What to do if bees attack you and your horse

There is always a danger during late summer or early fall of bees invading the trails that you may be riding your horse on. So what do you do if bees attack you and your horse?
Lets consider what your horse will do if he's attacked. He may rear up, buck like a crazy horse and he will probably run for safety. To a horse the safe place will be his stall inside the barn.
If you can get off the horse before the bees start stinging, then do so quickly, leaving the reigns draped over the horses neck so he can run back to the barn freely. If there is a water source near by head to it and dive right in. If there is no water source run and run and run, the bees will give up after a minute or two and you will both be fine. You will just have to walk back to the barn. Your horse will be waiting for you with a smile on his face.
If the bees attack suddenly and you can't dismount safely and quickly. Then you must flatten yourself along the horses back and hold on tight with your legs and be prepared to take a fast ride back to the barn. lying low on the horses back is important because you don't want to hit your head on the barn or stall door when the horse races through with you on him.
 keeping your head attached is the preferable method. Just keep from panicking and you both should be just fine.
As a side note all barns should be equipped with a Epi-pen just in case you or any others need it.

The pleasures and sometimes dangers of trail riding

If you get up just as the sun begins to rise on a hot summer day you will find that it is quiet and peaceful. This is the perfect time for a long trail ride. Trail riding is a personal favorite of mine. I worked for many years taking people out on trial rides, but nothing is better then saddling up your horse and just going on a trial ride for the sheer pleasure of it all by yourself. If your lucky enough to have trails on your property then not only is it safe and peaceful, but knowing the terrain can make the experience very relaxing.

Trail riders

 I like to make a big lunch and stay out all day. Most properties have some water source so your horse can have a drink and there should be lots of edibles for him to munch on during the trip.
Once when I was younger I took a midnight trail ride. I got cocky and left our property and headed across a bunch of fields to a area that was full of public trials like a conservation area. Although it was a midnight ride the sky was clear when I started out and I could see just fine by the moonlight. I had been riding Scout, my pinto for about two hours when the clouds began rolling in. It got very dark very fast. The sky was inky and I could no longer see the trail. In about fifteen minutes I was completely lost and didn't know what direction I was headed. I was ready to panic but then I remembered reading somewhere that a horse can always find it's way home just like a dog or cat.
I put my faith into Scout and let go of the reigns. I think he thought I was crazy letting him have complete control, but it worked. After walking ahead for a few feet, he shook his head and turned around. I guess he was tired and wanted to go home too.

About an hour later we were safely back home with him in his stall and me in my bed. I owe Scout many thanks, he has saved me from dangers on many occasions. I learned early on to trust my horse. Horses have better senses then humans and if there is a place they don't want to go it's usually for a good reason.

My first horse show

My first horse show was a very interesting ordeal. I had been taking riding lessons for about six months when my instructor deemed me fit to enter a Western riding show. The only problem I has was that we didn't own a trailer to transport me and the horse. The show was about 16 miles away from where I lived. That meant riding my horse 32 miles in one day not taking into account the mile or two during the show.
My horse was in great shape so I decided to go for it.
I got up at 5:30 in the morning and after feeding and grooming Scout (Scout was my horses name) for the show, I saddled him up and we headed down the road.
The part of the show I was participating in started at 12 noon so we didn't have much time to waste. A horse can travel about 4 miles in an hour by walking and trotting. We left at 7 am so by 11am I expected to be at the show.
The walk there was uneventful and Scout was used of traveling on the roads. I got off and walked along side him for about half the journey. As we passed fields or steams I allowed him all the water he wanted and a small amount of grass to eat. (Horses shouldn't have big meals while working, it can cause bloating that can be a serious life threatening disorder.) By the time we got there we wee both  tired and ready for a break. I hitched to the posts available for the horses and gave him a fresh bucket of water and a little hay. I left him to rest while I checked out the competition.

