Eventing

Eventing is one event featuring three disciplines; dressage, show jumping and cross-country. Both the team competition and individual competitions run at the same time. Competitors are given penalty points for errors or fences knocked over, and the competitor with the fewest penalty points at the end of the four days of competition wins. The best five competitors from each nation will have their points totaled to see which country wins the team medals. All of the eventing for the Olympic games will take part in Greenwich park. The rider stays with the same horse for the duration of the four day event, but outfits change with each discipline. Dressage demands very formal wear and excellent presentation of both horse and rider, show jumping is less formal but still smart with polished boots and red jackets, and for the cross-country events the key is comfort and safety, with riders wearing helmets and sturdy boots such as a the Ariat Volant front zip to protect their feet, ankles and legs.

Dressage

The discipline of dressage showcases the control between horse and rider. Riders are immaculately turned out in their velvet hats, scarlet riding jackets and Ariat Volant front zip boots. The riders have to navigate their horses around a course showing off set moves, and penalty points are given for errors. The lowest scoring individual and teams will scoop the medals. Dressage is an elegant sport, but for someone who is not interested in horses or familiar with what the athletes are trying to accomplish, it can be baffling.

Show Jumping

Show jumping is the event most of us are familiar with and is the equestrian sport most often seen on television. The horse and rider have to make their way around a course of jumps against the clock. Scoring is a combination of the time it takes to complete the course, with penalty seconds added on for every bar knocked down. The lowest time wins.

British Medal Hopes

The UK has traditionally performed well in the Olympic equestrian events. In the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Germany, the USA and Australia also performed strongly and it is likely competition will be equally fierce this time round. The UK won gold at the World Equestrian Games in 2010 however, so are in with a good chance of medals on home soil this summer. Zara Phillips is perhaps the best known name in British equestrian sport, and she still has a chance of making the Olympic squad. The team also has experienced riders such as William Fox-Pitt and Pippa Funnell. For those unlucky in the ballot for tickets, equestrian events will be broadcast live on television.

Trot2.com offer a large range of dressage and eventing clothes, footwear and accessories including the new Ariat Volant Front Zip boots

English Shepherds

Related to the Collie; the Shepherds were developed to use as farm dogs in the United States. They were bred from dogs brought to the United States by the English and Scottish settlers. This breed is a very versatile intelligent all around working farm dog; they are used for hunting game as well as vermin, herding cattle, sheep and watchful guard dogs.  They are gentle, loyal and loving companions for both children and adults.

Austrian Pinschers

The earliest of this breed were farm dogs to keep the vermin out of the barn and grain bins. They were also acting as watchdogs, watching over the livestock and the farmer’s home. This breed is a very strong and sturdy dog and was trained for doing a variety of chores around the farm, they were also a gentle and loving companion for the inter family.

German Shepherds

Originated in Germany, they are a large-sized breed, with their origin dating back to 1899. This breed was developed originally for guarding and herding sheep, they were also loving and faithful companions for farmers and their families. This breed is known today for their work with the military, police, search and rescue as well as service and guide dogs for the disabled.

Rottweiler’s

Originated in Rottweil, Germany; they are a medium to large size breed their size made them excellent dogs for farmers and butchers. On the farm they were used to pull carts, herd livestock, hunting and guarding the farmer’s home.  Butchers used these dogs to pull carts loaded with meat and other various products to the market. This breed is now used as search and rescue dogs, guard dogs, police dogs and guide dogs. They also make loving companions for both children and adults.

Australian Shepherds

Contrary to their names this breed did not come from Australia, they originated in the United States. Due to the fact these dogs were used for herding Australian sheep, they were nicknamed Aussie, this breed was used for herding originally in Colorado. The Australian Shepherd has been a valuable friend to farmers and ranchers due to their versatility and trainability. Their appearance is much like that of the Border Collie and English Shepherd.

After the First World War, they became popular as search and rescue dogs, disaster dogs, detection dogs, therapy dogs, service dogs and guide dogs, they are also used in rodeos and horse shows.

The author is a wireless dog fence expert with DogFenceDIY. Dr. Wright is also a veterinarian with a passion for teaching proper care of dogs and the humane treatment of animals.

There are a variety of reasons for this bad behaviour and these can range from genetically inherited psychological frailty, natural aggression, distrust or dislike of a rider or unhappiness because of illness or poor conditions.

