The Importance of Your Horseback Riding Ability and Buying a Horse

Just as every rider has a different level of riding skill, the horse has his own level of training. As a rider you should assess your skill level and look for a horse that complements your abilities. It is very important that you take an honest look at your ability. Do not try to build yourself up to be a better rider than you know that you honestly are. Don’t try to look for a horse that is not as trained as you require because this will lead to frustration in the long run. The goal is to have a good working relationship with your horse, not one that ends in frustration everyday you go out to ride or handle your horse.

Understanding Body Condition Scores

In addition to knowing how to judge the conformation of a horse and its markings, it is also important to be able tell if the animal has been cared for properly.

The body condition score was developed by D.R. Henneke et.al. in 1983 and is still used by many equine professionals. The ideal score for a healthy horse is between a 5 and 6. A healthy broodmare should be at a 6 or 7.

Score Description

1 Poor: Extremely emaciated; spinous processes, ribs, tailhead, tuber coxae and ischii projecting prominently (hip bones), bone structure of withers, shoulders, and neck easily noticeable; no fat tissue can be felt.

2 Very Thin: Emaciated; slight fat covering over base of spinous processes; transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded; spinous processes, ribs, tailhead, tuber coxae and ischii prominent; withers, shoulders, and neck structure faintly discernable.

3 Thin: Fat build-up about halfway on spinous processes; transverse processes cannot be felt; slight fat cover over ribs; spinous processes and ribs easily discernable; tailhead prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be identified visually; tubar coxae appear rounded but easily discernable; tuber ischii not discernible; withers, shoulders and neck accentuated.

4 Moderately Thin: Slight ridge along back; faint outline of ribs discernible; tailhead prominence depends on conformation; fat can be felt around it; tuber coxae not discernable; withers, shoulders and neck not obviously thin.

5 Moderate: Back is flat (no crease or ridge); ribs not visually discernable but easily felt; fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy; withers appear rounded over spinous processes; shoulders, and neck blend smoothly into body.

6 Moderately Fleshy: May have slight crease down back; fat over ribs spongy; fat around tailhead soft; fat beginning to be deposited along sides of withers, behind shoulders, and along sides of neck.

7 Fleshy: May have crease down back; individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat; fat around tailhead soft; fat deposited along withers, behind shoulders, and along neck.

8 Fat: Crease down back; difficult to feel ribs; fat around tailhead very soft; area along withers filled with fat; area behind shoulders filled with fat; noticeable thickening of neck; fat deposited along inner thighs.

9 Extremely Fat: Obvious crease down back; patchy fat appearing over ribs; bulging fat around tailhead, along withers, behind shoulders, and along neck; fat along inner thighs may rub together; flank filled with fat.

The body condition score is used by trainers, veterinarians and breeders. There are all types of horse professionals across the world and this body condition score chart is used by all of them. This is a very effective tool that you can use when describing a horse over the phone and the equine professional will automatically get a mental picture of what the horse looks like.

Signs of a Healthy Horse

We all want our horses to be healthy and to ensure you know what your horse looks like when he is healthy you will need to spend as much time with him as possible. As you spend time with your horse or horses, you will soon learn their different personalities. Each horse has his own unique quirks and habits. Through these you will be able to determine if yor horse is a little tired, worn-out, depressed or sickly. Horses have good days and bad days, so don’t be too concerned when he is not as chipper as he usually is. However, you will also be able to tell when he is really sick.

A healthy horse will stand on all fours. If they are feeling a little tired, then they will rest a hind foot and take a little nap. When they are really tired, they may lie completely down. Most horses will not do this unless they feel absolutely safe where they are. A horse will never rest a front foot. If your horse is resting a front foot then he is in some sort of pain.

A healthy horse will have a nice shiny coat that lies down smoothly. The eye’s will be wide open and the inside of the eye will be of a salmon pink. The gums and nostrils will be a similar shade of pink. If you rub your hands down their legs regularly, you will be able to detect heat or abnormalities easily. You will also be able to compare the horse’s legs.

A healthy horse will always want to eat. Feeding time is every horse’s favorite time of day. They will greet you happily and meat you at their feeder. A helahty horse is always ready to eat.

The horse’s skin should be moist without being sweaty. They should breathe quitely when at rest and their pulse should be even and steady. Young horses may have faster pulses, while an older horse may have a slower pulse. Stallions often have slower pulses than mares and geldings.

On the flip side of things, you will also notice when a horse is sick by these symptoms:

Lying down at odd times
Lying in odd positions
Excessive rolling
Sitting on their back legs or feet
Dark red membranes
Pale or yellow membranes
Blue-red membranes (May be a sign of a circulation or heart issue)
Tight skin
Sweaty skin
Loud and labored breathing
Won’t want to eat

Most sick horses are noticed around feeding times. If you board your horse it is always a good idea to check your horse’s neighbors to ensure everyone looks and seems happy and healthy.

Horses 101 For Sale Through Lulu

Hey you horse loving people!

I just published Horses 101 through Lulu last night. I am so excited because this allows you to purchase a perfect bound paperback version of this fantastic book. Lulu is so great and super easy to use. You can also download an eBook version of the book as well. It's so very cool!

Horses 101: The Complete Guide to Buying & Caring for Your Horse

It’s finally here! Horses 101: The Complete Guide to Buying & Caring for your horse is now for sale at http://www.caringforyourhorse.com/. This eBook is chock full of all the information you could possibly require for buying and caring for your horse. It is a comprehensive guide that all horse owners should have! “No More Runaways” is a bonus designed to make horseback riding safer for all riders and is free with your purchase of the eBook. Purchase now at the low price of $29.99!