Horses For Dummies

Description

Updated for today’s beginning horse enthusiasts!  If you’re just getting into the world of horses, there’s a lot to learn! Horses For Dummies gets beginning-level riders and aspiring first-time horse owners up to speed on all things equine! From selecting the right horse for you to feeding, grooming, and handling a horse, this book covers it all! Featuring updates on breeds, boarding, nutrition, equipment, training, and riding―as well as new information on various equine conditions―this resource shows you how to keep your horse happy and take your riding skills to the next level. Features updated safety information  Includes more riding disciplines Offers tips for better nutrition for your horse Provides grooming and training recommendations If you’re crazy about horses, this hands-on guide is all you need to giddy up and go! Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Introduction About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here Part 1 Beginning with Horse Basics Chapter 1 Welcome to the World of Horses Looking at a Horse’s Build and Mind Checking Out Various Horse Breeds Making a Match with the Perfect Horse Asking a few questions before you buy Locating the right horse for you Purchasing horse supplies Housing your horse Taking Great Care of Your Horse Handling daily tasks Grooming your horse Treating your horse’s illnesses Knowing when to part with your horse Riding Your Horse Safely and Easily Working with your horse from the ground Looking at riding basics Staying safe on your horse Chapter 2 Understanding Horses from Head to Hoof Horse Talk: Describing Horses Correctly Checking out the horse’s parts Measuring a horse correctly Seeing horses of many colors Looking at different horse markings Figuring out horse movements Mind Games: Getting into the Horse Psyche Examining equine instincts Surveying equine senses Understanding equine language Do You Trust Me? Developing Bonds Between Horses and Humans Providing companionship Chowing down Stretching out Taking some stable vice advice Chapter 3 Perusing Popular Horse Breeds Picking the Best Breed for You Meeting the Top Ten Horse Breeds Appaloosa Arabian Miniature Horse Morgan Paint Horse Quarter Horse Saddlebred Standardbred Tennessee Walking Horse Thoroughbred Going Beyond the Top Ten Crossbreds Draft breeds Gaited horses Pony breeds Warmbloods Rare breeds Part 2 Selecting a Horse and the Stuff that Goes with Him Chapter 4 Preparing to Make Your Purchase Finding Out Why You Want a Horse Rating your reasons for wanting a horse Determining whether you’re ready Exploring which way you want to ride (and how you want to learn) Establishing responsibility for your horse Deciding between leasing or buying Getting some equine exposure Considering a Horse’s Traits Thinking about a horse’s age Studying horse bodies Looking at gender differences Investigating Horse Insurance Finding Expert Help A trainer or riding instructor A veterinarian A farrier Chapter 5 Making the Big Buy Enlisting an Expert to Help You Shop Knowing Where to Find a Horse Individual sellers Horse dealers Breeding and training operations Horse shows Adoptions Deciding On the Perfect Horse for You Considering your riding style Choosing a purebred, cross-bred, or a non-purebred Balancing emotions and rationality Embarking on Your Horse-Shopping Journey Getting some initial information Paying a visit Moving forward after the visit Hiring a vet to check the horse Signing up for a trial period Closing the deal Bringing Your Horse Home Chapter 6 Getting into Gear with Horse Equipment Where to Buy Equine Equipment Saddles and Related Accessories Surveying different types of saddles Picking out saddle pads Buying a saddle the smart way Ensuring your saddle fits Tack It Up: Other Riding Requirements Getting a heads-up on bridles Breaking down bits Checking out assorted riding aids Exercising your options on training gear Considering a bareback pad Ground Work: Horse-Care Items Understanding the importance of halters Looking at lead ropes Cleaning up with grooming supplies Playing Dress-Up: Horse Clothes Putting on coverups Paying attention to assorted apparel Looking Good: Your Own Riding Wear Donning formal hunt-seat garb Dressing in elegant dressage attire Slipping into saddle-seat apparel Wearing western gear Kicking around in comfortable clothes Using your head by wearing a helmet Transporting Your Horse Buying a horse trailer Hauling with the right vehicle Chapter 7 Housing Your Horse Comfortably Away from Home: Boarding Stables The pros and cons of boarding Knowing a boarder’s responsibilities Selecting a commercial boarding stable Choosing private boarding Staying Close: Having a Home Stable The pros and cons of a home stable Knowing your responsibilities at home Committing yourself financially Setting Up Backyard Accommodations Keeping your horse outdoors Housing your horse indoors Making Room for Work and Play Storing your gear in a tack room Staying safe in a spacious work area Sharpening your skills in a riding arena Utilizing a round pen Accessing trails for a fun time Buying a Ready-Made Stable Shopping for horse property Getting the right setup Part 3 Taking Care of Your Horse Chapter 8 Establishing an Everyday Routine Handling Your Horse’s Hunger and Thirst Looking at feed Determining how much to feed Doling out the chow Watering your thirsty horse Taking Care of Other Maintenance Tasks Giving your horse the once over Exercising your horse for optimum health Managing manure Controlling pests Chapter 9 Keeping Your Horse Clean and Pretty Getting Down to Business: Grooming Basics Starting with the right tools and setup Working the body Managing the mane and tail Attending to the hooves Sticking to safety rules Scrub-a-Dub: Bathing Your Horse Knowing why and