Essential Horse Training Equipment

In the act of perfecting your equestrian skills don’t forget in your eagerness to put your talents into use to make sure that you have rationally laid out your training area and your tools to expedite easy access. Preparation for horse riding is like preparation for any sport, you want the right structure, the proper tools and the right training. You want a schedule to which you’re going to stick, and you want a set of progressive goals. As your abilities in horse riding grow, your requirements for land area might also grow: you are going to move from ground work on foot to mounted work, and that means small pens are now not going to be adequate.

Gradually, areas you’ll require include:

– A round yard of 22 ft;

– An arena or a fenced in area of 40 x 60 ft.:

– An open ground area of at least one acre;

– Massive, open areas appropriate for trail riding.

There’s no way of reading a horse’s thoughts, but I bet that if you managed to, you would find that every time you enter a barn with, say, 9 horses, you would hear them all exclaim something like, “Here comes number 10!” Horses have their own hierarchies, and the 9 horses in the barn would have already received their own rankings between number 1 and number 9. That leaves you with the obvious number 10.

Whether or not this is essentially true or not, you must keep 2 things in mind: you have got to ensure your pony knows you’re the chief, and you’ve got to impress it on him without resorting to any vicious measures. When your horse is pliant and accepting of your superiority, your training and riding sessions will go thru with great smoothness. Your horse is relaxed and enjoying the sessions, and so are you. Obviously you know your work outs with your horse are a hit when you both look forward to the next session as soon as one is done with.

Horses that have issues adjusting to bridles and bits sometimes respond much better to ‘natural’ Hackamores. Hackamores are not nearly as harsh as bits, and when you use hackamores, horses relax, their tensions with their rigidity originating from the bit disappearing and they are more eager to get to work.

You want to get very well versed with the hackamore and its uses, and you need to become adept at its use in the yard before you attempt using it on trail rides.

Essential coaching tools you’ll need include:

– A knotted natural type halter, like those manufactured by Nungar Knots;

– A natural type hackamore, including reins;

– A snaffle bit of the loose ring joint type, preferably with a sweet iron bit;

– A simple bridle without Cavesson and without nose band (effective coaching does not need them);

– Reins for sportsmen;

– Lead ropes of 12 ft and 22 ft.

The ropes of 12 and 22 feet help distance responses from your pony and also permit him to move away if frightened, without losing his connection to you. All of the tools mentioned here facilitate easy communication with the pony without compromising comfort. Simple communication is the pillars around which effortlessness of equestrian abilities are built.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers read more

Horse Racing Meetings; June 2011 – Become a Bet Thief …

As the nice weather prepares us for what we hope will be a long hot Summer, it is a perfect time of year getting involved with the exciting Horse Racing events and meetings that are taking place this June (2011)

The first major event in June is the Derby Meeting at Epsom Downs on Friday 3rd June and Saturday 4th June 2011. The Derby at Epsom is famed throughout the world as one of racing’s greatest spectacles. First run in 1780, the race is known as the Blue Riband of the Turf and is probably the most coveted prize in the sport.
Derby Day provides an unforgettable experience every year. Set high on the Downs, Epsom racecourse is regarded as the ultimate test of the three-year-old Thoroughbred. Runners require an abundance of speed, stamina and balance to cope with the unique undulations of the horseshoe-shaped course.
The occasion attracts a diverse crowd of more than 100,000 people, from royalty and famous celebrities bedecked in traditional morning suits and stunning dresses, to gypsies handing out good-luck charms, to partygoers on the famous Hill in the centre of the course.
The Derby buzz has returned in recent years – not least on the Hill, where fairground attractions, live music and open-top bus parties create a magical atmosphere.

The second featured, major event in June is the famous meeting Royal Ascot, which runs from 14th to 18th June 2011.
The five-day Royal Ascot meeting is the jewel in the crown of the English summer season, mixing top-class racing and high fashion in a glittering social occasion.
With a total of 15 Group races, including at least one Group 1 event on each day and over ?3.5 million in prize-money on offer, the standard of the horseracing is simply outstanding. For sheer quality over five days, it is unmatched anywhere in the world.
Royal Ascot is famous for much more than horseracing, of course. It is one of the highlights of the British social ‘season’, which includes other sporting traditions such as Henley and Wimbledon. Morning suits and top hats are obligatory for gentlemen in the Royal Enclosure while ladies must wear a hat.
The meeting is attended daily by Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the British Royal family, continuing a tradition stretching back to the early 1700s, when the racecourse was conceived by Queen Anne in 1711. The royal coach procession down the course before racing begins is one of the daily highlights.
With facilities to match the high standards of dress and racing, Royal Ascot is one of the ultimate racing experiences.

