by yorkgentlegiants on March 19, 2009
This was not surprising, for good horses will never lag behind, but next morning early when the wagon started for rations there were Darby and Joan-fresh as paint, traces taut, bite rattling like a pebble mill, ears forward, snorting and stepping out just as if there had been a week in the stable.
That Summer we lost horses. July, August, September, found them always on the move; sometimes Fritz got their range, sometimes they were bombed at night or shot while bringing up rations. We moved slowly forward, and sometimes backward, day and night in action, with the horses never far away in open fields’.
With the Autumn came rain, mud and cracked heels, and in the village of Souastre Darby had to go with open gashes on both hind feet. Standing in the lines, I watched him being led away. I saw him stop, raise and turn his fine head in time to see Joan being hooked in with another horse. This was too much for Darby-there was Joan with a strange animal; perhaps she wanted him; anyhow he was going. With a sharp tug at his halter he was free; in a minute he had caught the wagon, whinnying all the way; in another he was limping by Joan’s side.
by yorkgentlegiants on March 13, 2009
Among the most interesting institutions in this city are the Fire Department’s big hospital and training stables in West Ninety-Ninth Street. Here the world-famous New York fire horse passes his examination and is accepted and get his first lessons in the art of fire fighting. Here he is brought when scorched or bruised. Or cut or sprained. To be doctored and nursed back to strength and usefulness. And from here he is borne away dead. Or is condemned and sold to the highest bidder to end his days in front of a truck or a coal cart-the reward of a big city for gallantry displayed in action.
Anywhere from seventy to eighty horses a year are trained to take the places of those killed or crippled in service or to join newly organized companies scattered throughout the outlying districts of our continually growing town. Yearly more than a hundred horses are brought to the hospital to be sewed up and bandaged and operated on by the official veterinary and his assistants. And yearly some sixty horses are stricken from the training stables’ rolls either as “died in the discharge of duty “or “condemned because of unfitness”.
Of all the firemen in the department, probably none knows as much and can talk so interestingly about the fire horses of New York as Chief Joseph Shea, The official veterinary in charge of the hospital and training stables, and the man who examines and passes upon and trains every beast bought by the city for fire purposes.
“You may be surprised but all we pay for fire horses is $250 each “the Chief said in answer to a question. “We contract with the lowest bidder. And throughout the year he is obliged to supply us with horses whenever called upon. I often wondered at the absurd rate asked for a horse that is physically and mentally perfect and without blemish, but we never had trouble getting all the horses we wanted at this low figure. And our specifications are pretty stiff at that.
“Most of our horse comes from the upper part of New York State, from the big farms around Rochester. Some come to us from the West. But the New York State horse is about as fine a beast as we can find for our purposes, and that’s where most of the animals in the department hail from.
“The contractor notifies us that he has one or two or a dozen horses which he thinks will fill our purpose, and he is ordered to send them on trial. Height. Weight, &c., being satisfactory, the first step is to examine the candidate for soundness. I always look first at the eyes. An animal with what we call ‘pig’s eyes’ is apt to be near-sighted. His eyes are sunk deep in his head. He’s the sort of horse that will stumble and fall all over himself and that ought to wear spectacles. A horse set with eyes too far out of his head is likewise apt to suffer in sight. Look at the eyes of any fire horse and see what is meant by properly set eyes, and if you see a brute wide between the eyes, put him down as knowing next most to yourself. A horse with eyes set close together doesn’t seem to have enough room for much brain, and ,sure as fate, you couldn’t teach him anything if you pumped at him for a month of Sundays.
by yorkgentlegiants on March 10, 2009
In the literature evoked by the great war somewhere can be found a tribute to nearly every kind of living thing that worked and died for victory.
The human elements receive the lion’s share-perhaps it was theirs. Horses are portrayed sometimes in romantic colors-cavalry sweeping through a French valley, with flying pennants and drawn swords, perhaps a gun team coming into action in a cloud of dust. But these were isolated cases, thanks to barbed wire and mud. Yet every night on the western front essential things-food, water and ammunition- we’re brought forward along the roads or trails, too soft or dangerous for motor transport, by mules or horses whose work remains untold and unsung. The author had occasion to care for several horses in the British sector which glorified this service through many months of war-such a horse was Joan. Of whom the following story is true.
When I first saw her in ’15 she was already an old soldier-and I a green reinforcement-standing in a muddy, bleak field near the ruined village of Elverdinghe, on the first hard standing she had seen since Aldershot in August, ’14.
She was not the Major’s charger, nor the Quartermaster’s well groomed and overfed hackney, nor even the well-bred dun pony that was daily fed on lumps of sugar for delivering unnecessary dainties and necessary drinks to the officers’ kitchen, but only a typical English shire cart horse which, according to the stable piquet, had “ come through the retreat “ with several other horses in our string.
I remember seeing her little during those first strange weeks in that forward billet, but when we moved back into rest at the end of a long march I saw at the end of the column two steaming horses in an overloaded wagon almost touching the one in front-Joan and her teammate, of course called Darby.
by yorkgentlegiants on February 27, 2009
Start with your horse secured in crossties that are attached to the halter. This ensures that the horse cannot move suddenly one way or the other, plus it frees up both of your hands to work with the grooming. If you are trying to both groom and hold the horse, you are likely going to find this much more difficult and there is a greater chance of injury. With the horse secured, start either on the grooming or on the hooves, whichever you prefer.
