The Rider's Aids – Horse – EzineMark

When you are Training or riding your horse, you have three main aids available to you. They are Legs, Hands (voice being a secondary aid) and Weight or Seat.

The Weight aid influences the horse at all times. It is the Central Point or Centre of gravity of the riders’ seat. This includes the riders Chest, Shoulders, Pelvis and Thighs. To have an effective seat or weight aid it is important to have both good body control and muscle tone. You can control your horse with your seat if you have these 2 things. The quality of your horses’ response to your other aids can greatly depend on the position and effectiveness of your seat or weight aid. You should be able to ask your horse to slow down for speed up and even turn.

When your weight is incorrectly distributed it can affect the horses’ balance and prolonged incorrect weight distribution can cause poor muscle development. Your horses’ paces can become uneven and your horse may develop a permanent lameness or injury.

Correcting the imbalance should start with fixing your position. If you feel that your horse is crooked and there seems to be no reason why, assess your position first. Developing healthy core strength and being aware of what your body is doing is the key to correcting any imbalances in your own body.

This takes time and sometimes a lot of physical effort from you off the horse. However if you are aiming to be a professional rider, then it is the most important skill to have. Equestrian these days, having the best horse is not how to win, or being the gutsiest rider doesn’t get you the gold. It’s the Rider and Horse combination that wins the World Equestrian Games, the pair with the best bond, and the best horse/rider combination. You need to start successfully to be able to get to where you are aiming.

Good Balance and Good body control is essential to give a correct weight aid. The more sensitive you can be with your weight aids the more sensitive you can teach your horse to be. On the other hand, if you are heavy or rough with any of your aids then you horse will become unresponsive and learn to ignore your aids.

You need good, strong, correct aids to effectively ride and Train your Horse. If you start with the basics, then when you start to Train your horse more difficult moves it will be easier and flow a lot better.

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Christine Turley has 1 articles online

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A Naturally Clean Horse – EzineMark

I am flat amazed at the mass selection of shampoos and conditioners on the market for horses. There are shelves and shelves of them at every tack shop and feed store. Horses have oil on their skin for a reason. A mild shampoo once every couple of weeks throughout the summer and a mild conditioner for their manes and tails will suffice. If you wash all their oils away, bathing them day in and day out until they are squeaky clean, you are paving the way for skin issues; dry skin, flaky skin, and sunburn. No problem, one might say, there are products on the market for every one of those conditions, shelf after shelf and rows and rows of them. Hose your horse off between shampoos. Use plain water. It works, and chlorinated aside – depending on where you live, it’s natural.

I know of a horse person whose horse started rubbing its tail morning, noon, and night. A pretty tail that would soon look straggly if this continued. Following the old adage that if a horse is rubbing its tail it needed wormed, he wormed it and the tail rubbing continued. Turns out the horse was having a reaction to the conditioner he was putting on its tail, the same conditioner that started the problem and compounded when he kept using more and more of it to try and remedy the condition. When he rinsed it all off and left it off, the tail rubbing ceased.

Diligent grooming is by far the best way to keep your horse clean. Horses love being groomed and it’s good for them. It’s good for us. It’s best to have a separate set of grooming supplies for each horse, but if that’s not possible, wash your brushes routinely with a mild shampoo. Enough said. If there is a contagious skin condition rampant in your barn, follow your veterinarian’s recommendations on how to eradicate it. I know of a very admirable horsewoman that puts all her brushes in a bucket once a week and soaks them in a little vinegar and hot water. On any given day you can pull up to her barn and see the brushes and combs drying on the fence posts in the sun.

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MaryAnn Myers has 1 articles online

MaryAnn Myers is an equestrian, horse trainer, and environmentalist. She is the author of equine novels, “Maple Dale,” “Favored to Win,” “Maple Dale Revisited,” and newly released, “Ellie’s Crows.” She lives with her family on an organic farm in Northeast Ohio, that houses rescue dogs and retirement horses. For more information about MaryAnn Myers visit… http://www.sunrisehorsefarm.com

The Equipment that you need for Horse Riding – EzineMark

You cannot just jump on a horse and ride it without the proper equipment, because it would be a lot more difficult than you think. Having the right equipment to ride a horse will ensure that you have a comfortable and safe ride. You might be taking horse riding lessons, riding for fun, or for job related reasons, but either way you need to learn about all of the equipment that you will need especially if it is your first time to ride.

