When picking a horse, choosing the right one takes some consideration. Its great to want a pet but remember a horse is really big and can be dangerous to be around. If you are scared of horses , you should find a different pet. You have to be able to be in control of the horse at all times. One slip can mean certain disaster. If you are ready then the first choice is to match a horse with your ability to handle them. If you have no experience, consider an older animal that is well trained plus get someone that is familiar with horses to go with you to pick. A younger horse will have a lot to learn and will take patience and lots of it. You will have to build a trust and friendship with the animal you pick.
What kind of commitment do I expect?
Remember that a horse can live 30 years and sometimes longer.This might stretch into your retirement years. Are you ready to take on that responsibility? There is always the expense when they get older. A horse will need care even before their riding days are over. They still need exercise each day. The age of the horse that you pick is important. Don't ever consider sending your pet to slaughter, their one of the family.
What type of horse do I pick?
There are Arabians, Morgan, Quarter, Fox Trotters,etc. You will want one that suits your disposition. Do you want a spirited horse? I picked Arabian horses for myself. I also kept some quarter horses. The Arabians were smooth riding and very smart. The quarter was great working horses and riding. The multi-gait horses are beautiful in stride. You should study and be sure they fit your likes for the pleasure. When people say "pleasure horse", that is what they are. If you are unsure, try leasing a horse for a while. Try out many different horses to pick the best and one you can love and take care of.
The one thing to remember is the relationship can be very rewarding and enjoyable.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Are You Ready for a Horse as a Pet
Have you decided to get a horse for a pet?
It takes time energy and yes, money. You will need to evaluate all things involved before you make that commitment. There are many things to consider before bringing a horse into the family. Horses are great companions.
What costs will I have?
The costs of buying your horse is only the beginning. You will have to make a real commitment after you get the horse home. There is a lot of care involved in keeping your horse healthy. Below is a few things to consider for your new found pet.
Hoof trimming
You will need a farrier every 8 to 9 weeks to trim the hooves. A horse hooves grow very quick like fingernails, and to keep the trimmed means keeping the horse from getting lame or even death.any horses do very well without the shoes. Other horses will need to be shod. A farrier is a professional whose job is to access and to advise what is best for your horse. The shoes have to fit correctly or the horse will get tender feet and be uncomfortable. Some of the farriers in my area charge $45. to $75. to trim the hooves.
Living area
You will need a big area to keep your horse. They will need an area to roam. Horses can walk up to 20 miles a day. A small confines area can lead to behavioral and health problems. Horses are herd animals and like being with their own kind. If you can, it is wise to have at least two. I used to keep four horses and they were well behaved.
A well fenced area is necessary. When I lived in the south, almost everyone used rubber fence made from strips of tires. When stretched out, it looked really great and the horses did not try to get out. I don't like barbed wire because of the damage and vet bills that are involved. Smooth wire is also a good fence material. Most important is to provide a safe and healthy place for your horse(s).
Vet work
The one thing you have to be prepared for is getting a vet. Your horse will need routine care and supplies. A horse needs to have a couple check ups a year to look at dental and worming. Horses teeth grow their whole life. Just through normal feeding horses can get worms. You can tell by their hair getting rough looking. If you have to take your horse in, the boarding will be much more than your dog or cat.
Feeding
The way you feed your horse will affect how healthy they are. Good feed is important. Some people are fortunate to have a large pasture for their animals but you must watch the horses closely to make sure they don't founder. When on a pasture, it is best for them to only feed a short time per day until they get accustom to the grass. They may never be able to stay on pasture. A good alfalfa hay and grain works wonders. DO NOT ever give a horse moldy hay. They will become very sick. Plus, your horse will need vitamins and supplements.
It takes time energy and yes, money. You will need to evaluate all things involved before you make that commitment. There are many things to consider before bringing a horse into the family. Horses are great companions.
What costs will I have?
The costs of buying your horse is only the beginning. You will have to make a real commitment after you get the horse home. There is a lot of care involved in keeping your horse healthy. Below is a few things to consider for your new found pet.
