EBOOK
Cherry Hill's Horse Care for Kids
Grooming, Feeding, Behavior, Stable & Pasture, Health Care, Handling & Safety, Enjoying
Cherry Hill5
(3)
About
Covering the essentials of equine care in a language appropriate for teen and preteen horse lovers, this guide provides everything young equestrians need to know to safely and enjoyably keep their horse healthy and happy. Veteran trainer Cherry Hill starts by making sure that the right animal is matched with the right rider, then progresses through feeding, grooming, behavior, safety, and health care. Encouraging their passion, Hill provides a roadmap for young horse enthusiasts to responsibly care for their cherished companion.
Cherry Hill is an internationally known instructor and horse trainer and has written numerous books, including 101 Arena Exercises for Horse & Rider, Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage, How to Think Like a Horse, What Every Horse Should Know, and Horse Care for Kids. Visit her at www.horsekeeping.com, where you can find information on her books, DVDs, and horsekeeping knowledge. Chapter 1 - Understanding Horses
Horses are some of the most interesting and beautiful creatures on earth. If you learn as much about them as you can, the more you will think like a horse and the better horsekeeper you will be.
Horses behave the way they do partly because of how they evolved. For thousands of years before they were domesticated, horses roamed grazing and browsing. They were prey animals who banded together in herds for protection from predators.
Horses are horses. They are not people. Although you may want to kiss your horse to show him how much you like him, he might think you are acting odd and pull away suddenly. Or worse yet, he might nibble your lips to see if there is anything in them to eat, and you could be hurt. Your horse will be most comfortable when you do things that he understands. While he is learning more about you, you will learn more about what it's like to be a horse. For example, you will find that your horse will appreciate a good scratch on the withers or neck more than a pat on the nose.
You and your horse can be good buddies, but don't be careless. You must always pay attention, because, just when you least expect it, your horse might suddenly jump sideways and smash your toes. Never fool around when you are handling a horse, no matter how much you trust him.
Horses like to be near other horses. Horses that live in herds may become herd-bound. When you try to remove one horse from the herd, all of the horses may become nervous and try to stay near the horse you are taking away. Or, the horse you are trying to take away might stop and refuse to leave the herd. To prevent this, you should not let horses get too attached to each other. A horse that is kept in his own pen or paddock and is handled regularly by you will think of you as his "herd-mate" and will look forward to your visits.
If you have three horses together on pasture, one of them will be the "top" horse in the pecking order. When you feed them, the top horse will be the first one to get the hay or grain. That's why it is important to spread feed far apart so all three will get some. Otherwise, the "bottom" horse might not get anything. Sometimes horses bite and kick each other to prove who is the top horse. Don't come between two horses that are determining their pecking order or you might get hurt.
Horses are wanderers. By nature, horses like to roam around and take a bite of grass here and a bite there. This gives them exercise as well as a way to eat while they are on the move. If you put your horse in a pen or a stall, you must provide him with feed and exercise every day because he can no longer roam and take care of those things himself. If you confine your horse too long, he will become restless. Then, when you finally do take him out, he might be hard to handle because he has so much energy to burn. How would you feel if you had to stay in your room for a whole week!?
Horses would rather run than fight. If your horse sees something he thinks is dangerous, his instinct is to run awa
Cherry Hill is an internationally known instructor and horse trainer and has written numerous books, including 101 Arena Exercises for Horse & Rider, Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage, How to Think Like a Horse, What Every Horse Should Know, and Horse Care for Kids. Visit her at www.horsekeeping.com, where you can find information on her books, DVDs, and horsekeeping knowledge. Chapter 1 - Understanding Horses
Horses are some of the most interesting and beautiful creatures on earth. If you learn as much about them as you can, the more you will think like a horse and the better horsekeeper you will be.
Horses behave the way they do partly because of how they evolved. For thousands of years before they were domesticated, horses roamed grazing and browsing. They were prey animals who banded together in herds for protection from predators.
Horses are horses. They are not people. Although you may want to kiss your horse to show him how much you like him, he might think you are acting odd and pull away suddenly. Or worse yet, he might nibble your lips to see if there is anything in them to eat, and you could be hurt. Your horse will be most comfortable when you do things that he understands. While he is learning more about you, you will learn more about what it's like to be a horse. For example, you will find that your horse will appreciate a good scratch on the withers or neck more than a pat on the nose.
You and your horse can be good buddies, but don't be careless. You must always pay attention, because, just when you least expect it, your horse might suddenly jump sideways and smash your toes. Never fool around when you are handling a horse, no matter how much you trust him.
Horses like to be near other horses. Horses that live in herds may become herd-bound. When you try to remove one horse from the herd, all of the horses may become nervous and try to stay near the horse you are taking away. Or, the horse you are trying to take away might stop and refuse to leave the herd. To prevent this, you should not let horses get too attached to each other. A horse that is kept in his own pen or paddock and is handled regularly by you will think of you as his "herd-mate" and will look forward to your visits.
If you have three horses together on pasture, one of them will be the "top" horse in the pecking order. When you feed them, the top horse will be the first one to get the hay or grain. That's why it is important to spread feed far apart so all three will get some. Otherwise, the "bottom" horse might not get anything. Sometimes horses bite and kick each other to prove who is the top horse. Don't come between two horses that are determining their pecking order or you might get hurt.
Horses are wanderers. By nature, horses like to roam around and take a bite of grass here and a bite there. This gives them exercise as well as a way to eat while they are on the move. If you put your horse in a pen or a stall, you must provide him with feed and exercise every day because he can no longer roam and take care of those things himself. If you confine your horse too long, he will become restless. Then, when you finally do take him out, he might be hard to handle because he has so much energy to burn. How would you feel if you had to stay in your room for a whole week!?
Horses would rather run than fight. If your horse sees something he thinks is dangerous, his instinct is to run awa