Horse-a-holics http://horse-a-holics.com Horse information, WordPress weblog Wed, 27 May 2009 18:25:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 en Horse Judging & Terminology http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=165 http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=165#comments Wed, 27 May 2009 17:32:53 +0000 shawn http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=165 A Horse Judging
Basic Guide & Terminology

Horse judging consists of making a careful study of horses and measuring them up individually against the commonly accepted ideal of each breed.

 As you attempt to start judging, make a mental picture of the ideal or perfect horse.  You can do this by knowing and recalling the most desirable features, traits and characteristics of the perfect horses you have seen and picturing them all belonging to one horse.  You may get your ideal images from viewing champions or from pictures provided by each horse breed association.

As you judge, you divide the horses into three sets: a top set, middle set, and a bottom set.  You can make comparisons between the sets you have selected or formed.  Now in a typical pinning or awarding of classes there usually are 6 horses/riders recognized.  Therefore as you are judging, try to look at your class you are judging having 7 horses, the six you need or want to pin and the ideal perfect horse in your mind.

Be sure to keep enough distance to view the horses at the same.  Try to give yourself about 25 feet or more, however depending on the class there may be times that require get up close inspections or to closely check your own observations.  

You need to learn to study a class very carefully.  Judging is or should really be done in a systematic approach keeping it orderly and never haphazard.  Note the big things and make your placings accordingly, such as in a halter class: balance and type and correctness of structure.
 

Basic Terminology-

1.  Balance:
the manner in which the forehand and the quarter match, the way in which all parts seem to fit together.
              
Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
 “has great balance”
 “more correctly balanced”
 “more nicely balanced”
 “looking for balance”    

 

2.  Style:     
the manner in which a horse presents itself, presence, head, neck, tail carriage, its way of going. 

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“has good style”
“more stylish”
“looking for more style”

3.  Type:     
refers to the set of characteristics of a breed or may refer to the representation of a Hunter type, Stock type.
              
Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is typier”
“that filly’s type is more closely to the ideal” 
“more modern type” 

4.  Quality:  
muscle quality this implies: longer, smoother, less bunchiness.  
bone quality implies cleaner, dense bone of correct size, flat knees, cleaner hocks, trimmer ankles. 

 

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“has more quality”
“is high quality”

5.  Smoothness: 
blending of one part into another.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“smoother at the hips or shoulder”
“more smoothness throughout”

6.  Refinement:   
freedom of coarseness, fineness or elegance.
                     
Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“more refinement”
“a more refined filly”

7.  Condition:     
muscle tone, amount of fat, and shape it is in.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“nicer conditioned”
“trimmer condition”

8.  Way of Going:
total way in which the horse moves forward.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“goes more easily”
“has more extension”
“has truer action or movement”
“more in keeping with the breed”

9.  Action:          
mechanics of motion, correctness of foot and leg movement.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“travels wider at the hocks”
“has more correct action”
“goes straighter in the front”

 

10.  Soundness:   
healthy valid movement. (not be confused with blemishes, scars or unsightly marks)

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:    
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

10.  Soundness:   
healthy valid movement. (not be confused with blemishes, scars or unsightly marks)

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:    
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

10.  Soundness:   
healthy valid movement. (not be confused with blemishes, scars or unsightly marks)

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:    
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

10.  Soundness:   
healthy valid movement. (not be confused with blemishes, scars or unsightly marks)

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:    
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

10.  Soundness:   
healthy valid movement. (not be confused with blemishes, scars or unsightly marks)

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:    
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

10.  Soundness:   
healthy valid movement. (not be confused with blemishes, scars or unsightly marks)

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:    
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

10.  Soundness:   
healthy valid movement. (not be confused with blemishes, scars or unsightly marks)

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:    
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

10.  Soundness:   
healthy valid movement. (not be confused with blemishes, scars or unsightly marks)

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:    
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

10.  Soundness:   
healthy valid movement. (not be confused with blemishes, scars or unsightly marks)

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
criticism should be specific of unsoundness-
“hind quarters are off”
“not a sound left shoulder or ankle”

11.  Blemishes:    
scars, unsightly marks.

Examples of how to use this terminology correctly:
“is less clean due to its blemish”
“the blemish on the right cannon gives an unbalanced or unsymmetrical appearance”
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

]]> http://horse-a-holics.com/?feed=rss2&p=165 Fraud Awareness Tips http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=128 http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=128#comments Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:00:21 +0000 shawn http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=128

Common-Sense Advice for Buying Horses, Tack, Equipment, etc.