One of the first items that you will need to buy for your horse is bridles. This is an item that has reins on it that needs to be placed on the mouth of the horse. This is an important piece of equipment because it helps you to lead the horse in different directions as you ride it. Your steering will also be made a lot easier if you find one that you and your horse are more comfortable with. The next item that you need to buy is the reins that go with the bridle. This is something that helps in the steering of the horse. It is very important that you purchase good quality reins, because the cheaper ones won’t last as long and will break really easily. They might even break while you are riding the horse which is not very safe for you at all.

Saddles are something that you will need to put on the horses back in order to have a more comfortable ride. You can choose between either the English saddles or the Western saddles, but the Western saddles are the ones that people like the most because they are a lot more comfortable to use. Western saddle also has a horn on the front of it as an optional hold in case the ride becomes a bit rough.

The next things that you need to buy are stirrups. They are what you place your feet in when you are getting on the horse and when you are riding to help keep your legs and feet in place. You need to make sure that you find the right length for your legs. Crops and whips are the next items that you will need to buy because these are items that will help you to better steer the horse when the reins aren’t working well enough. However, these are optional items.

ake sure you buy all the horse tack and equestrian equipment such as horse rugs online where the best deals can be got.

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Cole Rees has 4315 articles online and 3 fans

What You Need To Know About Horse Tack Bridles And Bits

One of the first things a horse person learns is the basic tack used, including horse bridles. Those who ride competitively understand that horse tack bridles are designed specifically for the discipline, and with any extensive riding learn how important the proper bit is.

Depending on what type of discipline one rides in, understanding the basic bits will help the rider make sure he has the right bit for the horse and the rider. Understanding how the bit operates, the amount of pressure, and the importance of a good fit all work together to create the right horse tack bridles and bit combination. Horse bridles and bits are available in hundreds of styles. Some disciplines even employ two bits at the same time to get the desired results. When riding English, there are some basic bits to understand.

LEVERAGE BITS These bits are used on horse bridles to create leverage. There will be a shank that puts pressure on the mouth of the horse. Often called curb bits, these are most commonly used to set the head. These come in varying ranges of size and pressure, and depending on the horse and practice you will get different results. You might need to experiment to find the right bit for your horse tack bridles.

DIRECT PRESSURE Snaffle bits and others in this family of bits are a much milder bit, and are used more often in hunt seat and pleasure riding. Some of these will be jointed, while others are solid piece bits. Start with the mildest bit if training a new horse, or find out what was used before you started riding the horse. These bits work with direct pressure, and are often used in combination with leg pressure training.

HYBRID BITS These bits are becoming more popular as an alternative for double bridles and curb bits. Somewhat milder than most curbs, the hybrid bits combine a snaffle and a curb bit into one simple design. Even these have a wide range of choices, with jointed or solid pieces, different weights and styles. Consider one of these bits if you need a little more control, but don’t want to overdo with your horse.

BASIC TIPS Ultimately, no matter what bit you choose, it is a tool and not a solution. Your horse will still need you to be in control, and how you manage your hands is important. When first riding, you should start with a milder bit until you learn to ride with your leg control. If possible, work with a riding instructor to learn how to control your horse.

Don’t assume one bit fits every horse. You may need to try several different types of horse bridles before you find the right horse tack bridles and bits for your horse. The best way to find the right bit is to talk with people that are experienced working with training horses. If your horse is fighting the bit, with head tossing or other behavior issues, try another style. The right horse tack bridles can help you create the perfect relationship with your horse, as you get the desired performance from your equine partner.

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Jacque Crook has 1 articles online

Findasaddle.com is your comprehensive source for the highest quality and designed horse tack bridles.

Buy the Right Equipment for Horse Riding – EzineMark

You must buy the best equipment for your horse for good looks, durability and your horse’s and your own comfort and safety. The equipment would include the finest British made numnahs, the half numnahs and the seat covers as well as the variety of accessories for your horse.

