Posh Pampered Pets

Arthritis Symptoms in Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:59:00 +0000

If you are noticing that your dog is limping when he plays fetch these days, or that he isn't chasing squirrels they way he did when he was younger, there may be something going on with his joints. When your pet is showing less interest in his usual playful activities you may want to make a trip to the veterinarian to check for arthritis in his joints.

Arthritis is an inflammation in a joint. This inflammation can result in changes to the joint cartilage, the joint fluid, and the bones that are involved with the joint capsule. This inflammation or swelling leads to pain and stiffness when your dog tries to move. The most common type of arthritis in dogs is osteoarthritis. It involves the degeneration of the articular cartilage followed by remodeling and new bone formation.

Since dogs can not communicate with you directly to tell you what his ailments are, we pet owners must watch for warning signs of our dogs health. Symptoms are: weight gain, depressed mood, decreased interest in playing, if he favors a leg, difficulty standing or sitting, a desire to sleep more. If any of these symptoms persist for more than two weeks is an indication that your dog has arthritis. Early detection is the key to getting your dog help so that further damage can be minimized.

There are several medications and treatments for arthritis in dogs. Believe it or not, one of the best things to do for arthritis besides supplements is exercise. Short walks several times a day while maintaining a healthy weight are excellent ways to ease the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Anti-inflammatory drugs are excellent when monitored and used wisely, however try to keep drug usage at a minimum. Herbal supplements are another way to help improve join inflammation along with acupuncture. Acupuncture can be very beneficial to this disease.

Causes of arthritis are varied. Many times it is the result of a past traumatic injury resulting in joint instability. Overweight dogs puts an overage of weight on joints and can cause the joint to be unstable making it open to arthritis. Genetics often play a role in arthritis as in the case of some breeds having hip dysplasia such as German Shepherds. Lastly, a failure of proper bone development as a young dogs.

If you have any questions on Dog supplies or Posh Pampered Pets, please call 979-221-7251 or visit us at "http://www.poshpamperedpets.com". Our home office is located in Waller, Texas, with warehouses located throughout the United States such as Dallas TX, Houston TX, New York NY, Denver CO, Chicago ILL, Seattle WA, Kansas City MO, Miami FL, Raleigh-Durham NC, Washington DC, Los Angeles CA, Fayetteville AR, Philadelphia PA, Phoenix Arizona, San Antonio TX Texas.

Cat Arthritis

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:38:00 +0000

In truth only your veterinarian can officially diagnose cat arthritis, but there are many signs and symptoms that can help you determine if your treasured friend is suffering from this disease. The most common form of arthritis in cats is osteoarthritis. Symptoms are sometimes subtle and other times very obvious. Obvious pain when walking; reluctance to jump as they did before; displaying stiffness upon arising from a nap; an unusual or funny gait; personality changes in aggression or depression are some of the signs that your can is feeling out of sorts. Constant pain can be extremely frustrating and exhausting to live with and therefore your pets mood will reflect his pain in his every day personality.

If your cat is overweight, more stress is put on the joints than is normal and will cause more pain. Keeping your cats weight down helps to alleviate some of his pain. Exercise is doubly good for your cat as more movement of the joints helps the joint pain and then also helps keep the canine's weight in control at the same time. In the winter time, when getting up in the morning can cause anyone's joints to ache upon waking, its a great idea to have a nice warm comfortable place for your cat to rest. There are heating pad made especially for cats with safety in mind that will make a big difference. There are also supplements for cats that can make a huge impact on your cats discomfort from arthritis.

There is much you can do to improve your cats joint health and help reduce his pain due to this illness. Help them to live their lives to the fullest and get back to being your best friend. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination along with a detailed history of your cats symptoms. Other tests may be needed to make the determination as there are other diseases that can cause lameness and these will need to be ruled out.

If you have any questions on Dog Supplies or Posh Pampered Pets, please call 979-221-7251 or visit us at "http://www.poshpamperedpets.com". Our home office is located in Waller, Texas, with warehouses located throughout the United States such as Detroit Michigan (MI), Indianapolis Indiana (IN), Jacksonville Florida (FL), San Francisco California (CA), , Kansas City MO, Miami, Florida (FL), Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (NC), Washington DC, Los Angeles, California (CA), Fayetteville, Arkansas ( AR), San Francisco California (CA), Columbus Ohio (OH).

Obesity Problems in Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:35:00 +0000

Adults are more aware than ever of our health and the severe problems that are caused by obesity in the United States. Studies in the last twenty years have proven that America is getting fatter and more unhealthy as the years progress. Becoming aware doesn't mean however is only the first step to the problem. The danger to ourselves is reflected in the increasing obesity in our beloved dog and cat friends.

Dogs are scavengers by nature. An empty bowl can often trigger the pleading behavior but does not mean that they are necessarily hungry. Learn not to give in to the whining or begging for food. Feed them appropriate snacks and stay away from unhealthy food such as pizza, potato chips and such. There are healthy alternatives such as specialty dog snacks and natural food formulas.