Buying a horse you find online is a lot like buying a horse through a classified ad in the newspaper. In either case, use your best judgment.

Know the horse’s (tack or equipment’s)  market  value

Be suspicious of a horse or item is priced significantly below market value.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Obtain a medical history and/or registration papers report

A medical history report can provide useful information, such as who cares for the horse and whether the horse has been unhealthy requiring professional medical attention. You’ll also find out through registration papers whether the horse has been in a stable place or does it continue to be bought and sold on a regular basis, which could be a sign that the horse has something wrong with it.

Vet Check the Horse
Schedule an appointment with a professional licensed veterinarian.  If the horse is not in your area, schedule the vet check using a veterinarian that has never seen or treated the horse in the past for an unbiased examination. An early vet check can help you identify problems, however, keep in mind that a vet check isn’t a warranty and won’t guarantee a horse is free from all illnesses and aliments or that the veterinarian has identified ALL existing problems.   The thoroughness of the check comes down to your wants and needs coupled with the professional advice of the licensed veterinarian doing the examination.

Confirm contact information
Before you send payment, verify the seller’s street address and phone number- an email address is not enough. ZIP codes, area codes and addresses should match up. Be wary if the seller is located overseas.
 

Use email wisely

Avoid sending sensitive personal or financial information (such as your social security number, credit card number or checking account number) to a seller via email. Remember that email communications are not secure and can be easily forwarded to others.

Get a detailed receipt

Ask the seller for a receipt that states any unique terms set upon you both or that states that the horse is being sold “as is”.

Get registration papers to the horse

Make sure you know what’s required in your horse breed’s association to transfer registration for the horse you’re buying.  PLEASE NOTE:  if registration papers are not current this could mean many possible things: 1) horse is stolen and not legally the sellers 2) In order to make the registration paper current there may be some extremely high fees to get the horse registered in your name 3) may be some extra work for you to get it current.

 

Common-Sense Advice for Selling Horses, Tack, Equipment, etc.
Selling a horse you find online is a lot like selling a horse through a classified ad in the newspaper. In either case, use your best judgment.


Confirm contact information
Be particularly wary of buyers willing to purchase your horse without seeing it in person, especially buyers located overseas. Always verify the buyer’s street address and phone number.  Perhaps even ask to see their facility where they’d be taking your horse that you’re selling them.


Secure payment first
Do not transfer the Registration until you have a payment (verified by a bank) in hand at the agreed upon price.


Verify that a certified check is genuine
Before you deposit a certified check, verify authenticity with the issuing bank-not just your bank. Make sure the account contains sufficient funds and the issuing bank guarantees payment on the check. It may take a week or more for the check to clear. It hasn’t cleared just because your bank has accepted it and credited your account!


Tip:  Perhaps you should not let your horse off your property until funds are accepted and credited to your account in full.

Beware of overpayment or other complicated payment schemes
Don’t agree to any plan where the buyer asks to send a check for more than the sale price and requests that the seller refund the difference. And be suspicious of any buyer who proposes making payment through a friend or agent of the buyer.

We don’t require payment to enter a sweepstakes.
We may offer promotional contests from time to time, but we’ll never require payment to enter a sweepstakes or to claim a prize.

If you receive an email that claims we’re holding a promotional contest or sweepstakes:

Check our website or call 1-714-943-7146 (Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. MTN Time) for accurate information. If you don’t get confirmation from us that we’re holding a contest, don’t participate.

Don’t click any links embedded in email messages. A link may look correct, but the code behind it could take you to a different website. Copy and paste a link into your browser’s address bar.

If you think you’ve received a fraudulent email involving a promotional contest, report the email to us and to law enforcement.

