A blog where all horse lovers and owners can go to ask horseback riding, stable cleaning, show related questions and receive real answers. Explore to find great-to-know info, safety tips, how-to's, just for fun . . . the list remains endless. Please visit my other blogs: maidenofvirtue, radiantpurity, and narniaexposed. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:33:00 -0500 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:33:00 -0500 Q: where can find a riding helmet and boots? A: If there is any co-op near you, that's the best place. If not, look for a farm or feed store near you. They will have helmets and boots and many other useful things. That is where you will find the cheapest. www.bootbarn.com has nice boots! www.doversaddlery.com has helmets, as does www.statelinetack.com . I have found that http://www.shopping.com/-cheap+cowgirl+boots has cheap cowgirl boots! Also, check www.ebay.com! If you STILL can't find anything, it's hopeless. =) ~Mandy http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/728051/ Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:33:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/728051/ MissLadyBug asked me for some 4-H tips because she is just starting it. I love 4-H and I did the whole works - shows, camps, meetings - for two years. It's super fun! You learn a ton! I enjoyed going and getting instruction from professional riders plus having all the barrels and jumps already set up for you and being with other horse crazy people! Horse camp is awesome - if you can afford it, by all means, go for at least one year. After two years, it's basically the same thing over and over and over again. Horse shows are ... fun to learn at and show at but sometimes expensive and stressful and time consuming.  If you don't like being on the run and under pressure for a lot of things, I suggest not doing shows. Our 4-H group says you have to do at least one show to complete the Horse project. I don't know how your 4-H would work, but I simply politely asked the leader if I had to do the shows because it was too time consuming, but I still wanted to come to the meetings (where you go to the arena and bring your horse or borrow a horse to ride with everyone else. In my 4-H group, this is only once a week.) My leader said I didn't have to, but I wouldn't get the badge that says "You've completed the Horse project!" To me, big deal! My life does not circulate around badges that say "You've completed the Horse project!" So now I don't go to horse shows, because I'm trying to finish up high school and  assist siblings and do other hobbies plus my horses! But I still go to meetings when I want to, and all that I'm missing out on is a badge. =) So, If you love shows and camps and lots of ribbons and lots of time spent in 4-H, go for it. I'm definately not against 4-H. I just grew weary of it because I had a stubborn horse...it's a long story. Anyways, I recommend you join 4-H. You will (guaranteed) learn a lot and have fun! Thanks, Mandy http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/727168/ Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:57:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/727168/ I received another question from Felicia. Q: I've got a pair of beautiful tall field boots that are horrific to jump in (2 stiff). What the easiest and fastest way to break them in out of the saddle? (I hate bothering my mounts when I'm riding them with those boots on!) Just wearing them around the house or outside? A: There are many different opinions to breaking in boots. Some people say to vacuum the whole house with them on because vacuuming requires all the bending that riding does. Others say to stretch them by putting the ball of your foot on a stair and press your heels down. Some people say (I wouldn't do this) that they showered in their boots and it solved their problem. Others say to wear them around the house with thick socks. One person used silicon on their boots and then washed their horse, so their boots would get wet/rinse. Another person said they tape their ankles when they wear them around the house for a few hours a day. Whatever you do, let me know what works! I've always put up with blisters on my heels and ankles by just wearing them until they fit! =) I think the tape on the ankles sounds like it would work, or the stretching on the stair or by vacuuming. =) Good luck! Thanks, Mandy http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/727151/ Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:47:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/727151/ I received a question from Felicia. Q: I take riding lessons, and do mostly jumping. Lately I've been having problems with tipping to my right, since that's my strong side. I've been wearing 5 lbs weights on my left ankle and sometimes on my wrist, and it has helped. But I was wondering, is there a "proper" exercise for this or what? A: I personally have never had to deal with this problem. If by "tipping" you mean losing your balance, then I suggest you read this article... Achieving the Right Balance Thank you for your question! I hope this helps! Let me know if that is not what you meant by "tipping". Thanks, Mandy http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/727150/ Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:39:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/727150/ I recently had Emily6m ask what the most expensive thing about owning a horse was. I would say BUYING a horse is the most expensive thing. But with this economy going the way it is, you can practically have a dozen given to you, at least in Idaho. So the next thing would be feeding it! When you have more than three horses, it gets very expensive! I could go on and on about tack and equipment, but I believe that answered the Question. =)   ~Mandy