The Dutch Warmblood....
Its native to the Nether lands but is now found world wide. Its size ranges from 15.2hh - 16.2hh
The Dutch warmblood is the result of selectively breeding Dutch stock with English, French and German horses. The program was initiated in the 1969's. In the 1800 coaching and coach horses reached a peak. Horses from the British isles including the Norfolk Trotter, the Yorkshire horse, the Cleveland and the hackney were exported to Europe to cross with the local breeds. The resulting cross had to be able to pull a Plough yet look elegant between the shafts of carriage and whilst being ridden. This was the beginning of the modern sport Horse.
The Dutch warmblood has over recent years had a remarkable rise in the Internacional Equestrian World. This superb modern horse is Eager, Reliable, Intelligent and suitable for any discipline.
In English riding there's 3 main disciplines; Show jumping, dressage and cross country, but there's many more, for example hunter classes, pleasure riding..ect
Today we're going to talk about Show jumping.
Show jumping, also known as " stadium jumping" and "open jumping", is a part of the English way of riding. Show jumping is often seen at horse shows around the world, like the Olympics for instance, of the Badminton Horse Trials.
Many people might confuse Show Jumping with Hunter classes. Hunters are judged on their style and manners and how they look while going over the Jumps. Show Jumpers are judged on a clean, fast round and is determined on a numerical score. The score is given by the horse's attempt at the obstacle, if he clears it, refuses it And if he clears the course in the time set. Jumper courses tend to be more complex and technical than hunter courses because riders are not being judged on style.
Jumper classes are held over a course of show jumping obstacles, including verticals, spreads, double and triple combinations, usually with many turns and changes of direction. The Point is to jump cleanly over the course withing the time. Time faults are set when the rider exceeds the time limit. Jumping faults are set when 1 rail or more is knocked down or when the horse dis-obeys the rider, for example a refusal or a "run-out". They are allowed a certain number of refusals before being eliminated.
In most competition riders are allowed to walk the course on foot before riding. this helps them plan their ride.Some courses have a "jump off " too. Usually the same course with a different order of jumps.Unlike show hunter classes, which reward calmness and style, jumper classes require boldness, power, accuracy, and control; speed also is a factor, especially in jump-off courses and speed classes (when time counts even in the first round). A jumper must jump big, bravely, and fast, but also must be careful and accurate to avoid knockdowns in order to rate and turn accurately. The rider must choose the best line to each fence, saving ground with well-planned turns and lines and must adjust the horse's stride for each fence and distance.
I hope you guys enjoyed this blog!!! Please comment! :D
Tacking up a Horse the first few times can be a Headache if you don't know how to do it.
Its a fairly simple process, and its done quickly if you're doing it right. for those of you who don't know how, here's how to tack up your horse.
Step 1:
Tie Your horse with cross ties or a hitching post if you have to. Always use quick release knots. Its better to chase your horse down than having him get hurt because the rope won't untie.
Step 2:
Brush your horse. This can be a Full groom, or just brush the places where the tack is going to rest. Also, Remember to pick his feet free of rocks and dirt. When grooming check your horse for heat, lumps, swelling or any unusual things that might be a sign of un-soundness.
Step 3:
Put on the saddle pad on his withers, a bit higher than usual. Slide it down to its normal place so all the fu is lined up one way.
Step 4:
Place the saddle gently on the horse's back. It should sit in the middle of the saddle pad. make sure it doesn't interfere with the horse's shoulder. If it is placed correctly there should always be a thin strip of the pad sticking out underneath, directly underneath the Pommel. Lift both the saddle AND the pad higher than usual and slide it back to normal.
Step 5:
Put on his Girth next. If your horse is know for blowing up his stomach with air so you tighten the girth to loosely, make sure to tighten it slowly from both sides when he exhales.
Check your girth again prior to mounting.
Step 6:
Put on your horse's boots.
Step 7:
Unbuckle the cross ties and put the reins over your horse's head. This will prevent it from getting tangled in all the other straps and help you keep control of the horse.
Step 8:
Put the bit in the Horse's mouth. Put your fingers on the ends of the bit and gently push it against the horse's mouth. It i also a good idea to press your thumbs at the very corners of his mouth where he has no teeth to encourage him to accept the bit.
Step 9:
Put the horse's crown piece over his ears.
Step 10:
Buckle the throat lash. you should be able to fit 4 fingers in between the two.
Step 11:
Buckle the Chin strap. You should be able to fit 1 or 2 fingers under it.
Now you are ready to go!!!!
Are any of you people out there thinking of buying a horse?? well, if you are, you might want to stick around for some tips.
