When searching for horses for sale, there are a few factors which are worth thinking about in order to make the buying process easier, and to ensure you end up with your dream horse.

All horses have issues – just be sure that the one you buy has niggles that you can live with and that won’t affect your enjoyment.

Take an expert along, someone who is aware of your capabilities and strengths. Ideally take someone who is able to spot whether the horse is lame or any illnesses. Or even your instructor who will be able to tell if the chosen horse is suitable for the way you ride – your level of skill and confidence.

Check any relevant documents and passport.  A horse passport is not proof that the horse is owned by the seller so ask to see a receipt as proof of purchase. Remember it is against the law to sell or purchase horses minus a passport.

Ask if all innoculations are current. A course of innoculations can cost a lot of money and take many months to come into effect if you wish to compete.  You will not be popular if you move a horse to another horse if it is carrying an illness with it.

Once you have decided the horse is for you, engage a vet to perform out the highest check that you can buy. Don’t make a rush decision or be pressured into purchasing if you feel you need the horse examined by your vet.

If possible view the horse or pony demonstrating the trials you would like it to do. Having to reschool a horse adds considerably to the cost if you aren’t in a position to do this on your own.

Try to negotiate a trial loan in which the horse can be sent back if it is not suitable.

Be realistic when buying a young horse, ask yourself if you have the required knowledge to bring it on. Another thought is that, an older horse may just have the stability and experience to give you confidence and help you learn you the basics.

Don’t feel pressured to buy the first one you see and don’t be pursuaded by the many other people just waiting to purchase the horse if you don’t – very often this is just a ploy to push you into an impulse buy. Take your time when buying a horse.

As soon as the sale is agreed make sure you insure the horse before you transport it.  The majority of injuries happen in transit or whilst introducing a new horse into a new yard with other horses.

Trust your instinct – if you believe the vendor is hiding something from you then they probably will be.

Remember that your horse is a major investment of both time and money – be sure you have considered a budget for all the expenses that you will incur.

Finally, enjoy your new addition and look forward to many hours of horse riding fun! Click here to find horses for sale online!

When you are deciding on horse riding equipment for the 1st time you will almost certainly wish to stick to the basics. Buying only what you need when you are starting is a good idea as you’ll soon learn what is essential as your interest for the sport develops Nonetheless getting poor supplies may stop you from learning to ride properly so always purchase the best horse riding supplies.

Helmets

Helmets are essential horse riding safety equipment. The proper kind of helmet will keep you protected in the event of a fall. In no way skimp on your helmet or get something second- hand, always buy the best. Take an individual more experienced along if you are uncertain about choosing a helmet that fits you correctly.

Boots

Besides your helmet the type of boots that you select is likely the most important part of your horse riding gear. You want boots that fit you comfortably and also look great. The kind of horse riding boots that you pick depends largely on what type of riding that you might be doing. Should you be only into riding for fun then a low cut boot could be the best to buy for your horse riding gear. To make taking your boots off easier I prefer a boot that has a back zipper. Your boot ought to be a snug fit but at the same time it should also be comfortable.

If you are intending to ride in shows thenyou’ll need tall boots. This piece of horse ridingsupplies not only looks great it also helps tokeep your leg position nice and stable. You might find that these are probablythe most comfortable type of boots to have.

Glasses

Despite the fact that glasses might not seem like the 1st thing you need to think about when getting horse riding gear, the proper type of eyewear is crucial. It is advisable to ensure that you can see correctly while riding. Many people opt for contacts if they normally wear glasses. This is specially true for cold months riding as glasses usually fog up quite a bit while in the cold air.

Yet should you opt for to use glasses then safety glass in your frames are a good choice as part of your horse riding equipment. This can avoid terrible accidents that can come about if your glasses should break. Sunglasses are also something you should ponder when riding in the summer as the glare you may encounter can be very distracting.

Please stop by Dressage Saddles for Sale for much further details about horse gear at http://dressagesaddlesforsale.com, thank you.