http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/702223/ Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:32:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/702223/ I received a question from Kelly. She asks: How much weight is it to per h? I have horses, and I'm looking for another one. I just want to make sure. I know miniatures can only have up to (at the most.) 80lbs, and most 14hh horses can have adults on there back, so what about 13 hh? What your opinion? Kelly, I'm not sure what you are asking. If you are asking how much weight is tolerable on a horse that is a miniature, then yes, only about 50 pounds. But a miniature horse should not be ridden. They are not meant to be. Ponies are, but not mini ponies. They are more like dogs - pets. Any horse that is 900 - 1000 pounds can hold up to 175 - 235 pounds! My large Quarter Horse weighs aobut 1200 pounds and he can carry a LOT. But smaller horses - like my little Arabian that is about 13 HH, and only about 800 pounds, probably can only carry about 150 pounds. But of course, that is "comfortabley". =) My Arabian could hold MUCH more weight if needed - but it just wouldn't be comfy for him. God made horses to work - they are pure power. Did that answer your question? ~Mandy http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/684626/ Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:42:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/684626/ Hi Everyone ~ I have two older horses - above 20 years, that is - and I want to keep them alive and healthy for many more years to come!!! I am only 15, so how can I do that? Well, Make sure they get regular check ups with the vet and especially keep an eye on their teeth. If they can't chew, they can't keep their weight balanced and healthy. Keep them excersized! I know what your thinking, that just adds (the horrid word everyone seems to hate these days) WORK. But a little exercize doesn't hurt YOU, either, so go for a brisk trot every day. Its not that big of a deal! Simply keep an eye on your horse. I know we're supposed to do this regularly, but I try to watch how my horse walks, acts towards the other animals, poops, and make sure he is drinking enough water and peeing. (gross, huh?) Poor quality hay? I think not. If you don't have the money to buy good hay, you shouldn't own a horse. Make sure you protect from pesky parasites, and deworm regularly. Make sure you have shelter for your horse. Like us when we get old, the weather effects our bones, too. Don't go on overflow with the treats - but do spoil every once in a while. =) Lotz' o' lovin' is very needed along with some horseplay with other animals. They want to feel young too! Did I miss something? Let me know! Any Questions? I'll gladly answer! Comments are appreciated!   ~Mandy   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/678035/ Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:42:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/678035/ Absorb Moisture with Salt. One way to help prevent mold on hay is to sprinkle rock salt over a tarp or on the floor of your storage shed or hay loft before you place the hay on it. If you live in a damp climate, also try sprinkling rock salt (about 1 cup per six bales) between each layer of bales to help absorb moisture.   Check Bale Temperature in Hot Weather. The higher the moisture level in hay, the hotter it gets and the longer it takes to cool. Hay fires may occur six weeks or longer after baling. In a small bale, the temperature of "hot" hay will usually peak at about 125 degrees within three to seven days, but in big bales  or a large, tight stack the temperature may build up over a longer time and become even hotter. With a small blae, you can easily feel between the flakes with your hands if you suspect the hay is heating. With a large bale, put a candy thermometer into a length of metal pipe and insert it into the bale, checking it 10 or 15 minutes later. If the temperature is over 140 degrees, check it in a few hours to see if it's gone up or down. The temperatures will usually drop back to safe levels (below 140) within 15 to 60 days, depending on the size and density of the bale or stack, as well as on air temperature and humidity. If it goes up to 180 degrees, combustion ahs already begun or is about to begin.   Alfalfa snap Test: A highter leaf-to-stem ratio in alfalfa hay means it's easier to digest, tastes better, adn contains more nutrients. To check the quality of alfalfa hay, bend a handful of it. If the stems bend very easily, the fiber content is relatively low and the hay will be more nutritious. As the alfalfa matures, it loses nutrients and its stems become woodier, snapping like twigs.   To remove baling strings without a knife, grab a string off one corner and try working it off. Once you get it off, you should be able to get the other one off or the bale will break open. With a really tight bale, push a piece of baling twine  under one of the bale strings to use as a friction "saw". Pulling the twine rapidly back and forth in the same spot will quickly cut the bale string in two.   ~ Mandy   Any questions? I love answering your questions or comments! