HORSE FACTS BEFORE ARRIVAL

Here's some fun facts about horses to know before arriving at the barn. Please always ask our staff questions, if you don't understand why a horse is doing something or if you have a concern, we would love to help you understand and increase your horse knowledge.  There's a saying that if you put 10 horse people in a room, you will get 10 different opinions on how to care for them, ride and train them, etc.  

MANURE - A healthy horse produces between 35-50 lbs of manure per day!  This can vary based on factors like diet, age, sex and health.  A horse will poop 8-12 times a day!  We clean our stalls once daily in the evenings, 365 days a year, even on holidays!

EXERCISE - Horses need exercise and horses are designed for continuous moving like in the wild.  They are essentially grazing athletes.  Just think of endurance horses that go anywhere from 25 to 100 miles in the races they do!  Horses are incredible, strong animals.  An average horse can cover 20-25 miles without stopping under optimal conditions.  

TURNOUT - Some horses prefer to be outside for long periods of time, while others prefer short times outside.  Some will pace or run around until you bring them into their stall as they associate their stall with safety, comfort and food.  Some horses don't do well turned outside for long periods of time.  We rotate our horses around outside based on weather and specific horses' preferences.  Some prefer outside in the early mornings, some evenings or nights, and some during the day.  We have some horses that don't like the rain or heat.  

REST - Horses mainly sleep standing up and they have a special locking mechanism in their legs.  If a horse is laying down sleeping, it will usually only be for no more than approximately 45 minutes.  Their eyes may roll back and their tongue may hang slightly out of their mouth.  This is when they get their REM sleep.  If horses lay down too long, it can affect their digestion, organs, muscles, etc.  When sleeping standing up, or when relaxed you will see them drop their heads down and their lower lip will relax and droop and eyelids maybe half closed.  They will often rest one hind leg.  Instructors keep track of daily usage of each horse so they all get adequate rest.  

TRAINING - Well trained conditioned horses can work longer than a horse that is out of shape.  Unfit horses are more prone to injury than horses that get consistent work.  The amount of rest a horse needs depends on their activity level.  Horses that do strenuous exercise like jumping, racing, cutting or endurance work, need more rest.  We don't work our horses strenuously.  In the majority of our lessons, we have new students learning to walk, some trotting and a little bit of cantering.  Advanced students may work them harder but not to exertion.  

Horses that are irritated, defiant or obstanant will buck excessively, stomp their feet out in front of them like a striking movement.  Even a well trained horse can still be testy at times.  

INJURIES - Horses are naturally prone to injury due to their anatomy, conformation, and different environmental factors.  If a horse has an injury or shows signs of being overworked or is sore, we will place them on stall rest to give them a break and time to heal.  A vet will be called out based on the duration and severity of the injury.  Most horse injuries resolve on their own and by using home remedies.  Horses often can come out of their stalls stiff or sore and often after a little work, they warm up and look fine.  

EXHAUSTION - Exhausted horses will be heavily breathing with labored movements, excessive sweating, lack of appetite, and unable to work due to physical factors.  A lazy horse is different than an exhausted horse.  Lazy horses are just naturally inclined to go slow or be slow to respond to cues.  Horses can also get lazy if they get away without riders making them work.

HORSE COMMUNICATION - Horses communicate with their ears, mouths and feet.  In the wild, horses will bite, kick, pin their ears, swish their tails and go after other horses to establish dominance.  Sometimes horses will display these behaviors to humans.  Horses weigh around 1,200 lbs and can be dangerous, so humans need to give the horse clear communication of consistent and clear boundaries.  Horses need to respect our space for safety and we have to be consistent and confident.  If horses bite, you can push their face firmly away and say "NO" or "AGH-AGH" or use a tap on the shoulder, stomach or butt to redirect the bad behavior.  

AIDS WHEN RIDING HORSES - There are natural and artificial aids:  legs, weight, hands, seat and voice are natural aids.  Spurs and crops are artificial aids.  Many horses are trained with spurs from a young age so they are very familiar with them.  Using spurs are just an extension of your heel and are often used to make it easier on the horse instead of constantly kicking to make the horse go.  The spurs we use are very gentle and not sharp at all.  

Crops are used to help the horse move forward.  It is a reinforcement of leg aids and used with a gentle tapping.  

MARES VS GELDINGS - Mares can be more prone to exhibit a range of behavioral dispositions.  These can be influenced by their hormonal fluctuations caused by their reproductive cycles.  Some common behaviors include irritability, moodiness and changes in temperament (particularly during heat).  They can be sensitive to touch, be restless, exhibit back pain and show signs of aggression.  Mares are more intelligent and posses good work ethic.  Geldings are more laid back and can appear lazy and more lethargic acting.  They are less reactive and more easy going.