When you have a wild horse or a newborn, they are not adept at all to your training techniques. In other words, they do not know you from Adam!
The very first step in training your horse is to develop a relationship between you and the horse. If you happen to have a new horse for yourself, you must take into consideration that he or she does not know you. The horse does not have the slightest idea of who you are.
So, the first step in horse training is to get to know the horse and let the horse get to know you. Regularly visit him or her, letting them get used to your presence, smell, and feel. You will have to start slow with a particularly wild horse, but patience really is a virtue.
For true success, the behavior of the horse has to come first in training it before anything else can follow. It is imperative for you to nip bad behavior in the bud well before you can begin anything else.
Some horses have natural bad habits. For example, balking is one bad habit but it is easily curable. This is when the horse will refuse to move forward at all. And in some cases, if you insist that he or she moves forward they may have a tendency to become violent.
This takes great patience as with all horse training techniques. There could be many several reasons for this behavior such as fatigue, hands are heavy, they are scared or even that they are just plain stubborn.
Bolting is another typical behavior of wild horses. This occurs when the halter is being removed and in a lot of cases, the horse will wheel away before it is even completely off. There are a few causes for this behavior which may include anxiousness, or even poor handling of the horse.
This is a behavior that you want to be careful of treating. The reason for this being is that horses tend to kick out as they are wheeling, so you must be careful. Treats can be very effective when put on the ground right before you being to take the halter off.
Other bad horse habits that you might need to watch for, including their definitions;
- Barn Sour: A horse that does not like to leave the barn or stable.
- Bucking: A movement whereby a horse lowers its head and raises its hindquarters into the air, usually while kicking out with its hind legs.
- Pulling The Halter: When a horse tries to break free from being tied up or lead by its trainer, oftentimes if the horse panics or is startled.
- Shyness: A horses learned response to a painful experience, usually one in which involved rough handling or abuse of some kind.
- Striking and Kicking: A horses means of defense when it is afraid, attacking to defend, in pain or just plain malicious.
- Jigging: When an anxious or unsettled horse prances in place, in most cases because he wants to go but he cannot.
- Rearing: When a horse stands on its hind legs with both forelegs in the air, usually trying to unsettle a rider.
With a new horse, particularly a wild horse, you will especially need to practice extreme care and patience. Training a wild horse does not happen overnight and before you can start with the actual training, both you and the horse together need to get past the old bad habits and poor behavior. Only then can you both move forward together.
Horse Training: It Just Takes A Little Bit Of Time
Minggu, September 07, 2008 | Horse with 0 komentar »When you have a wild horse or a newborn, they are not adept at all to your training techniques. In other words, they do not know you from Adam!
The very first step in training your horse is to develop a relationship between you and the horse. If you happen to have a new horse for yourself, you must take into consideration that he or she does not know you. The horse does not have the slightest idea of who you are.
You've loved horses ever since you were a kid and have always dreamed of owning one. You've spent the last three years taking horseback riding lessons. You know how to tack up, muck out, and have read just about every book out there on the care and feeding of horses. No one can doubt that you've put your time in. Horses are no fleeting fancy, but are a hobby that is here to stay!
So, are you ready to buy your first horse? Well, before you break out your checkbook you need to take stock of a few things in your life to determine whether horse ownership is right for you.
Do you have the knowledge? How much time have you really spent around horses, and has it been hands-on? If you ride at a fancy stable that tacks and untacks your horse for you then guess what? You aren't having the full horse experience! Make sure you know what is really involved in caring for, feeding, and cleaning up after your horse. A great way to learn about all that is involved in horse ownership, without making a long-term commitment, is to lease a horse. Try leasing a horse for a year or two and then decide if horse ownership is really for you.
• Now that you know what is involved, do you have the desire? Horse ownership is a tremendous amount of work. Are you up for it? If you aren't, that's perfectly okay. If you really love riding horses but don't enjoy all the extra stuff that goes along with them, then why not just keep taking riding lessons? Ask yourself what you really love about horses. If you love things like mucking out, grooming, feeding, and taking care of horses, then you would probably make a great horse owner!
• Do you have the time for horse ownership? No more showing up at the barn, riding for an hour, and then heading home to your real life. When you are a horse owner, horses are your real life. If you travel frequently, can't or don't want to commit to a regular schedule, or have a very busy work or family life, then this might not be the right time in your life for horse ownership. Remember, horses must be fed, watered, and cared for according to schedule, and it's up to you to be able to maintain that schedule.
• Do you have the space for a horse? You either need good accommodations at home, or you need to find a place to board your horse. If you are keeping your horse at home, at the very least he needs two grassy acres, a run-in shed, and an adequate water supply. If you keep your horse at home you also need to know that he'll appreciate some company. It's best if you have room for an additional horse, a goat, or some other companionable animal.
