Lynn is a veteran of more than twenty years as a national or world champion breeder, trainer, and judge and author. She conducts clinics and presentations both with and without horses as she shares the Christian messages of Amazing Grays Ministry.

Horse Training – The Secret of Round Pen Equine Clinicians and How the Magic Works

By Lynn Baber

Equine clinicians have been doing round pen demonstrations for about twenty-five years. Thankfully, the skills of most trainers have improved greatly since the 1980’s. The term “horse whisperer” today describes any effective trainer who uses a relational approach to training rather than one based upon dominance and submission. I know how it works because I’ve done it myself.

The usual drill is to take a horse broke only to halter and lead and transform him into a saddle horse in the space of half a day. To newer horse owners and lovers the process seems almost miraculous and the trainer accomplishes his or her usual goal of selling tickets, books, videos, and horse tack.

In earlier years, round pen results were accomplished by dominance and submission. Several famous clinicians used to say, “Let the horse’s lungs teach him to pay attention. When the horse is out of air he’ll realize he has to make some other decision.” A few reports surfaced years ago of horses that were ran to death from exhaustion, heat stroke, or injury during these miracle clinics.

Few trainers today use such beastly methods to ‘train’ horses.

Round Pen Results Are A Trick

Just in case you haven’t figured it out yet, each of the round pen transformations witnessed by audiences each year is a trick. In no way am I suggesting that the clinicians are anything less than skilled, worthy guys or gals with valuable lessons to teach to those who sit on the bleachers in awe and amazement. However, these round pen transformations are very similar to watching a magician at work.

A great deal of skill, dedication, and practice is necessary for magicians to master the illusions that delight fans of magic shows. Likewise, the round pen clinician has spent years acquiring the necessary skill and timing to pull off the trick of instant gratification training with the horses they meet in the round pen.

The horse learns how to properly respond to the specific body language and verbal cues of the clinician. After this first ride the clinician would seldom end the lesson, stall the horse overnight, and then pull the horse out the next morning, slap on a saddle and mount up. If they did they would be sure no one was watching…

Where’s the Magic in Instant Horse Training?

The deck of cards a master magician uses to delight and amaze audiences is not special. It is the skilled hands manipulating the cards that are special. The equipment the equine clinician uses isn’t special either; it is the skill and timing of the person using them that holds the magic.

Some magicians are excellent teachers and teach others with a passion for magic to do similar tricks. The path to success is always the same: practice, practice, practice. Not every aspiring magician will be able to recreate every trick with the same level of success as their instructor.

Round pen clinicians may also be excellent teachers and train others with a passion for horses to develop the skills necessary to replicate the results achieved by the clinician. And, like the students of magic, not all who try to master the tricks of instant horse training will be successful.

What About the Horses?

Horses are born looking for leadership, security, and relationship with their herd. Successful clinicians who use a relational basis for training build a strong leader-follower bond with the horse who shares the round pen with them. The clinician creates pressure in order to remove it. The clinician proves to the horse that he or she has control over the horse’s feet.

Horses need their feet to run for safety when threatened. If they lose control of their feet they may as well cede leadership and responsibility to the trainer. Hopefully the trainer is worthy of such trust.

Part of that responsibility is to ensure the horse and owner aren’t abandoned when the show is over. The horse has more information than they did the day before, but the owner would be mistaken to assume he or she now has a trained horse. Worthy clinicians will prepare the horse and owner to work together before leaving for their next gig.

Magicians use inanimate objects to perform their feats of skill. Equine clinicians use flesh and blood animals with personality and spirit to perform their tricks of skill. The owner who continues the work started in the round pen is also subject to moods, mistakes, and injury.

Preparation is key in training horses. The responsibility of the clinician does not magically end when the newly ridden horse leaves the round pen.

Success is a Journey of Relationship

Wonderful relationships don’t happen instantly. Horses and their owners learn to communicate and trust each other as skills are learned and failures turn into victories. The process will not yield instantaneous results, but the journey of relationship never ends unless someone quits.

Fast results fade just as quickly. Magic tricks are fun and amazing but cannot replace the dedication of relationship. Strong foundations built over time are difficult to tear down. Enjoy the show, recognize it for what it is, learn correct concepts from the clinician, then go home to your own horse and slowly build an amazing relationship of your own.

Lynn Baber shares the secrets of relationship with horses in her new book, “Amazing Grays, Amazing Grace”. Readers will discover how horses think, how to establish communication with an unbroke horse in a round pen, and how to build an amazing relationship with your own horse.

A veteran of more than twenty years as a national or world champion breeder, trainer, and judge, author Lynn Baber conducts clinics and presentations both with and without horses as she shares the Christian messages of Amazing Grays Ministry.

Visit http://www.AmazingGrays.us for information on her book or find it on http://www.Amazon.com. Read Lynn’s daily entries on http://www.BibleandBit.com blog.

Thanks for reading Lynn’s great article Horse Training – The Secret of Round Pen Equine Clinicians and How the Magic Works. I’m sure you found it very informative as I did.

Lastly, wherever you find a good horse you will also find at least one good dog, usually more. These are typically free spirits enjoying their freedom to roam as they will. Sometimes however, you may wish you had a place to put let’s say a momma dog ready to deliver, or an older dog not willing or able to run all day as before or, one of your dogs is recovering from surgery as will happen from time to time and other circumstances requiring the safety of a den for that wonderful dog, yes and sometimes puppies too.