Whatever the reason for the bad behaviour though it goes without saying that poor behaviour can not only be dangerous for the horse and its’ stable mates whom he may attack through temper but also to the rider who may be the focus or victim of the aggression.

There are various manifestations of this behaviour from stall kicking, rearing, halter pulling or resistance to instruction. Biting, kicking and bolting are also signs of poor behaviour, although they may also be signs of excitement or fear and should not be scolded but dealt with. Just ensure if you are looking at horses for loan you don’t pick the wrong one.

Preventing Bad Behaviour

Expert trainers who prepare horses for professional and working use are obviously not able to accept bad behaviour because this could hurt or injure members of the public and so they adopt a “prevention rather than cure” method of working with the animals they train.

Adopting a firm behaviour policy, ensuring the comfort of the horse and using proper riding techniques in horses from foal age is just one of the ways in which poor behaviour can be stopped before it has chance to develop.

The consideration here is that once certain habits have developed, it can be very difficult to discourage the horse from behaving in a certain way but in not allowing the poor habits to develop then the rider and the horse are spared from any danger their behaviour might cause them to be in.

Changing Developed Behaviour

There are a number of ways to fix or manage bad or aggressive behaviour and rather than punishment or whipping, many experts believe that a much less aggressive reaction is key to altering behaviour. They recommend identifying the vice, determining the cause, making any necessary changes to facilities, exercise, nutrition and other physical aspects and then making the necessary changes to training practices. It may be that the bad behaviour is a result of a medical condition and these should be treated wherever possible.

There is also the danger that a behaviour, which may be a one-off or occasional reaction to a situation could become habitual if it is not “nipped in the bud” so to speak and therefore it is essential to react quickly but effectively to any unwanted behaviours before they have the chance to become problematic. Poor handling for example may on one occasion lead to a rear or bolt but as long as it is only allowed to happen once, it is unlikely to repeat itself – especially if it does not yield the desired result.

A good routine can also be essential to maintaining and managing behaviour. The horse may get bored or emotionally distraught if they feel that they have been left or abandoned or have not had enough exercise but a small adjustment to the time in between exercise can quickly dissolve these feelings.

This is a guest post on behalf of Rob Waters who enjoys horses, blogs on horse trailers and the outdoors.

Feeding and Watering

It might seem like stating the obvious but without access to food and water, your horse will suffer and without these being clean and accessible to him, he will also suffer so getting the right equipment for his food and water is absolutely essential.

He will need a feeding tub, a water trough or large buckets, and potentially a water heater if you or your stables expect any freezing temperatures.

Barn and Pasture

For his wellbeing and cleanliness, you will also need to tend to the barn and pasture and ensure that his bedding is clean, regularly changed and free of vermin or insects. For this, you will need a pitch fork, a broom and a wheelbarrow. It almost goes without saying but regular (twice daily) mucking out is a must to avoid disease and odour.  You may also need premise spray, especially if insects are making your horse’s life a misery.

Handling and Grooming

The right equipment to handle and groom is also essential for his health, wellbeing and his appearance. Regular grooming not only leaves him looking the picture of health but also ensures that if he has any health or infestation problems, you’re able to spot and treat differences in his coat, mane and tail quickly and effectively. For this you’ll need a hoof pick, combs and brushes and a cloth. You should be prepared to wash him down regularly for hygiene and to cool him down after walking, especially in particularly temperate weather.

Riding

His comfort and your safety are the combined reason why proper riding equipment is so essential. To give him and you the best and most comfortable ride, you’re need a saddle with girth or cinch, a saddle pad or a blanket to act as a makeshift saddle pad, a bridle, a helmet (for you) and safety stirrups. In the event of a lack of stirrups then boots with a one inch heel which can grip onto footrest will suffice.

Weather Protection

Your horse will still need fresh air and access to greenery even in the most extreme of weather conditions so buying a coat and socks for him will help protect and provide comfort in the winter. You should also ensure that he has adequate (and safe) warming facilities in his barn. Likewise, in the summer months, he may need a fan to cool him.

Non-Essentials

Although their use is often viewed unfavourably by those with little knowledge of horses, you may wish to invest in a whip for effective driving. This is of course your choice – only you know and decide how you wish to spur your horse on.