The final major event in June 2011 is the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate in Newcastle. This meeting runs from Thursday 23rd June to Saturday 25th June 2011. The Northumberland Plate meeting is one of the highlights of the Flat racing year in the north of England.
Crowds of over 24,000 regularly attend Plate day on the Saturday. The equally popular Gosforth Park Cup over five furlongs remains the feature race on Friday night, with the Seaton Delaval Trophy the main event on day one of the revamped fixture.
The John Smith’s Northumberland Plate, run over two miles, is the most valuable staying handicap in Europe. First run in 1833, it is known popularly as the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’, reflecting the north-east’s mining heritage.
Nowadays, Plate day attracts a diverse crowd of regular and one-off race-goers. Fashion and fun go hand in hand, with many ladies treating it as a north-east version of Royal Ascot, but with a more relaxed and informal atmosphere.
Newcastle has undergone major refurbishment in recent years and has boosted prize-money, so a return to the glory days has been achieved!

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That’s where Bet Thief.com comes in – for the novice bettors and experienced enthusiasts alike.
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KayeMCArdle has 1 articles online

Hidden Factors in Horse Racing That Can Make You a Winner or …

Do you think you’re a pretty sharp horse racing handicapper? Let me ask you a question, did the last horse that you bet on have a shadow roll on?  Did it have a tongue tie?  Was it wearing front wraps?  Do you know how important each one of those pieces of equipment is to a horse’s performance?  If you can’t answer that question, you’re missing the boat, big time.

Horse racing handicapping is a demanding intellectual sport that can be profitable, but only for a very few.  The way a few people manage to be successful while so many others fail is by paying attention to the little things, keeping notes, and being more observant.  The addition of a tongue tie can make a horse that was falling apart in the stretch in its previous races, sprint down the stretch to victory.

Front wraps are often an indication of an unsound horse, a horse with sore forelegs.  How that horse will perform will depend upon certain factors such as the softness of the surface it is racing on.  A good horse that is trying to overcome soreness in its forelegs may perform well on a soft turf course or a cushioned track.  So if you see a horse that had a sudden reversal of form, probably due to lameness, that is now sporting front wraps and moving to a softer surface, it may be one to bet on.

On the other hand, if you see front wraps and they weren’t there before, that is a bad sign.  How often do you make a note of when a horse is wearing front wraps for the first time?  Do you know what a shadow roll is and why horses wear them?  If you see a horse raced erratically in the stretch or has a line that says, “Jumped shadow,” then that is why it is wearing that shadow roll.  The shadow roll may help it to maintain a sustained drive in the stretch rather than doing the cha cha to avoid a shadow.

The point is that if you asked 100 people who had just watched a race if the winner was wearing blinkers, a shadow roll, front wraps, a tongue tie, a Cornell collar, or a hood that covered its ears, probably 99 of them wouldn’t be able to tell you.  Each one of those pieces of equipment is important and noticing if they have been added and knowing what effect that will have upon a horse is often the difference between winning and losing for professional handicappers.

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Bill Peterson has 19684 articles online and 21 fans

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://williewins.homestead.com/truecb.html and get the truth. Bill Peterson is a former horse race owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill’s horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill’s handicapping store.

Horseracing Handicapping Horses With Breathing Problems Move …

One of the problems that thoroughbreds sometimes have is a soft palate that is displaced.  This causing a restriction in breathing and that, as we all know, means a horse that cannot run at its best.  Tongue ties have been used for quite a while to help solve breathing problems and now there is another device that was designed by Cornell University.

The Cornell Collar, as it is called, can help to support the horse’s throat and solve the displaced palate problem.  Seeing  that a horse is racing for the first time with a Cornell Collar is a clue that the horse may perform better.

But it is not an instant win bet by any means.  I like to see some evidence that the collar will indeed help.

First of all, has the horse been showing good early speed in previous races but failing to finish well?  Has the trainer worked the horse with the collar?  You may not know if the horse worked with the collar, but a wise trainer will probably try the horse with a collar before using it in a race.

Look for its most recent work and see how the horse did.  Is there an improvement?  How far did it work?  These are important questions.  The next of course, is, “Is the stable betting the horse?”  One way to answer that is using the tote board strategies in True Handicapping.
Obviously, if they worked the horse with the collar and saw an improvement, they will probably be betting it, though they may do it in such a way that it is difficult to spot without a good tote analyzing method.

Cornell Collars can solve breathing problems but aren’t much good with a horse that insists on expending all its energy early in the race.  A horse that won’t rate and settle into a reasonable pace will almost always lose.  Beware of these types.

