Grooming
Tools used for grooming
There are several tools that are commonly used when grooming a horse. Proper use and technique helps to ensure the horse remains comfortable during the grooming process, and allows for greater ease in cleaning the animal. 
Curry or Currycomb: A tool made of rubber or plastic with short “teeth” on one side, that slides onto the hand of the groom. It is usually the first tool used in daily grooming. The horse is rubbed or “curried” in a circular motion, which helps to loosen dirt, hair, and other detritus, plus stimulate the skin to produce natural oils. The curry comb is usually used in a circular motion to work loose embedded material. Curries are generally too harsh to be used on the legs or head, though varieties made of softer rubber are available.
Metal currycomb: a currycomb made of metal, with a handle. They are designed for use on show cattle. There is no reason for a horse owner to buy one. However, some barns have them sitting around and use them for cleaning out softer-bristled brushes. For removing mud and winter hair, as well as for cleaning brushes, a shedding blade (see below) is preferable to a metal curry, and a shedding blade can also do double duty for cleaning out other brushes.
 
Dandy brushes Dandy brush or Hard brush: A stiff-bristled brush is used to remove the dirt, hair and other material stirred up by the curry. Brushes are used in the direction of the horse’s hair coat growth, usually in short strokes from front to back, except at the flanks, where the hair grows in a different pattern. The best quality dandy brushes are made of stiff natural bristles such as rice stems, though they wear out quickly. Plastic-bristled dandy brushes are more common. Dandy brushes can usually be used on the legs, but many horses object to a stiff brush being used on the head. Some dandy brushes do double duty as a *Water Brush, dampened in water and used to wet down the mane and tail.
Body brush or Soft brush: A soft-bristled brush removes finer particles and dust, adds a shine to the coat and is soothing to the horse. A body brush can be used on the head, being careful to avoid the horse’s eyes. Some natural body brushes are made of boar bristles, like human hairbrushes, others are made of soft synthetic fibers. The body brush is always the last brush used on the horse.
Grooming rag or towel,   A terrycloth towel or other type of cloth can be used to give a final polish to a horse’s coat and is also used after riding to help remove sweat.
Mane brush or comb: Horses with short, pulled manes have their manes combed with a wide-toothed plastic or metal comb. The mane comb is also used for pulling the mane. Tails and long manes are brushed with either a dandy brush or a suitable human hairbrush. Extremely long show-quality manes and tails are often picked out by hand to avoid breaking the hairs.
Hoof pick: A hooked tool, usually of metal, used to clean the hooves of a horse. Some designs include a small, very stiff brush for removing additional mud or dirt. All four feet of the horse need to be cleaned out before and after riding.
 
A shedding blade  Shedding blade: In special weather conditions, a metal shedding blade with short, dull teeth is used to remove loose winter hair. A shedding blade is also useful for removing caked-on mud. However, grooming tools with metal teeth can split and dull the horse’s hair coat and may irritate the skin, so must be used with appropriate care. Likewise, metal grooming tools used on sheep and show cattle may also be too harsh to use on a horse.
Fly spray: In the summer, fly spray is often applied to the horse after grooming. Care must be taken to avoid the eyes and mucus membranes.
Bot knife: used to remove botfly eggs from the horse, which are usually laid on the legs or shoulder. Bot eggs are yellow and roughly the size of a grain of sand, they are clearly visible on dark hair, harder to spot on white hair. A small pumice stone is also commonly used for the same purpose.
Scissors or Clippers: Sometimes, though not always, horses are clipped with scissors or, preferably, electric clippers, to remove or shorten unwanted hair. 
Sponges: Small sponges can be used to clean the nose, lips and dock, larger sponges can be used to wet down and clean the body and legs.

See our complete line of grooming supplies

English Habit
http://www.articlesbase.com/equestrian-articles/how-to-groom-your-horse-716091.html

Does anyone know of a good ebook with Horse Betting Tips that show you how to win at horse race betting enough to make a good income with it? There are tons of free Horse Betting Tips on the internet but they all seem to contradict each other. I am looking for Horse Betting Tips that are reliable enough that the person guarantees in writing that their Horse Betting Tips will produce a reliable income or you get your money back. Does anyone know of an ebook or ecourse on horse racing systems where the Horse Betting Tips are this good and reliable?

