http://www.carolinaragco.com/articles.php Bi-weekly original articles for people who love horses. Learn from expert equestrian writers on the subjects of caring, raising and showing your horse. en-us Copyright (C) 2006, Carolina Rag Company http://www.carolinaragco.com/rss/rss_banner.gif http://www.carolinaragco.com/articles.php Original articles on raising and caring for your horse. http://www.carolinaragco.com/buyinghorse.php You've taken lessons, spent hours on a horse, and now you've decided it's time to purchase one of your own. You probably have the ideal horse in mind a dream horse, a perfect horse. Aiming high is fine, but realistically, your best bet is to find the right horse for you based on soundness and disposition. Date Dec 18, 2006, 17:35 http://www.carolinaragco.com/bits.php The bit is the main tool of communication between the horse and its rider. So it is essential to find the right bit for your horse. You need to take several factors into consideration when you choose a bit, including the material it is made from, the shape of the mouthpieces and their thickness, which determine the severity and the type of action of the bit, but more importantly the sensitivity and the condition of the horses mouth. Your horse will let you know if it is not comfortable with the bit you are using. Date Dec 20, 2006, 17:00 http://www.carolinaragco.com/trailering.php There's a horse show across the state in a few weeks, and you're planning on being there with your horses. However, it's been awhile since you last pulled a horse trailer, and you're a little concerned about your trailering skills. After all, you want to arrive at your destination safely, with the horses as calm and relaxed as possible. Date Dec 20, 2006, 17:30 http://www.carolinaragco.com/add_focus.php For many people, weekly or even monthly riding lessons are impossible. Whether for financial reasons, lack of time or a myriad of other reasons, many riders must work on their riding outside of a formal training program. If this is the situation that you are in, take heart. By taking some time to sit down and develop goals and a plan you can improve your riding with limited instruction. Date Dec 28, 2006, 09:30 http://www.carolinaragco.com/trail.php You compete in shows every weekend. You practice hard every weekday. You live, dream and breathe competition. Then you have a weekend off. What will you do? No show to go to and your horse can not stand another minute of practice. You decide to treat yourself and you horse to one of the most peaceful things to do on horseback: a nice quiet trail ride. Date Jan 14, 2007 09:00 http://www.carolinaragco.com/ehv1.php The recent outbreak of the deadly neurological form of Equine Herpesvirus-1 has many horsemen concerned. While concern is understandable, by taking some sensible precautions you can minimize the risk to your horse. There is no fail safe way to prevent any horse from developing EHV-1. In some recent cases, it was noted that the horses that became ill had not been exposed to any sick horses. Date Jan 25, 2007 09:00 http://www.carolinaragco.com/rugging.php We rug our horses to give them extra warmth and to replace their coat when we have clipped them. Rugs will keep the horse clean and dry, especially if they are living out or turned out during the day. Rugs can help to dry and cool the horse slowly which will prevent breaking out, getting chilled and colic. Date Feb 9, 2007 09:00 http://www.carolinaragco.com/acupuncture.php In the U.S. veterinary acupuncture continues to build a reputation as more universities offer it as part of their veterinary degree programs and more vets choose to include it in their practice. Date Feb 27, 2007 07:00 http://www.carolinaragco.com/showcoat.php Whether your goals are to show or trail ride, whether you routinely take your horse in public, or you are the only one to see him, a slick, shiny coat is a point of pride for most horseowners. Date Mar 22, 2007 17:00 http://www.carolinaragco.com/hoofcare.php The pleasure of owning a horse is being able to ride it. When your horses feet suffer an injury, it can take anywhere from a week to four weeks or more to heal. Establishing a daily regimen to care for your horses hooves can help a great deal in minimizing injuries and getting treatment to your horse as soon as possible. Date April 14, 2007 08:00 http://www.carolinaragco.com/saddles.php A cowboy in the Old West treasured two items: his horse and his saddle. Without either, he couldnt work, he couldnt travel and he sure as tooting wasnt much of a cowboy without them. No surprise then that a good cowboy made sure to take care of both, even going so far as spending several months salary on a quality saddle. Date May 8, 2007 08:00 http://www.carolinaragco.com/trailsafe.php Whether your plans are for a weekend-long trail ride with a group of friends, or a quick hack through the woods after your ride, safety should always come first when trail riding. The first rule of trail riding is to always let someone know where you are going, and when to expect you back. Even if you are going trail riding with friends, you should let someone back at the barn, or even at home, know your plans. Trail riding by yourself? Then it is doubly important. Date May 29, 2007 08:00