Paul Simms asked:


Oldenburg Horses

 

The Oldenburg horses name is derived from the horse’s origins; Oldenburg is a city within lower Saxony, Germany. Modern day Oldenburg horses are controlled by the “Association of breeders of the Oldenburg horse”.

 

Summary

 

Oldenburg horses are bred for performance and quality; they excel in dressage and showjumping. On the flat the Oldenburg has incredible animated rhythmical gaits, with a great deal of suspension, Oldenburg horses are also extremely  accurate over fences; they are bold and have a powerful jump with plenty of scope.

 

Characteristics

 

As a result of the Oldenburg’s open studbook, the substance and height of the individual horse will vary depending on the horse’s ancestry. Oldenburg’s are usually bay, brown, chestnut, grey, or black. You can find horses for sale with these characteristics on the Horsewizard website.

 

History and development

 

The Oldenburg warmblood registry came about in 1923.The Oldenburg’s history lies with the native horse of Oldenburg, the Alt-Oldenburg, meaning old Oldenburg. The Alt-Oldenburg was a general type of horse, a heavier warmblood horse used for agricultural purposes and carriage work. In the 1940s and 1950s horses we replaced by tractors and cars, so the horse became a luxury rather than a requirement so there became a need for a lighter type of riding horse.

 

The Alt-Oldenburg was refined by infusing Thoroughbred and Anglo-Norman blood. The infusion of the French blood lines proved to be the most successful.

 

Modern breeding practises such as artificial insemination have allowed stallions from much further afield to be included in the Oldenburg’s meticulous breeding programme to improve the breed; the infusion of various illustrious sport horse bloodlines has made the Oldenburg one of the words leading sport horses.

 

Hanoverian Horses

The Hanoverian is a continental warmblood horse, the Hanoverian originates from Germany, from the area known as lower Saxony, this area was the former kingdom of Hannover, and this is where the Hanoverian warmbloods name is derived from.

 

Summary

 

The Hanoverian warmblood is extremely distinguished; it is one of the oldest most established continental warmbloods, an extremely high achiever that excels in equestrian sport, such as dressage, eventing and show jumping. Hanoverian warmbloods are enormously popular horses and are found on all five continents, this is down to the fantastic attributes of the Hanoverian Warmblood horse.

 

Characteristics

 

The Hanoverian warmblood horse usually stands from 15.2 to 17.2 hands. They are usually bay, grey, chestnut, brown or black. Hanoverian warmblood horses are bred for performance, consequently the Hanoverian warmblood is a well built, strong athletic horse with fantastic paces and exceptional jumping form. The Horsewizard website is a good place to find these types of Horses for sale.

 

History

 

The Hanoverian stud book formally started in 1888, but breeding records date back to the early 1700s, when the Hanoverian warmblood was bred for coach and army work. The Hanoverian horse became one of the most sought horses in Europe. After the Second World War the Hanoverian warmblood horse was bred for performance, as there was high demand for quality riding horses and competition horses.

 

The Holstein warmblood horse name is derived from its place of origin, the province of Schleswig-Holstein.

 

Summary

 

The modern day Holstein horse is a top class all round horse that excels at dressage and show jumping.The Holstein is of international standard. Many of todays top showjumping and dresssage horses are Holsteins.

 

Characteristics

 

Registerd Holstein horses carry the Holstein brand which is depicted by an “H” in crowned shield.

 

Registered Holstein horses usually stand between 16 to 17 hands and can only be bay, chestnut, black, grey or brown. No other colours are permitted.

 

The Holstein horse height and build vary on the individual horses parentage, but overall the Holstein has a muscular strong body  and powerfull hind quarters which gives the Holstein excellent jumping ability. If you are looking for a Holstein horse for sale visit the Horsewizard website.

 

History

 

The Holstein is thought to be the oldest of all the continental horse breeds, their ancestry can be followed back to the 13th century.

 

The Holstein horses were used as war horses in the middle ages, the In the 16th and 17th century there was a need for coach horses, so the heavier war horse was refined using Neapolitan, Barbary and Spanish bloodlines, to develop a lighter type of horse, that was suitable for coach work. Later on in the 19th century there was a need for a more athletic faster coach horse consequently the Holstein was improved by adding blood from Yorkshire coach horses, which themselves were high in thoroughbred blood.

