A horse can be expensive to keep with feed, tack, vet, farrier, vaccinations, stable tools, lessons, fencing, shelter, bedding, and supplies. Many of these are recurring monthly costs. So before going shopping and buying into horse ownership, make sure you are ready for the financial commitment.
Owning a horse can help bring a family together and help teach responsibility to children. A family horse encourages teamwork in caring for the horse and to take part in the enjoyment of riding activities. When other family members are interested in contributing to the caring of the horse, it is a lot of fun spending time together doing chores and riding as a family.
The hard work of caring for a horse helps children develop a good work ethic. Also, children gain self-assurance when being around and handling a large horse. These characteristics will carry into adulthood.
Horses must be cared for every day of the year regardless of holidays, vacations, illness, or times of crisis. If you are going to be away at any time, you need someone readily available and dependable to care for your horse in your absence. Horses not only need to be fed, but their stall will need regular cleaning. You will also need to be available for vet and farrier visits.
If you can’t make this type of commitment, it is best to keep your horse at a boarding stable and pay someone else to take care of your horse. Costs will be much higher, and you won't be able to spend as much time with your horse, but your worries will be fewer. Boarding stables may provide ways to reduce costs such as allowing you to work occasionally around the stable doing chores such as mucking stalls, feeding and grooming, and exercising horses.
Alternatives to Owning a Horse
There are alternatives to horse ownership if you decide you are not quite ready. Taking riding lessons allows you to be around horses while improving your riding skills. You get to participate in all the fun activities without having all the hard work and other expenses.
Horse camps are just about everywhere for both adults and children and allow you to spend lots of time with horses. These camps are designed to teach you horsemanship and provide extensive training and riding.
Leasing a horse is a good option if you are uncertain about a long-term commitment. With a leased horse, you have the full responsibility of ownership, but if you later decide keeping your own horse is not for you, or the horse is not suitable, you are not stuck with the horse.
Co-ownership with a friend who is also a horse enthusiast is another way to reduce or share chores and expenses. You both get the enjoyment of having a horse, but with less cost and labor. This also allows you to more easily schedule for vacations.
Learn more easy and practical basic horse care information.
Sunday, December 02, 2012
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Horse Treats
Horse's love treats. Making homemade horse treats is easy and your horse will love them. Horse cookies and other goodies are easy to make and can be
done using ingredients that you most likely already have. In addition to giving the traditional apple or carrot treat, you can find a small recipe collection for some homemade horse treats provided
to us by various folks and gathered from around the web. Our horse enjoys them all.
Horse treat recipes
Horse treat recipes
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Tidbits from Front Range Frenzy...June 4, 2011
Front Range Frenzy
Easy and practical horse care information in recognition of the spirit and freedom associated with the western outdoor lifestyle of the Rocky Mountain region and a love of horses for which we share this wonderful land.Horse Quotes / Jokes
Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. ~W.C. Fields
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Q) What animal has more "hands" than feet?A) Why, a horse, of course!
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Q) What is the best type of story to tell a runaway horse?
A) A tale of WHOA!
Q) What is the best type of story to tell a runaway horse?
A) A tale of WHOA!
Horse Treat Recipe
Donny’s Delicious Munchies
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry oats
- 1 cup shredded carrots and apples
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup water
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Mix together dry ingredients
- Mix in remaining ingredients
- Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown
Mini Poll Results
In our last survey we asked, “Where do you usually buy hay?”. Here are the results from 148 voters:
Local Farmer – 14%
Local Feed Store – 57%
Grow Your Own – 14%
Other Source - 15%
----------
Place your vote in our current mini-poll, “Saddle – Leather or Synthetic”
Top Ten Search Terms
Ever wonder if other horse enthusiasts search for the same things as you do? Here are the top ten search terms used last month to find the Front Range Frenzy website (frontrangefreny.com).
- horse anatomy
- parts of a horse
- horse treat recipes
- anatomy of a horse
- horse information
- horse teeth floating
- how to make a rope halter
- horse info
- horse parts
- teeth floating
Test Your Horse Knowledge
(answers are shown further below)
1) How soon after birth can a new foal stand on its feet?
- A few weeks after birth
- A few minutes after birth
- A few hours after birth
- A few years after birth
- A few days after birth
2) On average, which is the lightest of the following horse breeds?
- Morgan
- Percheron
- Standardbred
- Arabian
3) Who was the first horse to win the Triple Crown?
- Gallent Fox
- Aristides
- Omar Khayyam
- Sir Barton
- Omaha
4) Where did the Quarterhorse get its name?