Sellers and Buyers Beware!
Please note that if you are selling a horse do not deal with any potential buyer inquiries from a third party regarding the purchase of a horse from a potential buyer in Nigeria, Africa, France, Germany, London, Hong Kong, and any others. They will attempt to arrange the purchase of the horse with a cashier’s check paying the price of the horse and shipping.  Once the horse has been shipped, they sometimes ask you to refund the shipping charges as part of a finder’s fee arrangement. They commonly also send you a check larger than the purchase price and ask for a refund of the difference.

What ends up happening is the CASHIER’S CHECK IS COUNTERFEIT and you end up with NO HORSE and NO MONEY!

This fraudulent scam takes various forms too, including purchasing frozen semen, tack, equipment, using fake wire transfers, even scammers posing as SELLERS on our sites, etc. Typically these scam emails have some similarities including misspellings, poor English grammar, are inquiring from or for foreign countries, and making offers for a client or other third party.

Internet Fraud Resources

 Visit the sites below to learn more about Internet fraud.

 Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC)

Internet Fraud Preventive Measures

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Be a Smarter Consumer

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Practical Tips to Help You Be on Guard Against Internet Fraud

Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

Fake Seals and Phony Numbers: How Fraudsters Try to Look Legit

 

]]> http://horse-a-holics.com/?feed=rss2&p=128 Gifts for Horse Lovers http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=97 http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=97#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:22:57 +0000 shawn http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=97 This is a list of websites and/or links of some terrific horse lover’s gift ideas.  These businesses are just providing a list of hopefully helpful resources for this seasons gift giving for horse lovers.   We hope that this page benefits you.  Happy Holidays from Horse-a-holics! 

GIFT IDEAS
DY Home Decor
http://stores.ebay.com/DY-Home-Decor

Keepsakes Etc
http://www.keepsakes-etc.com/animals-horses.html

Horse e-gifts
http://www.horse-e-gifts.com

Home and Stable Gift & Decor
www.homeandstable.com

Horse Gifts and Art
www.horsegiftsandart.com

Back in the Saddle
www.backinthesaddle.com    

LL Martin Custom Fine Original Art
http://stores.ebay.com/LLMartin-Custom-Fine-Original-Art 

Wild Horse Feathers
http://www.wildhorsefeathers.com/

Western Cowboy Horse Decor
http://www.westerncowboyhorsedecor.com/

Equine Gift Boutique
http://www.equinegiftsforhorselovers.com/

Manhattan Saddlery
https://www.manhattansaddlery.com/

Pins-by-Joanie-Stencils-and-Wood
http://stores.ebay.com/Pins-by-Joanie-Stencils-and-Wood

High Point of the Rockies
http://stores.ebay.com/High-Point-of-the-Rockies

Signature Cowboy Studio
http://stores.ebay.com/SIGNATURE-COWBOY-STUDIO

The Embroided Horse
http://stores.ebay.com/The-Embroidered-Horse

Texas Western Gifts
http://search.stores.ebay.com/Texas-Western-Gifts_horse-gifts

Equine Indulgence
http://myworld.ebay.com/equineindulgence/

The Ultimate Horse Site
http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/

Street Car Junction
http://stores.ebay.com/Streetcar-Junction

Omalley’s Home Decor
http://stores.ebay.com/OMALLEYS-HOME-DECOR

Harmony Acres Western Expressions
http://stores.ebay.com/Harmony-Acres-Western-Expressions

Horseshoe Haven
http://stores.ebay.com/Horseshoe-Haven-and-Other-Items

Elkhorn General Store
http://stores.ebay.com/Elkhorn-General-Store

AZ Horseshoe Art and Metal Design
http://stores.ebay.com/Az-Horseshoe-Art-and-Metal-Design

Arts Horseshoe Art
 http://www.artshorseshoeart.com/directory.htm

Antler and Horseshoe Art
http://www.antlerandhorseshoeart.com/Default.htm

KIDS HORSE CLOTHING, TOYS & GAMES Etc.

