Sunday, November 30, 2008

What to Expect as a Beginner in Horse Back Riding

One cannot simply jump onto a horse for the first time and gallop away into the sunset - at least not without injury. Horse riding lessons are required for a person to build up the skill and the confidence necessary to become a truly good rider. In order to learn any higher skills, whether it be show jumping or barrel racing, a solid foundation is required. Beginner riding lessons are designed to teach new riders balance, basic skills and confidence.

Balance is a fundamental element required in learning to ride a horse. Without a good seat, further skills cannot be developed. In learning to balance on a horse, one will learn to move with the horse instead of against it. The natural reaction is to brace one's self and tense their muscles in response to a horse's panic or even just the oddity of its movement underneath a person. This is a matter of time and practice. Often times, an instructor will lead or lunge a horse with a new student on its back. The rider can then take their hands off of the reins and saddle, release their stirrups and truly feel the horse's movement. This is a technique which many trainers employ when working with those new to horse riding. Gripping the saddle is fine for pony rides, but in real riding, one needs to learn sooner rather than later how to balance without this safety blanket.

Basic skills which will be taught in beginner horse riding lessons include the obvious stopping, starting and turning. Skills quickly advance past these necessities to other required skills. Riders must learn to guide a horse with not only hands and reins, but legs as well. This guidance with the legs will be essential in more advanced levels to perform movements such as half passes, leg yielding and other sideways movements.
100% Horse

Leg pressure is also necessary in learning to create bend in a horse - a rather fundamental principal. In beginner horse riding lessons, one will also be taught the basics of form which apply in most fields of riding. One must sit straight, neither slouching on the tailbone, nor perching forward. Legs should be stretched long, with heels down. Hands should be down, just off of the saddle, and elbows held close to the body. Eyes should always be up and looking where one wants their horse to go.

Confidence is a key factor in advancing beyond the basics. In beginner horse back riding lessons, one will learn to truly control a horse. Riders come away from these lessons with a sense of pride and confidence from the knowledge and skills they have gained.

Friday, November 28, 2008

The Magnificent Horse: From Transportation To Recreation To Pet

A horse can be regarded as more than an animal to ride, more than a hobby. A horse owner can love that animal as easily as he can love a dog. The main reason for purchasing a horse is to ride but the horse/human relationship is much more than that. When a small child looks up and says, "Your horse is beautiful" the horse owner is filled with pride.

When a horse is well trained and accustomed to working "with" the rider it's almost as if the two are merged during riding. There is no better example of this than a "cow pony" (also called a cutting horse) which is a horse trained to follow, chase and cut a cow from the herd. The need for a horse to perform this duty dates back to the days when range cattle were branded and herds turned loose to roam without benefit of fences. Each rancher used his own brand as a method of recognizing which cattle he owned. During a cutting horse competition, the cowboy can guide his horse without touching the reins. The shifting of the rider's body weight in the saddle tells the horse what direction to take. The perfect communication between the two is amazing to witness.
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Watching these competitions makes for a great spectator sport.

People watching can be an interesting pastime. Observing a herd of horses in a pasture is just as interesting in the sense that each has an individual personality just like people. In a herd of ten you might see two laying down, another two might be fighting with each other. A fight can be anything from nipping at each other to rearing up and lunging. If one horse approaches from behind, the horse who is crowded might kick out with one hind leg and sometimes both.

The remaining horses might turn to observe or simply continue grazing. Some will never fight even if provoked. Others seem to enjoy being disagreeable. When a horse lays its ears back it indicates anger against another horse and may result in a bite or a kick.

Every horse owner smiles when offering an apple or carrot as a treat. The warm muzzle and the soft whinny as the animal takes the treat from the open hand is a bonding moment. Petting the side of a horse's nose is like touching velvet.

There are many things a horse has to offer to a human. He can be ridden for recreation or in horse shows. He can be part of a team and pull a hay wagon. Some can be trained to jump and the Royal Lipizzaner stallions which have been bred to perfection for half a millennium perform dressage which has been described as "horses dancing."

