About.com Horses

Horse Quiz of the Week: Horse Breeds Quiz

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:09:39 +0000

Photo 2006 K. Blocksdorf

Do you know about the common horse breeds? Try the horse breeds quiz to test your knowledge. Here's a hint; if you want to get 100% read through Horse and Pony Breeds. Have fun! Want to test your horse knowledge on other subjects? Here are a few more quizzes:

Did you know you can get horse quizzes delivered to your email inbox? Sign up now for the Test Your Horse Savvy quiz series.

Horse Quiz of the Week: Horse Breeds Quiz originally appeared on About.com Horses on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 05:09:39.

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Take the Poll: Blanketing During the Winter Months

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:55:32 +0000

The weather is turning chilly, and I'm already grabbing a warm jacket before I head out the door. But does your horse need an extra layer for warmth as the days cool off? What do you think? Do you blanket your horses during the colder winter months?

Take the Poll: Blanketing During the Winter Months originally appeared on About.com Horses on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 10:55:32.

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Horse Quiz of the Week: Points of the Horse Quiz

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:31:15 +0000

Here's a quiz for you to try! Do you know the parts of the horse? Take this quiz and find out. Just identify the points of the horse under the red letters. Need to refresh your memory on the parts of the horse? Check out the Parts of the Horse Clickable Image Map first. Did you know you can get horse quizzes delivered to your email inbox? Sign up now for the Test Your Horse Savvy quiz series.

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Horse Quiz of the Week: Points of the Horse Quiz originally appeared on About.com Horses on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 05:31:15.

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Make Your Own Heated Riding Pants?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:10:52 +0000

One of my favorite non-horse website is Lifehacker.com, a blog that features tips and tricks to make your life easier. Today Lifehacker blogged about DIY heated clothing. I am constantly looking for ways to stay warm during the cold weather. I don't know how many times I've come in from riding with my fingers frozen around the reins and my legs feeling blocks of ice.

A friend of mine swears by his battery heated socks, and I've used battery heated mittens for skiing. But I have never seen riding pants made like those for motorcycling riding, with heating wire through them. They look like a great idea. I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine and I've seen a soldering iron. I think we actually own one. So, would it be worth trying to make heated riding pants? Anyone willing to give it a try? Would they be a fire hazard in the barn? It would certainly be a twist on the term 'electric butt' or 'hot seat', the situation when a rider inadvertently fires up even the laziest horse because they ride with a too active seat. If you do make a pair of heated riding pants, please send pictures and instructions!

Make Your Own Heated Riding Pants? originally appeared on About.com Horses on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 20:10:52.

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Take the Poll: What Horse Training Methods Have You Tried?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:21:09 +0000

There are a lot of different ways to train a horse. Some horse owners only use Parelli, Lyons or other popular 'natural horsemanship' methods and some believe in using classical methods. Some people combine methods, and that's perfectly okay as long as you are consistent in the way you handle your horse. What methods do you use? Take the poll and leave your comments below.

Take the Poll: What Horse Training Methods Have You Tried? originally appeared on About.com Horses on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 05:21:09.

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Winterize Your Horse Trailer

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:30:38 +0000

Last week, in anticipation of an early snowfall, I parked my horse trailer in its winter parking spot.

Photo Photo 2008 K. Blocksdorf

Usually it's in the driveway, ready to be hitched up at a moment's notice. Somehow, even though until the snow files, the trailer is accessible, not having it in the driveway seems to proclaim the end of the show season and summer. That makes me feel a little depressed. Because I only have two horse bumper pull, winterizing isn't a huge job. I still plan to have it rust proofed and cleaned within the next week. If you have a larger trailer, or one with living quarters, winterizing might be a bigger job. Endurance rider Karen Chaton has good advice for getting your horse trailer ready for winter including how to prevent weather checking on tires and preventing your curtains from fading.

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Winterize Your Horse Trailer originally appeared on About.com Horses on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 08:30:38.

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Horse Quiz of the Week: Hoof Care Quiz

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:39:31 +0000

There's an old saying "no hoof, no horse".

Photo 2006 K. Blocksdorf

Hoof care is a very important element of good overall horse care. Do you know how to care of your horse's hooves? Take the Hoof Care Quiz and test your knowledge. Did you know you can get horse quizzes delivered to your email inbox? Sign up now for the Test Your Horse Savvy quiz series.

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Horse Quiz of the Week: Hoof Care Quiz originally appeared on About.com Horses on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 07:39:31.

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Featured Horse Photo – Prince Gold Jacks

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:35:45 +0000

Prince Gold Jacks is a bit of a character, as you can see. His owner loves to take him trail riding, and he's a bit of a threat to other horse's fly masks. I suspect he's a lot of fun to cross streams with on hot days. Prince Gold Jacks is just one of the horses on the About Horses gallery and now it's even easier to include your horse in the gallery. Just use the horse gallery submission form and send a picture and short description of your horse. Your photos will be posted within a short time, and you'll receive an automatic email of when it is. Share your photos and stories!

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Featured Horse Photo – Prince Gold Jacks originally appeared on About.com Horses on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 10:35:45.

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Take the Poll: What is the Most Common Rider Problem?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:13:57 +0000

Bad habits? I have a few. Besides bad posture and a tendency to lean forward I tend to ride with my hands too flat. I have to remind myself 'thumbs up!'. Sometimes I chant: sit up, thumbs up, sit up thumbs up. Helps to keep the rhythm while doing a posting trot too. So what do you think is the most common problem riders have? I've listed 10 on the poll, but you might think of others. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Poll:What is the Most Common Rider Problem?

Take the Poll: What is the Most Common Rider Problem? originally appeared on About.com Horses on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 05:13:57.

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Equine Guelph Offers Vaccination Equi-Planner

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:59:00 +0000

Equine Guelph has a new tool for Canadian horse owners that will help you plan which vaccinations are important for your horse. Click on the large heart on the Equiplanner page and you will be asked a few easy questions. The result will be the recommended vaccinations for your area. Using this tool tells me that in March I should vaccinating Trillium for rabies, tetanus, WNV, EEE and equine influenza and in May she should get boosters for WNV and EEE.

As there is a much wider range of climate to consider, this particular tool will not be accurate for horse owners in the US. I searched for a similar tool appropriate for US owners, but found nothing. Is there one on the internet that you know about? Let me know in the comments below. While planners like are handy, regardless of which side of the border you are on, remember to consult with your veterinarian and consider their recommendations when planning your horse's health care.

Equine Guelph Offers Vaccination Equi-Planner originally appeared on About.com Horses on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 05:59:00.

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