riding

Posted by :Arabian Horse Foundation On : August 2, 2011

Category: Horseback Rdiding

Vacation destinations that involve horseback riding can vary greatly in activity and skill level. Some popular equine activities are sight seeing, adventure trails, dude ranches, and cattle drives. Any of these can be found all over the world.

Sight seeing rides are more likely to offer beginner and intermediate levels. These are usually offered at or near tourist attractions. A popular activity is beach riding in places such as Hawaii and Ireland. Tours can last anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours.

Adventure rides are more difficult and off the normal beaten path compared to sight seeing tours. These journeys can last from four hours to several days. Trails tend to run through rural and natural untouched areas such as the rain forest in Costa Rica. Many also offer a history and cultural experience such as the trails available at Arizona’s Navajo Indian Reservation.

Many dude and guest ranches offer a wide verity of horse riding from basic lessens to advance multiple day rides. Most are located in the United States and Canada. However, there are some top rated ranches in Mexico, Australia, Argentina, and New Zealand. The experience can vary from luxury accommodations to a truer cowboy experience.

Cattle drive and round ups are for more experienced riders. A cattle drive is meant to move a heard of cattle from a winter feeding pasture to the summer feeding area. Some, for more intermediate level riders, make the experience easier by having the cattle already rounded up and moved at a slower pace. Long Valley Cattle Drive is one of the few traditional rounds up available traveling from Utah to Arizona near the Grand Canyon.

Vacations where you can go horseback riding is abundant all around the world. Popular horseback tours and adventures tend to be near national parks or cultural points of interest. Dude ranches and cattle drives, however, are more common in the United States and Canada.