Horses Gaits

Do you know the difference between a walk, trot, canter, and gallop? Well, if you don't, I will tell you!
Here is a horses walk:
The horses walk is relaxed and mellow.

Here is a horse's trot. A trot is one gait faster than a walk.
















Here is a horse's canter: A canter is one gait faster than the trot. There is also another gait called a gallop. A gallop is rarely used for regular riding. Galloping is mainly used in horse races.

What does your horse need?

• A decent sized pasture free of dangers such as rust, holes, etc.
• Unlimited amount of water, to prevent freezing use a heater. Make sure the heater is specially meant for this.
• A "friend", or in other words another horse, pony, goat, or sheep.
• Fencing safe for horses.
• Unlimited amount of salt and minerals.
• Shelter to protect your horse from bad weather and shade during the summer.
• Grass for grazing and equal amount of quality hay.
• A dry area for him or her to lay down on.
• Check up on him or her daily for illness or injury.

Food And Water

• Large bucket or water trough with a heater if temperatures reach below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure the heater is specially made for this.
• Feed trough or tub.

Handling And Grooming

• Hoof Pick
• Curry Comb
• Body Brush
• Halter
• Lead Ropes
• Mane Comb
• Cloth (Old Washcloth)
• Sweat Scraper

Pasture And Stable Maintenance

• Wheelbarrow
• Manure Fork
• Stable Broom
• Pitch Fork
• Spray For Insects

Riding

• Saddle and girth or cinch.
• Helmet
• Saddlepad or blanket.
• Bridle.
• Safety Stirrups.
• Riding Boots.
• A Riding Crop.

Before you go out buying a horse, make sure you have the time and the money to do this. Horses take a lot of care. It costs about $2000 dollars a year and don't forget it your horse gets in an accident you'll be paying lots of vet bills. I drew a picture of some of the stuff you need below. Check it out!

1. A decent sized pasture free of dangers such as rust, holes, etc.
2. Unlimited amount of water, to prevent freezing use a heater. Make sure the heater is specially meant for this.
3. A "friend", or in other words another horse, pony, goat, or sheep.
4. Fencing safe for horses.
5. Unlimited amount of salt and minerals.
6. Shelter to protect your horse from bad weather.
7. Grass for grazing and equal amount of quality hay.
8. A dry area for him or her to lay down on.
9. Shade during the summer.
10. Check on your horse daily.

The Parts Of The Stable

I drew this picture to show you the parts of the average stable.

1. This is the pasture where the horses can graze.
2. These are what I call cross-ties. You can tack up your horse here.
3. This is the hose. On very hot days, you can wash off the sweat of your horse. Then, you use the sweat scraper to scrap of the excess water so that your horse doesn't get even hotter.
4. This is where you hang the lead rope while your horse is on the cross-ties.
5. This is a bin where you keep the brushes to brush the horse. I always brush the horse I ride before I tack her up.
6. This is another bin where you keep a various amount of things from sweat scrapers to fly repellent spray.
7. This is where the halter and lead rope stay for the horse in the stall.
8. This is a sign saying the horse's name.
9. This is the stall where the horse stays in.
10. This is the bucket for the horse's water.
11. This is a where the hay is held.
12. This is the horse.

Horse Tack

I love horses and if you love horses, this is the blog for you! I will discuss different things about horses everyday. Today, I will talk about tack. Tack is the equipment and accessories worn by horses. There are two different main types of horse riding. The main types are English and Western.

A saddle is a seat for the rider of the horse. It is held in place by a girth or cinch. A girth is used in English riding and a cinch is used in Western riding. Some Western saddles have a second strap named a flank or second cinch. The girth and cinch are attached around the horses stomach. I do English riding and I prefer it.

Here is a picture of a Western saddle and an English saddle:

Here is a picture of a girth or a cinch:

A breastplate or breastcollar stops the saddle from sliding to the side or backwards. Here is a picture of a breastplate or breastcollar:

A surcingle is a strap of leather or some type of leather-like material. A training surcingle is sometimes called a roller. It is placed where the girth is placed. Surcingles help beginner horses to get used to the pressure of a girth. Surcingles are used for just about everything, except for everyday riding. Here is a picture of a surcingle or roller:

Pack saddles are any type of equipment to be put on a horse to carry heavy loads. Pack saddles are normally used to carry firewood, luggage, small cannons, and other heavy things humans can't normally carry. Here is a picture of a pack saddle:

A crupper is a piece of equipment for a horse to stop the saddle from sliding forward. Here is a picture of a crupper, the circular part goes toward the horses tail:

A horse harness is a piece of equipment for a horse that allows that horse to pull a horse-drawn vehicle. Here is a picture of a horse harness:

Stirrups are a type of equipment that support the rider of the horse's feet. They are attached to the saddle. Here is a picture of stirrups:

Halters, bridles, headcollars, and hackomores are similar equipment that go around the horse's head to direct the horse.

Halters are mainly used just to lead the horse or tie it. Halters don't consist of a bit. Here is a picture of a halter:

A bridle is like a halter, but has a bit attached to reins. Reins control a horse. Here is a picture of a bridle and reins:

Well, that is most of the tack! Hope you enjoyed this information.

~CrazyCat