A personal annoyance of mine lately has been happy mouth bits. There is nothing inherently wrong with these bits, and I'm sure they have been a great innovation for some horses. But I think they are being over used. I dislike happy mouths because most horses I've ridden wearing them lean on them and/or fail to yield to them. I know, silly me, I like to have the brakes installed on all horses I ride.
Many people seem to get happy mouth bits because their horse is green and/or stiff in the jaw and neck. They are hoping that this "milder" bit will encourage the horse to relax and work the bit. Perhaps, but I have two questions for them: if the horse reacts by taking stronger contact is he relaxing or simply finding a new point to brace against? Furthermore, if your horse is stiff in the jaw and neck is it the problem or a symptom of something else? Is he perhaps lacking strength, balance and/or suppleness in his back and haunches that makes him stiff in the bridle? Mild is good, but milder is not always better. Bits are not supposed to be toys, they are a communication tool and horses should be taught to respect them. A horse taught to respect a basic snaffle early in life will be much less likely to be over bitted later in life.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Safe Stabling On A Shoestring
I was talking to a non-horsey person a couple weeks ago, and they commented that their property is zoned for horses and that if building a barn wasn't so expensive they would love to get a pony for their kids. As we all know, building a barn would be only the beginning of the slippery financial slope of horse ownership. Between that and the fact that no one in the family has any horse experience I cautioned her against the backyard pony dream.
I thought back to a few years ago when someone mentioned their neighbor's crazy plan to keep a horse in a 8'x10' Tuff Shed they'd gotten at Home Depot. Then I thought about all the fancy barns I'd seen in the past. Ones that were certainly beautiful, but likely cost a significant amount more than they needed to. So, I got to thinking about what was the minimum for building a safe and effective shelter for a backyard horse? I did some internet searches (what did we do before Google?) and put together something I think would be both affordable and safe for the horse.
Note: I have not worked with barns2go nor have I seen any of their products in person. The products sound solid from the description given on the company's website. They are also one of the few companies that give prices on their website. There are many other companies that would be my preference if I were to go ahead and build because of reputation and location, but for the purposes of this post I used the barns2go products.
Materials:
Most horses cost many times this, and vet bills from poorly constructed stabling and corrals can be thousands of dollars an incident. Safe fencing and shelter is a requirement for a healthy horse. That doesn't mean it has to be elaborate or overly expensive.
I thought back to a few years ago when someone mentioned their neighbor's crazy plan to keep a horse in a 8'x10' Tuff Shed they'd gotten at Home Depot. Then I thought about all the fancy barns I'd seen in the past. Ones that were certainly beautiful, but likely cost a significant amount more than they needed to. So, I got to thinking about what was the minimum for building a safe and effective shelter for a backyard horse? I did some internet searches (what did we do before Google?) and put together something I think would be both affordable and safe for the horse.
Note: I have not worked with barns2go nor have I seen any of their products in person. The products sound solid from the description given on the company's website. They are also one of the few companies that give prices on their website. There are many other companies that would be my preference if I were to go ahead and build because of reputation and location, but for the purposes of this post I used the barns2go products.
Materials:
- All Steel Premier Shed Row Barn -http://barns2go.com/product_info.php?cPath=88_100&products_id=457 $2,295
- 4 Premium Horse Corral Panels 12 Foot Length - http://barns2go.com/product_info.php?cPath=83&products_id=325 $580
- 1 Premium Horse Corral Combo Panel Gate 12 Foot Length, 6 Foot Height http://barns2go.com/product_info.php?cPath=83&products_id=327 $370
- 6 Dyno Extreme Duty Interlocking EVA Stall Mats http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft1_equine_supplies-ft1_equine_flooring_wall;pg108730.html $420
- 2 15 Gallon Water Troughs (1 as a Feeder, 1 as a Waterer) - http://www.smartpakequine.com/ProductClass.aspx?productclassid=8031&cm_vc=Search $56
Most horses cost many times this, and vet bills from poorly constructed stabling and corrals can be thousands of dollars an incident. Safe fencing and shelter is a requirement for a healthy horse. That doesn't mean it has to be elaborate or overly expensive.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A Toast To The Mediocre Horse
I opened my mail today to find the February 2011 issue of Horse Illustrated. No, I'm not going to rant about them sending out the February issue when we barely started January, that is for another blog entirely.
Instead what struck me was the likely unintended contrast between the cover story "Warmblood Superstars of the World Equestrian Games" (complete with drool worthy rip out poster of Totilas) and the last page story of "Just George" about a thoroughly unremarkably average horse of heavier mixed breeding with a laid back attitude and determination to just carry on whatever his rider might throw at him.
It struck me after reading both articles how often as horse people we wish we had the money to get the gorgeous blue blooded warmblood. There is nothing inherently anymore wrong with that than all the car lovers who would give their right arms to drive a Ferrari around for a day. The Ferarri like the warmblood might be nice, but in making a long term investment, many of us would be better served by the average sedan.
All of us at one point or another have learned to ride on a horse like George. Those of us who teach know these horses are worth their weight in gold for teaching beginners. A horse who's default speed is 0, and who's entire attitude in life is "Keep Calm and Carry On" may not win any ribbons, and will try our patience at times. But to give a beginner the freedom to ride independently without the danger that would accompany a more responsive or athletic mount is what we value most.
Anyone who has ever worked with a young or otherwise green horse probably spent a lot of time borrowing "Georges" as trailer buddies, trail companions, or turnout supervisors. These mediocre horses are often the dependable ones who will babysit the reckless young kid who wants to be a cowboy and has zero interest in actually learning to ride properly, will show the young show horse that squirrels, trees, and puddles do not eat horses, and still find time to nudge your shoulder as if to say: "the sun is still shining, you're still breathing, so stop worrying already."
So, here's to the Georges of the world. May we always have at least one in our lives at every turn, and may we never forget their boringly reliable contributions.
Instead what struck me was the likely unintended contrast between the cover story "Warmblood Superstars of the World Equestrian Games" (complete with drool worthy rip out poster of Totilas) and the last page story of "Just George" about a thoroughly unremarkably average horse of heavier mixed breeding with a laid back attitude and determination to just carry on whatever his rider might throw at him.
It struck me after reading both articles how often as horse people we wish we had the money to get the gorgeous blue blooded warmblood. There is nothing inherently anymore wrong with that than all the car lovers who would give their right arms to drive a Ferrari around for a day. The Ferarri like the warmblood might be nice, but in making a long term investment, many of us would be better served by the average sedan.
All of us at one point or another have learned to ride on a horse like George. Those of us who teach know these horses are worth their weight in gold for teaching beginners. A horse who's default speed is 0, and who's entire attitude in life is "Keep Calm and Carry On" may not win any ribbons, and will try our patience at times. But to give a beginner the freedom to ride independently without the danger that would accompany a more responsive or athletic mount is what we value most.
Anyone who has ever worked with a young or otherwise green horse probably spent a lot of time borrowing "Georges" as trailer buddies, trail companions, or turnout supervisors. These mediocre horses are often the dependable ones who will babysit the reckless young kid who wants to be a cowboy and has zero interest in actually learning to ride properly, will show the young show horse that squirrels, trees, and puddles do not eat horses, and still find time to nudge your shoulder as if to say: "the sun is still shining, you're still breathing, so stop worrying already."
So, here's to the Georges of the world. May we always have at least one in our lives at every turn, and may we never forget their boringly reliable contributions.
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