Any study of horses would most certainly be incomplete without first touching on race horse history that deals with a sport that has been followed with keen interest by peoples all around the world and from the very earliest times as well. In fact, race horse history dates back to the times even before nomads walked the earth, especially in places such as the Central parts of Asia where the horse was first tamed and ridden in about the year 4500 BC.

Number Two Most Watched Spectacle

To be sure, early race horse history shows that this form of horse has flourished in its early heydays mainly because nobility and royalty enjoyed horse racing. Of course, it is not the way that modern man looks at race horses and horse racing in general. Today, of course the idea is to gamble and win money by backing a winning horse and it is less to do with the love of horses. In fact, modern race horse history needs to be considered in a different light, especially as horse racing today is considered the number two most watched sport (at least in the U.S.) and it only trails baseball in this respect. So race horses are always in the limelight as opposed to its early days when it ran a race and was soon forgotten.

Many people have even developed a great passion for horses that has led them to buy horse farms, which are without a doubt some of the most exciting real estate properties that you can ever buy. In fact, as you drive onto a horse farm you cannot help but be amazed by the picturesque sights that meet you, including the usual red brick house along with barns and the wide open spaces that make such properties a very attractive proposition indeed.

To be sure, any study of race horse history would be incomplete without mentioning the immensely popular Thoroughbred horse that is raced over flats and at a distance not exceeding two miles. Other popular forms of horse racing which are also mentioned in every chapter of race horse history include harness racing as well as steeplechase and Quarter horse racing.

From the times before horse racing began to be recorded in writing, according to whatever information regarding race horse history is available, it was a most disorganized sport and thus not much is known about the early race horses. It was only after records of horse racing began to be kept that the sport became organized. This is when it also spread from the central parts of Asia to the Mediterranean and beyond. Though, it was also once a part of the Olympics in 638 BC in the form of chariot racing as well as in mounted form and so the development of the race horse has seen many changes.

Thus, race horse history has had a long and interesting story. From horse racing in the twelfth century when it was a sport practiced by English knights who liked to see imported Arabian horses being pitted against local stock, up until the present time when it is being widely followed and watched by billions of people in all parts of the world race horse history is ever changing. Horse racing only became a professional sport sometime between 1702 and 1714, more particularly in the time of Queen Anne. This is when the general population also began to lay wagers. Today, there would be very few people that have not witnessed at least one horse race in their lives.

Tags: Horse Racing History

Kentucky is considered the Mecca for horse lovers in North America.  This is not just because it is home to the Thoroughbred horse breeding industry, but because of the special soil that produces some of the most nutritious grass in the world. The gentle climate also is conducive for growth of grass and horses. There will always be horse farms for sale in Kentucky.  Touring the horse farms of Kentucky is considered a big offshoot of the state’s tourism industry.

Not Just Thoroughbreds

Although Thoroughbreds and retired superstar racehorses are the big reason people tour Kentucky horse farms, there are many more breeds in Kentucky that will allow tourists to come visit.  Kentucky is also known as one of the founding areas for the development of the American Saddlebred (sometimes nicknamed ASB).  There are also horse farms devoted to the breeding of Morgans and Hackneys.

Not only are there breeding horse farms in Kentucky, (technically called studs) but there are also other kinds of horse farms that are often open to the public.  These include horse farms devoted to the care of retired and unwanted racehorses.  Horses can live to be 30 years old, and yet their racing careers tend to end when they are only four.  By then, they are often too injured to be transformed into regular riding horses and need special care.

And the biggest all breed horse farm in the world, the Kentucky Horse Park, brings horse lovers from all over the world to meet over 100 different breeds of horses and ponies.  The most famous resident of the Kentucky Horse Park was the retired cranky racehorse John Henry, who won Thoroughbred racing’s first million dollar purse.  He is now buried there, after having died at the venerable age of 32.