How do you know if your dog is overweight? Overweight dogs have a deep layer of fat over their ribs and generally have no waist or tuck-up. Heavy fat will be found along the spine, around the tail and over the ribs. If your dog is morbidly obese, they will have protruding abdomens and fat deposits all over their bodies. Owners can examine their own dogs for the most part to tell whether or not they need to put their dogs on a diet. The breed characteristics have much to do with a dogs build. Some breeds have more prominent ribs and tuck-ups when in perfect condition. Dogs such as Labrador Retrievers, Dachshunds, Spaniels, Shetland Sheepdogs, Labs and Beagles have a tendency for thickening waistlines.

The good news is, as a pet owner, you can control your pet's weight by feeding healthy food and portions. Our pets are dependant on their owners for food and exercise. There can be no question that owners are responsible for their pets obesity. Take it upon yourself to help keep your dog or cat able to fit in to the cute clothes that keep your dog warm in the winter and just plain cute at all other times.

Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Prolonged exercise a couple of times a week will help keep the weight down. Play sessions, long walks and then strenuous playing such as fetching a toy for thirty minutes in the park goes a long way to help keep muscles in shape and their bodies functioning properly. Just letting your dog out in the backyard really won't do the trick as many dogs will simply go out and lay down again. You must participate with him to really get the maximum benefit of exercise. Of course, before starting any vigorous exercise plan, make sure your dog is healthy enough to participate first.

The Cherished Pug Breed

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:35:00 +0000

One of the oldest breeds, Pugs can trace their roots to China, Tibet and then Japan and Europe. When a silver pug name Pompey saved his masters life, the pug became the official dog of the House of Orange in Holland in 1572. The story goes that the pug heard soldiers approaching, licked his master William's face and barked loudly to wake William up. William did wake up and he and Pompey ran to safety.

Some experts of the breed think that pugs are miniaturized from Mastiffs over 2400 years ago. Pugs have graced England for generations including the wife of Napoleon who is said to have been bitten by the pug on their wedding night. From Holland to France to England, pugs have held a place in the monarchy.

Pugs are best known for their unusual noses. They have a flat snub nose that frequently develops respiratory problems and is sensitive to extreme cold or hot temperatures. It is best to only exercise him during the cooler morning hours or the evening when the heat won't bother him as much. Pugs have short, good looking coats that shed quite a bit and require lots of brushing to keep it looking good and keep the skin healthy. They are also known to she a lot, so the brushing keeps the hair more contained in the brush than in your house. Pugs have loose skin so keep the area between the folds of skin clean.

Clean your pugs ears often. Check them for debris and make sure the ear is not sore or inflamed. If you do need to clean the ear, use a product made for pets with a cotton ball or Q-tip.
Pugs love people. They are simply content to just be in your presence for the most part, but don't forget to make activity part of their every day lives. Their propensity to gain weight demands lots of exercise to keep them from getting overweight and unhealthy.

Gaining weight is one thing that you must worry about with pugs. Make sure they have a nutrient rich diet of 40 to 50 nutrients. As with all animals and people too, a good diet is key to good health. Once you have established the food you will feed them, do not change. Changing food to often will result in an upset stomach or an imbalance. Fresh water is a must.

If you are not a breeder, it is always best to have your pug neutered. Neutering makes for a healthier, better adjusted pet especially for pugs who need to be kept indoors out of the heat.

Spayed or neutered pets are less prone to ovarian, mammary, prostate, and anal cancer. Also, it will prevent unwanted litters with other breeds.

DNA Breed Testing for Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:24:00 +0000

With the marvels of our modern age, we have now found a way to find out what exact breeds are found in your special mutt through DNA testing. Mutts of vague or unrecognizable ancestry now have the opportunity to be linked with two or many many different breeds. Developed a year ago, this new product has gotten lots of consumer interest and is growing so fast that manufacturers are hard pressed to keep up. Everyone is running to develop their own version of the product.

The main interest in this test is just good old fashioned curiosity. Have you rescued a dog and it has become part of your loving family but you are unsure of its breed? Maybe he looks like a particular breed but acts like another. You can actually perform the dog DNA test right in your own home with today's tecnology. Dog DNA testing will show you what breeds are in your dog's genetic background. Although knowing the breeds in your "mutt" is good just for your own information, having a DNA test done will also give you a better understanding of possible health risks may come in the future. Simply swab the cheek of your dog with a foam collection device. Check to make sure you've got a successful collection, and then send the Dog DNA test ID card, along with the customer information card in the Lab of your kits choice. You will have the results of your dog DNA test in approximately two weeks. You can also obtain your DNA test results via email immediately after processing. Your dog's Ancestry will have all the breeds that exist in your dog's DNA from the most prevalent to the least. Usually a certificate is sent to you with this information.

Basset hounds, corgis and dachshunds are prone to be obese. Golden Retrievers have lots of different skin ailments. Boxers have cancer tendencies. So, knowing the breed of your mutt can help you prevent problems rather than to treat them later.

Along with the breed results you can ask to receive a breed behavior report, Health and Personality Summary and a DNA ID Card from the company you buy your test from. The dog DNA test summary report you will receive from will detail certain character and health traits to expect from your breed of dog.

The Farrier and Your Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:59:00 +0000

Finding a good Farrier is a job in itself. A good Farrier will not give you the time of day, if your horse cause more trouble than other horses, and he will charge you much more for using up added time. Sedation is one answer but it is not a permanent answer to the problem.

