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.
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.
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.
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.
Sebadenitis is a progressive inflammatory change in the sebaceous glands of the skin in dogs and cats, which ultimately leads to their irreversible destruction. The disease was first described in dogs in 1986.
The most common types of horse husbandry are classic stabling, free-range stabling (active stables), paddock trails, seasonal grazing, and open stabling. One thing should be clear to every horse owner. Horses want to run. In the steppe, they sometimes spend up to 16 hours a day searching for food and water. They graze as they roam across the land. Now, our horses have been bred and domesticated for our time together with them; they are no longer steppe ponies. We feed them and care for them. Nevertheless, horses need exercise. We should definitely keep this in mind when choosing how to keep our horses. This also means that keeping horses exclusively in stalls without a sufficiently large paddock for free movement is not species-appropriate. In addition, contact with other horses must always be ensured, as horses are herd animals.
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.
What do these five letters stand for? This abbreviation comes from English and literally means "feline lower urinary tract disease." It describes all diseases of the urinary tract in cats that cause difficulty and pain when urinating. As a rule, almost exclusively indoor cats are affected; outdoor cats almost never develop this condition. Male cats are also more susceptible than female cats.
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.
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.
The dog, which is descended from the wolf, has teeth that are designed for hunting, killing, and tearing food apart. However, the search for food has changed for our four-legged friends: today, we open a can or even cook for our beloved furry friends. Breeding different breeds has also changed the length of dogs' noses and the spacing between their teeth. Unfortunately, all of this can lead to dental problems.