CWD Kids
http://www.cwdkids.com

 The Equestrain Corner
http://www.theequestriancorner.com/page/955968

Girls Horse Clothes 
http://www.girlshorseclothes.com/

Giddy Up Horsie
http://www.giddyuphorsie.com/

White Horse Toys
http://www.whitehorsetoys.com/horse_toys.html

Kids Roar
http://www.kidsroar.biz/horse/games/horsegames.html

Horseland
http://www.horseland.com/

Horse Presence
http://horsepresence.com/shop/Videogame.html

Rodeo Software
http://www.rodeosoftware.com/

Disclosure
By using the Horse-a-holics website, you consent to use the listed websites as an informational resource and acknowledge that Horse-a-holics is not responsible for any transactions between yourself and any business conducted with any of the above listed businesses provided on this page.

]]> http://horse-a-holics.com/?feed=rss2&p=97 Horse Exposure.Com http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=72 http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=72#comments Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:19:44 +0000 shawn http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=72 I am pleased, proud, eager and bursting with excitement to announce that Horse Exposure is launching with an outstanding web design & programming team and major upgrades to our site.  HorseExposure.Com will be going live January 2009!

I must say that I am pleased to offer an online horse classifieds that offers the highest quality, buying and selling experience for horse, tack, and riding equipment available online.  Our classifieds include a rating scale and feedback system that acts as a quality indicator to help assist you in reliable transactions, whether buying or selling.  Horse Exposure offers a single source for your horse needs by also offering: an event calendar, a blog, “Clinics Corner” for information and learning tips, a directory, a variety of advertising opportunities, sponsorships, charities, and prizes & rewards for using us.  That’s right; Horse Exposure rewards its users by paying a randomly selected member $100 each month.  It REALLY pays to use Horse Exposure.

Horse Exposure was created as a result of countless times of witnessing friends, family, and stable mates having negative experiences buying and selling horses, tack and various other equipment.  While many of them utilized an online equine classifieds as their resource, which offered only a decent means of finding things offered to buy, it wasn’t enough.  Not one of these resources however carried out enough detailed information for the consumer…especially if it was for a new equestrian or equestrian family.  So, Horse Exposure was developed to fill unfortunate gaps of important information and simply become a single source for equestrians nationwide to have the pleasure of buying, selling, advertising, and learning that the customers will recognize and appreciate, using with confidence and reliability!

Horse Exposure is more than an online horse classifieds. We provide a great deal of customer awareness, event presence with our horse show sponsorships, and equine community scholarships and charities.  Horse Exposure is committed to serve horse enthusiasts and the public nationwide with great customer service to all of our users that we serve.  To honor this commitment, Horse Exposure pledges to maintain the following values in serving our customers:
~ Our best efforts as well as our respect and courtesy.

~ Listen sincerely & objectively to the needs of each customer.

~ Respond to customers in a timely, efficient & responsible manner.

~ Respect the rights of the customer to confidentiality.

~ Maintain a strong involvement & presence in the equestrian community.

~Welcome feedback & suggestions from customers on improving our services.

I hope you find our site user-friendly and profitable.

Sincerely,
Shawn Bartlett, CEO & Founder
(714) 943-7146 (pacific time)
www.horseexposure.com
support@horseexposure.com

]]> http://horse-a-holics.com/?feed=rss2&p=72 The Equestrian Nutrition Tips http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=50 http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=50#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:30:59 +0000 shawn http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=50 After years of helping others look and feel great I have learned that planning and preparation of meals is truly the key. If we do plan our meals and have our food prepared we are far more likely to indulge in the things we know are not best or end up eating too much or too little (which are both not good). I found that my clients did great immediately due to having their meals made up in advance and were ready to go. I know we all are busy and sometimes need food quick so this is a great solution. I will tell you that I personally try to stay away from microwaving my food, however of course you are free to do as you please, but recommend reheating food in good old fashion pots & pans.

So here is an example of a healthy eating lifestyle meal schedule:
(Please note meals should never be skipped)

Breakfast- 8:00 am

Light Snack- If necessary between breakfast and lunch. *Keep it no more than 150 calories.

Lunch- 11:00 a.m.

Snack- 2:00 p.m

Dinner- 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Snack- 8:00-9:00 p.m.- Yes, it is ok to eat after six. Your metabolism will keep burning fat if you have food in your body! Just keep this snack 150 calories or less.