Investing in a few horse trailers is essential if you intend to transport him on a regular basis but if this is not your intention or may be an infrequent event then you may wish to borrow or hire one when the necessary time arises.

This is a guest post on behalf of Anna Wright who enjoys searching for ponies for sale, equestrian property and the outdoors.

Dinner and a Film
Ask anyone what they think of when they hear the word "date" and the answer will almost inevitably be "dinner and a film." While it can be a great, traditional first date, there is one pitfall if you aren't careful. From the time that you sit down with your date at dinner to the time that the movie ends, you've spent at least three hours together! Although three hours with someone you really like seems like no time at all, there is always the possibility that you could meet someone for the first time and realize within several minutes that you want absolutely nothing to do with him or her. Of course, if you already know your date and you are certain that you will relish every minute of together, then dinner and a movie can be a wonderful way of getting to know that person better.

Coffee For Two
One of the great aspects of a coffee date lies in its flexibility. If the date does not begin well, you can often excuse yourself after twenty minutes with no hard feelings. On the other hand, if you really hit it off with your date, then you can easily spend many hours together talking and nursing your coffees into the little hours of the morning, or at least until the coffee shop closes. Of course, a date at a coffee shop is not a traditional date, and could be misinterpreted by your partner as indicating that your intentions are less than serious. So by the end of the date, try to be sure that both you and your date are on relatively the same page as to your intentions.

Activities
This sounds vague, but that's because this date can be just about anything! If you have the luxury of knowing that both you and your date share a mutual interest, why not spend the date doing it together? Whether it's rock climbing, playing cards, or simply taking a walk in the countryside, doing an activity together can break the ice by providing a conversational topic, and be a whole lot of fun as well.  Of course, you could just go riding together but use your imagination and think of something else too.  If it's the start of a beautiful relationship between two horse lovers then there will be ample opportunity for rides together.

Although the enjoyment and delight of owning a horse is exceptionally rewarding, it is only one aspect of being involved with horses. Those who love and keep horses have not only a special friendship with them but also a responsibility for their health and welfare.

Spring Grass Caution

Horses have evolved to run free for long distances and need room to roam and plenty of fresh air and exercise. They also love to graze and have digestive systems that are normally equipped to handle the grass they forage. Spring grass, however, is high in sugar content and some horses may overindulge and get too much of a good, tasty treat. The increase in sunshine and rain also produces excess potassium in spring grass. If a horse has extra potassium in its system from eating the grass, the magnesium uptake will be reduced, leaving it deficient in this nutrient.

The excess sugar in the spring grass coupled with the increase in potassium can cause an imbalance in vitamins and minerals. It may also upset the natural bacteria in a horse’s intestines. If this should this happen, symptoms may occur such as excitability, stress, diarrhea and muscle soreness. Spring grass also has a mycotoxin fungus on it that cannot be seen but affects the horse when too much is eaten. While some horses seem to be immune to this fungus, others who are sensitive have reactions. It can cause abnormal behavior, anxiety, diarrhea and skin problems.

Treatment Options

For the sake of equine health, a horse owner must carefully observe the horse and if any of these signs occur after spring grass has been eaten, there are several options for correcting the problem. The best course of action is to keep the horse away from spring grass for a time and just give it hay and regular food. If this is not possible, then a supplement that binds the toxin may be given.

The best supplement is a combination that includes St. John’s Wort, magnesium and B Complex Vitamins B1 and B6. The ingredients will help prevent discomfort and undesirable behavior caused by the nutritional deficiency. Use a quality binder, as the least expensive kind may not have the strength to be effective. Prompt treatment and support will have an equine companion back to normal health and vigor within a few weeks. It is always best, of course, to consult a licensed veterinarian for optimum animal health.

There are many ways in which professional and amateur Eventers choose to prepare for a show and below are some vital tips which may help in ensuring the best possible outcome.

Obedience and Relationship

In any Eventing challenge, the most basic of essentials is obedience. Without this, the horse or rider may be injured as the rider attempts to direct or drive a stubborn or poorly behaved horse who can behave unpredictably.

This obedience and relationship will only come from a connection between horse and rider and therefore many riders choose to compete with a horse they know extremely well and can build a relationship with. They may only ride that particular horse and spend large quantities with them in order to develop such a bond or it may be that theirs is a natural rapport but without it there is no guarantee of any success.

