Horse Riding Age Limits

Posted on September 29, 2023 by blogeditor

Horse owners with young children are often excited to introduce them to the horse world. But how early is too early? Are there horse riding age limits? Continue reading for some advice on this nuanced question and how to broach the subject with your family. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Are There Horse Riding Age Limits?

Horseback riding is open to all ages and abilities. While there are no official guidelines, most riding schools and camps cater to children aged six and up. This is because a six-year-old is likely to be tall enough to sit safely on a full-sized horse. However, some instructors and riding schools have age limits that are based on their comfort level and the horses they have. These limits are often around nine years old. The physical abilities and health of the rider are more important than age. With proper supervision, children can start riding a smaller horse or pony as young as two or three years old. However, it’s important to consider that very young children benefit from riding early, but more for the enjoyment and sense of ease it gives them.

Consult any experienced rider, and they will emphasize the ongoing learning process. Even Olympic-level equestrians continuously partake in lessons and receive constant coaching. Proficient riders, too, engage in reading books and articles, seek regular instruction, and frequently attend clinics. Achieving excellence in riding demands the guidance of knowledgeable mentors and a trusted instructor. When considering introducing your child to riding, it’s important to assess their ability to concentrate on a task and follow instructions for at least 30 minutes. If they struggle to maintain focus for this duration, it might be advisable to wait until they are a bit older and more mature, as this ensures that your investment in their riding education is well-spent.

Fireproofing Your Horse Barn

Posted on September 29, 2023 by blogeditor

Colorado is known for its dry climate. In fact, much of Colorado is designated as a high desert. Dry climates are a recipe for fires and Colorado has seen its fair share of this type of disaster. Horse owners have a lot at stake when it comes to facing fires. However, there are many things you can do to prevent fires from starting in your stables. Continue reading for some tips on fireproofing your horse barn. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Tips on Fireproofing Your Horse Barn

There are several precautionary measures you can implement to reduce the risk of a fire starting in your horse barn. Firstly, ensure that any heat lamps or space heaters you use are positioned at a safe distance from flammable materials. Make sure to place these heating devices on stable, non-tipping surfaces. In terms of electrical safety, refrain from using extension cords within your barn. Regularly inspect your wiring for any signs of damage, and ensure that all electrical equipment is explicitly labeled for agricultural or commercial use. Installing protective covers for your lightbulbs is essential to shield them from dust, moisture, and breakage.

Since feed, hay, and straw are highly combustible, store them separately from your horses, ideally in a separate space or building. It is advisable to designate your barn as a smoke-free zone, following the guidance of your local fire department. Additionally, ensure that all individuals working in the barn know the proper use of fire extinguishers to swiftly respond to potential emergencies. If you need help fireproofing your barn or horse stables, contact your local fire department. Ask them if they have any resources that you can use to prevent a fire in your stables.

Building Your Own Horse Arena

Posted on July 31, 2023 by blogeditor

Numerous horse owners settle for a makeshift space as a horse arena. Many people use a space close to the barn, fenced off as a temporary area to train their horses. However, in reality, this homemade setup barely qualifies as an arena. Without a solid foundation and suitable footing, maintaining a consistent and safe riding surface for your horse becomes a challenge. If you aim to have a secure and functional arena for your horses, it necessitates careful planning. There’s also dedicated effort, and a financial investment. Continue reading for some tips on building your own horse arena. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Tips To Building Your Own Horse Arena

Before breaking ground, take a moment to organize your thoughts. Consider the ideal location for your home riding arena. While situating it right next to the barn might seem convenient, be cautious if the area is prone to water accumulation. Ensuring proper drainage is crucial for any arena, so avoid selecting a spot that transforms into a perpetual pond, if possible.

Next, assess the soil type in the chosen site. Understanding the soil composition will aid in planning and construction. Additionally, obtaining a permit is essential. While it might appear excessive for a home riding arena, most counties mandate at least a grading permit when a certain amount of land is disturbed. You might also need an erosion and sediment control permit. Even if you believe you won’t disturb much land, remember that the earth displaced will be approximately twice the size of your arena. So, complying with regulations is a prudent step in the process.

