Progress in veterinary medicine and advances in equine feed have led to an increase in the lifespan of the average horse. Nowadays, it’s not unusual to see a horse living to thirty. However, as horses grow older, they require extra care to remain healthy. A senior horse’s bodily functions become less efficient and he may have trouble chewing and digesting feed that used to be well tolerated.

Roughage is incredibly important in a senior horse feed. Mature horses should have a total dry matter consumption of at least 50% forages- pasture and/or hay. Horses are nonruminant herbivores, and therefore the higher the forage intake in the diet, the better. Many believe that horses have a certain “chew time” and if it’s not met, behavioral problems can result. One of the first signs of chew time not being met is the horse engaging in destructive chewing on wood, mane, and tails. The effectiveness of the digestive tract may also be compromised if the desired saliva production is curtailed through insufficient chew time. Saliva works as a buffer to prevent acidity from becoming too high in the gut, as well as assisting in the digestion of feed. If the gut’s acid becomes too high it will change the bacteria type in the colon and cecum and can hinder the digestibility of roughage.

The equine diet can be altered so that roughage and horse grain amounts are equal. For the previously mentioned reasons, caution should always be taken to ensure that your horse receives a minimum of 0.75 to 1% of his body weight in forages each day.

It is possible to stretch hay supplies in a couple of ways. One is to weigh the hay before each feeding to make sure that the above calculations are being met.  Another way is to make sure that your horse feed contains at least 14% crude fiber; the higher the better. If you take care to feed your horse high fiber feeds, you may be able to reduce hay intake to .5% of the horse’s total body weight. Of course, you should always maintain caution when feeding at this level to ascertain that the horse’s behavior is unchanged and that his digestive system remains normal. Many feed companies make it convenient for horse owners by mixing and bagging chopped forages for ease of use.

Instead of using hay as your horse’s primary means of roughage, you may wish to consider sources of feed that incorporate beet pulp or cottonseed hulls.

Beet pulp is an amazing food that can make up to 45% of a horse’s total diet. Generally, it is used to substitute for up to half of the hay being fed and has a digestible energy content and crude fiber amount similar to alfalfa hay for equine nutrition. A 1200 pound horse that does light work can be maintained on 10 pounds of a high quality hay made of Bermuda grass and 10 pounds of a grain-sweet feed that contains 5-8% fiber and 10-12% crude protein. If beet pulp is used in only 25% of the horse’s diet, he could be fed the same amount of grain mix with the 10 pounds of Bermuda grass being divided into 5 pounds of grass and 5 pounds of beet pulp for horses.

Cottonseed hulls can make up 20% of the total diet by weight when fed with a grain mix. Cottonseed hulls’ fiber content is more than twice as high as that in Bermuda grass hay. It requires a little more measuring than beet pulp needs, but the effort will pay off in increased equine health.

Other roughage sources that can reduce the hay to feed equation include soy hulls and alfalfa pellets and cubes. Alfalfa hay and other alfalfa-based products are higher in protein, calcium, and digestible energy than grass hays are; soy hulls have a nutrient content that’s similar to grass hays. Some researchers suggest that hulls can replace up to 50% of the forage in a horse’s diet, but most recommendations are to only replace 25% of the forage level, as the hulls can affect the chew factor and can cause difficulty in sorting out the soy hulls.

There’s a wide variety of options for feeding your mature horse. The key is to make sure that roughage equals 50% of the total feed intake while ensuring that alternative roughages do not exceed 20-25% of the total diet. Finally, one should make any changes to the equine diet gradually; it’s recommended that you implement any changes over a 7-10 day period while casting a watchful eye toward behavior changes. If you have any questions, consult your veterinarian. With the explosion of aging horses nowadays, he or she is sure to be an expert on foraging options for your friend.

Progress in veterinary medicine and advances in equine feed have led to an increase in the lifespan of the average horse. Nowadays, it’s not unusual to see a horse living to thirty. However, as horses grow older, they require extra care to remain healthy. A senior horse’s bodily functions become less efficient and he may have trouble chewing and digesting feed that used to be well tolerated.

Roughage is incredibly important in a senior horse feed. Mature horses should have a total dry matter consumption of at least 50% forages- pasture and/or hay. Horses are nonruminant herbivores, and therefore the higher the forage intake in the diet, the better. Many believe that horses have a certain “chew time” and if it’s not met, behavioral problems can result. One of the first signs of chew time not being met is the horse engaging in destructive chewing on wood, mane, and tails. The effectiveness of the digestive tract may also be compromised if the desired saliva production is curtailed through insufficient chew time. Saliva works as a buffer to prevent acidity from becoming too high in the gut, as well as assisting in the digestion of feed. If the gut’s acid becomes too high it will change the bacteria type in the colon and cecum and can hinder the digestibility of roughage.

The equine diet can be altered so that roughage and horse grain amounts are equal. For the previously mentioned reasons, caution should always be taken to ensure that your horse receives a minimum of 0.75 to 1% of his body weight in forages each day.

It is possible to stretch hay supplies in a couple of ways. One is to weigh the hay before each feeding to make sure that the above calculations are being met.  Another way is to make sure that your horse feed contains at least 14% crude fiber; the higher the better. If you take care to feed your horse high fiber feeds, you may be able to reduce hay intake to .5% of the horse’s total body weight. Of course, you should always maintain caution when feeding at this level to ascertain that the horse’s behavior is unchanged and that his digestive system remains normal. Many feed companies make it convenient for horse owners by mixing and bagging chopped forages for ease of use.

Instead of using hay as your horse’s primary means of roughage, you may wish to consider sources of feed that incorporate beet pulp or cottonseed hulls.

