Doesn't every rider dream of an unforgettable ride on their four-legged favorite? Whether over hill and dale, along the coast, or simply from place to place. The feeling of sitting relaxed on your horse with the wind in your hair is amazing. Exploring nature together, perhaps racing neck and neck in a riding group or bravely riding into a lake to swim – you probably have all these images and stories of wonderful riding trips with happy horse-rider pairs in your head right now. We all know that it's not always sunshine and roses on four hooves and that some riders work up quite a sweat when riding through unfamiliar terrain. But with a little preparation and a few precautions, you can create the right conditions for returning from your ride full of enthusiasm and wonderful memories.
If you are planning a longer ride through the countryside, you should think about your route in advance. Horses that have never run on uneven ground before and are unfamiliar with different surfaces may encounter problems. Of course, no rider will have their horse shoed especially for a single ride, but everyone can find out about the riding trails in advance and adjust their route accordingly.
For one of your first rides, it is a good idea to find a riding partner. An experienced horse-rider pair who not only knows the trails but also makes you and your horse feel safe. If you are riding in a group, it is best to ask in advance for consideration, as you or your horse are not yet very experienced. Until you know how your horse behaves in the countryside and in a group, galloping should not be on the agenda. Anyone who has ever been on a horse that has bolted in the countryside knows how lost a rider can feel. Therefore, safety should always come first, especially in the countryside, where there are no boundaries such as the walls of an indoor arena. Once you can assess your horse and it already "listens" to you well, you can explore new paths together.
Here is a checklist for riding:
Important! It is essential that your horse is familiarized with any new equipment at home first. Blankets, fly veils, hoof boots, and other items that are unfamiliar to your horse may make it nervous. You don't want to test this out in the field, forest, or meadow.
The sun is shining from a cloudless sky, you are well prepared, and your horse seems deeply relaxed as it trots along behind one of its four-legged friends. Finally, you have crossed the first dirt road with its many small stones and turn onto a forest path. Now it's time to pick up speed. Full of joy, you give your horse the impulse to pick up speed. Suddenly, it stops and you quickly realize that your horse is lame.
When riding out, the rider needs to be observant, especially with horses that are not used to being out in the countryside. Small stones that press into the hoof or get stuck under the shoe can cause pain or even a hoof abscess.
When riding at a slow pace, an inexperienced horse also has a lot to take in, as there is much to see and hear. You should therefore always remain alert in the saddle so that you are not taken by surprise by a sudden jump to the side.
There are also a few obstacles that you should keep an eye out for as a rider. Tree roots, large stones, ditches, and similar obstacles should be approached at a reasonable speed and with a little caution.
Riders, cyclists, and pedestrians often share the trails. Therefore, you should always choose a pace that allows you to quickly slow down to a walk if you encounter "oncoming traffic." So if you really want to let your horse run, you'll be doing yourself and your horse a favor by using the galloping track that some stables have on their grounds.
Are you happy and satisfied to be back at the farm? The feeling of shared adventure will surely bond you and your horse even more. Now there's just a little aftercare to do, and then your horse can return to its home with lots of new impressions.
Depending on the weather and how strenuous the ride was, a cool shower will do you good. When hosing down the legs, you can check that all legs and hooves look good, that there is no swelling or cuts anywhere, and that no shoes have come loose. Be sure to lift the hooves and look under the "feet." Remove any small stones or other debris with a hoof pick. If the weather permits, a full-body shower is great for your horse. Be sure to check for ticks or other critters that your horse may have picked up. After cleaning and disinfecting any small scratches or wounds, you can apply a little wound ointment. And maybe reward your darling with a few apples at the end of the ride and thank them for the fun you had together.
Vaccinations for horses serve as preventive healthcare and protect against possible diseases and their spread. Depending on what you want to do with your horse, different vaccinations are recommended and even mandatory for competition horses. All vaccinations are correctly documented by your veterinarian in the equine passport.
Corneal ulcer, also known as corneal ulceration, is one of the most common eye diseases in horses. It is not a growth, but rather a tissue defect that does not heal chronically and can vary in severity. The treatment of a corneal ulcer can be very frustrating, and untreated or incorrectly treated corneal ulcers can lead to serious visual impairment or even loss of the eye.
Summer eczema is a recurring allergic skin disease in horses that manifests itself in severe itching and hairless, open patches of skin. The disease can occur in horses of all breeds, although Icelandic horses, Norwegian horses, Shetland ponies, and Haflingers are significantly more commonly affected, while warmbloods tend to be affected less frequently.
Twice a year, our horses have a strenuous job to do: when they shed their coats, they need to perform at their best because their metabolism is working overtime. Some older or sick horses struggle with this. As a horse owner, you can help your horse get through the coat change more relaxed.
Dummkoller, formerly known as star gazer disease, is an incurable brain disease characteristic of horses, which fortunately is rarely seen today. Until 2002, this disease, which severely impairs consciousness, was one of the main defects that allowed a horse to be returned within 14 days of purchase.
Bitless riding simply means riding without a bit in the horse's mouth. There are many different reasons and just as many ways to ride a horse without a bit. Of course, there are always disadvantages as well as advantages. Think about which bitless bridle suits you, your horse, and your riding style in advance. And finally, practice makes perfect.
Almost all of us are familiar with asthma in humans. But chronic respiratory diseases are also becoming increasingly common among our horses. Over the past few years, various terms have been established to describe a similar complex of diseases. In English-speaking countries, the umbrella term "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" (COPD) was used for a long time, as it was assumed that the changes affected not only the bronchi but the entire lungs. In German, the term "chronische obstruktive Bronchitis" (COB) was mostly used. Although these terms are still often used today, in veterinary medicine for horses, a distinction is now only made between "RAO: Recurrent Airway Obstruction" and "IAO: Inflammatory Airway Disease." The central component of all terms is always the obstruction or narrowing of the small bronchi, which leads to breathing difficulties and coughing. The precursor to these chronic diseases is usually acute bronchitis.
This rapidly progressing muscle disease, also known as grass disease, has only been known since the beginning of the last century and is feared by horse owners because most of the horses affected die from it and the causes were unclear for a long time. It primarily affects young, well-fed horses that graze on rather unkempt, nutrient-poor pastures.
Heart disease is also relatively common in our four-legged friends, affecting almost one in ten dogs. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood into the circulatory system, meaning that the body is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen.
Urolithiasis, colloquially referred to as urinary stone disease, refers to the formation and deposition of various concretions in the urinary tract of horses. Although this disease occurs sporadically in horses, it can lead to serious symptoms and significant impairments. The deposits can occur in the form of crystals, grit, sand, or stones and are most commonly found (approx. 60%) in the urinary bladder. Geldings are more severely affected than stallions or mares.
It's really special when your own dog has puppies – and for us as dog owners, it's probably just as exciting as it is for the animal itself. It's important that you, as the companion of the expectant dog mom, always remain calm – and have the emergency number of your vet handy.
There are many reasons why a mare that has previously been a riding horse might be turned into a broodmare. There are a few factors to consider on the way to your first foal.