I once owned a pacer that had been used to train other horses.  They had used her as the rabbit in the training races to set hot early fractions.  She had become so accustomed to being on the lead and flying out on the front end that it was impossible to get her to settle down.  As any trainer will tell you, it is ten times tougher to unteach a horse than it is to teach them.  Once they learn something, even a bad habit, it is hard to break them of it.

So be on the lookout for the Cornell Collar but use caution when betting new users of the collar until they show some real improvement.

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Bill Peterson has 19684 articles online and 21 fans

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://williewins.homestead.com/truecb.html and get the truth. Bill Peterson is a former horse race owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill’s horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill’s handicapping store.

The Easy Way To Feel Your Horse’s Hind Legs On The Ground

Are you an adequate rider that you mostly know when your horse’s rear legs are grounded? This is a capability that you just cannot do without. It is essential that you give leg aids just when your horse’s rear leg is grounded? Really at the precise moment it is prepared to take off. This is the one precise moment when you can impact the hind leg.

I know where my horse’s rear legs are by sensing the position of his hips. When a given rear foot is aground, his hip goes higher. I get the sensation of my seatbone being pushed forward.

Below are some pointers to help establish when your horse’s rear leg is aground:

1. When waking, keep your eyes shut. Get your focus on the inside seatbone. I have known people describe this as a feeling that their seatbone is ‘higher’ others say it is like the seatbone being ‘pushed forward’. Try and fine tune your sense of timing by saying ‘now, now, now’ every time you sense your seatbone has been pushed forward. This way, you’ll be able to get yourself sensitized to the instant the hind leg is on ground.

2. Get a chum to keep a record of one hind foot and shout ‘now’ every time it is aground. Ensure you are aware of the feel underneath your seat every time. That way, you’ll soon become adept at it.

3. If you have got no one to help you watch the horse’s shadow, or make use of a mirror. Make sure you are getting it correct by calling off footfalls and checking now and then with the shadow or the mirror to confirm if you are doing fine.

4. Closely watch other riders and horses and with regard to one specific rear leg, keep watching the position of the hips of both the rider and the pony when that leg is grounded.

5. At the canter, learn how to sense when the inner hind leg is grounded by studying the horse’s mane. The mane flops up at the canter’s 2nd beat, when the inside hind leg is grounded. Repeat the word ‘now’ to yourself every time you see the mane flop up. This way, you are able to synchronize whatever you are observing with the word ‘now’ and whatever you’re feeling beneath the seat.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers read more

Overcoming Fear In Horses

Why are horses fearful? Do they have nightmares or do they fear spooks?

They’re fearful because of their evolution survival instincts.

Let me do a little deeper. Nature has made horses to be a part of the fodder in the food cycle. They have been preyed upon by predators from time immemorial. That is where the evolution part comes in? Horses are skittish because they have survived by being alert and canny. These marks, have gotten to be part of their in-built nature, and tend to dominate even if they’re in relative safe settings; it is these that will make them fight or flight on occasion.

You can’t entirely remove these instincts, but you can definitely curb their influence over the behavior of a tame horse.

You begin by checking yourself out. What type of impression do you portray when handling your horses? Do you portray assured fearlessness or nervousness? When your pony abruptly shows skittishness, how do you cope with the reason behind this behavior? Say some machine that your horse hasn’t seen before is spooking him. Is it your first instinct to shut down that machine?

You aren’t doing your horses a favour if that’s how you react. You are adding to the difficulty rather than solving it.

Your pony looks up to you as a protector. He comes out of a species with a herd mindset, where a powerful herd leader cares for the remainder of the herd. If you have just a pony or 2, you are their direct herd leader. If you happen to have a herd, they are going to have their own equine herd leader, but you will continue to be a notch above that herd leader. Either way, you are the final authority.

That implies that your response to situations is mirrored in your horses attitudes. If you’re nervous, they’re going to be. If you’re cool and courageous, they’ll continuously learn to be as well.

To return to the piece of machinery that spooked your horse, what you shouldn’t be doing is turning it off or taking it away. Go to your pony with total poise. He may back off, but stay firm. Stay by him until he quietens down, then rub him affectionately at the withers. This way, you are informing him that there is no threat from the machine. You are informing him that you are feeling no fear of the machine, and neither should he. Once you’ve calmed down your horse adequately you advance towards the machine rather than away. If at any stage your pony shows nerviness again, you take the same steps and keep soothing him. Shortly enough, your horse will get so used to the machine that he won’t notice its existence anymore!

