Horse Rescues

Like all other animal species, the horse has many problems. They get badly hurt or their owner mistreats or they are just left to fend for themselves and no one cares about them.

It is because of people/ owners like these that rescue organizations form. Here are a few....

One such organization is called REACT Rescue. They are a nonprofit organization that is located in Lebanon, MO. This organization started in the 1900s...like around 1986. Truthfully, it is owned by my boyfriend's family. I help out where I can with these poor animals.

Another organization would be Humanity for Horses. They are also a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2007. They not only rescue horses but other animals that need help or a new home.

A third organization would be Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation, Inc. They too are a nonprofit organization. These people are more focused on trying to find homes for horses in need.

A fourth and final organization would be Equine Advocates. They are also a nonprofit organization and were founded in 1996.

Basically the majority of rescues out there are nonprofit organizations. Each site though has a place where people can donate money to help these people with their causes. I dare each and everyone of you to click on these in order to learn more about these organizations and what they do.It is a great and wonderful experience when you help a horse, or any animal in that matter, in need of help.

National Horse Organizations

Like many other animal industries and major sports/events, horses too have national organizations that help benefit both horses and their human owners.

This post today will discuss some of the different organizations out there and some of the stuff that they do.

United States Equestrian Federation

• serves as the National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport
• dedicated to uniting the equestrian community honoring achievement, and serving as guardians of equestrian sport

American Quarter Horse Association

•  provide information on upcoming events
• provide information on horses and other competitors

 American Morgan Horse Association

• seeks to advance the breed and offer exciting programs and services for all their members
• exists to preserve, promote, perpetuate the Morgan horse
• carries out administration promotion and education for the benefit of its members and the breed

Pinto Horse Association of America

• started from a grassroots movement to selectively breed horses for good color and conformation
• the purpose of breeding superior colored horses

 Now there are many, many more horse organizations out there in the world. These are just to name a few. You can find more information from the links above or by using the handy dandy google search.

Anatomy of a Horse

Okay so in order to be a successful and awesome horse owner, you need to know the basic terms of the anatomy of a horse. This helps you when you are talking to a vet or farrier. It also helps locate and understand a problem that arises with your horse.

This diagram shows where the key points of a horse are....

Here is are two diagrams of the hoof....

Click the link in order to see a full description of where everything is and just basic information about the horse anatomy.

Healthy Horse=Happy Horse

When a horse gets sick, the right thing to do is take care of it. One must treat it properly in order for the horse to get better. A healthy horse always makes a happy horse.

Here I will discuss some treatments to some of the diseases named/not named in the last post.

Treatments:

• Heaves (3 stages)
• Mild Heaves: limit the horse's exposure to allergy-producing dust and other particles
• let the horse out into fresh air
• use chest-high feeders instead of ground feeders
• remove the horse from the building/stall when cleaning the stall
• Moderate Heaves: the vet will recommend a form of treatment
• oral corticosteroids
•  oral bronchodilators
• expectorants
• antibiotics
• Severe Heaves: the vet might recommend inhaled medications
• inhaled corticosteriods
• inhaled bronchodilators

• Abscess 
• hoof: properly opened and good homeopathis prescribing is used
• lymph glands: skilled homeopathic prescribing
• other areas: treat with homeopathy and warm bathing

• Ringbone 
• surpass (a topical anti-inflammatory cream)
• shock wave therapy
• treating the joint if the joint is actually involved

Sick as a Horse

Like all living organisms, horses get sick.

This post will talk about some of the common diseases found in horses.

Bots: This is where flies lay their eggs in the horse's hair. When the horse scratches, it swallows the eggs and the larvae live inside the horse like worms would.
Colic: Pain in abdomen. Basically it is a bad stomachache for horses. There are many causes for colic, ranging from mild and inconsequential to the life-threatening or fatal.
Rain Rot: Crusty yellow scabs on the horse's body. These are caused by bacteria.
Ring Worm: This is a fungus that causes the horse's hair to fall out in a circular pattern.
Worms: They live inside a horse's stomach and intestines. They eat the horse's hay, grain, and blood. Horrible little buggers.

Now these are just a very few. If you want to know more diseases, click on the link above or go to  http://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions#

Next week I will discuss some of the treatments for some of the many diseases found in horses.

Leave your thoughts/comments below. Don't be afraid to add your opinions. They are welcome here.

Feeding Your Horse

Okay so everyone knows horses cannot survive without food and water. The amount given to a horse varies upon the amount of work being done, the age of the horse, the condition they are in, and the climate. Now there are several types of horse feed out there. I'm only going to give a few examples of types of feed and specialist feed.