- The first Quarterhorse stallion was bartered for in exchange for a quarter ton of cornmeal.
- They were used to run quarter mile races.
- They originated from four other breeds; hence, they are a quarter of each.
5) In what season do horses sleep the most?
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
How to Give Your Horse a Shot
As a horse owner, you may be required to give your horse vaccines on occasion. If you are not comfortable giving your horse a shot, then you should have your veterinarian or someone who’s had experience administer the shot. Knowing how to give your horse routine vaccinations can save you fees for ranch visits by your vet or the hassle of trailering your horse to the vet. Have your vet teach you how to administer shots so you know how to give vaccinations in the future.
Many vaccines are administered through intramuscular injections into a large muscle mass. Giving your horse an intramuscular shot is not difficult to learn. Intramuscular injections are administered so the medication is injected into your horse’s muscle mass.
The type of medication and dosage your horse needs and how it is to be administered should be determined by your vet. After giving your horse any shots, replace the plastic cover over the needle and place along with syringes in a sealable container and take them to your veterinarian's office for disposal.
Before administering the shot, brush away any noticeable dirt from the injection area. Using a sterile needle and syringe is more important in the prevention of infections to the injection area than thoroughly cleaning the site.
Your horse will most likely allow you to administer a shot without any objection; however, you should always have a handler when giving your horse a shot. You and the handler should be on the same side. If your horse pulls while giving the shot, move with the horse and continue the injection when it calms down. If your horse tries to kick, the horse’s head should be pulled toward the handler to make the horse swing its back-end away from you.
The base of your horse's neck is a preferred location for administering a shot. It allows you to remain in a fairly safe area by your horse's shoulder. Locate the injection area by placing the heel of your hand on the base of your horse's neck where it joins the shoulder and midway between the top and bottom of the neck. The injection area is the part covered by your palm.
When giving the shot, insert the needle perpendicular into the muscle and all the way to the hub where it attaches to the syringe so that it is deep into the muscle mass. Insert the needle with a quick stab.
Next, attach the syringe and pull back slightly on the plunger (aspirate) before injecting any medication. If any blood is drawn when pulling back the plunger, you will need to pull the needle out and start over in a new area with a clean needle. If there is no blood drawn, then slowly inject the medication.
A method some use to distract their horse from the stick of a needle is to pinch the horse’s skin next to the injection site for a few moments. Then while holding the pinched skin, insert the needle into the injection site.
Discuss with your vet about any signs of allergic reaction before administering any medication to your horse. Observe your horse for any signs of allergic reaction for about 60 minutes after giving an injection.
Answers to Test Your Horse Knowledge
1) How soon after birth can a new foal stand on its feet?
A few minutes after birth
2) On average, which is the lightest of the following horse breeds?
Arabian
3) Who was the first horse to win the Triple Crown?
Sir Barton
4) Where did the Quarterhorse get its name?
They were used to run quarter mile races.
5) In what season do horses sleep the most?
Summer
Sunday, May 15, 2011
How to Give Your Horse a Shot
As a horse owner, you may be required to give your horse vaccines on occasion. If you are not comfortable giving your horse a shot, then you should have your veterinarian or someone who’s had experience administer the shot. Knowing how to give your horse routine vaccinations can save you fees for ranch visits by your vet or the hassle of trailering your horse to the vet. Have your vet teach you how to administer shots so you know how to give vaccinations in the future.
Many vaccines are administered through intramuscular injections into a large muscle mass. Giving your horse an intramuscular shot is not difficult to learn. Intramuscular injections are administered so the medication is injected into your horse’s muscle mass.
The type of medication and dosage your horse needs and how it is to be administered should be determined by your vet. After giving your horse any shots, replace the plastic cover over the needle and place along with syringes in a sealable container and take them to your veterinarian's office for disposal.
Before administering the shot, brush away any noticeable dirt from the injection area. Using a sterile needle and syringe is more important in the prevention of infections to the injection area than thoroughly cleaning the site.
Your horse will most likely allow you to administer a shot without any objection; however, you should always have a handler when giving your horse a shot. You and the handler should be on the same side. If your horse pulls while giving the shot, move with the horse and continue the injection when it calms down. If your horse tries to kick, the horse’s head should be pulled toward the handler to make the horse swing its back-end away from you.
The base of your horse's neck is a preferred location for administering a shot. It allows you to remain in a fairly safe area by your horse's shoulder. Locate the injection area by placing the heel of your hand on the base of your horse's neck where it joins the shoulder and midway between the top and bottom of the neck. The injection area is the part covered by your palm.
