All About Miniature Horses: February 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

Miniature Pets by CS Swarens - ArticleCity.com

by: CS Swarens

It is uncertain exactly when miniature breed animals first came about. Historical and archaeological evidence point to gargantuan rats and dinosaurs smaller than many chickens. What is certain is that miniature pets are a big business and offer big rewards, both financially and personally.

There may be many jokes among some men about miniature poodles or chihuahuas but the fact of the matter remains that miniature dogs are increasingly popular among people. Many people simply do not have the room to own a large dog. A small dog can be just as happy in a small house as it can be in a large home.

These days, you can find miniature horses, miniature pigs, and many other breeds that were very uncommon just a few short years ago. For some people it is simply a matter of the cute factor. Smaller animals somehow become "cute" even when their larger relatives are anything but good looking or popular among most people. Unless you live in the country, you probably never heard anyone bragging about their 1200 pound pig.

For some other people, the joys of owning a miniature pet is in no small part, due to the fact that they make much smaller messes. Anyone who has ever had to carry a plastic bag for waste removal every time that they took their dog for a walk will probably agree to this. Anybody who has ever had to housebreak a pet would also be hard-pressed to find the fault in this logic.

For some people, cost is a major factor. A large dog would eat large amounts of food every day. Over the course of time, those costs will add up to a large amount of money which to some people at least, shows no positive return for their investment. Other people may see the true value of their pets but just cannot afford to feed a large dog or other animal that will quite literally, eat them out of house and home.

Whatever reason people have for wanting a miniature pet, they have become big business as well. Contests, shows and major events regularly occur all over the world for miniature pet lovers. Some of these shows stress the importance of a lack of size but they are increasingly looking at other criteria for deciding winners as well.

Miniature horse shows have spawned entire new industries to keep up with the demands of that lifestyle. Miniature surreys are available as are carts, miniature saddles and other features that have no market outside that of the miniature horse.

Similarly, shows for the miniature pot-bellied pigs and other miniature breeds are becoming increasingly popular as well. Whatever your reasons are for wanting to own a miniature pet, remember that not only can you reap big rewards, you will also open brand new opportunities in ways you may never have imagined possible. There are many different reasons for owning a pet. Pet owners can enjoy a host of benefits that people without pets will never truly know or understand. Just remember that when you are looking for a pet, size really does not matter. Miniature pets really are big business that consistently reap big rewards.

CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com

Research over 430 pet breed profiles http://www.findapetonline.com/breeds.html

Owning Miniature Horses - The Smallest Of The Small

When it comes to pet ownership, we all have our preferences; the debate of dog versus cat can go on indefinitely. But for those who prefer horses, the care and feeding of their animal suddenly becomes a far greater undertaking then simply housing a smaller, more domesticated animal. Horses are large animals that come with an even larger responsibility for their owners. But for some people, ownership of miniature horses allows them to enjoy all that attracts them to horses, but on a much smaller scale.

Miniature horses are simply the result of hundreds of years of careful and purposeful breeding that has taken place all over the world. Today, The American Miniature Horse Association, established in 1978, continues to set the guidelines for these horses. To date, they are the only organization working to standardize the specifications.

In order to be defined as miniature horses, they must not reach higher than 34 inches in height. However, the differentiation between standard sized horses and these horses stops here; the physical features actually mirror that of their full-sized counterparts; but are simply in proportion to their size. If you were to look at one with no basis for size comparison, it would look like a typical, average sized horse.

Miniature horses are shown in competition just as their full-sized cousins. But their manageable size makes them especially instrumental in working with special needs individuals who wish to ride, but must avoid the larger animals for safety reasons. Because of their size, they are also child-friendly; children often learn to ride on these smaller, more controllable breeds.

Those who own miniature horses will also tell you of the unique opportunity they have to enjoy all that is special about a horse while still enjoying all that comes with having the ability to hold an animal in your lap!

The care is just as important as that for larger horses. Much of the standard care remains the same - including grooming, veterinary care, exercise and nutrition, and shelter - with special attention paid to eating. The smaller digestive track puts them at risk for intestinal problems; owners must be alert to the special feeding requirements of the breed. Owners will be happy to note, however, that the care for the horses costs significantly less than the care for full-sized horses.

For those interested in owning one, it is important to do a fair amount of research. Just as with any breed of horse, temperaments vary from horse to horse. Seek out and get to know a reputable breeder who can assist you in finding the horse that's right for you and your family.

Owning a horse of any size must be taken on only after careful consideration. But if you find that you enjoy all the characteristics of a horse, but are put off by its normally grand size, you may want to investigate miniature horses; all the beauty of a horse in one tiny package.