• Do you have the money for a horse? Horses are very expensive! Add up everything it will cost to keep your horse happy and healthy. Include food, farrier bills, veterinary bills, insurance, training, and board if you keep him somewhere other than home. Now, does this figure fit into your budget? On the fence about whether you can afford horse ownership? Again, leasing is a good option. When you lease a horse, you are responsible for all of his monthly bills for a certain period of time. If you find at the end of this lease period that your horse has eaten well but you haven't, then you may want to reconsider horse ownership when you are in a better financial situation.
Remember, owning a horse is hard work and can be extremely taxing on your time and resources. Before you embark on the exciting journey of horse ownership, make sure you are ready!
For more great information on buying horses please visit our horse network and find valuable information that will save you thousands in mistakes or vet bills.
You have been dreaming of buying a horse of your own for ever, and now that you finally have some money, you can simply go out and buy one, right? Not exactly. A well-trained, sound horse isn't as simple to get hold of as a cute little puppy or a kitten, especially not a good horse. Before you buy a horse, you will need to find a place to keep it. In addition, you should be aware of how much money you will need to spend to keep your horse.
Budget very carefully before you fall madly in love and buy a horse you cannot afford to keep. Having said that, most horseback riders are willing to give up a lot of life's little luxuries to be able to keep our horses and we never regret a single one of them.
Most horses need to be shoed every 6 weeks (even unshod horses need to see the vet every 2 months), they need to receive vaccinations and they need to be fed. You will need to spend a substantial amount on bedding, grooming supplies and equipment as well as tack. However, the most important thing you will need to do is to be sure you will recognise a good horse when you see one (and a bad one too!).
Green Horse, Green Rider
Depending on your own experience, there are lots of horses that you shouldn't buy out there. Some have bad habits like biting, kicking or cribbing (chewing on the edge of a stall door). Others are not well trained yet. Although they may know some of the basics, they are still very green, meaning they may be willing to wear a saddle, but do not know all of the signals that a thoroughly trained horse knows. A green horse and a green rider are the worst possible combination.
Further, some horses may be unsound or unhealthy. A serious problem with hooves or legs can render a horse worthless for riders. Owning a horse that can only handle a slow walk around the ring with a child on its back when you were hoping for an animal that could compete in shows is heartbreaking for a new horse owner.
Check his background, not just his pedigree
Now that you are aware all of the things that could be wrong with a horse, how do you find the perfect horse for you? You should be careful about buying horses at an auction or through the newspaper. A better idea is to ask around at horse shows, competitions or other events. Serious competitors often move up to more challenging or flashier horses as they gain experience. Their old, dependable beginner horses are perfect for people who want a first horse.
Should you find a horse that you are interested in, ask around before you hand over your cash, especially if the horse has competed in horse shows and competitions. Other horse owners will have heard if that horse has a nasty disposition or always balks at the flagpoles. They may even know about health problems the horse had experienced.
Full Vetting
Once you have investigated the horse's background, call in your veterinarian. Your vet will test your prospective horse's eyesight, hearing, heart and teeth. If you aren't sure how old the horse is, the vet can even estimate the animal's age by inspecting his teeth. Most importantly, however, your vet will take a look at the horse's legs and feet. He will be looking for swollen hocks, leg splints or thrush, which is a dangerous hoof infection that often is caused when a horse is left standing in dirty, wet bedding for long periods of time.
Finally, it is time to see if the horse is YOUR dream horse. Tack him up yourself to be sure he doesn't have any unsavoury habits, like refusing to take the bit or kicking and biting. Mount the horse and put him through his paces. Be on the lookout for flaws such as the inability to change leads or the refusal to back up on command. Some of these behaviours can be corrected with the help of a good trainer, but you will want your first horse to be well trained and well behaved. In fact, if possible take your instructor with you to view the horse.
And remember, keeping a horse can cost anything from $4000-10 000 a year!
Breeders are not the only ones who have the knowledge of different horse breeds. Many horse lovers do, too. The history of horse breeding as well as the features of different breeds are interesting learning that can give you a better understanding of these magnificent creatures.
History of Horses
Let us first examine how the relationship between men and horses has evolved, as this will help us better understand different horse breeds. Believe it or not, horses first became valuable to humans because they produced milk and could be eaten. Later on, however, humans realised that horses were strong and fast and began to use them to carry or draw loads and as a mode of transportation.
Now, horses are no longer just used to do labors. Rather, they are more often kept for sports or leisure riding. Hence, people are breeding horses to serve the different needs by human beings.
Breeding Horses
What the breeder do is to select specific male and female horses with the desired characteristics to mate, so that the new-born horses will carry the traits desired by us humans. With the success of purposeful breeding, more horses are now bred in planned ways to meet specific needs. A widely known example is the racing horses. In fact, there are different registries around the world that document the various horse breeds.