Many owners prefer to start by cleaning the hooves, then the horse can relax and enjoy the rest of the routine. To correctly position yourself, stand next to the horses left front shoulder, just to the front of the body. Run your hand, the hand you don’t normally hold the pick in, down the front of the leg until you reach the hoof. Most horses that have had their feet cleaned will pick up their foot, but if they don’t gently press your shoulder and upper body against the outside of the shoulder, which will slightly move the horse off balance and he or she will shift weight to the other front foot. When this happens pick the left foot up, bending the leg as it would naturally bend back towards the center of the horse’s body. Hold the hoof firmly in your hand and use the pick to remove all the debris. Be very careful not to dig into the frog, the soft, triangular shaped center part of the hoof as this can be very sensitive. Repeat this process with the other feet until completed. Be sure to give a treat to the horse between feet to let him know he is doing a great job.
When grooming you can either start with the mane and tail or end with them, whichever suits you and your grooming style best. If the horse is dirty, muddy or has a winter coat, start with the curry comb and groom the entire body using gentle, circular shaped motions that follow the direction of hair growth. Work from the neck to the chest, over the shoulders, down the back along the sides and down the legs. Remember the curry comb is not flexible so be very gentle on the sides and down the legs. If your horse is flinching and twitching away, switch to the dandy brush over the sensitive areas. After the curry comb, follow with the same pattern with the dandy brush, this will flick away all the dust and dead hair. Follow up with the body brush for that shiny, sleek look, and also use the body brush on the face, but not near the eyes. A soft cloth that has been moistened with warm, clear water or a piece of sponge can be used to clean around the eyes and inside the nostrils.
Susanne Malloy is an avid equestrian and an editor for http://www.EnglishSaddleShop.com, your complete resource for new and used English saddles, riding apparel, and tack.
by yorkgentlegiants on February 23, 2009
FEED.
Bad weather puts a tremendous demand on a horse’s body to continue producing heat. For each decrease of 1-degree Fahrenheit below critical temperature (from 60 to 30 degrees, depending on hair coat), the horse’s digestible energy requirements increase by 1% to maintain body temperature.1 Ask your veterinarian to guide you on how much more to feed your outdoor horses, especially if cold spells in your area generally last extended periods of time. Remember, you cannot suddenly adjust the amount of grain ration without increasing the risk of colic and laminitis (founder). Unfortunately, most horses experience loss of body condition during extended periods of freezing temperatures, no matter how well they are fed. Start the early winter season by getting your horse into good condition.
BLANKETS.
Horses that live outdoors should be allowed to grow a long winter hair coat. This furry covering is more insulating than a blanket. A heavy hair coat traps the body heat against the skin. Additionally, leave the hair within the ears and around the fetlocks; this is additional protection. However, a thick hair coat can camouflage body condition, so be sure to assess the horse’s condition frequently by feeling the area over the ribs. To tell if a horse is cold, feel its ears–if they are cold, the horse is cold.
If the horse has been clipped, or recently moved from a warm climate to a colder one, a blanket should be used. If the horse doesn’t usually wear a blanket, check frequently to see that the animal is not sweating under the blanket. Remove the blanket immediately if the horse’s body is damp, then dry the haircoat.
Choose the appropriate blanket depending on the amount of protection needed, and make sure it fits properly. Too tight, and the blanket will chafe the skin; too large, the blanket can slip down under the belly, with the potential for the legs to get tangled. Make it a practice not to share blankets between horses. Ringworm, fungus, and other infections can be easily spread on blankets and sheets.
FEET.
No Foot, No Horse. Absolutely true, and more so in winter. If your riding horse is shod, pull the shoes unless you are riding indoors on a regular basis; if you ride outdoors, have your farrier add shoes with borium or steel studs to grip the ice. Horses kept outdoors should be unshod. Ice can pack into the hoof area surrounded by the shoe, and this increases the possibility of slipping on snow or ice. Keep your hoof maintenance program running through the winter. Trim every six to eight weeks to prevent cracking and breakage of brittle hoof walls impacting frozen ground. Don’t trim too close, or your horse can suffer from bruised feet, which can lead to laminitis.
by yorkgentlegiants on February 18, 2009
Characteristics of Irish Wolfhounds
Although in history these dogs were used as war dogs and guard dogs, the Irish Wolfhound today does not make a great guard dog. While they do have a penchant to hunt, these dogs love people and require a great deal of interaction with the family.
The Irish Wolfhound is actually the tallest hound in the entire world and they are a stately and proud dog. Their coats feel rather rough to the touch, and they come in a variety of different colors, including brindle, pure white, red, brown, black, gray, and fawn.
They typically live to be about seven, although there are dogs that live to be as old as ten. Increasing numbers of breeders, however, are now selecting for longevity and this will hopefully increase the lifespan of the Irish Wolfhound in the future.
