The Thoroughbred horse originated in the 17th century from three horses brought from the Middle East to England. Three stallions, the Darley Arabian, the Godophin Arabian, and Byerly Turk, along with thirty to forty mares were brought to England and bred to form the horse we know today. Ninety-five percent of today's Thoroughbred pedigrees trace back to the Darley Arabian.

Only the best offspring were allowed to continue to breed to build a fast horse. Often times owner's did not even name their horses until they had proven themselves on the race track.

In America the first Thoroughbred horse was imported in 1730 and was named Bulle Rock. In Colonial America, Maryland and Virginia were the centers for breeding thoroughbreds.

A common mistake some people make is to refer to any purebred horse as a Thoroughbred. This is not an accurate statement. The Thoroughbred horse is a distinctive breed of horse.

Thoroughbred horses are listed in the group of horses known as "hot blooded" horses. This term refers to any horse breed that is bred for speed and agility.

Thoroughbred horses are among some of the most expensive horses in the world to own. One colt in Florida recently sold for 16 million dollars, and has yet to run a race. It fetched such a high price because reportedly it is descendent from two Kentucky Derby winners.

One of the main reasons why Thoroughbred horses are among the most expensive in the world is that owners of stallions cannot use artificial insemination of mares, like other breeds can. Each mating between a stallion and mare must be witnessed by a person. This means stallions can only service at most a couple of hundred mares a year, versus several thousand that would be possible through artificial insemination.

Thoroughbred horses aren't only used for racing; their speed and agility make them valuable in other sports as well. These horses can be used in jumping contests, dressage, and polo contests.

Two of the most famous horses in history have been Thoroughbreds. Man O' War and Secretariat, are each considered the greatest race horses of all time by their respective fans, having unprecedented numbers of wins.

Thoroughbred racehorses continue to grow in value as the popularity of horseracing grows. Next time you tune into watch the Kentucky Derby you'll realize there is a lot more to these horses than what they show you on the track.

Below are the most important vaccines for a pleasure horse to receive as recommended by the AAEP. The first four recommendations are considered basic required vaccines, and the last two vaccines are optional.

1. Equine Encephalomyelitis (Eastern and Western) vaccination is recommended once per year in the spring. Encephalomyelitis is a disease carried by mosquitoes and is found in all 48 continental states. It is a virus that affects the nervous system. Clinical signs range from fever, weakness, to sudden death. Certain areas have a higher incidence of this disease than others.

2. Another mandatory vaccine is Tetanus, this is recommended once a year in the spring. Tetanus is a disease caused by bacteria called Clostridium. Normally this disease is seen in penetrating injuries, like stepping on a nail. The clinical signs are muscular stiffness. The horse is unable to move, and death could result if not treated.

3. Equine Rhinopneumonitis is recommended one to two times per year and prior to horse shows. Rhinopneumonitis is caused by a herpes virus. Clinical signs are typically abortions and pneumonia. This virus spreads rapidly between horses so vaccination is a must.

4. Equine Influenza vaccine is recommended once to twice a year or prior to shows as well. This virus can cause severe pneumonia in horses. Like Rhinopneumonitis, this too spreads rapidly between horses. Often times if there is a known outbreak of this disease, horse shows will be cancelled.

These last two vaccines are recommended only if your vet recommends them. Typically the decision to vaccinate for these last two diseases is done if there is this disease present in the region.

5. Streptococcus Equi, also know as Strangles, is often given as an intranasal vaccine. Almost all horse owners are familiar with Strangles. This disease is caused by a bacteria that makes the horses lymph nodes swell up, making it difficult for the horse to breath, hence the name Strangles.

6. Potomac Horse Fever vaccine is another optional vaccination. This disease primarily happens to horses who liver near water. The bacteria that causes this disease is linked to snails, and the clinical signs include colic and laminitis.

By following a basic vaccine protocol for pleasure horses from the AAEP you can keep your horse healthy. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian before starting any vaccines.

There are many types of first aid kits on the market, but it is unlikely you'll find one specifically for horses so you will likely have to modify one that you buy or build your own from scratch. Either way, make sure it contains the basics and put it in a place that is easily seen.

First of all it is important to have some antibiotic cream. Usually any triple antibiotic cream will work. Some horses tend to get scratched, especially on trail rides or walking next to fences. Obviously this antibiotic cream should only be applied to small scratches and not into the eyes. For larger scratches a veterinarian will likely need to suture them closed and put the horse on injectable antibiotics.