Horse riders will of course see saddle training as the ultimate goal, but first it’s necessary to complete the groundwork. You will need to take your horse from trailer or barn to the tack area, tack up, and then you’ll ride. Not much point in teaching your horse point B, the saddle riding part, if there’s no way to get there from point A is there?. Your horse will need to cooperate with you so the two of you can act as a team. This cooperation begins with your ability to approach, catch, and halter him first. Then you’ll need to lead your horse about with a halter and a lead rope.

With the primary objective of safety in mind, your horse needs to learn what is acceptable behaviour. Pulling against the lead rope, for example, is natural behaviour for a horse which you will need to teach him not to do. Whoever is leading needs to be secure that their personal space will not be invaded by the horse. Many an accident has occurred as a direct result of inattention to the importance of teaching your horse basic safety manners before attempting anything more advanced. Whilst a good equine insurance policy may cover you for accidents that happen in training, it’s obviously far more preferable not to have to find this out!

The three Ps of horse training – patience, persistence and positive reinforcement – come into play when leading your horse. Having already accomplished haltering, it is likely that you have already discovered the effectiveness of the three Ps.

Ideally you need to begin lead training with your horse when he is still a foal. Don’t leave it too late to begin teaching ground manners – a very young horse doesn’t need to know about saddles and riding yet, so you have time to focus on these important basics. The young horse will need to cooperate for farrier and vet visits, as well as for the various people moving about the yard, stables or paddock.

If you’re lucky enough to have the dam on site, the foal will copy the behaviours of the dam. Don’t worry if the dam is not present, as it works as well with any horse which the foal spends time with. Young horses naturally learn from the older ones in the herd. For example, you don’t need to teach a horse in the pasture how to graze or go to the water and drink. They watch the other horses to learn these things. If your student is older, you can still use another horse’s example by haltering and leading the other horse first. Your student will be watching, as they do notice everything that happens around them, particularly if it involves other horses in their own herd.

A good place to start is to lead a more experienced horse along with the foal; lead them simultaneously with you in the middle. The safest place for you to stand is to the left of your student’s shoulder, with the older horse to your left. A young horse could suddenly decide to bolt or to kick his heels, so make sure that you don’t wrap the lead rope around your hand or anywhere else that makes you vunerable. The last thing you need at this stage is complicating the process with an injury for which you may need to claim on your horse insurance.

If you have a calm horse which you think the foal will follow you could also use the pony method. This is done by simply towing the student horse behind using a longer lead rope. It makes sense in fact to teach the lead in this way, as it’s natural for a young horse to follow an elders lead.

You will need to fall back only on the three Ps of horse training in the absence of other horses to help the youngster learn what to do. It will still be viable, but may take a bit longer for your horse to understand what you’d like him to do.

After satisfactory progress, it’s time to try it alone. Again, standing to the left of your young horse’s shoulder and with both of you looking straight ahead, gently walk forward and as you step out, tug very gently forward, then release any pressure on the rope as soon as the horse makes any motion to go forward. Understanding that release is a reward to your horse is a valuable tip used by professional trainers. It tells him that he’s doing things right.

After you have him walking with you in straight lines with success, try turning slightly to the left, maintaining the space bubble between you. If he crowds you, use your right hand to push him out away from you and hold your arm out to the appropriate distance. Then try turning to the right with the same safety distance between the two of you, still using your right hand to guide him into the correct zone. Remember to release pressure on the lead rope and reward him every time he shows a step in the right direction.

Lead training requires large reserves of patience. Stick with it and you’ll soon see big improvements. Do a little work every day if you can and this will put you closer to the day you can finally saddle up for a ride.

Find out the answer to these simple questions.

1. What size is my saddle?
2. Does your horse have a long or short back?
3. What is my preference on the look of my tack on my horse?

Size of Saddle:

Take into consideration the size of your saddle in length. Is it a barrel, roping, cutting, etc saddle? Short saddle pads (32″ and below) does not work with large roping/cutting saddles. The pad will probably be too short for the saddle to fit on. For a barrel saddle don’t use a saddle pad longer than 32″ or 33″.

Does my horse have a long or short back?

A lot of people don’t take this into consideration when choosing a saddle pad. The long saddle pads (34″) probably will be too long for short backed horses. It will probably end somewhere in the middle of the horse’s rear. However things could be reversed as well. Using a short saddle pad on a long backed horse will allow part of his/her back to be exposed. It may look weird to you or other people. That is where this next section comes into play.