For more information on horses, try visiting [http://www.interestinghorses.com] - a website that specializes in providing horse related tips, advice and resources including information on the miniature horse [http://www.interestinghorses.com/miniaturehorse.html].

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Dr Harry: showing miniature horses

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Do You Show Your Horse Love in The Winter? by Theresa Truscott

by: Theresa Truscott

Let us say winter is here and you're warm and cozy by the fireplace, drinking the hot chocolate and reading a good book. Maybe you are enjoying some soothing music while ensconced in your favorite pajamas; all wrapped up comfortably in your soft blanket while the snow falls lightly outside.

What about your horse? Is your horse in a clean, warm stall in the barn, with fresh hay and clean water, protected from the elements? Did you remember his horse blanket? It's not as though he can waltz over to his little closet and take it out of the drawer! Your precious investment is depending on you to remember the particulars of his care.

A cold horse in winter is a pitiful thing indeed. If you decide to buy a horse, even if it is just for the sake of saying you own one, please take the time to provide proper care and housing, medical attention, and the right equipment. Part of that equipment and proper care involves the horse blanket.

A horse blanket is particularly needed in the cold, hard elements of the winter season. The horse has no way of actually saying, "Hey, could you hand me that blanket, please?" It is a living, breathing creation and is counting on the master of the estate to give it what it needs to survive.

The horse blankets need not be elaborate, expensive pieces of valuable art. They simply need to be functional for the animal. The function here is to hold in the animal's body heat in the winter. Of course, they are also used as cushioning underneath the saddles among other things. Which, by the way, is also needed in the winter and the blanket helps the horse stay warmer while being ridden outside.

Miniature horses have their own furry horse blankets in the winter. Even though all horses have thicker hair in the winter, the minis look woolly! They sometimes enjoy running in the snow just for fun! One type of miniature horse is the Falabella, which are said to be survivors of the Ice Age. They must have been an extremely tough breed of animal to survive the harsh winters from that period of time.

Maybe you are wondering if the horses of the Ice Age needed blankets. While I'm sure plenty survived without them, horses being gentled and tamed by mankind have also been bred somewhat spoiled or weakened, if you will. I suppose you could compare it to a dog that has been kept inside with the central heat since a pup. If you put the dog outside in the yard in the harsh winter, it will struggle against the cold. Besides, just because a horse survived the Ice Age doesn't mean he should be forced to endure the winter without a horse blanket now. Humans survived living in caves with no electricity or modern amenities, but now we've spoiled and pampered ourselves and most would have a hard time surviving harsh conditions of nature. So, care for your horse with the love and tenderness that is deserved.

Theresa Truscott has loved horses since early childhood and enjoys sharing her passion for horses with other horse lovers. She finds useful information and products and circulates it on http://www.horseridingblankets.com about horses and horse riding blankets.

For a free report on "How to Improve Your Riding" see Theresa's Horse Aficianado blog at http://www.horseridingblankets.com/blog

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.horseridingblankets.com

2009 American Miniature Horse Champ Youth Jumper - 2

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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Miniature Horse Breeders Track Record

It really is thought that the 1st ancestor on the modern horse, Equus Caballus, was no bigger than a cat. Eohippus was thought to have a number of toes, a curved spine like a cat, a short neck and the ability to eat and digest leaves as opposed to grass. Over millennia, the horse grew, developed longer legs and neck and switched to a diet of grass when the grasslands began to push out forests. Miniature Horse breeders argue that they're taking the horses back to their original state. But who were definitely the 1st Miniature Horse breeders?

Depending on which Miniature horse breeder you talk to, you will locate a lot of theories as to who were the first Miniature horse breeders. Some say that Miniature Horses have always been close to and it was only a few men and women here and there throughout history that have been able to appreciate their small size. Some say that the Horse breeders didn't begin until the time of the filthy rich nobility in Europe that wanted unusual animals in their Royal menageries.

But one of my favorite stories is that the primary Miniature Horse breeders were definitely from Arab tribes. They bred the Horse for the delight of their sheiks and their kids. Despite the fact that horses were prized for horse back riding, there was also a require for horses to share the palace.

Backing up this theory is that of the rediscovery in the Caspian Horse breed, named due to the fact it was rediscovered from the area in the Caspian Sea. They ended up native to Iran and are considered the forefathers in the mighty Arabian horse breed. They look like smaller versions of Arabians, being the height of modern ponies but containing the slim features and bodily proportions of the horse.