Beet pulp is an amazing food that can make up to 45% of a horse’s total diet. Generally, it is used to substitute for up to half of the hay being fed and has a digestible energy content and crude fiber amount similar to alfalfa hay for equine nutrition. A 1200 pound horse that does light work can be maintained on 10 pounds of a high quality hay made of Bermuda grass and 10 pounds of a grain-sweet feed that contains 5-8% fiber and 10-12% crude protein. If beet pulp is used in only 25% of the horse’s diet, he could be fed the same amount of grain mix with the 10 pounds of Bermuda grass being divided into 5 pounds of grass and 5 pounds of beet pulp for horses.

Cottonseed hulls can make up 20% of the total diet by weight when fed with a grain mix. Cottonseed hulls’ fiber content is more than twice as high as that in Bermuda grass hay. It requires a little more measuring than beet pulp needs, but the effort will pay off in increased equine health.

Other roughage sources that can reduce the hay to feed equation include soy hulls and alfalfa pellets and cubes. Alfalfa hay and other alfalfa-based products are higher in protein, calcium, and digestible energy than grass hays are; soy hulls have a nutrient content that’s similar to grass hays. Some researchers suggest that hulls can replace up to 50% of the forage in a horse’s diet, but most recommendations are to only replace 25% of the forage level, as the hulls can affect the chew factor and can cause difficulty in sorting out the soy hulls.

There’s a wide variety of options for feeding your mature horse. The key is to make sure that roughage equals 50% of the total feed intake while ensuring that alternative roughages do not exceed 20-25% of the total diet. Finally, one should make any changes to the equine diet gradually; it’s recommended that you implement any changes over a 7-10 day period while casting a watchful eye toward behavior changes. If you have any questions, consult your veterinarian. With the explosion of aging horses nowadays, he or she is sure to be an expert on foraging options for your friend.

Reality and people’s illusions about reality often have very little in common. People think being married will make their lives better and many find themselves wishing they could quickly get divorced as soon as they see the real day-to-day of it all. Having children can be like that too And, when you tell people you own a horse, they always seem to conjure up romantic images of people galloping across an open meadow, wind in their hair, nary a care. Well, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Whether you’ve got an expensive trainer monitoring your horse’s welfare or you’re doing it all yourself, it’s a nerve racking responsibility. As horse owners, many of us struggle with understanding and perfecting our horses diets. Horse feed choices depend not only on our horses body types and work routines but weather, age and more. Given the importance of getting your horse’s feed right and the confusing number of horse products on the market, we felt compelled to write this basic, “how your horse absorbs food and gets nutritional sustenance,” article. The better educated you are about

equine digestion and overall health, the better equipped you’ll be to select the right equine feed.

Your horse’s large intestine is the primary catalyst behind healthy equine nutrient absorption. Maintaining the health of this, “hindgut,” is critical to proper horse health. Without a healthy hindgut, your horse can easily fall prey to life-threatening problems such as equine colic and laminitis, health issues all horse owners fear. Issues such as hoof, coat & mane quality and proper appetite are also related to the healthy function of the horse’s large intestine. Think of this as “equine digestion 101.”

Never overfeed grain. Excessive grain may not be completely digested in the small intestine. Partially digested grain that’s allowed to pass into the large intestine may, “over-ferment,” creating changes in PH and excessive gas. In turn, these problems can increase the potential for your horse to founder (laminitis) and/or become a victim of horse colic. By restricting the amount of grain in a single feeding to 0.5% of the horse’s weight, you limit the risks created by grain overfeeding.

Always have fresh, clean water available. And, make sure the water is always kept at a reasonable temperature. Horses that drink insufficient amounts of water become prime candidates for colic. This is because the lack of water inhibits fermentation and prevents the processed food materials from smoothly continuing their way through the digestive tract. Bear in mind that your horse’s large intestine not only digests food, but works as a large reservoir, providing electrolytes and moisture that help cool the horse during exercise.

Hay, be it alfalfa hay or timothy hay, tends to be the primary source of fiber for most horses. Poor fiber or hay quality can cause weight loss and hay bellies. Insufficient fiber quantities can create an imbalance between fiber & grain ratios that can lead to laminitis or horse colic. By keeping your horse’s fiber levels at a minimum 50% of your total horse feed ratio, you’ll be doing your horse a world of good.

Do not permit drastic transitions in your horse’s fiber or hay feeds. Just as grain must be swapped out gradually, dietary fiber changes should also be eased into. By introducing new hay cuttings and pasture changes with an eye to this rule, you’ll dramatically decrease the risk of horse health problems. Keep in mind that early spring pastures can have as much soluble carbohydrate as grain. A sudden transition combined with unchanged grain ratios could wreak havoc on your horse’s digestion and lead to colic or laminitis. Also, remember that turnout time is crucial for horses. Lack of adequate turnouts are another leading cause of horse colic.

Here are some additional indications of inadequate hindgut function.

Hay Bellies: Hay bellies are indicative of inferior forage. With quality forages, the horse’s large intestine is constantly fermenting the food matter and pushing it through. With poor quality hay or forage feeds, the horse’s large intestine is working overtime, trying to extract more nutrition before pushing the food mass through. This stretches the large intestine, creating the, “hay belly,” appearance. Higher quality forages should help the hindgut shrink, as it returns to normal functioning.

Cow Flops Vs. Road Apples: Equine manure that resembles cow manure more than road apples is indicative of a large intestine that is not functioning adequately. This can be brought on by excessive grain or overly rapid changes in hay or fiber feeds. It may also simply be due to poor intestinal health brought on by age or illness. Be sure and consult with your vet if your horse’s waste products don’t return to normal, quickly.

Improper horse nutrition can result in poor hoof or coat conditions. This is often indicative of poor nutrient absorption by the large intestine and typically accompanies either of the issues mentioned above.