To know about the different horse breeds is probably a hard mission for an average person, but a true horse-lover can usually tell a lot of the breeds. This is especially true for someone who is fond of horse racing or simply would like to get himself a horse. Often, knowing the breed of your horse would tell you what the horse is capable of doing and whether its price is truly justified.
Horse Species
Despite the vast number of horse breeds, horses are generally placed under three main groups - pony, light, and heavy horses.
The smallest kind of horses are known to us as ponies. As they are so small, some would even not consider them horses at all. Even so, ponies can be as hardy as other horses. Some breeds can carry adult riders and pull heavy loads. Because of their size and mild nature, ponies are often kept as pets by children. Examples of pony breeds are the Shetland and Welsh ponies.
Next to ponies are the light horses. Some of the breeds under this group are the beautiful Arabian and the fast Thoroughbred. Other breeds are the Quarter Horse, Appaloosa and Morgan. These horses are primarily meant to be ridden for fun or for sport. In the past, they were popularly used to pull light wagons, carts, carriages or chaises.
Some horses belong to the heavy group. In the past, these horses were used for war. They were also used for carrying and pulling heavy loads. Heavy horses are therefore ideal for farm work. They are large but have well-formed, powerful muscles, shoulders and legs. Heavy horse breeds include Shire, Clydesdale, Percheron and Lipizzaner.
Keep in mind that even within the same group, different horse breeds can carry very different traits. Hence, it is always important to understand what sets your horse breed apart from the rest.
Most pet owners put as much thought and care into feeding our cat or dog as we do to feeding ourselves. Browse the pet food section of your local supermarket and you will see an incredibly large choice of cat and dog food to choose from, and there are even more options if you shop at a pet store.
The wording on pet food sold in the US is regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. (AAFCO) Pet food manufacturers must list the ingredients by weight - with the first ingredient being the main one. The nutritional breakdown of fat, fiber and protein indicate that the food contains the minimum amount indicated and not necessarily the full amount.
The pet food industry is entirely self-regulated and there is nothing to prevent pet food companies from using poor quality ingredients. Consider buying name brand pet foods for your cat or dog. They may be priced slightly higher than the equivalent store brand - but premium pet foods generally have higher quality ingredients as well as contain added vitamins and antioxidants.
Try to choose pet food that suits the specific needs of your pet - your cat or dog will have different dietary needs as a puppy or kitten, than when full grown. You may find that you change your pet's food several times over the course of his or her life, especially if their health deteriorates.
You can buy pet food that is designed specifically for young or old pets, pets that are diabetic, lactating or pregnant - and even food designed for cats that have a problem with fur balls. There are cat and dog foods that are designed for the indoor or inactive pet. Never feed dog food to cats or cat food to dogs.
Perhaps your biggest decision will be whether to feed your pet dry or moist foods. There are advantages to each of these - and it doesn't hurt to vary your pet's diet by alternating between them. And if you are going to feed your pet the occasional treat, try to choose healthy treats - a surprising number of pet treats are unhealthy with a high fat content.
Cats have three basic types of food - dry, moist and canned food. Dry food - also known as kibble - has the advantage of staying fresh longer once it has been opened. It also tends to be the least expensive as well as the least tasty - if you have a finicky cat, he or she may not be enthusiastic about dry food. A cat eating only dry food will drink more water.
Moist cat food is similar to dry food, but is soft and chewy - most cats are able to easily eat this kind of food. Moist cat food has moisture content of around 35%, so if you are feeding your cat exclusively moist food, make sure that water is readily available. Once the food has been opened, it tends to dry out quickly and lose its taste.
Even the most finicky cat will eat and enjoy canned food. Canned food comes in an often overwhelming variety of flavors and the cost can vary, based on the content and quality of the meat. And cats that only eat canned food are getting plenty of water - most canned food has moisture content of around 75%.
Dog food also comes in the three basic types - dry, moist and canned. Dry food is less expensive, as well as being easier to buy in bulk and store. And dogs can benefit from a diet of dry food as it helps to reduce a build up of tartar and generally helps to exercise your dog's mouth muscles.
Moist foods for dogs can often contain a large amount of preservatives and artificial colors. They also tend to be high in sugar content and are not generally considered a good source of nutrition. Canned food tends to be better quality and actually contains real meat. An older dog or a dog with sore gums or having difficulty chewing should be fed canned food. However, canned food is costlier - especially when feeding a larger dog.
If you are changing the type of food your cat or dog eats, one effective method is to gradually mix in the new food with the old over a period of several days. On the first day, the serving should consist of ¾ old foods and ¼ new food, on the nest day ½ and ½ and so on, until your pet is eating just the new food.
