Firefighters Rescue Horse from Snow Covered Swimming Pool

Spider the Horse Falls into Snow Covered Pool

Firefighters were called to rescue an 11 year old horse that had fallen through a snow covered swimming pool cover into a pool in Sherborn, Massachusetts.

The firefighters arrived to find the horse in the deep end of the pool shivering with cold and nervousness. After considering the rescue options the firefighters decided to cut through the ice and pool cover and lead the nervous horse to safety.

The horse had wandered out of his barn while nobody was looking. Unfortunately it had not been possible to shut the gates between the barn and the swimming pool due to the snow which also obscured the inground pool.

Spider the horse walked onto the surface of the pool which was protected with a high strength swimming pool cover. Advertisers of this particular pool cover proudly announce that it can take the weight of a small elephant. Unfortunately the high strength swimming pool cover wasn't strong enough to take the combined weight of both the snow and the horse.

There were fears that Spider would succumb to hypothermia as the pool heaters were no longer in use and the water was covered in a layer of ice. But firefighters were able to successfully return him to his stable in about half an hour. He'd suffered a few minor scratches on his feet and ankles but the biggest concern was hypothermia.

Spider the horse was dried and treated to a vigorous rub down and warmed up with propane heaters. It was clear that he had not suffered any seriously adverse affects from his cold, mid winter dip.

Pool owners are warned that their swimming pool covers may be able take a lot of weight but if there is already snow and ice on the cover and then it is walked on the additional weight can be enough to rip through the cover. Combine this risk with the camouflaging effect of the snow and you have an immediate danger. Pool owners are encouraged to fence off their inground swimming  pool to prevent accidents like this from occurring.

The best washing machines for your horse rugs

Good hygiene is paramount for the wellbeing of horses that are stabled in equestrian schools, and the correct cleaning of the material that comes into contact with the horses is extremely important.Your article has 10 sentences left that can be rewritten. In fact an immaculate horse blanket is a sure sign of a well cared for horse!This is particularly important when it comes to competitions when often great importance is placed on visual appearance. Washing horse blankets in a simple domestic machine will not be good enough. This is a specialist job that requires the right technology plus wash programmes. An onsite laundry within the riding school no doubt have many advantages. Laundry can be done as part of the daily routine thus ensuring equine smells will remain in the stable.
A great large capacity washing machine on the market which fits the bill is Miele. This offers washer-extractors with capacities of 7.5 to 32 kg with special wash programmes for horse blankets and accessories which are just perfect for equestrian schools. The machine has four special programmes for washing and also proofing horse blankets: a 30°C and a 60°C programme, a programme for delicates and one with a proofing phase included for waterproofing. These machines can handle halters, girths, bandages, saddlecloths and similar textile items which are not always readily accepted by commercial laundries.
Laundry is ready for use in less than an hour. These machines have high spin speeds therefore drying times are greatly reduced.
A great machine for equestrian schools would be the Miele PW 6101 washing machine with a PT 7251 tumble dryer. These can cope with 1 winter blanket and 2 summer blankets or even up to 7 saddle cloths per load.
Long term an investment in one of these machines is sure to pay dividends!

Maintenance of your horse blankets and rugs

Anyone who has made the decision to buy a horse will soon find out that there is so much to learn. One thing I had not really considered was the maintenance needed for all the equipment etc and below are some useful points I have discovered that you may like to share.
The purchase of a good quality horse blanket is important and the aftercare, because laundering equestrian blankets needs an industrial washing machine.
Your horse must be checked on a daily basis to make sure that their blanket is not pulling or rubbing. If you should see any patches of broken hairs this is a sure sign.
Folding your fleeces, rugs and blankets correctly makes them so much easier and safer to put back on your horse or pony. The horse is also less likely to spook if you put a folded bundle on his back, slowly unfolding it than he would if you just dumped the blanket over his back and dragged it into position. 
Fold your blanket whilst taking it off the horse or after cleaning in  preparation for the next use. A folded blanket is much easier to carry. 
Start with the blanket, unbuckled on the horse, or if you find it easier take it off and lay it on the ground.  Then lay the blanket so the outside is facing upwards. Spread the straps straight out so they can be folded into the blanket as you go.
Fold the back third of the blanket up towards the middle, then tuck the leg straps in and fold in the tail flap.
Then fold the front third piece of the blanket back towards the folded edge. Straighten the shoulder gussets.
Fold the right side up so the lower edges meets the centre seam.
Then fold the left side up so the lower edge will meet the centre, folding up the belly straps.
Put the two halves together. The bundle can then be folded together another time and packed in a bag for storage. Then just reverse the order of the folds in order to put the blanket back on the horse easily.
If your horse is kept outside a lot it will probably be a good idea to have two outdoor rugs. An extra blanket allows you to swop one blanket to allow the other one to dry out.