One of the most important aspects of your horses care is hoof care. In order to receive proper care from a Farrier you must give your horse a certain amount of training so as to make him job easier and make it easier on the horse. Many untrained horses will pull their feet away from the farrier and will lean their weight on the farrier will he is trying to work on their feet. In the worst case the horse will kick out at the farrier possibly causing injury. So you can understand the dilemma of the farrier.

It is best to start from a colt and teach foot care to your horse early making it a natural occurrence to have their feet lifted and trimmed. It is the responsibility of the owner to make sure this is done. If the horse is already older and still untrained then training can be done fairly quickly by being patient and not asking for too much too soon.

Five to twenty minutes twice a day is sufficient to start with. Once a day will also give some results, but will end up taking much longer. Work with the horse untied as confining him could cause panic. Begin with the front legs and rub him on the neck. Slowly make your way down the shoulder and if he is okay with that then keep preceding to the foreleg and eventually to the hoof. Keep repeating this procedure for a couple of days and then on the third day start to try to lift his leg up by tickling the back side of the foot. After the horse finally gives you his foot, lean in to his shoulder a bit to make him shift his weight to his other legs. This shifting will give him more balance and be comfortable. Do not let the horse take his foot back. It should be your decision to put his foot down, not his.

Keep repeating this procedure until you can take his foot and stretch it forward as a farrier would do. By the time the farrier comes to trim and shoe your horse you will have already "desensitized" your horse to having his legs handled.

Controling Your Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:48:00 +0000

Those that love to horseback ride are truly in to nature and animals. There is a special feeling you get when riding a horse through trail rides just as they did in the old days. Learning to control your horse with ease and comfort is very important. Everyone agrees that galloping or loping your horse is the most fun of all as over time, the rider and the horse become one.

Your body and your horses body changes when you are galloping. The mechanics for both of you change completely. In this position, it is most difficult to handle your balance and your horse at the same time. The horse's back drops down and he lifts all four feet off the ground at once. The rider comes up in the saddle a little and pushes down in to his stirrups for balance. For those times that your horse may get spooked and take off running with you, you need to know how to get your control back.

If your horse starts to take off with you, don't panic. Go with the gallop but instead of just letting the horse head straight on till he gets tired, pull him on one rein and put him in a slow circle and lead him back around to where he started. If you continues to run, then continue to make him circle, making it tighter each time. He will soon learn that he is not getting his way and is returning to the place where he was fleeing anyway and he will stop. This will tell the horse, that you are still in control and he is not getting what he wants, while at the same time you are not making a huge ordeal and punishing him in a way he won't understand.

Since it is always easier to learn anything new at a slower pace, practice the correct form in a canter verses a gallop. Put yourself in the two-point position. Concentrate on keeping the reins secure in your hands. Some actually place their hands on the mane of the horse and grab hold of some hair. When your horse starts to move forward, push down in your stirrups and lean forward while lifting your bottom up off of the saddle seat.

First learn the mechanics of a proper gallop. You and your horse will learn together so that whether or not any mishaps occur, you can remained calm and balanced in the saddle enough to teach your horse a lesson.

The most important thing is to relax and enjoy. Your horse will read your feelings of fear if you are not relaxed and happy. In other words, go with it and have fun!

Teaching Your Horse to Barrel Race

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:46:00 +0000

A good barrel horse requires lots of time and training. The event, which usually draws more girls than boys, has become extremely popular in 4H clubs and rodeo's.

A horse that is already trained in riding and knows all of the basic commands and basics such and trotting and loping is much preferred to a green horse. If he does not know the basic stop, starts, and reining it makes things extremely difficult and will take much longer to get up to speed. It is best to have a somewhat eager and energetic horse when racing barrels as they must be athletic and have good energy for this fast event.

An arena with at least two inches of loose sand or dirt on top of firm ground is needed. Arrange three barrels in the proper pattern you wish to run. You can either start on the left barrel or the right. Walk your horse around the barrels. Make the pattern three or four times at least completely. The turns must be complete and in the proper way. Leave a pocket when approaching each barrel just as you would when riding the pattern in competition.

Trot your horse around the barrels through the proper pattern for about two weeks. Do not move on until your horse is able to trot the pattern with minimal instruction. Get him to learn the pattern so well that he doesn't even have to think.

You can increase to a lope after the two weeks. If the horse makes any mistakes, go back to the original trot until he fixes the problem. Even after you are at a running speed, continue to walk and run your horse every day. This will teach him that he doesn't have to run the barrels every time he gets near them.

Over time, horses can get very excited when running the pattern and begin to charge the barrel. Relaxation is the key in any competition. When in the training arena and walking around the barrels you may want to walk him several times around a barrel until he can do it calmly and relaxed. Don't go thru the pattern at a run until he is calm and focused.

Make sure to give your horse time away from the barrels, as they get extremely bored of doing the same things over and over. Give them a little relaxation time away from the work.

Undernourished Horses

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:12:00 +0000

When a horse looses weight, he looses his fat first, just as we humans do, and then the muscle tone goes next. By the time you actually see a weight-loss, your horse has already lost a significant amount of weight. Usually a horse has a large amount of fat in reserve that he has stored during summer months to prepare himself for the cold winters. As with many animals, it is inherent in their nature.

You must monitor your horses weight regularly, especially if he is prone to weight loss or a "poor keeper". A "poor keeper" is a horse that is hard to keep a stable weight on and must be monitored to make sure he doesn't get sick. They sell "tapes" that you use once a week to measure certain areas of the horse. This tape is about 90% accurate. There are of course scales you can set up to weight your horse, but the tape is accurate and cheap enough for most people needs.