Always discuss your pet's diet with your vet. It is worth taking the trouble to ensure that your cat or dog is not only enjoying mealtimes, but is being fed the right food too.
Organic Dry Pet Food: What Makes It Different?
Minggu, September 07, 2008 | pet foods, pets info with 0 komentar »There are some things about organic pet food that might surprise you. We all know that organic pet food is better for your pet, but what you may not know, is that the best organic pet food companies strive to put ingredients in their food that humans can eat.
It's called "human-grade" ingredients. You will find "human-grade" ingredients in almost any organic pet food that is worth considering for you animal.
- The Facts about Organic Dry Pet Food: Something Else You May Not Have Known:
There are some critics who would consider dry pet food a bad option for your animal, period, end of discussion. This is because there is a lot of talk about whether dry pet food is a natural food that your dog or cat can properly digest. The issue has a lot to do with the cheap ingredients that are added to dry pet food, as well as the fact that the purely carnivore nature of dogs and cats makes it seem only obvious that dry foods will not provide the same nutrients as wet foods.
- Here is the Problem with Dry Food:
Dry pet food is essentially a cereal. This means that dry pet food is full of carbohydrates, and these are essentially absent from a dog's or cat's natural prey diet. This means that dogs and cats need a very small amount of carbohydrates, yet most dry pet food contain as much as 45% carbohydrates. This might explain why your cat gains weight easily, and your dog sluggishly bumbles around the house. Some critics would even go so far as to compare a dry pet food diet to a human diet consisting entirely of micro-waved mac and cheese.
- The Organic Dry Pet Food Solution:
What you will want to look for in dry pet food, and which should be naturally included in most organic dry pet foods, are ingredients like real lamb and chicken, brow rice, beets, spinach, tomatoes and other natural foods. These should have a somewhat "human-grade" quality to them and you will want to make sure the organic dry pet food is sealed with an oxygen barrier bag. This will also keep the organic dry pet food staying fresh for some time after you open it.
- Organic Pet Food: The Only Way to Go?
In my opinion, organic dry pet food is really the only way to go when it comes to dry pet food. Considering all the re-calls in pet foods lately, and the critics who will swear up and down that dry pet food is horrible for your pets and it suddenly sounds like a darn good idea to trust an organic pet food brand that prides itself on natural and healthy pet food for your animal.
- The Dry Pet Food Problem:
Some pet owners will tell you to stay clear of all dry pet food. The truth of the matter, is that some pets digest dry foods better, and if you must go with dry pet food, your best bet is going to be with a reputable organic pet food company. A company that understands the concerns you may have about dry pet foods and uses all natural ingredients that your little carnivore will appreciate.
Keep your Pet Clear of the Next Pet Food Recall...here are the 'red Flags' of Pet Food
Minggu, September 07, 2008 | pet foods with 0 komentar »Last year turned out to be the worst in history for pet food recalls. While there is no way to be 100% certain that a pet food is not tainted or will be recalled, there are some red flags to look for when selecting your dog’s or cat’s food. Avoiding these common pet food ingredients can greatly improve your odds in purchasing a healthy, safe pet food.
Judging the safety or the nutritional value of a pet food starts by ignoring the advertising, the price of the pet food, and ignoring the front of the bag. The real signs to the safety of a dog food or cat food lie on the back or side of the bag or can in the ‘Ingredient Listing’. Regardless of what marketing terms (‘choice’, ‘premium’, and so on) are on the front of the bag or can of pet food, a pet owner cannot determine the quality or how safe the food is unless they look at the ingredients. With dry foods there can be 90 different ingredients (or more), with canned foods there can be 50 or more different ingredients. But don’t panic…you don’t have to understand hundreds of different pet food ingredients! You just need to be aware of a few key ingredients…pet food ingredients that you do NOT want to see in a dog food or cat food (or treats).
‘Wheat Gluten’, ‘Corn Gluten’, or ‘Rice Gluten’. These three ingredients were the bad boy pet food ingredients of 2007. Tainted glutens were found to be the cause of thousands of dogs and cats becoming ill and dying. It is not that glutens themselves are toxic to pets – these ingredients have been used in pet foods for years. The problem was the source or manufacturer of the glutens – imported from countries with far less quality standards than in the US. (The majority of glutens used in the US pet foods are from imported sources.) These imported glutens contained added chemicals that caused crystals to form in the kidneys of dogs and cats.
Not only is it important to avoid dog foods and cat foods (and dog and cat treats) that contain glutens because of the possibility of dangerous added chemicals, it is important because they add no real quality nutrition to the food. Glutens are used as a thickener AND as a source of protein in pet food. Adult maintenance dog foods must provide a minimum of 18% protein, adult maintenance cat foods must provide a minimum of 26% protein. If the meat source of the pet food does not provide enough protein, glutens are often added to boost the protein level of the pet food. The best nutrition for your pet comes from a meat protein pet food not from a gluten protein. Avoid dog foods and cat foods (and treats) that contain ‘corn gluten’, ‘wheat gluten’, or ‘soy gluten’.