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/667832/ Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:34:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/667832/ These are some fun horse names from "The Incredible little book of 10,001 names for Horses" by Barbara Mannis and Catherine Lewis. If you have ANY fun horse names, please, leave a comment. Against the Law Amazing Grace Bang Bang Breezy BoJangles Battle Cry BumFuzzled Captivating Commotion Chicklet Chili Verde Cleopatra Cry Wolf Chomper Diablo Double Take Epic Fantasy Full of Fun Fuzzy Logic Full Moon Galaxy Gizmo Global Warming Give me Liberty or I'll Buck Hallelujah Hidalgo Heartbreaker Hot Rod I Believe Indy Irresistible Jacuzzi Jitterbug Jammin' Jasmine Just the Beginning Kamikaze Kazoo Keeper Kentucky Khaki Kills With Looks Labor Enforcer Liberty Last Laugh Lavender Leapin' Lizard Legend Lock, Stock and Barrel Logo Listen Mister Lord Lyric Magna Carta Major Attitude Madison Me, Myself and I MayDay Meadowbrook Medium Mission Moonlight Mystify My Treasure Must See Maiden Mr. Policeman Magic Naive Nerves of Steel Newsflash Night Shift Nimble Nirvana Oblivious Overdrive Oh My Ocean Breeze One in a Million Outspoken Over the Hill Ozone Layer Pace Yourself Parlay Parsley Parliamentary Procedure P.C. Pay the Price Prince Phantom Poetic Justice Paco Precious Priceless Prisoner Private Property Providence Queenie Quest Quizzical Quiet Please Rags to Riches Rameses Rhythm Rebel Relentless Remember Reggae Romeo Round Robin Rumor Royal Knight Sample Sasparilla Show Off Sav vy Secret Saint Smartin' Off Seldom Calm Shameless Shimmer Sincerity Smoothie So Fun Sneaky Snooze you Lose Sword in the Stone Swizzle Technical Difficulty Tidbit Tie Breaker Thunder's Echo Thumbs up Three Cheers Timeless That's Final Totally Rad Truth Tune Up UFO Ultra Smart Uppity Urban Utmost Faith Valiant Victory Velvet Virtuous Voice Mail Vital Wadge Earner Why Not Winner Wishing Well Witness Work of Art Wing it X ray Xavier Yada Yada Yahoo Yankee Yes Ma'am Young at Heart YOur Majesty YumYum You've got Mail Your's Truly Zany Zero Zion Zombie Zucchini Zoom Zigger Zillion Zip Code Z End! ~ mandy ~   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/660562/ Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:34:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/660562/ I recently received a comment from anonymous. They asked what responsibilities and costs would have to be sacrificed if they were to buy their first horse.   If you are not planning on showing or competing right away, look for a decent horse in the newspaper. You can probably find a good old horse to start with for really cheap or even free. I got my first horse given to me by an older gentleman who didn't use him anymore. Kayro, my first horse, was 16 years old at the time, which is the perfect age to start on. Amazingly, I got my second horse free too! He was described as a well-trained, frisky, older Arabian who could do anything. He was free, but we had to pay around $100 for the saddle, blanket, and bridle.   A good horse found in the newspaper will probably be around $500 more or less. Sometimes you'll be lucky and get an awesome horse for free!   If you are planning on competing / showing, and want a challenge, and are used to riding, the best price you will get is $1,000 more or less. =S pricey, I know.   The first thing to worry about is land. You need to buy fence posts (metal, wood, whatever suits you. The cheapest way to go is metal steaks. They are sturdy too.) and wire. Just plain barbed or not barbed wire works great. If you get a horse that is especially hard on fences, you might want to buy electric wire. All this put together would be estimated $750 or more. A horse only needs 1/2 acre or less if you are feeding hay.   Food is most essential! If you don't have pasture, grass hay will do fine. Before you go get grass hay, ask to see it. Open a bale and make sure it isn't wet or moldy, and smells fresh. $150 a ton is an excellent price for hay. A horse needs around 4 ton of hay a year.   You won't need to supplement grain unless your horse is thin or you are working it hard. Grain is pretty expensive, about $60 for three bags, so if you can ask around at restaurants or bread stores if they would donate their old bread to you, bread works great to fatten up a horse. Just make sure you don't feed one horse more than three loafs a day. They can founder easily on it.   Tack: In order to ride, you'll need tack! Decide whether you want to ride English or Western, and check out the prices for used saddles at a nearby Co-op. If you don't want to spend that much money on a saddle, bridle, etc. right away, then sign up at your local 4-H. You can learn how to ride and use the instuctor's saddles too. To sign up for 4-H is only $5 per kid where I live. The rest of the year, everything else is free.   You can buy brushes, a hoofpick, and what not at a co-op for pretty cheap too.   Every day responsibilities: Your horse is up way before you are. In all reality, horses want fed about 6:00 AM! If you don't want to feed them this early, you can wait. I feed my horses at 7 AM  and on Saturdays . . . around 9 AM. LOL But your horse needs fed consistantly. It's easier to feed two big helpings twice a day - once in the morning and once at night. But it's healthier to feed your horse three or four times a day in smaller portions. For example: when I am home, I feed my two horses two flakes each, about 3 times a day. A horse needs 2 pounds of hay for every 100 pounds of horse. Go figure. Try not to feed on top of manure. Eating on manure can give them worms.   Speaking of worms . . . you need to deworm your horse at the very least twice a year.   Fresh water is a must have. If you don't want to pay the money for a big water trough, a plastic trash can will do just fine.   When riding. . .  WEAR A HELMET!!!!! I have been riding with helmets, and nothing bad happens. When I rode without them . . .  EVERYTHING bad happened. Falling off on a huge pile of sharp rocks, hurting my ribs, falling off while jumping and hitting my head and having a headache and major dizziness for a week, oh! The gratefullness never ends for a decent helmet! WEAR ONE! They are about $50 for a good one at a co-op store.   Those are pretty much the basics . . . buying, feeding, safety, tack, hmmm. . . if I missed anything, please tell me! Any more questions? Just give a holler.   ~ Mandy http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/658058/ Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:38:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/horsebackriding/658058/