Registered thoroughbreds are trained to win speed races. Registered quarter horses learn to run barrels and compete in other speed contests at the Western horse shows. Riding clubs take part in parades on the fourth of July and many Renaissance fairs feature exhibition jousting matches. The versatility and appeal of this magnificent animal can touch your heart if you let it. At that point the relationship becomes more than a joining of horse and rider; your horse has whinnied his way into your heart and become - your pet...

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Horse head Faucet

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About the Author: Tom Chapman


Thursday, November 27, 2008

Checklist to Buy Used Tractor

If your thinking of buying a used tractor have a look at the following checklist to help you to find the best fit from our used tractor range.

Here is a list of features that you need to consider when searching for a used tractor.

Horse Power - Does the used tractor that you are looking at have enough horse power to perform the job that you require it to do. Allclass equipment have may different used tractors with different horsepower's for you to browse. Click here to see our current range.

Tyres - Its important that the tractor that you are looking at not only has the required tread pattern for your required purpose but that it is not at the end or close to the end of its useful life. If your used tractor has only a fraction of wear left in the tyres it's an added expense for you to bear in the future. Please ask your used tractor consultant how much life there is in the tractors tyres.

Engine hours - Most used tractors have a long and useful life. You can get an idea of how much life is left in the tractor of your choice by looking at the engine hours. The engine hours will help determine a fair price for the used tractor that you are looking at as the more hours that it has the cheaper it generally is.

Age - the age of the tractor will also determine the price of the tractor to some extent. Obviously if two tractors are the same age you would refer back to the other areas to determine what was the best deal.

History - It's always good to know the history of the used tractor and the type of work that it was involved in in its previous life. This will help you to determine if it will be a reliable machine in the future.

Make and Model - Some makes and models attract buyers more than others. Some makes attract a premium because of their reputation for quality and reliability while others may have certain characteristics that may not be desirable for the job that you are doing. Always check with your used tractor consultant to check if there is anything about the model that you are looking at that may not be good for your application.

Cabin - Because your tractor is your office you need to make sure that you are comfortable working within the cabin. Does it give you the level of comfort that you are used to or need? Is there easy access to all the controls, does it have air conditioning, and any other features that you require?

4WD - 2WD - Do you need a 4WD tractor? Is your new used tractor to be used for an application that is in a location that necessitates 4WD or will a 2WD tractor be sufficient. If you don't need a 4WD tractor then its pointless to pay the extra cost so make sure you are clear what the tractor might be doing in the future so that you know which option to choose.

You should take all these factors into consideration but make sure that you ask our specialist Used Tractor consultants for their feedback on your application and needs. They are experienced at matching quality used tractors with new owners. Contact us now about your needs or view our catalogue of tractors online.

How to Restore Your Farm Tractor

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About the Author: Author Bio:

Andrew Moore is an expert mechanic in evaluating used excavators & loaders, engines & generators for excavators and tractors, buy used tractors, excavator attachments, mowers, Toyota skid, kanga loaders, beeline technology.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Keeping Goats: Learn about Pet Goat care

For those who have goats as pets it is very important for them to take care of these pets. They need very particular feed, not the rubbish you often associate with ‘goats will eat anything’. A pet goat also needs good shelter for all seasons and fencing to keep it healthy. There are also many goat health problems that you need to be aware of, and prevent in advance.

For such extensive care there are many books, manuals, and websites etc. that provide tips for complete goat care. These sources guide you to keep your goats in the best of health. A good manual would even help you to start your own goat farm with healthy goats. And thus you would generate more profits as a goat farmer.

And if you have pet goats because you need their daily products, you need expert advice to help you transform your poor milking goats into healthy and productive dairy goats.

Anybody keeping goats as pets needs to feel confident that they know how to best care for their precious pets. Without good advice, you can easily end up not only with a goat in trouble, but also very expensive vet care bills. You want to enjoy the experience of having a pet goat, so make sure you learn as much as possible about their feeding and care.

So you need to find the manuals that can teach you how you identify the health problems with goats, prevent them where possible. Like tips on how to avoid poisonous plants that could be fatal for your pet goat. They give a view of some of the important life saving questions that one must keep in mind before keeping goats. For instance, will you be de-horning your goat, to keep your kids safer around it? Then you will need detailed instructions and help to do this safely. Will you be breeding your goat? Then you need expert guidance in the whole process, right through to the birth. Are you keeping a pet goat because you need the milk? Then you will need help in creating milking cycles that would work to your benefit.