Do not try to wash your horse blankets in your own washing machine!
There are heavy duty washing machines that can be bought especially for “equestrian use”. This could be invaluable and if you share livery with other people at your stables it could well be a great investment if the cost is shared.

Understanding how to Take Care of horses

Have you ever seen the fast horses galloping in the races? Well, these horses are called Standardbreds, and they are well known for their skill in harness racing, being the fastest trotting horse in the world. In continental Europe all harness races are conducted between trotters. Standardbreds have shorter legs than the American thoroughbred race horses and longer bodies. Often their hindquarters are several inches taller than their withers, which provides them with the power and thrust necesary to trot or pace at high speeds. Standardbreds are any color, usually chestnut .

Standardbreds are the horse of choice for the Amish, because they often find these inexpensive, sound horses at local auctions or right off the track. The horses handle the change from the busy racetrack environment to the farm roads of the country. Standardbreds can be found ridden for pleasure or show in many disciplines: jumping, dressage, equitation, trail, team penning, endurance, gymkhana events, saddleseat, and even sidesaddle. There are even growing associations for racing Standardbreds under saddle -- trotting or pacing just as they do in harness. Standardbreds race as either a pacer or a trotter. Trotters, as the name implies, race at the traditional trot.

Standardbreds are known for their skill in harness racing, being the fastest trotting horse in the world. Usually these horses require good food and good protection during the winter and rain, breeders recommend using Rambo horse blankets or  Turnout horse Blankets to protect this unique animals. Standardbreds are any color, usually chestnut, black, or brown; they average 15 hands (60 in./160 cm) in height and weigh near 1,000 lb (450 kg). Standardbreds will trot in some races in which they need to trot out very quickly while maintaining their natural gait. If the horses break gait and do not return immediately, they are disqualified from the race.

Standardbreds have a wide range of height, from 14.1 to 17 hands (57"-66"), and most often are bay or the darker variation of bay called "brown," although other colors such as chestnut and black are not uncommon. Gray and roan are also found. Standardbreds are a relatively new breed, dating back just over 200 years, but it is a true American breed. Standardbreds are bred for racing and require training before general riding. If trained correctly and consistently, they will adapt well to other tasks after retiring from racing.

How Important Are Horse Blankets?

horse blankets

If the thought of taking care of animals has crossed your mind, then be sure that you know how to deal with them. This is not that much a concern if you only have domestic pets at home. But what if you want to have horses, which are sometimes difficult to manage? Taking care of horses actually can be manageable as long as you have the right tools and stable accessories. One of the most important is horse blankets.

Saddle blankets are made to keep horses warm. These blankets are also ideal for protection from wind and other elements. These types of blankets vary in sizes. In fact, most of them are custom-made to perfectly fit around the body of the horse from his chest to rump. Blankets for horses have straps that cross underneath their belly.

Although the blanket are heavily secured and fastened, horses can still move about freely. The most common of these blankets normally have one or two straps that securely buckle in front. However, there are also some designs with closed front, thus requiring it to be slipped over the head of the horse. Also, there are those that have smaller straps lightly lopped around the hind legs of the horse that help to prevent the blanket form slipping sideways.