Horse supplements and horse treats are important to many owners as well. But, don’t just grab the first thing you see at the feed store. When it comes to supplements for horses, given each horse’s unique health profile, we highly recommend you consult with your veterinarian regarding which products are best for your horse’s unique needs. Should your horse be given a special senior horse feed? What about feeding horses with Cushing’s Syndrome? Or, horses being used for breeding? Using the right equine supplements in conjunction with quality hay/ forage feeds and proper grain ratios is in your horse’s best interest. Combining a well designed diet with a daily routine that allows for as much turnout time as possible, can dramatically improve any horse’s health.

Whether your horse is a working quarter horse, mini-horse companion or hard charging jumper, each should be fed a diet tailored to their unique metabolic and dietary needs. The more you know about the internal workings of your horse’s digestive system, the better care your beloved horse will hopefully, enjoy.

When you tell people you own a horse, they always seem to conjure up romantic images of people galloping across an open meadow, wind in their hair, nary a care. Well, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Whether you’ve got an expensive trainer monitoring your horse’s welfare or you’re doing it all yourself, it’s a nerve racking responsibility. As horse owners, many of us struggle with understanding and perfecting our horses diets. Horse feed choices depend not only on our horses body types and work routines but weather, age and more. Given the importance of getting your horse’s feed right and the confusing number of horse products on the market, we felt compelled to write this basic, “how your horse absorbs food and gets nutritional sustenance,” article. The better educated you are about equine digestion and overall health, the better equipped you’ll be to select the right equine feed.

Your horse’s large intestine is the primary catalyst behind healthy equine nutrient absorption. Maintaining the health of this, “hindgut,” is critical to proper horse health. Without a healthy hindgut, your horse can easily fall prey to life-threatening problems such as equine colic and laminitis, health issues all horse owners fear. Issues such as hoof, coat & mane quality and proper appetite are also related to the healthy function of the horse’s large intestine. Think of this as “equine digestion 101.”

Never overfeed grain. Excessive grain may not be completely digested in the small intestine. Partially digested grain that’s allowed to pass into the large intestine may, “over-ferment,” creating changes in PH and excessive gas. In turn, these problems can increase the potential for your horse to founder (laminitis) and/or become a victim of horse colic. By restricting the amount of grain in a single feeding to 0.5% of the horse’s weight, you limit the risks created by grain overfeeding.

Always have fresh, clean water available. And, make sure the water is always kept at a reasonable temperature. Horses that drink insufficient amounts of water become prime candidates for colic. This is because the lack of water inhibits fermentation and prevents the processed food materials from smoothly continuing their way through the digestive tract. Bear in mind that your horse’s large intestine not only digests food, but works as a large reservoir, providing electrolytes and moisture that help cool the horse during exercise.

Hay, be it alfalfa hay or timothy hay, tends to be the primary source of fiber for most horses. Poor fiber or hay quality can cause weight loss and hay bellies. Insufficient fiber quantities can create an imbalance between fiber & grain ratios that can lead to laminitis or horse colic. By keeping your horse’s fiber levels at a minimum 50% of your total horse feed ratio, you’ll be doing your horse a world of good.

Do not permit drastic transitions in your horse’s fiber or hay feeds. Just as grain must be swapped out gradually, dietary fiber changes should also be eased into. By introducing new hay cuttings and pasture changes with an eye to this rule, you’ll dramatically decrease the risk of horse health problems. Keep in mind that early spring pastures can have as much soluble carbohydrate as grain. A sudden transition combined with unchanged grain ratios could wreak havoc on your horse’s digestion and lead to colic or laminitis. Also, remember that turnout time is crucial for horses. Lack of adequate turnouts are another leading cause of horse colic.

Here are some additional indications of inadequate hindgut function.

Hay Bellies: Hay bellies are indicative of inferior forage. With quality forages, the horse’s large intestine is constantly fermenting the food matter and pushing it through. With poor quality hay or forage feeds, the horse’s large intestine is working overtime, trying to extract more nutrition before pushing the food mass through. This stretches the large intestine, creating the, “hay belly,” appearance. Higher quality forages should help the hindgut shrink, as it returns to normal functioning.

Cow Flops Vs. Road Apples: Equine manure that resembles cow manure more than road apples is indicative of a large intestine that is not functioning adequately. This can be brought on by excessive grain or overly rapid changes in hay or fiber feeds. It may also simply be due to poor intestinal health brought on by age or illness. Be sure and consult with your vet if your horse’s waste products don’t return to normal, quickly.

Improper horse nutrition can result in poor hoof or coat conditions. This is often indicative of poor nutrient absorption by the large intestine and typically accompanies either of the issues mentioned above.

Horse supplements and horse treats are important to many owners as well. But, don’t just grab the first thing you see at the feed store. When it comes to supplements for horses, given each horse’s unique health profile, we highly recommend you consult with your veterinarian regarding which products are best for your horse’s unique needs. Should your horse be given a special senior horse feed? What about feeding horses with Cushing’s Syndrome? Or, horses being used for breeding? Using the right equine supplements in conjunction with quality hay/ forage feeds and proper grain ratios is in your horse’s best interest. Combining a well designed diet with a daily routine that allows for as much turnout time as possible, can dramatically improve any horse’s health.

Whether your horse is a working quarter horse, mini-horse companion or hard charging jumper, each should be fed a diet tailored to their unique metabolic and dietary needs. The more you know about the internal workings of your horse’s digestive system, the better care your beloved horse will hopefully, enjoy.