‘By Products’. By-products have never been the cause of a pet food recall, but they are definitely ingredients you want to avoid feeding your pet. To give you an understanding of by-products, I’d like to compare this pet food ingredient to pies – you know, the dessert! How many different types of pies you can think of? There are apple pies, cherry pies, chocolate pies, meringue pies, meat pies, mud pies, pie in math, cow pies (yuck!) – I think you get my point. Now imagine if you purchased yourself a prepared ravioli dinner at the grocery and you looked at the ingredients and you see ‘pie’ listed as the first ingredient in your dinner. Hmmm, pie in ravioli – what kind of pie? You wouldn’t know if it was apple pie or mud pie or even cow pie. All you would know is that your dinner contained ‘pie’. Considering ‘pie’ could be anything from apple pie to cow pie – my guess is that you wouldn’t be having ravioli for dinner. Same thing with by-products in pet food.
AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials – the organization responsible for all animal feed manufacturing rules and regulations) defines by-products as “meat by-products is the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. It does not include hair, horns, teeth, and hoofs. It shall be suitable for use in animal food. If it bears name descriptive of its kind, it must correspond thereto.”
So, with respect to pet food – a by-product is a catch-all ingredient name. All left over meat materials from the human food industry are clumped into one ingredient name – by-product. There is NO certainty of what you are feeding – one batch of pet food might be more intestine by-products while the next batch of pet food might be more liver or bone by-products. There is NO way of knowing what is actually contained in the pet food ingredient by-product (the pet food manufacturers themselves couldn’t tell you exactly). Avoid dog foods and cat foods (and treats) that contain By-products of any kind…Chicken By-Products, Beef By-Products, Chicken By-Product Meal, Beef By-Product Meal, and so forth.
‘Meat Meal’, ‘Meat and Bone Meal’, or ‘Animal Digest’. These three ingredients are similar to by-products. AAFCO defines Meat and Bone Meal as “the rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents, except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably to good processing practices.” Again, a catch all ingredient name for the left-over parts of animals used for human food. No consistency to what is contained in these ingredients (all three of these pet food ingredient definitions are similar) – no way of knowing what is actually in your pet’s food. Avoid dog foods, cat foods, and dog and cat treats that contain ‘meat meal’, ‘meat and bone meal’, or ‘animal digest’.
‘Animal Fat’. In 2002 the FDA tested many different brands of dog food (cat food was not tested) for the presence of the drug pentobarbital. Many brands of dog food tested positive to contain the drug. Pentobarbital is the drug used to euthanize dogs, cats, cattle, and horses.
How can the drug that is used to euthanize animals be found in pet food? The answer – euthanized animals are rendered (cooked) and the end ingredients are placed in pet food. It has long been rumored that euthanized dogs and cats (from animal shelters and veterinarian offices) is the major source of the pentobarbital in pet food. However no one has been able to prove or disprove this rumor to date. The FDA/CVM (Center for Veterinary Management) developed testing methods on two separate occasions to determine the species source of the drug. No results have ever been determined. The pet food manufacturers adamantly deny they use rendered dogs or cats – but NO clinical evidence has ever been released to confirm the pentobarbital is from euthanized cattle and horses in pet food as they claim.
However, the one thing the FDA/CVM has determined through their testing is the pet food ingredient ‘animal fat’ is the most common ingredient to contain pentobarbital. In other words, if you are feeding a dog food or cat food (or treats) with the ingredient ‘animal fat’ in the ingredient listing – you are (more than likely) feeding your pet euthanized animals. Not every batch of pet food tested that contained the ingredient ‘animal fat’ has proved to contain pentobarbital – but why would any pet owner want to take the chance? Avoid dog foods, cat foods, and dog and cat treats that contain the ingredient ‘animal fat’.
‘BHA’, ‘BHT’, ‘TBHQ’, and ‘Ethoxyquin’. These pet food ingredients are chemical preservatives and you might have to look through the entire ingredient list to find them. It is worth the look because there is plenty of clinical evidence to associate all four of these chemical preservatives with cancer and tumors (simply do a Google search on any one of these chemicals). All four of these chemical preservatives are rarely used to preserve human food and if so, are used in quantities far less than what is allowed in pet food. Avoid any dog food, cat food, or dog and cat treat that contains ‘BHA’, ‘BHT’, ‘TBHQ’, and ‘Ethoxyquin’ on the label.
