Talking About Horses: Urban Cowgirls

Horse lovers don’t all live in the country. In fact, a lot of horse lovers live in big cities in addition to small towns. Many folks happen to live in the suburbs…definitely an odd in-between place when it comes to horseback riding!

Unlike large cities, there are no huge parks with stables and riding trails and the suburbs don’t have the open spaces of the country. —Many folks live in a vast sea of houses with small yards (too small for horses at least) and no town edges where stables might exist.

Instead, to pursue the horse experience, it is necessary to drive quite some distance to get to the stables. Before young horse enthusiasts have a drivers’ license, mothers are charged with the duty of getting their children back and forth for lessons and pleasure riding. If you are fortunate, you may have a good friend who was also horse crazy so both mothers can take turns with chauffeur duties. Otherwise those youthful passions for horse riding might be severely curtailed! Metro buses just don’t seem to go where you want to go in the suburbs.

As soon as the driver’s license was obtained by one or the other, we would be with the horses as often as possible. Arriving at sun up and not leaving until we were kicked out because it was getting dark! These were some of the best days of our youth.

Some of our friends let the distance to the stable discourage them. It required a deep level of commitment to get there on a regular basis. Distance and easy of transportation is definitely something to consider, especially if you are looking to buy a horse as opposed to riding the trails now and then. Taking all things into consideration, it was just a few making the regular trek to the stables from the challenging distance of the suburbs.

This experience satisfied dreams of youth -riding bareback, western and English. Urban cowgirls spent most long Saturdays on the trails… sometimes just hanging out in the upper pastures, or in “secret” spots found off the beaten path. With lunches and water packed for the day it was easy to pretend that these were our horses and we were “real” cowgirls.

Living in the "burbs" and horses can work—you just have to decide that you want it enough and be a good negotiator with parents about transportation. Whether you own a horse or ride by the hour, keep in mind the time it takes to get to the stable. There seems nothing sadder than to see horses in stalls who only get to see their people on weekends.

Like anyone with a time consuming passion, you may be separated from friends because they don’t get “the horse thing”. Your friends will become those who love horses as well. And one last thing - be prepared for - laundry…loads and loads of laundry!

Terry
Himalayan Horse Salt

Talking About Wild Horses

Wild Horse Rescue

In the US, wild horses do still run the plains and the US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management runs the National Wild Horse and Burro Program. It is the responsibility of the BLM to manage, protect and control the wild horses and burros that roam our country. They are charged with the duty of ensuring healthy herds and healthy rangelands.

Since most of the natural predators of horses are gone their numbers are not kept in check by nature--herds can double in size in just four years. It is estimated that 33,000 wild horses and burros roam the lands that are managed by the BLM…a range covering 10 states. The number that the BLM gives as sustainable is closer to 27,000 horses and burros although drought and wildfires can reduce that number in any given year.

To keep their mandate the BLM holds roundups to prevent these beautiful herds from becoming too large which could lead to extensive over grazing of the land and horses dying from starvation.
Thousands of these animals are rounded up and offered for adoption or sale. Adoption events are held at BLM locations throughout the US. Since 1971, the BLM has placed over 230,000 horses and burros into adoption.

Groups and individuals may acquire the horses as long as they will provide long-term, humane care. An adopter does not become the official owner of the horse until they have cared for the animal for a year.

Since 2001, the BLM has rounded up approximately 80,000 wild horse and burros. Most have been adopted but about 30,000 remain at BLM facilities and the cost of their care is going over budget.

While the agency has the legal authority to euthanize wild horses that it cannot afford to manage, they have not been taking that course. Now with the budget spiraling, they are looking seriously at that option. (See related information to save the horses Email your vote.)

Madeleine Pickens made headlines when she announced she would create the National Wild Horse Foundation to create and maintain a sanctuary for these wild horses. Hers is not the only sanctuary, but her power and influence brought more attention to this issue.