By standards, horse blankets are normally kept on the horse when it is traveling or when at pasture or in a stall. These blankets are manufactured for different conditions of weather and there are some that are water resistant underneath. Most blankets are manufactured using more modern materials, similar to the ones used in human outdoor wear. However, these blankets are not only to keep horses warm and secure. There are some blankets for horses that are used to keep the hair of the horse short. When worn during the start of autumn and if the horses are kept in a slightly-lit area for at least sixteen hours a day, they won't grow a winter coat, which is especially beneficial if the horses are being shown. However, if horses are given a partial trace clip or even a full body clip, then blankets are needed at all times if the weather is cool, since the horses no longer have the natural insulation of a longer coat of hair.

For horses that are always being intensely exercised, the Cooler is the ideal type of horse supply blanket. These are those square horse blankets that can greatly help with proper air circulation after a strenuous physical activity. If you plan on taking care of a horse, then be sure to supply him with the necessary tack supply and horse supply items.

An Overview Of The English Tack Items

western horse tack

Everything that is required to ride a horse properly is included in the label "horse tack." These horse supply materials are needed for different kinds of riding styles. There are two main styles of horse tack; English tack and Western tack. These materials can be bought in most horse supply stores, but some stores have more in one style of riding equipment than others.

There are several main components to the English tack that are different than Western horse tack. Of course, the basic elements are there; the saddle, bridles, stirrups, bits, and harnesses, but for English horses, many of these different items have their own unique twist. Horse riding has been a popular sport in Europe for many years, almost since horses became used for riding, so it is not surprising that they have their own styles of horse supply. The English horse equipment is used for most Olympic sports, and is also used for most other equestrian sports.

The English saddle is different from the western saddle because it is smaller and allows the horse a greatest range of motion. The English bridle has a Cavesson noseband, and is mostly used because it has the greatest functionality. Another English bridle, called the double bridle, has two bits for maximum control by the rider. English riders also use a breastplate to protect the horse in dangerous activities, such as jumping and fox hunting. There is also a difference not only in accessories between the English and Western styles of horse supply, but also in riding style. English riding focuses more on style and precision, while Western riding focuses more on abilities that the horse and rider can do together.

If you want to purchase English tack supplies for your horse, there are many different options. Most tack supply shops offer both the English and Western styles of tack. There are also many different discount tack stores that sell discount riding accessories and tack supplies. These used items can really cut down on costs for those who can't afford all new materials. The English horse tack is sometimes harder to find, but there are still options. Many stores sell the equipment pieces online. Shipping online can sometimes be expensive, but it can be worth it to get the equipment you need shipped to you. Professional advice can be a huge help in deciding what equipment to purchase.

English tack accessories are necessary for certain types of riding. If someone is involved with this style of riding, then they will need the English horse tack items that go along with it. There are many different shops that sell horse tack, so it should not be hard to find what you need. If this style is new to you, then consult with a professional before buying equipment.

Pointers When Seeking Western Saddles

horse tack shops

When you visit places where there are horses for sale, look for used Western saddles for sale too, as well as other horse supply items. This is a place where you could get some excellent gear for less than one third of the price. Do not be fixed on the idea that the best saddles are the new ones, because this is not always so. Very often, the pre-owned ones are better than the new ones because they are broken in and the horse will find it comfortable from the beginning.

When you are looking for proper pre-owned saddles, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind, such as the brand of the saddle, the model of the saddle, the fit to the horse and the present status of the saddle. The brand and the model of the saddle will tell you the actual quality of the saddle. Good brands saddles, no matter how old, are as good as gold. The fit and status of the saddle is important, as this will influence your ride; the horse will not listen to your body language if it does not accept the saddle. This is why it is very important that you find a saddle that not only matches perfectly with what you have in mind, but also is comfortable for your horse.

Do not buy any used Western saddles over the internet, no matter how beautiful and perfect they look. Buying anything that is even remotely connected with horse supply should never be bought unless it is checked, by putting it on the horse, and also inspected for quality. The horse is not an animal that can be trifled with. Many horses refuse to listen to their riders if they are unhappy with their saddles and other gear. Check out the Western horse tack shops as well. For information on what to look for, speak with a veteran horse-rider or educate yourself online.

Anytime you shop for Western saddles or anything pertaining to a horse, the best bet would be to purchase a pre-owned one that can be tested for gentleness and readiness. You need to keep in mind that new is not always the best, especially with regard to saddles. The best saddle is the used one because it has been broken in and the horse will find it comfortable.