Source: WikipediaLos Angeles, California is home to quite a few facilities which will help to fulfill just about any of your equestrian interests. There are parks, stables, horse centers and two of the finest horse racing tracks in America. It is a very horse-friendly county with many residents owning their own horses. If you’d like to take a horseback ride and don’t have the pleasure of owning your own, there’s some great places you can go to rent horses.

Griffith Park in Los Angeles has become known for its great trails and stables in and around the park. The trails interweave through every section of the grounds and you can ride to each attraction, including the Park’s zoo, by horseback. You can also take a trot up to the park’s highest point which is 2,500 feet above the city, for a stunning, unobstructed view of Los Angeles. There are watering stations along the way and beautiful gardens to enjoy. There’s even plenty of space take a spirited gallop.

At Griffith Park, you can rent a horse and ride without an escort, Western style. The stables are very accommodating; helmets are not required and basically anything goes in the way of attire. Griffith Park Horse Rentals is open 7 days a week from 8 am until dusk and has a wonderful selection of horses to choose from. It’s only $15 for the first hour with a $30 deposit. Every other Friday night, they offer one and a half hour group Western BBQ trail ride for $40. For more information, call 818-841-4024.

The Sunset Ranch Hollywood Stables are located in scenic Beachwood Canyon, right under the Hollywood sign, on the Hollywood side of Griffith Park. You can take part in one of the night-time Horseback riding caravans to a wonderful Mexican restaurant situated inside Griffith Park and return to the stables around midnight. They also offer riding lessons, lunch rides and horse rentals at very competitive rates. You can call Sunset Ranch Hollywood Stables at 323-469-5450 or 323-464-9612.

Just two blocks south of Riverside Drive is the Circle K Stables on Mariposa. They’re open all year from 7:30 am until dusk, except for Christmas day. They also sometimes offer special evening rides. You’ll pay only $15 dollars for the first hour and $10 for each additional with a $25 deposit. Their phone number is 818-843-9840.

Will Rogers State Park is located west on Sunset Boulevard. The park has polo fields, equestrian trails and a delightful, circular stable. They don’t rent horses, however you are welcome to bring your own and ride their trails. They also offer professional instruction if you’re interested in taking lessons. The information number for the State Park is 310-454-8212.

“Horse boots?” you ask. “Horse blankets…does my horse come with its own wardrobe?” The purchase of a horse can bring so many changes; it can overwhelm the owner just by the information needed on the supplies.

For your journey into horse care, you’ll need good horse blankets. More than one is quite handy as one alone is sure to get dirty and need attention just when you count on it the most. The horse blanket, of course, usually goes along with owning a western saddle, which requires the use of a blanket underneath because of the lack of padding. It would be cruel to use a western saddle without a horse blanket, and usually a pad is used in addition to the blanket. You want optimum performance from your animal. You get that result by taking good care of your horse, which mean using the proper equipment and supplies.

Aside from the horse blankets, pads, and saddle, you’ll want other things such as a horse trailer for hauling the animal, a properly fenced area for grazing, a barn for storing hay and stalling the horse, curry combs for the care of the mane and tail and to groom the horse’s coat of hair, a big water barrel or trough, grains for feeding, bridles, bits, a halter, and various other items that might come in use.

One of those items could possibly be horse boots. Don’t worry, you won’t have to take your pet shopping and spend hours at the shoe store while they choose their selections! You could be amazed, however, at the stores that do sell horse boots and at how many varieties there are. There may be as many as there are different selections of blankets.

Your beloved pet need not be dressed in its “horse clothes” each time it leaves the barn. Unlike our clothes, which we could get arrested for not wearing in public, your horse would wear its clothes only when appropriate for the situation.

As with the horse blankets, the horse boots are not just for looks. You can, however, match the color of the boots to the color of the blanket, if that is an issue for say, show purposes.

Available for purchase are vinyl boots, bell boots, rubber bell boots, and splint boots among others. You can buy boot covers to keep the boots clean.

One of the important uses of horse boots is for the miniature horse used as a guide horse for the blind. These tiny creatures are extremely intelligent and must be protected from the abuse of the city sidewalks and scorching pavement.
Horse boots have occasionally been used in lieu of horseshoes, yet another necessity for the new horse owner to learn about. The shoes in question do not refer to dress shoes or casual wear, but the shaped metal pounded into the bottoms of a horse’s hooves.

