Her name is Ashley and she's crazy about horses and Westies too.

What's she like?

Ashely is a mature horse rider and she's very fond of the music from the 1940's and 1950's, so if you've got any Frank Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald in your music collection then she'd like to hear from you. Ashley loves the outdoor life both on horseback and on foot and she particularly enjoys being near the sea.

What is she looking for?

Ashley would like to meet a man who will accompany her on rides and walks and who will be the companion she seeks on life's journey. She's not too keen on cities or the club scene so only country loving gentlemen need apply. So if you like horses, Westies, and the sea, and you have an ear for the smooth sounds of yesteryear, get in touch.

Where can I find her?

If you would like to know more about Ashley then register here or login to Love Horse here.

Ashley is waiting for you to get in touch and invite her out.

What's she like?
She rides every day and she works as a Head Groom in a polo yard.  So you could say that her life revolves around horses.  She believes it's important to laugh at life and oneself on a regular basis.  Her idea of a romantic day out is a walk in the country, not being stuck in some pub.  However, she does enjoy a tipple and has been known to shake a leg on the dance floor, so she's open to all kinds of ideas.

What is she looking for?
Obviously with someone who rides daily and works with horse she needs someone who doesn't mind being second fiddle to her equestrian lifestyle.  Ideally her male companion will ride with her and accompany her or day and evening rides through the fields and woods of Buckinghamshire.  Cheerful horsey men are most welcome.  Glum non-riders need not apply.

Where can I find her?
If you would like to know more about Ellie then register here or login to Love Horse here.

Ellie is waiting for you to get in touch and invite her out.

Laura is waiting

Who is she?
Her name is Laura, a name that has its roots in Roman times

What's she like?
She's working as a nursery nurse at the moment, but as you can see she loves to ride in her spare time.  She owns her own horse so she's a obviously a serious horse rider.  By that we mean she's passionate about it and rides out regularly so if you do too then here's an opportunity for you.

What is she looking for?
In short, male company.  She's looking for a decent chap to treat her well and join her on her equestrian excursions.  If you can handle a horse and ride alongside then you could be the man for her.  She's open and direct so don't be afraid to ask her for more information about herself.

Where can I find her?
If you would like to know more about Laura then register here or login to Love Horse here.

Laura would love to hear from any real gentlemen out there.

What's she like?
She's loyal and a good listener, but likes to talk too. So in that respect she's all about give and take. She likes her home but strikes out for adventurous nights occasionally as well.

What is she looking for?
She's looking for a man, a little older than her and preferably on the taller side. He needs to like animals because she has a busy life that revolves around three horses and a dog, so any eligible gents need to be attentive and patient. It would be handy if he could deal with life's little problems, likes spiders for example.

Where can I find her?
If you would like to know more about Victoria (and we think there's every reason why you would) then register here or login to Love Horse here.

Victoria is waiting for you to get in touch.

Just as there are a lot of people that have horses, there are a lot of people that would like to know more about the horse experience. These are people that appreciate horses, and may even have a love for the animals, but for some reason haven't had the opportunity to get their own horse. If you've recently connected with someone like this, you may have found the perfect candidate to invite on a first date where they can share the horse experience with you.

There aren't many people that would turn down an invitation to be around horses, whether it's their first time up close, or they've been away from horses for a while. This is a special kind of first date excitement that can lead to great a friendship with someone who shares your interest. Everyone that loves horses will agree, it's not difficult to find the time to be with your horse, and to enjoy the experience with a new friend is one of the reasons we love this environment.

In the event there's a romantic connection in the new friendship, this is a chance to be creative and come up with something that will get things moving that direction. It might be a ride to a familiar spot with a view, and there could be a cooler with a bottle of wine and two glasses, that somehow found its way there. Or, perhaps you show up as planned, with two horses and a saddlebag that's already packed for a picnic.

If your new friend prefers a trip to the stables, you might have a couple of horses ready for a ride to the local cantina, or a lunch stand with outdoor seating. There's nothing quite like tying the horses out front while you're having a cocktail, or ordering something new on the menu.