‘Corn’, ‘Wheat’, ‘Soy’. While there is no scientific evidence that proves these ingredients are dangerous to pets – they are potentially dangerous ingredients associated with recalls in the past (1995, 1999, and 2005). These grains are highly prone to a deadly mold (aflatoxin). It is suggested (by AAFCO) that all pet food manufacturers test grains for the mold, but as recalls of the past have proven – that doesn’t always happen. I do not think these ingredients are as risky as others mentioned above, but they are ingredients I avoid for my own pets.
There is more to selecting a true healthy pet food for your dog or cat than avoiding the above mentioned ingredients. This is just a start - based on pet food history, AAFCO ingredient definitions, science and opinion of many pet food experts including myself. There are many quality pet foods available that do NOT use the above ingredients and that add health promoting ingredients to their foods and treats. Continue to learn as much as you can about what you are feeding your pet and ALWAYS read the labels!
Many people feel that feral cats cannot be kept indoors as pets. This is not true. In fact, feral cats are happy being kept as indoor only pets if you don't attempt to treat them exactly like tame cats.
What are Feral Cats?
Feral cats are cats that haven't been properly socialized. What this means behaviorally is that feral cats are not tame toward humans. Very often, feral cats result from the offspring of cats that were once owned and then abandoned. As a result, the kittens are not properly socialized to humans and become feral.
There is a critical period during kitten development in which kittens must be exposed to human caretakers, otherwise they will be feral or at least semi-feral. This critical developmental period is generally from birth to 8 weeks old. If the first human exposure occurs past the age of 8 weeks this usually results in a feral or semi-feral cat. Sometimes older feral kittens can be tamed toward one or two human caretakers.
What to do if You Find a Feral Cat or Kitten
Many well meaning cat lovers will find feral kittens and take them to their local animal shelter. Unfortunately, feral kittens aren't very adoptable and most of the time animal shelters will destroy the feral kittens to make room for tame kittens that are more likely to be adopted.
Fortunately, there are some shelters that will spay or neuter the kittens and then return the kittens to their natural environment. This at least gives the feral cat a chance to live without the ability of producing more feral cats. This program is called Trap-Neuter-Return, and it is being implemented in many areas to control the outdoor cat population without having to kill the cats. It generally works like this: The kittens are caught in a humane trap, such as Havahart live animal traps. The animal is unharmed. Then the cat is taken to the vet or the shelter that participates in Trap-Neuter-Return and the animal is spayed or neutered and is usually given some vaccines. When the cat has recovered from the spay or neuter surgery the cat is returned outdoors in the same location where it was found. Trap-Neuter-Return is a much more humane way of dealing with feral cats and kittens than euthanasia.
Feral Kittens Can Also Make Very Rewarding Pets
Some people who find feral kittens take them into their homes as pets. This can be a very rewarding experience as you gain the trust of these special cats. It is also the best option for the well-being of the feral cat or kitten. Taking them into your home as a pet is even better than Trap-Neuter-Return programs. Taking them in as pets generally works best if you catch them when they are relatively young. The younger the better, although some people have taken older feral cats into their homes as pets and they have been fine.
It is also best to take in two feral kittens or cats from the same litter if possible. If this isn't possible it is best to have at least one other cat in the household because feral kittens and cats really enjoy the company of other cats.
Feral cats need to be kept as indoor only cats. Cats sometimes behave differently once they get outside. Because feral kittens and cats don't trust humans very much they may be fearful of approaching your house once they are outside and they may get lost. In general, they are very fearful of any humans other than the human caretakers that they have grown to trust.
I have four feral cats that have lived with me for about 2 years now and they have been very happy indoors. Three were caught when they were 10 weeks old and the fourth cat was caught when she was 12 weeks old.
For the first few weeks after I brought them in the house, all of the kittens used to hiss when I walked by them. Eventually they came to trust me and stopped hissing when they saw me. In fact, now they greet me at the door after work. When I wake up in the morning they come up on the bed to greet me the very first thing. They love playing with toys and with each other. They are still semi-feral, but there is nothing more rewarding than seeing how happy they are and knowing that they are indoors where it is warm and safe.
However, they aren't exactly like other cats. For the most part you can't pick them up. One of the kittens lets me pick her up and kiss her on top of her little head, but the other kittens don't allow it (Actually, they are no longer kittens, but they still seem like babies to me). However, they do like to play toys with me, and except for one of them, they do like to be petted and to have their fur brushed.
Feral cats and kittens would not make good pets for children. Basically feral cats that live indoors with humans like to do their own thing most of the time. They don't want to be held and will usually only let you pet them on a limited basis. Because of this they are likely to scratch a child that attempts to have more contact with them than the cat wants. The key to making a feral cat happy is to only have as much contact with the cat as it wants.
Also, you need to give the shy ones extra space when they are using the litter or eating. Sometimes it is best to keep their litter and food bowls in low human traffic areas so that they can feel safe while eating or using the litter box.