Fitness

Following from the relationship, the fitness of the rider and the horse is paramount. For the rider, they have to be able to put their horse through the paces and have the necessary posture and muscle tone to assist the animal but for the horse, the essence is in the condition of their heart and lungs along with their own muscle tone.

Many riders choose to prepare by ensuring that both themselves and their horse undertake a rigorous training and fitness routine. Regular riding may not be enough and specialist training to improve cardiovascular systems is just one of the preparations which may directly affect the outcome of the event.  For the horse, a slow walk or walking exercise it vital to condition and harden muscles, whilst cantering should progress that fitness and aid the appearance. If riders don’t have the time they could think about horse and pony  for loan schemes.

Dressage

In dressage, judges are looking for harmony between horse and rider with smooth changes, differences of pace being clearly defined and straight lines being the order of the day. This requires practice on the grass surface which is likely to form the base of the competition and it is only through this practice that the horse and the rider will find the natural rhythm and special tactics such as studs in shoes that they will need in order to prevail.

Show Jumping

Practicing around courses and keeping the horse happy and supple with athletic exercises and challenges are the ideal way to start practices for the challenge of show jumping. Many riders start their preparations for eventing by attending show-jumping competitions of a similar level but with a fraction of the pressure to give them and their horse a taste of the challenge involved.

Cross Country

Above all, the horse should be used to carrying and used to travelling so cross country schooling, fun rides and general exercise as well as travelling to and from destinations will all help him get used to the pressure and be able to cope with any stress.

This is a guest post on behalf of Anna Wright who blogs on pony for sale schemes, equestrian property and the outdoors.

1. Be Careful when Approaching a Horse

Approaching a horse cannot be done from any direction; there is a special technique involved. The horse needs to be approached from the side near the shoulder. Coming straight at a horse means it cannot see you because of its blind spots.

2. Keep Your Heels Down

‘Heels down’, though not mandatory, is an oft repeated command beginner riders hear from the trainer. A beginner needs to keep the heels in the down position to be prepared for an occasion when the horse for some reason stops suddenly. This is to avoid the possibility of the rider flying over the horse’s head when unprepared.

3. Keep Your Shoulders Back

Maintaining posture where the shoulders roll back and not forward helps to keep the rider’s back straight and avoid the horse pulling the rider forward. With the shoulders back, the elbows sit at the sides of the body giving the rider better control of both horse and rider.

4. Use a Mounting Block

Mounting a horse from the ground especially for beginners is not recommended as it puts a strain on the rider’s back, physical pressure on the horse and also dislodges the saddle. Whenever a mounting block is handy, it is recommended that beginners use the block.

5. Dismount Carefully

Dismounting safely is just as important as mounting correctly and needs to be performed without discomfort to horse or rider. The trainer normally holds the horse still; the rider begins to discount by first removing feet from the stirrups. Holding the reins with the left hand, the rider leans forward, raises the right leg high to clear the horse’s haunches and the saddle, and pushing forward jumps to the ground. Landing on bended knees helps to absorb the shock well.

6. Keep Your Elbows by Your Side

Keeping elbows slightly back and bent is the right posture. It should be possible to draw a straight line all the way from the rider’s ear to the shoulder, on to the elbow to the hip to the knee and ending at the ankle. This is a comfortable and correct body posture a rider needs to attain.

7. Don't Look Down

Eyes up is something beginners need to follow; for some reason new riders are tempted to constantly look down at the horse. When the ‘eyes up’ rule is followed, the rider can plot the course and steer around obstacles better.

8, Work on Your Balance

Maintaining proper balance on a horse comes with practice and needs to be developed over time. Balance is related to correct posture; for example, if the rider slumps forward or sits too far back in the saddle, maintaining balance is going to be a problem.

9. Wear the Right Clothes

Wearing the right clothes is important; generally riding instructors will inform new riders about the most suitable attire to be worn. Helmets can either be purchased or borrowed from the riding school; boots are the preferred footwear with a 1-2 centimetre heel as small heels prevent slippage from the stirrups. Jodhpurs are better than jeans because jeans tend to slide on leather saddles.

10. Hold the Reins Properly

For better control over the horse, the rider’s hands need to be still to maintain continuous contact with the reins. The right way to hold the reins is to take one in each hand and hold them between the little finger and the third finger. Keep thumbs on top, facing upward with fingers gently curled around the reins.