The most common cause of Laminitis is when a horse experiences a carbohydrate overload. This means that the digestive tract is trying to handle an excessive or sudden increase in sugary grass, grain or some other high sugar/starch content, horse feed. This impacts the horse’s bacteria levels and its PH, allowing toxins to spill out into the bloodstream. And, this can diminish blood flow and circulation to the hoof. Given the crisis that laminitis can create, in relationship to horse health, the first line of attack in dealing with laminitis, is a dedicated, prevention based, feeding and exercise, regime.

Though the catalyst for most equine laminitis is poor horse nutrition, there are, of course, other causes. The beloved 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro, whose shattered leg ended his career, during the Preakness, fell prey to laminitis as a direct result of his injuries. A horse naturally places 60% of his weight onto his front legs, and having to increase that ratio while trying to shift weight off a damaged leg, almost always leads to laminitis. Horses spend the majority of their lives standing, ready to take-off whenever danger lurks. Since they can’t just lay down for long periods of recuperation, they instinctively throw more weight onto their healthy legs. This causes additional stress, leading to inflammation of the hoof’s laminae and, laminitis. Horses that don’t get treated immediately can ultimately develop a condition called founder, where they become extremely crippled and may never recover. By understanding and correcting your equine feed choices, you can dramatically improve your horse’s chances of avoiding laminitis, altogether.

Start by being very selective about where your horse is pastured. Avoid rich grasses, like high sugar grasses that crop up in Spring & Autumn. These grasses have the high-soluble carbohydrates that can prompt the carbohydrate overload, and cascading sequence of problems, mentioned above. Keep tack rooms and feed-bins where horse treats, specialty feeds and grains are stored, super secure.

Given the opportunity, there are very few horses who won’t stuff themselves on tasty, sweet feeds. And, it takes only one episode of a horse finding its way into the grain room for disaster to strike. Also, big on the list of things to regulate, is your horse’s water. Never let your horse’s water get too hot or too cold. Horses will avoid extreme temperatures for as long as possible and then, compelled by extreme thirst, suddenly gulp down gallons of excessively hot or cold water. Both equine colic and laminitis can be caused by this, so, eliminating the risk should be top priority.

With horse weight, the line between looking good and being a butterball can be pretty fine. But, in the war on laminitis, it’s important that your horse never become obese. Should your horse start looking chubby, consult with your veterinarian about the best combination of horse supplements, horse grain and hay to get your horse’s weight down. Create a plan based on the horse products your vet recommends and stay on-track.

Diarrhea in horses, metritis (a condition where the uterine lining becomes inflamed,) and peritonitis (where the thin tissue lining the abdominal walls becomes irritated or inflamed,) can stimulate the release of toxins into a horse’s bloodstream, setting the stage for laminitis. Get your vet on the phone ASAP should any of these conditions, surface.

Cart & driving horses are especially susceptible to laminitis brought on by excessive surface shock. If you have to take your horse on hard trails or pavement, don’t go faster than the walk and discuss specialty pads with your shoer. And, never let your horse’s feet grow overly long. Long hooves can trigger laminitis, due to the increased angle and pressure.

Last, but not least, stress can be a precursor to equine laminitis. Never tolerate a barn where the grooms or trainers are unkind or unnecessarily macho with your horse. Horses are sensitive beings.

If you have your horse hauled, you may want to do a special review of your hauler’s trailer. Is the floor cushioned? How much racket does the trailer make when you jump up and down, inside? (Make sure there are no horses around, or on-board, when you do this.) This is what your horses are hearing as they’re being hauled. Check out other trailer manufacturers and see if there are brands better cushioned and reinforced to keep travel noise at a minimum. Horses can suffer tremendous stress when trailers are improperly cushioned or reinforced against noise.

Pain killers and equine ulcer suppression medicines can dramatically impair a horse’s production of digestion enzymes, potentially triggering weaker guts and elevated blood toxin levels. This can trigger decreased blood flow, setting the stage for a potential bout of laminitis.

Understanding How Equine Nutrition And Laminitis Affect One Another.

Ever wondered why some people seem to starve their horses who are suffering from laminitis? It’s a common misconception that this is the proper way to handle the problem. However, not only isn’t this right, but it can actually make the problem worse. Understanding how to feed for horses once they’ve been diagnosed with serious hoof issues isn’t that complicated, but, you’ll have to faithfully monitor the levels of high forage feeds, vitamins and minerals your horse gets. Calcium levels can be stabilized by adding Alfalfa Hay or Straw Chaff to the mix.

Bottom line, all horses should be kept on low carbohydrate, high-fiber diets, enhanced with equine supplements. Most older horses should probably be fed senior horse feeds. To best determine the nutritional supplements necessary for your horse’s specific needs, be sure to consult with your vet. He’ll tell you that feeding horses for the best results doesn’t necessarily come down to what sounds the best. Ask your vet about every horse product you’re considering, right down to the horse treats and supplements for horses you’re considering.

Horse Trailering: Steel Vs. Aluminum

Consumers have a great many details to consider when scrutinizing horse trailers for possible purchase. “Should I select a gooseneck hitch or a bumper pull? Do I want an aluminum or steel horses trailer for sale minus the living quarters versus living quarters horse trailers? Of course, all these issues are secondary when measured against the most important consideration of all. Horse owners want to know that when they’re involved in horse trailering, that their horses, their rig and the horse trailer, itself, are all designed for maximum safety and comfort. Because nothing is more important that getting from point A. to point B., safely.

While steel horse trailers have both been manufactured the longest and maintain the highest overall, standards record, today’s steel horse trailers have been somewhat reconfigured. Solid re-engineering has allowed horse trailers to both weigh less and yet continue to withstand the same loads and stressors as their heavier made ancestors. Corrosion protection has also been dramatically enhanced by many steel trailer brands through chemically sophisticed pairings of automotive-quality paints and more highly galvanized construction materials.

