Horses, like humans, all have unique personalities, characteristics, and habits. They display responses to stimulants and experiences that can cause us to question the meaning behind them. Some of these tendencies like nudging or following you around are relatively easy to decipher. Licking, however, leaves many equestrians and horse lovers confused. Having your horse lick…
Donkeys today come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and coat texture. The most common coat color is grey, followed by brown and then black, roan, and broken colored donkeys (a combination of brown and white or black and white markings) and the rarest color is pure white. The one in our video is black and…
While not all accidents can be prevented, horses die every winter after becoming trapped in icy bodies of water. But horses owners can reduce the risk by taking steps to protect horses from icy surfaces or frozen ponds. If you have water bodies on your horse property, there are some tips on how to keep…
Did you know that horses have their own ‘GPS’ (Global Positioning System)? Wherever they are, horses can orientate themselves based on magnetic fields. Have you ever wondered why your horse is much more forward on the way home than when you are leaving the stable? Even when riding with loose reins in an unfamiliar area,…
Do you want to see a funny incident? Take a look at this video where a kangaroo joins in a horse race. I am sure that the kangaroo got into the race accidentally. It may have already been on the trace and hearing the horses’ hooves, it got frightened and bounded ahead. On the other…
Did you know that horses can be taught to respond to verbal commands? They can pick up certain words and tones in the voice. It’s a great way to help your horse understand what you want from him. Short words can be used on the ground, such as when leading or lunging, and even in…
Horses have very distinct personalities, and most owners have at least one story about their equine counterpart doing something silly to keep himself entertained. This horse, for example, is drinking water so funnily, that you can’t help but laugh or at least smile while watching it. Though people tend to apply human emotions to their…
If your mare is expecting a foal, you are sure to be very excited and perhaps a bit worried about how to care for the new arrival. The good news is that if you have a healthy mare and a clean, spacious environment you won’t have to do much of anything. Your mare should be…
If you’ve never encountered a stubborn horse, consider yourself lucky. These horses simply refuse to leave the vicinity of the barn or their favorite companions. Their refusals run the gamut from standing with their hooves “nailed to the ground” to jigging, bucking, backing up violently, rearing, or even throwing themselves on the ground. The good…
There is a great variety of personality types within the Friesian breed, which allows many types of owners to find the right match depending on their goals and riding levels. Friesians are described as being mischievous, loving, and playful. Horse lovers often describe them as being majestic with a commanding presence. Friesians are known for…
Did you know that horses should eat constantly because their GI tract is designed to always be digesting small amounts of forage as they graze nearly around the clock? The horse’s stomach is relatively small and can only hold so much at one time. Most of a horse’s energy comes from fermenting forages in the…
This horse, named Mikko, was in a holding area for wild horses, and everyone was too busy to help him until a girl named Emma spotted him. A ranch adopted him and Emma went to help. At first, he was so scared and didn’t let her touch him. But then he started being a little…
Horses may not love each other in the same capacity as a human loving another human. But a horse can undoubtedly feel and give affection. Horses show affection for one another through vocalizations as well as by actions. For example, they nickel to show happiness when greeting other horses, scratch to show affection and love,…
Did you know that horses can read human emotions, too, often in uncannily accurate ways, alerting us to our sadness or nervousness, sometimes before we’ve even consciously registered it? You know how it’s said: No philosophers so thoroughly comprehend us as dogs and horses. The equine ability to read human emotion through sound and touch…
Shetland pony racing may be the cutest equestrian sport in existence. It has grown from a few charity races here and there to a fully-fledged competitive sport in just a few years. It’s a pleasure to watch these adorable creatures racing. The Shetland pony is a breed of pony native to the Shetland Islands, and…
Imagine waking up in the morning caressed by your horse, who wants to play. I think this is every child’s dream, especially since horses can be excellent playmates. Play is a fundamental aspect of equine behavior. Desire to play starts in early foal-hood and continues even in adulthood. It is an essential aspect of development,…