You can follow this procedure or adaptations of it to help your horses out of their fear of virtually anything that isn’t actually a real challenge to them.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers visit HorseHorses

Horse Racing Tipster Can Help You Earn Profits

Horse racing is a passion for many, some actually play the sport and some use the sport to make enough money. Yes, it is very true that there is enough money in terms of horse betting. There are so many people who manage to try their gambling skills by means of such bets. When you head to the tracks, it is very difficult to come with one figure in mind that will help you win the jackpot. Most people use their years of experience and some people are helped from many sources. Though all this is mostly supported by ones luck, there are still a few things that should be considered or kept in mind as it will have a lot of influence on the game. However if you want to win, your bet should be really close and that is only based on the information you have as only then will you have the best chances to win. Gambling is definitely unpredictable and no one knows what is in store for each, however by means of having enough information, experience and certainly by being cautious, you can get yourself to be placed in a good spot.
However there are many who take up help from horse racing tipster before placing their bet. It is more like a guiding element that will help most people in making the right call. If you wish to get a second opinion or are confused about what to do then certainly the above mentioned option seems the best for you. For all those who haven’t found much luck as yet, a logical option would be to choose such a service. Though there are other people who would probably help you, but it is very important to know that they are not bias towards anyone or anything. Hence, these services would any day give you a more unbiased opinion which might work in your favour.
When it comes to free horse racing tips, the one thing that you should keeping in mind is that you should keep such tips coming in from the right services. There are many tipster services; however all being reliable and great help would be a little hard to find, hence look up for those who you can trust upon. There are some good ones and some bad ones, a few operate in a very genuine manner, however a few others who are not very bad but have a very different way of operating.
There are many advantages of going in with such services, like for instance they read every move of the horse that you choose. The amount of attention that is paid to analyse all this is something that not all of us are capable of. Every bit of detail is pulled in like weight, age, health etc. based on the kind of information you have, you can place your bets accordingly. Certainly after taking the help of such services, you can see the difference in the play as compared to earlier when you weren’t taking the aid of such services.

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jay addy has 1 articles online

Pessoa Gen X – Control Every Move Of Your Horse

Overview

The Pessoa Gen X Saddles are top-of-the-class performance saddles which are perfect for flatwork as well as jumping. Both the Savanna and Oakbark saddles include an easy gullet exchange tree which allows the rider to make changes to the saddle quickly. 

It’s as easy as changing the plate. Pessoa’s professional saddle line was created with durability in mind as well as the rider’s ability to control the horse .

Quality

The tree of the Pessoa Gen X Saddles are insured for 20 years. This is the kind of guarantee that speaks to the exceptional quality of the product. The zenith of the professional model is the Pessoa Gen X line.

The hidden stitching increases the durability of the saddle. Additionally, wrap-around shoulder panels cushion your horse while allowing you to maintain the proper distance for control.

Benefits and Features

As mentioned above, the easy change plates are a key selling feature of the Pessoa Gen X. Purchasers of this saddle brag about how easy the saddle adjustment is. The Savanna model of the Pessoa Gen X has deep seats, which contour the riders body and is made of the finest French and English leather in the world.

In order to accomplish high performance riding, you need to sit low and close to your horse. Additionally, the broken-in feel of the leather increases the comfortableness of the saddle without being too mushy or soft. You’ll be comfortable whill being able to stay in place.

Unlike many other saddles, the seat doesn’t get its broken-in feeling from being greasy – the result of excessive oiling that degrades the leather and reduces the lifetime of the product. Instead, the leather is hand curried to make it comfortable without the stick.

The detailing on many of Pessoa Gen X Saddles is exquisite. Hand leather tooling, stitching as well as copper and silver plating makes sure that you look as beautifully as you ride with this saddle.

No Drawbacks To Speak Of

The Pessoa Gen X Saddles are the work of perfectionist craftsmen. The Pessoa Gen X has a reputation for quality and durability. Essentially, everyone should be able to find a Pessoa Gen X that is right for them.

I can’t really say that there are any major drawbacks to this line. If you choose the saddle that best fits your needs, you won’t be disappointed. Choose wisely.

Summary and Recommendation

The Pessoa Gen X is a superb saddle line that has a saddle for everyone. However, I can’t stress it enough.  Take your time to find the one that is right for you. The company has put great effort into developing saddles that suit different riders. 

After buying one of these saddles, customers always rave about how they feel like the saddle was made exclusively for them. If you find the right saddle, you can’t go wrong with a Pessoa Gen X. Anyone who owns a Pessoa highly recommends this brand.