Vet trips can be difficult because they don't always allow you to pick them up to put them into the pet carrier. However, there are ways to do it. Sometimes you can throw their favorite toy into the carrier and they will run in to get it and then all you have to do is shut the cat carrier door.
Feral cats are well worth the extra work and they are the best pets ever! Also, because they only want limited contact with humans you generally don't have to worry about them walking on your keyboard while you are typing or laying across you newspaper or book while you are reading.
In my opinion there is nothing more rewarding then gaining the trust of these cats, especially if you don't mind taking their special needs into consideration. The reward comes in knowing that you are providing a loving, warm, happy home with plenty of food, water, toys, and veterinary care for these special cats.
Identifying And Managing Your Tropical Fish Species
Rabu, September 03, 2008 | fish with 0 komentar »Tropical fish come in a variety of different species. First of all, you have freshwater tropical fish, and saltwater tropical fish. These are the two main and distinct categories that all breeds of tropical fish can be divided into. Within these categories are different species. Did you know that piranhas, carnivore fish and other anti-social tropical fish all fall within the 'tropical' category?
The last thing you'd want, as a new owner of tropical fish, is to purchase tropical fish species such as piranhas or other related carnivores. Would you really want a flesh eating fish to be in the same fish tank as a beautiful yellow finned, delicate tropical fish species breed? I know I certainly wouldn't! So exercise due care and diligence when deciding which tropical fish species you would like to put in your tropical fish tank.
Now some tropical fish species don't get along with one another, even though they're not carnivores. Indeed, some tropical fish species are just naturally shy and don't mix with any other species other than their own. For this reason you may want to do a little research and ground work before deciding upon which tropical fish species you would like to integrate in your fish tank, as choosing two or more species that don't get along with one another won't be fun to watch at all!
Fish interaction is the main thing that makes keeping and maintaining a fish aquarium so interesting. If your fish live rather boring and dull lives, then you too will soon grow bored of looking at them! Whilst having a fish tank may be quite a novelty of sorts among your friends, if you want to have an enjoyable time watching your fish, then ensure you purchase the right types of tropical fish species.
Conduct further research into discus fish, freshwater tropical fish and saltwater tropical fish. There are so many different species and breeds to choose from that I couldn't even begin to attempt to list them here. Speak to your local pet shop store owner and ask them their opinion on what tropical fish species would be the most enjoyable to have within your tropical fish tank.
Do the groundwork now, and you'll save yourself hassle later! There's no point in just choosing some random tropical fish species, putting them in your fish tank, and hoping for the best. Planning how your fish tank will run before you've even set it up will lead you to long term enjoyment, and you'll be a new tropical fish hobbyist in no time.
Buying the right aquarium fish for your tank is key to the success of your aquarium. When selecting fish, you may not simply be able to pick out the fish that catch your eye in the pet store as not all fish can live in the same environment. Additionally not all fish get along with each other so you will have to be careful to choose the types of fish that are compatible.
If all this seems like hard work, don't worry, you will soon become familiar with the types of tropical fish that work well in your tank and even have some favorites that you like to keep. When choosing fish for your aquarium, here's some tips to keep in mind:
1. Fish appearance. Observe the particular fish you are interested in carefully to make sure he is active and swimming around properly. Make sure his fins are not chewed and he doesn't have any growths or white fuzzy patches.
2. Tank condition. Dealers tanks can have parasites and disease that might not be apparent in your fish right away so you need to observe the other fish in the tank and take a good look at the tank conditions. Is the tank clean? If not that is an indication that the dealer probably doesn't care for the tanks well. Make sure the other fish in the tank are alert and swimming around actively. Avoid buying a fish from a tank that has dead fish floating in it. Even if your fish appears to be healthy, he could already be infected with something that might not show up until days after you get him home. By then it might be too late and you could risk infecting your other fish.
3. Water Conditions. The condition of your water is important as well as the number of fish you already have in the tank. If your water condition is poor then adding more fish will just make things worse and endanger the health of all the fish in the tank. Also, you should be careful not to overload your tank with too many fish as this will cause stress on all the fish as well as cause your water quality to degrade. The general rule of thumb for freshwater tropical fish tanks is 1 inch of fish per gallon of water. If you add too many, you will have to spend more time changing the water and will need really good filtration in order to keep your tank healthy.
4. Water Temperature. Not all tropical fish like the same temperature water. While most will do well with temps in the mid 70's some do better in cooler waters while others like it on the warm side.
5. Fish size. Before you buy a new fish you might want to find out how big he can be expected to eventually grow. Since your tank can support about 1 inch of fish per gallon, you wouldn't want to put a fish that might grow to 5 inches in your 5 gallon tank or he might be the only one you can have!