What Irish Wolfhounds Need
If you decide that you want to own an Irish Wolfhound, it is important that you take into consideration the special needs of these dogs and take care of them properly to promote the best health possible. They need plenty of room to stretch out and a daily long walk.
Irish Wolfhounds need to be with people and need plenty of interaction, so before you purchase one, you need to be sure that you have the time to properly take care of your dog.
It is important that you train your Irish Wolfhound well or he may get out of hand. Starting to train from the time your dog is a puppy will help you avoid problems later in the dog’s life.
Having an Irish Wolfhound can bring a great deal of joy and pleasure to your life and these dogs make wonderful companions. If you are ready to invest some time in a dog, take care of a dog properly, and you want a dog that will keep you company, you may want to consider having an Irish Wolfhound as a pet.
by yorkgentlegiants on February 16, 2009
Horse training are a variety of practices for teaching horses to perform certain behaviors when asked to do so by humans. Training of your horse will take some time and patience. In the beginning it will be more trail and error to find out at what distance and type of surface he performs better on.
Training of your horse is important if you want to work together on achieving anything. Whether it is for basic riding or more complicated events such as dressage, eventing or cutting. Training of your horse will go much more smoothly if your horse trusts you.
When training your horse, you need to take on the role of the heard leader. Instead of using scaring or forceful tactics you should rather use positive encouragement. When training to overcome fears, it will also encourage your confidence as a rider.
Training of your horse, requires understanding of how your horse reacts to it’s surroundings. Each horse is an individual and one cannot say exactly how long every training session should last, but everything from fifteen to twenty minutes twice daily should be sufficient. As time goes on and training progresses the sessions will become more formalized, with more specific goals in mind as well.
By teaching good ground manners from the start will make your horse a joy to own , while keeping yourself as safe as possible as well. Remember if training a young horse, that they can only learn a few steps at a time so try and focus on one thing at a time which will make it more successful in the long run.
The internet has unlocked many doors and no longer is it crucial to have a horse whisper or trainer employed. There are some great guides one could consider to get rid of some unwanted horse behavior and advise on how to go about the training of your horse and which mistakes to avoid.
I have over the years used several methods by well known trainers. However I am very impressed with this very informative set of guides that I am sure will answer your horse training http://tinyurl.com/d6blub
by yorkgentlegiants on February 9, 2009
Successful training can make the difference between your horse improving it’s behavior or even worsening it. That is why the right horse training is essential.The way that a horse acts can be based on several different aspects:
Horse behaviors through genetics: There is no doubt that genetics do play a role in how a horse acts, regardless of the environment the horse is in or who the owner is.
Horse behaviors and personality: Certain breeds tend to have certain personalities that is why you’ll often hear the term “hot blooded breed” when referred to different types of breeds. One must remember though that each individual horse does have his own distinct personality like human beings.
Horse behaviors and the owner: A horse sometimes tend to take on the owners temperament. A owner which talks loudly and acts nervous will usually have a nervous horse whereas a owner who is confident and calm can expect the same from their horse.
Horse behaviors and the environment: When in a load, noisy and unfamiliar place like a show for example a horse would act more nervous than being in the training ring or stall. Some horses have been trained so well that they are so use to and not even aware of the noise anymore.
Horse behaviors and training: Training is very important as good training can greatly improve your horse’s behavior while bad training can exaggerate a bad trait that already exists.
Although the relationship between horse and man are thousands of years old, we still keep on learning new things every day. By taking time to learn a little bit more about horse behavior and what the different types mean, you can have a better relationship with your horse.
by yorkgentlegiants on February 6, 2009
If you have an Irish Wolfhound in your home playing with the kids, remember that most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Irish Wolfhound is no exception. Be on the look out for canine hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), heart problems (cardiomyopathy), bone cancer, bloat (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, the second leading killer of dogs, can kill within the hour, this space is too limited for a complete explanation but you should read up on this). Feeding more then once a day and avoiding exercise right after meals may help guard against bloat, and Von Willebrands disease (a problem with blood clotting). This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.
She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets. I shall be adding more specific content later on as my aim is for you to enjoy the company of your Irish Wolfhound and more importantly DO NOT feed commerical dog feed to your friend. I never fed Catriona any she was always fed her own home cooked casserole and I would like you to check out this website. http://tinyurl.com/aj4cwf However, be warned it is very detailed
by yorkgentlegiants on February 3, 2009
SHELTER. Shelter is very important In regions were winter is freezing for months on end. Horses adapt to weather conditions very well, but brutal winds and heavy moisture would totally get into them. A run-in shed with three sides and a slanted roof is adequate for shire horses.
- Outdoors – The open side of the shed must face away from the prevailing wind, and the shed should be situated in a spot with adequate drainage.
- Indoors – Stalls will need to be maintained daily and replenished with clean, dry bedding. Even on the coldest days, crack the barn door slightly to provide ventilation and keep fresh air moving through the space.
WATER. This is probably the single most important need during a bad weather. Though horses need less water in cold weather, they also drink less. In fact, they often do not drink too much to stay hydrated. An adult full-size horse needs at least 6 liters of fresh water daily to maintain good health and condition.