When giving the shot, insert the needle perpendicular into the muscle and all the way to the hub where it attaches to the syringe so that it is deep into the muscle mass. Insert the needle with a quick stab.
Next, attach the syringe and pull back slightly on the plunger (aspirate) before injecting any medication. If any blood is drawn when pulling back the plunger, you will need to pull the needle out and start over in a new area with a clean needle. If there is no blood drawn, then slowly inject the medication.
A method some use to distract their horse from the stick of a needle is to pinch the horse’s skin next to the injection site for a few moments. Then while holding the pinched skin, insert the needle into the injection site.
Discuss with your vet about any signs of allergic reaction before administering any medication to your horse. Observe your horse for any signs of allergic reaction for about 60 minutes after giving an injection.
How to give your horse a shot.
Many vaccines are administered through intramuscular injections into a large muscle mass. Giving your horse an intramuscular shot is not difficult to learn. Intramuscular injections are administered so the medication is injected into your horse’s muscle mass.
The type of medication and dosage your horse needs and how it is to be administered should be determined by your vet. After giving your horse any shots, replace the plastic cover over the needle and place along with syringes in a sealable container and take them to your veterinarian's office for disposal.
Before administering the shot, brush away any noticeable dirt from the injection area. Using a sterile needle and syringe is more important in the prevention of infections to the injection area than thoroughly cleaning the site.
Your horse will most likely allow you to administer a shot without any objection; however, you should always have a handler when giving your horse a shot. You and the handler should be on the same side. If your horse pulls while giving the shot, move with the horse and continue the injection when it calms down. If your horse tries to kick, the horse’s head should be pulled toward the handler to make the horse swing its back-end away from you.
The base of your horse's neck is a preferred location for administering a shot. It allows you to remain in a fairly safe area by your horse's shoulder. Locate the injection area by placing the heel of your hand on the base of your horse's neck where it joins the shoulder and midway between the top and bottom of the neck. The injection area is the part covered by your palm.
When giving the shot, insert the needle perpendicular into the muscle and all the way to the hub where it attaches to the syringe so that it is deep into the muscle mass. Insert the needle with a quick stab.
Next, attach the syringe and pull back slightly on the plunger (aspirate) before injecting any medication. If any blood is drawn when pulling back the plunger, you will need to pull the needle out and start over in a new area with a clean needle. If there is no blood drawn, then slowly inject the medication.
A method some use to distract their horse from the stick of a needle is to pinch the horse’s skin next to the injection site for a few moments. Then while holding the pinched skin, insert the needle into the injection site.
Discuss with your vet about any signs of allergic reaction before administering any medication to your horse. Observe your horse for any signs of allergic reaction for about 60 minutes after giving an injection.
How to give your horse a shot.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Online Horse Tack and Horse Classifieds
Searching for horse tack and horses using online classifieds is a great time saver.
Using online resources, you can find horse tack for sale including all equestrian equipment, saddles, and apparel. Find horses for sale or lease or leave horse wanted ads.
Horse Tack and Horse Classifieds
Using online resources, you can find horse tack for sale including all equestrian equipment, saddles, and apparel. Find horses for sale or lease or leave horse wanted ads.
Horse Tack and Horse Classifieds
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Tidbits from Front Range Frenzy...February 19, 2011
Front Range Frenzy
Easy and practical horse care information in recognition of the spirit and freedom associated with the western outdoor lifestyle of the Rocky Mountain region and a love of horses for which we share this wonderful land.Easy and Practical Horse Care Information
Horse Quotes / Jokes
He flung himself upon his horse and rode madly off in all directions. ~Stephen Leacock A dog may be man's best friend, but the horse wrote history. ~Author Unknown
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(Q) What did Mr. Ed say to the throat specialist?
(A) I'm feeling a little hoarse!
JUNIOR: Daddy, there's a man at the circus who jumps on a horse's back, slips underneath his belly, catches hold of its tail and finishes on the horse's neck!
FATHER: That's nothing. I did all that the first time I rode a horse!
Horse Treat Recipe
Banana-Glazed Apple
Ingredients
1 apple
1 banana
1 handful of ice cubes
Directions
1. Peel and cut banana
2. Place banana and ice cubes into a blender
3. Chop and blend until creamy
4. Cut apple top off and carve out the middle
5. Fill the apple with the blended banana
6. Pour rest of banana over the sides of the apple
7. Serve
Mini Poll Results
In our last survey we asked about your preference in hay bundles.