 

In the 1960s the Holstein breed was refined once again, using Thoroughbred blood from Britain and Ireland. The breeders were also aware of the success that the breeder of the Oldenburg had when they infused French blood, as a result of the Holstein breeders also introduced French blood in to the Holstein breed.



canadian draft horse

catanese law asked:


There are many people among us who are true horse lovers. They spend their precious time in horse related activities like training, riding, fooding etc. For all horse lovers, it should be known that keeping a horse is not an easy task. There is a law which deals with horse related activities known as horse law. If you want to own a horse for you as your hobby then you will have to follow the rules that are mentioned in horse law. A horse law typically deals with legal requirements of the ownership of horse. The stuffs like how to keep a horse and maintain it as per the rules. If you have owned a horse then you should have legal right to keep it with you. Incidents related to rides, trips, hunts etc are all part of horse law.

The horse needs to be registered on your name which means on the paper work, the horse must be known to be yours. Those lawyers who practice horse laws as profession are known as equine lawyers. If you are have some issues related horse ownership or any other then you must take appointment from an equine lawyer to overcome the issue. You should personally check and evaluate all the paper work done when you own a horse. If you are not serious at the time of buying then you may have to face serious issues in future. Generally, it has been found that one who is passionate about owning a horse are real horse lovers. They often use the horse for various purposes like riding, hunting. Moreover, you can also cherish the horse in a public trial.

You can also sponsor your horse in a trail, competition or a fair. During a public trail it also sometimes happens that a horse rider gets injured in an accident. To keep yourself protected from such conditions you can also get your horse insured. There are many companies who provide horse insurance services. You can search for one who provides insurance from veterinary bills to theft of track. Take a serious note when you are planning for horse insurance. If you are planning to bring your horse in a competition then you can hire a horse trainer who can teach various activities to the horse.

Owning a horse is not only a task, other than that you have to take care of other things like maintenance, food, veterinary care etc. Do look for a green pasture land around you where your horse can get enough hay. You must check the physical and medical conditions of the horse before owning. Get it properly registered by the proper registry rules. When you have decided to own or lease a horse but do not have farm then you have an option to board a horse. It means that the horse will be sheltered at fully equipped stable where all amenities, care, training will be provided by the trainer. You just have to pay monthly fee for the boarding.



draft horse show

Phil Wiskell asked:


When you look at horses for sale, you may be looking for a horse that will be good with the kids. You might be looking for a horse that you can bring into the racing world. But some of you will be looking for something more specific; those of you who have seen barrel racing at rodeos or even on television events might be thinking that barrel horses may be a great option.

Contrary to what some people believe, not every horse is an ideal candidate for barrel racing. Though there are fewer particulars than there are when looking for a Thoroughbred that will be a winner on the race track, there are a number of different characteristics that will be found in great barrel horses. Temperament can play a role in the success of barrel horses just as much as the horse’s skills, character, training and lineage.

You read that right - even with barrel horses, you’ll find that one of the major considerations that many buyers have is the lineage of the horse. A barrel horse’s bloodlines can help to identify how successful past generations in the line were, what the horse was bred for and can provide a sense of what the horse will be able to accomplish during the race.

Of course, more than the bloodlines, most buyers find that, with barrel horses, it is about the build and health of the horse. A good barrel horse has legs that are straight, and if you’re buying a horse that’s already been raced, you will want to be sure that its legs are free of any bumps or external scars. It’s important to be sure that the horse’s hooves are healthy, that its back is strong and that the horse is flexible and athletic.

To some extent, you will be able to tell whether or not horses for sale are healthy based on looks, however, before you make a commitment to making a purchase it is usually a good idea to have a veterinarian check to make sure that there’s nothing underlying that cannot be seen by the human eye.

If barrel horses have been worked with by trainers to get them ready for the sport, you will want to gather information about the trainers and their experience. The trainers, much like the horse’s lineage, can tell you a lot about whether the horse that you are looking at is going to be ideal when you’re looking for barrel horses that you will be able to take around the country to ride at events with the hopes of - someday - competing in some of the sports’ biggest competitions.

On the other hand, if you only plan to participate in a race or two during the local rodeo season, you’re likely to find that you are looking for a very different horse. Yes, the animal’s health and build will still be important to you, but you won’t want to focus as much on professionally trained barrel horses. Choosing a horse that is good for overall riding as well as barrel racing can, quite possibly, save you $20,000 or more.