One can even discover different fencing types which would save on a great amount of money as well as time. These even give you tips on how you can earn money by extracting wool out of these pet goats.

If you have not already selected your pet goat, a good goatkeeping guide would even suggest what kind of goats would be suit a person in accordance to his/her requirements. Don’t make the simple mistakes so many people do when they first start keeping goats. Be prepared from the very start with all the information you will need.

If you are thinking of starting a goat farm, you would need to be an expert on milk yearling, dry yearling etc. among many, many other subjects on keeping goats healthy and profitable for your business. And from a good manual you would know how to treat any kind of illness or injuries that may occur so that your farm stays profitable from the very beginning.

Such tips could fetch you good profits. A good manual about keeping goats also help you in maintaining breeding and birthing for healthy kid and nanny. Such tips are essential for those who want to breed goats and suggest how to take care of the kid right after their birth.
The Goat Care Handbook


Get your Guide for Keeping Goats right here. GOAT CRAZY reveals all about How To Have the Healthiest, Best Producing, Longest Living Goats in the Land. If you have a pet goat or even if you want to be a goat farmer, visit http://www.keeping-goats.com right now for your eBook all about the care and feeding of goats. You can also get a gift report on How to Make Goat’s Cheese just for subscribing to our free goat magazine!

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Horse riding summer camp

Youngsters may have just seen horses in books, TV, or visiting friends who have horses. They may have a fascination of riding a horse but may not get an opportunity. Not only youngsters, but even women and men have a fascination for riding a horse. People who are Rhodes scholars and mentally challenged do enjoy the thrill of horses and the art of horsemanship. As summer is approaching you may be thinking of sending him to a summer camp but it may be difficult for you select the best one for your child, as there are many camps offering this program. You might be worried as, will the child be safe, what type of horses they will keep in the camp. Which horse would be right for your kid? So here are the answers to all your questions?
A summer horse camp is a summer camp with a focus on horses and riding. The camp may run from one day to eight weeks depending upon the program. Some camps do offer longer sessions. Some of them are also coeducational.
A horsemanship camp is an excellent way of teaching your kid as to care for other living creature. These camps teach children how to socialize with others and develop horsemanship skills. Some camps teach kids from taking care of them to feeding etc. In these camps, youngsters have classroom studies and seminars where they learn the basics of horse like feeding, care and riding. These programs last for three weeks. These camps will provide instruction on riding skills each day and offer other activities for a portion of each day.

Many camps focus on English riding styles. Safety is the most important activity.
Riders are asked to wear helmets and boots while they are riding the horse. Safety is very important because of their sheer size which can be dangerous in certain situations. The horses that are found in the camps are well trained and they are kept at the farm throughout the year. The campers are taught the cues that are necessary to communicate with the horses. The different breeds of horses are thoroughbreds, Arabians, quarter horses and walking horses. These breeds are mostly used in the camps. Summer horse camps are most often found on horse farms. Horse farms include horse stables, pastures, and show or performance arenas. Most of them have beautiful landscapes with white board fences and other pastoral farm amenities.

Campers stay in cabins. The camp has full time trainers who are experienced and keep the animals in shape so that campers get the best learning and riding experiences. The camp staff is generally qualified to provide quality instruction about horsemanship. Most of the camps generally use college students or graduates as counselors. These counselors are preparing them for careers in the equestrian industry. Certified Horsemanship association should certify each of these counselors as instructors. Every reputable camp will often give you a list of references. Talk to people who have previously enrolled in the camp who will give you an opinion about the facilities, the quality of the horses, about counselors and overall satisfaction. Mari milian is an Expert author for youth summer camps and coed camps. She has written many articles like Children summer camps,boys summer camps,overnight summer camps, horseback riding camp and music summer camps. For more information visit: paliadventures.com contact her at caterina.milian@gmail.com



Related Articles - Rock star camp, child acting camp, horseback riding camp, water sports camp, children summer camps, ATV racing camp, exercise camp, kids culinary camp,







LEARING HORSEBACK RIDING

LEARING HORSEBACK RIDING


LEARING HORSEBACK RIDING












Tuesday, November 11, 2008

14Kt Gold and Blue Topaz Horse Ring




14Kt Gold and Blue Topaz Horse Ring

14Kt Gold and Blue Topaz Horse Ring


A running horse accented by a blue topaz tops this gold band that's the perfect accessory for any occasion. 14Kt Gold and Blue Topaz Horse Ring is available in whole sizes 6-10.