What is my personal preference of how my horse should look when tacked up?

Ultimately the decision comes down to your personal preference. What do you think looks good? Where do you think your saddle pad should end on your horse?

A lot of people like for their saddle pad, saddle, and horse to look a specific way. A shorter (28″ or 30″) saddle pad is good for a short backed horse with a barrel or youth saddle. On the same horse if a roping saddle is used they may get a little longer of a pad (33″) to compensate for the larger saddle. On a long backed horse if a roping saddle is used they may use a long (34″) pad. However if the same long backed horse is used and a barrel saddle they may use a long (32″ or 33″) pad to cover the horses back.

In reality it just comes down to your opinion, type and size of saddle, and the horse. There really isn’t a “correct” answer to this question. There are only opinions.

Here is a link with a variety of saddle pad to help you in your decision.

When you care for your horse, it is essential to make arrangements for the winter months. Horses need to be able to tolerate the chilly climate and stay as healthy as possible. During the winter horses will have special requirements which you as the owner will have to take in hand. It is imperative to organize for winter ahead of time.

Horses are naturally tolerant to chilly conditions. In fact, horses cope with icy conditions much better than hot weather. Regardless of this, there are some rudimentary things owners will need to do to make sure their horses remain healthy. Be sure the horse doesn’t have any fleas, and has been fully vaccinated. The costs for doing these things will significantly pay off during the winter months, as the expenses of feeding your horse will be lower.

You may also wish to consult your vet in arranging up a health plan to care for your horses. Preparing your horse for cold weather will help it lower the need to eat greater amounts of food in order to retain its weight. Your horse shouldn’t lose any weight during the colder months. Allowing your horse to gain a slight amount of weight will help them during the winter months, as the additional fat will act as a guard to provide the horse with energy if it becomes stressed. Through the winter you should give your horse some additional calories.

Probably the most effective protection for a horse in the winter is its actual winter coat. If allowed to grow, it will act as a warm jumper which will lessen the loss of heat that the horse experiences in cold environments. A horse’s coat is also glossy and will help brush off off snow and ice. If you keep your horses outside, you must ensure their coats grow long enough before the cold weather starts.

To confirm the condition of your horse, you will want to feel its ribs. A longer coat may indeed hide the fact that your horse has lost weight Your horse should be lean enough so that you can feel the ribs, but not so lean that you can see them. Feel your horses ears. Are they cold? If this is the case, your horse is cold.

Like all animals which are warm-blooded, horses must maintain their body temperature in order to survive. It is vital that they retain heat throughout the winter, so you must make sure they’re ready for the frost.

Visit the Horse and Pony Directory for more information and horses for sale

The Morgan horse is a truly competent breed, which performs well across many disciplines across the equestrian world. The Morgan is know to be one of the first breeds of horse developed in the United States, and its ancestry can be traced back to the very first stallion called Figure (who then went on to become known as Justin Morgan after its owner).

Figure – Justin Morgan
Figure, the sire from which all Morgans can be traced back to, was born in 1789, in Massachusetts. He is believed to have stood just short of horse height, around 14 hands, and was well known for his ability to pass down hereditary qualities such as his conformation, appearance and agility, making him a superb choice to start the breed. He lived to the age of 32, and during his life was renamed ‘Justin Morgan’ and so the breed is often heard being referred to as ‘The Justin Morgan Horse’.

Features of a Morgan Horse
Every Morgan comes from one breed standard, irrelative of bloodline etc. They are of a refined build, with good strength in the legs, a stocky yet compact body, a noticeably arched neckline and set back shoulders. They are very expressive in character, which is exaggerated by them having large eyes.

Morgan horse height varies, but normally ranges from around 14.1 hands to 15.2 hands though there are some examples which stray either side of these limits. Though they are technically regarded as being horses, if a Morgan horse is under 14.2hh it can be classed, and entered as a Pony in equestrian shows and competitions.

Morgan horses can be bred in many different colours, though the usual colour is either black, bay or chestnut.