In either case, you are going to want to focus more on the health and build of the horse than on the coloring and markings - characteristics that those who are looking for a horse for afternoon rides can focus on a bit more. When you are looking at horses for sale and trying to find barrel horses, you’ll want to focus your attention on Quarter Horses which are great at running at high speeds in short bursts, or, if you prefer, Pintos and Paints.

Whichever horse you choose as your barrel horse, it is important to recognize that you won’t just be heading into the ring to compete. In order to keep barrel horses ready - and to get them ready if they haven’t previously been used for barrel racing - you are going to need to focus on building the horse’s lung capacity with long trotting on a regular basis. A good goal to set for barrel horses that you are conditioning is the ability to keep a fast pace for six to eight miles at least three days a week.

To that end, keep in mind that conditioning barrel horses is not just exercise for them; it’s also exercise for you.



ohio draft horse

Lydia V Kelly asked:


Is keeping a horse at home right for you?

As more people move to the outskirts of town, many consider keeping horses at home. With a country home and a few acres of land childhood dreams of having a horse of their own no longer seem unattainable. But, what does it take to keep a horse at home?

To begin with, you need to consider where you would keep the horse. Do you have an old barn? Is it suited for horses? What about space for the horse to graze?

Older barns can often be converted into horse-suitable buildings. While dairy stanchions are not safe for horses, many barns have an open floor plan or pre-built stalls. Stalls should be large enough for a horse to easily turn around in, about 10′x10′ for the average horse. Barn ceilings should be at least 8′ high. Some barns are more easily converted into run-in sheds which can be left open to the paddock or closed by a gate to keep the horses in.

If you do not have a barn, you will need to build a shelter. This can range from a simple two or three sided run-in shelter to a mini barn with stalls for the horses, space for keeping equipment, and a lockable room for storing feed.

When selecting grazing land, you should consider that the horse will need access to water at all times. While a stream or a pond might seem like a good idea, horses quickly damage the banks and muddy the drinking water. When winter comes natural water sources freeze and can’t be used.

The best solution is to place a water trough where it can easily be reached by a hose. Relatively inexpensive, a trough combined with an electrical trough heater will keep the water drinkable all year long. Adding a few feeder goldfish will keep the mosquito population under control, reducing the risk of West Nile.

Unless you intend to supplement with hay, each horse requires an average of 2 acres of grazing land. Because horses can be very hard on the paddocks, the grazing space should be separated into two areas that can be rotated to allow the grass to recover.

If your farm is already fenced it is essential to check the perimeter of the grazing space for places where the fencing needs repair. Barbed wire is never recommended for horses. Metal “T” posts are dangerous, and should have plastic caps added to avoid injury. Page wire is safe enough, but is best with a top rail or an electric wire to prevent the horses from reaching over it. Split rail fencing can be used, but most old-style split rail fences are not tall enough or solid enough to deter a horse from escaping.

When choosing new fencing, take time to consider the variety of horse safe fencing materials available. While some are more expensive, they often outlast the cheaper alternatives. A fence for horses should be at least 4′ high.

Over the summer months horses can often manage on grass alone. However, once the grass thins it is important to add hay. Hay can be purchased in many types of bales. Round bales are ideal for feeding in the pasture, but are hard to move without a tractor. Large square bales are also difficult to move, but can have flakes peeled off and fed individually. Small square bales also come in flakes and are easy to manage.

Hay should be stored indoors, whether in the barn or in a shelter. Small square bales mold easily when allowed to get wet. Large round bales can be stored outside if necessary, but the outer layers will be spoiled.

Some horses need additional feed to maintain their weight. Grain for horses can be purchased at the local feed mill by the bag. To store grain you should keep it indoors, out of the reach of horses. If a horse gets into a bag of grain it can become very sick and need medical attention.

Not all hay or grain is suited to horses and could cause health issues. Be sure to specify it is for horses when purchasing feed. Horses should never be fed moldy hay.

When planning storage, be sure to leave space to store bedding. The most common types of bedding are shavings, which can be bought in bags or in bulk and straw, which is sold in bales.

Stalls should be cleaned daily and run-in shelters should be cleaned at least once a week. Manure needs to be stored in a place where it will not contaminate any water sources.