Buying Horses With Personal Loans

Posted on June 26, 2023 by blogeditor

The equestrian realm holds numerous interests, encompassing expansive horse farms and captivating equine breeds. Yet, it is important to acknowledge the expenses, particularly when it comes to acquiring a horse. Should you lack the immediate funds to make an upfront payment for a horse, consider buying horses with personal loans. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that horse financing may not be suitable for everyone. There are several key factors to comprehend before talking to the bank. Continue reading for more in-depth information on the rainfall in Colorado this year. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

The Ins and Outs of Buying Horses With Personal Loans

Acquiring a personal loan for purchasing a horse follows a process akin to obtaining a loan for any other expenditure. Initially, it is advisable to assess your credit score to ascertain the loans for which you qualify. Subsequently, you can embark on the task of exploring different options and comparing loan rates. Your credit score plays a pivotal role in determining your eligibility for a personal loan, as well as the specific terms and loan amounts extended to you. In the event of a poor credit score, you may find yourself confronted with higher interest rates, resulting in a larger overall expenditure for your horse. Alternatively, if you possess no credit history whatsoever, securing any loan at all may pose a challenge.

It is crucial to proceed with a formal loan application only when you are confident that your credit score meets the necessary criteria. Submitting numerous loan applications within a brief timeframe may raise concerns among lenders and potentially hinder your chances of loan approval. Therefore, it is advisable to thoroughly explore different options and compare interest rates on personal loans before making a decision. Just as horses demand significant commitment, loans are equally weighty financial obligations. Hence, it is essential to select a loan that aligns with your financial circumstances and can be realistically repaid. When considering lenders, you may opt for a traditional brick-and-mortar bank, such as Bank of America, for instance.

Prepare Your Horse For The Summer

Posted on May 10, 2023 by blogeditor

During the peak of the summer riding season, your horse’s daily exercise routine will change. The horse requires longer exercise sessions overall and, more importantly, a diverse range of conditioning challenges throughout the week to prepare for this season. Both short and long sessions are beneficial to help the horse achieve the necessary fitness gains. Continue reading for a few tips on how to prepare your horse. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Prepare Your Horse Gradually

To prepare your horse for the season, you can gradually increase their daily exercise sessions. After consistently training the horse four or more days a week with a progressive buildup of low to moderate speeds and intensity for six weeks, most of the exercise sessions should be around 40 to 50 minutes long. Also shorter days, such as groundwork or easy hack days, can be included in the weekly schedule. However, if they begin to occupy a significant portion of the schedule, it can lead to detraining. Try to find a balance that works best with your horse.

After this stage, the duration and intensity of the horse’s conditioning and workouts become more tailored and intricate based on the desired objectives. Typically, the horse’s fitness is enhanced over a four- to six-day work week. This includes sessions lasting between 40 to 50 minutes. Try incorporating one or both of the following: a high-intensity workout and/or an extended low-intensity session. For more specific workout plans, talk to your trainer or vet. If you own more than one horse, then your exercise routines will differ from horse to horse.

Your Horse Fitness Goals

Posted on May 10, 2023 by blogeditor

The fitness goals for your horse are very important. To prevent poor health in horses, it’s important to determine the duration of exercise needed to maintain their bodily systems. While the minimum amount of activity varies depending on age, all horses depend on a basic level of fitness to achieve certain health benefits. These benefits include promoting gastrointestinal motility, clearing secretions from the lungs, and boosting immunity to diseases. They also include lymphatic system function, hoof growth, regulating body temperature, and reducing stiffness and mental stress caused by domestication. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Horse Fitness Goals Maintenance

Twenty-five to thirty minutes of exercise at 40% of the horse’s maximum heart rate will maintain health benefits. Also, this corresponds to a heart rate of approximately 90 beats per minute, which is similar to a brisk walk or easy jog. Engaging in this level of activity for at least four days per week helps sustain the adaptations in the bodily systems mentioned earlier and prepares the horse’s body for more intense conditioning programs in the future. The following is an example of what your horse’s routine should resemble. Remember, consult your horse vet or trainer before changing your horse’s routine.

Sunday—Resting period
Monday— 25 minutes of walking
Tuesday— 20 minutes of lunging
Wednesday— 30 minutes of riding
Thursday— Resting period
Friday— 25 minutes of riding
Saturday— 25 minutes of groundwork exercises

Baling Your Own Hay

Posted on September 20, 2022 by blogeditor

Any horse owner will tell you how important it is to always keep fresh hay on your farm. Baling your own hay is a great way to save money. It may sound complicated, but it easier than you might think. All you’ll need is a wooden hand hay baler, twine, and of course hay. Continue reading for more details. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Baling Your Own Hay Tutorial

Don’t have a wooden hand hay baler? You can actually build one yourself. The most common design can even be found online. Once you have your baler, cut your twine approximately two and a half times the height of the baler. Loop your twin according to the baler instructions. Make sure to tie off the loose twine before putting in your hay. Now fill the baler with as much hay as you can pack in it. Depress the plunger on the baler, making sure to keep your fingers out of harm’s way.