Aluminum horse trailers have been the industry’s answer to lighter hauling weights and lower corrosion factors. However, with aluminum trailers being only 10-15% lighter and the corrosion factor being offset by aluminum’s oxidation issues, there can be higher maintenance costs over the life of the trailer. Not to mention that aluminum horse trailers can cost upwards of 10-25% more than steel.

Aluminum skinned, steel framed trailers offer the best of both worlds, marrying the corrosion resistance of aluminum with the strength of steel. Weight and pricing are usually in the intermediate range, compared to that of their all steel or all aluminum counterparts. Maintenance is similar to that of an aluminum trailer. The biggest issue with this construct is that without the proper barrier materials in place, electrolysis can be a very real issue.

How best to check out a trailer’s ability to withstand wear and tear? Why, at your neighborhood rodeo or horseshow, of course. Horse trailers living quarters and especially Horse trailers for sales, in the three to five year range, will give you a great point of reference for determining that brand’s cosmetic and structural integrity.

The amount of load weight your trailer puts on your towing rig or vehicle is called, “tongue weight.” People pulling two to four horse, horse trailers, tend to prefer bumper pulls, particularly when dealing with horse trailers living quarters. Bumper pulls exert force all the way back to the trailer’s rear and absorb the majority of your horse trailer’s weight. This means that your towing rig will be responsible for roughly 10-15% of your horse trailer’s load, mostly on its rear axles.

Most people are familiar with a bumper pull trailer’s tendency to angle dramatically when driven in reverse, almost over reacting to the tow rig’s movements. Many find this hard to control, especially if their novice or beginner trailer drivers. Your towing vehicle & horse trailer, depending on their size, may be far easier to maneuver with a hitch designed to redistribute load weight. By balancing out the weight of the trailer and the tow rig’s frame pressure, these hitches can be virtual miracle workers. Also, if you’re driving either an SUV or a truck outfitted with either a camper shell or straight camper, you could determine that the bumper pull is the better overall way to go.

The tongue weight of a gooseneck trailer is centered over the truck’s bed and exerts pressure directly onto the vehicle’s rear axle. For safety, many drivers consider it the better choice. With about 23-28% of the horse trailer’s weight being shifted onto the tow rig, those handling two to eight horse trailers favor this style. And, gooseneck trailers are much easier to back up, for both novice or expert. This trailer reacts far more organically to the driver’s change in direction, making backing up much safer. So, what’s the downside? Gooseneck trailers are longer. They require wider turns and you sacrifice some of your storage space. Regardless, it is without question, the popular choice for larger loads.

Bear in mind while shopping horse trailers for sales, that it’s critical that you observe and scrutinize the trailer’s functions and features, i.e. the parts inclined towards wear & tear. So, while fancy living quarters horse trailers may look beautiful, inspect the parts that can fail, closely.

A boot box gives you a safe place to store extra boots, camping supplies, goodies and all the little extras you know you’re going to need. Many manufacturers also offer a cooler insert for your boot box, so you have a perfect place to store those snacks and beverages that are best kept cold. These nifty coolers typically feature a bottom drain plug, so drainage is a snap!

Well designed horse trailers also feature vanity cabinets with door mirrors, where your home’s bathroom items can be stored. When inspecting horses trailer for sale, look for hooks and plenty of them. You’re going to need those for virtually everything! Tack, coats, ropes, you name it! Hat racks are another great feature. You want your cowboy hat safe and out of harm’s way when not wearing it.

Now, let’s talk about a critical feature when discussing horse trailering: lighting. A well conceived horse trailer features loading lights, because there are times when you’re going to be loading, unloading or saddling up, after dark. Also, look to see if the trailers you’re reviewing, have an RV battery. This is highly beneficial for insuring all interior and exterior lights are in good working order, regardless of whether you’re hooked up to your towing vehicle, or not. A DC plug is also great to have, for powering accessories like your cell phone.

Last, but not least, we highly recommend looking for a NATM sticker on the trailer you’re considering purchasing. This trailer indicates that the manufacturer is a member of the, “National Association of Trailer Manufacturers”. Members of NATM must adhere to rigorous safety standards and are kept updated on industry safety guidelines and standards, as they evolve.

We’ll be discussing more of the details you should be considering prior to scanning Horse Trailers For Sales ads and visiting dealers. There will be special focus on everything you need to know about selecting a horse trailer with living quarters or, as google’s search results show as a popular search term, Livingquarters horse trailers. So, stay tuned!

Endurance Saddles: What you need to know now about Endurance Saddles and Endurance Riding. With equestrian’s the world over getting more savvy by the day, horse lovers from all walks of life are getting more inquisitive about the true nature of accurate saddle fitting, for both horse lover and horse. When considering saddles saddlery creators are often the superior option for gathering solid input about whether a certain saddle is the best solution for a certain rider. There are so many styles and sub-styles of riding out there now, it really is important to consider whether you’ll be herding cattle, jogging through the tumble brush or galloping performance horses to a dead stop, prior to even beginning to shop the saddle western. Saddles Western are sold by 100′s of saddle designers today. You may find an endurance saddle  more suitable as trail riders are embracing this exciting sport in droves. And, as one would expect, the variety of endurance saddles now available is growing by leaps and bounds.

Many saddle makers focus first and foremost on the  horse’s build and utility as well saddles saddlery designers should. But, the importance of rider comfort has taken on a whole new level of significance in the last 20 years, with more and more effort being made to help both horse and rider truly feel good.