In the event your new friend has a horse of their own, this could open the door to a wealth of possibilities for a first date. One of you might like the idea of riding to the others' stable and joining up for a trail ride. Or, maybe there's a Gymkhana that weekend and the two of you can team up in a few events. This is certainly a great way to bring energy into the friendship, and it might even suggest other things to do together.

Looking forward to getting together on weekends with someone you have an interest in has a way of making the week fly by. Not to mention, it can fuel a few phone calls between that first date and the next. Most likely, one of the topics of conversation will center around your horses and the different ways each of you care for them. These are the kinds of healthy exchanges that the horse environment promotes. Horses are loving animals, and that feeling transmits to everyone around them. In addition, horses know when good people are in their midst, and in this way, they can be a natural barometer for gauging people.

It's been said, the way that a friendship starts, is a good indicator of the way it's going to go. New friends will show the best part of themselves when they share the horse experience with you. Just as you will be showing the side of yourself that may have brought about this new friendship in the first place. To share the experience of a first date on horseback could be just the thing that brings you together with someone special. It's certainly worth making the effort to discover if your new friendship could be as rewarding as the one you already enjoy with your horse.

Introducing children and young adults to horses for the first time will likely be a memorable experience for all concerned. Learning about the horses' temperament and some of the animals' characteristics from a knowledgeable horse person will certainly spark some new interest. The ideal beginner classroom could involve learning about tack and feeding, as well as mixing in some bareback time to keep the children coming back When young people see others doing something they have an interest in, it can have a positive affect, as we all know.

Having goals will give the training a purpose. This is true for the children who are learning about horses, as well as for the young adults that are helping with the classrooms. Holding a neighborhood Gymkhana is a great way to mark everyone's progress, and have a barrel full of fun at the same time. And for some reason, community minded people seem to step up where the youth are concerned.

Donating a riding ring for a night under the lights, or selling raffle tickets to fund a hot dog roast after the event are the kind of things that people enjoy doing for a good cause. The spirit of the community draws parents and their kids to the events, and the competitions keep the kids involved. Our youth are the next generation of horse people, and the tradition of a town's horse experience can be kept intact through youth events and adventures.

Outings are another type of activity where parents and their children can share the horse experience. Trail rides that lead through stands of trees or past a wide creek, might bring some kids the excitement of these sights and smells for the first time. Even some adults have confessed they look forward to a hearty campfire and a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows.

There aren't many young people who wouldn't loose a little sleep in anticipation of a trail ride that included a great time, followed by a cook out with friends, and sleeping under the stars. And after all, that's what being a kid is all about. And making things like this possible for our kids and their friends is what being a parent is all about. Bring along a pack horse to carry the feed and provisions, and we've got the ideal outdoor horse adventure for kids.

Not everyone who has made a name of some kind, or has a notable reputation, was born into the horse environment. Many a top competitor and knowledgeable trainer were exposed to the horse experience through some means. And this exposure started them on a path that lead to the kind of involvement and reward that one finds through a love of horses and the horse experience.

The best thing to do in cases like that is to let the horse sniff each tool before you use it. With skittish horses, I'll talk in a calming voice about everything I'm about to do. Hearing your voice can relax them too. If your horse is "thin-skinned" or very sensitive to touch, try to have a light touch.

It's important to gather your equipment before bringing in your horse. You can keep all your tools in a large bucket or a carryall. You'll need:

• curry comb (not metal - those are not for horses) used in a circular motion to stir up dirt and hair;
• dandy brush - a stiff brush used to remove the dust, hair, etc stirred up by the curry comb;
• body brush - a soft brush which can be used over the entire body;
• towels - used to give a final polish and remove sweat after riding;
• mane comb - used on short manes or you can use the dandy brush on long manes and the tail;
• sponges for the face and dock; and
• hoof pick.

If you're riding your horse that day, you'll need to plan on grooming him twice. One grooming will be more thorough and the other will be a touch up.

