It seems the cold has followed us from Colorado! The good news- we do NOT have to shovel it. A few pointers for the cold and hard freeze nights.
First and most important is to feed horse more than normal in cold weather,the digestion process itself will creat the warmth the horse needs to help keep it warm. Next is blanketing, while I do not generally blanket my horses in the cold unless they are elderly or in poor health condition. Choose a temperature in which you will blanket your horse consistantly so if its supposed to be below 15 degrees and this is the temp you choose do it consistantly. Most importantly is make certain you take the blanket off in the morning if it is supposed to warm up.
If you do not normally stall your horse and it is going to be a dry cold I recommend leaving the horse out as pacing in the stall will cause loss of calories and in turn loss of weight. If conditions are wet and snoowy and you are able to stall I recommend it. Remember a shivering horse is burning fat and calories again resulting loss of weight.
The best advice again is food, food, food! Again digesting food creates warmth for the horse.
Warning: A horse that is cold will not always drink normal amounts of water, thus possibly creating a colic with the extra food, I generally wil add electrolites with flavor to encourage the horse to drink. Keep plenty of FRESH water available as a horse will more likely drink fresh water when its cold than water thats been sitting out. Example: put a glass of water next to your bed and then the next morning notice all of the little bubbles on the glass, and you will not drink it. A horse will sniff water to determine freshness.
Just a a few helpful hints from your friends at Wild West Horse Tours!!
MARRY CHRISTMASS FROM ALL OF US AT WILD WEST HORSE TOURS.
WildWestHorseTours.com
1-888-287-6731
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Where to Trail Ride in Ocala
First off I want to talk about the local Horseback Riding Stables in our area. Of the many farms offering horseback riding in the Ocala area few offer a true trail riding experience. Most horseback riding patrons are looking for a real experience in the outdoors. The trail riding experience should offer different settings along the ride. Trees, fields,brush,prairies, creeks and hills are what most patrons are actually looking for. I ask every rider what they expected on their trail ride. The results are almost always the same. Customers are looking for an experience that is not boring and repetative. Riding in the same group of trees or fields can get boring real fast. When shopping for a trail ride company ask about the terrain and setting. Remember lots of trees is a cooler ride!
The heat can quickly turn a great ride into a miserable one. Ride early or late- If possible boook your ride as early in the morning as possible for the coolest ride. Not possible to tide in the a.m? Ride late in the afternoon. Your ride will start out warm but every degree of cooling is a relief. The middle of the day in summer and fall months can be miserable for all involved. Though we will ride anytime we prefer early or late.
Horseback riding is generally safe as most professionals will assess the group of riders, via personality, experience and size of both rider and horse. In a brief few minutes of introduction the wrangler can usually do a good job of matching up horse and rider. Good clean gear and tac will make the experience safer and more worry free. Even though Florida has equine laws in place that protect riding facilities. It is in every ones best interrest that the facility carry Trail Riding Insurance- Due to possible dangers of unknowns on the trail (trees falling or thunder) horses can spook and insurance companies have increased the insurance rates usually betwenn $4500 and $6000 per year. This is usually a deterrant from potential small time trail riders operating as a trail ride service. Demand that the trail ride service you book hold proper service to protect all involved.
It is very important that you ride with a company that rides nearly every day. A horse that is on the same trails every day are aware of whats usually around every turn and remains calmer on the ride. Vs. the horse that rides once a week will be feisty and anxious.
Online reviews- Horseback Riding Services rely on the internet, local hotels and restaurants to get the word out. A good review is only as good as its author. What I mean by this is that you may get an accurate depiction of what the ride is really like and you may get a trumped up story in order to detour business one way or the other. Most reviews have an email link back to the author. If the review you have read is in any questionable, try and contact the author to find out more. the most effective way to get the review authors real feelings is to talk to them on the phone if possible. Take all reviews with a grain of salt and use your gut feeling when deciding which trail riding service to go with.
We will talk more about where to go horseback riding in Ocala. Our service Wild West Horse Tours is a great service but check out others and decide which one fits your desires the most!
Up next!
Where to take your own horse in and around Ocala.
Good luck and Happy Trails for now.
The heat can quickly turn a great ride into a miserable one. Ride early or late- If possible boook your ride as early in the morning as possible for the coolest ride. Not possible to tide in the a.m? Ride late in the afternoon. Your ride will start out warm but every degree of cooling is a relief. The middle of the day in summer and fall months can be miserable for all involved. Though we will ride anytime we prefer early or late.
Horseback riding is generally safe as most professionals will assess the group of riders, via personality, experience and size of both rider and horse. In a brief few minutes of introduction the wrangler can usually do a good job of matching up horse and rider. Good clean gear and tac will make the experience safer and more worry free. Even though Florida has equine laws in place that protect riding facilities. It is in every ones best interrest that the facility carry Trail Riding Insurance- Due to possible dangers of unknowns on the trail (trees falling or thunder) horses can spook and insurance companies have increased the insurance rates usually betwenn $4500 and $6000 per year. This is usually a deterrant from potential small time trail riders operating as a trail ride service. Demand that the trail ride service you book hold proper service to protect all involved.
