Horseback riding is a wonderful hobby, especially with your own horse! When humans and animals form a strong team, you develop a completely different connection than when you are "jumping" from one horse to the next at a riding school. But how can you find happiness with a permanent horse partner if you can't afford to buy your own horse? Or if you can't find the time to devote to a horse on your own? A riding partnership could be the best decision for you and your horse.
Time is a precious commodity. Sometimes we simply don't have enough of it to juggle everything that goes on in our lives. Our four-legged friends, in particular, need a certain amount of attention and time together. So what if we love our animal but can no longer do it justice on our own? For horse lovers, there is the option of riding or grooming shares. Here, riders and horse lovers who cannot afford or do not want to own their own horse look for a horse that they can ride and care for on a regular basis. Riding partnerships can be found on various websites. If the basic parameters are right, i.e., the distance, the type of riding desired, the time slots on both sides, and there is a certain rapport, a personal meeting should take place. It is very important that not only the chemistry between the people is right, but also that the riding partner can build a rapport with the horse. This is a basic requirement for you to be able to leave your beloved horse with them for several fixed days a week, as agreed, and know that it is well cared for.
Much depends on the agreement with the owner. In some cases, the riding partner is allowed to treat the horse as their own and may even compete in tournaments or take the horse on vacation. In some agreements, the riding partner pays the horse owner a small fee and thus contributes to the costs of the horse. All parameters must be worked out individually and left to the respective riding team. One final tip: check whether the riding partner is also included in the horse liability insurance.
Don't have a horse yourself but would like to ride one? Basically, the same applies here as for horse owners. Browse various websites, look for ads, or create your own ad.
Get in touch and clarify the most important questions by phone or email. Then it's time to meet in person to see if everything fits.
However, there is another option for those looking to find their perfect match. Simply visit riding stables in your area. Ask horse owners if they are looking for a riding partner. Or leave a note on the notice board or a stable door. Introduce yourself and describe your knowledge of horses in detail. The more the horse owners know about you and your skills and knowledge of horses, the quicker they will notice you and you can start your new life as a riding team.
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane in a dog's mouth. It can develop primarily (on its own) or secondarily as a result of other underlying diseases and can affect only a limited area or the entire mouth. Small dogs and dogs with misaligned teeth are particularly affected.
Horse ears come in different sizes, depending on breed and genetics. They usually feel soft and fluffy – but not every horse likes to have its early warning system touched. If you are a horse owner and your horse lets you stroke its fluffy ears, this is actually a sign that your horse trusts you. The horse's ear is something very special.
Birds groom themselves almost constantly: they clean themselves, sharpen their beaks and bite. But sometimes our feathered friends need a little help.
You've probably heard sayings like these before: Cats only see their owners as "can openers"! Cats aren't dogs, waiting to serve their masters... But cats can learn rules too.
Tetanus is a usually fatal, notifiable infectious disease caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This disease, also known as lockjaw, has been known since ancient times and is widespread throughout the world. Both humans and horses are particularly susceptible to the toxin, whereas dogs have only a low sensitivity and therefore do not need to be vaccinated.
Some people love it when their pony's coat shines in all its glory and even sparkles here and there. It is groomed and sprayed, the mane is braided, and hardly a hair is out of place. But coat and hoof care is not just a matter of appearance. Regular brushing means much more than that.
Gerbils are sociable pets that are fun to watch as they go about their business. But they also need attention. Before you know it, these little speedsters can jump out of their enclosure with a high leap.
It's an exciting time! You've made the decision to get a puppy, and most of the preparations are done. Now the question is whether you should enroll in dog training classes. Of course, you could also work with a dog trainer. Or you might feel confident enough to go it alone, because you already have a lot of experience with dogs.
We always want the best for our four-legged companions: to care for them, spend quality time together, and share our world with them. But despite all our care and attention, accidents and emergencies can happen. With an emergency kit, you'll be well prepared. Of course, the kit is no substitute for a visit to the vet. But especially for minor accidents, sudden illness, and stressful situations, a well-stocked emergency kit is an important tool. And in an emergency, you may even save your dog's life if you have the right equipment and know what to do.
You've probably experienced a dog wagging its tail at the door even though the person who was greeted minutes later was nowhere to be seen or heard. It's well known that dogs have better hearing than humans. But did you also know that your dog can block out certain sounds?
Endocrinology is the field of medicine that deals with disorders of metabolism and hormones. Hormones are messenger substances that are produced in the ovaries or testicles and by the endocrine glands, such as the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, and adrenal glands, and released into the blood. Hormones transmit information and thus control all important bodily functions.
Which horses get osteoarthritis? It very often affects older horses that have already covered many miles in their lifetime or those that have been actively involved in sport for some time. However, horses that have not had regular exercise appropriate to their species can also develop osteoarthritis. Basically, though, there is no general rule. It is also not easy to recognize osteoarthritis in its early stages. Sometimes, horse owners think that their horse is just experiencing a temporary period of overexertion when it has difficulty getting up from the straw. Or they believe that the cold winter is the reason why their horse is a little stiff-legged. After all, who likes to run around at minus 15 degrees Celsius? So where does osteoarthritis start and how can a horse owner best deal with it?