Author Bio: Equine Online offers free equestrian classifieds including horses for sale and horses for loan.

Today, three-day eventing, also known as eventing, is an international Olympic sport, however, the sport consists of many levels; one doesn't have to be an Olympic prospect to participate. Currently, "events" as they are commonly referred to by riders, don't necessarily take place over three days, but can take place from one to three days. No matter what duration of days the event takes place over, dressage will always be the first phase.

Dressage is similar to watching ballet; horses and riders perform a series of movements in an arena with the goal of making every movement look as graceful as possible in mind. Depending on the prestige and level of the event, there can be anywhere from one to three dressage judges scoring a horse and rider's test. Each movement that a horse and rider performs is given a score ranging from '1' to '10'. The points for each movement are recorded on a sheet of paper known to rider's as their "dressage test." Once a horse and rider complete all movements, the scores recorded are added up to create a penalty score; the lower the penalty score the better as riders.

At internationally recognized events, cross country will always follow dressage leaving show jumping as the last phase, however, at nationally recognized events, either phase can follow. Cross Country is usually the most exciting phase for eventers; horses and riders are required to jump a course of fences within a certain time. Horses should not stop at any fence and the goal is to come in within the time to avoid having time penalties. The fences will be solid and can often include ditches, banks, waters, and a variety of terrain changes from steep inclines, flat fields, to rolling hills. Cross country requires both horses and riders to have a certain level of fitness and bravery.

For eventers, the final phase, show jumping, can sometimes be more nerve wracking than cross country! In show jumping, horses and riders jump a course of brightly colored fences. Unlike cross country, show jumping fences come down and horses and riders receive four penalty points for each rail knocked down.

After each phase is completed, the riders' final score is added up to determine placings. If looking for a thrill as a rider or spectator, eventing is the sport to be in!

The average Thoroughbred is a medium-sized horse that stands at 60 to 70 inches and weighs 1,000 to 1,300 pounds. Its body is lean and long-legged, featuring a long neck ending in a chiseled head, a deep chest, a high ridge between the shoulders and a short back. Thoroughbred horses come with many non-patterned coat colours ranging from multiple shades of brown to black and grey. Other rarer colours such as roan, palomino and white also exist and are recognised by certified breeders. Thoroughbred horses are prone to a number of health problems including orthopaedic problems, low fertility, bleeding from the lungs and abnormally small-sized hearts. They are a popular horse breed in countries across the world, for example, in 2011 there were over 25,000 registered Thoroughbred foals born in North America.

For the most part, Thoroughbred horses eat the same foods as other horses, which can include anything from pasture grass to grains to hay and horse feed. The exact diet of a Thoroughbred horse depends on the purpose that the Thoroughbred horse is used for. In general, a horse can subsist on pasture but will need richer foods such as grains and horse feeds if the horse is expected to exert themselves physically. Common grains include oats, barley, corn and alfalfa while man-made horse feed use these and other ingredients to make horse food that balances both taste and nutrition. Some horses will also need concentrates to add in vital minerals and vitamins to promote the horses' continuing good health. Racehorses, including Thoroughbred racehorses, need a lot more feed than normal and will need to be fed a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet in order to give them the strength to run better. Almost 95% of crippling injuries in athletic horses are brought on by either fatigue or skeletal problems - a well-designed feeding schedule and regimen from birth will help prevent these problems by providing the horses with the vital nutrients to build their systems and the energy to fuel those systems. According to MAC-Jet Equine Racing International, a recent study found that 44% of 2,000 Thoroughbred and quarter horses being raised for sport suffered nutrition problems because of poorly designed diets.

Caring for Thoroughbred horses is much the same as caring for any other hot-blooded breed and quite similar to caring for horses in general. Trainers and equestrians need to keep in mind that Thoroughbred horses and hot-blooded horses in general tend to be more delicate and high-strung than other horses when interacting with them. Most of the other parts of caring for horses stay true for Thoroughbreds - trainers and equestrians will still need to groom the Thoroughbreds regularly to prevent parasites and keep their sleeping spaces clean so that health problems do not arise in the animals. Thoroughbreds used for racing and other strenuous physical activities will need horseshoes and regular hoof care to make sure that they can withstand the demands to their legs and do not develop leg and hoof problems.

This article is a Guest Post from Equifeast, manufacturers of horse supplements.