If your horse needs more weight, feed more grain than your horses usual portion. Use a feed that is higher in fiber and lower in starch as this reduces the chances of your horse from getting too hyped up from the added energy. More protein and energy intake builds weight. Low energy feeds can be fed from 1kg to 6 kg without your horse going thru the roof with energy.
If you don't have good grazing land, offer more hay during the day to provide extra roughage and nutrients. Fresh coastal or alphalpha grass is preferred, but the hay will still provide "gut fill" which creates heat from the process of fermentation. Try to stay away from large round bales as they can develop mold and are not suitable for horses.

Always consult your veterinarian if you are unsure how to best feed your horse to build weight. They can suggest a good nutritionist that can guide you in proper feeding and supplements.

Saddle Bags

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:38:00 +0000

When you think of the saddlebag from cowboy days, leather or canvas comes to mind. These materials are still used to make bags, but they are also made from new materials such as nylon. Nylon is lighter weight, durable and less expensive than the usual leather, although nothing is quite as strong or gives you the nostalgia of the old fashion leather product.

If you ride horses on a regular bases, then you will have some kind of saddle bag. In the old west, saddlebags carried everything necessary to take you through a cattle drive or bring tools needed for fixing the fence-line. Today, there are many options available and ways to carry your gear. There is not just the traditional saddle bags anymore. There is also the hobble holders, hoof pick holders, gun holster and scabbards, horn bags, bottle holders and cantle bags. All you have to do is look around and you will find a holder for it. The choice you make depends on personal preference and what gear you need to bring with you.

The definition of a saddle bag is two pouches connected by a wide piece of leather. Attached with saddle strings, they lie behind the cantle and across the back behind the cantle. Saddle bag strings are usually very long long which gives you lots of length to tie a blanket of rain gear as well as the bags on to your saddle.

Leather bags just as saddles can be beautiful works of art. You will find many saddle makers who also make custom leather saddle bags. On the other side of the tracks, nylon bags are are stretchy, allowing you to put more in to them and they come in many colors. The main draw to nylon is the price factor. You can get nylon cantle bags as well as horn bags. For this rider, it's nice to have the old-time heavy leather saddle bags for show, but for actual use to just drag around, you can't beat the cheap nylon offerings of today's nylon bags.

Learn To Trailer Your Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:57:00 +0000

Trips to the veterinarian hospital or to a park are common place. Moving your horse from one place to another is a must whether you show your horse or not. Loading your horse can be a stressful time for the horse as well as the owner if the horse hasn't been taught correctly from the start. Any mishaps can scar the horse for life and it will be very difficult to change the unpleasant memory. Remain calm and give praise whenever possible.

Trailers should be introduced to a horse from the time he is a young colt. Often times feeding them in a trailer that is parked and not going anywhere at all. You can start with putting the feed on the floor at the back door and gradually as the days go by, put the food farther and farther up in to the trailer until it is fully inside and completely confident inside. This can work with a fully grown horse also. Making them familiar with the trailer is key to getting them loaded.

Start by walking the animal near the trailer in a circle but don't actually go inside. Each time he completes the circle praise him and give him a scratch behind his withers. Approach the trailer closer each time. If you have introduced him to the trailer from a colt he will have no problems. If not then keep familiarizing him with the trailer. Walk him up to the trailer or up the ramp over and over until he feels secure.

There's a fine line between being pushy and firm, so just use your own judgment. Make your intentions clear that he is to go in to the trailer. Praise him when he makes progress towards entering the trailer. Never force him in, but a pat on the butt when he is close to entering encourages him to move forward.

On different days all through the day, load him up in the trailer to enforce the behavior that he must comply each time he is asked no matter what is going on around him.

Tacking Up Your Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:01:00 +0000

To put on the equipment needed to make a horse ready for riding is called "tacking up" a horse. You will need a saddle complete with girth strap and stirrups, saddle blanket, and bridle to begin with. Learning to tack a horse properly is very important to the rider as much as to the horse.

If you put a saddle on with dirt underneath it will rub on your horse causing irritation. Before putting anything on your horse you must be sure he is brushed and groomed. Dirt under the saddle will cause the horse irritation. When the coat is clean, then you made start.

Always put on all tack while standing on the horses left side. Make sure your horse is well secured with a halter and lead rope as horses have a way of getting tangled up when you aren't looking. Put the saddle blanket on first, placing it in the proper place up towards the withers. On top of blanket place the saddle. Make sure the blanket and saddle are pulled up far enough to the withers. Usually with western saddles one cinch is in the front and one in the back. The back Flank Billet or rear cinch should hang one inch below the horse. It doesn't need to be tightened. The front cinch, which is the one you should do first, needs to be secured tightly. Tighten it as much as possible. Before getting on the horse you will tighten it again.

With your left hand on the bit and the right hand on the top of the bridle insert the bit in to the horses mouth. Pull it up and over each ear, then secure the small buckle at the top of the cheek-piece. There should be only a slight wrinkle on the lip where the bit sits. Pull up the reins around the horses neck and you are ready to go.

After a few minutes, check the forward cinch again for tightness.