Touring Etiquette

It is best to go on Kentucky stud tours in a group. This not only saves you driving around a state you are not familiar with, but also guarantees that you will be expected.  You can visit on your own, but you have to make an appointment.  The days of being able to just pull up to a horse farm and beg to see the current Secretariat are long over, due to safety reasons.

Since the horses are often on special diets, you are not to feed the horses.  The horses will argue with you, but don’t give in.  You also are expected to tip the groom who shows you around or particular horse you traveled to see.  A usual tip of five to ten dollars is polite.

Tags: Horse Farm

With so many different horse breeds around it is not too surprising to learn that there is also a lot of helpful horse breed information available that shows an accurate profile of each breed and thus helps in selecting a horse breed that will be most suitable for your needs.

Kids too are known to be very attracted by horses and so it is always a good idea to get them started off in understanding basic facts about horses at an early age so that by the time they have grown up and are ready to ride a horse they will have benefited from the horse information for kids that their parents have provided them.

The Arabian Horse And More

Among the more famous horse breeds known to man a name that stands out the most is that of the Arabian horse. In fact, when one checks out horse breed information related to this breed, many of the ambiguities about it are easily dispelled including those related to its origination.

Another exciting American horse breed for which one would surely like to know more about is the Mustang. The name Mustang is in fact a derivative of the Spanish word mesteria, meaning untamed and wild. And another interesting fact related to this particular horse breed is that the breed seems to have originated as late as sometime in the fifteenth century.

The Palomino is perhaps the best example of what is not a horse breed and which in fact is recognized more by its color than its characteristics. It is also considered a quaint horse breed that though found in America is, according to available horse breed information, originally from China.

There is also much horse breed information available regarding the Quarter horse breed. Another popular horse breed for which much horse breed information is available is the Tennessee Walking Horse that is a product of the State of Tennessee and which was bred by settlers in the state of Tennessee, though it only got recognition as a Tennessee Walking Horse breed sometime in 1950.

Another popular horse breed for which there is a lot of horse breed information available is the well-known Appaloosa horse. It is often more recognizable from its coat patterns that are very colorful than any other characteristics. However, it must be said that not every Appaloosa will have colorful patterns on their coats and in fact some actually will show solid colors instead of the colored coat patterns. In any case, the Appaloosa is known for its versatility as well as endurance and it is loved for its endearing nature. And though they can be quite stubborn, they make up for it by their intelligence as well as willingness to please their masters.

Tags: Horse Breed Information

Arabian horse history is filled with interesting facts that will help capture the imagination of everyone that studies it. Since the time the very first horses on the planet have been a major influence on whoever has come in touch with this breed of horses. To be sure, the earliest recorded instances of Arabian horse history relate only to its immense value as a warhorse and it was thus associated with Royalty who were given to riding only this breed of horses.

One of the things that the Arabian horse is most closely associated with is that of horse racing. So there are numerous instances in race horse history when the Arabian horse has stood out from the rest and displayed its capacity to excel and even beat fellow race horses.

Old Testament

Early recorded Arabian horse history does also make references to the Old Testament wherein there are numerous descriptions of the Arabian horse. The most well known of these references being the one mentioned in the book of Job in which the Arabian horse is described as having immense strength as well as brave and not easily frightened, and in addition, it is also a great steed when it comes to devouring long distances.

One also learns from studying Arabian horse history that this breed was prized above others in Egypt and it was also a symbol of wealth. Especially as witnessed in the case of Solomon who erected cities to keep these warhorses and that in itself also points to the great courage as well as speed of the animal, the attributes that continues to make it a prized possession amongst Arabs – even today.

In fact, Arabian horse history is very compelling as witnessed by the fact that even Allah created the first Arabian horse from the four winds and then gifted this breed of horses to others with the title Lord of the Other Animals.

To be sure, virtually every modern thoroughbred horse can safely be considered as owing part of their lineage to the Arabian horse, more especially to either the Byerly Turk stallion, Darly Arabian or the Godolphin Barb stallion. Arabian horse history also depicts this horse as being a creature of immense beauty that has helped distinguish it from other horse breeds. And when one also considers its usefulness in a number of ways besides its good looks, one cannot help but marvel at the character of the Arabian horse whose history is just as rich and lovely as the horse itself.