Please visit us to see our complete line of dog crates and heavy duty dog crates then let your imagination run while you think of how these dog crates can help out around your place in the sun.

For more information on dog crates and other facts, fun and love for our pets, mainly dogs, we would appreciate a visit to our pet blog.

About The Author

Bill Beavers, brings you pet products that provide improved Quality of Life for You, Your Family and Your Pets. You can connect with Bill on Twitter or Facebook and follow his latest projects. For Fun, Facts and Love for our pets follow my blogs for informational-entertaining posts and cool tips.

Horses take lots of time and attention. You probably know by now that if your relationship with your horse is good, he or she enjoys doing things for you, their leader.

Teaching your horse to bow draws tons of smiles and applause from all who see it. It also endears your horse to the crowd or to your friends. Simply stated, it’s classy.

In my continuing effort to bring you great information to help you care for your horse and continue to build that all important relationship with your best pal I have found a straight forward article on how you can start teaching your horse to bow.

How to Teach Your Horse to Bow by Jasper Bailey

Every equestrian likes the challenge of teaching their horse a new trick or two. Maybe you want them to paw the ground or be able to turn in a quick circle. Asking your horse to do something that isn’t necessarily a natural activity is okay so long as you are gentle and patient in the training. Horses appreciate a challenge and they like to interact with their human companions.

And a nifty trick for equestrian competitors is the old getting your horse to bow trick. Audiences love this, and it’s not a particularly difficult trick to teach your horse.

Of course, easier said that done. The most important aspect of any horse training is communication. Talk to you horse – and listen to it! Teaching a horse how to bow is not something that will happen in just a few lessons. You need to be committed to the long haul – a lot of regular training. Some of it is tedious – but the rewards can be great.

Start with a good treat. Horses respond to food and it’s a great way to begin training them. Be sure that what you feed them is natural and healthy. Not all horses need the extra calories or the additional sugar. Be smart about this.

Hold the slice of carrot or apple right in front of your horse’s nose. Once they have smelled it – and are moving in to eat it – begin to lower it. Once the horse’s nose has gone below the approximate region of its chest, let it have the treat.

This is called conditioning. You are sending a message that in order to achieve a particular result – eating a tasty snack – the horse has to perform a particular task – dipping its head.

Don’t forget to add some verbal praise and physical loving. Let them know you appreciate their efforts.

Take it slow. Repeat this a few times. Don’t overload your horse – after he or she has done it successfully, take a break. Maybe come back to it tomorrow.

Once you have your horse bowing the way you like, it is time to add a cue. Something other than a bit of delicious food! Some equestrians like to use a voice command, but you can also give it a physical cue such as caressing its nose or gently stroking its chest.

Give the cue, wait for the bow, offer the reward.

Click here to view the embedded video.

And that’s it! Be super patient and let your horse ease into this new trick. Once he’s got it, don’t be shy. Give him or her plenty of opportunities to show off for the crowd!

Need more tips for working with your horse? Visit Equestrian Horses Guide Jasper Bailey’s website for all things equine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jasper_Bailey

So get out to the barn and have some fun. Start teaching your horse to bow. And Remember. . . . . .

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your horse. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.”  ~~Unknown

About The Author

Bill Beavers, brings you pet products that provide improved Quality of Life for You, Your Family and Your Pets. You can connect with Bill on Twitter or Facebook and follow his latest projects. For Fun, Facts and Love for our pets follow my blogs for informational-entertaining posts and cool tips.

Please be sure to read the author’s bio. It should easily convince you that she know what she’s talking about.

Are there other ways of making your horse’s coat shine? I’m sure there are. This article simple made a lot of sense to me since I recognized many of the dietary items she mentions.

Taking care of your horse, your friend and your investment should be at the top of your priority list. This will also help in developing your leadership relationship with your horse.

Enjoy this very informative and instructive post.

How to Make Your Horse’s Coat Shine by Jessica R. Morgan

Step 1: Nutrition

A beautiful coat starts with what is on the inside of your horse. No amount of grooming will make your horse look beautiful if he isn’t getting the proper nutrition. A diet rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids is the first step in achieving a healthy coat. There are numerous ways to accomplish this, and you should consult a vet prior to making any changes in your horse’s diet.

Your horse should be fed a high quality form of forage (generally either alfalfa or timothy hay), along with a concentrate (grain) that contains at least 7% fat and 14% protein. I recommend a pellet with 9% fat if you can locate one.

To this, you can add daily one cup of black oil sunflower seeds, one cup of brown flax seed, one-half to one whole cup of corn oil, and one to two tablespoons of paprika. (Warning: Paprika can cause a false positive on some drug tests, so utilize with caution.) Paprika serves the purpose of preventing your horse’s coat from fading in direct sunlight, so a horse that is not turned out to pasture during the day may not need this supplement.

In addition to these, don’t forget to provide your horse with a trace mineral block containing zinc and copper, both of which affect coat condition. If your horse is eating only timothy hay, it may be helpful to add a small amount (about a half cup) of alfalfa pellets to your horse’s feed ration.

There are also some commercially available products that can do the same thing as the above recipe. I personally am a huge fan of “Dac Oil” which is one of the best kept secrets of the halter industry. This stuff is absolutely amazing and I can’t say enough nice things about it!. Nu-Image and Super 14 also work well!

Step 2: De-Worming

No horse can have a shiny coat if his stomach if full of parasites leeching away his nutrients! It is critical that all horses be kept on an appropriate de-worming schedule. Your vet can assist you with developing a parasite control program appropriate to the region in which you live. Most top show barns either utilize a daily de-worming product in their horses’ feed, or a give their horses a de-worming paste every 4-6 weeks.