Youth Horseback Riding

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:46:00 +0000

Most children have a natural love of animals. Some have an innate love of horses specifically. With young riders, the key is to try and make the first lessons fun. Heavier lessons need to wait until they are old enough to physically handle an animal as large as a horse. Usually under six years of age, children are not strong enough to handle anything but the most safe and older "kid horse".

Grooming and taking care of a horse are the first lessons of a student. It is suggested to have the student wear a helmet during the entire lesson, even while grooming. Let the children drop treats into a bucket for the animal. When they are ready, teach them how to feed a horse from their hand, with it being totally flat and fingers tightly together so the horse doesn't nip any fingers. Horses naturally nudge when they think you have a treat, so make sure the child is aware that this is normal.

Don't let the beginning student get their horse for the lesson. Have him caught and ready to go. Horses are very large and you don't want a student to get hurt trying to lead a horse. Make the lesson fun but stress safety and what they should do and where to stand for each step in the grooming process.

Always look for the smallest saddle available and do what is necessary to make the stirrups short enough to reach with their feet. This will give them more balance and control. It is much easier for the teacher of a child to physically demonstrate what you mean rather than give only verbal lessons. Teaching a young rider is very "hands on". Keep a halter on underneath your horses bridle so you can attach a lunge line on. With the lunge line you can allow the child to ride around on the horse while still having control over the horses head.

As time goes on the student will gain the strength and balance needed to pursue riding. Wearing safety gear and keeping the lunge line clipped to the horse's halter at all times, proceed with the lessons. Teach balance and getting used to the motion of the horse and learning to use the reins to direct which way the horse will go.

Before Buying A Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:20:00 +0000

A good question to ask yourself when looking for a horse is "What is my true riding experience?". Try to take an honest look at yourself and get friends to help you decide what kind of a horse is best for you. This is where many people falter in judgment. You must match how much training a horse has had to your riding ability.

What sort of riding do you do? Think of the end goal around five years from now. Hacking, showing, polo, driving, jumping are just a few of the things you might want a horse for. This will help you decide whether to buy a horse that is already completely trained or one that needs a little work.

Never buy a horse without riding him first. It is very common to try out a horse in this way before purchasing. Get a knowledgeable person that is a good judge of handling horses to also ride the horse and give an evaluation. Your riding instructor would be a good person to do this for you, especially if you are nervous about riding a strange animal.

Beginning riders need a horse that is already broke (trained) and easy to work with. Only very experienced riders should pick a horse that needs more control or guidance while riding. Know your limits where this is concerned. Look in magazines, newspapers and even on the Internet to find a good horse. Another good outlet is to ask your horse-riding friends if they know of anything for sale.

Stop A Bucking Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:18:00 +0000

Have you have ever gotten in a situation where your horse begins to buck with you while having a nice trail ride and you end up on your bum? If so, then from that time on you have probably made certain to be on your guard about it happening again. There are certain steps you can follow that will help you to stop the horse in it's proverbial tracks before he can throw you off his back.
Pay attention to your horses behavior in relation to how he is tacked out. Is he personable, finicky, irritable, quick to run? Or is he being very docile and walk slowly? Make sure before you do any riding at all that the saddle and tack fit your horse as perfectly as possible. The trick is to avoid any pinches or pokes by the equipment. Before getting angry and trying to punish your horse for bucking, check your saddle and headstall to make sure it was not that versus something to do with behavior issues. Horses usually buck for a good reason, but every now and then you will find one that has had bad training and does not like to be ridden. As stated before, this is only the case on rare occasions.
The signs that your horse may be about to buck are, ears pinned back; turning his head to look at you; dropping his head quickly to the ground or even tensing up under saddle and moving around. There may be no signs at all that there is anything wrong so it takes a watchful eye. When a horse bucks he drops his head down while kicking his back legs up and out in to the air with a huge amount of force. The usual reasons he bucks are to kick the horse next to him or his saddle is pinching him and causing discomfort in some way.
The first thing you do when a horse is bucking is pull the reins back as far and tight as you can to pull the horses head up. It is a physical impossibility to buck if his head is up in the air. Stand in your stirrups to help keep your balance and try to stay off his back so that he is bucking under you. If you get no results then take the right or left rein only and pull the horses head around to the side. This will cause him to move forward in to a circle where you can get control of him.

Basic Horse Knowlege

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:29:00 +0000

We see pictures of horses grazing out in the field and we surmise that horses live there alone with very little attention from humans. Horses can be sometimes misunderstood by people who know nothing about their behavior. Unless you are around horses on a regular basis, you will not know how they act or the safety issues involved when being close to a horse.

Movements, body position and calls are all forms of communication with horses. Just sit and observe your horse for long periods of time and you will begin to see the horses language to other horses and to humans. Don't misunderstand ears that are pointing back to listen to you with the "flat" back ears which means anger. The ears of a horse always point in the direction that he is paying attention to. If you are riding him, you want one ear pointed at you. If his ears are flat back against his head, it means he is afraid or angry. Ears that move front and back continuously means he uncertain what to do.

Horses are herd animals, so their instinct is to run from danger and stay within their heard for protection. Communication is very important with any animal. Since they cannot learn how to understand us, we as owners of horses must learn their behavior instead. Horses, like many animals, have a strong since of self-preservation. With some good training and an experienced rider, a grown horse can learn to follow directions rather than following their instincts. Trust is the main ingredient for this to happen. Spend time with your horse and always react in the same way every time with patience.