Caspian Horses are depicted in ancient Middle Eastern art, where their shoulders are at the height of the man's waist. The breed was believed to have been wiped out, but a herd was discovered thriving in 1965 close to the Caspian Sea. They have since incredibly slowly trickled close to the world.

The initial successful and proven Miniature Horse breeders had been the Falabella family of Argentina inside 1880's. They admit, though, that they did add ponies to be able to bring down the breeding stock. Most Miniature Horses in North and South America today are derived from these intelligent and charming Falabella horses. It can be unknown, but theorized, that one in the breeds that made up the Falabella was the Caspian.

Helen Tanady has been writing articles, online and offline, for more than 4 years. This author often writes on health and fitness, dating, weight loss and fat loss related. Read her latest articles at corrugated shipping boxes [http://www.corrugatedshippingboxes.org/] which explain and review about bubble wrap packaging [http://www.corrugatedshippingboxes.org/bubble-wrap-packaging.html].

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Crunch the Miniature Horse ★ "FREE JUMPING 2" ★ (NEW) champion

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CUTEST VIDEO EVER!!! "One Year Old Baby Running and Playing w Miniature Horse!"

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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Ponies Are Adorable by Theresa Truscott - ArticleCity.com

by: Theresa Truscott

Almost any baby is adorable. Okay, there are some that only a mother could love, but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder. How could anyone not fall in love with ponies? They have such a charm, children are attracted to them, children's books are written about them, and horse blankets are made for them.

Yes, that's right. There are horse blankets made for ponies! Some ponies do live in the wild and are without the luxury of a warm blanket for the winter. It is unfortunate, for only the strong survive, whereas struggling weaklings in captivity are given a chance to become stronger. These do tend to get pampered and loved and have their warm blankets to help them through their shaky developmental stages.

The National Park Service helps to protect the wild ponies. There is a small island near Virginia where the wild ponies are herded across the waters to another island once a year. This is a popular event, and the island is called Chincoteague (pronounced CHIN-ko-teeg).

An hour after they are born, ponies have the ability to walk. They may stumble and struggle at first, but they learn fast. The baby is called a foal and isn't considered full-grown until age 5 or 6. Most people who have horses will try to have the mare give birth in their barn, in a stall, and a warm horse blanket is provided for them after the birth. If the mother has trouble with the birth, it is easier to monitor and provide care in a barn.

Many people, who think it will be a good idea to give their child a pony, do not realize the special care a horse needs as it grows and develops. It is always good to sit down with your child and make a list of all the things any animal new to the family will need before purchasing. Horses especially will need plenty of room to graze and grow and will need their exercise and good medical care if a problem were to develop.

You may want to start with a small horse, such as a mini, if you do not plan to have your child ride a horse. The mini horse comes in a child-sized package! Don't forget the accessories that come with owning the minis. There are horse blankets made just for this size horse.

Miniature Horses were created from breeding small horses that were used for work in coal mines to the small Shetland Ponies. The babies were then bred to make even smaller horses. The miniature breed is not actually considered ponies just because of their size. Ponies are 14 hands high, compared to the 8 hand size of a mini. But the baby minis are called ponies until they are grown, just as other horse babies.

You shouldn't need as much horse tack for these mini horses because they are not used in the same ways as what is considered normal sized horses. There are places that sell tack just for the smaller breeds.

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.horseridingblankets.com

Miniature Horses Are Just Smaller Versions Of A Horse

There is no one breed of horses that are called miniature-this is just a term that is used to describe a horse that meets certain height requirements. Most breeds are measured in hands-where one hand equals four inches. However, minis are measured in inches or centimeters. They are measured from the ground to the base of the hairs on their mane.

Miniature horses are less than half the size of a regular horse and breeders select the smallest stallions and mares for breeding. This way, they hope to ensure that they have even smaller foals the following spring. A new foal weights about 18-22 pounds and stands 16 to 21 inches at birth-making it about the same size as a medium-sized dog.

They are basically the same as their larger relatives in their shape, appearance and personality. They come in every color a horse can be-black, bay, sorrel, palomino, solid colors, mixed or pintos. They have very long manes and tails and some of them even have tails that can touch the ground.

Miniature horses have been around for over 400 years; however, their origin is unknown. In olden days, they were pets in the palaces and revered by nobility. Throughout the decades, their popularity grew among the rich mostly because they were not useful as a worker-they were too small to carry a rider or a heavy load.

Eventually, the miniature horse found a job. They were used to pull loads of coal from mines since they were small enough to move safely through the tunnels where they gained the nickname of pit ponies. All was not lost on them because when they too old to work, they were often taken home as pets by the miners.