In addition to creating sanctuaries, many organizations are promoting the use of contraceptive vaccines to help control the horse population. The first trials of using contraception on the wild horses began almost 25 years ago. This is an option that has been at least partially explored by the BLM, but has its own cost ramifications.

You can help the wild horses, even if you can’t run a sanctuary like Madeleine Pickens and can’t adopt a wild horse directly from the BLM. There are adoption centers around the country that have adopted or purchased horses from the BLM and then taken on the job of gentling, or breaking the horses. You can typically adopt wild horses that have been fully or partially broken from these centers for a modest fee.

Additional information Wild Horses Blog and PR-USA.net

Terry
Himalayan Horse Salt

Talking About Horses: Therapy Horses

Therapy Horses Serve Physically and Emotionally Challenged continued
Part 2

Emotional and mental disorders

Horses react well to people who are quiet and make requests of them—as opposed to demanding something of them. This makes them great for working with children with a variety of behavioral issues. Children, and adults, can learn that they can get this immense animal to do what they want, by behaving in a calm and direct way.

Horses also look for a leader…someone who can give clear and simple commands…with a little training people with emotional and mental disorders can give the appropriate commands and quickly see results. The focus for this therapy is not on behavior modification but on communication skills, self-confidence, trust and discipline.


Physical challenges

Getting on a horse provides a lot of benefits for people with physical difficulties. The swaying motion frontwards, backwards and side to side that is inherent in horseback riding has a rhythm that all by itself seems to be beneficial. Children are able to focus more.

This motion also exercises muscles that might not otherwise get exercise. This gives strength and control over the body—especially the core and the legs. Parents often report that children with severe physical challenges are able to move more and have more control when they are out of the saddle as well.

Besides their warm nature, horses also a variety of textures—providing sensory stimulation just by touching the mane or tail, then the neck or body of the horse…and feeling the soft nose.

Therapy horses provide a unique way for horses to promote healing for many different challenges. When combined with trainers at an accredited facility, horse therapy can build social skills, increase muscle strength, improve motor skills, provide physical freedom and build confidence…all in a safe manner that is tailored to the individual.


Let me point you to the Twitter Twibe Horse group.
There is a direct link on the right side of the blog page.

Many of the Twibes Horses group members have organizations that use horses in therapy.

Join us as we twitter about horses.

Terry
Himalayan Horse Salt

Himalayan Salt - Good enough for humans!

This amazing salt is of such a high quality that even humans are fascinated with it! You may have seen other products in your local stores created with the erie pink rock. I like this idea personally!

Check out the gourmet use shown on the blog http://tywkiwdbi.blogspot.com.

Now I am wondering just how to enhance the Himalayan Salt experience for your horse! They do deserve the very best you know! And your horses nutrition is a key piece. The shape of the product makes is convenient and easy to transport - easily accessible as a "comfort" when on the road or being trailered.


Terry
Himalayan Salt

Taking About Horses: Therapy Horses

Therapy Horses Serve Physically and Emotionally Challenged
Part 1


Using horses for therapy is a pretty recent phenomenon. Centers were first created in Europe in the 1950s to help people with physical impairments, such as resulted from polio. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NAHRA), established in 1969 and now headquartered in Denver, Colorado was a result of Americans and Canadians seeing the results achieved in Europe.

The movement has grown rapidly since the 1990s thanks largely to a grant from the Kellogg Foundation. Now NARHA includes programs based on psychotherapy as well as physical therapy.

There are almost 800 centers in the US and Canada that are members of the NAHRA. These programs help more than 40,000 people with a variety of special needs.

Therapy horses assist children and adults with a variety of challenges, ones they were born with and others received later through illness, accident or even combat. Whether the challenge is emotional, mental or physically based, horses have a way of reaching people and helping improve their lives.

There is not a specific breed or type of horse that is used for therapy…instead centers look for temperament and basic soundness. So when you go, you will find horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes…just like the riders!

Horses have a calming effect on people—and you don’t need to have any prior experience with horses. And contrary to popular belief, you can be afraid of horses and still have a great horse therapy experience.