Step 3: Grooming

A healthy horse should glimmer in the sun even if he never feels the touch of a brush, but daily grooming will greatly multiply your results! Top show horses get groomed as much as two hours a day. Thankfully, that isn’t strictly necessary. Fifteen to twenty minutes of daily brushing should be sufficient to remove dirt and dust from your horse’s coat and stimulate his oil glands to produce healthy, shiny oils. You should first curry your horse using a rubber curry brush. This is a very important step as it removes dead hair and dirt. This also brings the oils in his coat to the surface. Follow this with a hard bristled brush used to remove all the dirt and hair you just loosened. Afterward, use a softer brush to remove any lingering traces of dust and “polish” your horse’s coat.

Lastly, you can rub your horse’s entire body with a soft cloth/towel. This will spread all those oils around and make his coat super shiny and soft. If you have access to an equine grooming vacuum, this will also greatly improve the appearance of his coat. The blower attachment of the vacuum helps remove all the dust particles and the suction of the vacuum will further stimulate his oil glands.

Step 4: Protect that coat

Now that you’ve got your dream coat, make sure you protect it vigilantly. For an ideal coat, it’s best to keep your horse inside between the hours of 9am and 5pm, as the bright, direct rays of the sun can bleach your horse’s coat terribly. If this isn’t possible, keep your horse covered with either a light sheet (in cooler climates) or a mesh fly sheet (in warmer areas) to prevent sun damage. I suggest you spray him daily with an equine moisturizing product that contains a sunscreen. Avoid using any silicone based “shine sprays” on your horse’s coat. These are acceptable for occasional use at shows, but are not recommended for daily use as they actually seal the hair follicle and prevent it from absorbing moisture.

Keep soapy baths to a minimum (no more than once per month, or before shows), as these needlessly strip oils from the coat. If your horse gets sweaty, feel free to hose him off with clean water (as this sweat can dull the coat as well) but do not use shampoo or soap.

If you follow these simple instructions, your horse should be shining like a champion in no time. You can bet at your next show, competition, or trail ride all eyes will be on your gorgeous, lustrous horse and you will have everyone asking you how you managed to make him so beautiful! Good luck and happy riding!

Jessica Morgan has been showing APHA and AQHA horses in various disciplines for 15 years, including show halter, western pleasure, horsemanship, barrel racing, and other speed events.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_R_Morgan

If Tips for Making Your Horse’s Coat Shine was of interest to you as it was to me, you noticed, upon finishing the article, that this lady is highly skilled with many years of experience. She is not promoting her blog, any product but simply offering good information on how to make your horse’s coat shine. Thank you Ms. Morgan for your information.

And remember….

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your horse. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.”  ~~Unknown

About The Author

Bill Beavers, brings you pet products that provide improved Quality of Life for You, Your Family and Your Pets. You can connect with Bill on Twitter or Facebook and follow his latest projects. For Fun, Facts and Love for our pets follow my blogs for informational-entertaining posts and cool tips.

Requiring much more than a simple test drive evaluating a horse can be complicated if you don’t know what to look for and what to ask the seller and be able to confirm it all for yourself. There are tips there that will help with that and get you started especially if it is your first horse.

In addition to performance you want to be able to establish a relationship with your new horse. Not a simple task. Take a look at the post “Understanding Horse Temperament will Save You Time” which will also give you tips on understanding and evaluating temperament of the horse which soon may be yours.

“The Ultimate Horse Buyer’s Guide”
By Kate Hinton

In the war between heart and head, too often the heart wins. Although amusing, this story is true of many who buy a new horse. Here are a few suggestions to help you with the buying process.

One day a man passed by a farm and saw a beautiful horse. Hoping to buy the animal, he said to the farmer: “I think your horse looks pretty good, so I’ll give you $500 for him.” “He doesn’t look so good, and he’s not for sale,” the farmer said. The man insisted, “I think he looks just fine and I’ll up the price to $1,000.” “He doesn’t look so good,” the farmer said, “but if you want him that much, he’s yours.” The next day the man came back raging mad. He went up to the farmer and yelled, “You sold me a blind horse. You cheated me!” The farmer calmly replied, “I told you he didn’t look so good, didn’t I?”

In the war between heart and head, too often the heart wins. Although amusing, this story is true of many who buy a new horse. Here are a few suggestions to help you with the buying process.

BE HONEST!

Be honest with yourself. If you are not confident, take a more experienced friend or instructor to put the horse through its paces.

Explain to the seller your own equestrian experience. If you have had lessons at a riding school for 10 years, this does not make you an experienced horse owner.

HAVE A BUDGET

Think seriously about your budget before contacting the seller. It is frustrating for the seller to spend hours with a buyer who says they can’t afford the price. If you need the seller to reduce the price by more than $500, be up front on the phone before seeing the horse.

Be realistic. If you are trying to find a bomb proof pony for under $2000 you will probably have to see hundreds to find one. And remember, if it looks too good to be true it probably is!

VIEWING

Make a list of everything you wish to see the horse do (i.e. jumping, schooling, floating, catching, tacking up) and be sure to tell the seller. See the horse in a variety of locations as a horse may behave beautifully in familiar surroundings, but play up away from home.