Like any other pet, horses require regular veterinary care. Annual vaccinations such as Rabies, Tetanus and the West Nile are due in the spring. The vet should also check the horse’s teeth once a year to file away any sharp points that prevent the horse from eating properly. Quarterly worming will keep the horse parasite-free.

Additionally, the horse will require attention from the farrier every six to eight weeks. If the feet are left too long they will ***** or overgrow and the horse will become lame. Some horses require shoes, but most are quite happy when left barefoot.

Horses are herd animals. While some horses will manage when kept alone, most prefer to have some form of companionship. A second horse, pony or miniature is ideal, but horses will often accept other animals such as donkeys or goats. Another idea is to keep a friend’s horse at your farm, sharing both expenses and responsibilities for the animals.

Perhaps the most important part about having a horse at home is the time you spend with it. Horses are social animals and very much enjoy the attention we humans give them. Taking the time to groom your horse several times a week develops a bond that not only is enjoyable, but also makes the horse a safer, more reliable animal to be around.

Having a horse at home is a lot of work. Between feeding, cleaning stalls and grooming, most horse owners spend at least an hour a day at the barn. The horse relies on its owner 365 days a year. It does not understand the difference between a holiday and any other day of the week.

But, having a horse at home is also rewarding. There is nothing quite like the sound of hooves galloping to the gate to arrive on time for afternoon feed. Morning coffee is far more enjoyable when savored while watching the horses play in the field. And when life gets you down, nothing is as relaxing as spending an hour brushing your horse.

Horse keeping is not for everyone, but neither is it beyond the ability of the average person. Ask many questions and take the time to plan and perhaps you too can have a horse at home.



bay draft horse

Madalyn Ward, DVM asked:


In my practice I see many horses suffering from the ill effects of hoof flares, especially the barefoot horse. In fact, with the barefoot movement becoming so popular, I see more horses than ever who have improperly trimmed hooves, sometimes with serious side effects. I’ve seen many performance horses with health and soundness issues directly relating to hoof flares. That’s why this article focuses on both the causes of hoof flares and the ways to prevent them.

Hoof flares are caused by a weakening of the attachments (laminae) of the hoof wall to the coffin bone inside the foot. In wild horses the separation that occurs at the lower part of the wall allows that portion of wall to break off so that their hooves don’t grow too long in soft footing. Horses in the wild live on rocky soil and rarely have hoof flares because constant travel over rough ground (up to 25 miles a day) keeps the hoof worn off at the correct length. Most domesticated horses don’t live on such rocky soil but, even so, there is no reason that, with proper trimming and management, the barefoot horse should suffer from hoof flares.

To determine if your horse has hoof flares run a straight edge from the coronary band to the ground surface of the foot and move this edge all the way around the hoof. There should never be any space between the straight edge and the hoof wall. Does your barefoot horse have hoof flares? If so, you might want to consider the conditions that allow them to form, including both mechanical causes, nutritional causes, and hoof wall infections.

** Mechanical Causes **

Obesity: An overweight horse or a horse with a large body but small feet will tend to have trouble with hoof flares because of the excess weight that has to be carried over such a small area. In a barefoot horse, the overtaxed laminae weaken and stretch, causing flares. Dieting and increased exercise are the obvious answers for the overweight horse but the small-footed horse will have to be managed with greater care. If you have a small-footed horse you will need to pay close attention to his diet and be sure that hoof flares are trimmed off at each trimming.

Too Long Between Trims: In the wild hoof flares are nature’s way of breaking off excessive hoof wall. In other words, the hoof wall is weaker where the hoof flares and tends to break off as the horse travels over hard, rocky soil. Without this mechanism the wild horse would end up extremely long flared hooves and would not be able to run from predators. Fortunately, wild horses constantly wear their hooves down with lengthy daily travel. The domestic barefoot horse is not as fortunate. Since most domestic horses live on soft ground and don’t travel as much as wild horses, they don’t have a chance to wear their hooves down daily, a little at a time. Instead, the domesticated horse’s hooves grow flares, which then break off in large chunks. This uneven wear makes it hard to shoe the horse or balance the hoof for even weight-bearing. The best way to avoid flares caused by hoof overgrowth is to trim your horse at regular intervals and be sure to keep a roll on the edge of the hoof wall to allow for easy breakover.