Horses seem to be genuinely drawn to children—and the feeling is pretty mutual! Horse don’t judge you on appearance, your past or your physical or mental abilities…horse judge you on who you are with them, right now.

More on this topic next post!

Join the Twibes Horses Group for more folks doing Horse Therapy.

Terry
Himalayan Horse Salt
LovingMarketing.com

Talking about Horses:

Choosing a Horse: Personality Matters

When you are choosing a horse—whether it is your first horse or you have had several horses it is important to pick a horse with a personality that meshes well with yours.

If you are a regular at a stable you will want to consider this as well—nothing is more miserable than being on a horse that doesn’t work well with you! It can turn what should be pure pleasure into plenty of pain!

The bottom line is going to be how you and the horse fit together—not what anyone else tells you about picking a horse. Sure there are some guidelines…but remember they are guidelines. Other people’s opinions mean nothing when it comes to love and compatibility between horse and rider!

When I was in high school, back in the dark ages, I rode at the local stable. I was there as often as possible. I developed a bond with a particular horse—a gorgeous dapple gray named Diamond Jim.

I would request Jim every chance I got. I thought I was really lucky because I was almost always granted my wish! So Jim and bonded even more.

I was pretty much a Western rider but I had a good friend who rode English…so I decided to give it a whirl. I signed up for lessons.

When I got to the stable on the first day of class they asked who I wanted saddled up. When I replied, “Diamond Jim” the hands shot funny looks at each other. One of them asked if I was sure. I said “of course” and so Jim was brought around.

Well, Jim and I had a wonderful lesson. At the end of it the instructor came over to me. She told me that she almost made me get another horse when she saw me come in with Jim. She knew she could ride Jim English but she didn’t think someone just learning would be able to handle him!

Not long after that experience I showed up at the stable and asked for Diamond Jim. It was the first time in a long time my request was denied. I thought someone else had fallen in love with “my” Jim and had him out on the trail. Then they broke the news to me: the stable owner had sold him! It turns out I was the only person who ever wanted to ride him.

The owner had gotten all sorts of complaints that Jim was stubborn, that he bit or kicked and was just impossible to control. And for me, he was none of those things…

When you find a horse that is your Diamond Jim grab hold of him. I wish I had been given the chance to hold onto mine…even if he was a diamond in the rough!

Terry
Horse Salt

Talking About Horses: Horse Ownership Options

Continuing the conversation about owning a horse....
Talking about owning a horse when you really can't afford it.....

So you want to own a horse but you aren’t sure you have the time or money that may be required? Perhaps your dream has been discouraged "Because we just can't afford it!" There are other possibilities out there for you to take a look at.

The good news is there are some options for you that will help bridge the gap between being someone who just rents a horse by the hour or lesson and someone who has the full-time responsibilities of horse ownership.

First, if you are in doubt at all…then definitely do not buy your own horse - yet! I know that can be tough—especially if you have already fallen in love with a particular horse. In the long run, waiting may be in the best interests of both you and the animal.

Maybe its time for some additional research. I've learned that those things that appear as "road blocks" always can be viewed from another perspective - that old "make lemonade out of lemons" adage holds a lot of truth. I encourage you to look for the hidden gift within and think "What if?" Consider -

Leasing
A friend used to lease a horse every year during school breaks. She knew she didn’t have the time or money to own a horse—as much as she wanted to—and this gave her the opportunity to ride the same horse every day, so it felt like it was “her” horse…and it was, to the extent that no one else could ride him during the lease period.

Generally with leasing, the stable provides tack and services, like feeding, grooming, mucking out stalls, and turn out…you basically are getting a break on the hourly rate for buying “in bulk” and you get to have the fun of riding without the responsibilities.

But if you really want to see if you can handle owning a horse then you want to take on as many of the care duties as possible. Talk it over with the stable and see if you can take on some of these responsibilities. They may allow you to help or take some on with supervision.

Part-Board
Part-board is another option if you can’t afford a horse. You pay part-board and have riding privileges in exchange. This may be arranged through a stable or with a private owner. Terms and arrangements vary widely, so you definitely want a contract so you know your rights and responsibilities.