Even as a modern horse, the Arabian horse can do many tasks that you would normally not associate with such a noble looking horse. Given its propensity to please and its keenness to show affection, it is not surprising to learn that it has remained a pleasurable and devoted companion to mankind over many long years.

Tags: Arabian Horse History

At first you might wonder why on earth horses would need any extra horse breeding equipment.  Didn’t Nature provide them with all of the horse breeding equipment that they would need?  Actually, no.  Nature did not provide horses with the means of knowing how to make baby horses (foals).  Horses are mammals and need to learn how to do many things, including breed.  In the past, foals learned about breeding by watching the actions of their elders.

Domestication Dangers

Horses need to be taught how to mate.  This is one of the strangest aspects of being around horses, but then again, humans face this problem, too.  Unfortunately, horses can weigh hundreds of pounds to one ton.  When they are upset or aroused, they can get very cranky.  A cranky horse can be a very dangerous horse. Even Miniature Horse breeders have to be wary of a cranky stallion or mare. This is why the need for horse breeding equipment developed.

For Her

If the mating is to be a natural mating, then the mare has to be equipped with special horse breeding equipment.  Not all mares need all of this horse breeding equipment, but one good kick could kill a stallion worth millions of dollars.  The normal horse breeding equipment for a mare includes:

breeding hobbles, to keep her hind legs from moving
a twitch on her upper lip, to distract her attention
a pad on her shoulders where the stallion bites
a tail wrap

Sometimes, if the stallion is smaller than the mare, the mare must stand in a ditch.

For Him

Stallions have to wear a lot less horse breeding equipment, but it still has to be on in order to keep the stallion from attacking the mare, the grooms and other horses.  Real problem biters need to wear a muzzle.  He also needs a chain to go over his nose through his stud halter in order for the groom to exert more control.

Artificial Insemination

There’s a lot more horse breeding equipment required for artificial insemination, but it’s a lot safer for the horses and for their handlers.  It’s also a lot less stressful for the mare.  The horse breeding equipment is all on the stallion owner’s end.  This includes collection tubes, storage containers packed in dry ice and a dummy mare for the stallion to mount.  The dummy mare is optional for some stallions.

Tags: Horse Breeding Equipment

Most experts are of the opinion that Quarter horse history has its roots in the American horse and that it is closely related to Turk and even the Barb breeds, though some experts are of the opinion that Quarter horse history has closer links to the Chickasaw horse that were brought over from Spain in the year 1690. In fact, it is also believed that native American horses were crossbred with horses from England that resulted in the Quarter horse.

Of course, Quarter horse history is also closely linked to Arabian horse history, with the latter having been the very first horses on this planet influenced humans and been used in the spawning of other horse breeds as well.

Small And Stocky

The result of crossbreeding produced small as well as stocky horses that were very fleet footed, especially over a quarter of a mile. That was something the Colonists loved and according to Quarter horse history, the Quarter horse performed admirably well with even the Thoroughbreds, especially in the 1800’s.

Further development of the Quarter horse as recorded in Quarter horse history points to when pioneers headed west in the U.S. and required horses that could endure the rigors of travel as well as for herding cattle. That is how the Quarter horse flourished in America since he was ideally suited for such work.

According to Quarter horse history, this breed of horse was excellent when around cattle and it was very adept at herding cattle wherever the cowboys wanted the cattle herded. In fact, in spite of the development of automobiles, the Quarter horse continues to be used on modern ranches.

Another development in Quarter horse history has to do with the formation of the American Quarter Horse Association or AQHA in 1940. It is this association that has ensured that the Quarter horse continues to have a perfect bloodline, and it has ensured that this breed is bred according to the standards and thus remains true to his ancestors.

Another aspect to Quarter horse history has to do with the fact that this breed is a versatile one and its bloodline has been maintained so that its abilities to perform specific tasks is kept uppermost in mind and so they are easily distinguished by their exceptionally muscled frames.

