Types of Mane and Tail Braids

Hello there!
Below are links to some sites that shows the different types of braiding for your horse's mane and tail.
For those who aren't so familiar with different braiding styles for horses, you'll be amazed by your findings. (We know we did ;) )
Hope these examples of mane and tail braiding could inspire you to try and style it on your horse or even create more awesome braiding styles!

• http://suzannewinfield.hubpages.com/hub/Show-Horses-and-their-Beautiful-Braids
• http://suzannewinfield.hubpages.com/hub/Show-Horses-Beautiful-Tail-Braids
• http://amylynn7.myweb.uga.edu/braid.html

Exercises for Body Balance while Riding

Relaxation and balance are the first two skills riders must develop as they work their way up the riding tree. In some ways, they are like that proverbial chicken and egg - which comes first? Without relaxation, it is hard for a rider to stay balanced over the horse. Without good balance, it is hard for a rider to relax. As balance improves, riders develop greater confidence that they are not going to fall off. That mental confidence, in turn, helps minimize the gripping and tension that pushes riders out of the saddle and contributes to being “off balance.”

Staying relaxed on the horse does not mean flopping around in the saddle with loose muscles. Balanced riders must develop a feel for where their body is positioned relative to the horse’s center of gravity (and they must be able to do this while looking straight ahead, not down). They also need to develop “muscle memory,” an unconscious tensing and releasing of the right muscles in just the right increments that enables them to maintain their equilibrium in motion at any gait or on any line they are riding without gripping with their legs or grabbing at the reins to stay on.

There are a number of exercises that riders can use to help themselves develop the “muscle memory” they need to stay in balance with their horses. These include:

• Frog position. Riders draw their knees up to help them find the middle of the saddle and to stay there without gripping with their calves.
• Dog position. Riders lift their thighs away from the saddle (like a dog lifting its leg) to help them find the center of the saddle without gripping with their thighs.
• Up two, down one. Instead of normal up-down posting to the horse’s two-beat trot, riders stay up for two beats, sit for one beat, and keep repeating this pattern. This constantly changes the diagonal that the riders are on and prevents them from using the rhythmic thrust of either hind leg as a crutch to maintain their balance.
• Riding without stirrups. Riders can work on this alone but they will achieve faster results if an instructor or knowledgeable riding partner puts their horse on a longe line so they can work without either stirrups or reins. Start at the walk (in both directions) and gradually work up to the trot and canter as balance improves.

While they are developing balance, English riders can attach a short leather strap to the dee rings on the front of their saddles. They can hold this strap at the sitting trot to help them pull their seat deeper into the saddle. They can also grab it when they lose their balance instead of grabbing at the reins and the horse’s mouth to right themselves. They can hold on to it when they first start riding without stirrups and reins on the longe line. When they feel secure enough to let it go, they can add new balance challenges such as riding with their arms out on both sides, with both arms straight up, or with arms out to the side as they twist from side to side at the waist.

Visit http://www.meredithmanor.edu for more useful riding tips and other interesting articles.

*This post is part of the article DEVELOPING BALANCE: EXERCISE by Faith Meredith at http://www.meredithmanor.edu/features/articles/faith/exercises.asp

We do not own this article or any other stuff related.

Lend A Hand, Give Them Another Chance...

http://ac4h.com/

How to Make an Origami Horse

A fun way to pass the time if you're not riding or hanging out with your horse ;)

http://www.origami-fun.com/origami-horse.html

Specially for you...

source: http://www.facebook.com/HorseLoversUnited

Looking for some inspiration?

Howdy horse lovers!

You can click here for some inspiring poems and short articles on horses such as The Heart Of A Horse and Greetings From A Friend..

http://curlyhorsecountry.com/inspiration.htm

Before that, here's a short inspirational story just for you...

Enjoy!

Two Horses

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.

But if you get a closer look you will notice something quite interesting…

One of the horses is blind.

His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made him a safe and comfortable barn to live in.

This alone is pretty amazing.

But if you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. It is coming from a smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse’s halter is a small, copper-colored bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends you’ll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, he will stop occasionally to look back, making sure that the blind friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect. Or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse, being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God placed in our lives.

And at other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.

(Author Unknown)

Source : http://www.inspirationalstories.com/two-horses/

Interesting Facts About Equus Caballus!

• Equus caballus, is a term given to modern-day horses.
• A horse is a member of the "equus" family. This word originates from the Greek dialect, which means quickness.
• More than 350 breeds of ponies and horses can be found throughout the world.
• The height of a horse is measured using the unit, "hand", where one hand equals four inches.
• If you want to know how old a horse is, all you need to do is to count its teeth.
• Equinophobia, is the fear of the horses.
• An average horse's head weighs 11.84 pounds (5.37kg).
• A horse's heart weighs an amazing 10 pounds (4.54kg).
• A horse is able to drink 10 gallons of water per day.
• If you hold your hand out to a horse and it approaches you, while then blowing warm air onto the palm of your hand, it means that he/she wants to be friends with you. If it rests its head on your shoulder, it means that he/she trusts you.
• Horses use their facial expressions to communicate. Their moods can be determined with the help of their nostrils, eyes and ears.
• Horses spend more energy lying down.
• The hoof of a horse is like a fingernail; it keeps on growing and needs to be clipped.
• The 1st of January is when all racehorses in the US celebrate their birthday.
• A horse is able to walk, trot, canter and gallop, in horse behavior lingo.
• Horses usually live for around 20 to 25 years. Some of them can live up to 5 years more.
• In most cases, the foal (young horse) is born at night, away from danger and prying eyes.
• After being born, it only takes a foal about 1-2 hours to stand up and walk.
• A cross between a donkey and zebra is known as a zeedonk.
• Foals are fully grown by 3-4 years of age.
• Horses eat short, juicy grass, and hay. Foods like barley, corn, oats and bran are good for working horses.
• A horse's mood mimics its owner's emotions. If you are in a bad mood, the horse senses this and acts out the same behavior. If you are in a good mood, the horse is well-behaved and isn't difficult to work with.
• Horses are either a mixture of colours or the same colour all over. Horses are usually, black, brown, cream or gray in color.
• A horse has two blind spots; one is located directly in front of them while the other is located directly behind.
• A breed of horses called Akhal-Teke from Russia can go for days without water or food.
• One of the few breeds of horses that live in North America are called Mustangs.
• A cross between a horse and a zebra, is known as a zebroid, or zorse.
• "Old Billy," was the oldest recorded horse that lived to be 62.
• Falabella of Argentina, is the smallest breed of horse.
• "Little Pumpkin," is the smallest pony in history - it stood high at 14 inches and weighed 20 lbs (9kg).
• "Samson," was the tallest horse recorded in history.
• Another horse known for its height as one of the tallest, was Dr Le Gear, from the Pecheron breed.
• A male horse is known as a stallion, whereas a donkey stallion is known as a jack.
• A female horse is known as a mare.
• A donkey mare is known as a jenny.
• A baby horse is known as a foal.
• A young female horse is known as a filly.
• The father of a horse is known as a sire.
• The mother of a horse is known as a dam.
• A fully grown small horse is known as a pony.
• A farrier or blacksmith is the person who cares for a horse's feet.

source : http://www.buzzle.com/articles/horse-facts-interesting-facts-about-horses.html