Appaloosa Del Valle

Steps for an Effective Equine Massage

Categories: Welcome | April 17th, 2013 | by Ana | no comments

a)   Ask a second person to hold the horse with a lead rope or halter before first trying to massage his back. In some cases, horses respond negatively at first and having extra help can come in handy.

b)   Groom the horse’s back to remove any dirt and give him comfort. Begin using a curry comb then switch to a stiff and soft brush.

c)   Massage your fingers in slow circular motions around the horse’s withers.

d)   Using soft, feathery touches on the withers, start massaging the animal’s back similar to how you would massage another person.

e)   Talk soothingly or play soft music while massaging the horse to provide calm environment.

f)    If he bites, kicks out or dances in his place, stop the massage immediately. These signs usually indicate pain or distress.

g)   Increase the pressure of your fingers gradually as you work your way down the back. Focus on the overworked muscles on the sides of the spine.

h)   Proceed to massage larger areas such as the hips and barrel. Long strokes will help provide relief to the horse.

Homemade Treats for your Horse: Horse Carrot Crispies

Categories: Welcome | April 16th, 2013 | by Ana | no comments

Ingredients:

• 2 carrots
• 1 apple
• ¾ cup oatmeal
• ¾ cup flour
• ¾ cup bran
• ½ cup water
• 1/3 cup molasses
• ½ cup brown sugar

Preparation Method:

a)   Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

b)   Grease muffin tin to avoid mix sticking to the sides.

c)   Shred carrots and apple and mix with molasses.

d)   Add oatmeal, flour, water and brown sugar to the mix.

e)   Pour dough into muffin tin.

f)    Sprinkle each muffin with brown sugar for extra flavor.

g)   Bake for approximately 30 to 45 minutes until slightly golden.

Weird Horse Facts

Categories: Welcome | April 12th, 2013 | by Ana | no comments

• China is the country with most horses (approximately 10,000,000).
• Horse meat is eaten is various parts of the world. Curiously, it is mostly exported from the United States and Canada.
• The closest relatives to the horse are the rhinoceros and tapir.
• A horse can notice the second a mosquito lands on his body.
• Horsetail hairs are used to make violins and cellos.
• Female horses have 36 to 38 teeth while male horses usually have 40 to 42.
• Human fingernails and hair are made of gelatin, a protein from horse hooves.
• Horsehide can be used for the production of glue.
• Horses love music.
• It is not uncommon for a horse to develop “stable vices” such as wall kicking and chewing if they are kept away from exercise and companionship.
• Horses sleep better in groups. Company of other animals gives them a sense of safety from predators.

Removing a Horseshoe

Categories: Welcome | April 8th, 2013 | by Ana | no comments

a)   Protect your hands by using leather gloves. These will prevent painful cuts or scratches.

b)   Facing away from the horse’s head, pick the hoof and place it right above your knee and between your legs. We recommend that for this step you wear a pair of full-chaps instead of jeans that do not provide sufficient protection.

c)   Rasp the clinches off or cut them using nippers. Pull any side clips on the shoe away from the hoof to avoid accidently breaking off the hoof wall them trying to pry the shoe off.

d)   Use clippers to remove each individual nail. This way will always be easier than prying the shoe free, especially if the hoof is swollen or sore. Be extremely careful if the hoof is inflamed since pressing on a sensitive spot can cause the animal to yank his hoof away and kick in your direction.

e)   Grab the nippers and pull of the horse shoe. Begin on the side closest to the heel and push the nipper inwards toward the sole of the hoof. No matter how tempting it can be, do not pull outward since doing so can cause the hoof wall to break apart. Work your way gently and little by little towards the tip of the shoe. Repeat this step until the shoe is removed as well as any nails left in the hoof.

f)    Place a boot around the barefoot. If the hoof is sore, provide padding and protection.

g)   Schedule an appointment with you farrier asap.

Getting Your Horse Used to the Traffic

Categories: Welcome | April 6th, 2013 | by Ana | no comments

In order to ride your horse around traffic and its distractions he must first be trained with hard work and dedication. In this blog, we will provide you with the detailed instructions on how to get your horse to circulate comfortably around cars and loud noises.

a)   Before getting started you need to understand that horse have both a fight and flight instinct and they will react with aggression if exposed to what they might perceive as threat.  When any horse hears a car motor or motorcycle it is likely that he will bolt, so understand that this is a process that will require some time and patience.

b)    Have the horse examine a car personally while you stand next to him on the ground. Ask someone else to get in and out of the car, and then start the engine while remaining near the vehicle.  Incite the horse to touch the car and praise him any time he relaxes.  Repeat this step with a motorcycle.

c)   Once you notice that the horse feels tranquil around the car while you are on foot, proceed to repeat the lesson while you are on the horse. Repeat until the horse is able to get near the vehicle while it is running.

d)   Now have the horse follow the car on the road while you ride him. Remain relatively close to the vehicle on the road. Before you least expect it, he will become accustomed to the motion and noises around him.

e)   Once the horse is able to have your attention instead of being distracted by his surroundings you are both ready to hit the road.