At present, there are approximately three and a half thousand Quarter breed horses that are registered with American Quarter Horses. From such a high population it is easy to see that it is a most popular horse breed that throughout Quarter horse history has provided his master with selfless service and is thus bred for its immense usefulness in more ways than one.

Tags: Quarter Horse History

The Arabian is the oldest purebred horse breed in the world, with some horses living today with pedigrees going back for over two thousand years.  Although the Bedouins were the first Arabian horse breeders, they were also some of the first to try the most modern of horse breeding equipment.  The first Arabian horse breeders were so careful to keep the bloodlines pure, that they would take out foals from the breeding programs if their dams (mothers) had ever been mated to a non-purebred stallion.

The Dangers Of Natural Breeding

Arabian horse breeding done the natural way is a very dangerous business for both humans and the horses involved.  Any breed of horse is liable to be dangerous when they are aroused.  They will also be prone to attack one other horses, including young foals, as well as any nearby humans.  The other horses could be seen as threats to steal the partner.

Domestication has made the Arabian horse breeding process even more dangerous, as horses do not instinctively know what to do.  Like humans, horses have to learn how to mate.  In the wild, young horses could learn from watching the antics of the older horses.  Modern Arabian horse breeders can’t give their foals that opportunity.

The Advantages Of Artificial Insemination

With artificial insemination and frozen semen transport, Arabian horse breeders now have much safer and much more reliable means of getting their mares pregnant and getting healthy foals on the ground.  Artificial insemination assures that the horses are safe, the people around them will not get attacked and the mare can be bred to a champion stallion that may have passed away.

You can also save a lot of money with having a few vials of frozen semen shipped to your veterinarian, who will then inseminate your mare.  You won’t have to transport your mare and have her boarded at a strange stud farm for a couple of months.  The stress of being at a new place could be enough to make her not get pregnant.

Arabian horse breeders were one of the first to recognize the potential of artificial insemination and frozen semen transport.  Some breeds, most notably the Thoroughbred, will not allow any horse bred by artificial insemination to be registered.  If you can’t register your Thoroughbred, you can’t race your Thoroughbred.  Foals conceived by artificial insemination were allowed to be registered as soon as the technology was available.

Tags: Arabian Horse Breeders

There is a lot to learn when it comes to studying horse breed history. And in the case of the Arabian horse in particular, one just cannot help but be amazed at the unmatched beauty of this breed as well as its rich and unique history and its inimitable ability to form close bonds with their masters. Horse breed history, and more particularly that related to the Arabian horse shows that this oldest of all horse breeds has evolved rapidly to become a famed riding horse that has at present become very popular in places as far away as America.

To be sure, it is believed that the American Quarter horse history is closely linked with that of the Arabian horse as well as the Turkish and Barb breeds. However, it could also be that this breed has descended from the Chickasaw horse that came to America with the Spanish conquistadores.

Unmatched Energy

Another aspect to the Arabian horse as gleaned from study of this horse breed history is that this breed has unmatched energy combined with astounding intelligence and a very mild nature. This makes them an ideal horse breed well suited for engaging in many sporting events as well as other kinds of equestrian activities.

It is easy to see from studying horse breed history related to the Arabian horse that it has been used on the trail as much it has been used as a show horse and it also finds much use in competitive events as well. In fact, horse breed history with regard to the Arabian horse shows how remarkably this breed has been able to adapt to terrains that are different to its native desert landscapes and they are able to easily adapt to long trekking in addition to their abilities as a war mount.

There are also many interesting facts to be gleaned from studying horse breed history with respect to the Arabian horse such as that people of great importance have always favored it. So one finds that the horse breed history related to the Arabian horse shows that people like Napoleon, Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great and also George Washington were all lovers of the Arabian horse.