** Nutritional Causes **

Deficiencies or Imbalances: Horses need adequate minerals in the correct balance to have healthy hooves. Sulfur is especially important because it is a disulfide bond that holds the hoof laminae to the coffin bone. If your barefoot horse suffers from poor hoof quality it is important to analyze the nutritional content of your hay before adding expensive supplements. If analyzing your hay is not an option then consider giving your horse a food-based supplement such as Simplexity Health’s blue-green algae, which provides a very broad range of trace minerals in a balanced form that your horse can easily assimilate. Biotin is another nutrient that is important for hoof health but if your horse has plenty of beneficial bacteria in his gut, these bacteria produce will produce sufficient biotin. It is better to support your horse’s good gut bacteria by feeding probiotics than feeding biotin because the healthy bacteria does so much more for your horse, including keeping his immune system strong. Simplexity Health also offers high potency probiotics.

Overfeeding: Besides making your horse fat, giving your horse too much feed that is high in starch will cause a shift in the bacterial population in your horse’s hindgut (or cecum). Normally the cecum is designed to digest only fiber but if undigested starch makes it past the small intestine into the hindgut, the fiber-digesting bacteria that live in the cecum die off and the starch-digesting bacteria take over. This shift can be devastating to your horse because it causes toxins to be released into his bloodstream that, in turn, cause an enzyme to be released that breaks down the laminae in the hoof wall. Well-known hoof expert Pete Ramey believes that this is nature’s way of allowing excessively long hoof walls to break off easily if the wild horse happens to move into a grazing situation with high sugar content forage. In the wild horse this bounty would be a temporary situation but with the barefoot domestic horse long-term high starch or sugar diets can cause chronic hoof problems that may eventually progress to laminitis.

** Hoof Wall Infections **

Many types of fungus and bacteria have been blamed for hoof wall separation or “white line” disease but in reality these pathogens are probably simply taking advantage of the environment created in the foot when the hoof wall attachments become weak from another cause. Once the pathogen is in place, however, to promote healthy hoof growth in your barefoot horse you may need to treat your horse’s hooves even after the underlying cause has been corrected. Very minor hoof wall infections respond to a topical mix of 1 ounce tea tree oil diluted in 16 ounces of apple cider vinegar. Deeper infections must be treated more aggressively. The best product I have found for persistent white line infections is White Lightning. This product is applied under a wrap or within an airtight soaking boot and it releases a chlorine gas that penetrates deep into the hoof tissue. It does not affect healthy tissue and the treatment should be done once a week until healthy hoof attachments have grown all the way down and there is no separation or stretching showing in the white line. Horses that don’t respond to treatment for hoof infections and careful management may have a weak immune system and treatment will need to be focused there to see results.

How to Trim Hoof Flares

If you barefoot horse does have hoof flares, I recommend trimming them aggressively. When I trim a horse with hoof flares, I rasp from the front of the hoof wall until I no longer have any space showing when I run my straight edge around the hoof. This may remove enough wall that shoeing will not be possible and the horse may need boots or pea gravel footing to be comfortable. Some trimmers are not going to want to do this but I feel it is the fastest way to grow out a healthy hoof as any flare that is left in place will tend to drag the new hoof growing down away from the bone. The best plan is to avoid hoof flares and with proper management of the hoof, diet, and immune system they should never be a problem.

For more information on managing the barefoot horse or for one-stop shopping for holistic horsekeeping products such as those mentioned in this article, be sure to click the resource box below.



light draft horse

Jo Thompson asked:


Many horses spend much of their time in their stalls, so it is imperative for us to ensure that we provide the best stall possible. Horses that spend a lot of time in an indoor stall will need to be given the most attention in terms of cleaning and keeping the stall safe for them.

If you have large breed horses, such as Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses or Warmbloods you may want to go with a stall that is 16×16. These stalls are often referred to as stallion and foaling stalls. Ponies will not need any more than a 10×10 stall. Moderate size horses will do well with a 12×12 stall.

The dividers between your horse’s stall and the next stall need to be made of a heavy material. Most stalls are constructed of two-inch plans that go up to about five feet or so. Another divider should be placed so that the horses can see each other but not necessarily make contact. The same is true for the front of the stall. Stall doors may have gates that swing open so that the horses can stick their heads out into the barn aisle.

Watch the latch on the door. It is not uncommon for a horse to figure out their stall door latch and easily let themselves out. If your horse figures out his latch you will also want to place a chain with a simple clip that the horse cannot undo. Never padlock a horse in stall, as you may not be there to release the horse in the case of a fire or other emergency.

