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Synthetic Saddles

Synthetic Saddles

Any horse enthusiast can attest to the fact that equipment is becoming more and more expensive.

Synthetic Jumping Saddles

Synthetic Jumping Saddles

For the discerning rider, there is no substitution for a good, high quality jumping saddle. Jumping saddles

Synthetic Dressage Saddles

Synthetic Dressage Saddles

For many competitive and exhibition riders, everything revolves around dressage. A system of training designed to

Synthetic Western Saddles

Synthetic Western Saddles

Synthetic Western saddles offer riders of every level an economical alternative to traditional leather saddles. Cost

Time for horse lovers to get back in the saddle

Time for horse lo...

This is the time of year for horse lovers to get back in the saddle –

Put magic in your romance by adopting an animal

Put magic in your...

Adopting an animal is an ideal Christmas gift for country lovers who want to give back

Nothing matches online dating for country singles

Nothing matches o...

Meeting someone in a large town or city is relatively easy – just start hanging out

Country lovers online should avoid big dating sites

Country lovers on...

Country lovers looking for that right person from an online dating site with millions of members

Recent Added Posts

Common Sense Horsemanship

Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by admin in Horse Health, Horse Riding
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For the enthusiast, taking care of a horse and improving the quality of riding is often a simple matter of employing common sense. Keeping a stall or corral clear, and free of hazards will ensure the animal’s safety, in the same way keeping a child’s room tidy will prevent accidents. Correct feeding and exercise will promote good health in the animal, as well as it does with humans. Training on a regular basis will lead to better performance on the part of the horse, just as it would on the part of an athlete.

A horse spends a lot of time in a stall or a corral, and keeping these areas clean is important to maintaining good health. The horse’s skin and hair are somewhat of an air conditioning system that adjusts with the climate. Keeping the animal clean will promote good functions in this regard. As for washing a horse, a mild shampoo will work just fine and, just as with humans, it should be rinsed thoroughly.

As for feeding supplements, a reasonable person would not eat power food, then sit down to watch television and go to bed. The same holds true with a horse. Grain is fine before doing a fair amount of exercise, such as a trail ride or Gymkhana type events. The extra calories and sugars will be burned as fuel. However, graining the animal before a training session will make the horse over energized, with the physiological need to burn that fuel. When this happens, good communication has been lost, since both the horse and rider are no longer on the same page.

Understanding the nature of the animal goes a long way toward knowing what will have a positive result, and what to avoid in training, and in everyday associations. A dog is basically aggressive by nature, and they respond to communication that is delivered in a firm manner. Conversely, horses are timid by nature, and by recognizing this, communicating with the animal can be relatively straightforward and uncomplicated.

Obviously, the best horse and rider teams are the ones that work in rhythm. Whether riding or grooming, talking to the horse in a calm, even tone will put the otherwise timid animal at ease. Smooth and even movements around a horse are important as well. Once a horse becomes familiar with a person's manner and tempo, that animal will be relaxed and responsive.

Along with common sense, patience and consistency are essential elements in the care and training of a horse. When the animal can begin to expect certain things, and is given time to absorb new things, the door is open for establishing trust, and a bond.

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Should I buy a horse?

Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 by admin in Buying & Selling Horses
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My parents purchased a pony for me when I was 6 years old. I had begged for a pony for years. For every birthday and Christmas, my standard answer to the question of what I wanted was, "A pony. I only want a pony." Finally, they found a pony. When they went to see the pony, the owner's child showed how gentle the pony was. My parents were satisfied and closed the deal. I was ecstatic when the pony was delivered. I told everyone it was the best present ever. It wasn't. It was finally a relief when we sold the pony. What happened?

* My parents wanted the pony to be a surprise so I never saw the pony until it showed up in our driveway. The person who is going to ride the horse or pony should try it out before the purchase. It's good to also have a trial period in the purchase agreement.

* The owner's child was very experienced with horses and ponies. I was not. The pony quickly realized that he could easily intimidate me. He acted like he was going to bite me. The pony would kick me or try to squish me against trees or the fence. He liked to step on my feet and when I tried to get him to move, he'd put more of his weight on my foot.

* I had only ridden a horse a handful of times and never by myself unless an adult was leading it. At that point of time I was more experienced with drawing horses than riding or caring for them.

* I did not have anyone experienced with horses to talk with me.