Favorite Horse Jokes

Categories: Welcome | March 31st, 2013 | by Ana | no comments

Q: What kind of horses go out after dusk?
A: Nightmares

Q: What did one horse say to the other horse?
A: The pace is familiar but I can’t remember the mane.

Q: Why did the boy stand behind the horse?
A: He thought he might get a kick out of it

Q: What kind of bread does a horse eat?
A: Thoroughbred

Q: Why are most horse in shape?
A: Because they are on a stable diet.

Q: What is the difference between a horse and a duck?
A: One goes quick and the other goes quack!

Q: Where do horses go when they’re sick?
A: The horsepital

Q: What do you give a sick horse?
A: Cough stirrup

Q: What do you call a baby donkey?
A: A burrito

Q: Why did the horse go behind the tree?
A: To change his jockeys

Sugar Cubes for your Horse

Categories: Welcome | March 29th, 2013 | by Ana | no comments

It is easy to make to make and store horse sugar cubes at home.

All you need to do is follow these steps:

a)   Lay out the following ingredients and implements:  4 tsp. of warm water, 2 cups of granulated sugar and a mixing bowl.

b)   Place the sugar in the bowl and make a well in the center.

c)   Add the warm water to the well and proceed to mix the sugar and water by kneading the mixture with your hands. You will realize that the sugar mixture is ready to mold when it sticks together like wet sand.

d)   Place the mixture into ice cube trays or try using fun molds with different shapes and add a drop or two of food coloring to turn them into colorful treats.

e)   Allow the sugar cubes to air dry for about five hours. You may also place them in full sunlight to accelerate the drying process.

f)    Place a paper plate above the sugar mold and turn it upside down in order to gently release the cubes.

g)   When ready, feed them in moderation to avoid making the horse ill.

How to determine if a Horse is Pregnant Without Help from the Vet

Categories: Welcome | March 28th, 2013 | by Ana | no comments

a)      The first step is to ask the preview owner of the horse about the mare’s history and ask if she had contact with a stallion.

b)      Examine the sides of the horse as well as the back of the belly area in front of the udder. If she is pregnant, those areas will appear larger than usual.

c)       Look if the udder has expanded in size in preparation for birth. In this case, note that an infection, false pregnancy or rich grass can also cause the udder to appear enlarged.

d)      Approximately one or two weeks before the mare foals, her hindquarters will feel spongy and the vulva will expand as she begins to prepare for birth.

e)      If you notice a waxy substance in the udder, the mare could also be close to giving birth because this usually appears a few hours before.

Types of Horses

Categories: Welcome | March 26th, 2013 | by Ana | no comments

All horses can classify into types which have been grouped according to similarities in appearance or usage.  This blog will list the most popular types that exist today in North America.

a)   Light horses are commonly used for recreational and performance activities. They are swift and agile. Examples are the American Quarter Horse, Arabian, Morgan, Thoroughbred, Standardbred, Appaloosa, Palomino and Pinto.

b)   Gaited horses were originally developed to ease the work of plantation owners in the South of the United States. Nowadays, these people oriented horses are used for trail riding and the show ring. They are smooth and very easy to ride. Examples are the American Saddlebred, Missouri Fox Trotter and Tennessee Walking Horse.

c)    Draft horses were bred as work and war horses. They are muscular, powerful, and large-boned. They have gentle temperaments and are also good jumpers and dressage horses. An example the Clydesdale horse.

d)    Horses of Color have unique spotted patterns. They stand out for their easy going nature and intelligence.

e)    Ponies are horses that do not measure more than 14.2 hands high. They are used to compete in equine sports and are valued as a mount for small children. These animals are intelligent, sturdy and rugged. Examples of ponies are the Shetland pony and the Welsh pony.

The Right Way to Play with a Horse

Categories: Welcome | March 25th, 2013 | by Ana | no comments

Playing a horse can be one of the most powerful and deep emotional experiences. A solid session of fun and games will not only enhance the animal`s physical fitness, flexibility and strength but will improve his general mood. This blog will provide you with tips on how to interact with a horse in a way in which it will give a positive response and enjoy the bonding experience with the help of a sturdy ball.

Balls are excellent tools that teach horses how to play because they encourage the animal how to use and control their bodies without human intervention. Horse expects have discovered that balls promote balance, concentration and focus.

-          Before you begin, lead the horse to a safe corral where you will be able to interact with the animal away from danger.

-          Inflate the ball and place it in front of the horse. Wait until his curiosity towards the new object arises.

-          The horse will likely nudge the ball. Expect him to be surprised or startled as the ball rolls away. Pick it up and bring it back to him as a way of encouraging him to hit again.

-          Repeat this several times until the horse acts comfortable with the ball.

-          Kick the ball back to the horse while remaining a few meters away. After several tries, the horse will eventually kick it or pick it up and throw it.