When both rider and horse are comfy, cozy, true communication can occur. This is of the utmost importance regardless of whether you end of with an endurance saddle, western saddle or dressage saddle. Now, while perfect fit is critical regardless of the style of riding you do, both western and endurance saddles must continue to fit well after hours or even days on the trail. Talk to your neighborhood cowboy and they’ll tell you, it doesn’t matter how many years they’ve spent in the saddle western, they’re always going to put a tremendous amount of emphasis on fit, comfort and, of course, beauty and style. Saddles western enthusiasts can be some of the most demanding riders of all. Many own saddles that have enough bling to make your head spin, yet they still have to fit horse and rider like a velvet glove. Discuss your options with a saddles saddlery expert in your area or one that your friends know and swear by. It’s time to start taking your saddle buying education very, very seriously.

Grasping the multiple dimensions of true saddle design isn’t too hard. There are 3 major saddle fitting parameters that you must understand. They are: Width, Arch and Angle, with width and arch having the most serious implications for the rider’s comfort, position and sanity.

Technology has really come into play in the saddle design world. There are a handful of cutting edge saddle manufactures who have taken to using tools such as computerized pressure pad systems to make sure their western and endurance saddles will fit to a T from the ground up.
Utilizing a 3-D fitting system that not only insures one-of-a-kind, simply superior saddle fit, but that relieves pressure from a horse person’s derriere this state-of-the-art method allows the saddle maker to build a nuanced and truly superior saddle.

Scrutinize the saddles saddlery designer and they’ll tell you, it’s the saddle’s seat, called the, “Arch.” or “Curve,” which plays such a significant role in determining the pressure or amount of PSI the rider experiences. The smaller the area of fitted contact with the horse person’s seat, i.e., the flatter a saddle is, the more discomfort the rider will endure. A  saddles western or endurance saddle featuring contours that don’t reflect the rider’s shape, will create an uncomfortable and potentially chafed and sore, rider. This isn’t something that can be easily fixed with leather or padding filling. A deeper, seat, where the saddle’s  pocket or cup can help the rider feel better supported gives both endurance saddles and saddle western enthusiasts a feel that many claim will help them ride all day.

Deeper seat saddles often perfect for  riders who must sit still while pushing their horse to a very animated trot such as dressage. Barrel racers, can also benefit dramatically from a deeper saddle western style seat, given the quick turns and g-forces they have to balance against while running through a barrel race pattern.

Some endurance riders claim to prefer the somewhat flatter contours of many endurance saddles. Posting the trot and riding suspended above the horse like a jockey has lead many saddles saddlery designers to the conclusion that a lower pommel a slightly flatter saddle contour can be the best solution.

For the pleasure rider, a slightly raised pommel might actually provide a more comfortable feel for women riders, given their naturally wider hip ratio and gentle pelvic tilt. Men, on the other hand, seem more at home with a slightly flatter western saddle or endurance saddle seat.

With saddles saddlery providers offering such a wide variety of endurance saddles & saddle western styles for you to try, many people do everything in their power to find the best saddle from off the rack.

This can be rather frustrating, slogging through saddles saddlery offerings only to find your horse getting sullen and chafed and you feeling quite the worse for wear. After all, a cheap saddle can be  a lot like gampbling on cheap horses for sale. It looks good on its face and ends up costing you tremendous grief and additional cost in the long run. Knowing this sends people off to a custom endurance saddle or saddles western saddle maker who clearly can help make their horse’s and their own lives better. But, at what cost? What does the person who has combed through endurance saddles or the saddle western catalogues of every known entity do to get the right saddle at the right price?

What The Endurance Rider Should Know To Further Enhance Their Horse’s Comfort & Their Pleasure

On the fly, customizably fitted saddles are the newest thing in saddle design. The enclosed video/image showcases just the kind of specialty saddles saddlery designer, one using their unique and patented custom fitting systems to give the horse person complete control over a saddle’s fit, regardless of the horse he or she is riding! With this system, riders can alter the width, the arch (rock) & angle of the saddle to conform to the unique shape of whichever horse they ride. As the only system like this in the world, you owe it to yourself to consider whether an affordable, completely customizable fit is perhaps the best solution for you.

As potentially the most powerful saddle solution for riders who need custom fit, affordable price and the ability to ride multiple horses, this could be the saddles saddlery for you. Check out this virtual endurance saddle/saddle western artiste and see if you and your horse don’t agree.

Cheap Horses For Sale: Searching through online sites of cheap horses for sale is practically a regular past-time for many horse aficionados. While millions of people spend their days sneaking peeks at their twitter twits, there is a fanatical group of horse enthusiasts who surf their days away, online, looking at horses for sale.

That so much of their time is spent flipping through classified horses for sale sites, has some serious horse professionals a bit worried. Just how many horses are purchased by unsuspecting, new riders who are don’t have the luxury of consulting a vet or horse trainer? How many people select a free horse or a cheap horse, not understanding the tremendous potential downside, in such a choice. How many people purchase a horse only to find the horse seriously lame, suffering from ulcers, insufficiently trained for the purpose it was bought, or far older than the seller claimed the horse’s age to be? (One breed of horses, Thoroughbreds, are tattooed inside their upper lip with a number that indicates the horse’s age and registration information. However, thoroughbreds can be very, “hot,” given the main purpose they are bred for, which is, of course, horse racing. Also, while Thoroughbred is a specific breed, purebred means a horse of pure lineage and this can apply to any horse breed.) For more information, please review Horse Racing Results For Today.

Bear in mind, unlike most things in our modern world, the details involving most horses’ histories isn’t sitting in a computer, somewhere. They aren’t registered with DMH (Department of Moving Horses.) though many purebreds are registered with the corresponding purebred association. Hanoverians are registered with the “The American Hanoverian Society,” Quarter Horses are registered with the “American Quarter Horse Association,” and so on. But, they don’t have injury reports you can search for online. As of yet, there is no “Horsefax.” (What an idea!) (Actually, there is a really cool product called On Track Equine, that allows shoers and vets to cohesively file x-rays, stills and footage of a horse so that changes in that horse’s gait, shoeing, joint health, etc., can be reviewed and accessed over time. This is truly rocket science that should be embraced by all the major and minor equestrian organizations to create a standard against which horse’s can be tracked over time.