Breeders became interested in the miniature horses in the mid-1900s and several different herds were cultivated and the breed increased in size, popularity and value. The first registry was called the American Miniature Horse Registry and was created in 1972. They helped develop and document pedigrees for the miniature horses, some of them going back to the early 1940's.

Today, they are maintained as the result of careful breeding. Their gentle personalities make them good pets for children, elderly people and even for people with disabilities. In several communities, they are taken directly into schools rooms, nursing homes and hospital wards to help cheer up patients and to educate the children.

How often can children today spend a day on a farm and interact with the animals? There are miniature horse farms around the country that open their doors to visitors as one way to help finance their hobby of breeding these animals. Many of them even have special barns with a show rink where the miniature horses can demonstrate their skills to the public.

Think about spending a day visiting one of these farms and give your children an opportunity to see and interact with these beautiful animals. You may start a love affair with your children wanting to breed these lovely creatures when they grow up.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Monday, February 24, 2014

CUTEST VIDEO EVER!!! "One Year Old Baby Running and Playing w Miniature Horse!"

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Mini Horse Foal Plays with a Giant Ball.m4v

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About Horse Saddles and Horse Blankets by Theresa Truscott

by: Theresa Truscott

Horse saddles and horse blankets are something people usually associate together when the horse comes to mind. If you plan to ride your horse, you'll need both. Even if you don't have to use the horse blanket with the horse saddle, you'll still want a horse blanket for other times. You'll want one when your horse is kept in a drafty stall, when your horse is waiting out in the cold weather for a show, when your horse is waiting in a holding pen for vet's attention and it is cold outside.

When you think of buying a new horse saddle, consider the trial period in case you'll want to return it for a better fit. Surely you didn't think it would be as easy as just buying a universal saddle fit for any horse or rider?

No, my unsuspecting horse friend, it is, unfortunately more involved than that. Oh, but the journey for the proper saddle and blanket is well worth the efforts both for you and your equine partner. Buying a horse saddle that doesn't fit the horse, rider, or the occasion will only cause regrets and soreness that could be avoided by a thoughtful purchase. Ask any horse enthusiast and you'll find that buying the proper gear is a welcome investment!

You'll want to consider what type of riding you'll do. Saddles are basically wood or fiberglass in frame that is covered with leather. Although, you'll find technical advances have allowed for the more modern synthetic material in lieu of the leather covering. Regardless of what your saddle is constructed of, the quality and purpose and fit are most important. You'll want your money's worth.

There are several different choices to make before purchasing a blanket as well. You must have a blanket under a western saddle for the horse and rider to be comfortable during the ride. Blankets are made for performance, for miniature horses, and for show. Although the Navajo horse blanket is a popular choice is the western style is a consideration, there are others available. There are quilted blankets, foal blankets, antisweat sheets, and cooling blankets.

For your added comfort, there are softee seats, suede seats, and even shock absorbers, which might be welcomed after a lengthy time away from riding because of medical reasons. Whatever type of horse saddle or horse blanket you'll require be certain both will best benefit you and your horse.

The saddle must fit not only the size of the horse, but the size and shape of the rider as well. A poor fit can cause sure muscles, blisters, and bruising for you both. Not only should you consider this for yourself, but for children riders. The child will continue to grow, but the saddle should fit them at their current size.

Saddles used for other than pleasure riding include those bought for endurance, show, roping, barrel races, and ponies. There are many different brands of all these types of saddles. It's a matter of choice, price, and availability. Happy hunting!

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.horseridingblankets.com

Sunday, February 23, 2014

2009 American Miniature Horse Champ Youth Jumper - 2

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Saturday, February 22, 2014

How A Dressage Saddle Can Improve Your Position by Josie Amani

by: Josie Amani

If you're new to riding horses or even if you're not, the large amount of horse riding equipment on the market can be confusing at the best of times! With regard to saddles, there are many styles available but the most common type of horse back riding saddles used are general purpose saddles. These saddles are appropriate for all ages and abilities of horse and rider and suited to a multitude of different disciplines.

So if the general purpose saddle is good for everything, then why is there a need for specialist saddles? Well the answer to this is in the question! Specialist horse back riding saddles are exactly what the description states - specialist. They are designed to suit a particular discipline and a particular style of riding with properties that better enable horse and rider to perform. The general purpose saddle is a compromise between many different specialist horse back riding saddles but in the process this means that at advanced levels of riding and competition the general purpose saddle ceases to fulfil all of the requirements of horse and rider. Take for example the dressage saddle. It is a specific style of horse back riding saddle used, as the name suggests, for riding horses on the flat and in particular for riding dressage movements. It has a number of features that make it distinguishable but also a number of properties that make it completely unsuitable for other disciplines, for example, show jumping. However, if you are a serious dressage rider then a dressage saddle can be of great benefit.