Sunday, November 9, 2008

The Lure of Manure: Energy from Farm Waste

It is well known that animals, and farm animals in particular, produce greenhouse gases. However, unless everyone becomes a strict vegetarian, livestock is not likely to go away any time soon. Knowing that, some enterprising people have turned a liability into a biofriendly asset by using farm waste as an energy source.

For example, a large Chinese chicken farm about 50 miles north of Beijing has converted a coal-powered electrical power plant into a plant powered by chicken manure. The farm has 3 million chickens that produce 220 tons of manure every day. That is a lot of manure and the anaerobic digester system plant is expected to generate as much as 14.6 million kilowatt-hours of electrical energy per year. In addition, this method of generating power is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions annually by 95,000 tons.

The monetary savings will be significant as well. "This biogas project will quickly pay for itself by meeting the customer's demand for cost-effective electricity and heat," said Jack Wen, President and CEO of GE Energy China. "We estimate that the customer will save more than US $1.2 million a year in electricity costs alone."

Meanwhile, back in Texas, an enterprising company, Microgy Inc., is putting microbes to work. The company builds anaerobic digesters, large tanks in which microbes break down organic material in an environment devoid of oxygen. The organic waste products decompose over time into numerous products, including so-called biogas, which contains a large amount of natural gas (methane) that can be burned to produce heat or electricity. There are other useful by-products as well, such as fertilizer and mulch.

At a composting center near Stephenville, Texas, Microgy is building eight 916,000-gallon digesters at a cost of $11.5 million, which will be able to process the manure of 10,000 cows. The plant is expected to start shipping methane in the third quarter of 2008. The plant will be capable of producing about a billion cubic feet of biogas per year and earn an estimated $4.6 million in revenue.

Biogas produced from farm manure is not only a renewable energy source, it solves the problem of waste disposal and can also be quite profitable, unlike many other methods of generating alternative energy that are heavily dependent on subsidies.

In a different, but related field, Biofriendly Corporation is doing its part in making an important contribution towards a greener planet. Their Green Plus® liquid fuel catalyst provides a cleaner, more linear fuel burn in internal combustion engines, resulting in fewer harmful emissions, increased torque and better fuel economy.

For more information about Green Plus visit the Biofriendly website at www.biofriendly.com.


Author:
Author, Peter Verhoeff, contributes articles on environmental issues for Biofriendly Corporation. More information on these and other topics can be found on the Biofriendly site.



Terms: Articles may be reprinted provided content is not edited and links are kept live

Source: www.articledepot.co.uk

top cow breeds in north america

Really Wild Animals: Farmyard Friends DVD

Top Cow Breeds in North America

We have our preferences, especially when it comes to raising cows and cattle and making it big in the market. It would depend on the country and its market to choose which cow breeds to favor above the others. Here are the top cow breeds in North America today:

Ayshires: This breed is generally red and white in color, with the red color varying from very light to very dark shades. There are cows and bulls that may be nearly covered all in red or nearly all in white. Brindle and roan colors are rare in Ayshires today, although it was once common.

The Ayshires possess great ability to rustle and forage for themselves when under adverse conditions. They can adapt to rugged terrains and harsh conditions better than most cow breeds, and this makes them an outstanding commercial cow breed. They are strong and easy to raise.

Brown Swiss: Also called Braunvieh, this cow breed is brown in color, with a creamy white muzzle and dark nose. This is another strong breed, well-balanced, with a good physique, and can also adapt to harsh conditions.

The Brown Swiss are used both for dairy and beef purposes, as they provide good milk and meat output. The Brown Swiss are also known among milk producers for their good milk, protein, and butterfat production. Their milk also makes great cheese because of their very favorable fat-to-protein ratio.

Guernsey: The Guernsey can vary from yellow to red or brown, with white patches. This is one calm breed, neither irritable nor nervous. Their appearance is that of an animal born with great physical form.