Facial expressions are another way to read what a horse is thinking. A wrinkled nose can mean disgust and annoyance. When a horse bares his teeth with an open mouth, it means he's about to bite. A long nose and tight mouth show anxiety and fear as when they are being taught something. When he figures out what he is trying to be taught, then his mouth will relax and he'll began to chew. A long nose with a slightly open mouth shows that the horse wants to be groomed and also to groom in return too.

The tail is also a way to read your horse. A high tail means excitement in a horse while a tail that is flattened and between their legs means fear. A tail that is lashing about is a sign of irritation and annoyance. A sort of "kinked" tail is often a sign that your horse is about to buck, especially if he bows his back up at the same time.

These are just a few ways that you can begin to communicate with your horse. Trust and positive interaction is the key. Since people are verbal, we often don't want to try to understand other forms of communication, but as horse owners we need to at least try to learn ways to improve how we react with each other.

The Paint Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:31:00 +0000

The American paint horse is a stock-type horse that is intelligent and is built for agility and speed and has a "willing" attitude. He is ideal for many different riding needs such as ranch work, showing, pleasure riding, rodeo events and they are wonderful horses for children and beginning riders.

In order for a horse to be registered as a paint he must fit in to three catagories. Tobiano, Overo or Tovero paints.

The Tobiano pattern has an oval or round white spot that extends down the neck and chest. Often in this pattern, the white crosses the horse's back between the tail and withers and the head can either be solid or have a blaze, strip or star. Their legs are usually white below the knees and sometimes the tail will be two colors.

The Overo paint horse can be mostly white or dark. They often have loud white markings on the head such as a "bald face". An overo's markings are usually scattered and irregular and the legs are the same. They can have one or all four legs dark or white, but their tail is usually one color.

The markings of a paint can be so varied that the American Paint Horse Association has made a third category to classify characteristics of both Tobiano and Overo. They call this classification, Tovero.

The Comanche Indians, used the paint horse as much as they could as depicted in their early drawings of spotted horses found on buffalo hides. The paint to the Indian had special magic that would help them hunt and fight.

The Paint horse has been called Paint, Pinto, piebald and skewbald as there was no specific name for the paint way back when. When an association was formed it was decided that the stock type build of the breed would stay in tact. In fact, the only difference in a paint horse and a stock-type horse is the coloring.

There are many breeders of paint horses today as the romance of the old west and the Indians carry on. The uniqueness of the paint horse will forever be a point of interest to the horse inthusiast as there are no two paint horses the same in coloring or confirmation.

The Kinsky Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:01:00 +0000

The Kinsky horse has an extremely long history. They are good-natured and have the stamina necessary for many different activities such as Fox Hunting or Western riding. The moment they are born they are very friendly to humans and can bonding with their owners from the start.

The legend is as follows. A hunting party was attacked by wolves. Only one man stayed and stood his ground against the wolves and drove them off killing three of them. For his courage, he was knighted and given a coat of arms with three wolves' teeth as a reminder of his brave act.

Over time, the reputation of the Kinsky horses grew. From cavalry horses to carriage horses, the breed was widley known. They began to be known as the Gold Kinsky horses because of the gold metallic shine to their coats, although not all Kinsky's are gold. They can be all shades of gold and, on rare occasions, black.

The Kinsky horses is a seven time winner of the Pardubice Grand National. The most remembered race was won by the gold Kinsky mare Norma. The rider was the first and only woman to ever win the European race.

The USSR confiscated all Kinsky Estates at the beginning of the war and banned foxhunting. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of family the Kinsky horse's standards did not suffer during this time. Now known as the Czech Republic, the Kinsky horse is regarded as a treasure to their country.

There are less than one-thousand registered Kinsky horses today. A stud farm has been opened in the UK to breed this rare horse for the first time ever. Hopefully, this will increase the number of Kinsky's so that they can preserve the breed.

Stabling Your Horse

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:26:00 +0000

The needs of a horse are not too different from any other animal. Basic needs consist of adequate food, fresh water and plenty of exercise. Some people keep thier horses out on the open range and only bring them in when they are needed. Stalled horses require constant attention. Many prefer "stalling" because you can control his diet and exercise. Here are a few things to know about keeping your horse well taken care of in a stall situation.

The size is the stall is very important. A twelve-by-twelve stall is sufficient for most size horses. If you have a larger than average horse, act according and get a larger stall. There should be ample room to turn around or be groomed. A paddock that your horse can go outside the stall in is recommended.

Cement or concrete walls are dangerous to horses as they can break their legs if they kick the wall for any reason. Stalls made of wood are recommended.

Automatic waterers are very popular these days for horse stalls. They are mounted in the wall so the horse can't kick it over or get hay or food in it. It gives out fresh water continuously. The only problem is you can't monitor their water intake. Also, some horses don't them. If using a bucket, try to keep at least ten gallons of water available at a time.

There are many different feed containers you can use. For a stall, a combination hay/feed bucket is recommended. Throwing grain on the ground will cause your horse to eat sand or dirt which cause colic. Hay racks keep food out of the bedding where they can ingest dirt also.

Make sure you keep proper bedding in your stalls. Wood shavings work very well for stall bedding and is usually plentiful and absorbant.