The style of the dressage saddle encourages the rider to sit deeper and longer. This position of the rider in turn helps the horse to balance and carry himself correctly. There is a deeper seat than a general purpose saddle, with a higher pommel and cantle and usually wider panels to the underside of the saddle with less padding. This not only encourages a deeper seat from the rider but also enables closer contact and a more even weight distribution, therefore allowing the rider to offer more precise aids.

In dressage the rider is required to ride with a longer leg that hangs directly underneath the hips. To make this easier, dressage saddles have long, straight cut saddle flaps and stirrup bars positioned slightly further back to enable the rider to keep the knee down and the thigh back. The straight cut design also allows the horse plenty of freedom to move his shoulders.

Another feature of dressage saddles are long billet straps with a shorter girth which buckle around the elbow of the horse, this keeps the buckles out of the way of the rider's leg allowing for the rider to keep a close contact with the horse and give effective leg aids.

Although useful, a dressage saddle is not a necessity for many riders who happily ride and compete in dressage for all of their life in a general purpose saddle. Generally speaking, a dressage saddle is only necessary for those riders where dressage is their main discipline and are riding at more advanced levels. If you often ride and compete in other equestrian disciplines such as show jumping or hunting then it may not be worth investing in a dressage saddle. Consider the fact that you may then end up with two or three different saddles for your horse which also means two or three times more tack to clean! This being said, if you are serious about concentrating solely on improving your dressage and moving on to more advanced competition, then then the purchase of a quality dressage saddle may be a worthwhile investment.

The Equine Store stocks many great equestrian products, everything from saddles to stock pins. Visit the shop at http://www.equine-store.com to see our great range of dressage saddles.

The author invites you to visit:
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Friday, February 21, 2014

Mini Horse Foal Plays with a Giant Ball.m4v

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Thursday, February 20, 2014

Dokra Craft And Dhokra Metal Craft - The Fine Art Of Excellence In ...

by: Nantaram Orubenga

Dokra craft - a kind of tribal Indian handicraft belonging to the genre of brassware handicrafts is made by socially backward tribes known as dokras or Dokra kamars in the tribal dominated mineral rich districts of central - east India.

Why is Dokra craft so highly coveted?

Anything that is hand crafted, sports excellent craftsmanship, boasts of a huge repertoire of designs, patterns and aesthetics and has a story to tell about a folk culture or indigenous native culture will always be highly coveted and a top draw in international art markets, art marts as well as in the domestic markets.

Dokra craft is so prized among collectors and discerning art lovers because of the shapeliness of design, because of its strength and starkness of design and because of its powerful yet simple and elegant motifs that have been inspired by folk culture. Studying Dokra craft, tracing its origin and collecting Dokra figurines are my hobbies. And though I am an amateur, I have noticed that the Dokra elephant is the most popular among animals followed by horses.

Other Dokra figurines which are popular happen to be containers with lids. Some of these containers look like intricately carved miniature treasure chests a few of which are provided with locks and locking devices as well. Other quaint Dokra items that are very popular are miniature replica of measures or manas, kings, human heads etc.

Finally, the piece of Dokra craft is ready for use or sale in local markets and traveling fairs. Some of the items of Dokra craft seen ubiquitously are pen stands, ash trays, candle stands, lamp stands, lamp holders, lamp shades, lamps, religious animals and birds, images of ritual deities like Durga or Parvati, lord Shiva, Ganesh, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Brahma, Vishnu, Narayan, exotic and exquisite tribal and ethnic jewelry with folk motifs and jewelry for Santhals.

The lamp stands that are often seen among Dokra masterpieces of art, feature intricate designs and patterns that heavily draw inspiration from the network of branches in trees and tree motifs or foliage motifs. I have also seen Dokra lamp stands where there are more than a 100 lamps within that 1 stand.

And as I mentioned just now, utilitarian items are also being made by the Dokra tribesmen without compromising on the essentially folk design aesthetics.

Nantaram Orubenga is an artisan working with metals and clays. He wants to do something to keep the ancient Indian Handicrafts alive and to let the world know about it. If you are interested in discovering more on fascinating Indian Arts and Handicrafts, exclusive brassware and dhokra metal craft, you must visit http://www.theindianhandicrafts.com.