For the best experience possible in raising and caring for horses, it is important to match the rider and the horse. Searching options in horse ownership is exciting, but it is necessary to foresee the immediate and long-term expenses involved.

It would make no sense to purchase a spunky race horse, and expect the animal to be docile for a child rider. By the same token, an old, docile mare would not be much of a challenge for a person with some riding ability. It is important to know what you want your horse to do before you buy one, because certain breeds have differing abilities.

After choosing the breed and the seller, you should ride the horse to get a feel for its responsiveness and temperament. If there is any reason for discomfort on your part, you may have to renew your search for the right animal.

A veterinary examination of the horse should be performed before buying it. If the value and the purpose of the horse are significant, there may be a need for a more in-depth medical screening.

If all goes well with the medical screening, and the purchase is a go, then you are a proud horse owner. Other decisions will now have to be made regarding shelter and feeding. You may have the space to stable a horse. If not, consideration must be given to where you will keep your new pet.

If it is necessary to board your horse elsewhere, it is important to remember that animals living in barns are totally dependent on people for their sustenance. Some things to notice when considering boarding stable are: quality of the hay and grain, condition and cleanliness of stalls, and general condition of other animals housed there.

Wherever your horse is housed, it will require feed, water, and forage. A trusted veterinarian can develop a feeding plan that will promote the well-being of your horse. The type and amount of feed you give your horse will depend upon its health, its nutritional needs, and its activity level.

Horses need a great deal of water, so their buckets will have to be filled regularly. Cleaning the buckets often will be necessary to keep the water clean. While refilling the water buckets, you may want to take that time to clean the stall. Mucking the stall is the daily process of picking out the urine and manure, while letting the dry, clean bedding sift through. Some types of bedding are wood shavings, sawdust, and straw.

Your horse is dependent on you to care for its body. Initially, the horse may be fearful of being touched or handled. However, if you speak in a soft tone, the animal will be calmed and ready to be groomed. The disposition of a horse can be improved by daily contact with a caregiver. Brushing its coat and combing the mane and tail can be good for the horse and the handler.

Horses are like humans in that they need comfort when they stand and walk. Horse's hooves should be trimmed about every six to eight weeks. A horse pick should be used daily to remove any stones or other foreign objects that can be lodged in their soft tissue. It is wise to protect the hooves by applying horseshoes.

Raising and caring for horses can be a very rewarding way to pass time. Horse ownership is a big responsibility, and helpful information is available online at various websites on equine matters.

If you want to be successful in caring for and owning horses, tap into all the help you can get on the Web. Articles that tell you everything you need to know are readily available when you know where to look.

Posted under Horses

Your little one may be begging you for a pony out of the ponies for sale want ads in the paper or online but it is never a good idea to buy any animal without full consideration of the responsibility. We know you dreamed of your own pony as a child but make sure you are making a sound decision and not an emotional one.

Ask yourself if you think your child is really ready for the huge responsibility of owning a pony and the time commitment. Then ask yourself if you are ready too. It is a time and financial responsibility. Where are you going to house the animal and how much time can you spend with the pony?

But if you are ready for a new pony you want to ensure that you are purchasing an animal that is tame enough for the age of your child you are buying one for. This is usually listed in the breeding information that is listed for a stud service if you are going to order a pony bred. Their lines and the temperament of their parents can make a big difference.

You can also find other ponies that are used to children and their lineage and temperament are also listed in the advertisement. Know that you may get lucky and find a pony in your area but you may have to travel a distance and pay for the transportation of your new pony to where you live.

Regarding pricing is the lineage of the animal. If they come from strong lines then the price will most likely be higher than one that does not. For example if you are looking at a pony that has won a lot of ribbons and awards their colts will most likely be much higher. If you are getting a pony for just riding on and enjoying then the lines will not matter at much.

The good thing about investing in a show pony is that you can then turn around and stud your own male when the time is right. You can also use your mare to be studded and sell the colt for a profit and help recoup some of the price you paid for your pony. You also continue the strong lines of the pony by reproducing during its lifetime.

Before you finalize your purchase for a pony you should have them checked out thoroughly by a qualified vet. They will be able to tell you the health of the animal and any concerns they may have. Make sure it is your vet or an independent and not the vet of the person who is selling you the pony. We all want to think that people are honest but you are making an investment in the animal and the owners professionally should understand why you are requesting a vet check before purchase.

Admire the ponies for sale want ads in the paper but make sure you are ready to be a pony owner. Evaluate all the factors and check with a vet to make sure the animal is sound. You will be assured if you follow all of these evaluations before purchase that you will be making a good decision for you and your child.

The tme for giving is almost here, and there are a ton of girls around the world who just love ponies for sale. So if you want to make their festive season, look for horses for loan online today.

Posted under Horses

Cushings disease occurs in horses, dogs and even people. However, the symptoms are different, depending on the species. In horses it results in increased hair growth (longer, thicker, curly) whereas in dogs it results in hair loss and even bald spots. The horse version of this illness is called ECD (Equine Cushings Disease).

As a horse ages, there is an increasing tendency for the pituitary gland to develop tumors or to grow too large, resulting in it producing more hormones. This in turn stimulates the adrenal glands to produce additional steroids and when the level of steroids becomes excessive it results in cushings. Since these changes are age related, ECD is most often found in horses over 15 years but has been found in horses as young as seven.

The nature and cause of the disease itself was first explained by Harvey Cushing, an American brain surgeon, in'21. Consequently, the disease is named after him.

Different horses show different symptoms of ECD. The most common symptom is coat changes (longer, thicker, curly, failure to shed in Spring, becoming lighter in color). The heavier coat results in increased sweating as a secondary symptom, due to over-heating, especially in summer. The horse tends to lose muscle in its neck and back, despite increased appetite and eating more, while developing a pendulous abdomen. Diabetes often develops, with an associated increase in water consumption and urination. Laminitis always develops eventually. The horse becomes more prone to infections and slower to heal from external injuries due to a depressed immune system. The natural depressions above the eyes tend to fill in with fat.

Each of these symptoms could be caused by other illnesses, so it is often a combination of them which results in ECD being diagnosed. Urine and blood tests can be used to rule out other possible causes and to confirm the presence of ECD. Studies have found that many older horses (especially ponies) have ECD than are diagnosed. Consequently, greater care is required to identify ECD in the early stages, when controlling treatment is effective.

Unfortunately it is not possible to cure ECD. However, one can slow the disease by the use of medication to reduce hormone production to normal levels. Note that some of these medications have strong side effects, so appropriate testing and control is required to prevent secondary illnesses (e.g. liver disease).

As cushings disease can result in the development of secondary diseases (e.g. laminitis, diabetes), the horse needs to be closely monitored for any symptoms of these, with appropriate and prompt treatment.

Finally, one should make the horse more comfortable by treating the individual symptoms. If the horse is over-heating due to a heavier coat, one should clip the coat to make the horse more comfortable.

The article Cushings Disease was written by Doug Stewart as part of his Horse Care series.

Posted under Horses