About Morgans Today
The Morgan horse is a noticeably versatile breed and they regularly compete in many different disciplines across the equestrian sphere, including eventing, dressage and showjumping. Such is their popularity, they also have there own show circuit, as well as a National Morgan Horse competition.

Horse rugs are just one of a myriad of horse tack that is available to care for your horse. Race Stirrup Irons Horse sheets or horse blankets are other terms used for horse rugs. Horse rugs have been used in the care of horses for a very long time and are still a practical purchase for horse owners.

There are various reasons horse rugs are used in the care of horses. double bridles For horses that spend considerable time in the stable there are are horse rugs meant to keep them warm. Keeping sick or injured horses warm is another use for horse rugs. The types of horse rugs used for warmth are often called heavy weight turnout rugs.

Cooler horse rugs are the ones that are used to cool a horse off after exercise or too much heat from the sun. Cooler horse rugs assist in removing excess moisture from the horse.

Summer sheets are the horse rugs that are used in summer time and after the horse has been cleaned. These types of horse rugs are to protect the horse from getting dirty again and to protect from flies and other insects. You can also get specialty fly rugs.

Other types of horse rugs are more for decorative purposes. These horse rugs are largely made of fleece, are ornate and are used for show horses.

Horse fugs can be found in a large variety of color, size and material. To find the right size for your horse, a measurement will need to be taken. Fly Rugs It’s important not to place a horse rug on your horse that is too big. Doing so will cause your horse to become tangled and perhaps even to fall.

Horse rugs that are used underneath the saddle are often called horse or saddle blankets. A good fit under the saddle is important so chaffing or rubbing and moving does not occur. It’s not necessary to have a saddle blanket.

Horses are incredibly sensitive and it is important that they get the care and attention they deserve. It’s not enough to only provide the bare necessities like food, shelter and whatever healthcare your horse insurance policy will cover. Like humans, it is those little extras that they need to be truly at peace with their place in the world.

Horses, as herd animals, enjoy being in the company of other equines, so keep them in a shared paddock if possible. Owner’s are often viewed as herd leader. They will often show their affection by chewing or licking; here they are submitting to your leadership. Spending time with your horse will cement the bond of mutual trust. When this is achieved, it will have a positive effect on all areas in the horse’s handling and riding.

Horses are naturally clean animals and it is important that they have clean stables which are warm with deep bedding provided. A deep bed will help to alleviate any stress on joints and legs, as well as giving them a place to lie down in safety and comfort.

Mealtimes are important to a horse. You must ensure that you feed them little and often, as they will also graze outside all day. All appropriate foods can be incorporated into your horse’s diet to provide a healthy balance. Your horse needs lots of fibre for his digestive system, so lots of fresh grass or hay is essential. Grain is also superb, but not too much as it can upset the stomach. Water must always be available and accessible. Water prevents the food becoming solid by allowing it to ferment in the horse’s stomach. The food regularity is also important, as they are best when in routines. Always feed them at the same time every day.

Horses enjoy the attention they get whilst being groomed – it makes them feel secure and loved. Give them lots of rubs, brushes and scratches. This is real quality time which you should both enjoy every day. Grooming your horse will not only keep his coat glossy and smooth, but can also help to keep pests and parasites at bay. Do not forget about your horse’s feet; hooves should be picked daily. They must feel comfortable on their hooves or they will become grumpy, not to mention that failing to take care of your horse’s feet will put him at risk of injury or infection which could cost you a claim on your equine insurance.

A horse needs regular exercise to remain happy. You need to give your horse daily exercise. Vary your exercise routines to include things like jumping and cross-country. On the other hand, also let your horse have play time. Turn them out so they can be free in their paddock. Then they can socialise, play and have some time to themselves too. It’s as important to allow your horse to relax as it is to exercise him, or else his behaviour may become erratic.

Part of the physical and psychological well-being of your horse can be taken care of by following these few simple but important tips. For more information and to become part of a horse-lovers’ community on the world-wide web, please visit AFI Horse Insurance where you can read and contribute to our brand-new equine blog.

There are hundreds of different breeds of horses, but they are grouped into three broad categories: coldblood, warmblood and hot blood.