when horses need baths Making preparations to bathe your horse Having the right tools on hand Washing your horse properly Caring for your horse after his bath Carefully Clipping Your Hairy Equine The scoop on maintenance clipping Caring for your clippers The basics of body clipping Chapter 10 Preventing Equine Health Problems The Doctor Is In: How a Vet Helps Your Horse Understanding horse vets Searching for a vet Taking a shot at vaccinations Getting the bugs out with deworming Keeping track of teeth If the Shoe Fits: The Work of a Farrier Finding a farrier Caring for a horse’s hooves In Control: Understanding Your Role in Preventive Care Feeding time Getting exercise Coping with weather Chapter 11 Examining and Treating Equine Health Troubles Tracking Symptoms (and Recognizing an Emergency) Taking temperature Looking for signs of trouble Understanding Common Health Problems Cancer Colic Choke Equine infectious anemia (EIA) Equine influenza and rhinopneumonitis Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) Exhertional rabdomylitis (“tying up”) Eye problems Gastric ulcers Heaves Metabolic diseases Skin problems Strangles West Nile virus Rabies Getting a Grip on Leg Woes Arthritis Bowed tendons Fractures Dealing with Hoof Issues Hoof abscesses Bruising Hot nails Laminitis Navicular disease Thrush Taking Care of Horse Wounds Putting Together a First-Rate First-Aid Kit Coping with Euthanasia Making a difficult decision Handling the grief Knowing what happens to your horse’s remains Chapter 12 Giving Up Your Horse Beware of Killer Buyers Figuring Out if You Need to Move On Seeing signs of outgrowing your horse Deciding your next step Looking at Options for Your Old Friend Selling Leasing Donation to a program Gift to a family member Retirement Euthanasia Part 4 Handling Your Horse with Ease Chapter 13 Working with Your Horse from the Ground Establishing the Right Manners Understanding your responsibilities Recognizing your horse’s responsibilities Approaching Your Horse in the Stall or Pasture Retrieving your horse from a stall Heading toward your horse in a pasture All Strapped In: Haltering Your Horse On the Ropes: Leading Your Horse Leading the right way Refraining from bad habits In Knots: Tying Your Horse Circle Around: Longeing Your Horse Readying your horse for longeing Longeing your horse properly and safely Handling Problems from the Ground Your horse resists being caught Your horse pulls forward when you lead Your horse pulls back when tied Your horse bites you Your horse kicks you Your horse crowds you Chapter 14 Selecting a Riding Discipline The Most Popular Ways to Ride Showing off with hunt seat Staying natural with dressage Riding high with saddle seat Taking it easy with western Other Cool Riding Styles Endurance Peruvian Sidesaddle Bareback Driving Chapter 15 Getting Ready Before You Mount Putting On a Saddle and Accessories The English saddle The western saddle Bridling Your Horse with Ease Chapter 16 Taking Control in the Saddle Preparing Yourself Mentally Beating your fear Acknowledging your role as the leader Taking Riding Lessons First Deciding where to get lessons Avoiding mistakes Taking your time Getting into Riding Shape Swinging Up and Onto Your Horse Focusing on Riding Fundamentals Holding the reins Positioning yourself in the saddle Cueing your horse Moving with your horse’s gaits Delving into Post-Ride Details Getting off your horse Untacking your horse Cooling down and cleaning up Catching Tricks That Naughty Horses Play Bucking Rearing Backing up without being asked Spooking Running away Refusing to move Being “barn-sour” Rolling Ignoring cues Chapter 17 Staying Safe on (and around) Your Horse Dressing the Right Way Wearing a safety helmet Putting on the proper pants Stepping into safe footwear Protecting Yourself on the Ground Caring for a horse’s hooves Being in close quarters with a horse Recognizing some dangerous horse moves Leading a horse Moving around a tied horse Being Secure in the Saddle Inspecting your tack first Riding by yourself Riding with other horse folks Chapter 18 Competing on Horseback Keeping Traditions in Hunt Seat Performing Precisely in Dressage Being Flashy in Saddle Seat Working with Special Skills in Western Pleasure classes Showmanship Gymkhana Western dressage Reining Trail class Cow classes Cowboy mounted shooting Educating Yourself at Breed Shows Halter classes Heritage classes Enjoying the Great Outdoors at Trail Competitions Endurance riding Ride and Tie events Competitive trail riding Getting a Leg Up on Jumping Competitions Cross-country jumping Show jumping Checking Out Combined Training Steering Yourself Toward Competitive Driving Chapter 19 Riding for the Fun of It Riding the Trails What trail riding is How you ride on trails What you need Camping with Your Horse Strutting Your Stuff in Parades What a parade equestrian unit is How you participate in a parade What you need Joining a Drill Team What drilling is How you drill What you need Reliving the Past in Reenactments What a reenactment is How you reenact What you need Having a Horsy Vacation Towing your horse to a resort Taking a trip without your own horse Part 5 The Part of Tens Chapter 20 Ten Horse Myths Horses Are Dumb Horses Will Run Toward a Fire Horses Don’t Sleep Lying Down Most Horses Are Mean Horses Are Aloof Horses Vocalize a Lot, Just Like in the Movies Horses Are Always Healthy They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Old Horses Go Off to the Glue Factory A Broken Leg Equals a Death Sentence for a Horse Chapter 21 Ten Great Movies about Horses Black Beauty The Black Stallion The Black Stallion Returns Hidalgo The Horse Whisperer The Man from Snowy River National Velvet Seabiscuit Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron War Horse Index Supplemental Images EULA