Dont waste your time there is no such thing as 90% guaranteed even if you get you money back, any crook can provide such a service, say I charge you $25 for a guaranteed winner, you bet $200 and the horse loses but I refund your $25, you have lost $200 but I have lost nothing, if I get 100 customers a week and refund 75 of them I still make a profit of $625 for doing hardly anything, even though only 25% of my tips have gone on to win.

At a time when sales of products across industries are struggling to keep up with their past records, some industries such as personal care products appear to have shown resilience despite hostile economic trends.

A look at the U.S. Department of Commerce stats show that most industries are up against some really rough weather. The whole of the industry recorded a decline of 3.1% in sales when compared to the numbers from last year. And if you consider the retail sales figures alone then December of 2008 has been pretty bad with the sales falling by 2.7% to US $343.2 billion. These numbers are pretty scary because they are worst ever since the early 1990s.

Despite the falling retail sales figures the personal care products registered a rise in sales of 5.65% to US $20.92 billion for December 2008, when compared with the December 2007 data.

Some reasons behind the rise

At the same time experts attribute the increase in sales activity for personal care products to several factors.

The first is of course the holiday season and festivities, when people spend on gifts, decorations, partying, etc. Experts think that this Christmas many people bought skin and personal care products as cheaper alternatives for more expensive gift items. Further, many retailers came up with huge and attractive discounts, which almost forced consumers to spend on personal care items. Whatever the reasons, in the end all of it did boost the sales.

World over, the performance of different retail sectors has been pretty dismal. For instance, according to the British Retail Consortium statistics the month of December 2008 has been the worst in the past 14 years, with the sales declining by 3.3 percent when compared to the activities of the previous year.

All in all the personal care industry sales in the US fared better than most other industries and also it’s own kind, when pitted against the sales data from other parts of the world such as the UK.

Freddic
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/personal-care-products-the-dark-horse-during-recession-736752.html

Yes, tips on Horse Racing at Churchill Downs.

It’s all a matter of preference, however..I like this site for tips and other horse racing information throughout the year. Check around site to see if it may interest you.

http://www.gohorsebetting.com/

Good Luck !

Next to dogs, horse care is more familiar to man than the care of any other animal. Horses have been a close companion to human beings since the times of some our oldest civilizations. If horses were used for transportation and battles then, now they are mainly for leisure and sports. But, whatever the use, breed and type of horse, proper care for these animals is always important.

Basic horse care provides for essential needs like shelter from foul weather and rain, shade from the sun and flies, clean and fresh water, adequate forage and enough space to graze. It is advised to provide the horses with food that is 1.5% to 2.5% of its body weight in pounds. Since they eat less at a time but more often than we do, horses donâ??t need large meals. Provide them with food that contains proper nutrients like protein, minerals and vitamins. Sufficient forage is essential for optimum health and growth. The place they graze should be properly fenced and kept devoid of poisonous plants and seeds. Also, the nutrients that you provide should be given at the right time and in the right proportions. It is also important for horse care how and where you store the horse food to prevent it from attack by pests or damp.

Regular grooming is also essential in horse care. This has to be done before everyday and before the horse is bathed or ridden. Grooming removes any dirt, dust and mud and avoids chafing and rubbing of dirt and also helps you to discover hidden cuts, bites or bruises on the horseâ??s body. And, as you know, nothing brings a horse and its owner closer than frequent grooming. Proper brushes should be used to help blood circulation and massage that encourages a healthy conditioned coat. A mane comb should be used to avoid tangling of mane and tail. There are a variety of products in the market like detanglers and conditioners. Be sure to use shampoos and conditioners specially for horses to avoid any irritations.