Part-board differs from leasing in that you are sharing time with a horse between 2 or more riders. You will generally have riding privileges at specific times and days or a set number of hours per week.

Other points to consider with part-board: you may or may not be able to use the owner’s tack, you may also be responsible for a portion of farrier and vet fees. These are all details that have to worked out in your contract.

You can also buy a horse and offer your horse for part-board. Your boarding fees should be less with this arrangement, but remember you are letting someone else ride and handle your horse, and you are giving up some of your potential riding time.

Reduced board
Board is one of the largest expenses of horse ownership, so if you can get reduced board maybe you will be able to have a horse…look into ways to reduce that cost.

Talk to the stable and see what they would be willing to reduce board to in exchange for:
• Mucking out stalls
• Making your horse available for lessons or rides
• Feeding, watering, turn out of other horses

If you have specialized skills due to your education, job or background, you might offer them in exchange for reduced board also. Think beyond stable hand skills—are you a whiz at advertising, computer programming…are you mechanical, can you repair things? Any of these skills, and lots of others, may be something the stable could use. You never know until you ask!

Please share your story of how you may have come to decide to buy a horse.

Terry
Himalayan Horse Salt

LovingVisions.com
Taking the "Local" out of Small Business

Talking About Buying a Horse

The Top 9 Things to Consider Before You Buy

You love horses and want to have one of your own. Great! Before you make the financial investment, be sure to consider what being a horse owner really means—beyond the romantic fantasy—there is a lot of hard work, time and money that goes into owning a horse.

Your Goals
The first thing you have to know is what your goals are for owning a horse. Do you want a horse for a child? Are you an experienced rider looking for your first horse? Will you be showing the horse?

Evaluate every horse with your goals in mind.

Purchase price
You need to factor in purchase price even though this will actually be one of your smallest expenses in the long run. Don’t buy a horse that you cannot afford… if you are stretched now you will never be able to keep up with the on-going expenses. On the other hand if the horse seems like a real bargain, ask yourself why. I knew of someone was once offered a horse for “a steal”…a warning bell should go off in your head when it sounds "to good to be true". Sure enough, within 6 months the horse had died.

Where will your horse live
It is a romantic notion that you will be able to hop out of bed and take care of your horse, but unless you live on some land, you will probably have to board your horse.

Age of the horse
Young horses require more experienced riders. A sound horse that is older may be the best bet…both from safety and financial perspective. Many horses can be ridden or driven into their late teens and twenties.

Training needs
Does the horse you are considering need training? Training can require months of work and money. Don’t try to save money by purchasing a horse with less than adequate training. That can cost you more money in the long run, will hinder your enjoyment in the short run—and can be down-right dangerous!

Riding style
What kind of rider are you—Western, English, Dressage, Hunter/Jumper? Buying a horse that is trained for your type of riding is critical. You wouldn’t buy a sports car to take your 4 kids to school. Similarly, don’t buy a Hunter/Jumper if you want take to the trails!

Your abilities
Are you a beginning or advanced rider? Are you in good physical condition? Get a horse that is appropriate for your level.

Time Requirements
Your horse has to be fed and watered every day even when you are on vacation or sick. If you board your horse elsewhere, you must still take the responsibility of your horse’s welfare. To be able to ride, you must groom your horse, get the saddle and bridle on, take the tack off when you are done, clean the tack, take care that your horse is cooled down, washed, shoed, etc.

On-going expenses
Veterinary expenses for health maintenance plus when your horse gets ill need to be in your budget. Farrier visits for nail care and shoeing are not optional. Then there is the cost of feed, bedding, tack, training and boarding. And if you plan to show add transporting expenses, show fees, appropriate clothing etc.

By taking these factors into consideration before you buy a horse, you will save yourself a lot of heart ache of buying the wrong horse or buying a horse for the wrong reasons.

Terry
Himalayan Horse Salt

LovingVisions.com
Taking the "local" out of small business