The problem is, it’s really not in the best financial interest of many, currently involved in the horse industry for potential horse buyers to have too accurate a record of a horse’s history. Probably 1/2 the horses that are sold today would never get sold if a horsefax solution were universally implemented. Trainers, dealers, the grand majority of the equestrian community use drugs, medical procedures, etc. to keep horses going as long as possible. In other word’s, the horse community has a vested interest in keeping good horses patched together for as long as possible. This agenda is driven both by financial pressure and the fact that it takes so many years for horses to become really, really good at what they do. Throwing that all away the minute a minor health issue appears is truly counter-productive in a many, many situations.

However, as someone who has owned 4 horses to date, I want you to know that not only do you need to do your homework before scanning a bunch of cheap horses for sale websites and purchasing your next or first horse, but, you need to steel yourself for a number of eventualities. You may find the perfect horse right away. You may need to lease a few horses first, before you make your purchase. You may buy a horse, think everything’s fine, and have behavioral or medical problems surface 6 months after purchase that did not exist before you bought the horse. Horses are a gamble. And, depending on your degree of proficiency and ambition, they can be absurdly expensive. The search terms, “cheap horse,” and “free horse,” are oxymorons on their face. I’m telling you right now, unless your horse is stuffed when you get him, the words, cheap, free and horse are pretty much, mutually exclusive. Cheap horses for sale should be broached with extreme caution.

Part of what compels me to write this, above and beyond my desire to help people find genuinely solid information on this subject, is the intense love I feel for my own horse, Rio. Rio is a 14 year old half-draft hunter/equitation horse. What’s so funny is that, while he cost me what is the equivalent of one year’s salary for some people, by Hunter/Jumper standards, he is the very embodiment of Cheap Horses For Sale. He was purchased to help me regain my confidence, after an unsuccessful two year effort to bond with my previous horse, Cooper. Cooper was a beautiful, traditionally built Chestnut hunter. But, his downhill build combined with my then bad habits, created an increasingly negative riding experience. Rio is not a traditional hunter in any sense. He is too high headed and not a great mover. But, after some tack adjustments and riding with knots in my reins so I didn’t over-hold to the fences, we have built a solid relationship, riding over fences. So, it can take a failed experiment or two to find the right horse, above taking all the necessary precautions and covering all the bases, as we’ll be discussing in this series. If you compete, finding the right trainer can also be a challenge, but, we’ll save that for another series.

How This Series About Cheap Horses For Sale Can Help You Maximize Your Horse Buying Experience.

Speaking quite frankly, there’s an enormous amount of nonsense on the web, regarding the subject of, horses for sale. Well, I’m happy to tell you, this be the real deal. These articles are written from a legal and professional perspective and involve advice and tips from actual equine sales, legal advisors, horse trainers, horse dealers and horse breeders. And, there’s the hard won experience of having actually purchased and owned four horses. to date. (I have been seriously involved with horses both, during childhood and now, as a serious middle aged rider. I currently train with an “A” rated show barn at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

We’ll be discussing a series of critical issues that pending horse owners must seriously consider. If a horse does a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde after you’ve purchased her, will the previous owner return the fee and let you return the horse? How do professional horse trainers use the internet to source horses for sale for their clients? Are the rules different for a new horse buyer? What’s the difference between horses for sale and cheap horses for sale? Will you need to have your horse vet checked before you buy her? When purchasing a horse, what paperwork do you need? Is it best to purchase a horse through a horse dealer, an auction, a breeder or a classified horse website?

Whether you’re considering a new performance horse, a gaited trail horse or an Arabian endurance horse, be sure and check back, here, at Cheap Horses For Sale. Because when it comes for horses for sale, it’s best to know as much as possible before you take the plunge.

As reported by Horse Racing Results For Today: Utilizing a revamped strategy after his dual, gate to finish line victories, including the Gold Rush Stakes, favorite Positive Response gunned it at the 2nd turn and pulled away, in the stretch, to win the Golden Gate Fields, California Derby $100,000 horse race, on Saturday.

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

While jockey Julien Couton had the horse break quickly from the Number Eleven post, Positive Response was happy to wait it out in 5th, behind a quick starting field. Running 4th from the rail at the 1st turn, he galloped without issue, seemingly prepping for a big play out of the backstretch.

While Jakesam was in the lead on the backstretch, Couton began letting Positive Response stretch out from the 3 path at the 2nd turn. Positive Response then caught the leading horse, midway around the turn, with his head out in front at the quarter pole. Extending his advantage to one and one half lengths at the 8th pole, taking the lead from Jakesam with a two and three quarters length win. Bluegrass Reward was a length behind in 3rd place.

This was Positive Response’s 3rd straight win. If you’re a big horse betting tips fan, you’ll probably want to note this race horse’s statistics. Although this was his first outing where he came up from behind, he still saw faster times in the California Derby then during his previous two races.

Bob Baffert’s Horses, Indian Firewater & Tweebster Duke It Out In San Fernando Exacta.

Apparently the TV screen quality at the Cabo San Lucas, Mexico resort where Bob Baffert was vacationing left a lot to be desired. Baffert had stopped in to watch a simulcast of the Santa Anita Race Track $150,000 San Fernando Stakes, to witness his two horses, Tweebster and Indian Firewater, hit the wire almost simultaneously. The big suspense came while Baffert waited for 3 minutes for a picture review to reveal that Indian Firewater had nosed out Tweebster for the win.

“Who won it?” Baffert said from Mexico, while waiting for the final verdict. “They’ve got a pretty bad picture. That was pretty close.”