You will also need bandaging equipment. Vetwrap, tefla pads, and medical porous tape are a good start. Make sure you buy the largest tefla pads you can find. These might be hard to find, but an army supply store usually has large field bandages that are a good size for a horse. Also, you'll need a scissors to cut these bandages.

Antiseptic ointments or creams are also another must for a basic kit. It is always best to clean and apply antiseptic to wounds prior to applying antibiotic cream and bandaging them. Your veterinarian can advise you about what would be best.

For long trail rides it is usually good to prepare for occasional bee stings. Usually your veterinarian will give you some anti-histamine if your horse is allergic to bee stings.

To round out your emergency kit, it is also a good idea to keep towels, hoof trimmers, and a knife. A wire cutter is also a must in case your horse has an accident with a fence.

By keeping some basic emergency supplies in a first aid kit you can rapidly attend to your horses needs. Contact your veterinarian and they even might be able to give you specific medication for your horse. For example if your horse is prone to allergies they can give you the medication to keep with you on trail rides.

Put all of your supplies in a plastic box or rucksack and remember to keep them in a highly visible place. You don't want to be in an emergency and not know where your emergency kit is, the one you put all your hard work into trying to put together.

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When dealing with horse lameness you have to be observant. Often times horse lameness is temporary and goes away with just rest. Other times the lameness can be quite severe and further veterinary care is needed.

Lameness is often seen when the horse is trotting. If your horse is lame you will notice a different gait to the horse. There are often a large number of signs to watch out for when dealing with a suspected lame horse.

Signs of lameness include; trotting unevenly, a reluctance to bear weight on a leg, throwing the head when trotting, and a reluctance to move.

If you notice any of these signs you should contact your veterinarian immediately, and don't ride your horse. While you may be able to tell which leg is affecting the horse, the veterinarian can identify the exact location that is causing the problem.

The veterinarian will most likely start the examination with observing the horse trotting. After that they will usually start at the foot of the lame leg and work their way up the leg to pinpoint the location of the pain.

When looking at the feet they look for many possible causes of lameness. It could be as simple as an incorrect shoe, or more complicated such as navicular disease or laminitis.

They will feel the hoof for any signs of heat, pain or swelling. Also, uneven wear on the hoof is another sign that there is a problem.

As they work their way up the leg, they feel for any areas of heat or swelling. They also palpate the tendon and joint areas for any signs of pain.

The two most common sources of lameness originate in the foot. Laminitis is an inflammation of the hoof wall, usually caused by an improper diet or an infection. A diet too high in grain can cause laminitis. Also, an infection somewhere else on the horse's body could cause laminitis to develop in the foot.

Navicular disease, the other most common cause of lameness in horses, also affects the foot. The navicular bone is located at the back of the foot and is an area of tendon and ligament attachment. Being an area where a lot of motion happens, even the slightest inflammation can cause the horse to be lame.

By knowing what signs to look for in your horse you'll be able to detect lameness early. The best treatment is always prevention. By feeding your horse a nutritious diet and seeing a farrier and vet on a regular basis you can prevent most forms of horse lameness.

Colic means literally a pain in the abdomen. When a horse "colics," this means that the horse is acting painful, and it appears that the pain is coming from the abdomen.

Horse colic can vary greatly in severity. Some colics will go away with just taking your horse for a walk, but other forms of colic will require surgery, and can be life threatening. So if you think your horse has colic you should contact your Veterinarian immediately.

There are many possible causes of colic. One possible cause of colic could be from a changing diet. The diet could be too high in grain or maybe there is moldy hay in the feed. Another possible cause is when a segment of the horse's intestine twists in the abdomen, this happens not infrequently in horses. Generally your Veterinarian can diagnose this by ultrasound, palpation, or by use of a stethoscope. To cure this type of colic, surgery is often required. This means you have to take your horse to the Veterinary hospital. Colic surgery in horses is very expensive costing $2,000 at a minimum. Plus the hospitalization is rather extensive too.

Some common treatments for mild colics could include products that relive the pain like analgesics called Banamine or Aspirin. Also, mineral oil is used sometimes if it is thought that extra lubrication in the intestines would help the pain pass. Sometimes in severe cases intestines can rupture which often leads to death. But with proper feeding and care you can prevent most cases of colic.

Often times when calling your Veterinarian about your horse having colic they will often advise you to not let your horse try to lay down and roll over. If they are in pain many horses will try and lay down and roll around on the ground trying to relieve the pain. It is important to prevent this as a horse can do even more damage to themselves in this condition.