Wow there were a lot of riders and some really nicely groomed horses. My horse had just walked 16 miles and wasn't looking that great. I raced back to where he was resting and got out the grooming tools I had put away on my pack. I french braided his tail and brushed is mane until it shined. I briskly rubbed him down with a dry towel and then brushed his entire body. Scout was a great looking horse by the time I was done.

My time was up and I heard the first Western showmanship entry being called. I walked him to the ring and got him to stand in the required positions while a judge looked on. I was nervous but convinced that we could at least come in third or fourth place.

The judge made his announcements. We took second and I had a pretty blue ribbon to prove it. I was shocked and so happy. I proudly walked him from the ring while the crowd clapped and cheered for the winners.

The next part of the show started immediately afterward. My instructor was there and she was amazed to see me holding the second place ribbon.
I mounted Scout and went into the ring. We were judged on riding technique, how well we handled our horses and we had to follow certain patterns and challenges. I was feeling tired and my instructor noticed I wasn't sitting straight and wasn't looking very confident. She called to me and said I better smarten up and get riding like I had been taught.
Well I did straighten up and I did ride like I had been taught plus a little extra. Scout and I took first place.

I think that day was the longest but one of the happiest times with my horse Scout. I couldn't have done well without by best buddy. We walked home that day another 16 miles, but with 2 red ribbons and one blue.

It was late when we got back and we were both glad to be home. Scout was finally happily munching hay and some well deserved oats in his stall. I went inside for a meal as I had forgot to pack a lunch. I later hung my first of many show trophies on my wall and had a nice long sleep. I dreamed of other days and other horse shows.

Beginners Western and English horse riding equipment

A good leather western saddle

So you just bought your first horse or you have been riding for years and are looking to buy new equipment there are many things to consider when buying saddles, bridles, blankets or grooming sets. Do you plan on pleasure riding? Trail riding? Equestrian jumping? Do you plan on competing in western or English show events?

It's important to always buy good sound equipment. Never buy anything made of plastic that you intend to fasten onto your horse. A horse is a living breathing creature and just like humans their skin is sensitive and needs to breath.

Leather, cotton and some types of synthetic nylon are best for your horse. When buying riding equipment for children, look for saddles that are free from things that may entangle a foot or leg. Accidents happen and falling off a horse is common when you first start riding. You don't want a foot or leg to get tangled around anything on the saddle, this can cause a child to be dragged around under the horse. Even worse the horse can become frightened and run even faster with your child underneath it. Only the toe of the riding boot should be in the stirrup. Buying good basic equipment is essential to safety. Plain looking saddles of high quality are best for beginners.

Western riding helmet

Riding helmets are also a basic for children and beginner adults. Choose riding helmets that meet ASTM standards. Standards require that the protective headgear is to be tested under specified environmental conditions for the following:

1. Impact attenuation (the limiting of head acceleration) of the protective headgear, and

2 Strength and stability of the retention system and its attachment to the protective headgear.

Most reputable manufactures of riding helmets adhere to ASTM standards and will label their products as such. Safety is important, but so is comfort not only for you but your horse as well. Horses can't tell you when they are pinched by improperly cinched saddles or incorrectly place bridles. it's important to watch how your horse moves. If your horse is calm and quite during saddling and bridling then he is probably comfortable and you can go ahead and start riding. if he flinches and tries to move away from you, then something is probably not quite right and you should remove the saddle and bridle and start again.

Humans need to be comfortable while on top of their horse. getting a saddle that fits your body size is just as important as making your horse feel comfortable wearing the saddle. Most beginners start with a western saddle because they are very comfortable and the horn on the saddle can give comfort to first timers. A child can hold the saddle horn while the horse is led around by a lead. Adults sometimes feel safer holding the horn with one hand while steering with the reigns in the other.

