Horse Blog – Horse Training Blog – Cowgirl Blog

The Craze Came Naturally

June 12, 2010

If you’re wondering how I got to be horse crazy, the photo above serves as an explanation. That is my mom, at about six months, on her pony Mickey, with her dad at her side. My mom grew up with horses, and her favorite was a horse named Old Paint, whom she kept from childhood until after she was married

Horses That Rear

June 11, 2010

When you have a young horse, the horse is going to check you out to see what you know. If he finds out that some things you ask you don’t follow through with, he may begin to think you can’t make him do it, and will start a bad habit of rearing to avoid whatever it is you want him to do. A horse that rears is very dangerous.

Beauty

June 8, 2010

I have owned many horses, and have ridden hundreds. But of them all, if I could have just one horse, it would be Beauty. I called her my little Ragamuffin or Muffinhead because she was not much to look at but I loved her. She was the greatest match for me and I’ll never find another horse like her. I love the memories I have of her, and I’m happy with the way things are. She was the best horse of my life.

Summer Ridin’

June 7, 2010

Summer is by far the best time for horseback riding! There is nothing like an evening ride when a hot day begins cooling off. These rides are best enjoyed bareback, as the horses seem to have a lighter step and are happy to go on a joy-ride, rather than work. My best memories of childhood are horseback with my brothers and sisters. After supper time in the evenings, we would all run down to the barn, grab a bridle and jump on a horse.

That Rotten Rain

June 5, 2010

Rain rot is a fungal disease in horses, resulting in raised bumps over the horse’s hide and causing sores and hair loss. Read more to learn of the best way to treat and prevent rain rot in horses.

Set In Your Ways or Stuck In A Rut?

June 3, 2010

I really don’t want to be set in my ways, or stuck in a rut because I think I know better than anyone else. It’s never too late to learn something new, and if I know anything about horses at all, I know that they are all different—each one is an individual, and I can’t be right 100% of the time.

Horseback in Sagebrush Country

June 2, 2010

We just got back from visiting my parents who live in Idaho. They live in a beautiful valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains and raise beef cattle, alfalfa hay, and Quarter horses. We spent several days riding horses and working cattle.

Pretty Colors

May 25, 2010

What is it about color on a horse that makes it worth double the price? Right now, Cowboy Dad and I are looking at buying a really flashy buckskin mare. She is not registered or very well-trained, hasn’t been ridden in over a year and doesn’t neck-rein, and the owners can’t ride her anymore due to health reasons. But they’re set firm on her price, simply because of her color.

Dangers in Horse Shopping

May 22, 2010

If you’ve been involved with horses for any length of time, you will find that the horse industry is much like the used car industry. There are a lot of scoundrels out to get your money and will do anything to make a buck. The term “horse dealer” does not carry a good connotation, since so many well-meaning buyers have been duped into buying a horse that didn’t work out for them.

The Round Pen

May 21, 2010

The round pen is a very valuable tool for anyone wanting to train horses. This article is to point out some things about the usefulness, purpose, and techniques of the round pen.

Rudy

May 18, 2010

Rudy is the horse from my childhood who taught me the most. I’ve spent more time horseback on Rudy than any other horse in my life. He is on that pedestal in my memory where all faults are forgiven and forgotten–to me, he is the best horse in the world.

Get Along Ya Little Dogies

May 15, 2010

Driving cattle on horseback is a great training exercise for a green horse. Giving a horse a job and a focus will advance a horse in his training and provide opportunities to learn that would never be found in an arena.

Naming A New Horse

May 13, 2010

I talked to my mom on the phone today. She said they have a new foal on their ranch, a dark brown horse colt with white feet and a big star on his face. She asked me to help them come up with a name for it, and I’d love to except for the fact […]

Training A Horse to Lunge

May 11, 2010

1. Prepare your horse by perfecting his leading and ground handling skills. If a horse is not completely halterbroke and responsive to being led and handled, you should not attempt to train the horse to lunge. Spend a lot of time with your horse and practice basic leading skills until they are perfected. 2. The […]

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