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Horse INKlings
Volume 2 Issue 5
Wednesday July 18, 2001
Welcome to the fifth issue of Horse INKlings for 2001. Its aim is to provide
interesting, entertaining and useful information about the horses with whom we
share our lives. Please let me know what you think.
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SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
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"Just because an animal is large, it doesn't mean he doesn't want kindness.."
-- Pooh's Little Instruction Book,inspired by A. A. Milne
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FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH
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One of the fascinating aspects of horses is that there's always more to learn. Many of us are continually reading about our favourite animals -- whether books, magazines or web sites -- in search of one more piece of the puzzle to help us understand what makes horses tick.
It's impossible to learn everything from books though, particularly when dealing with a physical activity like horseback riding. You have to practice. We all know that "practice makes perfect" -- but only if practicing the right thing.
Like any other sport, horseback riding requires a particular skill set that is learned much more quickly, safely and efficiently with proper teaching. After all, Olympic riders still have coaches!
But unlike other sports, riding involves two individuals -- a horse and a person -- each of whom must not only acquire physical and mental skills, but also learn to communicate with a partner who doesn't speak the same language.
Learning to ride well involves learning to simultaneously relax and control your own body while sitting on top of a constantly moving horse in order to communicate with the horse through clearly given body signals or aids, all the time reading and responding to the horse's feedback. A tall order!
No matter what your riding goals, you and your horse will benefit from good instruction. Besides, riding lessons are fun and provide the motivation many of us need to ride more regularly.
So, if you haven't done it already, find yourself a good instructor with whom you're comfortable, learn to ride better, and you and your horse will enjoy your time together more, whether on the trail or in the show ring.
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GROANER TIME
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Q) How long should a horse's legs be?
A) Long enough to reach the ground.
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HORSE TRIVIA
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Ever wonder why cleaning stalls is such hard work? Depending on how much he weighs, a horse produces between 14.5 and 20.5 kilograms of manure and from 3 to 9 litres of urine in a day.
SOURCE: Complete Equine Veterinary Manuaby Tony & Marcy Pavord
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THIS MONTH'S FEATURED BOOK
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Every horse owner needs at least one comprehensive veterinary guide, and
The Complete Equine Veterinary Manual by Tony & Marcy Pavord fits the bill.
The book is divided into three parts. Part I gives an overview of the physiology and behaviour of horses and how to keep them healthy. It covers routine health care, first aid, and when to call a vet. The large illustrations of the skeleton and the nervous, circulatory and urogenital systems are particularly useful because they are superimposed on the photograph of an actual horse.
The second part is called an "Anatomical Index of Diseases". In chart format with headings of
Disease, Symptoms, Cause and Treatment, it covers various disease conditions.
It groups diseases according to the part of the horse affected. Like the first section, Part II is generously illustrated with excellent photographs.
Part III is more like a dictionary or encyclopedia with additional information on the topics covered in the first two parts. Unlike the first two sections, it is set up for reference rather than browsing.
If you are looking for an easy-to-understand but comprehensive veterinary reference book,
The Complete Equine Veterinary Manual would be a good choice. .
For more information, click
here. To buy a copy for yourself or as a gift, click on one of the links below and add it to your shopping basket.
chapters.ca
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
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