VET CHECK

We cannot stress this point enough – make sure you get your horse checked by a veterinarian! Vets know what to look for and provide an objective point of view; emotional purchases can be disastrous. Choose a vet who regularly does checks for the purpose of sale as vets who don’t can be overly critical. Unfortunately, drugging horses for sale has become a problem in recent years, so a vet check is an excellent investment.

BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL

Be punctual, polite and respectful (this horse is someones pride and joy). If the horse is not right for you, tell the seller quickly and politely. And remember, the seller also needs to think you’re right for their horse.

Kate Hinton is CEO of http://ThatHorse.com which is a one stop shop for everything equine.

She is also the author of ‘The Essential Guide to Selling Your Horse‘ which is a must have if you are looking to sell a horse.

Visit http://www.horse-selling-guide.com to purchase your copy today!

I hope that 5 Quick Tips for Buying a Horse has been of service and that you will visit the author’s sites for more information. All the best to you as you get educated on how to choose your horse.

And Remember……

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your horse. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.”  ~~Unknown

About The Author

Bill Beavers, brings you pet products that provide improved Quality of Life for You, Your Family and Your Pets. You can connect with Bill on Twitter or Facebook and follow his latest projects. For Fun, Facts and Love for our pets follow my blogs for informational-entertaining posts and cool tips.

If you don’t have the relationship you want with your horse you know you aren’t getting the enjoyment from your horse that you signed up for. And, guess what, neither is your horse.

These 12 tips for building great horse relationships offer insights you may not be aware of. My thanks in advance for any comments you may have. Comments could be a question or they could be about your experiences with your horse. Everyone has lots of horse stories, right.

Twelve Basic Rules For Building Great Horse Relationships by Lynn Baber

Horses are more uniform in character than humans. While there is a wide variety in personality and aptitude in the world of horses, they are predictable in most of their behavior. Whether yours is a Quarter Horse, Arabian, Tennessee Walker or of another breed, it is still an equine and the basics for building great relationships are the same. Here are a dozen simple rules to help you better understand and enjoy the benefits of a stronger relationship with horses. Enjoy!

1. Use a calm energy around horses; if you run around like a freaked-out chicken or are puffed up like an angry frog, a horse will consider you either an idiot or a threat. They don’t like either.

2. Approach a horse from the side, walking at a slow to moderate pace toward their withers. Don’t approach them with your hand or arm stretched out. When you are next to the horse you can reach up and lightly scratch or pet their withers just like their momma used to. Then you may halter the horse or simply enjoy its company.

3. Provide routine and consistency. Once simple issues like food, water, shelter and safety are handled, the horse is ready for more.

4. The number one thing to remember when working with horses is rhythm. Use steady rhythm in the way you walk, talk, apply water when bathing, curry, brush, swing a rope, throw a saddle, etc. Establish a set rhythm and the horse will know what to expect and not get spooked or be caught off guard.

5. Keep the horse comfortable. It is your responsibility to keep your horse healthy, vaccinated, properly shod or trimmed, free of irritating pests like flies and mosquitoes, and with access to shelter from rain, snow or sun. Be sure all tack and equipment is clean, properly adjusted and helps your horse do its work rather than hinders it or produces strains or sores.

6. Always work both sides of a horse equally. A horse’s brain is two-sided and the sides do not speak to each other. Each eye has its own history and framework of experience. Make sure the whole horse knows what you want and what you’re doing. Each eye must be trained separately.

7. Never chase a horse to catch them. You will either scare them worse than they already are or they’ll decide you’re playing a game of ‘keep away’ and they will try to win. Teach your horse to come when you call. It’s better to make a suggestion that they come and walk away if they don’t, than to specifically tell them to come and let them ignore you.

8. Never think you can do anything fast with a horse. As soon as you set a limited time frame, they will find a way to keep you there until their newest concern is worked out. Don’t expect to teach a lesson quickly and don’t forget to use a calm rhythm in your lessons, with your voice, leg or any other aide.

9. Don’t pat horses; pet them. Most horses consider a slappy pat an act of aggression. Pats can be irritating to a horse. Horses should soften when petted, not tighten up. Stroke or pet them like a cat. Use a calm, steady rhythm.

10. If a horse is stiff you do not have their polite attention; they may not even realize you are there. Horses who have a relaxed posture and are soft to lead and bend are ready for new information or to react thoughtfully to your next cue. Learn to read the body language of your horse. Making a sudden request or a sudden movement to a horse whose mind is elsewhere can be dangerous for you both.

11. Don’t surprise a horse unless you have trained them to expect surprises. It takes a special relationship between horse and human for a horse to accept surprises calmly. Surprises to a horse are usually interpreted as threats to its safety.

12. Finally, learn from your horse. You will find no friend or teacher more honest in their response, more generous when given a chance or more noble in character.

It is a rare privilege today to spend time building a relationship with a horse. Your life will be forever changed for the better.

Lynn Baber is a Christian writer, business coach and retired equine professional. She shares lessons learned in thirty-five years at the business table and round pen with her clients and readers. Highly credentialed in issues of leadership, customer relations and most things equine, Lynn has a unique perspective not found elsewhere. Lynn is an experienced horse trainer, clinician, judge and breeder. Whether the topic is customer service or training stallions, Lynn brings years of experience to presentations and articles. Lynn is the author of two books, the latest Amazing Grays-Amazing Grace is available now. It is a look at our relationships with God, Horses and each other.

It is one of those books that should be on your coffee table or surely in the “read” section of your bookshelves.