Before deciding to purchase a horse, you need to ask yourself some questions.

Why do I want a horse?

To help you make a decision about purchasing a horse, you need to know why you want it. "It would be fun to have a horse" or "I've always wanted a horse" are not good reasons to buy one.

Am I ready for a horse?

You need to get experience with horses first. Taking riding lessons will test how long your interest in horses will last as well as give you experience. If you only enjoy riding horses a couple times a year, purchasing a horse is not a good option. I boarded a horse for someone who fell in love with a horse but didn't have any time for it. He just had to have the horse and purchased it without knowing what he would do with it. He rode the horse three times during the two years that I kept the horse. I offered to buy the horse several times but he was attached to the thought of owning a horse.

How much time do I have?

Caring for a horse takes quite a bit of time. It's not just whether you can fit in a ride a couple times a week. Grooming and feeding must be included also.

Can I afford a horse?

A horse costs more than the purchase price. There are veterinarian bills, food, tack, and the farrier's bills to consider. All these comprise ongoing costs that have to be met in order to keep your horse in an optimum state of health.

Time for horse lovers to get back in the saddle

Posted on Monday, March 08, 2010 by admin in Country Dating
Tags: , , ,

This is the time of year for horse lovers to get back in the saddle – for riding and romance.

For equestrians, it’s time to brush up on the condition of their horses as they shed their winter coats in anticipation of a warmer summer - although some say in this country you can tell the season by the warmth of the rain.

This has been the coldest winter for a while, so give your horse or pony a good check over to make sure they are in tiptop condition.

If injections are due, call in the vet and also get teeth checked out to sort out any wear and tear from chewing.

Tiptop doesn’t only mean checking from nose to tail, but the feet as well.

Depending on where and how much riding is planned, hooves may need trimming and the feet shoeing.

Don’t expect your horse or pony to be ready for an arduous trek straight away – you probably need some exercise and warming up to tackle a long ride and so does your horse or pony after a winter of inactivity.

Watch the feed as well – don’t go straight from hay to grass, phase the change in to avoid upsetting digestion.

As for you, turning out a healthy and well-groomed horse is one thing; you also need to have a good look at yourself and your online dating profile.

With the hope of some great outdoor weather, you can plan some events and rides with romance in mind.

Check out your profile and spruce up the details – if you’ve had a birthday update your age and make sure your photo does you justice.

If you are not on a specialist equestrian lovers dating site, then now is the time to sign up and start joining in the fun on Love Horse.

You can find lots of equestrian singles of all ages waiting for horse dating.

Most of the singles online with Love Horse share your love of the countryside, horses and all things equestrian. The site is a safe environment where you control who and when you meet, so there’s no risk and nothing to lose.

Time for country lovers to spring in to action

Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 by admin in Country Walks, Farming, Rural Communities
Tags: , ,

Spring in the country for most people is lambs playing in the fields and woods carpeted with bluebells.

For country lovers, wrapping up warm for a stroll in the sunshine to watch the animals and birds is one of the great joys as the land comes back to life after hibernating for winter.

Bulbs bursting in top flower, buds on the trees and lambing tell us all is well with the world and despite the stresses and strains of man-made worries like work and money, nature is above all this and carries on regardless.

A country walk in the spring clears the head and mind. Not for nothing is spring known as the time of romance.

For many, the New Year does not start on January 1, but with the birth of the first lambs.

To townies, lambing is a certain time of year, but they don’t realise sheep really do follow the rest of the flock when it comes to breeding.

Most farm animals don’t have a regulated breeding season, just like us. Sheep are different – they all get pregnant and give birth at more or less the same time when the weather warms and a good supply of grass is available for the lambs.

Here are some tips of what to watch out for when you and your partner are crossing the fields:

* Sheep ready for lambing are held in a field close to the farm or in sheds on the farm so the farmer can keep a close eye on them

* If you see a ewe leave the flock looking for a quiet place under a bush or near a wall, she’s probably ready to give birth in the next hour or so

* Most sheep easily give birth without the farmer’s help.

* If you see an ewe licking a lamb’s face, she’s probably cleaning him or her just after the birth

* After the first lamb, the second quickly follows – most breeds give birth to two lambs

If you see a ewe pawing the ground, it’s not a sign of anger or upset. She’s probably in labour and a little confused. The pawing is a signal she is looking for her lamb.