Hoof trimming
You will need a farrier every 8 to 9 weeks to trim the hooves. A horse hooves grow very quick like fingernails, and to keep the trimmed means keeping the horse from getting lame or even death.any horses do very well without the shoes. Other horses will need to be shod. A farrier is a professional whose job is to access and to advise what is best for your horse. The shoes have to fit correctly or the horse will get tender feet and be uncomfortable. Some of the farriers in my area charge $45. to $75. to trim the hooves.
Living area
You will need a big area to keep your horse. They will need an area to roam. Horses can walk up to 20 miles a day. A small confines area can lead to behavioral and health problems. Horses are herd animals and like being with their own kind. If you can, it is wise to have at least two. I used to keep four horses and they were well behaved.
A well fenced area is necessary. When I lived in the south, almost everyone used rubber fence made from strips of tires. When stretched out, it looked really great and the horses did not try to get out. I don't like barbed wire because of the damage and vet bills that are involved. Smooth wire is also a good fence material. Most important is to provide a safe and healthy place for your horse(s).
Vet work
The one thing you have to be prepared for is getting a vet. Your horse will need routine care and supplies. A horse needs to have a couple check ups a year to look at dental and worming. Horses teeth grow their whole life. Just through normal feeding horses can get worms. You can tell by their hair getting rough looking. If you have to take your horse in, the boarding will be much more than your dog or cat.
Feeding
The way you feed your horse will affect how healthy they are. Good feed is important. Some people are fortunate to have a large pasture for their animals but you must watch the horses closely to make sure they don't founder. When on a pasture, it is best for them to only feed a short time per day until they get accustom to the grass. They may never be able to stay on pasture. A good alfalfa hay and grain works wonders. DO NOT ever give a horse moldy hay. They will become very sick. Plus, your horse will need vitamins and supplements.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Benefits of Senior Adults Having a Pet
There are many benefits for a senior adult to owning a pet. Our pets dramatically enriches our lives, our physical health and our emotional well-being. Pets can help to relieve stress, prevent heart disease, help to stop loneliness and depression help to lower insurance costs and in general make people feel good. You might say that pets are just plain healthy.
Some of the benefits are;
1. Pets encourage happiness and laughter. Have you ever watched a cat play with catnip?
2. Older adults go to the doctor less when they have a dog and find relieving stress easier. Having to feed and caring for a pet is good therapy.
3. Pets will give you that closeness and the feeling of being loved unconditionally and the feeling of touching and being touched without any judgmental warmth and affection.
4. People feel more like having a social interaction when they own a pet. It decreases the feeling of isolation and depression.
Senior adults find it easier to start a conversation with people they don't know when they have a pet with them. It makes them feel comfortable and at ease.
Pets aren't just for older people, they have the same effect on most people no matter what their age. People with tempers find that a dog can calm them down and help them to find peace. A pet can help you to relax and makes it easy to talk to someone else that loves pets. Relieves the tension and stress in your life.
Loving and caring for a pet can help a person that is self centered to think about something else and experience a genuine feeling for another creature. That person can find direction and a general purpose in life that they can't find in themselves. Pets are a fantastic comfort in times of grief and loss. You can take your dog out for a walk and get the exercise you need plus the therapy of a pet that doesn't judge, doesn't bring up sad things, whose only thought is to please their master. A child can learn a lot from caring for a pet . Responsibility, affection, an unconditional friendship, and a great playmate.
Pets have been used in hospitals and prisons to help people adjust and become comfortable with the surroundings they are in.
Some of the benefits are;
1. Pets encourage happiness and laughter. Have you ever watched a cat play with catnip?
2. Older adults go to the doctor less when they have a dog and find relieving stress easier. Having to feed and caring for a pet is good therapy.
3. Pets will give you that closeness and the feeling of being loved unconditionally and the feeling of touching and being touched without any judgmental warmth and affection.
4. People feel more like having a social interaction when they own a pet. It decreases the feeling of isolation and depression.
Senior adults find it easier to start a conversation with people they don't know when they have a pet with them. It makes them feel comfortable and at ease.