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your horse. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.”  ~~Unknown

About The Author

Bill Beavers, brings you pet products that provide improved Quality of Life for You, Your Family and Your Pets. You can connect with Bill on Twitter or Facebook and follow his latest projects. For Fun, Facts and Love for our pets follow my blogs for informational-entertaining posts and cool tips.

No matter the reason you now have a rescue horse you now have the responsibility to bring him or her back to good health. The right food, the right amount of food at the right times, clean water, medical examinations and tests and good supplementation  are a few of your concerns.

I know that many of you already know much of what is needed to bring your skinny horse back to good health. Please use this article to brush up and for those who decided to take the plunge with a rescue horse as their first horse you really need to read this article, twice.

All the best to you and best of luck with your skinny horse, today or sometime in your future.

Horse Feed For Skinny Horses by Madalyn Ward, DVM

With over 170,000 unwanted horses in the United States, according to the American Horse Council, the number of horses showing up at horse sales and horse rescues, or simply “turned loose on the range,” is increasing.

As a result, the number of malnourished and skinny horses is also on the rise. Luckily, some of these horses are being adopted or rescued by good Samaritans. The trouble is that many good Samaritans have no idea how to feed skinny horses to restore them to health.

Three Steps for Feeding the Thin Horse

If you are one of these good Samaritans then you know the temptation to “feed up” the skinny horse in attempt to restore him to his proper weight. Unfortunately, simply shoving tons of food in front of a skinny horse is unlikely to produce the results you want, since a thin horse is often unable to digest or process huge amounts of food due to a weakened digestive system. Instead of dumping tons of feed over the stall door, follow these three steps for feeding the thin horse.

Step #1: Fix the Cause of the Problem

Skinny horses tend to suffer from one or more health problems, so the first step to restoring the skinny horse is to discover those issues. Health problems that are common among skinny horses include:

• teeth in need of floating
• parasites or worms
• lack of good horse feed and nutrition (malnourishment)
• stress, injury, or pain

The first three causes are fairly simple to address and understand, but the fourth is less straightforward. A horse that has been stressed, injured, or is in pain may lose quite a bit of weight, because these conditions can cause the formation of ulcers or may cause digestive upset. For these horses, it is a good idea to address digestive problems with products such as Stomach Soother, SUCCEED, or KAM Ulcer Formula (KAM UF).

Whatever the cause, once you have determined the health issues from which the horse may be suffering, the first step is to address those issues. For instance, if the horse has bad or broken teeth, you need to have his teeth floated before feeding him tons of food, otherwise he won’t be able to chew a single bite of that food.

Step #2: Horse Feed for the Skinny Horse

Once you have addressed any health issues that are causing the horse to lose weight, the next step is to create a diet that will nourish him but not create further digestive issues. Contrary to popular opinion, skinny horses do not need super rich, high fat meals in large quantity. Most skinny horses have such poor digestive tracts that they cannot process these kinds of meals.

Instead, focus on feeding the thin horse small, frequent meals that are easily digestible. If the horse has low energy, you can gradually increase up to one-and-a-half pounds of grain or pelleted feed per 100 pounds of body weight. Adding some oil or rice bran to the diet can also help. Alfalfa can help the horse put on weight, especially if he is a picky eater or has ulcers, which makes him avoid grain.

If the horse has high energy, it is best to feed less grain and more hay. Adding some vegetable oil or rice bran to the grain can also encourage weight gain. Soaked beet pulp also helps the high-energy skinny horse gain weight.

Step #3: Supplements for Skinny Horses
Once you have created a diet suitable for your skinny horse, you may want to consider digestive supplements that can help your horse better digest his food. For instance, enzymes can help a horse get the most out of his feed. Probiotics also help with digestion, along with healing the gut and boosting the horse’s immune system. Excellent sources of probiotics include acidophilus and bifidus from Simplexity Health, Fastrack from Conklin, PreProbiotics from Equilite/Arenus, and Pro-Bi from ABC.

For horses who have been stressed or traumatized, the herbal product Eleviv from XanGo is an excellent supplement which restores these horses to their natural, healing, parasympathetic nervous system. Omega Sun blue-green algae from Simplexity Health is a good source of nutrition for these horses, providing dense nutrition without generating a lot of nervous energy.

Finally, you may want to consider digestive herbs such as marshmallow root, slippery elm, or aloe vera to give your horse’s digestive system a boost.

Caring for the Skinny Horse

Bringing a skinny horse from the brink of malnourishment back to glowing good health can be a long trek, depending on how many health issues you have to address. Luckily, a solid nutritional foundation can do wonders for skinny horses, once the major health issues have been addressed.

Madalyn Ward, DVM, is a recognized author and veterinarian in the field of holistic horsekeeping. For free tips on horse health, horse personality types, and horse nutrition, plus one-stop shopping on holistic horse products, visit  http://www.BuyHolisticHorse.com and http://www.HolisticHorsekeeping.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Madalyn_Ward,_DVM

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your horse. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.”  ~~Unknown

About The Author

Bill Beavers, brings you pet products that provide improved Quality of Life for You, Your Family and Your Pets. You can connect with Bill on Twitter or Facebook and follow his latest projects. For Fun, Facts and Love for our pets follow my blogs for informational-entertaining posts and cool tips.

Most sales training teaches us to type people, even assign a “color” to them or their personality. This is very similar. And, this is a major key to your future training efforts.

Enjoy this great article.

