Did You Know
Fun Facts About Horses
1. Recent research indicates that vices produce natural substances called endorphins
which make the horse feel "high". Sadly endorphins are often habit forming, and the
horse eventually becomes addicted and cannot stop the vice. There are courses of
treatment available so discuss these with your vet.
2. Wood chewing is one sign of mineral deficiency that can often be put right with
a mineral salt block.
3. Hot blooded horses are generally easier to train than most cold bloods. This is not
because they are more intelligent - hot bloods are spirited and this makes them sensitive
and responsive to the trainer's aids.
4. One of the "Golden Rules" of horse management is to make all changes gradually. If you
plan on turning you horse out to pasture, take him to the field in his halter and let him
graze in-hand for about 10 minutes a day for the first few days before turning him loose on his own.
Dear Shaboom and Clyde,
My pony keeps shaking his head when I ride him and when he eats hard food he drops it out of his mouth.
Why does he do this and how can I prevent it? Ben from Oregon.
Ben,
Dropping food from his mouth and shaking his head while wearing a bridle may indicate that your pony has problems with his teeth. You may want to have him checked by your vet and have his teeth floated to remove sharp edges to make chewing and carrying the bit more comfortable.
The Importance of Play
Have you ever watched foals play out in the fields? Have you ever wondered why? Playing is how foals learn to communicate with each other and play helps them prepare for adult life. It also develops their bodies and teaches them their place within the herd. When a foal is born everything is new to him and has to be investigated. His first playmate is usually his mother or occasionally he will play by himself. First, he learns to co-ordinate his long legs and to stabilize himself. He does this through experimentation with walking, trotting, and cantering throwing in the frolics, bucks, prancing and head tossing as he grows older. The foal will often tease his mother using such tricks as nipping at her legs as she walks, tugging on her mane and tail, even climbing on her or sitting on her while she is laying down to entice her to play with him. These playful actions strengthen the bond between the foal and his mother.
The close relationship between a mare and her foal is essential for their survival. Young foals will stay very close to their dam while she teaches him "herd manners" and horse language" for communicating with other horses. This helps them to be accepted by members of the herd. Hand-reared foals, brought up by humans rather than their dam often don't know how to communicate properly with other horses. As a result they may be bullied or cast out of the herd. As the foal gets older his co-ordination improves and his body strengthens and he will start to play with other foals his age. Many times they will approach each other with heads up and ears pricked and will often imitate the squealing and head tossing of their elders. This may lead to play or mutual grooming. Foals can often be seen playing at bucking, kicking, prancing and rearing, trying to bite each other on the crest of the neck. One foal may try to get his legs over another’s neck and it seems that the one who succeeds is "Top Dog". This jostling for position is how foals learn who is strongest and where they stand within the herd society. Those who are mentally and physically strongest, which does not necessarily mean the biggest, gain the highest social positions.