Exception for pasture-kept horses
When grooming a pasture-kept horse, the body brush isn't used on its body. The body brush will remove the important natural oils in their coats that protect them from the cold and wet. Only use the body brush on the mane and tail of pasture horses.

The hooves
Before riding, pick out the hooves with the hoof pick. Pick up each hoof and clean it out with the hoof pick. Starting at the heel, work downward scraping out all the dirt. Do not dig into the sensitive frog (the fleshy v-shaped area of the foot). Check for any tenderness or heat. Check the shoe to make sure that it's not loose or worn out. Make sure that the nails aren't sticking out either.

After riding, check the hooves again. This will be a simple check to remove any stones, debris or dirt picked up during the ride.

When you are picking up the hoof, do not act timid. If you are nervous, the horse will be too. Horses can kick if they feel frightened. If you lightly touch the leg as you reach for the hoof or grab the hoof without running your hand down the leg, the horse might startle and kick. The best way is to calmly and confidently run your hand down the leg (on the inside of the front legs or along the back of the back legs down to the hock and then down the front of the leg) . As you get to the fetlock, grasp it and say "Up" as you start to lift it.

VCAGK7PHRYCH

Food:
It's common for new horse owners to either over feed or under feed. Some will put a horse solely on pasture and expect the horse to graze and get all his nutrition from that. Others will give grain or other concentrates several times a day.

How do you know if you're feeding enough or too much? Check the horse's condition. If you can't feel its ribs or spine when you press with your finger, or if it has thick pads of fat or a large round body, you're overfeeding. If you can see its ribs or if its hip bones are protruding, you need to feed more.

The nutritional requirements of horses vary with age and activity. The majority of a horse's food should be roughage, either grazing or hay. If you have a horse who only gets ridden once or twice a week, don't give a daily ration of oats. Your horse will get fat and could become unmanageable. It is possible that no additional feed other than grazing will be needed to keep your horse in good condition.
Water:
Horses need fresh, clean water available. Horses can drink up to 10 gallons of water a day and will refuse to drink dirty water. Water troughs or buckets will need to be cleaned often. In the winter, you will need to make sure that the water isn't frozen.

There are times to limit his water. During a long ride, allow your horse to drink small amounts of water often. After exercising, cool him down before allowing him access to water, especially if the water is cold.
Shelter:
When you keep a horse on pasture, he needs a place to get out of the weather. It can be a simple three sided shelter or access to a barn. Many times a horse will graze in the rain but needs access to shelter so that when he wants to get out of the rain, snow or the sun, he has a place to go.

Horses have other needs as well. Horses are herd animals. They need companionship. If you keep just one horse, try to get it a companion. Sheep, goats, cattle, a miniature horse or even a cat in the barn can be good companions. On my parents' farm, they had sheep and a cow. Their neighbor had a horse and goats. The neighbor's horse ignored their goats and made friends with my parents' cow. The horse and cow would stand together on opposite sides of the fence for hours. They would groom one another over the fence.

In addition to meeting your horse's need for food, water, shelter and companionship, you need to provide basic care such as farrier and veterinarian care. The farrier will need to visit every 6 to 8 weeks to shoe your horse. You will need to arrange for a veterinarian to visit for inoculations and other routine care. Some routine care such as worming, you will be able to do by yourself with consultation with your veterinarian. Those are things that will need to be scheduled because they are not daily needs.

When leading your horse, never wrap a lead around your hand. If the horse bolts, it can drag you or even cause you to lose some fingers. It's best to use both hands when leading a horse. One hand (usually the left) can hold the extra length of lead while the other hand holds onto the lead closer to the horse's head. It gives you more control.

Halters

If you do keep a halter on your horse when it's out to pasture, use a safety halter.

• My cousin had a paint pony named Cherokee who was difficult to catch when he was in the pasture. He kept Cherokee in a regular halter. One day, Cherokee didn't show up at the barn with the other horses and ponies. My cousin went to look for him and found him with a broken neck. Apparently Cherokee had been scratching his head or neck with his hind foot. His foot got caught in the halter and he fell down one of the steeper hills in the pasture and broke his neck.