Horse Temperament Typing – Why Bother With It?
By Dr. Madalyn Ward, DVM

Have you ever marveled at how a good, professional horse trainer can get your equine to do all the things he will not do for you. Not only that, but they make it look so easy. It’s maddening. Most professionals don’t spend much time with horse temperament typing so we should we?

Well, even though a good, professional trainer may not have studied Five-Element typing they instinctively read equines and type them. A talented, professional trainer has worked with hundreds if not thousands of different horses. Relationship with individual horses is not so important because the equine understands what he is supposed to do and he gets consistent feedback from the professional trainer.

Amateur Owners and Temperament Typing

You and I, on the other hand, have our few horses to learn from and with. We will make lots of mistakes and without a strong relationship with our horse misunderstandings came escalate quickly to divorce proceedings!

Here are some tips for making up for our mistakes with each horse temperament type so we can stay in the relationship long enough to make progress in training:

The Fire Horse

The Fire horse temperament is all about relationship so spend lots of time grooming and hanging out with him. Never speak harsh words to a Fire horse even when they are behaving incorrectly. Keep asking for the desired behavior and praise even slight efforts.

The Earth Horse

The Earth horse temperament is all about food. He lacks ambition so you may need to get strong in your demands for extra effort. Once your horse has put forth some energy to do what you ask let him rest and take him to graze. He will look forward to this reward.

The Metal Horse

The Metal horse temperament will not work for someone he does not respect. You gain his respect by breaking down his lessons into steps he can master before moving on to the next lesson. The Metal horse learns slowly but never forgets something once it is learned. Use this to build his confidence through repetition. You may get bored but your Metal horse will respect you for staying with him until he is ready to move on.

The Water Horse

The Water horse temperament has to have trust. He will sense the confidence of a good, professional horse trainer but feed off any fear coming from an amateur. Never put your Water horse temperament to a fearful situation unless you have total control and can support him.

An example would be working at home with lots of obstacles and set up “scary” events to teach him to respond rather than react. Building his trust in you in his home area will prepare him for new environments. Go slowly with the Water horse temperament not because they learn slowly but to teach them to learn rather than react.

The Wood Horse

Last but not least, the Wood horse is often the most challenging for the amateur horse trainer. The reason, the Wood horse temperament wants to be challenged. Most amateurs don’t have the skill level to keep the training interesting enough so the Wood horse temperament doesn’t get bored. A bored Wood horse can progress from annoying behavior to downright dangerous. Never fight with this type horse because that is what they want. Instead, redirect their energy and make bad behavior uncomfortable so they choose good behavior themselves.

So, if you are a good, professional horse trainer you can enhance your current skills by learning horse temperament typing. If you are an amateur you can make up for your lack of experience as a horse trainer by building a solid relationship with your horse.

Madalyn Ward, DVM, is a recognized author and veterinarian in the field of holistic horsekeeping. For free tips on horse health, horse personality types, and horse nutrition, plus one-stop shopping on holistic horse products, visit http://www.BuyHolisticHorse.com. Get more horse tips on her blog at http://blog.horseharmony.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Madalyn_Ward,_DVM

Now that you understand the importance of horse temperament go forth and show your horse that you know something he or she didn’t think you knew. Be a leader. Don’t underestimate the value of your horse, their ability to learn and their need for a leader.

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your horse. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.”  ~~Unknown

About The Author

Bill Beavers, brings you pet products that provide improved Quality of Life for You, Your Family and Your Pets. You can connect with Bill on Twitter or Facebook and follow his latest projects. For Fun, Facts and Love for our pets follow my blogs for informational-entertaining posts and cool tips.

You don’t need to be a horse person to enjoy and benefit from Lynn’s writings in this book. The religious foundations in this book will suit any denomination.

Here is that review from the Boots and Saddles blog.

Book Review – Amazing Grays, Amazing Grace Pursuing relationship with God, horses, and one another

By Lynn Baber

Website: http://www.amazinggrays.us

Blog: http://lynnbaber.net

There are so many books in the world and so little time to give even good books the time they deserve. Some books, as you read them, are so rich, so full of imagery and truth, that you take your time, trying to absorb every nuance and make your own connections. Tess of D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, and specifically two of CS Lewis’s books (4 Loves, Mere Christianity) hold a special place in my heart as these kind of books.

I can add Lynn Baber’s book “Amazing Grays” to that particular book shelf.

The book’s unassuming in appearance, less than ¾” thick, belies the thickness of idea, thought, and philosophy that permeates every page. I received my review copy as I boarded the plane to Demopolis AL and I was excited – a light read about horses, relationships, and delightfully entertaining stories that tied everything in a neat little bow for the plane ride. Instead I found myself only able to read one chapter at a time, and sometimes barely able to do even that! Half way through the chapter I would find my head so stuffed with new perspectives and ideas that I would have to skim the last half of the chapter to insure none of the things I wanted to further contemplate on got pushed out of the way.

My relationship to horses has always been emotional and indefinable. Baber has come the closest to explaining that relationship in all its intricacies. She clearly defines the relationship between horse and handler and the responsibilities of each in a way that I have come to intuitively understand, but have also had trouble explaining.

To fellow Christians, I think the religious foundations of the book will suit any denomination. Like CS Lewis in Mere Christianity, I feel Baber has steered clear of details that divide and instead focuses on the theology we can all agree on. I’ve often thought that God gave me the love of horses in order to help me understand relationships of friends, family, and God and Baber appears to agree. Baber alternates between horse philosophy and religion to illustrate whatever principle is the focus of the chapter – sometimes she uses religion to explain a certain facet of the horse relationship, sometimes vice versa.