Horse care involves taking proper care of each and every part of the horseâ??s body. And, for a horse, the most important part is its hoof, which is essential to its well being and usefulness. Proper cleaning and trimming of the hooves are necessary for the safety of the horse as well as the rider. Hooves have to be trimmed/shod every 4 to 8 weeks. Keeping the hooves dry and clean prevents lameness as well as hoof diseases. Similarly, the legs and feet of the horse also should be checked routinely for lacerations and swelling.  Regular cleaning and trimming of feet and timely treatments of foot diseases adds to proper horse care.

Depending on how much work your horse will be doing during the winter, you need to decide on whether to do clipping.  Clipping will aid the comfort and increase drying time of the horses coat. Also, it depends on the individual horse and their living environment to decide when and why to clip and what clip style to use. And once clipped, the horse will need a rug. This again is based on the kind of work the horse does. There are a variety of rugs available for different work purposes and living conditions. You need to know how to put on and take off the rugs for the horseâ??s safety.

Horses are prone to get various diseases like colic, laminitis and internal parasites as well as other infectious diseases. A chief part of horse care is prevention of diseases by frequently checking for sickness, injury, germs and weight loss. A proper disease prevention program should be planned for your horse even at the time when you buy it. Annual dental check up is very important. Periodic worming is essential, which you can do after seeking the advice of a professional vet. It is a good idea to register the horse for local equine vaccination. A horse that is healthy and free of disease is active, lively and responsive and a pleasure to own and enjoy!

sajith
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/horse-care-some-points-to-note-1065776.html

I need help my horse is 6 years old and I mean shes still young but her head is always up I want her to relax and pu her head down but I can stilll have a feel on the bit, any tips?

Do you ride english? If so, keep your hands very low, sit deep, and give gentle massaging actions withs your inside index finger, while maintaining an elasticy connection with your outside hand. This will encourage the horse to reach towards the bit and learn to accept it. Before you try this though, you need to make sure that your own seat is independant of your hands, and that you don’t inadvertantly interfere with your horse’s mouth. Don’t forget, keep at, but keep the horse on the bit only for short sessions at first until the horse becomes more comfortable. Then, you can gradually increase the speed intensity and duration of bit contact. Good luck!

Have you ever wondered how the truly successful horse racing bettors got started? I’m talking about those who have an enviable standard of living and yet don’t seem to have a job. You know the type.

Betting on horses is something that many people have done at one time or another, but most people don’t know a great deal about the ins and outs of horse racing Betting.

In this article, Iam discusing one of two scientifically proven systems. The Peaking racing system which you can use to quickly pick out consistent winners that pay up to $37.60 or a win.

What is the Peaking Racing System.

At any horse racing meeting in the world, the most basic information supplied to betters will be the horse’s form. Simply put,form is simply the result of the 3 to 4 races the horse ran. For Example: 0X423 Mella

The above means that the horse Mella above came third at its last race, second at its second last race, fourth at its third last race, had a break from racing (as indicated by X) and came either 10 or above just before it took the break.

To understand the Codes, read the numbers and letters from right to left, with the first number or letter on the right being the result of the latest race and second number or letter on right being the result of the second most recent race, etc. The X – Means ‘Spell’ and simply means the horse took a break from racing O – Means the horse came 10 or above in the race F – Means the jockey fell in the race 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 & 9 – Represents the position the horse finished the race.

What system can you use? If you have understood those numbers,now this is the peaking system you can use.

Look for horses that are peaking with form. We do this by glancing through the latest three starts a horse has had. When we do this we are looking for the following.The horse must have come second and third in its last two starts therefore the last two form should look like this: 32 Horse’s name for its third last start the horse must have come either 4,5,6,7,8 or 9. We don’t care what it came for its fourth start and onwards.So You should look for horses that have their last three starts looking like this: 432 or 532 or 632 or 732 or 832 or 932

Why choose horses with the above form? This is because horses with the above form are simply peaking and will run very well.However do not expect to win or a place every timebbecause there are many other variables that affect the outcome of a race.

But if I were to use only form to select winners, this is exactly what I’d use. In fact if you glance through any form guide, you’ll see a number of horses with form that’s 321. These horses have already peaked and won but now will face tougher competition because of the recent win. This is why you have to get them just before they win that is to say,when the last two digits of the form are 32.

