Raintree Equestrian Center

I have always used neatsfoot oil in the past, but at this past horse show a lady told me that neatsfoot oil can damage the stiching on your bridle. Is this true or not true? I bought leather therapy brand conditioner. She told me it would darken my bridle. I have an edgewood. It did darken the bridle, but not as much as I would like. Even with multiple appications I just can’t get it to the way it looks when I use neatsfoot oil. The coloring also looks uneven. I have never had a bridle fall apart from using neatsfoot oil but maybe they mean long term? Have you tried any products like neatsfoot oil that make the leather soft, won’t damage stitching and also darkens?

When it is used in large amounts for long periods of time, yes, neatsfoot oil DOES rot stitching on a bridle- or on any other leather product, in fact. I normally only use neatsfoot very sparingly on my tack, and I make sure to wipe any excess off after I’m done. Neatsfoot oil is a conditioning agent for leather, but it is NOT a cleaner. To both clean and darken leather, you will need to use consistent applications of something like Lexol leather cleaner, followed by the conditioner made by the same company. Lexol DOES darken leather- that is how I get my new bridles and saddles darkened and broken in for use. You can also use Hydrophane, and follow that with Lexol if you want- that method will also work. Hope this helps.

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i was just wondering if you need to braid your horse for show jumping? not hunters but jumpers.

You dont have to, but most people do… I only braid the top part of the tail, and let the rest flow natural and I pull the mane so it is neater in appearance… but thats just my preference. You can braid all or nothing… which ever you prefer…. there’s not a braid rule.

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I will be showing for my first time next year at the county fair (I live in Minnesota and I am 15) and I am wanting to know if I can show my horse if she is unregistered? Thanks!

if ur county is like ours then yes. They HAVE classes for registered horses but they have open classes, unregistered pure classes as well. And if you do barrel racing etc at the show then it doesn’t matter on breed just your age. But you need health papers, coggins etc turned in advanced. When it gets closer to the show see if your extention office has a fair book or some sort with everything you need to know! Good Luck

I keep trying to look it up for what it means for horses and how important it is for horses training, but cannot seem to get a clear answer. So I ask, What does cadence mean in horse terms? And how important is it in horses training? Thanks.

Cadence is the balanced, rhythmic flow or the measure or beat of movement.

When the horse moves you can count four distinct hoof beats which produce a cadence of equal rhythm.

1. Walking- Four-beat gait
At the walk, the horse has three feet on the ground and only one in the air at any time. It places each foot on the ground in turn; first a hind leg, followed by the foreleg on the same side, then the other hind leg and finally the remaining foreleg.

2. Trotting- Two-beat gait
At the trot, opposite fore- and hind feet hit the ground together in turn to give a two-beat gate. The fact that only one forefoot or hind foot is bearing weight at any one time makes this the best gait to use to detect lameness.

3. Cantering- Three-beat gait
At the canter, two diagonal feet hit the ground together. The other two feet hit the ground separately, making a three-beat gate. One forefoot is followed by the opposite hind foot, then the other two feet together. There is a time when no feet are on the ground.

4. Galloping- Four-beat gait
This follows the same pattern as the canter, but the paired limbs do not hit the ground together. The hind limb lands slightly before the paired forelimb, making a four-beat gait. In the gallop and the canter, a horse can change which foreleg is leading.

You never want your horse to be "out of cadence" because it is easily detected by a judge while showing. Horses that are lazy are the ones most likely to be "out of cadence", therefore, training for a constant motion is crucial with horses.

Horse gaits (with correct cadence):
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_425/1249578190q26432.jpg

How old does a horse have to be before it can get pregnant and age male horse make a female horse pregnant?

Fillies can get pregnant at about two. Sometimes a little earlier. Stud colts can sire a horse shortly after their testicles drop. For most pasture horses that is about 18 months but with good grain they can drop at 12 months or sometimes sooner. I have known one to drop his at 10 months.

Now you should wait until at least three to breed you filly that would make her four when she foals and relatively solid.

Studs should not be bred until they are at least two and preferable at least three or even four. Make sure they are WELL trained to lead (riding helps too) so that they are easier to handle as studs. Be prepared for quite a change in attitude when they do begin breeding. They can become quite aggressive and hard to handle.