For the non-Christian, I would encourage them to give the book a try, especially if you are having a problem your horse relationship. You might gain an insight into what is putting the brakes on the deep relationship with your horse that you crave. Even if you chose to ignore the religious content, Baber’s horse philosophy may give you a new perspective.

The book concludes with a beautiful story of a very special horse (not one of the greys) that Baber feels she “failed” and squandered a beautiful gift from God. It is moving and very touching as I think most horse people have regrets or feel guilty about a particular horse.

In conclusion I would like to share some of the ideas I’ve been recently contemplating based on my reading of “Amazing Grays, Amazing Grace”

• A horse that “loses” it (even by degrees) is experiencing a lack of leadership. For example, if you ask a horse to do something during an endurance ride that it would normally do at home, but refuses at a ride (let’s using standing still when asked as an example…) there’s a lack of leadership. The horse is no longer putting its complete trust in you and is looking inwardly for that leadership.

• The point of trailering out and riding in new places is not to desensitize the horse – it is a test of your relationship and leadership. I think showing (like a dressage test) is a good way of testing relationship as well – because it demands that you do a certain movement at a certain time, in a certain spot.

• The better trainer will know lots of different ways to get the same result

• There is no substitute for time in building a relationship

• If the horse refuses something politely, insist politely

• Being the judge in the middle of the ring is a whole ‘nother perspective than being a competitor on the rail

• The habit of obedience versus the habit of task

• Most horses accept the offer of Leadership and Relationship. A few must be dominated before accepting Leadership.

• “You get what you breed. If you breed an idiot, you will likely get an idiot. It is a truism that the one characteristic you do not want reproduced in a foal s the one you are most certainly going to get. Yes, there are exceptions, but why accept such long odds when there are so many great horses out there already?”

I hope you will check out Amazing Grays-Amazing Grace. You never know where the next life changing thing will come from.

About The Author

Bill Beavers, brings you pet products that provide improved Quality of Life for You, Your Family and Your Pets. You can connect with Bill on Twitter or Facebook and follow his latest projects. For Fun, Facts and Love for our pets follow my blogs for informational-entertaining posts and cool tips.

I think hot weather concerns are actually more important than cold weather. I know what some my be thinking. “What about wild horses”? “They don’t have anyone to fuss over them in hot weather.”

I would say that wild horses are probably a lot smarter than we give them credit for. They know a tree is not just for scratching their butts when the need arises. Trees mean shade and wild horses know when they need that shade. Our domestic horses don’t always have trees for shade.

Here is an article written by an online friend of mine who is certainly qualified to tell us all how to keep our horses healthy and comfortable in hot weather. Enjoy her article then be sure to read her bio. You will see what I mean by “certainly qualified.”

by Lynn Baber

Your horse’s health may be more at risk in oppressive heat than excessive cold. As heat and humidity begin to crank up follow these tips to keep your horse happy and healthy. Use this formula to determine if it is safe to work your horse:

Temperature (degrees F) + Humidity (%) – Wind speed (MPH.)

Example: 90 (degrees) + 70 (percent) – 12 (MPH) = 148

If the result is close to, or above 150, too much work could put your horse’s health in jeopardy. Learn how to monitor your horse’s heart and respiration rates. Also become familiar with his normal sweating pattern.

Water

The most important element of equine health in hot weather is plenty of clean, cool water. No matter what type of watering system you use check it at least once daily. Automatic waterers can quit, water lines break, horses sometimes confuse their water bucket with the manure bucket, and playful horses knock over barrels and tanks leaving everyone without water.

If you horse goes off his feed, the first thing to check is the quality of the water. There are three things you need to check when evaluating your horse’s water supply:

•  Quantity – is the bucket or barrel full?

•  Smell – does the water smell clean?

•  Taste – If the water passes the smell test dip your finger in the water and taste it.

•  Note: If you don’t like it neither will your horse.

Flavor the Water

A trick used by horse owners/trainers who haul frequently is using flavored water. When your horse drinks water at home flavored with Gatorade, apple juice, or Kool-Aid – you can usually get them to drink any potable water. For double duty from the water bucket, add either apple or orange flavored electrolytes. This encourages your horse to drink more and keeps them balanced.

Sometimes a horse’s muzzle will peel and look dry and sore from sunburn; other times it can be improved by balancing their micro-nutrient intake. Use sunscreen and try putting a soft block of trace minerals in your horse’s feeder to see if the situation improves.

Insects

Horses come with varying degrees of sensitivity to insects. The menu of options to protect your horse against biting and disease- carrying insects range from the new pour-on topicals that last for two weeks to stall confinement in the most severe cases.

The only way to determine the best approach for your horse is through trial and error. Be careful not to overuse fly sprays and don’t let a residue build up on your horse’s coat. Some horses can develop chemical burns from layers of fly spray.

Fly sheets vary widely in design and material. Choose a fit that won’t rub your horse and provides adequate air flow. Don’t leave fly sheets on for days at a time. Use them during the day or overnight, whichever bests protects your horse from sun and insects. Rinse fly sheets regularly to keep your horse comfortable and lengthen the life of the sheet.

Warning Signs

If your horse develops any of these conditions, take action; properly diagnose and treat the problem immediately.

•  Hives or welts
•  Hair loss
•  Dried sweat on their coat
•  Itching
•  Watery eyes
•  Unexplained weight loss

Grooming

Horses require more frequent grooming in hot, humid months to keep their skin and coat healthy. Sweat builds up on the skin and horses are subject to rain rot, scratches, and fungal infections. Rinse your horse thoroughly to get the sweat out of their hair as well as to remove old fly spray from their skin.