When you are looking for a horse, its very important that you look really close at the add. People can sometimes lie about their horse's condition. Here I've made you a list of what the add might say:
* Perfect lead rein Pony= Can't take him off the lead or ge Bolts
* Good doer= Total Fatty! will eat you out of house and Hay.
* Good to shoe and float= yes... but a total Nightmare to catch and tack up!
* Loves to jump= Goes berserk at the sight of a coloured rail and is unstopable
* Been To pony club= Took him once and he was so Naughty we never took him back again.
* Not in regular work= I'm to scared to get on him myself so I'm selling him
* Can be spooky= Goes bonkers at the sight of a Plastic Bag
* Needs confident rider= Completely Mental! You'd need to be MARK TODD to control this Lunatic!!
* Not a typical Thoroughbred= Yeah, Right!
Now that you know what the horse might be like, The next step is to go see him!!
When you see the horse, check the overall conformation, This means to judge is the horse is fit, if his withers are higher than his rump ( which indicates his power is in his front half, meaning this horse will be a good Show jumper) If he has a strong thick bone ( necessary for an Eventer of Edurance Mount)...
Once this is done, Run Your Hands down the legs to check for swelling or Heat, which are both singns of Lameness. Next up, Look at the horse's Face. If there's a runny discharge coming fro the nose, this might indicate the horse is vulnerable to infection or is suffering from allergies. Look at his eyes and see if they have a sad, suffering look. If they have Bright, Curios eyes this shows the horse is in a Pretty good condition. Now take a look at his teeth. This will determine his age. Take a look at his feet next. The hooves of a horse should be Symetrical, meaning the left side should be a mirror of the right.
When you have looked at the horse, request to see his Stall. Once there, check the door for Cribbing Marks ( cribbing means when the horse has made a Habit out of biting the stall door out of boredom), Next look around the stall and try to spot any Kick Marks in any of the walls.
Now its time to ride The Horse!! Walk him a few laps around the arena to get the feel of him, push him to a trot when ready. When you've got a steady rythm going, pay attencion to how he moves and how he places his feet. Next, you canter him around the perimeter of the arena. Take a look if he's counter cantering, or if he moves akwardly with his hindquarters engaged. Take him through some serpentines to see how well he bends to your leg cues.
When you are ready, request that a small crossrail is built at X (the center of the arena) and pop him over it. See how he reacts, if he spooks, slowly walk him to the jump and let him take a good look at it. If you go clear with minor problems, take him around again an dpay attencion if the horse is Balanced, and Listening, Collect him and see if he tries to edge his way to a side, if so, apply a firm leg to get him back in the center.
Finally, See if you are buying this Horse, If you aren't, then repeat the same process to all other horses you see. If you do decide you want to buy it, Ask for a 1 week trial at your riding stable. Take him there and install him in his stall, leave him there to grow acostumed to his new surroundings. The next day, take him out to the field and see how he interacts with other horses. When you ride him, make sure you do the same things you did when you rode him the first time. Afterwards request for your Vet to check him thoroughly again, for you always need a profesional's opinion.
After the one week trial, you can either decide to take him, or to keep Looking, You decide!!
The Lusitano....
This Breed is native to Portugal, but is now found world wide. Its size Ranges from 15.1hh- 15.3hh.
It can be any solid Colour. Grey is the most common but other colours tend to grow grey with age.
The Lusitano Originated in the hilly and rough mountain like terrain of Portugal, these surroundings have produced a horse that is agile, courageous and Hardy, The good looks of the Lusitano are purely by chance as it has always been bred for ability rather than appearence.
The breed's exeptional ability has been know to man for over 5000 years as it was once used as a farm horse and war horse.On the Battle field it was able to out manouver any opponent and had an amazing gift of second guessing its rider's thoughts while keeping him safe and carrying out the Job.
Today, the Lusitano's talents can be seen in Disciplines such as Dressage, Carriage Driving and Show Jumping.
Intelligent and Courageous, Athletic and Level headed, no not me, The Lusitano
Give it up for the Andalusian Everybody!!!
The andalusian is native to spain, but is now found worldwide.
Its size is around 15.2hh-16.2hh.
Most are grey but Bay, black and Chestnut also ocurr in purebreds.
The Andalusian is one of the oldest breed in the entire world. The breed is At least 25,000 years old. The ancient Greek and Romans used the andalusians for their cavalry horses because of they're remarkable agility and strength during a battle. During the 14th and 17th century the Classic Rising academies used this breed because of its natural balance and agility in High School Dressage.
This Horse is Strong, Sensitive, intelligent and with the right treatment and respect, learns Quickly.
right, in this blog you might find things like, the different disciplines, the ways of riding, some tips, horse health care, tack, ect... Hope you guys like it!
