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Horses for Sale
Horse
Keeping Horses as Pets
Jack, the Mexican Quarter Horse, imported to the USA
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Type |
A large
hoofed, warm-blooded mammal (Equus caballus) |
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General |
Owning a
horse is a very rewarding experience, but it is not for everyone. Be sure to
thoroughly research before taking on the responsibility of owning a horse. If
you want to learn to ride it is a good idea to take horseback riding lessons. If
you enjoy it you may want to consider leasing a horse. There are many barns
which will board your horse for you and allow you to come and ride anytime. Some
of them will do the majority of the work involved in owning a horse, however
this can get pricey. Know the horse you are riding. Horses spook very easily.
Simple things like sticks and forest animals commonly spook horses. When riding
a horse a helmet should be warn at all times. |
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Riding |
There are two
different types of riding, Western and English. Western generally consists of
barrel racing, key hole, pole racing among other events, where as English
generally consists of dressage, jumping, polo Lacrosse and more. When dressage
is preformed it looks like the horse is dancing. The rider is guiding the horse
through a series of complex maneuvers by slight movements of the rider's hands,
legs, and weight. The saddles a Western rider uses is different than the saddle
an English rider would use. One key difference is the Western saddle consists of
a horn, while the English saddle does not. |
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Spaying and Neutering |
Un-neutered
male horses tend to fight with other horses. If you plan on keeping a male horse
with a herd of other horses it is a good idea to get it fixed. |
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Size |
An average sized horse is between 14 and 15 hands high. ( a hand = 4inches) Horses range from about 1000 lbs to
3500 lbs. |
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Living Conditions |
For every
horse you need to have at least three acres and an additional acre for every
additional horse. The area must be fenced in. Some use barbed wire or electric
fences to secure there horses. Barbed wire is one of the most dangerous
fences to use around horses. Most horses wouldn't see the wire because it is too
thin for them to see. They can get cut and even caught in it. They need some kind of shelter, at the very least
a lean-to to shield them from the wind and rain. Some horses are hardier and can
get away with a lean-to, but some horses are on schedules and need to be put in
a stall for a period of time during the day or night. |
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Clean-up |
About every
two days, you might need to muck ( clean) your horse's stall or lean-to.
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Grooming |
Horses need
daily grooming. This includes: picking there hooves, combing their mane,
brushing with a curry comb (hard brush) then a soft brush after to get the loose
dirt off, bathing after workouts, and using fly spray. About every three months,
some horses should seen by a farrier to determine if there hooves need to
shaped. Daily grooming will reduce stress, keep your horse comfortable, healthy
and looking great! |
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Feeding |
Horses need
hay daily or a field with plenty of grass to graze on. Some horses require
grain, oats, bran, sweet feed and hay pellets. Horses can eat all the hay they
like, however too much grain can harm them. Grain has to be carefully monitored.
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Exercise |
Horses
require daily exercise. They need to have enough land to exercise themselves and
most enjoy having a person to ride them. Horses need companionship. Either
another horse(s), or some other farm animal. Some owners have been known to use
animals such as: goats, cows and sheep to keep them company. In general, horses
will not be happy living alone. |
Life Expectancy |
A healthy
horse will live to about 45 years old. |
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Health Problems |
Some health
problems include: colic ( a common killer of horses, a bad stomach ache), worms,
lameness, tying-up, hoof cracks, dental problems and hoof wall loss.
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Gestation |
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Origin |
The first
breed of horses was called the Eohippus. It lived 5000 or 6000 years ago. It had
toes unlike domestic horses today that have hooves. It was as big as a border
collie and according to research, it had spots on its back. |
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Terms and Materials |
Saddle - A
leather seat for a horse rider, secured on an animal's back by a girth
Bridle - A harness, consisting of a headstall, bit, and
reins, which fits on a horse's head and used to restrain or guide the animal.
Crop - A short whip used in horseback riding, with a
loop at the end.
Halter - A device that fits around the head or neck of
an animal and is used to lead or secure the animal.
Hackamore - A bitless bridle, sometimes used to break a
horse into a bridle.
Reins - A long narrow leather strap attached to
each end of the bit of a bridle and used by a rider or driver to control a horse
or other animal
Saddle Pad - A padded blanket that goes between the
horse's back and the saddle to prevent irritation.
Bit -The metal mouthpiece of a bridle, serving to
control and direct an animal.
Stirrups - a device where the rider puts their foot
hung from either side of a horse's saddle to support the rider's foot in
mounting and riding
Gelding - a neutered male horse
Stallion - an intact (un-neutered) male horse
Mare - a female horse
Foal - a baby horse
Filly - a female baby horse
Colt - a male baby horse |
Information written by Amie and
Jessica - Edited by Dog Breed Info Center® -
Horses
with Amie
"Zoey, Jack and Jazzmine. Zoey and Jack (laying down) are quarter horses and Jazzmine is a paint pony. Zoey was a new horse and had just met Jack and Jazzmine the day before. The first day was rough as Jazz the pony wanted nothing to do with Zoey. Jazz was chasing her, kicking at her, snorting warnings and trying to keep her away from Jack. But we knew that would happen because ponies are like that and females are even worse. Jack was running between the two mares, stopping Jazz from hurting Zoey, over and over. What a sight that was. Poor Jack's got to live with two girls! It'll take time for Jazz to like her. A few hours before this picture was taken I was outside and herd Jazz the paint pony snort a warning as she was about to kick at Zoey. I yelled up to her that she was a bad girl and she stopped. A few seconds later Jazz geared up for another kick and I yelled again. This time all three horses stood there looking at me. Jazz walked away from Zoey. Jazz is establishing herself as the leader with the new horse. It looks like they are going to all be friends eventually." Courtesy of Horses With Amie.
Horse Posters and Prints!
Amish Working Horse - Dapple Gray Percheron Draft Horse.
Filly, the Quarter Horse colt at 2 weeks old.
Filly, the Quarter Horse colt at 2 weeks old checking
out the barn cat.
Horse Pictures 1
Horses with "Trailer Fear"
Assateague Ponies
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