Here are the results from 109 voters:
Small square bales – 55%
Large square bales – 0%
Round bales – 0%
Compressed bales - 22%
Other - 23%
----------
Place your vote in our current mini-poll, “Where Do You Usually Buy Hay”
Top Ten Search Terms
Ever wonder if other horse enthusiasts search for the same things as you do? Here are the top ten search terms used last month to find the Front Range Frenzy website (frontrangefreny.com).
- horse anatomy
- parts of a horse
- horse information
- horse treat recipes
- horse teeth floating
- parts of a saddle
- floating horses teeth
- saddling a horse
- how to make a rope halter
- horse parts
Sierra Trading Post
Check out Sierra Trading Post for all your hiking, camping, outdoor and sporting gear. They have a huge selection at low prices.
Test Your Horse Knowledge
(answers are shown further below)
1) In what year did Secretariat win the Triple Crown?
a. 1968
b. 1978
c. 1977
d. 1973
e. 1974
2) Who brought the first horses to Australia in 1788?
a. Governor Hope
b. Governor Brumby
c. Governor Phillip
d. Governor Rockingham
3) What is a horse's "pastern"?
a. Part of the lower leg
b. Part of the upper leg
c. Part of the head
d. Part of the back
4) What's the name of the water horse of fairy mythology?
a. Pegasus
b. Incitatus
c. Naicephelus
d. Naquine
e. Kelpie
5) Which of the following is NOT a competition that takes place during three day eventing?
a. Saddle Seat Equitation
b. Show Jumping
c. Cross Country Jumping
d. Dressage
Snaffle Bit or Curb Bit? Know the Difference in Horse Bits
A piece of horse tack, known as a bit, is often used by horsemen to communicate with their horse while riding. The bit rests inside the horse's mouth in the back on the gums where there are no teeth (also known as the bars) and is held in place with a bridle. There are a number of bit designs - some common ones include:
- Snaffle bit - consists of the bit mouthpiece with rings attached on each side and works by applying direct pressure without leverage on the mouth. It applies pressure on the bars, tongue and corner of the mouth.
- Curb bit - uses a type of lever called a shank placing pressure on the bars, tongue, and roof of the mouth. The rider's signal is also felt over the horse's poll and on the chin though use of a curb strap.
Answers to Test Your Horse Knowledge
1) In what year did Secretariat win the Triple Crown?
d. 1973
2) Who brought the first horses to Australia in 1788?
c. Governor Phillip
3) What is a horse's "pastern"?
a. Part of the lower leg
4) What's the name of the water horse of fairy mythology?
e. Kelpie
5) Which of the following is NOT a competition that takes place during three day eventing?
a. Saddle Seat Equitation
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Buying a Horse
What you need to know before you go horse shopping.
Most important is the horse you choose is safe and fun!
When horse shopping, keep in mind a good saddle horse is one that is comfortable with a saddle on its back, is gentle in nature, and is in good health. He should have the ability to carry a rider your size, be able to ride for long periods of time, and have a good disposition. Also, keep in mind who in your family will be riding your horse. If you are not the only rider, then you will need to base purchasing decisions with the least proficient rider in mind. If both adults and children will be riding, then the size of the horse will become particularly important. You will need a horse tall enough to accommodate the adults, but is short enough for children to feel comfortable upon.
You want a horse that you can ride now, based on your riding skill. A beginning rider will need a quieter, gentler horse than someone with riding experience. Some horses "spook" easily, have bad habits such as bucking or stopping abruptly, are "spirited" and need to be run to use up some of their energy before calming down--all of which may make these horses unsuitable for you. Other traits to evaluate are if the horse is halter broken, if it is jumpy or fidgety when being saddled, or tries to nip or bite at you.
continue reading... more on Buying a Horse.
Most important is the horse you choose is safe and fun!
When horse shopping, keep in mind a good saddle horse is one that is comfortable with a saddle on its back, is gentle in nature, and is in good health. He should have the ability to carry a rider your size, be able to ride for long periods of time, and have a good disposition. Also, keep in mind who in your family will be riding your horse. If you are not the only rider, then you will need to base purchasing decisions with the least proficient rider in mind. If both adults and children will be riding, then the size of the horse will become particularly important. You will need a horse tall enough to accommodate the adults, but is short enough for children to feel comfortable upon.
You want a horse that you can ride now, based on your riding skill. A beginning rider will need a quieter, gentler horse than someone with riding experience. Some horses "spook" easily, have bad habits such as bucking or stopping abruptly, are "spirited" and need to be run to use up some of their energy before calming down--all of which may make these horses unsuitable for you. Other traits to evaluate are if the horse is halter broken, if it is jumpy or fidgety when being saddled, or tries to nip or bite at you.
continue reading... more on Buying a Horse.
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