It is the Guernsey's behavior and individuality that attracts many breeders and producers towards it. Dairy and meat production is no problem with their well-balanced body. Their calm attitude and fine temperament makes them great for utility.

Holstein: The Holsteins are the most recognizable cow breed, with the trademark color of black and white. There are also Holsteins that are red and white. The Holstein is a desirable cow breed for producers, as the breed produces both milk and meat. Their milk production rate is observed to be constantly improving, too.

Jersey: The Jersey's color is light brown, though there are those with colors that range from grey to a dull black. White patches are also present, with some Jerseys almost covered by them. Perhaps the main distinctive feature of the Jersey is its black nose border by an almost white muzzle. Another defining trait is its hard black feet, which contributes to strong legs that makes the breed a sturdy and strong one.

Dairy Shorthorn: The Dairy Shorthorns can be red, red and white, white, or roan. The roan-colored Shorthorn has a specific shade of roan that cannot be seen in the other cow breeds. Despite their name, the Dairy Shorthorn can be horned or polled. The Shorthorns' milk is best for making cheese because of its most favorable fat-to-protein ratio.

The Dairy Shorthorns are gentle and quiet in nature, and they can fit well with the other breeds. The Shorthorns also have the ability to recover quickly and have few physical problems. They especially have strong feet and legs. The female Shorthorns make excellent mothers, and have been used as “foundation” females in the introduction of European breeds to Australia.

It is debatable which cow breed is the best. Perhaps, it will never be known which is the best among them because of each has individuality and benefits for the producer and consumer markets. Nevertheless, these remain to be the top cow breeds in North America.


Author:
The author of this article is currently working on Holstein Embryo. Feel free to contact her at keywriterm@gmail.com for any inquiries or concerns.



Terms: Articles may be reprinted provided content is not edited and links are kept live

Source: http://www.articledepot.co.uk/

Saturday, November 8, 2008

What to Expect as a Beginner in Horse Back Riding

One cannot simply jump onto a horse for the first time and gallop away into the sunset - at least not without injury. Horse riding lessons are required for a person to build up the skill and the confidence necessary to become a truly good rider. In order to learn any higher skills, whether it be show jumping or barrel racing, a solid foundation is required. Beginner riding lessons are designed to teach new riders balance, basic skills and confidence.

Balance is a fundamental element required in learning to ride a horse. Without a good seat, further skills cannot be developed. In learning to balance on a horse, one will learn to move with the horse instead of against it. The natural reaction is to brace one's self and tense their muscles in response to a horse's panic or even just the oddity of its movement underneath a person. This is a matter of time and practice. Often times, an instructor will lead or lunge a horse with a new student on its back. The rider can then take their hands off of the reins and saddle, release their stirrups and truly feel the horse's movement. This is a technique which many trainers employ when working with those new to horse riding. Gripping the saddle is fine for pony rides, but in real riding, one needs to learn sooner rather than later how to balance without this safety blanket.

Basic skills which will be taught in beginner horse riding lessons include the obvious stopping, starting and turning. Skills quickly advance past these necessities to other required skills. Riders must learn to guide a horse with not only hands and reins, but legs as well. This guidance with the legs will be essential in more advanced levels to perform movements such as half passes, leg yielding and other sideways movements.

Leg pressure is also necessary in learning to create bend in a horse - a rather fundamental principal. In beginner horse riding lessons, one will also be taught the basics of form which apply in most fields of riding. One must sit straight, neither slouching on the tailbone, nor perching forward. Legs should be stretched long, with heels down. Hands should be down, just off of the saddle, and elbows held close to the body. Eyes should always be up and looking where one wants their horse to go.

Confidence is a key factor in advancing beyond the basics. In beginner horse back riding lessons, one will learn to truly control a horse. Riders come away from these lessons with a sense of pride and confidence from the knowledge and skills they have gained.

Learn to ride a horse from the comfort of your own home. Lessons include a bonus horseback riding video.







Cross-Train Your Horse, Bk. 1: Simple Dressage for Every Horse, Every Horse, Every Sport

Cross-Train Your Horse, Bk. 1: Simple Dressage for Every Horse, Every Horse, Every Sport


Jane Savoie shows how basic dressage techniques can be used to improve every horse''''s athleticism and performance, no matter what the rider''''s chosen sport.