Use particular care in hot weather to keep leg wraps, girths and saddle pads clean. Whenever possible use a separate cinch and pad for each horse.

Turn Out

Some horses do well turned out during the day if there is adequate shade available. Others do better out at night and stalled during the day. For gray horses or those with light skin and susceptible to sunburn, it is recommended to limit the time they are out during sunny hours.

Whether the topic is personal success or training stallions, Lynn Baber brings years of experience to readers and audiences.

Highly credentialed in issues of leadership, relationship, and most things equine, Lynn has a unique perspective not found elsewhere.

Read excerpts from Lynn’s latest book, “AMAZING GRAYS-AMAZING GRACE: Pursuing relationship with God, horses, and one another” at http://www.AmazingGrays.us.

It may also be found on Amazon.com. Lynn is a retired equine professional and is a director of Amazing Grays Ministry.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Baber

About your horse…….

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your horse. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.”  ~~Unknown

About The Author

Bill Beavers, brings you pet products that provide improved Quality of Life for You, Your Family and Your Pets. You can connect with Bill on Twitter or Facebook and follow his latest projects. For Fun, Facts and Love for our pets follow my blogs for informational-entertaining posts and cool tips.

I came across this article regarding the positive effect clean drinking water can have on your horses. I’m sure this goes for other pets and animals too but today we are concentrating on horses. The first thing you check with any horse that goes off its feed is the water. Clean water seems basic, but many owners don’t pay enough attention.

I think many feel that if they have an automatic watering device they never need to check it or change the water. Not necessarily true as you will find out here. No matter what system is used, it needs to be checked and monitored daily – maybe even more frequently.

I checked the author’s website and found that he has something for watering that truly seems to be a “better mousetrap.”

Good management of horses includes supplying drinking water that is clean. There are many reliable methods to ensure this is accomplished, depending on what method you choose to provide drinking water.

If you have buckets, troughs, or any type of automatic waterer that has standing water inside of it constantly, it is appropriate to keep an eye on it. In warmer months and climates, you may need to scrub algae from the water source on a regular basis. This is very important, as water that becomes infested with algae can develop an unpleasant taste for horses and they may reduce their water consumption.

With stagnant water, the potential for rodent infestation is also possible. Rodents, whether mice, rats, or even at times birds can find their way into and drown in drinking water thereby poisoning the water of horses needing to drink. The bacterium that come along with this situation, can cause salmonella poisoning and other potentially fatal diseases. A logical way to prevent this is to avoid standing water when possible.

Temperature also has a large factor in whether or not a horse will drink enough water. In hot climates or summer months, a horse is more prone to lose body weight because they do not drink enough water. This can cause problems with their digestion, temperament, and overall health. Warmer weather means that there are more chances of stagnant, high temperature water that is apt to produce algae and bacteria.

In the winter months, horses will refuse to drink water if it is too cold or frozen over. This can cause severe health related problems such as digestive problems and colic for the animals. Colic can make horses agitated and at times shorten their temperament towards people.

If a horse refuses to drink water, it will become malnourished. It will eat less because it cannot digest the food easily. Malnourishment cannot only be expensive to counter, it is can have deadly consequences.

To show the importance of clean drinking water is best depicted when a livestock owner has an unclean water supply. On possible pitfall is the West Nile virus – a virus carried by mosquitoes. It is a very real threat that all horse and livestock owners should be aware of. It affects humans and livestock alike. When water is standing or impure, mosquitoes (the carriers of the virus) can lay their eggs by the thousands. Unfortunately, this virus has been found in every state in the US where many horse breeders live, work, and raise their equine stock. There is still no cure for the West Nile virus, and those animals that do survive the seizures, fevers, and other symptoms could be scarred for life.

With a frost-free system, the horse handler can ensure that there is no standing water to become ridden with algae or other contaminants. This is because there is no standing water. These types of systems only deliver water when a paddle is pushed. This eliminates the opportunity for algae to form in the drinking water.

Having clean drinking water is critical in keeping horses healthy. The temperature, and quality of water has a direct and undeniable link to avoidance of illnesses, and other very serious health related issues that are all easily preventable with the proper planning and equipment.

For additional information on non electric automatic waterers, visit Drinking Post Waterer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_G_Sanford

Here’s a short video by someone else to further illustrate what you don’t want to do when tending to the watering needs of your horses.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Pasture tubs like the video shows are good if kept clean. Putting several goldfish in them keeps them bug free and pretty clean for months. In warm areas you can even add an algae eater (goldfish survive cold weather but not algae eaters). When we leave for an extended period of time we have someone who checks both the water storage tank and waterers daily. Put big tubs in each pasture just in case… horses also like to tip them over leaving no water for anyone.

So let’s remember the importance of clean water for your horse and get out there and do a complete checkup on all your bins, barrels, troughs and any other watering methods you are using for your horses. They will reward you with a longer healthier life. It’s worth it don’t you think.

I want to close this post with something from my DownHomePets blog that I use occasionally. I think it fits here.

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your horse. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.”  ~~Unknown

About The Author

Bill Beavers, brings you pet products that provide improved Quality of Life for You, Your Family and Your Pets. You can connect with Bill on Twitter or Facebook and follow his latest projects. For Fun, Facts and Love for our pets follow my blogs for informational-entertaining posts and cool tips.