Equine Fund-FAQ

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=125 BGCOLOR="#336633" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <IMG SRC="07264570.jpg" border=0 width="100" height="87" ALT="Equine Fund Logo" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The Equine Fund</div> <div> PO Box 162 </div> <div> Old Chatham, NY 12136</div> <div> 518-766-0632 </div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:equinefund@aol.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:equinefund@aol.com"><U>E-mail</U></A></div> <div>  <STYLE>  </STYLE>  </div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFBF0" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Tahoma" ><IMG SRC="04728300.jpg" border=0 width="296" height="48" ALT="Equine Fund PO Box 162 Old Chatham, NY 12136" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Tahoma" > </FONT>|     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Equine Fund"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="welcome.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Equine FundWelcome"><U>Welcome</U></A>   |   <A HREF="about_us.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Equine FundAbout Us"><U>About Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="news_and_information.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Equine Fund News and Information"><U>News and Information</U></A>   |   <B>FAQ</B>   |   <A HREF="our_products_and_services.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Equine FundOur Products and Services"><U>Our Products and Services</U></A>   |   <A HREF="list_of_donors.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Equine FundList of Donors"><U>List of Donors</U></A>   |   <A HREF="marketing_consulting_services.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Equine FundMarketing Consulting Services"><U>Marketing Consulting Services</U></A>   |   <A HREF="contact_us.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Equine FundContact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <div> <B>FAQ</B></div> <div> <B>Frequently Asked Questions:</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>How Do Horses Communicate?</I></div> <div> Horses are not machines, so it's important to learn how they communicate, interpret and adapt. Each horse has its own unique personality traits and no two horses act or behave exactly alike. Understanding horses behavior is the key to building a strong and mutually respectful relationship.</div> <div> Horses have the ability to participate in complex communication patterns not only with each other, but also with other creatures and humans around them.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Why do Horses have whiskers?</I></div> <div> Horses rely heavily on touch to communicate. Whiskers are used to touch and feel objects and food. Mutual grooming between horses is a form of bonding within herds. Horses will nuzzle each other as a sign of friendship or acceptance. Physical contact with other horses is vital to the mental well-being of any horse. </div> <bR> <div> <I>Horse sense? What about his sense of  smell.</I></div> <div> A horse's sense of smell is more acute than that of a human. It enables them to recognize friends, both human and other animals by smell alone. If you're consistent with the scents you wear (soap, cologne, etc.) it will help your horse recognize you.</div> <div> A horse can also smell fear as a scent given off by humans. This is important to the rider who's tense or the handler in fear.</div> <bR> <div> <I>What does it mean when a horse flares his nostrils?</I></div> <div> Horses communicate fear, curiosity and aggression with body and facial language. A horse that is afraid will flare his notrils and flatten his ears. Aggression can produce similar expressions. Aggression and defense can also be accompanied by a clamp down tail, open mouth and a leg being raised.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Can a horse recognize his owner?</I></div> <div> Yes. When a horse snorts in association with a long stare, horses may be warning peers of the possibility of danger or asking other herd members whether there is a threat. When horses manifest a large blow through the nostrils, it may be a determination of whether an intruder is a friend or foe.  Nickering, on the other hand, is a friendly form way horses use oral communication when they see a friend.</div> <bR> <div> <I>When should I worry about a horse's behavior?</I></div> <div> A squeal can mean a fight or warning sign. A neigh is the loudest and most common oral expression and rarely means fear. Usually horses neigh to locate other horses.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Why do some horses shy?</I></div> <div> Shying is an example of a horse reverting to its natural instincts by moving away from a potentially worrying object.  In this situation, horses should be given firm, but gentle reassurance. Never discipline.</div> <bR> <div> <I>I've heard people say "you have to be the herd boss to gain a horses respect. </I></div> <div> <I>What is the importance of me being the alpha horse?</I></div> <div> In the herd, horses look to the alpha horse for direction in times of fear. Your horse will turn to your for reassurance the same way. He'll need direction from you and he'll look for your confidence and trust in any situation that's fearful or challenging. Be sensitive, be kind, be patient. If you get angry, get off.</div> <bR> <div> <I>What should I know about horse nutrition?</I></div> <div> Here it is in a nutshell - Feed your horse at least 2x a day. Always have clean water that's above 40 degrees F. That means keeping water ice-free in winter months.</div> <div> Feed horse at the same time each day in frequent small meals. Don't change the feed. If you do, do it gradually. Each horse gets fed according to size, work program, age. If you're unsure how much to feed or in how to regulate a combination of pasture grass, hay and grain, consult a qualified vet. Make sure horses have salt. Food, hay and other feed should be free of mold or contaminants. Check your horse's teeth for sharp edges. Get a dental exam to make sure his teeth are healthy. Don't change routines. This could cause digestion problems that are sometimes fatal. Don't allow a hot horse free access to water. </div> <bR> <div> <I>What should I know about stabling my horse?</I></div> <div> Stalls need to be clean, safe and easy to get in an out of, with enough room for feeding, watering, exercise, rest and shelter.  Horse stalls must be durable. Bedding of all kinds (shavings, hay, etc.) need to be clean and dry to prevent injury to hooves and illness to the horse.</div> <bR> <div> <I>What's the proper way to clean a stall?</I></div> <div> At least once a day, thoroughly remove manure and wet bedding and replace with clean dry bedding. If the stall is very wet, let it dry before replacing bedding. Remove manure throughout the day to keep stall clean and free of parasites.</div> <bR> <div> <I>What should I know about older horses?</I></div> <div> Many horses remain active into their 20s and 30s. Older horses are usually calmer and their experience and wisdom make them wonderful teachers and wonderful friends.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Can I do anything to keep my older horse healthy and productive?</I></div> <div> Yes, make sure he gets vaccinations, dental care, good nutrition and is loved!</div> <bR> <div> <I>What's considered the proper exercise routine for a stabled horse?</I></div> <div> Consider your horses age and conditioning before doing any work. Begin with a warm up walk or trot your horse on a lead. Be certain all tack and equipment is clean and fits well. Ride at a walk or trot for at least 20 minutes before other work. Cold weather requires a longer warm up. Cool off at the walk the last mile home on the trail, the last 15-20 minutes of your arena work. Remove all tack. In cold weather cover your horse with a cooler and let them have a small amount of water. Do not water or feed him until he's completely cooled off. If it's hot, hose him down and walk him until cooled. Never put your horse in his stall if he's sweating and breathing heavy. Hand walk him on a lead indoors or out until he's breathing normally.</div> <div>  <STYLE>  </STYLE>  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>