Hardened surfaces can be brutal against a horse’s hooves. Especially a horse subjected to tough work conditions. One type of horse that comes to mind is the horse used for police patrol duty in cities.
No matter what activity you choose to use your horse for, remember it is under your care and control and deserves the best treatment.

Equine lordosis, more commonly called swayback is a condition that looks just like it sounds. Instead of a nice straight line from the the withers to the hip a horse with a swayed back has a spine that dips towards the ground.

The average horse person looks at horse plagued with a swayed back and automatically jumps to two conclusions. The fist the conclusion the person jumps to is that the horse is a senior citizen, if not completely past their useful years they are close to it. The second conclusion they jump to is that they horse’s spine was damaged through years of hard riding with an improper conclusion.

I know from personal experience that these misconceptions are not always true. I know this because I ride a young warm blood gelding, Spooner, who has been plagued with a swayed spine since he was a yearling. Although this gelding will be plagued with a swayback for the rest of his life it has in know way affected his working career. He has started a successful career as a show jumper and spends a great deal of his time schooling complicated dressage movements. He is
athletic despite his condition and I’ve never come across a more willing partner.

While he was an undergraduate at the University of Kentucky Dr. Patrick Gallagher noticed something interesting about horses who had equine lordosis. Humans and dogs that were diagnosed with lodosis were severely disabled while horses with the same condition where able to be worked and trained, something Spooner has proven to me time and time again.

It is estimated that only approximately one percent of the worlds horse population is diagnosed with equine lordosis. Because so few horses suffer from the condition very few researchers are willing to take the time to study it, preferring to spend their time on things like founder and colic. Dr. Gallagher became interested in the condition when he noticed that his father’s Saddlebreds seemed to run a higher risk of developing equine lordosis then other breeds.

During his graduate studies Dr. Gallhager started to notice that there was a direct correlation between a young horses skeletal structure and the chances of them developing lordosis. Although the dip in the spine was not normally obvious when the foal was born. As the foal grew and developed the back started to sway. The inverted curve of the spine normally stabilized when the foal finished growing. At six years old Spooner’s spine is just starting to stabilize (foals from Spooner’s family tend to grow taller until they are about six years old and several of them don’t completely broaden until they are eight).

The next thing Dr. Gallagher looked at was the foals pedigree and genetic make-up. He noticed that certain family trees did have a greater chance of developing lorodisis then others but was unable to isolate the exact gene responsible.

Perhaps the most important thing Dr. Gallaghers research proved was something I learned from Spooner. The back does not affect their work habits. Swaybacked broodmares have no trouble carrying a foal to term, while racehorses with lorodisis are not typically as fast as their straight backed counterparts the average performance horse appears to be unhampered by the inverted spine (Spooner has a hitch in one leg but that could be an injury instead of his back).

Gallagher and I are in complete agreement that fitting a saddle to the swaybacked horse takes a little thought. I have found that if I use my simple cloth square-cut dressage blanket under a thick barrel racing blanket my saddle not only fits well but I am also able to minimize the amount I am jarred by Spooner’s bouncing trot.

If you’ve got a love of horses and enjoy the outdoors, a Horseback riding vacation could be a wonderful idea for your next family venture. There are so many locations and packages available, not only in the United States, but internationally as well. Let’s look at a few to get you some information and background on this exciting retreat concept.

How about planning a stay at one of the many dude ranches across the country that offer beautiful settings with accommodations available for just about any size group from one or two people to six or more. You can stay in a rustic style cabin or bunkhouse, equipped with modern conveniences including a private bathroom, refrigerator and even air conditioning. Most ranches provide a variety of daily rides to choose from and some even allow you to bring your own horse providing boarding in covered stalls. Packages can also include two meals a day or you can also cook up a hearty meal of your own in an outdoor bar-b-que pit. And a nice, old-fashioned front porch offers a great place to sit and relax after a full day of riding and fun or you may choose to mingle with some of the other guests at the main lodge.