These horse accessories come in a large range of products such as French blinkers and stirrup slipper, wool ear plugs, wool leg wraps and girth sleeves, breastplate sets, breast check sleeves, head collar sets and the grooming mitt besides the nose band cover, the wither pad and formulations for washing the horse’s clothing or bedding. There are fleece saddle covers to maintain your saddles so that these look great for a longer period. These are also available embroidered.

While the girth sleeve is made in very fine British wool that’s popular on account of its elasticity as well as comfort and durability, it provides protection to the horse against girth rub over the entire year. This is especially important in the case of horses with sensitive backs. The sleeves that are available in sizes from 20″ to 50″ could be ordered in animal prints such as those of the tiger, the cow or the zebra. Other horse accessories such as the breastplate set also help horses by preventing abrasion. There are high wither half numnahs that help too. The head collar set available in sets of four pieces provides greater comfort to the horse when it’s traveling. The breast check sleeve is in wool and Velcro and the grooming mitt is used to bring an extra shine on the coat.

Other horse accessories include the wither pad in thick twin layers for the protection of horses from withers and the noseband cover that’s in pure wool and Velcro for better focus besides just looking good. The formulations do not cause any allergies and are non-toxic. The half numnahs are with wool on both the sides. This ensures better leg contact as well as improved cushioning over the pressure points. These also help in the reduction of saddle pressure thereby relieving the horse suffering from a sensitive back.

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Anirban Bhattacharya has 9428 articles online and 6 fans

The article is an effort of the webmaster at www.nuumed.com We specialize in manufacturing British made numnahs, half numnahs, Corrective pads, seatsavers, Saddlepads, dressage and horse accessories meeting to a wide range of specifications.

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Watch War Horse before it Hits the Big Screen – EzineMark

August 15, 2015 By Leave a Comment

War Horse has been one of the most talked about shows of recent times with audiences and critics around the world raving about this moving story of love and tragedy. The show has relocated from an incredibly successful stint at the National Theatre in London to the New London Theatre and the theatreoffers the general public an even better chance to see this amazing epic play, which is based on a novel by Michael Morpugo, and adapted by Nick Stafford. War Horse is the moving story of a young boy called Albert, who wants to retrieve his beloved horse that has been sold to the cavalry and sent to France. Albert’s harrowing search soon turns into an odyssey leading the young boy to a desolation land. Thankfully his efforts will not be in vain and he will be able to bring his horse back home once again.

All of this powerful emotion and gripping drama is also told in a unique way as a large puppet is used to play the epic journey of the horse. On the face of it, the thought of a large puppet being used to convey the emotions of an animal seems obscured but the life like movements portrayed by the puppet are incredibly life like with puppeteers from the world famous Handspring Puppet Company pulling the strings.

With the puppet working so well in the show, War Horse conjures up the perfect mix of emotion, adventure and art to create a theatrical masterpiece suitable for both adults and children, a spectacular scenography enriched by the use of astonishing life-size puppets. The Sunday Times says that “War Horse only confirms the National’s extraordinary knack of turning children’s literature into the finest drama”. The success of the War Horse show has also been acknowledged by the rest of the theatre winning a variety of prestigious awards including the Olivier, Critics’ Circle and Evening Standard Awards. Even the film industry has jumped on board with a film of the show currently in production with the legendary director, Steven Spielberg. The much anticipated release is bound to increase the theatre ticket sales for the show so it’s worth grabbing the War Horse tickets now.

Make sure that you don’t miss the theatre’s magic and book your tickets through our website to watch War Horse before it hits the big screen! To find out further information about how to get your hands War Horse tickets and a wide range of London Theatre Store‘s offers by contacting our London theatre ticket specialists.

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Diane Wilson has 1 articles online

London Theatre Store

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Horse Training vs Horse Breaking – EzineMark

August 15, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Many think they are one and the same and perhaps there are many who use them in conversation meaning them to be one and the same. There is a vast difference between the two terms so vast you can say they are polar opposites of one another. A horse is an animal with a very limited, small brain and it cannot absorb a barrage of commands thrown at him.

Breaking a horse is doing just that: forcing a horse to do whatever you will have him do with whatever means you have at hand that you wish to use to make that happen ..whether it be flogging with a whip or reins kicking with the stirrups yanking on the lunge line. It all results in breaking the spirit of the horse which then becomes and animal that will never be of good use to you or anyone else ever again.