When a horse is wearing a halter in the pasture, there is a chance that the horse could get his foot caught like Cherokee or get the halter caught on something in the field. Safety halters or breakaway halters are like regular halters except the crownpiece is made of leather and can be broken if the horse pulls hard enough.

Turning out

The proper way to release your horse is to enter the pasture, turn your horse around so that he is facing the gate, then release him and exit the pasture. Sometimes the horse will be so excited to be free that it will take off running or bucking and you could be hurt. If the horse is facing the gate, you have time to exit in safety.

The pasture

Avoid barbed wire. There are several options for types of fencing to use with horses. Woven wire (with large squares throughout), board fences, horse fence (type of woven or welded wire with smaller squares at the bottom that gradually get larger towards the top of the fence), high tensile wire, and PVC or vinyl fences are good options. Barbed wire is not a good option. I have known many people who have used barbed wire for their livestock. Where I grew up, everyone had barbed wire fences. I had never heard of anyone who had had a problem with the barbed wire until I was grown.

• My parents had a neighbor who purchased a horse for his children. Strawberry's pasture was fenced with barbed wire. The fence was in good condition with no sagging wire or loose ends. Strawberry lived in that pasture for several years. Then one night something spooked her and she nearly ran through the barbed wire fence. Luckily, Strawberry didn't have to be euthanized. However, she was cut up very badly, had to be kept in the barn for weeks and will always have the scars. It's not worth the risk if it can be avoided.

Regardless of the fencing material used, you do need to check the pasture often. Inspect the fence and check to see that everything is in good repair. If the field is near a road, check for litter. Check for poisonous plants such as ragwort, foxglove, jimsonweed and nightshade.

Horses can be solid colors, have white or black points, or have patterns.

• Brown - dark brown color (even black) with a brown muzzle;
• Black - black hair with dark skin;
• Chestnut - red or reddish brown without black points, the mane and tail can be either darker or lighter than the coat but not black;
• Bay - red or reddish brown with black points;
• Grey - light colored coat with dark skin (can begin life as black and become grey over lifetime to end as white);
• White - white coat with pink skin;
• Palomino - gold with cream or white mane and tail;
• Dun - tan color with darker points, usually has black dorsal stripe and zebra stripes on legs;
• Buckskin - cream or gold color with black points;
• Roan - colored and white hairs intermingled on the body with the head and legs in the base color,
• strawberry roan - chestnut as the base color
• blue roan - black as the base color
• red roan - bay as the base color;
• Pinto or Paint - large spot pattern,
• Tobiano or Overo
• Piebald - black and white
• Skewbald - white and any color other than black;

Markings on the face

• Blaze - wide stripe down the face;
• Snip - small stripe on muzzle between nostrils;
• Stripe - thin stripe down the face;
• Star - spot on forehead above or between the eyes; and
• Bald face - wide blaze that extends to or past the eyes;

Markings on the legs

• sock - white past the fetlock but not to the knee or hock;
• stocking - white up to at least the knee or hock;
• fetlock - white up to the fetlock;
• pastern - white that starts at the hoof but ends before the fetlock; and
• coronet - white just above the hoof.

Although the first thing we see as we look at a horse is its color or markings, we actually should concentrate upon its conformation. A horse with poor conformation can be wrapped in a lovely covering but it doesn't change the fact that the horse has problems.

The horse should look symmetrical and balanced. The hooves should point forward. The horse should move well and in a straight line. The nostrils should not be small. The eyes should be large. Its bite should meet. Overbite (parrot mouth) or underbite (sow mouth) can affect the horse's chewing and ability to eat grass. From the front, a straight line from the shoulder should pass through the entire leg.

Other characteristics are specific as to the use of the horse. Strong hindquarters are needed for quick turns. Broad and deep chest helps give strength to pull loads. The hocks are considered the powerhouse of the horse.

Not all horses will have perfect conformation and yet can perform well. It's important to look for the best conformation and see how the horse performs.