It is very important that you ride with a company that rides nearly every day. A horse that is on the same trails every day are aware of whats usually around every turn and remains calmer on the ride. Vs. the horse that rides once a week will be feisty and anxious.
Online reviews- Horseback Riding Services rely on the internet, local hotels and restaurants to get the word out. A good review is only as good as its author. What I mean by this is that you may get an accurate depiction of what the ride is really like and you may get a trumped up story in order to detour business one way or the other. Most reviews have an email link back to the author. If the review you have read is in any questionable, try and contact the author to find out more. the most effective way to get the review authors real feelings is to talk to them on the phone if possible. Take all reviews with a grain of salt and use your gut feeling when deciding which trail riding service to go with.
We will talk more about where to go horseback riding in Ocala. Our service Wild West Horse Tours is a great service but check out others and decide which one fits your desires the most!
Up next!
Where to take your own horse in and around Ocala.
Good luck and Happy Trails for now.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
A Blurb From Our Website (WildWestHorseTours.com)
Our gentle, steady horses make the ride pleasant and enjoyable for an experienced cowpoke or first-time greenhorn. Our Professional Wranglers will keep you safe and entertained during your entire Wild West Experience.
There is no better way to experience Central Florida in all her natural glory; trails meandering through wildflower-strewn meadows, by Grand Daddy Oaks, amidst Majestic Lofty Pines. The panoramic views are breathtaking and wildlife abounds. Our horses are gentle and steady, making the ride a pure pleasure for the experienced cowpoke or first time greenhorn. Horseback riding for children and adults of all levels. Just sit back in the saddle and let us pamper you Western style!
Yee Haw!
There is no better way to experience Central Florida in all her natural glory; trails meandering through wildflower-strewn meadows, by Grand Daddy Oaks, amidst Majestic Lofty Pines. The panoramic views are breathtaking and wildlife abounds. Our horses are gentle and steady, making the ride a pure pleasure for the experienced cowpoke or first time greenhorn. Horseback riding for children and adults of all levels. Just sit back in the saddle and let us pamper you Western style!
Yee Haw!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Weather Dodging
We had an eventful and busy weekend of trail rides and riding lessons. The nice thing about Florida is that the rain storms have not been that long so if we wait 15 or 20 minutes it clears up and we are on our way! The rain cools things off quite nicely and surprisingly enough it makes an already silent forest quieter. Wild West Horse Tours welcomes all levels of riders to come out and enjoy our trails on our amazingly gentle horses. We offer incredible horseback riding a very short drive from Orlando.
I guess it is a good time to talk about our Fall Wilderness Camp Outs. Based on double occupancy we are able to take 6 guests out into the wilderness and have an incredible adventure of camping and experiencing the great outdoors away from all of the hustle and bustle. No cars, iphones, (no cell srevice), Blackberrys,Blueberrys or Droids to interrupt your stay with nature. We have many events and good meals planned for all of our camp outs. Stay 1,2,3 or 4 nights in the Wilderness with nothing but horses,tents and the steed you wrode in on. Check us out @ WildWestHorseTours.com
Talk to ya soon!
I guess it is a good time to talk about our Fall Wilderness Camp Outs. Based on double occupancy we are able to take 6 guests out into the wilderness and have an incredible adventure of camping and experiencing the great outdoors away from all of the hustle and bustle. No cars, iphones, (no cell srevice), Blackberrys,Blueberrys or Droids to interrupt your stay with nature. We have many events and good meals planned for all of our camp outs. Stay 1,2,3 or 4 nights in the Wilderness with nothing but horses,tents and the steed you wrode in on. Check us out @ WildWestHorseTours.com
Talk to ya soon!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Welcome to Florida Horseback
We have created this blog in order to document the experiences of both horseback riding businesses and the consumer. Our trail riding company began in Ocala Florida, January, 2010. Starting a trail ride service in Florida is not as easy as one would think. In the future blogs we will attempt to reveal some of the stories that can be told of the process. In the mean time I would like to tell you a bit about our company.
Wild West Horse Tours is a trail ride company located North of Orlando in beautiful Ocala Florida. We specialise in adventurous horseback riding experiences. We take the time to teach you the proper way to ride a horse and learn to control the horse. This process rapidly builds confidence in even the most nervous of first time riders. Our goal is to teach you to walk,trot and canter the horse. Wild West Horse Tours provides safe,calm and healthy horses for all of its activities. NEW! We have now added Wilderness camping to our menu of services we offer.
WildWestHorseTours.com for more information about Horseback Riding in Florida.
I will be blogging past and current experiences regulary so please feel free to check back.
See ya Soon!
Wild West Horse Tours is a trail ride company located North of Orlando in beautiful Ocala Florida. We specialise in adventurous horseback riding experiences. We take the time to teach you the proper way to ride a horse and learn to control the horse. This process rapidly builds confidence in even the most nervous of first time riders. Our goal is to teach you to walk,trot and canter the horse. Wild West Horse Tours provides safe,calm and healthy horses for all of its activities. NEW! We have now added Wilderness camping to our menu of services we offer.
WildWestHorseTours.com for more information about Horseback Riding in Florida.
I will be blogging past and current experiences regulary so please feel free to check back.
See ya Soon!
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