How to buy a Bridle and Bit for your new horse

Buying a bridle for your new horse is only half the challenge. It's the Bit that's most important. Beginners should stick to the mildest Bit. A Eggbutt Snaffle Bit is recommended for most pleasure riding horses. There is vast array of Bridles and Bits. Bridles can be bought according to what is pleasing to you. The Bit must be pleasing to the horse. Different Bits put pressure on different spots of your horses mouth, tongue and cheeks. An inexperienced rider may not know how a Bit works so it is best to buy the mildest Bit. You don't want to damage or cause your horse discomfort.

Best Eggbutt Snaffle Bit for beginners

You can buy Bridles online, but it is best for beginners to go to a good tack shop and ask questions. A reputable dealer will steer you in the right direction and will sell you a Bit most suitable for your horse.

How to choose your first horse

My beautiful Scout a pure bred Pinto

The first thing you want to do is read all you can about horse breeds and then then make a decision about what kind of breed you want. If your thinking about pleasure riding a Quarter horse is great for Western pleasure riding and a Nice Arabian is great for English riding. These two breeds are my personal favorites and I have owned both.

There are plenty of others just as nice and many would make excellent pleasure riding buddies.

What you want to look for is a well proportioned and healthy looking horse. Look at the horses ribs. Are the ribs bony? Unless he is a racing horse, he should have a good layer of fat covering his ribs. Look at the horses hoofs. Do the hoofs look broken and cracked?  Don't buy from anyone who doesn't keep his horses well taken care of.
Look around the stables. Are the stables clean and is there lots of fresh water available for the horses? Do things appear to be well maintained and organized?  Ask a country vet if he knows of a good stable that sells horses. This can save you a lot of time and most vets will know if the owners are good people who take good care of there stock.

Next you need to consider the age and most importantly the personality of the horse. A horse that shy's away when petted or nods his head up and down constantly may be to high strung for a first time horse. You want a happy friendly horse that likes having his head rubbed and doesn't mind you touching his mouth. Remember you will have to bridle your horse to ride him and you don't want a horse who refuses to take the bit. Run your hands all over the horses body and feel for any lumps or bumps. Take note of any sensitive spots that make the horse flinch. Run your hands down his legs and don't be afraid to lift his hoof. Horses that are well groomed and shod won't mind if you lift their hoof and are quite happy to keep it lifted until you release it.

Stay away from any horse that tries to bite or lashes out with its hoofs or tries to kick you. These horses can be trained to be good friendly animals but they need an experienced trainer to get them there. These types are not for beginners.

Choosing the right horse can and should take some time. Again read all you can about different breed personalities before making any decisions.

The first time I rode my horse

When I was younger my parents bought me my first horse. His name was Scout. He was a beautiful pure bred Pinto. The owner said that he would make the ultimate pleasure riding horse. Scout came complete with a Western saddle, saddle pad and basic bridle with a Snaffle Eggbutt Bit. A few brushes and of course his own horse halter and short lead.
Scout was delivered via a horse trailer to our farm.
The first thing I did was lead him around his new home and put him in his stall. Of course I couldn't leave him there long because I was excited about riding him.
After a short time in his stall to recuperate from the trailer ride, I saddled him up and climbed up into the saddle. I gave him a squeeze with my legs and excepted him to begin moving. The horse didn't budge an inch. I squeezed harder, still no movement what so ever. I slapped my legs against his sides. The horse simply refused to move.
This wasn't supposed happen. This was the ultimate pleasure horse. The horse I always dreamed of having. The horse that was going to give me hours and hours of pure riding pleasure on the many trails on our property.
There was something wrong with this horse. I asked my parents who shook their heads and could offer no advice, other then to say that maybe the horse didn't like me.
Well that was fine I thought I would stay on the horses back until he did like me. After a full hour of sitting and waiting the horse out, there was still no movement. Talk about a stubborn horse!!!
I jumped down off Scout and picked up a long blade of grass. Got back up in the saddle and showed him the piece of long grass. I threatened to slap him with it if he didn't get walking.
Stunned shocked and amazed my horse took the threat seriously and began walking with me proudly grinning with happiness.
Scout and I had many disagreements over the years, but within a few short months he became that ultimate pleasuring riding horse.