A secondary problem often overlooked when horses colic is that lameness could develop. This is a disease of the feet which is also a very common problem of horses.

If you think your horse has colic you should contact your Veterinarian immediately, even if it's late at night. When your horse has colic minutes and hours count towards finding a resolution to the problem.

Another important thing to be aware of is that some horses are more prone to colic than other ones. This is a question you should ask a horse owner if you are thinking about buying their horse.

By becoming aware of the common disease conditions in horses you can catch them earlier and provide relief earlier. If you have more questions on colic, or think your horse may have colic, be sure to contact your Veterinarian.

There are several ways a horse can communicate. Vocalization and visually are just two of them. Horses have several different kinds of vocalizations.

A "neigh" is usually used as a greeting call, but is most often used during times that a foal is separated from its mare. A foal and mare that are separated will often neigh repeatedly until brought back together.

A "nicker" is often used by horses to indicate a care response. This is most often used when a horse and foal are reunited. Horse may also "nicker" at their owners, which is a sign of affection.

Snorts and roars can be used between horses and are often used when horses meet new horses. Roars can be used to help establish dominance in a new herd. Another interesting thing that happens when horses meet is that they usually put their noses together, nostril to nostril, to smell each other.

In terms of visual signs a horse gives, the most easily observed are those of the ears. The ears can be held in several positions and they all mean different things.

If the ears are held upright and erect this means the horse is alert or scared. You will often see a horse's ear become erect after a loud noise, or when new horses are in the area.

If you see the ears laid back down this is an aggressive posture. It is often seen when horses are aggressive towards one another or their owner.

The way a horse communicates and acts can be based on several things.

1. Personality: Just like humans, horses each have a distinct personality. Also certain breeds of horses tend to have different personalities. You might often hear the term "hot blooded breed" when someone refers to certain breeds of horses.

2. Environment: Naturally if a horse is in a new or loud environment, like a show, it might act more nervous than it would if it's in your backyard. Some very experienced show horses are not even bothered by loud noises and often ignore them.

3. Owner: Animals tend to take on the temperament of their owners sometimes. An owner who acts nervous and speaks loudly will have a horse that tends to be nervous. An owner who is calm and confident can expect the same of their horse.

4. Genetics: This goes back to the old "nature versus nurture" argument. There is no doubt that genetics plays a large role in how a horse acts regardless of who the owner is or what environment the horse is in.

5. Training: Good training can play a huge role in changing how a horse behaves. Bad training can just exaggerate an already bad trait in a horse.

The relationship between horse and man is thousands of years old, but we keep learning more about horse behavior everyday. By taking the time to learn what different behaviors mean, you can have a better relationship with your horse.

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The Quarter horse was named after its original use for racing quarter mile lengths. The horses were brought over from Europe by some of the original colonists along with their love of racing.

The colonists would race these horses down quarter mile tracks, usually on roads or paths. In order to breed a powerful racing horse they combined the best qualities of several different breeds. Arabian or Turkish stallions were bred to English mares to produce a horse that was well muscled and close to the ground.

Cowboys would eventually start using the Quarter horse to help them herd cattle. Quarter horses proved to be a very agile horse; they could literally turn on a dime. This type of agility proved very useful for the cowboys in rounding up cattle, these horses can turn and accelerate rapidly.

Today, Quarter horses are used in all sorts of horse competitions. They make up 50 percent of all registered horses in the United States. One of the competitions they are used for is called barrel racing. Barrel racing is where the horse must run an obstacle course changing directions quickly to get through the course in the least amount of time. Naturally, this event involving quick changes of directions is a perfect event for the Quarter horse.

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) is the main Quarter horse association in America. The AQHA is also the largest horse association in America boasting over 300,000 members!

A membership to the AQHA cost $35 a year, and gives you access to the many services the AQHA offers. Their website, www.aqha.com, gives a large amount of information and offers a breed registry. Through their website you can search pedigrees back through four generations. Also listed are all show dates and show results.

No matter if you are an exhibitor, a racer, or a cowboy, the AQHA tries to provide individualized service for every segment of the Quarter horse association.

The quarter horse has proven to be one of the fastest and most agile horses alive today. If you want a horse that can turn on a dime and accelerate quickly the American Quarter horse is for you.