Remember, the key to following this is preparing the food in advance!!! I typically made my daily meals and snacks for Monday through Wednesday on Sunday night or early Monday morning and then made Thursday & Friday meals on Wednesday evening. This gave me the weekends to eat out if I wanted to or if I was going to be at events where I certainly couldn’t whip out one of my own meals. The weekends I call “Reward Days”!!! (please don’t call them “cheat days” because that is too negative.)

Reward Days- On the two days you decide to not prepare meals be careful not to over indulge in goodies or the great work you to all week could not benefit you as much. Yes, it is ok to get an ice cream on your rewards day, but then that’s it…meaning eat good the rest of the day. It’s hard being at horse shows without diving into some sweets or some greasy goodness.

So another words on reward days you can satisfy a craving…absolutely, but do so in moderation! If you’re craving pizza, get a slice…A SLICE not 3! But eat well the rest of that day. If on your second rewards day you are craving a doughnut, I say go for it! But once again…JUST ONE! And then eat well the rest of the day.

Eating healthy may seem like a big deal or change, but you are worth it?!? Just give it a shot and try it out. Typically the first three days are the toughest. It’s a known fact that animals take approximately 28-30 consecutive days to learn a new habit…so keep that in mind. Meaning that after the first month this lifestyle will feel not only pretty good but much natural too! And yes, it does take some work, but again I feel it is well worth it to be healthy. You can exercise all day long, but if you are not eating well you are just spinning your wheels and won’t see or feel the difference.

Give it try in good sensible meal portions!

Also, check out “meal ideas” for examples of daily meals.

]]> http://horse-a-holics.com/?feed=rss2&p=50 Some Horse Magazines http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=60 http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=60#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:23:09 +0000 shawn http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=60 Some popular horse magazines

Horse breed associations and/or equine organizations may have its very own magazine(s) too. For example the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) has The Quarter Horse Journal and the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has NRHA Reiner.

Please note: This list does not include EVERY horse magazine published.

American Indian Horse News
American Saddlebred
American Trakehner
American Turf Monthly
Anvil Magazine
Appaloosa Journal
Arabian Horse Express
Arabian Horse Times
Arabian Horse World
Atlantic Horse & Pony
Backstretch, The
Belgian Review
Blood-Horse, The
Bluegrass Horseman
Breeders Cup
Buckeye Harness Horseman
Buckskin Horse
Canadian Arabian News
Canadian Horse Journal
Canadian Horseman
Canadian Thoroughbred
Chronicle of the Horse
Clydesdale News
Cutting Horse Chatter
Draft Horse Journal
Dressage & CT
Dressage Today
Equine Image, The
Equinews
Equus
Evener, The
Eventing USA
Florida Derby
Florida Thoroughbred
Haflinger Highlite
Hoof Beats
Horse, The
Horse & Rider
Horse of Delaware Valley
Horse Illustrated
Horse-N-Around
Horse Power-Magazine for Young Horse Lovers
Horse Sport
Horse World
Horseman
HorsePower
Horses
Horses All
Hunter & Sport Horse Magazine
Illinois Racing News
Illinois Standardbred
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Journal of the American Shetland Pony Club/American Miniature Horse
Jump! Magazine
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Midwest Equine Market
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National Horseman
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New York Thoroughbred
New York Thoroughbred Observer, The
Ohio Quarter Horse Association News
Pacific & Prairie Horse Journal
Paint Horse Journal
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Paso Fino Horse World
Performance Horse Magazine
Pinto Horse
POA Magazine
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Quarter Horses USA
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Rider, The
Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Magazine
Rodeo News
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Spur Magazine: The Magazine of Equestrian and Country Life
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TIMES: in harness
Trot
Trottingbred
Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse
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Western Horseman
Western Mule Magazine
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]]> http://horse-a-holics.com/?feed=rss2&p=60 Quotes http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=39 http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=39#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:00:42 +0000 shawn http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=39 Just wanted to share some quotes to pick up people’s spirits. They are just here for some fun.