Types of feed:

• Pony Nuts
• made up of grass and molasses
• Barley
• given to the horse either flaked, rolled, crushed, or micronised
• high in energy but low in fibre

•  Chaff
• chopped hay and molasses sometimes with oat straw added

•  Beans and Peas
• high in protein and energy esp. in lysine

Specialist feeds:

• Milk Pellets
• contain calcium

• Biotin
• aids in keeping the horses hooves, coat, and skin healthy

• Cod Liver Oil
• supple joints with a healthy coat and shine

• Carrots, Apples, and Swedes
• given to brighten up feeds and provide something extra tasty as a treat or reward

Now of course these are only a few examples of each. There are of course many more. Just click the hyper-link above or go to http://www.understanding-horse-nutrition.com/horse-feed.html if you would like to learn more.

Differences between the Thoroughbred and the Quarter Horse

One of the most common comparisons among the horse breeds is between the Quarter Horse and the Thoroughbred.

Quarter Horse

The Quarter Horse is a famous horse breed that originated in the United States. It received it's name because of its ability to run a quarter of a mile faster than any other horse at speeds up to 55mph (89km/h). This is horse a crossbreed of an English Thoroughbred and a Native American Chickasaw. It stands at about 14-15 hands high (hh)*. The colors range from gray and black to various shades of brown. This horse has a warm-blood blood type and can live up to more than 30 years. They are best known for its ability in rodeos and horse shows, but are mostly used for riding events like barrel racing and calf roping. These horses have a temperament that are eager to please and versatile, calm and well balanced, highly intelligent, gentle, docile, and a sense of humor.

Thoroughbred 

The Thoroughbred is considered the fastest breed of horse in the world. This horse originated in the United Kingdom and usually stands at about 15.2-17 hh. The typical coloring of a Thoroughbred is chestnut, black, or gray. They have a hot-blood blood type and live around 35 years. These horses are best known for their well defined faces with long necks and broad chests and they are commonly used for Endurance Riding. Their temperament is courageous, alert, spirited, excitable, fast, athletic, and loyal. 

Here is a video that also explains a little about the differences between the two breeds.

*For those of you who don't know, hands high is the common tool used to measure how tall a horse is.

Comment your thoughts, opinions, or ideas down below. They are more than welcome. Also if you want know something specific, comment it below as well.

Horse Work

Most people use horses for pleasure, such as riding and competition. They don't normally use them for draft work anymore but there are people who still do.

Draft horses are capable of pushing and/or pulling different things. The term "draft" derives from the word draught, which means to pull. Some of the basic things they do is plow fields, pull carts, and just overall work.

Some of the most common draft breeds are:

• American Creams
• Clydesdales
• Belgians
• Friesians
• Shires

 Here is a video of a couple draft horses at work.

 This isn't much but is there anything anyone would like to add?

Western vs. English

 Western Riding

Western Riding is generally one handed. The equipment needed for the style of riding is: Western stock saddle, a blanket or saddle pad, Western bridle and bit, Western boots/hat, long-sleeved shirt or blouse, and long pants. Some optional equipment for this style of riding is: leg boots, spurs, and chaps.

A Western Horse tends to be compact. They are capable of steady travel all day with small bursts of speed when needed.

Some of the common sports that Western Riders partake in include:

• Team Penning
• Cutting
• Reining
• Speed Games
• Trail Classes
• Pleasure and Equitation Classes
• Roping
• Trail Riding

English Riding

  Unlike Western Riding, English riding is generally two handed. It takes many of its traditions and equipment from European mounted military styles. Equipment includes: traditional style "Hunt Cap" or helmet, fitted jacket, shirt, Jodhpurs or breeches, Jodhpur boots or tall boots, gloves, and English saddle/bridle.

English horses tend to be taller than Western horses. Many of them are leggy. This aids their ability to travel over long distances at a variety of speeds. It also aids in jumping over various obstacles.

Some of the common sports that English Riders partake in include:

• Dressage
• English or English Country Pleasure
• Jumping
• Hunting
• Mounted Games
• Polo
• Hunter Pace

Sports for both styles:

•  Trail Riding
• Endurance Riding
• Competitive Trail Riding
• Competitive Mounted Orienteering
• Some local shows contain a mixture of both Western and English Classes

Horse Gaits

• ·         The walk is similar for both styles.

• ·         Western riders sit a jog, which is very smooth, relaxed, and slightly faster than a walk.

o   There is no posting required.

• ·         English riders post the Trot.

o   This is only if a sitting trot is not required in the show ring.

• ·         A lope for Western riders is a slow relaxed canter.

• ·         Canter for English riders can be elevated, extended, or collected with many variations in speed.

o   This depends on the specific discipline or style.