Training a horse calls on using practices completely opposite of the “breaking” technique.

A horse needs to be worked with using unflappable patience. It needs to be ground trained before anyone ever attempts to get on his back. Ground training begins with helping the animal know where he is in relation to you at all times. Then it requires building a trust in it toward you for a horse by nature is a jittery animal and untrained will as likely as not bolt upon any sudden noise or even slight disturbance.

It may take weeks to train every step but once that training sticks, it is there. So take your time and do it well. It is quite like riding a bike: once you learn, you don’t forget. A horse is like that. Once he learns, he won’t forget, and that goes along with any maltreatment set on him. That too is never forgotten.

A horse can only learn in sequence. Teach him one thing. Then once learned, teach him what follows. It takes on a pattern for the horse. Master comes, halter on; out of the stall, bridle on, saddle on. Step by step, depending on what you are going to ask him to do. Every action comes to be learned in a series of steps leading to the culmination of whatever the action is to be. The more patience and time you give your horse to learn these steps: the greater a jewel you will ultimately have in your hands.

Without these two elements- patience and time- you will only wind up with a broken horse, and you will also have broken yourself for you will never have given yourself the opportunity to learn what it really is to build that true bond that is formed between man and horse.

Horse training vs horse breaking- nowhere near remotely the same.

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John Grayson has 1 articles online

John Grayson- working with horses all his life, still shakes his head sadly whenever he hears of a “broken” horse. Follow along in his blog: Equestrian Corner

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Horse Jumps And Hurdles Hurdles What Are They Made Of

August 14, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Horse jumps are carefully designed for size, height and safety of materials. These jumps test the training and expertise of both horse and rider in competitions. As this magnificent animal takes the jumps with rider leaning forward placing her weight in the most advantageous way. Both need to know the jumps are safe. By purchasing from a well known manufacturer, they are assured.

After safety concerns, price is important. A company may guarantee that his company s equipment is sold to you at the lowest price. This includes costing less than any other manufacturer charges for similar quality jumping equipment.

Regardless of manufacturer, the crucial details and design are crucial. Whether made of wood or PVC, the design might be the same. Wood is susceptible to rotting but PVC, a man made material is not. It can be left out in the rain. Most purchasers are choosing PVC because it is impervious to rain and can be left outside regardless of the weather.

The PVC material itself is more expensive to begin with, but the manufacturing methods are superior to those used with wood. This keeps the price of the finished product lower. Therefore it is preferable.

As in any other industry, there are a large number of types of jumps. Some are cavalletti, which are used for dressage exhibitions. Cross Country comes in a large variety of types including natural looking logs and pools for water for the horses to jump over. The Western jumps include situations that might be encountered on a natural wood trail.

Horse show planners know the specifications for each type of jump. A beginner may want to set up a few low jumps to learn with. You can set of your own jumps if you are cautious. Make sure no nails or sharp protrusions exist in the material you use. Try a cross rail jump with two poles of an upright fence meeting at a cross in the center. This trains the horse to aim his body at the center of all jumps.

Setting up a pyramid jump and oxer jump or any combinations requires carefully measuring the height as well as the distance between jumps when there is a combination two or three in a row. An upright fence is the most difficult for a horse to perform.

Jumps require twelve feet between them for a horse and ten feet for a pony. You can also, as an alternative, measure your own horse’s stride for perfect distancing. A simple tape measure will suffice to measure the distances.

It is crucial that you do not place a pole behind a jump. It creates a false ground line. That will make the horse perceive the jump to be further back than it actually is. Of course this will throw off his judgement creating a dangerous situation.

The jumps over open water are required to meet certain size requirements in a show. Jumps can be individually purchased or bought as a package deal with everything needed for one complete jump or one complete competition course. Accessories are available as single purchases and include extras such as flower boxes to make the course more attractive to the audience. Appearance is not nearly as important as safety, but it does add to the enjoyment of the spectators.

Horse jumps bring joy to the people watching these magnificent equine competitions. They may or may not appreciate the work and training behind the acquired skills, but they certainly derive pleasure from watching how gracefully they do it. The beauty of the horses is enhanced by an attractive show ring as well.