1. Only those who risk going too far will ever know how far they can go. (Quote is from unknown source)

2. Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. (Abraham Lincoln)

3. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. (Winston Churchill)

4. We are each responsible for all of our experiences (Lousie Hay)

5. They can because they think they can. (Virgil)

6. The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.
(Frank Loyd Wright)

7. If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.
(William Arthur Ward)

8. Energy and persistence conquer all things. (Benjamin Franklin)

9. We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do. (Mother Theresa)

10. Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. (Confucius)

]]> http://horse-a-holics.com/?feed=rss2&p=39 The Nutrition Coach - Metabolism http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=33 http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=33#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:00:47 +0000 shawn http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=33 For a number of years I was a certified nutrition coach helping many different people from professional athletes, to stay at home moms, and many career oriented individuals. I helped them for their individual fitness goals whether it was for sports performance, weight loss, or for overall health and wellness. And from years of experience doing this I know that good nutrition improves your health, energy, vitality, and appearance because I saw the difference in ALL of my clients. So, I would like to now share some tips and nutrition knowledge with fellow equestrians so you can improve your health too.

First off, everybody should follow a balanced diet. Nutrition is important for everyone at every age. When physical activity and eating well is combined, you will help your body to be strong and healthy. In any sport, food and proper diet is an essential component to good performance. It provides the body with the fuel it needs to perform at its best. However, if the wrong foods are consumed, injuries can actually result. A great example of this is “fatigue”. I am sure many times you have experienced fatigue as a result from poor food choice consumption. Fatigue makes it more difficult for your body to respond effectively to activity. I know plenty of times I have eaten too much or junk food and didn’t then feel up to riding or completing all the barn chores that I had wanted to do prior to loading up on the wrong food. Now, eating the right foods can help to reduce the onset of fatigue and even helps with recovery after heavy activity. If you did a lot of training or perhaps went for a long ride, and really “worked up an appetite” than refuel yourself with a balanced meal or a healthy snack.

Your body is actually able to burn fat more quickly and efficiently by eating more often. Yes, that’s right you can actually more often and be healthier. “Hmmm” some of you say. It is true! It is recommended that we actually eat six small balanced meals per day. Okay, this may help you understand how this works. If you imagine your body’s metabolism as a fire, isn’t it easier to keep a fire going by occasionally place a log on it versus letting the flames go out and the coals cool off and having to rebuild the entire fire to get it going again? Well this is how your body’s metabolism works better too. Keep eating small balanced meals will then keep your metabolism going and burning fat. We don’t really get ahead by skipping meals. Hope that helps understand the importance of eating multiple small balanced meals.

]]> http://horse-a-holics.com/?feed=rss2&p=33 Equestrian’s Good Health http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=24 http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=24#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:45:54 +0000 shawn http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=24 The most important thing in life is to keep ourselves in good health so we can enjoy life. Keeping healthy is important so we can take good care of our horse(s), ride for pleasure, training, competition, and to do what we need to get done at the barn. Lets face it, having a horse can be physically demanding! This article is about the importance of good health for the equestrian at any level.

We live in a society that is taking more and more of an interest in exercise and health related fitness, and overall “good health”. I think it is a result of people wanting and understanding the results of a better and healthier lifestyle. Being in good health involves: physical health, mental health, social health, spiritual health, societal health, and nutritional health. Having good physical health is important to being a good athlete of any kind. As equestrians, so many of us (including myself) strive to have our horses in picture perfect health, be conditioned properly, be well balanced, bend and move nicely, AND WHAT ABOUT US? Doesn’t it make sense for us, the rider, to also make sure we too are in shape, properly conditioned, flexible, and well balanced to get the most out of our horse’s performance and all the time we invest in our training them? A rider’s good physical health to me is just as important as the horse’s.

As far as our physical health, we do know that our performance potential is determined to a large extent by hereditary factors. Each person however does have a genetic potential, and height, physique and body composition that is of major importance in influencing achievement in a particular sport. Individuals (yes, even you) can make significant changes in our body composition, which means that you can control the proportions of body fat and lean body weight.