Horse Training

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:05:00 +0000

The goal with any horse is to get to the fun part where you can take him on trail rides or let your friends ride him with no worries that he will start bucking or take off running with the rider. You must first put in the training necessary so that your horse becomes agreeable in any situation. If you can't afford a "kid safe" horse and have to work with what you have, then there are things you can do to make this happen.

A "spooky" horse can be a dangerous thing for riders. Serious injuries can be caused by a horse that is "green" and unused to being around certain objects or places. Spend as much time with your horse as you can so as to build a trust with your horse, starting with the groundwork.

Trust is invaluable as a tool to help your horse overcome his natural instincts to flee when danger is near. If your horse trusts you to keep him safe, he will ignore his instincts and remain calm. You must establish yourself as your horse's "leader" and work with him as much as possible, letting him know who is boss.

Take your animal out with a horse that is what is known as "bombproof". When a horse sees and feels that another horse is remaining calm in all situations then he will realize that things that seem scary to him are not so scary after all. Horses learn a lot from each other and read situations through other horses eyes. Walk him through many obsticals in many different situations with this lead horse for a good example.

If your horse is scared of certain objects, then make sure you expose those objects to him every day until he is completely comfortable around them. For example you can tie plastice bags to the fence and let them flap in the breeze. Then keep taking your horse past the bags every day as part of his training to NOT be afraid of things that are moving around him when under saddle. Walking him through brush that he's never been around every day helps your horse get used to trail riding.

Fear is the main thing that drives a horse to misbehave. The point is to make him comfortable with as many things as possible on an every day basis. Use calm and patience but with a firm hand to continue in your role as "lead" horse.

Taking Care Of Your Horses Hooves

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:20:00 +0000

The condition of a horse's hooves and coat are a reflection of his good health. Horses are like people, some have better hooves than others, but there are things you can do to help the hoof along. It is best to have them trimmed and shod every six to eight weeks. You must pick your horses feet before and after riding him. Pick up his foot and working from heel to toe, take your hoof pick and clean out the dirt and debris from the hoof and shoe being careful of the soft frog. Your stable floor should be kept as dry as possible allowing for proper drainage so that the animal won't be standing in a wet stall or paddock. Standing in a wet environment for too long will cause the hoof to dry and crack.

The Hoof wall is an important element in the control of the moisture in the hoof. Wash off the foot carefully with a wet hoof brush. In a dry climate this will keep in the hoof moistureized. In damp wet climates use hoof oil on the underside of the foot to keep it dryer and stop the hooves from becoming weak.

Diet is important to a horses foot health. Low protein or an unbalanced diet will cause unhealthy horses and hooves. Supplements may be necessary to add to your horses diet. Some horses, when put on a diet with levels of biotin and methionine, will show improved hoof health. Biotin is a vitamin that promotes the health and growth of keratin and other connective tissue. Methionine is an emino acid that is essential for the growth of healthy hooves. Products high in zinc and copper also promote also helps the hoof remain healthy.

It is also important to remember that unless you are riding your horse frequently or in rough terrain, there is no need to have shoes put on. Many horse do just fine with no shoes at all, and in many cases horses that have had shoes on for long periods of time can take a break from them for a month just to rest the hoof. It can take up to a year for healthy tissue to reach the bottom of the hoof, therefore any supplements may take weeks or months to show any results on the hoof.

Basic Horse Knowlege

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:59:00 +0000

The size and strength, of horses can be misunderstood by many people who know nothing about them. Unless you are around horses on a regular basis, you will not know how they act or the safety issues involved with being close to a horse. What are the important things to look for in communicating with your horse?

Since horses cannot learn how to understand human behavior, we as owners must learn the their world instead. Horses are herd animals, so their instinct is to run from danger to their herd for protection. A horse can learn however to ignore their instincts to follow directions with a good trainer. Trust is the key. Spend time with your horse and always react appropriately to their behavior.

Movements, body position and calls are all forms of communication with horse. Observe your horse for the way they communicate with each other and to humans. The ears of a horse always point in the direction that he is paying attention to. If you are riding him, you want one ear point at you. If his ears are pinned back it means he is afraid or angry. Ears that move front and back continuously indicates uncertainty.

A horses tail is also a way to understand what your horse is thinking. A high tail means excitement in a horse while a tail that is flattened and between their legs means fear. A tail that is swishing about is a sign of irritation and annoyance.

A wrinkled nose can mean annoyance. When a horse bares his teeth with an open mouth, it means he's about to bite. A long nose and tight mouth show anxiety and fear as when they are being taught something. After the stress is over, his mouth softens and he'll began to chew. A long nose with a slightly open mouth shows that the horse wants to be groomed and also to groom in return too.

We often don't want to understand other forms of communication, but if we are to have a horse or any animal , then we need to at least try to learn ways to improve how we interact with each other. Trust and positive interaction is the key.

Western Chaps And Their History

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:50:00 +0000

This article is to help you understand more about the history of the Western Chap The Chap is an invention of horse riders to help them be more protected when doing the work of a cowboy. There are names for the cut and style of chaps according to the usage and the time period you are talking about.

The first type of Chaperajos were the Armas. Chaperajos or Chaps as we know them, were invented by the Spanish who settled Mexico. They were two large pieces of leather tied to the saddle. These large pieces were draped across the riders legs while riding through brush, otherwise they were laid under the riders legs. These were made from heavy buffalo hide or thick cowhide.