You might have to depress the plunger a few times to get it fully compacted. To tie it off, lift the plunger and put in the open position. Depending on which hand baler you have, the method you tie the twine will differ. Therefore, make sure you follow the directions closely. Once the twine is tied tightly, you’re ready to release the bale and start over. Your homemade bale won’t be the typical giant circle that commercial balers produce. However, you’ll have neat and compact rectangles that will store easily in your shed or barn.

Treating Equine Back Pain

Posted on September 19, 2022 by blogeditor

Equine horse pain can be a serious problem when left untreated. When your horse exhibits signs of back pain, let your vet know as soon as possible. Diagnosing the root of the problem is key to preventing more serious injuries. Continue reading to learn more about how equine horse pain is treated. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Easing Equine Back Pain

Horse back pain could be due to a chronic injury or lameness. In many cases chiropractic care can help correct abnormal proprioception. This is the body’s unconscious perception of position and movement, which blocks nerve pathways. Chiropractic sessions prevent back soreness and chances for more injuries to occur. Another treatment for horse back pain is acupuncture. This procedure triggers endorphin release and sends calming signals to the nervous system. It also dissipates spasms, and brings blood flow to stimulate healing.

Have you ever heard of shock wave therapy? This procedure sends a pressure wave into the tissue. It increases the blood flow and new blood vessel formation, essentially helping the body heal from the inside. It also breaks up the scarring of tight, shortened muscles. With proper management and therapy, most horses with back pain can be rehabbed back. Having a good relationship with your horse clinician will make the process go smoothly. Make sure you exhaust any questions that you have about procedures before they take place.

Summer Horse Safety Tips

Posted on September 19, 2022 by blogeditor

Did you know that horses are very proficient sweaters? It’s true! This means that they are some of the most efficient animals at cooling themselves. However, they are not immune to the sun or heat stress. Though Colorado seems colder weather than many other states, it still gets very hot in the summer. Continue reading for some horse safety tips for the summer heat. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Horse Safety Tips

On hot summer days, make sure your horse has access to fresh water. Before exercising your horse, calculate the horse heat index. To do this add the day’s temperature in Fahrenheit plus the percentage of humidity. For example, if it’s 75 degrees outside with 65 percent humidity, the horse heat index is 140.  A horse heat index in the 120 to 150 range is okay to exercise in. Anything above 180 will increase your horse’s chance of heat stress.

During high horse heat indexes, make sure they get break frequently. How much your horse can exercise during high temperatures depends on many factors. If the horse is obese, thin, or has not been in regular work, begin with slow short workouts and very gradually increase time and intensity to allow the horse to acclimate. Many horse owners will avoid the hottest part of the day by riding in the early morning or later evening. Riding trails with plenty of tree shade or covered riding arenas are preferred.

Does Your Horse Need A Grazing Muzzle?

Posted on August 19, 2022 by blogeditor

Did you know that the overconsumption of pasture grass can cause obesity in horses. It has been reported that excessive pasture intake accounts for nearly 50 percent of all reported cases of laminitis. Laminitis is the inflammation of sensitive layers of tissue inside the hoof in horses. Continue reading to find out how you can help reduce risk with a horse grazing muzzle. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

A Horse Grazing Muzzle

Grazing muzzles are great because they reduce your horses bite size. They also restrict access to the entire grass leaf. Horses with grazing muzzles on can only really eat the top of the grass leaf. This is where the concentrations of sugar tend to be the lowest. Muzzled horses tend to graze larger areas and for longer periods. Therefore owners do not have to make big changes to their pastures. In addition, your horse will get more exercise as it has to move around more to graze. Weight loss will also reduce your horse’s risk of certain diseases.

Though sometimes clinicians ask owners to totally restrict their horse’s grazing, this is not always necessary. Grazing muzzles are a great alternative to total grazing restrictions. For example, horses predisposed to a metabolic disorder can still benefit from restricted grazing. So how do you know if your horse could benefit from a grazing muzzle? First determine the horse’s laminitis risk. Of course there are other factors for horse laminitis to consider like breed, age, and sex. Ponies are actually more commonly affected by laminitis than full sized horses. Ponies graze too much when given unrestricted access to pastures. Therefore, many pony owners in Colorado also own grazing muzzles to encourage weight loss.