I had good responses to the last post, so thought to share some more working ideas today:
How to Avoid accidents when working with horses is my subject for this post.
Some common suggestions:
-Never work alone if it can be avoided but if you must: be certain that someone knows where you are and notify them when you have finished your work session
-Always tie safety knots (quick releases) or, if working with a horse trained to be clipped, use a 'quick release' clip
-Do not leave the Horse tied and alone
-NEVER tie the Horse to yourself in any fashion
-Do not 'surprise' the horse, speak before touching or handling
-If you do not 'know' the Horse--do not try to handle the Horse
-Dress properly, equestrian clothing is designed for equestrian work
-Be aware of Fire Hazards such as: hay should be stored away from stalls and other working areas; manure piles should be in the open; bedding should be dry when spread and stored in an area away from stalling boxes
In fourty years of working in the Equine business I have seen some accidents that could have been avoided; people injured, horses injured, barns burned, even cars damaged! Since the first observation I have included SAFETY TIPS in all of my instructions to spread general knowledge and help horsepeople become aware and seek to avoid difficulties in a sport which carries inherent danger, without additional casualness in work/enjoyment of the sport.
If you want to discuss any other points on safety or problems which you are coping with now, please feel free to comment!
I want to encourage you to use the tips; take care of YOU AND YOUR HORSE...THANK YOU and HAPPY TRAILS TODAY, PH
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
HELP FOR A FRIEND...
I was thinking about calling my friend; off and on the way one does, when the phone buzzed I wasn't surprised to hear her voice. She had been thinking of calling me all day yesterday...what it that?
She had a student who was ready to buy a horse of his own and she remembered that I had a posting about how to buy one, would I please list it in this Blog? She didn't want to give advice and then sell a horse to the same person...so: sure I would repost it.
But she should not expect that to stop her student. Once the thought of finding and buying that *SPECIAL* horse got into a person's mind...they were intent on taking action!
We shared a laugh, I found the article and here it is...anybody using it is on their own!
JUST GOTTA GET A HORSE OF MY OWN...
buy, lease, lesson-horse, day rides, dude ranching vacation
just gotta, gotta get one for me....!
OK, so that is silly! But horse-fever has struck and being around a horse has become a passionate desire. How to 'get' a horse is the question of the hour. Maybe it is because it is Spring. Maybe I need exercise. Maybe I am bored without pratical action in my passion. Maybe I must be around people who love as I love. Maybe it is the old-fire-horse-analogy: it is what I did--so it is still what I have to do. Whatever...I gotta get onto a Horse!
SO THE QUESTION IS: How can I 'get' a Horse?
The most obvious solution: get one for 'free'. This can mean exchanging rides and care for use (presupposing I have skills); appreticing to a stable or trainer, consider skills again; shoot, even bucking out dude horses or guiding dude strings during the summer would be involvment.
Next: least costly: taking lessons and paying a teacher for use of string horses, will get to ride more than one horse and can go ride as many days as I can afford! Maybe I can work up to exercising for some folks who can't get to their horses (wealthy hobbyists!).
Consider: adopting a horse. This will probably be a 'rescue' horse, it will have some problems, I shall need to 'beware' since I will be buying it. So: have it vetted, arrange transportation, rent or buy a farm (!) space/stall, purchase tackle and equipment, spend about two years 'working out the kinks' (probably with a PRO Trainer/Teacher to whom I will pay enormous amounts of money) and pray, a great deal, as I work toward achieveing 'pleasant' rides.
Or buy a horse from a Seller or Breeder: see above.
This passion is gonna cost me time, physical work, patience, money, so (before I get too involved) let me consider some old 'sayings' because there is truth in old sayings, that is why they are still around:
...Look a gifthorse in the mouth (seek truthfulness)...It costs as much to feed a good one as to feed a bad one (I think this is tied to personal pride and tenacity)...You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink (understanding) and finally...Why could you not have gotten a dog (or cat or gerbil--something easier and cheaper).
Think about these things. Just think about these truths! Take time to project about 'getting' a Horse.
Then, because I know what Passions will do to a Person, accept your responsibility for your actions and smile!Now...what will you name your Horse? Happy Trails to You! wfh/phf
.
She had a student who was ready to buy a horse of his own and she remembered that I had a posting about how to buy one, would I please list it in this Blog? She didn't want to give advice and then sell a horse to the same person...so: sure I would repost it.
But she should not expect that to stop her student. Once the thought of finding and buying that *SPECIAL* horse got into a person's mind...they were intent on taking action!
We shared a laugh, I found the article and here it is...anybody using it is on their own!
JUST GOTTA GET A HORSE OF MY OWN...
buy, lease, lesson-horse, day rides, dude ranching vacation
just gotta, gotta get one for me....!
OK, so that is silly! But horse-fever has struck and being around a horse has become a passionate desire. How to 'get' a horse is the question of the hour. Maybe it is because it is Spring. Maybe I need exercise. Maybe I am bored without pratical action in my passion. Maybe I must be around people who love as I love. Maybe it is the old-fire-horse-analogy: it is what I did--so it is still what I have to do. Whatever...I gotta get onto a Horse!
SO THE QUESTION IS: How can I 'get' a Horse?
The most obvious solution: get one for 'free'. This can mean exchanging rides and care for use (presupposing I have skills); appreticing to a stable or trainer, consider skills again; shoot, even bucking out dude horses or guiding dude strings during the summer would be involvment.
Next: least costly: taking lessons and paying a teacher for use of string horses, will get to ride more than one horse and can go ride as many days as I can afford! Maybe I can work up to exercising for some folks who can't get to their horses (wealthy hobbyists!).
Consider: adopting a horse. This will probably be a 'rescue' horse, it will have some problems, I shall need to 'beware' since I will be buying it. So: have it vetted, arrange transportation, rent or buy a farm (!) space/stall, purchase tackle and equipment, spend about two years 'working out the kinks' (probably with a PRO Trainer/Teacher to whom I will pay enormous amounts of money) and pray, a great deal, as I work toward achieveing 'pleasant' rides.
Or buy a horse from a Seller or Breeder: see above.
This passion is gonna cost me time, physical work, patience, money, so (before I get too involved) let me consider some old 'sayings' because there is truth in old sayings, that is why they are still around:
...Look a gifthorse in the mouth (seek truthfulness)...It costs as much to feed a good one as to feed a bad one (I think this is tied to personal pride and tenacity)...You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink (understanding) and finally...Why could you not have gotten a dog (or cat or gerbil--something easier and cheaper).
Think about these things. Just think about these truths! Take time to project about 'getting' a Horse.
Then, because I know what Passions will do to a Person, accept your responsibility for your actions and smile!Now...what will you name your Horse? Happy Trails to You! wfh/phf
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