It is important that the stall be very well ventilated. Horses can produce a lot of heat from their bodies and a poorly ventilated stall may cause bacterial growth in the walls, sickness, respiratory problems and bad smells.

Horses do like to lie down and sleep at night and they will do so, if they feel safe and comfortable in their stall. They have to take a load off of their limbs during the night, so you need to be sure that the horse has enough room to lie down. Sometimes horses will lie down but not leave themselves enough room to get back up - this is know in the horse world as being ‘cast’. When a horse is cast they may thrash about and panic because they can’t get enough room to leverage themselves back on their feet. You will need to get in the stall and assist the horse in getting back on it’s feet - be careful even a quite horse may be scared and lash out in fright.

Most complexes use shavings as bedding for horses. Many people will put several wheelbarrow loads of shavings in their stall for their horse, but this is not necessarily good. If you have too much bedding then your horse’s legs can become weak due to the lack of contact with the ground. Bones need to be stressed and concussed by the ground in order to maintain their strength. You want to have just enough bedding that the horse can still feel the ground, but the bedding will also absorb urine.

Your horse’s stall should contain a feeder, a water bucket or automatic waterer, possibly a salt/mineral block and a toy to prevent boredom. The less that you have in the stall the better and safer it will be for the horse. You should also provide some hay for your horse to munch on.



palomino draft horse

Jay Schindler asked:


Thoroughbred horse racing is the most popular form of horse racing the whole world. It is so popular that some people do not know of any other form of horse racing. Thoroughbred horse racing is also known by some people as the “sport of kings”. Usually, a thoroughbred horse owner would hire a trainer to condition the horse for only one type of race. This is because a good trainer knows that there is a best training regimen for every type of race. The owner may also opt to enter the horse in races that are somewhat similar to what it is in training for.

Thoroughbred horse racing comes in various forms. Here are some of them:

1) Maiden races - this type of thoroughbred horse racing pits untested horses against each other. This event is the debut of all race horses. Some people find this type of thoroughbred horse racing more exciting because of the fact that all of the horses involved are untried. The maiden race often determines the whole career of a race horse. This event will show the world just what a race horse is capable of.

Often, thoroughbreds of varying ages participate in maiden races. In this type of thoroughbred horse racing, the horses carry similar weights in order to even the odds. There are also no handicapped penalties involved in this type of thoroughbred horse racing.

2) Allowance racing - this type of thoroughbred horse racing involves horses which have already participated in a maiden race but are not yet ready for the grand stakes race. Usually, this type of thoroughbred horse racing involves running for a purse that is slightly above the purse involved in maiden races. Some horse owners use these races to actually train their horses.

3) Grand stakes racing - this type of thoroughbred horse racing is the most popular with people since it often involves a lot of cash. People who go to this type of thoroughbred horse racing do so in order to bet their cash on their favorite horse. The “grand stakes” in this race refer not only to the money involved but also the reputation of the horse. A grand stakes race winner usually goes on to become a celebrity among horses.

The dreams of countless people are also at stake in this type of thoroughbred horse racing. This is because betting in this type of thoroughbred horse racing can cost a lot. People pin their hopes and dreams on one horse. This is the reason why this thoroughbred horse racing remains to be supported by people all over the world today.

4) Handicap race - this type of thoroughbred horse racing is, theoretically, the most even of all races. This is because all of the horses participating in such an event have been appropriately handicapped according to their performance in other races. More people bet at this type of thoroughbred horse racing because all of the odds are even. Theoretically, any horse can win in a handicap race.

Although thoroughbred horse racing gains popularity because of the cash, there are those people who see it as a test of spirit. There are horses which have the potential to be the best. However, if that horse did not have the will to win, then the potential would forever be useless. Thoroughbred horse racing is not just a game, it is a reflection of life.



draft horse tack

Phil Wiskell asked:


Paint horses did not get their name because their riders and owners tend to be creative types who stabled them in their private studio. Paints did not get their name because they possess some unique creative gift of their own.

Instead, paint horses got their name for a far more obvious reason: in every case, whether their pattern falls into the Overo, Tobiano or Tovero category, the horse is marked by some percentage of white hair over un-pigmented skin in addition to another color: brown, tan, black or gray. The Paints’ markings don’t have any set location or size, they can appear anywhere on the horse’s body.