For our physical health, we should engage in some form of exercise or physical activity for a minimum of 30-60 consecutive minutes at least five days per week. Research has confirmed that any amount of exercise, at any age, is beneficial. And, in general, the more you do, the greater the benefits.
Routine or regular exercise can help protect you from so much. It can protect you from the following: heart disease and stroke, obesity, noninsulin-dependent diabetes, high blood pressure, back pain, body aches and pains, osteoporosis, increased stress levels, and it can even improve your mood. Let us not forget that it also burns off unnecessary fat in your body and keeps our weight down (which our horses will appreciate). Most importantly, exercise gives you increased energy levels overall which is again helpful in keeping up with our horses and barn chores. As equestrians, we may feel as if the whole time at the barn is a workout, however the problem is it has too many pauses which slows our heart rate down not staining enough cardio aerobic activity. Of course all of the work around the barn from cleaning stalls, grooming, and of course riding is beneficial, it just is not enough exercise for all of us.

If you have been inactive for a bit, you should probably start out with less strenuous activities such as walking at a slow comfortable pace. Then start off at a slow pace until you become physically fit to reduce the chances of straining and/or injuring your body. Once you are in better shape, you’ll gradually be able to do more strenuous activity and pick up the pace!

For those who are not physically fit enough to ride, start using some low intensity and low straining activities to get to where you want to be. You can get in better health without having to take a prescribed pill. Exercise is extremely powerful. And the best part is You’re In Control Of It!

So, the next time you feel like skipping exercise, keep the above mentioned health benefits in mind. Just remember, every little bit helps. If you don’t exactly feel up to a hardy workout, how about taking your horse for a nice hand walk? You’ll both feel great after you have done it!

]]> http://horse-a-holics.com/?feed=rss2&p=24 Basic Equine Principles http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=4 http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=4#comments Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:55:57 +0000 shawn http://horse-a-holics.com/?p=4 The first is, ‘Patience + Partnership = Performance’. This formula includes ‘partnership’ which should not be confused with the overly used and often misused term ‘bonding’. I completely understand owners and riders of all disciplines and at all levels wanting to acquire the ability to act as one with their horse.  It is a good start but requires a good sense of horse knowledge.  ’Bonding’ can certainly happen and is fine as long as it has boundaries…firm boundaries, coupled with respect!  Just ‘bonding’ alone can quickly become the rider learning from the horse’s cues and communication which then typically starts reinforcing negative behaviors.

Secondly, I reinforce what thedog whisperer says as his key formula, ‘exercise, discipline, and then affection’. In order to have open two-way communication with our horse(s) we must understand & respect how they think and realize they are not people, therefore they can not think like people.  So with all that said, learning the techniques to creating and maintaining effective and pleasant working partnership will ensure the best possible performance and riding enjoyment for both you and your horse.  I can’t tell you how many times a have witnessed horse owners trying to teach their horses something that they themselves don’t know how to do, or what it is that they’re trying to teach.  Remember, there is no such thing as disobedience if you’re not directing the horse. That means you have to be telling the horse what TO DO and what NOT TO DO. When you’re training a horse, you’re teaching him a form of concise communication. When you make requests: slow down, speed up, bend at the poll, get collected, change leads, and your horse answers correctly, you give him a “yes” and if he does not respond, you keep asking until he does react correctly.  No matter what kind of riding you do, the object is for your horse to listen, understand and respond to every signal you send, no matter the discipline you ride.  In every task or test, you want your horse to answer “yes” to your every question.  Which leads me to the last key formula I believe in:
Ask- You should have a lesson plan as to what you want your horse to do or practice. Once you have that and ‘ask’ the horse to do something, you need to make it happen. The ‘ask’ could be a vocal command to jog or trot.

Tell- - If the horse doesn’t respond to the vocal cue, then apply appropriate leg pressure.

Make- -Cue the horse until you get what you asked. Don’t stop and do any other tasks or exercises until you make that one happen!

When you are handling your horse, try to use little tests to stress your authority.  For example, try turning into him, having him pivot on his hind end when you are leading him in from the paddock or pasture.  Give ground tying a shot while grooming.  More importantly, only do what you feel confident doing.  Never ask a horse for something if you think you might not win.  For example, ride in an enclosed pen rather than on the trail.  Ride when the arena is quiet or empty,  rather than crowded.  Set yourself up for success so you and your horse both feel good.  The progress you make may be slow, but your confidence will grow immensely.
 
 
 
 

 

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