If you’re really adventurous, you might want to try an authentic, old-west cattle drive or round-up. You’ll get an orientation when you arrive at the ranch and afterwards, set out with your team for an exciting, week-long experience into the great, wide-open. Your day will consist of between five to eight hours in the saddle rounding up the cattle before setting up camp for the evening. You can also get in some fishing or hiking while you’re at it. Image sitting around the campfire at night soaking in all the sounds and sights of the territory around you – talk about a peaceful and relaxing setting. These packages include all of your food and camping needs and are really an awesome choice for seeing how the real cowboys live and what the original pioneers experienced. Additionally, ranchers say another great part of the journey is the unique ‘partnership’ and bond that develops between you and your horse.

Horseback riding vacations are a wonderful way to experience the unspoiled beauty of the land. With so many options and amazing locations to choose from, nationally and internationally, how could you go wrong with a trip like this? Just thinking about the excitement and adventure it will bring, along with all of the memories you’ll take away with you, it’s an incredible experience that will last you a lifetime!

Dermatophilosis is a condition that horses can contract. Dermatophilosis is a condition commonly referred to as rain rot, rain scald, and streptothricosis. Dermatophilosis that appears on the horses lower leg is often called dew poisoning. Although Dermatophilosis can be seen throughout the country it is most common in the southeastern portion of the United States where the weather condition is frequently wet, warm, and humid.

Dermatophilosis is most commonly seen in horses mammals such as cattle, sheep, and goats are also commonly affected. Dermatophilosis has also been diagnosed in pigs, dogs, and cats although the condition is not as common. A few rare cases of humans being affected with Dermatophilosis have also been diagnosed.

The younger the horse the more likely it is to contractDermatophilosis.

Horse owners that have dealt with cases of Dermatophilosis say that their horses had scabs or hive like bumps on that measured approximately one fourth of an inch across, these hives are typically easy to peel or rub off. Although these lesion were most commonly seen covering the horses haunch area it is not uncommon to see the horse’s entire body
affected by Dermatophilosis.

Many horse owners assume that the rain rot is caused by a fungus. Dermatophilus congolensis is interesting because it shares charastics with both fungus’s and bacterias. They are wrong. Dermatophilosis is in fact caused by an organism called dermatophilus congolensis. In horses the dermatophilus congolensis works by entering the follicle of the horses hair shaft. Once it is in the horses hair shaft it can be seen in the form of a large hive. When these hives are removed from the skin horse owners can easily see several (literally dozens and dozens) of hairs embedded in each large lump. Because the dermatophilus congolensis damages the hair root removing these hives does not seem to bother or pain the horse in
anyway. Once the scabs/hives are removed owners can see that the skin under the hives is generally a pink color and oozing a yellow pus.

Horses affected by Dermatophilosis do not seem to be in pain nor do they appear to be embarrassed by their condition. The only time the condition appears to be painful is if the area affected is a covered with a saddle. Owners who have a horse who has signs of Dermatophilosis on their spine should refrain from riding until the condition has cleared.

Typically veterinarians do not recommend using any ointments to treat Dermatophilosis because the ointments simply add moisture to the affected areas of skin. One old time method for treating Dermatophilosis is swapping the affected are with used motor oil (for some reason fresh motor oil does not treat the affected area). Most owners like to bath their horses with antibacterial shampoos.

Dermatophilosis is contagious. If you have a horse that has been affected try to separated it from its pasture mates. Make sure that you keep its grooming supplies separated from other horses. Do not use leg wraps, saddle blankets, splint boots, and halters on any other horses. If you have to use equipment on other horses make sure you completely disinfect all the equipment before it touches the hide of another horse. Keeping equipment such as leg wraps and blankets dry will help prevent a second outbreak of Dermatophilosis.

Because the skin that has been affected with Dermatophilosis is hairless it is prone to sunburn. Rather then swap the bald patches with sunscreen which adds moisture to the skin horse owners that keep their horses outside should use a fly sheet to protect their horse from UV rays. The blanket should be washed on a regular basis to kill the dermatophilus congolensis.

Pennsylvania offers many options for horse lovers, whether you are a rider or a spectator. In addition to their many stables and horse farms, the state even sponsors its own Annual Pennsylvania Horse Show. Following are a few of the stables that offer Horseback riding trails and other related activities.