Pets aren't just for older people, they have the same effect on most people no matter what their age. People with tempers find that a dog can calm them down and help them to find peace. A pet can help you to relax and makes it easy to talk to someone else that loves pets. Relieves the tension and stress in your life.
Loving and caring for a pet can help a person that is self centered to think about something else and experience a genuine feeling for another creature. That person can find direction and a general purpose in life that they can't find in themselves. Pets are a fantastic comfort in times of grief and loss. You can take your dog out for a walk and get the exercise you need plus the therapy of a pet that doesn't judge, doesn't bring up sad things, whose only thought is to please their master. A child can learn a lot from caring for a pet . Responsibility, affection, an unconditional friendship, and a great playmate.
Pets have been used in hospitals and prisons to help people adjust and become comfortable with the surroundings they are in.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Should I Get a Bird for a Pet
There are many things to consider when you are looking at a bird as a pet. What would be the best bird to get? This is really a good question as there are different birds to choose from.
1. Would a parrot make a good pet.
If you are considering a parrot remember it is a lifetime commitment. Parrots can live for 50 years. They will make lots of noise at times. They adopt you to a certain extent. A parrot will become upset when the circumstances change around them. A good example is of a man that bought a parrot and they became companions. The man had never been married but after about 8 years, he fell in love with a woman married her and brought her home with him. Well you guessed it, the new wife was not familiar to the bird and the bird was as uncomfortable as the wife was. The parrot started to squawking at all times and would go wild around her. The man quickly took the bird away to a organization that adopted unwanted birds out. The parrot was lucky to be adopted by a couple that really cared for him.
2. What about a small bird?
They are easier to take care of. A parakeet is a good choice and most are small. They still have to have a lot of care. The cage must be cleaned. They love to bathe and need to fly. You still have the same commitment because it is dramatic to get the bird and keep it for a couple years and then decide you don't want it. I had a parakeet and he was a friendly bird. He would fly and sit on my shoulder. I could put him on the electric train and he would ride it for the longest time. Parakeets make good pets but you have to spend time with the.
Whether you choose a small or large bird, the care remains the same. You need to have an area that the birds can fly to keep their wing muscles in good condition and maintain good health. When a bird gets distressed they will pull their feathers out or sit around and pout like a child. They will not respond to you and they might start biting. Their cage needs to be big enough for them to hop around on perches and to fly from one perch to another. They need to be cleaned regularly. They will need cuddle bone to sharpen their beaks, some toys, bird seed and again water for drinking and bathing. All in all the parrot family makes good pets and will learn to talk.
1. Would a parrot make a good pet.
If you are considering a parrot remember it is a lifetime commitment. Parrots can live for 50 years. They will make lots of noise at times. They adopt you to a certain extent. A parrot will become upset when the circumstances change around them. A good example is of a man that bought a parrot and they became companions. The man had never been married but after about 8 years, he fell in love with a woman married her and brought her home with him. Well you guessed it, the new wife was not familiar to the bird and the bird was as uncomfortable as the wife was. The parrot started to squawking at all times and would go wild around her. The man quickly took the bird away to a organization that adopted unwanted birds out. The parrot was lucky to be adopted by a couple that really cared for him.
2. What about a small bird?
They are easier to take care of. A parakeet is a good choice and most are small. They still have to have a lot of care. The cage must be cleaned. They love to bathe and need to fly. You still have the same commitment because it is dramatic to get the bird and keep it for a couple years and then decide you don't want it. I had a parakeet and he was a friendly bird. He would fly and sit on my shoulder. I could put him on the electric train and he would ride it for the longest time. Parakeets make good pets but you have to spend time with the.
Whether you choose a small or large bird, the care remains the same. You need to have an area that the birds can fly to keep their wing muscles in good condition and maintain good health. When a bird gets distressed they will pull their feathers out or sit around and pout like a child. They will not respond to you and they might start biting. Their cage needs to be big enough for them to hop around on perches and to fly from one perch to another. They need to be cleaned regularly. They will need cuddle bone to sharpen their beaks, some toys, bird seed and again water for drinking and bathing. All in all the parrot family makes good pets and will learn to talk.
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