So, if you have been looking at horses for sale and see Paint horses along with terms like Overo, Tobiano and Tovero, chances are good that you’re going to have some curiosity about what they describe.

The Overo pattern describes Paint horses on which the white markings do not happen between the horse’s withers and tail. Another characteristic of this pattern is that at least one, if not all, of the horse’s legs will be brown, tan, black or gray in color. While the markings on the horse’s face occur in standard patterns, the majority of its markings are irregular with the white often scattered.

On a Paint horse with a Tobiano pattern, on the other hand, the white spots are regular. The “painted spots” are often oval or round and found on the neck and chest. All four of the horse’s legs are white - at least from the hocks and knees down - and at least one of the horse’s flanks is dark. The tail will also be two colors - both dark and white.

Unlike the Overo and Tobiano patterns, Paint horses with the Tovero pattern have one or both blue eyes. Tovero Paint horses tend to be defined more by the location of their dark marking than where they have splashes of white. These Paints have dark pigmentation around their ears and around the mouth, on their flanks. Chest spots may also show on the horse’s neck, and there may be dark spots at the base of the horse’s tail as well.

When you’re looking at horses for sale and see Paints, in addition to the terms that describe their marking pattern, you’re also likely to see many of the following adjectives: hard working, dependable, athletic, intelligent, and friendly.

Paints earned their reputation as a hard working breed in the American West, ridden by Native Americans, cowboys, and the ordinary folks who needed transportation from the farm. For those who were looking for a horse that responded quickly, could maneuver easily, could run with great speeds to keep order on a ranch, Paint horses were a great solution. They kept a distinct, interesting look that made them stand out, and, like a Quarter Horse, they tend to have strong and muscular back legs, a low center of gravity and a good weight distribution, but not tall.

These same characteristics make Paint horses great for those who are looking for a horse that will get them around the ranch and from one area to another, for those who enjoy riding on a trail, as well as those who just like going out and taking a leisurely ride and enjoy a great afternoon on horseback. Similarly, those who are looking for a friendly, intelligent horse that can be well loved by the entire family - kids included - will find these attractive characteristics in a Paint.

As popular as Paint horses are with those who have owned and ridden them, there was not a registry for the breed until the 1960s. Previously, Paint horses - regardless of the pattern that they displayed - were widely unregistered as the American Quarter Horse Association, which included horses with the same body structure did not accept horses with the Paint markings.

Now, however, there are a number of requirements that are used to register and track the lineage of Paint horses. Either the sire or the dam must be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, and, if the other is not registered with the American Paint Horse Association, he or she must be registered with either the American Quarter Horse Association or the Jockey Club. Despite those standards, new registrations each year show that Paint horses are among the fastest growing and most popular horse breeds in the United States.



draft horse head

Benjamin Wise asked:


Anyone wanting to know the basic method of horse breaking applied in the past can rent a western movie. Watching is about all the method is useful for as today there are far kinder ways in which to break in a horse.

I really do not like to use the term breaking simply as the word breaking, denotes force. Ultimately horse breaking is training of the horse. Training for a work or pleasure horse, has the same basic method of getting a horse to submit to man.

Training horses has two main methods, the old and the new. The old technique is still very much in use today, but has been refined and altered along the way. That is to say that in most countries where horse folk are being educated, they no longer hurt the horse.

In the old days one would tie a horse up to a fence for hours until he had no fight left in him and one could then sit in the saddle and not be bucked off. Today thankfully man has learned to work with horses instead of simply dominating them.

The new method of training known as natural horsemanship may not be entirely new, but the trend and following is. Natural horsemanship as against simple horse breaking does not involve the horse submitting to man.

Instead man learns to communicate in the horses own language and becomes the horses leader, like the stallion of a herd. You do not have to be an experienced horse professional of old nor an aspiring natural horsemanship individual to realize that violence is not needed to train a horse. No matter what method of training you follow it always pays to respect the horse.

If you are not a competent horse handler you have no place training a green horse. A green horse is the term used to describe a horse that is unbroken and thus had very little if any training. I say this because a green horse will be bold and challenge you and you could very well be tempted to react with force or violence through fear.

