Horses help with these questions please?

Question

hello i know all of the things im just asking people what they think ?

and what they would think is best .

do not leave stupid comments just answer my questions please. i know how to look after a horse and what to use im just asking people if they think better things or if its fine.

Answer 1

Hi im Katy and can help you a lot. I have horses of my own, and i also train.....so here it goes,

1. Yes, you should either have a lead rope, or a rope thats like a short cross tie, and ties his head. You should give him about 2 or 3 feet of length on the line (depending on the hight of your horse).

2.Usually they ship by the mile. I havent had my horses ship in a long time but, i thinks its like $2 a loaded mile, or something along those lines (depending on where you live, and if with the gas prices if they have gone up).

3.What type of black plastic bucket is it? Has it been used for anything else? Most buckets are just fine, but you have to make sure that it wasnt used for anything else (like salt, ect.)

4. Yes, you can ride in almost any weather.. Where do you live? If you live in an area like TX then 100 degree weather is normal, and you can ride in it a little. If you live in VT, like i do, and your horse is not use to hotter weather i wouldnt suggest riding on really hot humid days.

5. If your horse is sweating im guessing that its pretty warm out? If so, then yes hose him off...but DONT put the rug on him. or he will over heat. If its cooler, then dont hose him, walk him out until you can put your hand between his front legs sorta on his chest) and not have it to hot, have it nive and cool. And if hes still sweaty then put a light fleece rug on him until hes dry. But, it depends on the weather.

6. When you refer to the Yard, what do you mean? do you mean your barn? If its in the summer, dont use a blanket. The only time you should use one is if its extremely cold, windy and wet (with snow). Horses are very rugged animals. You have to consider what wild horses survive through, and there not extinct. Also, are you feeding him grain? It is best if you check on your horse atleast once a day.

7. If your looking to loan a horse...then do you have a good horse person that you know, and trust? If you do then have him/her go with you when you look at the horse. He/she will know what to look for, health issues, lameness, ect. They will also know the right questions to ask.

Well, I hope this helps some, if you have more questions then ask away!  

By the way, i have a couple questions for you..

1) How long have you been riding?

2) How old are you? (not to be rude at all, but if your younger like me, then your going to want to make sure your parents know what to expect owning a horse).

Answer 2

If you need to ask these kinds of questions you really shouldn't be owning your own horse.  Why don't you try getting a part time job at a stables for a while first so you can learn for yourself.

Answer 3

1.  Tie him to the string.

2.  That is entirely up to the owner of the horse-box.  Remember you need special licensing to tow horses and special insurance.  Maybe they could fetch it for you.

3.  A black bucket would be fine, just remove all the handles and sharp bits.

4.  You can ride a pony in wet and windy weather but remember to remove all traces of mud and dust and wet before you tack him up or he could start getting sore and itchy.

5.  When a horse is sweaty it should not have a heavy rug on because they continue to sweat afterwards and then get chills.  A horse or pony with a chill is thoroughly ill and miserable and will take some time to recover.  You need to put an anti-sweat rug on with a fly sheet or something and brush sweaty bits backwards and forwards until dry.  A good way to overcome this is to have the pony bib or trace clipped to make it easier to dry off, and less likely to sweat.

6.  Horses and ponies are creatures of habit and need to have a routine.  Whether living out or in, they still need checking over for injuries, illness, whether warm or cold, rugs straightening and hooves picking out and feeding.  These should all happen at the same time each day. Horses with no routine can become ill with colic and otherwise rebellious.  It would be better for someone else on the yard to check him over for you if you cannot get there yourself.

7.  Ask for a full outline in writing of what your responsibilities are going to be; ie paying for food, shoeing, vet bills etc.

     The outline should also include what the owner will want to do themselves.

     There should be written down things you are and are not allowed to do with the pony, how often you can ride it, whether you can take it to shows etc.

      Get insurance.  This is vital, whether you own the horse or not.

       Ask to see the passport and check when vaccinations are due and worming.  No horse is allowed to move yards without a passport, so if they withhold this, I would be suspicious.

When you first go to see the pony, make sure you take a responsible adult with you who can check the suitability of the pony.  Do not go for the first pony you see just because you want one or because you like his colour etc.  It has to be safe for your standard or riding.  Ask about good and bad habits, why it is on loan, what sort of temperament it has, and then see for yourself.

Does it come with tack?  Rugs?  

Is there a trial period where you can have the pony and if either of you do not get on for whatever reason, can you send it back?

Good luck.

Read the British Horse Societies Manual of Horsemanship to help with care.  They are the leading authority.

Answer 4

no affence but yy do u hav a horse if you don't know all of this ?

Answer 5

Hres what I would say to your questions:

1.  Always tie your pony up in the trailer rather than leaving it loose.

Its far safer and makes them feel more secure and also stops them trying to bolt out as soon as you open the ramp.

2.  You can hire horse lorries for £99 per day inclusive of fully comp insurance and a valet service.  Plus Breakdown.  Use that as your guideline.

3.  You can use a bucket for feed but its better to have a proper feed bowl made of heavy duty plastic for them.  They are all colours and cost about a fiver from any tack shop.

4.  You can ride in wet and windy weather so long as you wear high visibility riding clothing, and your pony is cared for afterwards rather than just thrown back out in the field.  If he has become hot and sweaty he will need to be sponged down and a cooler put on him until the heat has gone from him - and even though he is still damp - he could then be put back out in the field.  Obviously dont ride in dangerously wet or windy weather for obvious reasons!!

5.  Dont put a thick outdoor rug on a hot horse - they will break out in a sweat and may catch a chill.  After working and sponging them off, put a cooler on until the heat has gone out of their skin - they can stand and munch some hay in the meantime.  After about 15-20 minutes with the cooler on, you can put the rug on and turn them out.

6.  It is okay not to ride every day but if you are not going to the yard you should have someone check your pony is okay.  If they are fed something even though turned out you should arrange for someone else to give him this in your absence - even if it is just some hay.

7.  Loan agreements need to be looked at carefully and made sure that they have been checked by a local solicitor really if you are a novice at this kind of thing.  Loan agreements can work but there is always the chance that the owner will want the pony back at the end of the period of loan.  Loans can work - especially the long term ones but the shorter term ones I have seen end in tears when the owner then reclaims the pony for some reason and you are left without.

We have had a loan pony but when they found out that we were doing well with this pony and winning lots at the local shows - they decided they would sell the pony because it was now worth money.  It cost me £1,250 to stop them from doing it by buying the pony myself.

We have picked up ponies however over the years for as little as £500 and they have been great.

It is often a mistake to think that ponies who live out can go out for a ride and then just be thrown back out in the field.  They have to have something to eat, something to drink and have a cooling off period.

Especially if they are then going to have a rug put on them.

Hope you enjoy your pony - we had fabulous times with ours!