Some people have reported to have used variations of the system described here with exceptional results. They bet on horses with improving form over the last three starts, irrespective of whether the latest two numbers are 3 and 2. Example: 642, 863, 752, etc. How you end up using this system is entirely up to you! I would suggest you experiment with the various combinations and stick to the one that works best for you.

This system does not only stop at horse betting, but you can use this system for gallops/flats, jumping events, harness racing and also greyhound racing. I recommend you use the same amount to bet for a win and place (Eachway Betting) so you collect something if the horse or dog comes in first, second or third.

Got is? Just by using this simple betting plan you’ll be way ahead of the majority of the punters out there.

The other secrets that professional punters use to grow their betting bank into thousands of dollars, quickly is called the Absorption Staking Plan.The Absorption Staking Plan helps you to withstand up to 30 straight losses, yet have enough money to continue betting from the same betting bank.
It is even more interesting.

M.Planet Lubowa
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/detailed-analysis-of-horse-betting-system-using-form-only-to-quickly-pick-out-consistent-winners-114761.html

To get into the Welsh College of Horticulture in Northop you need to pass an assessment, where you’re expected to mount/dismount the horse properly, be able to trot, canter and jump. I haven’t ridden properly for a few years now though I used to do all this stuff. Can anyone give me a few tips on how to get through it please? Many thanks, $oph x

I think the best thing to do is with anything, just practice!

Like all assessments, the examiners are going to be looking for someone who shows potential. No school wants to take on board a ‘know-it-all’…if they did that, what the heck would they teach them?!

So, I think the best tip I can give you is practice, be prepared and try your hardest and if you show confidence and potential along with hard work and determination, they should pass you with flying colours

good luck!

HORSE BETTING TIPS

The Guardian’s coverage is pretty good, IMO. UKracing.net is good for fans in the US, but is mainly limited to the races that are simulcast in the US.

You’ve loved horses ever since you were a kid and have always dreamed of owning one. You’ve spent the last three years taking horseback riding lessons. You know how to tack up, muck out, and have read just about every book out there on the care and feeding of horses. No one can doubt that you’ve put your time in. Horses are no fleeting fancy, but are a hobby that is here to stay!

So, are you ready to buy your first horse? Well, before you break out your checkbook you need to take stock of a few things in your life to determine whether horse ownership is right for you.

â?¢ Do you have the knowledge? How much time have you really spent around horses, and has it been hands-on? If you ride at a fancy stable that tacks and untacks your horse for you then guess what? You aren’t having the full horse experience! Make sure you know what is really involved in caring for, feeding, and cleaning up after your horse. A great way to learn about all that is involved in horse ownership, without making a long-term commitment, is to lease a horse. Try leasing a horse for a year or two and then decide if horse ownership is really for you.

â?¢ Now that you know what is involved, do you have the desire? Horse ownership is a tremendous amount of work. Are you up for it? If you aren’t, that’s perfectly okay. If you really love riding horses but don’t enjoy all the extra stuff that goes along with them, then why not just keep taking riding lessons? Ask yourself what you really love about horses. If you love things like mucking out, grooming, feeding, and taking care of horses, then you would probably make a great horse owner!

â?¢ Do you have the time for horse ownership? No more showing up at the barn, riding for an hour, and then heading home to your real life. When you are a horse owner, horses are your real life. If you travel frequently, can’t or don’t want to commit to a regular schedule, or have a very busy work or family life, then this might not be the right time in your life for horse ownership. Remember, horses must be fed, watered, and cared for according to schedule, and it’s up to you to be able to maintain that schedule.

â?¢ Do you have the space for a horse? You either need good accommodations at home, or you need to find a place to board your horse. If you are keeping your horse at home, at the very least he needs two grassy acres, a run-in shed, and an adequate water supply. If you keep your horse at home you also need to know that he’ll appreciate some company. It’s best if you have room for an additional horse, a goat, or some other companionable animal.

Remember, owning a horse is hard work and can be extremely taxing on your time and resources. Before you embark on the exciting journey of horse ownership, make sure you are ready!

Michael
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/are-you-ready-to-buy-your-first-horse-98037.html