 If you’re interested on reading a review on the general Pessoa saddle line itself, read our Rodrigo Pessoa Saddles review.   If you’re looking for a saddle for a young learner, we recommend reading our Pessoa Rodrigo Pony saddle review.

Gobi Arabian Flex2 Saddle – Comfort For Your Horse

The Gobi Arabian Flex2 saddle is the perfect choice for any Arabian trail horse. When it comes to saddling an Arabian with a regular saddle, frustration is often the name of the game. A rider’s inability to maintain control of his horse is usually the result of the saddle being ill fitted and the horse’s discomfort.

Features and Benefits

The Gobi Arabian Flex2 saddle has a shorter skirt that fits the shorter back of an arabian horse, in addition, it is slightly more curved. These features are crucial to being able to properly saddle the arabian horse.

The Gobi Arabian saddle is named after the Gobi region in Asia. It’s a region in which the weather can go from one extreme to the next. This should tell you that this saddle is not only a perfect fit for the region’s horses, but also that it is incredibly durable.

You can count on the Gobi Arabian Flex2 saddle to withstand rough riding conditions. Malfunction is not something you will ever have to be concerned with when you use this saddle .

Quality Craftsmanship

Because the manufacturers of the Gobi Arabian Flex2 saddle loved Arabian trail horses and they had much experience in craftsmanship, the creation of this saddle was the natural result. Horse lovers only want what’s best for their horse.

The team that developed these saddles put thousands of hours into making sure that it fits arabian horses like a charm. Unlike some other saddle designers and manufacturers, there is a true sense of knowledge about the breed that makes the saddles that much better.

The perfection of Gobi Arabian Flex2 saddles comes from the intimate working knowledge of the horses that they are made specially for.

Summary and Recommendation

If you ask any of your horse-loving friends who have arabian horses, it’s probable that one of them will have a Flex2 saddle. Owners of the saddle say that it constantly exceeds their expectations, that they have never had a better saddle.

Many people switch to the saddle based on recommendations of friends who have loved and ridden them for years. When you buy a great saddle you are really investing in multiple things. You’re investing in a great ride, comfort for your horse, comfort for you, and maximum control while on the trail.

All of these things are absolutely necessary for having the best ride of your life. Whether you use the saddle for leisure or work on the trail, the Gobi Arabian Flex2 is a sturdy piece of craftsmanship that can last through it all.

After a long day on the job, or a long day on the trail, you’ll be happy that you had this saddle. One of the best things about waking up the day after is that the saddle absorbs a great deal of shock and many users find that they have much less back pain even after a long day of riding. Think of this purchase as investments in great rides to come.  You’ll be glad you did.

Mastering The Sitting Trot With Your Horse

As a coach, a lot of questions I’m asked are basically repetitions. One question that I’m frequently asked is, “Can I learn to sit better while on the trot”?

If that is a question that’s bothering you, also , here are some answers for you.

1. The main need is that your pony is on the bit. You’ll struggle to sit if your horse’s back is stiff, hollow or tight. And it is pretty much a certainty that if you’re uncomfortable, you will somehow cause discomfort to your pony, too!

Put your pony on the bit by getting the connecting half halt right.

2. Slow down the trot. Ride on very low throttle and when you’re able to sit easily, step on the gas in a couple of stages, a little bit at a time. Slow down once again.

3. Get the pony on the bit while at a posting trot. When your horse is round, sit quiet for 2 or 3 strides. Get to posting once again, before you give in to the desire to utilise your legs to grip your pony. Set your body right, relax the legs and again sit quiet for 2 or 3 strides.

4. Cross the stirrups over at the saddle’s front. Do posting without using the irons till your legs tire. You’ll be unable to grip with tired legs, and that will make you sit deeper.

5. Concentrate on your own hips. Make a note of the way they close and open on the walk. Try and imitate that precise motion on the sitting trot.

6. Make believe that you’re a practiced belly dancer. Swivel your hips.

7. Grip the saddle’s front with the inside hand. Using that same hand, pull yourself more deeply into your saddle. This way, you will be able to experience the feel of sitting in sync with your horse on the sitting trot.

8. Relax your thighs and knees; take them off saddle briefly, about an inch or so. Let them drop back, this time very lightly.

9. Go thru some lunge lessons. There’s no better way to master the kind of independent seat that can let you sit comfortably through a trot. Avoid using stirrups or reins for the lessons. Leave the steering and control of speed to the individual that is lunging you. Go through some exercises: move part of your body while keeping the rest positively still. You can do exercises like scissor kicks and arm circles. Practice deep seats while your horse is in travelling gaits; continue to practice through down or up transitions.

Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers visit HorseHorses