A farrier is someone who trims and shoes your horse’s feet. Your horse’s feet should be trimmed and shod at least every two months. Some people recommend different intervals ranging from four to eight weeks, but this interval depends on your horse.

When choosing a farrier you want someone who is professional and treats your horse well. You need them to keep appointments, explain fees, and be well equipped with the tools they need to get the job done.

A great farrier will also take the time to educate you about what they are doing to your horse. A great farrier will put your horse on a regular shoeing schedule, and they often have waiting lists of clients.

Before they trim the foot or fit a shoe the farrier should watch the horse walk and how the hoof contacts the ground. This allows the farrier to know how to correctly trim the foot and where on the foot trimming needs to be done.

Often it is best to find a farrier that is certified. The American Farrier Association is an association that certifies farriers. To get certified requires schooling and mentoring over a period of a few years. To find a certified farrier go to www.americanfarriers.org and click on “Find a Farrier.” There you can search by state, country, or last name for farriers. Each farrier listed has their certification level posted and their city of residence.

Although the American Farrier Association is probably the largest organization in the United States, each state often has its own farrier association. There is no law about not being certified, but this is a good credential for the farrier to have. You should definitely ask your farrier if they are certified, or at least find out how much training they have had and their years of experience.

Often the best way to find a farrier is through personal references and by asking local horse owners who they recommend. Another way to find a farrier is to ask your veterinarian who they recommend. A good farrier needs to be able to work with your veterinarian to help maintain the health of your horse’s feet.

Finding the best farrier you can, will save you money in the long run by keeping your horse healthy and performing well. Once you find a great farrier, stick with him, and you and your horse will be well rewarded.

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History tells us that the Arabian horse originally came from the Middle East. There, desert tribes bred and rode the Arabian horse for war. They proved quick and agile, and able to run a huge distance. Also, many famous people have ridden Arabian horses, like George Washington and Alexander the Great. Although originating in the desert, the Arabian is now found throughout the world.

There are many features of the breed that make an Arabian horse stand out. They have small muzzles, a broad forehead, a classic wedge and dish shaped head, and they stand round 15 hands tall. A few other unique anatomic features include having only 17 ribs, instead of the usual 18, and having only five lumbar vertebrae instead of the usual six. It is the oldest known riding horse, most likely due to its large lung capacity and endurance.

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) runs Arabian Horse Registry of America, which is an association that oversees and maintains pedigrees of purebred Arabian horses in America. Membership costs are low and are required if you want to participate in any AHA horse events.

If you are thinking about buying an Arabian horse, you can visit the AHA website to see if the horse and the owner are registered with AHA. Ask the owner to see a copy of the horse’s registration papers to make sure the horse is a purebred. If you do buy a registered Arabian, make sure you get the correct paper work from the owner so you can register the horse under your name.

By maintaining your new horse as a registered Arabian you can increase your horse's value if you choose to sell him later. The price for a registered Arabian horse can vary from a few thousand to over fifty thousand dollars!

Arabians are exciting horses to be around. Their beauty and history are intriguing and interesting. There is so much more to learn about this breed, that visiting the AHA website would be a good place to continue your learning.

There are many different styles of horse riding that one can choose to learn. The main horse riding styles are Western and English. Western style is easier to learn and not as strict as English style. If you are just riding for fun, look for an instructor that will teach Western style. Although, if you think you might be interested in riding for show, it might be important to learn the English style.

When taking riding lessons make sure you let your instructor know that you are a beginner. This way they will put you on a horse that is slower and well trained. It is important that you get a horse that is easy to ride for your safety and your confidence.

When looking for an instructor, it is best to ask around and see who people recommend, not just responding to an ad in an advertisement. Some professional instructors will have teaching certifications and first aid training. Other instructors have just learned from others and are willing to teach you. No matter who you choose make sure they have a personality that you get along with. Also make sure that they teach the style you want to learn.

Safely should be your number one concern when learning to ride. Always be sure to wear a helmet and long pants in case you fall off. Many people don't wear a helmet when riding a horse, but it should be required apparel for anyone riding a horse.

The equipment you need for the horse is called tack. This includes everything from the saddle to the reins and stirrups. This can be expensive to buy on your own. Usually the instructor can provide the equipment. It is important that you check over the saddle and reins before each ride for signs of wear and for a proper fit.

Learning to ride a horse can bring a tremendous sense of freedom. By finding a good instructor and a caring horse you are well on your way. Remember horses are very powerful animals so always be sure to wear your helmet and ride with friends. Accidents can happen when you least expect them.

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