Vaqueros wore the first leather breaches called Armitas in the early 1800's. These chaps were made from wild animal hides, calfskin, deer, lion and goat. They were attached to a belt t and wrapped around the riders legs with leather bindings.

The early Texas cowboys designed the first full length complete leather britches called Shotguns, because the pants had no seat and resembled a double-barrel shotgun. The plainer chaps that had no fringe or concho's were called Closed Legs. Most of the modern shotguns are made with zippers for a tighter more tailored fit.

The Batwing chap were some of the most decorated of all the chaps. With the coming of the Wild West Shows and rodeos the contests needed a little flare to their outfits. These chaps had wide leather wings that flapped around freely which is why they called them Batwing. The first style was the step-into type, then later they were changed to the open legged style that buckled or snapped into place.

A few years later the Angoras or Woollies came in to being. The northern climates used them for the warmth and the water repellent qualities of the Woollies. They were made of mountain lion, leopard, angora goats, bear, buffalo, dog and even seal with the fur left on.

Chinks, are similar to chaps, but shorter, typically hitting the rider just below the knee but above the ankle. The working cowboy or rodeo cowboy like these chaps for their ease of movement as they are shorter. They are secured by snaps, zippers, buckles or other forms of fasteners stopping above the back of the knee. The fringe on chinks are longer than regular chaps, giving them the appearance of being longer than they are.

An Education On The Horse Bit

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:44:00 +0000

A rider depends on the bit to keep control over his horse in whatever his job is, be it real cowboy work or in the show ring. The horse has to like his bit and not work against it. Lets go over all the equipment that goes with the bit and the different choices to make on mouthpieces.

*Purchase - The purchase is a part of the bit located above the mouthpiece. A shorter purchase will make the bit act quicker where a longer purchase will make him act slower.

*Shank - Located below the mouthpiece it gives you leverage on the bit. In this case, the shorter the shank, the less control, and the longer the shank the MORE control.

*Cheeks - The cheeks are the sides of the bit and includes both the "purchase" and the "shank".

*Mouthpiece - The mouthpiece is part of the bit that goes in the horse's mouth. Bars are the part of the mouthpiece that rests on the horse's bars, which is the gums behind a horses teeth. The Port is the piece that rests on the tongue. They come in high, medium and low. The closer together the bars, the more severe and the wider apart they are the less severe. A Mullen Relief is a forward curve to the mouthpiece and gives even pressure across the mouth.

The Snaffle is one of the most common mouthpieces. It is broken in the middle. and is very comfortable to the horse. The Double Twisted Wire Snaffle is made of two small snaffles that are "off-center from each other. The Three-piece Snaffle is broken in two places which allows it to work on different places on the bars than the regular snaffle. The Chain Mouthpiece works on the corners of the mouth but do now work on the bars as a snaffle would. Any mouthpiece that is not broken is called a Solid Mouthpiece.

*Curb Bit - A curb mouthpiece places a rotation in the mouth pulling downward and then pulling upward on the curb chain. This bit is a severe bit meant to be used for training and not necessary for trail riding.

*Metal In Mouthpieces - Copper is a common metal used on mouthpieces as it makes the horses mouth salivate which allows their mouths to stay soft. Sweet Iron is a material that is intended to rust and gives off a somewhat sweet taste to the horse. Stainless Steel is another.

Hopefully the above information will give you some idea as to which Mouthpiece would be best for your use and will help when you go to a tack store looking for that perfect fit of horse and rider.

Basic Horse Tack Supplies

noreply@blogger.com (Posh Pampered Pets) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:43:00 +0000

The Definition of "Horse Tack" is all the equipment that you need as the owner of a horse. Riding a horse and properly caring for a horse requires certain equipment to adequately take care of their needs. Bridles, saddle pads, saddles, bits, bridles, lead ropes, halters stirrup leathers and whips are just a few of the supplies you will need. You will need to take a look at your horse's activities and needs to evaluate what pieces of tack you should buy.

Your first time to the tack store you will have to spend a good amount of money if you are starting from scratch. But, if you take good care of all your tack it will last for several years. Also, getting a good quality saddle and bridle will last you forever if you keep it clean and polished up after every use. The same goes with all your your equipment.

The first thing you will need for your horse is a halter. The halter fits over the horses nose and head to allow you to control the horse. Next will be the Lead Rope. Lead ropes are especially made for horses and they have a very long clasp and are woven tightly for strength. It is probably the single most used piece of tack. Next comes the saddle. There are so many options on saddles it will make your head spin, so in basic terms, a good all around saddle is best. Take your horses measurements around the girth and length of his back to help you decide what size you will need. Under the saddle goes the saddle pad or blanket. The last basic piece of equipment is the bridle. The bridle is used to control the horse while riding and has the bit and the reins attached to it. You will have to experiment on which bits to use with your particular horse. Some horses have sensitive mouths so you must choose a bit that is very easy on the mouth. Until you ride your horse a while you won't know exactly which to choose at first so just pick a mid-range bit to begin. Most stores that sell saddles and other tack will have a specialist there that can help you purchase all of these items and give you some good advice as to which ones are a good "first-time" choice. Whatever you do, enjoy.