What a wonderful feeling. Finally, your own horse! Everything went smoothly, from the trial ride to the pre-purchase examination to the purchase transaction. Your horse can move into its new stall. For new horse owners, this is a very exciting time, which is sure to raise a few questions about keeping conditions, health care, training, and much more. First and foremost, you should purchase basic equipment for your new horse that can be used for working and riding. You will quickly discover that you need a lot more than just a saddle and bridle.
To get our horse from A to B, we need at least a decent halter and a lead rope. Of course, these can also be stylish, perhaps made of nylon with colorful prints or classic leather. The important thing is that they fit properly. They should not be too tight or too loose, so that they do not chafe or get caught on anything.
When choosing a lead rope, be sure to think about your own hands. How comfortable is the material in your hands? Could you burn yourself if your horse jerks the rope through your hands? The fastening of the lead rope is also important. A panic hook opens in an emergency, which is sometimes good, but not always. If your horse is tied up at the grooming station and gets spooked, a panic hook is a good idea. When the panic hook opens, the horse does not have to remain hanging on the lead rope in the halter. This significantly minimizes the risk of injury. However, an open panic hook during a walk in the woods presents horse owners with another challenge. It is therefore wise to have two lead ropes with two different fastenings.
For the daily grooming of our horse, we need a grooming box with a few basics. It is always possible to add to this. The following items should not be missing from your grooming box:
It is essential to have a small first aid kit in the stable. It is also advisable to know which vet will be treating your horse in the future and to inform the stable owner. It is best to place the vet's name and telephone number on the horse's locker or stall. Your stable first aid kit should contain the following:
Of course, you can expand this first aid kit according to your own needs.
Whether your horse needs a summer blanket, a winter blanket, or a fly blanket is up to you and, of course, depends on how the horse is kept. If it is a sport horse and is clipped in winter, it will naturally need a winter blanket and a sweat blanket for before and after training sessions. Horses with eczema benefit from an eczema blanket.
Some people advocate fly masks for grazing, while others reject them. They are not necessarily part of the basic equipment. It is best to try them out gradually to see whether such extras are useful for you and your horse.
Transport boots, hoof boots, and gaiters serve to protect the horse's legs. Some riders prefer to bandage the horse's legs. In this case, it is advisable to use a bandage pad.
Do you feed your horse yourself? Then hygiene is essential. A feed bin is ideal for this purpose. Small boxes for fruit, treats, and supplements are also useful.
If the horse is not a breeding horse or a spare horse, but a riding horse, additional equipment is required. The most important items for riding are, of course, a saddle and bridle.
The saddle should be fitted by a saddler. A well-fitting saddle is essential for the rider and, above all, for the horse and its back in order to prevent health problems.
You can decide for yourself which type of saddle you need for your riding discipline, whether it be dressage, jumping, trail riding, or perhaps an all-purpose saddle. The same applies to the bridle. It should fit well, not pinch or rub, and be made of good material to ensure durability. A bridle that breaks while riding is no fun and also poses a danger. More and more riders are also enjoying bitless riding. Here, too, the quality of the bridle and the fit should be right.
Depending on your riding level, you should consider auxiliary reins, but you can certainly start without these aids and then see what your riding instructor recommends. The same applies to the use of whips or spurs. They should not be used indiscriminately. A lunging whip and a lunge line are good tools for working with the horse in the lunging circle. This is also the ideal place to practice obedience exercises or lessons in hand.
There is certainly a lot more equipment to mention for the individual disciplines of riding. Whether show jumping or dressage, baroque riding or western riding, each discipline has its own tools. And if you want to compete in a tournament, the list becomes even longer. However, you now have the basics covered and can buy everything else bit by bit.
Rotaviruses are the most common cause of diarrhea in foals. They are widespread among horses and highly contagious. However, they only cause symptoms in young foals.
You are called to the stable because your horse can hardly move. It is standing in its stall or in the pasture and trying to relieve pressure on its front hooves by placing all its weight on its hindquarters and bringing its front legs forward. This characteristic stance is familiar to many horse owners, and there is little doubt about the diagnosis. Your horse is suffering from acute laminitis. This is one of the most painful conditions a horse can suffer from and, along with colic, is the leading cause of death in horses. Laminitis is always considered an emergency and treatment by a veterinarian is essential.
EOTRH, or more precisely Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis, is currently considered an incurable inflammatory condition affecting the incisors and canines of horses. The disease has only been known for about 10 years, but is now affecting more and more older horses. In many cases, the disease is not detected until late stages, as it is not visible below the gums at the onset.
There are many different arguments for different types of dog food. What is best for which dog and how feeding can be integrated into the daily routine of those caring for them varies according to individual needs. Below you will find some recommendations and ideas on this topic.
Cats are not dogs that will do anything for food. They don't eat everything that is put in front of them either, because cats are gourmets – at least most of them are.
As the saying goes, when two completely different people meet and have communication problems, they are "like cats and dogs." Dogs and cats do indeed seem to be fundamentally different. But opposites aren't always bad. It's entirely possible for the two to enjoy a peaceful family life together in the same household.
This viral disease, also known as canine distemper due to its high contagiousness, is an acute infectious disease that is widespread worldwide. Puppies between two and 16 weeks of age, unvaccinated dogs, and older dogs are particularly at risk. If left untreated, the disease is usually fatal. However, modern vaccines provide effective prevention.
Just like in humans, tartar and plaque are really common in our furry friends. These yellowish, rough deposits show up mainly on the corner and front teeth and can lead to serious gum inflammation. Older dogs, small breeds, and dogs with crooked teeth are especially at risk because their teeth don't clean themselves as well.
If you have decided to get a rabbit as a pet, it is certainly interesting to learn a little about the different breeds of rabbits. Below you will find a few breed profiles. Decide for yourself which rabbit suits you best. You may also want to visit one or two breeders and get some more detailed advice.
Are you one of those people who dream of teaching Beo to talk? Training and taming birds requires patience and empathy for your feathered friend. Nothing is impossible, but some species are more talented at speech than others, while others prefer to live their own lives in small flocks and are not particularly interested in "conversing" with humans.
In veterinary medicine, retained placenta refers to the placenta and egg membranes remaining in the uterus after the birth of the foal. This is not a separate disease, but rather a symptom of various functional disorders. It is one of the most common problems during the birth process in mares and occurs in 2 to 10% of all foal births.
Cats are very resilient and do not show symptoms of illness until late stages. When is it an emergency? And what is the right thing to do? Here you will find useful information to help you assess your cat's condition. The most important thing is to stay calm and keep a clear head.