The cold blood breeds originated in Europe. They were bred for heavy work and long hours, pulling farm equipment, carts, barges and other heavy items. They had to have both power and endurance but there was little need for speed. Consequently, they were bred to have well developed muscles, on heavy bones and large joints. They also need to have a calm, even docile nature, so that they would obey commands and would not frighten and run off with farm equipment or other loads. In response to the need to work in cold European winters, their tails, manes and coats had long, thick hair. The Shire horse and the Clydesdale are typical cold blood breeds.

The hot bloods are from warmer climates, in particular the middle-east, where they were bred for racing and riding. They have much lighter bodies, legs and joints than the cold bloods, as they are build for speed and distance rather than for raw power. Having been developed in warm regions, they have relatively short coats, manes and tail hair so that they can shed heat better. For the same reason, they have lots of blood vessels near the surface of the skin, to improve heat dissipation. All of these factors support their speed and racing success. Likewise, they are spirited horses with a desire to run, the very opposite of the calm and docile temperament of cold bloods. The Arabian and the Thoroughbred are classic hot blood breeds.

The warmbloods (or warm bloods) have characteristics between the cold bloods and hot bloods, both physically and temperamentally. Some, but not all, of the warmblood breeds were created by crossing hot blood breeds and cold blood breeds to produce a new breed, followed by selective breeding to retain the best characteristics of the warm and cold ancestry. They have an athletic build and speed, combined with intelligence and calm (but not docile) disposition. As such, they excel in sports such as show jumping which require not only physical speed but also intelligence, a settled disposition and trainability. Examples are the Friesian and Hanoverian breeds.

The categories cold, warm and hot has nothing to do with the temperature of the horses (all horses have a normal temperature of about 38C) or their blood. Instead, it refers to the origin of the breeds (cold or hot climates), their build (heavy or athletic) and their character (calm or spirited).

Over time, the requirements for horses changes. As farm work has been taken over by tractors and transport by cars, the breeding objectives have been more towards sports and pleasure riding. In this environment, the warmbloods (and perhaps to a lesser extent the hot bloods) have been somewhat more successful that the cold bloods. Fortunately, a number of cart pulling and other heavy sports have been created to support these breeds. In addition, the calm and stable nature of the cold bloods has made them particularly popular with many children and less confident horse riders.

When you are choosing horse riding equipment for the first time you will most likely want to stick to the basics. Buying only what you need when you are starting is a good idea as you will soon learn what is necessary as your interest for the sport develops. However buying poor equipment will probably stop you from learning to ride properly so always buy the right horse riding equipment.

Helmets

Helmets are essential horse riding safety equipment. The exact kind of helmet will keep you safe and sound in the event of a fall. Never skimp on your helmet or purchase something second-hand, always buy the best. Take someone more experienced along if you are unsure about choosing a helmet that fits you properly.

Boots

Besides your helmet the type of boots that you choose is probably the most important part of your horse riding equipment. You want boots that fit you comfortably and also look good. The type of horse riding boots that you choose depends largely on what type of riding that you will be doing.

If you are only into riding for fun then a low cut boot is the best to buy for your horse riding equipment. To make taking your boots off easier opt for a boot that has a back zipper. Your boot should be a snug fit but at the same time it should also be comfortable.

If you are intending to ride in shows then you will need tall boots. This piece of horse riding equipment not only looks great it also helps to keep your leg position nice and stable. You will find that these are probably the most comfortable type of boots to wear.

Glasses

While glasses might not seem like the first thing you need to consider when buying horse riding equipment, the right type of eyewear is important. You need to make sure that you can see properly while riding. Many people opt for contacts if they normally wear glasses. This is especially true for winter riding as glasses tend to fog up quite a bit in the cold air.

Though if you decide to use glasses then safety glass in your frames are a good investment as part of your horse riding equipment. This will avoid nasty accidents that can occur if your glasses should break. Sunglasses are also something you should consider when riding in the summer as the glare you might encounter can be extremely distracting.

Please visit Dressage Saddles for Sale for a lot more information about horse equipment at http://dressagesaddlesforsale.com, thank you.