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karlopaolo24 has 1 articles online

To race horses or even get them to perform on crosscountry jumps tourneys, you need to know where check into. On the net you will find that horse jumps is a major horse event that goes on every year and to find out the best tips look on the net.

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Know About Your Riding Gear – Horse – EzineMark

August 14, 2015 By Leave a Comment

When it comes to horse accessories, their world of luxury goes much beyond Saddlepads, often termed as ‘numnahs’. If you are a seasoned horse rider, you may already know how to pamper your horse better in all likelihood. There is a wonderful range of horse accessories you can buy from a relevant online store. Let’s learn what all you can buy to make horse riding an even smoother experience, both for you and your darling horse.

Any riding gear, be it half Numnahs or any other horse accessory, should seek to increase the comfort level of your horse or pony; thereby, converting horse riding a cake walk for you too. Therefore, it is urgent to know your horse better. Know whether it has a sensitive back; is it aging; or does it get nervous or excited too quickly?

In case your horse or pony is new to being ridden, it may be easily excitable. Some horses can also be so by their very basic nature. In such cases, you can get it a pair of wool ear plugs that will help immensely and keep tension at bay.

Leg wraps are useful, if your horse has a leg problem. They are also beneficial to wrap up the legs of your horse/ pony just after a wash or while travelling. You can easily find machine-washable leg wraps online and keep the legs of your horse/ pony both comfortable and clean.

Saddlepads for any horse/ pony should be sweat wicking, cushioning and shock absorbing. In case, you like it less bulky yet comfortable, go for half Numnahs. They not only look good, but are also easier to maintain. Irrespective of whether your numnah is fully-lined or partly cushioned, it should be easy to wash and durable to ensure value for money.

For withered horses, you would need specialized anti-slip numnahs and half numnahs. Saddlepads with pockets and competition number pads are a craze with those who like it more interesting. You can also order bespoke numnahs, if you have any specific design in mind. You can get your saddle pad embroidered with a custom message.

Not to mention, when it begins to snow, your horse/ pony would need girth sleeves, breastplate covers, nose bands and blinkers.

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Anirban Bhattacharya has 1 articles online

The article is an effort of the webmaster at ( http://www.nuumed.com/ ) We specialize in manufacturing British made numnahs, saddlepads, Corrective pads, seatsavers, dressage, Half numnahs and horse accessories meeting to a wide range of specifications.

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An Endurance Saddle is Only Best for Endurance Races – Horse

August 14, 2015 By Leave a Comment

If you are looking for information on horse racing than this article is the thing you should read. The two of the most popular types of races are endurance races and basically races. There is a different between these two types of races; first endurance races would be discussed.

In an endurance race of course the winner would be the horse which crosses the line first but the win would only be considered if the vets say that the horse was fit throughout the race. There are stops having vets in them and each needs to be stated as fit by them in order for the horse to continue the race. This is the difference there two types of races, another difference is that an endurance race would involve you purchasing for endurance saddles. These saddles basically encourage speed but not top speed, but at the same time the speed is not that of a trail horse. Endurance saddles are light and allow the weight of the rider to be distributed on the back of the horse hence decreasing the pressure on a particular point. Endurance horse saddles can be used to perform some stunts like getting of a horse while it would be running at a certain speed. Be sure to not to use endurance horse saddles for the other type of race as for those races you would need more secure seating.

Other races follow the simple rules of racing; the one crossing the finish line first wins the race. This is why the rider would need a secure seating; for such type of races barrel saddles are to be used. This saddle allows the horse to reach great speeds, the maximum potential and would also help the horse to make sharp turns while at it. For further information you would need to surf online.

In an endurance race of course the winner would be the horse which crosses the line first but the win would only be considered if the vets say that the horse was fit throughout the race. There are stops having vets in them and each needs to be stated as fit by them in order for the horse to continue the race. This is the difference there two types of races, another difference is that an endurance race would involve you purchasing for endurance saddles.

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Muhammad Azeem Ashraf has 1 articles online

For those interested in the simplicity and stability of a endurance saddles, look no further than Holtzsaddleco.com! Offering a wide selection of endurance saddle, endurance saddles for sale and endurance horse saddle. Outlet prices on all endurance saddles and accessories at Holtzsaddleco.com.

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