Furthermore, horse breed history related to the Arabian horse shows that owning this breed was deemed to be a symbol of wealth and standing in society and the numbers of this breed that a person owned was a statement of their wealth and social standing. Nevertheless, there is no denying the fact that the Arabian horse is renowned for its speed and is an endurance animal that has also played a part in formations of almost all different and modern horse breeds.

In fact, horse breed history related to the Arabian horse also goes on to point out that no less a personage than the prophet Mohammed used his influence in 7 AD to spread knowledge about this breed to other parts of the world. Horse breed history for all kinds of breeds and the Arabian horse in particular makes for some fascinating studies. If you are a lover of horses then this is one topic that must be delved into some more.

Tags: Horse Breed History

The only thing small about a Miniature Horse farm is the horses.  Everything else about the Miniature Horse farm has to be full-sized.  This is because Miniature Horses still are horses and need a lot of exercise and room, just like a full-sized horse.  The stalls can be smaller and the amount of feed for each horse is smaller, but you definitely need a lot of room to let the minis run.

Mini Philosophy

Things are not necessarily easier for you on a Miniature Horse farm than on any other horse breeding farms.  Miniature Horses – not dwarf ponies, but their own breed of horse – do not realize just how small they are.  They believe they are full–sized horses and will act like full-sized horses.  Miniature stallions will attempt to savage other stallions several times their size, much to the bafflement of the normal-sized stallion.

When running a Miniature Horse farm, you need to be especially aware of access to veterinarians and blacksmiths that are used to working with the special needs of Miniature horses.  Dosages for horse medications are usually based on a normal-sized horse (about 1000 pounds), so your vet needs to know how much to administer.  Because of the tiny hoofs, the blacksmith may need to use special tools.

Your vet will be a frequent visitor to your Miniature Horse farm and not just for routine checks like wormings and inoculations (which Miniature Horses need just as much as regular horses).  Miniature Horses seem to get ill a lot more than their normal-sized cousins.  This is partially due to their large appetites and very small bellies.

Not A House Pet

Whenever you sell one of the horses you’ve worked so hard to raise on your Miniature Horse farm, you need to offer a contract and to check up on the horse.  You need to be sure that your buyer realizes that they are horses – albeit the smallest breed in the world – and not house pets.  They cannot be housebroken.  They will get very sick if they live in houses or apartments.

Because they need the diet and exercise of a full sized horse, there are some problems with finding good homes for them.  However, Miniature Horses re extremely intelligent and love people.  Some Miniature Horse farms are part of a program to train the tiny horses as guide horses that work in the same way guide dogs work for the handicapped.

Tags: Miniature Horse Farm

Dealing with real estate in general tends to be tricky, but more so when you are talking about something like horse real estate. There are many similarities to your basic real estate industry, and yet many major differences as well which are just as important if not more so to take note of.

Just as with basic real estate there are some very important issues that you are going to need to learn about, become more familiar with, and use to ensure that you are going to have the most success in your quest here.

Horse real estate can definitely be a tricky business to deal with, but whether you are just getting into the equine business or have years of experience behind you, there are a few steps that you are going to want to follow if you are looking to buy a horse property for sale.

The Ins and Outs

Firstly, when you have decided that you want to buy a horse property for sale, you will need to decide where you want the property to be. You should list what sorts of amenities you are going to need nearby, what size you want the horse property for sale to be, how much you have to spend, and so on, as this will help narrow down the selection and make sure that you choose just the right property.

You should also contact a good horse real estate broker who is going to be able to work with you and answer any questions that you may have. They will help you to choose the right mortgage for your horse property for sale if you need one, and if you are just paying all the money upfront they will make sure that your money is being spent wisely.

You are also going to find a solicitor, and have them act on your behalf and give them the details of the property’s location and other information. Find a surveyor who will take a look at the horse property for sale and let you know whether you are getting a bargain or not, and a full structural survey will help by offering you a ton of valuable information.

The process of finding and buying a horse property for sale is one that can definitely be lengthy and quite complex but it will be well worth it for you to put this time and effort in at the beginning.

Tags: Horse Property For Sale, Horse Real Estate