When you are considering training a young horse and you have never done so before, have a knowledgeable trainer with you. Untrained or green horses often cost less than a trained horse and it is for this reason many people are tempted to buy them. Once again if you do not have the skill to train the horse without using violence and force, either have someone help you or send it to a trainer first.

When you take the extra care and attention to train a horse humanely and effectively, you have a horse that is happy to be handled; a horse that can be handled by most people too. That way you ensure a beginning relationship of trust between man and the horse which is essential to get the best performance from your horse.

Horse breaking is the start of training a horse to work with man. Today there is certainly no excuse when horse breaking is a cruel act. It makes common sense then to create a long lasting relationship of trust through kindness. It will continually be proven that horses do not need to be driven into submission. How wonderful the feeling is when this big powerful animal actually wants to please us.



draft horse harness

Tina Williamson asked:


Buying your first or new horse can be a very exciting but nervous time. Will I find what I’m after? Will it be the right horse for me? What is the real reason it’s for sale? Does it have any health problems? HELP…… I don’t want to be ripped off!

RELAX………..here are a few handy hints that can reduce the stress in choosing your new equine partner.

Whether you are looking at buying your first horse or your 3rdor 4th there are a few safe guards you can take to help ensure it is an exciting time in both your lives.

So you have decided to buy a horse, congratulations! Now that you have taken this first step there are a few things you need to decide.

What are your plans with your new horse? Do you just want to go trail riding? Do you want to compete? If so, in what equestrian sport? Western, Dressage, Jumping, Polo, Pony Club, Eventing, Rodeo, Show riding, breed classes???

Do you have a breed preference? What height horse is best suited to you? What *** animal do you prefer? Will it be run with other horses? Are you experienced enough for a young horse? How much are you willing to spend?

Sometimes it can be difficult to pin point exactly what type of horse is best suited to you and your equestrian pursuits. It is advisable to seek out the opinion of a more experienced horse person, someone you trust and has lots of horse knowledge.

Unless you are buying for a particular breed or show ring activity, the coat color is of no importance! I have seen lots of people make mistakes having brought a horse because of their coat color.

I personally have never been a big fan of grays (sorry to all the gray lovers out there), but I will tell you that some of my best horses have infact been gray!

There are quite a few different horse buying guides and sources around. Check out the internet, local paper and local saddlery shop. Don’t forget to ask your friends and horse acquaintances. These people will normally know who is for sale, why they are for sale and what the horse is like.

So you have found a horse that sounds great on paper and have contacted the owner to organize a viewing time. See if you can have a knowledgeable horse person go with you.

Try to arrive a little earlier than the agreed time. This way you will see if the horse has been worked before you get there and hopefully allows you to see the horse being caught and tacked up.

Get the owner to show you the horse being ridden first, and then get your friend to have a try and see what they think. If the horse doesn’t seem to be suitable at this point or it scares you half to death, then don’t get on!!! If you don’t feel comfortable now then you won’t when you get it home.

Ask lots of questions. Even if you think they are silly. You won’t know unless you ask. View any registration papers and competition results.

Have a good look at the horse, pick up all four feet, look in their mouth, under their tail, in their eyes and note anything that looks abnormal. If you don’t know what you are looking at get your friend to look.

If after you have put it through its paces and you think it maybe the right horse for you then I suggest two things, it maybe an idea to put a deposit down (if the owner agrees) and get a vet check done.

A vet will view the horse and conduct a few tests to see if it is healthy and sound. Remember to get an independent vet, one that hasn’t seen the horse before.

It may also be wise to have another viewing of the horse on a different day. Even if you arrived unannounced, at least this gives you an idea of what the horse is like naturally.

Talk to people who may have seen the horse before, they should be able to tell you anything that they have noticed.

See the horse loaded on to a trailer, lead the horse around yourself, try putting the bridle on, any think else you may have to do on a regular bases.

Once you have done all this and you still think the horse is suitable then it maybe necessary to negotiate the price. This is entirely up to you.

But remember that a lot of owners won’t budge on the price, especially if they know it’s a good horse (Although I have picked up a couple of great horses for half price their value, having been in the right place at the right time).

Remember to have all the registration forms transferred over to your name (or at least signed over) before you take the horse home. Also get a receipt saying you have paid for the horse in full before you leave the property.

Congratulations!!! You are now the proud owner of your new horse. May it be a long and satisfying journey together.

Happy Horsing

Tina Williamson B App Sci (Equine)



draft horse paintings