Shamrock Girl Owes La Senora Win To More Than Luck.

Deemed the favorite in the $125,000 La Senora at Sunland Park, Shamrock Girl didn’t fail to deliver the horse racing results that Horse Racing Results For Today was expecting. She prevailed against the full 12 horse field field of with a one-length win. Squall Wilbud came in 2nd in this 6-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies bred in New Mexico. Go to Gold came in 3rd, one and one quarter lengths after Squall Wilbud.

Shamrock Girl ($4.60) stayed with the pack, in the races early stages, then hit it hard to cover the 6 furlongs distance in 1:10:91. She was ridden by Agapito Delgadillo for owner-trainer, David Wolochuk.

“Shortening her to six furlongs really helped today,” said Wolochuk. “She’s not a natural miler.”

Fast Track Puts Always a Princess Ahead Of Blind Luck in El Encino

Always a Princess pulled ahead of Blind Luck in Santa Anita Race Track ‘s $150,000 El Encino Stakes on Sunday, fueled by a track favoring speedy performances in the 2 turn race. She won by three and one half lengths.

As a complete non threat to the winner, Blind Luck, the leading 2010 three year old filly, and the El Encino’s favorite at 3-5 odds, came in last. As an added bonus, she tripped while galloping down the backstretch, throwing jockey Joel Rosario. Jerry Hollendorfer, the trainer, reported that the Blink Luck was not injured during the incident.

Hollendorfer was clearly upset about his race horse ‘s performance during 2 turn races on Santa Anita’s sand-and-clay track since the December twenty sixth opening, indicating that Blind Luck would probably be racing elsewhere later during the season.

“My filly got beat,” he stated, enroute back to the bar. “We may have to do something else. If the track stays the same way, I don’t think we’ll run here.”

Horse Racing Results For Today has Santa Anita Race Track and Gulfstream Park on target, with this Saturday’s multi-stakes cards. With 3 stakes running at Santa Anita – the Grade Two, $150,000 San Fernando, the Grade Two, $150,000 Santa Ynez, and the Grade Three, $100,000 Sham. Then there’s Gulfstream’s two Grade 3, $100,000 races – the Mr. Prospector and the Sugar Swirl stakes. So, here’s a play by play to help plan for great horse racing results.

Tampa Bay Downs is also offering a stakes doubleheader, featuring the Pasco & the Gasparilla, both paying out $75,000 each. Also noteworthy is a Golden Gate feature, the $100,000 California Derby.

San Fernando Stakes Horse Betting Tips & Anticipated Horse Racing Results.

Thiskyhasnolimit was being given serious consideration even prior to Sidney’s Candy, the heavy favorite, being  scratched.  This horse race’s potential as a serious payday has certainly lessened, because with Sidney’s Candy out of the picture, Thiskyhasnolimit’s payout potential has dropped substantially.

Having not really turned in a spectacular performance with his sixth place run in the recent Malibu, the horse also failed to impress with his 7th place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile a couple of starts ago. While Dakota Phone and Morning Line, the first and second place horses have since come up with zero-three stats, the Breeders’ Cup disappointment now carries less of a sting. Thiskyhasnolimit’s great second, in the Indiana Derby, 3 starts ago, while running against Lookin At Lucky, the two year old stallion champ was deemed rather promising. With this race being Thiskyhasnolimit’s first 2 turn start since his performance at the Indiana Derby. Many consider this to be to his benefit.

For Santa Anita Race Track, Uncle Sam in the Sham and Zazu in the Santa Ynez are both expected to be get heavy play. Having performed beautifully in his horse racing debut, Uncle Sam has plenty of room to move up and is in a great position to manuever with a slower pace. A horse some are questioning the field on in his maiden win is Tapizar. The third place horse in that race returned to win at Calder and the balance of that field have demonstrated a 0 for 5 since. Clubhouse Ride, having run extremely well in stakes during his previous 4 races, is not expected to get the best pace to showcase his home stretch efforts. And Zazu is cutting back on Saturday to a distance for which she came in a gameworthy 2nd at the Moccasin, two races ago, giving it up to the well respected Turbulent Descent.

Sugar Swirl Stakes

Jessica Is Back has some folks worried, given her number of layoff lines. But, many still see her as a worthwhile contender. Soundly beaten in the Breeders’ Cup Filly with her ninth place finish and her most recent effort, the Mare Sprint, some are giving her kudos for an elegant mid race play. Two starts back she did come up third in the Ballerina, in spite of having some issues with that track. Having decisively won the Princess Rooney, three starts ago, her most recent 6 furlong effort, handicappers in the know feel her stalk from close range style will give her the upper hand on Saturday. Having beaten noteworthy fillies such as Dubai Majesty, whose subsequent 3 of 4 wins, including the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, Jessica Is Back is seen as having the stuff good race horses are made of.

Big Drama, will make his first serious start in the Mr Prospector since winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint is expected to run well, being fresh and rested. His biggest competitor is Custom for Carlos, who while a brilliant race horse in his own respect, may still be a bit rough given his 9 month layoff.

California Derby

While Positive Response is starting into this after two knockout 2 turn trips over the track, his controlled slower pace wins in those race don’t seem to deem his as getting completely comfortable of a trip, this time out.

The play in this one is Dancing At Dark. Having shown dramatic improvement, with his two most recent starts at Hollywood Park, his 2nd & 3rd starts off the claim, he earned Beyer Figures that were superior to the majority of competitors he’ll be facing this Saturday. Dancing At Dark’s profile garnered even more kudos when the horse he beat last time out came back to prevail at his next Hollywood Park Race with an 86 Beyer.

For Horse Racing Results For Today, hope this gave you some solid Horse Racing Tips. Have a great weekend and visit us again next week!