Mountain Creek Riding Stable in the Poconos offers guided rides through the Mountain Creek and three additional miles of wooded trails. You can take a scenic horseback ride and encounter some the area’s natural wildlife as you are led through the woods by a radio-equipped, professional guide. The stable can accommodate riders at the beginner level and also provides private rides. Some of the other activities they offer are Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides and Pony Rides. For rates and more information, visit their website at www.mtcreekstable.com.

Triple W Stables in Honesdale also hosts a bed and breakfast called the Double W Ranch. Both facilities are located at the highest point in the area so you can image the spectacular views. They have been in business for over 45 years and are open year-round. Their professional guides will take the time to speak with you and match you with one of sixty horses that best suits your skill level. Additionally, everyone gets a free lesson and safety talk before heading out on one of the many beautiful trails with rides ranging between one to four hours. The stable also offers Horseback riding Camping Trips, Pony Rides, Stage Coach Rides and Horse Drawn Hay Rides. Check them out at www.triplewstable.com.

For the more adventurous rider, Mountain Trail Horse Center in Wellsboro offers exciting wilderness trail rides. You can choose from their Part-day experience which lasts about three hours or longer for more experienced riders. The ride is at a walking pace but through a variety of terrain including the forest with hollows, over ridges and through streams.

Children are welcome but the minimum age is 8 years old. You can also select their Full-day excursion which lasts between four to six hours. You will ride through a diverse territory of rougher country trails at a range of paces including controlled canters and gallops. They will also provide you with a hearty lunch on this one. The minimum age for this ride is 12 years. The Horse Center also offers overnight trips and two-hour Canyon Rides in real covered wagons with a guide who provides commentary through the whole journey! Their prices are very reasonable and you can find out more at www.mountaintrailhorse.com.

For a full list of Horseback riding stables, camps and vacations choices in Pennsylvania, go to www.pavacationrental.com and scroll down to the Horseback Riding link.

Are you thinking about taking a Horseback riding tour for your next exciting escapade? If so, there is a great variety of locations to choose from, not just in the US, but around the world. Following are a few to give you some background information and ideas about where you might like to go.

How about Mexico? There are leisurely Horseback riding nature tours available where you can ride your horse on the sandy beaches of the beautiful Sea of Cortez in Los Cabos. During your tour, you will also experience the rugged, scenic beauty of the rock canyons. There’s no need to be an experienced rider because the highly skilled guides are known for being very patient with beginners. They will explain everything you need to know and even entertain you a bit. Prices are quite reasonable for two hours ride and most of the ranches will even pick you up from your hotel.

Take an Adventure Lunch Horseback riding tour in Las Vegas. You can ride in ‘real west’ style on an genuine Indian Reservation and experience what the pioneers of the 1770s did as you tour the mountain pass of the Old Spanish Trail. Afterward, you can enjoy a hearty cowboy meal equal to your favorite Bar-B-Que smorgasbord complete with old-fashioned, American apple pie for dessert.

You can also opt to take a BBQ Dinner Ride. Experience the ‘real’ Nevada with a sunset ride, just like in the movies, by taking a two-hour western horseback tour through the scenic mountain landscapes. After riding, everyone gathers around the campfire for a deliciously huge, old-west style cowboy dinner. Most of these Vegas tour packages also include round-trip transportation to and from your hotel.

There are also lots of horseback riding tour options on the beautiful, tropical island of Jamaica. You’ll ride along stretches of breathtaking, private beaches and soak in the spectacular views of the Jamaica’s mountain landscapes. They even allow you to ride bareback into the gorgeous, crystal-clear sea! Tours usually last about two hours and end with complimentary refreshments. Talk about paradise.

There are also fun-filled History horseback riding tours offered in Jamaica. You can explore the territory where the first Jamaicans settled over 1,400 years ago and learn about their diverse culture. Afterward, you’ll ride along the beautiful stretch of nearby beaches and splash around in the cool, blue water if you like. Most of the Jamaican horseback riding tours start right outside your hotel lobby!

If you browse around online, you’ll definitely be able to find a horseback riding tour that is sure to exceed your expectations. For the inexperienced, to the highly adventurous, you will obtain an experience that will last you a lifetime.

If you’re looking for places to go Horseback riding in Ohio, you’re in luck. In addition to the many ranches and stables, there are also numerous State Parks in Cleveland, Toledo, Cincinnati and Columbus that offer over 400 miles of trails through all sorts of picturesque territories.

Ohio State Parks and Forests don’t provide horse rentals, but if you are a horse owner, or have access to a horse that you can ride, they are a wonderful place to go Horseback riding. The state forests border several state parks which provide you with more than 200 additional miles of trails. Many of the trails have been enhanced and are maintained through partnerships with local horseman’s organizations. There are also Horseman’s camps that are available at 17 state park and state forest locations with facilities ranging from rustic to fully-equipped sites with all the modern campground amenities.

You need to know that Ohio State park trails are multiple use grounds as they also service hikers and mountain bikers on some of the same trails. Also, you must be very alert and cautious during deer hunting season because some of the trails at a number of the parks cross through selected hunting areas. There is however, a designated safety zone within 400 feet of the trails.

To view all of the state parks and facilities in Ohio that offer Horseback riding trails and even supply maps of the paths, go to: www.ohiohorsemanscouncil.com and click on the Trails link.

There are also quite a few stables throughout Ohio where you can go to rent horses for trail rides and other related activities. Happy Trails Horseback Rides in Rockbridge, Ohio offers scenic rides for every level of experience. They have many trails available and you can choose your own time limit for riding from one-half hour to over three hours. Reservations are not required, but recommended. Visit Happy Trails Horseback Rides website at www.hthorsebackrides.com for more information.

The Spotted Horse Ranch in Laurelville, Ohio has guided trails, a working farm and even offers you the opportunity to assist them with a cattle drive. You can bring your own horse or ride one of theirs and they provide supervised rides for beginners. The ranch also offers campsites and fully-equipped vacation cabins with hot tubs and fireplaces. There is a two-day Horse Camp through the months of June and August for kids 9-12 years old. During their stay, each child will be assigned their very own horse. They will learn the basics of western horsemanship which includes an introduction to riding and handling the horses. There are even a few games incorporated to boost their learning experience. Check out their website at www.thespottedhorseranch.com.

There is an abundance of Horseback riding options available to you with trails both within the United States and around the globe. You can choose to experience America’s many picturesque mountain ranges, forests and parks or the tropical beaches and landscapes of a foreign country. There are trail rides by horseback and horse-led covered wagons in addition to overnight camping trips and meal rides. Most places can accommodate riders of all levels of experience and prices vary depending on locations, but most are pretty reasonable. Let’s take a look at a couple of options.

State Parks

If you choose to stay close to home, or even venture to another region of the country, there are numerous state parks that maintain their own horse stables. Some of the parks offer guided trail rides, lessons, day camps and boarding. There are also many that allow you to rent horses by the hour and ride, unescorted, through the scenic trails. Lots of parks also let you bring your own horse and may require a permit for this option. You can take one or multi-day trail rides through the peaceful forests and running streams. Most of the state parks also have accommodations so that you can camp overnight. Almost every state park in the country has a website. Check out the parks in whichever state interests you to get information on their hours, permit requirements and their facilities and services.

Stables & Ranches

Stables and horse ranches are a great choice if you’re looking for some unique riding alternatives in addition to going it on your own. Horse facilities such as these are an especially good option for novice rides because most of them provide some type of orientation and safety lesson before heading out on the trail. Additionally, for guided trail rides, you’ll be led by professional horsemen. Some places will also allow you to ride on your own, as long as you’ve got proven abilities.

Public horse stables and ranches usually offer creatively designed trail rides which include a variety of meal rides and overnight camping trips in present day or old-west fashion. Meals rides include riding the trails and then being provided with a hearty breakfast, picnic lunch ride or Bar-B-Q dinner, depending on the time of day, of course. Overnight pack and camping trips can involve things like cattle and horse drives or covered-wagon, cowboy-style rides through the trails, for example.

Lots of stables also offer accommodations for extended stays in cabins or guest lodges and will have boarding available if you bring your own horse. Do an internet search for ’stables’ in the part of the country or world that you’d like to visit to find out more.