6. The type of fish. Is your new fish aggressive or does he play well with others? Is he OK being the only one of his kind in the tank or will he do better in a school. Make sure you only put fish that will get along in the tank or the more aggressive fish will pick on the others. Also, some fish are territorial and you should only keep one per tank.
7. The food. Find out what type of food your new fish likes to eat. Most eat flakes, but some like freeze dried worms or other types of food. When you bring home your new fish be sure to also take home some of his favorite dinner.
Types of Pet Food Storage Containers Available
Rabu, September 03, 2008 | pet foods with 0 komentar »The pet food storage containers are specially designed to keep the pet food stuff like meat, milk, fruits, vegetables and water. It also well designed with ample amount of space and space for the free going of fresh air for making the pet food material fresh, clean and natural. These storage containers for the pet food are specially designed to store dry as well as moist pet food for long periods of time. Hence, the measurements of the size and height of the storage containers are relevantly designed by considering the safety and convenience of the pets as well as the owners.
A wide range of pet food storage containers are available in the market. There is the food storage bin for the pet animals that looks like its made out of stone. Such food bins are landscape friendly. Such storage bin is incorporated with dry food for dogs and put off such pet food material from pesticides, varying climate conditions. This pet food storage container is designed of lid coil, which is helpful for opening and shutting of the storage container.
Such pet food storage container is provided with capacity of 13- gallon approximately containing the size around 15 x 14 x 21 inches. It is incorporated with controlling lock-in that magnetize and confine storeroom pet food so that it stays fresh and is protected form various types of bacteria.
Some kind of pet food storage container like bowl is designed in such a way that it keeps both food and water. Such food storage container has a facility to put in food material at the base and make it fasten, then insert the water to the peak and make the drawstring fasten.
A set of the pet food storage containers are specially designed for the dogs. The size of such food storage bins are approximately 20 to 40 lbs. the pet food material like dry food for adult dogs, meats, milk and puppy toys are kept in such food storage bins. In addition, such pet food storage container is adaptable according to the size and type of the food material and it is modified for preventing the pet animals from critter and wetness. Such food storage container is incorporated with clean-up ability of the attachable facing.
We keep the pet food out in the open because of the pet food storage container having styling function. Such pet food storage container are available in three shapes and are available in three categories like Ultra 40 lbs, 20 lbs and 10 lbs. approximately. The measurements of such three categories of the pet food storage containers are endowed with a closure, which is twighlight blue color and apparent bottom.
These three dimensions are incorporated with several measurements. For instance, the size of the Ultra 10lb. food storage container is 14.3 x 9 x 15.5 inches approximately. The measurement of the Ultra 20lb. food storage container is 19.3 x 11.5 x 18 inches approximately and last category like Ultra 40 lb.of the pet food storage container has a measurement 21.5 x 13.5 x 22.5 inches approximately.
Wellness pet food is a natural food for pets available from the top brand Old Mother Hubbard Company. They produce cat food, dog food, cat and dog treats etc. Wellness pet food is sold through independent pet stores and pet food retailers. These products include natural ingredients and they do not include meat by products. They never add any preservative or food colors to pet food. Artificial flavors are also avoided. Hence the food will really improve the health status of your pets.
The main ingredients in wellness pet food include potatoes, tomato, canola oil, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, barley and apples. They also include oat meal, whole chicken and turkey. In other words, this pet food contains all the essential ingredients required for your pets.
Wellness pet food is the world’s finest brand food for pets. Wellness for dogs involves thoughtful approach to provide adequate nutrition to your dogs. Dogs in fact are the lovely companions of human. By feeding them with natural and super premium food, they will show good health and long life. Wellness provides real foods like deboned meats, steroids, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. This will help to provide adequate protein, minerals, vitamins etc in a delicious way.
Each and every ingredient used in wellness pet food is carefully selected by the experts to provide a wholesome food to your dogs. These foods are easily digestible and they help to improve the health and happiness of your dogs. Omega 3 and 6, and essential fatty acids are included in this pet food which offers healthy skin and coat.
There is no meat by products or any other allergic ingredients in this pet food. There are no dairy products or soy in this food. They never use artificial colors or dyes. They never use any inferior quality ingredients or any nutrition less ingredients.
Wellness pet food for cats is delicious and rich in high nutrition. Similar to dog food, this also includes wholesome grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, hormones and steroids to provide nutritious food to your lovely pet. They also include effective anti oxidants to keep your cat healthy and happy.
Wellness cat food formula avoids meat by products and any allergens like corn, soy and wheat. It includes only nutritional and healthy ingredients and it avoids artificial flavors and colors. The ingredients in wellness pet food for cats include easily digestible grains for energy and low magnesium ingredients for avoiding urinary tract infections. Fruits and vegetables are included to provide abundant anti oxidants. The product does not include sugar. This pet food is hence ideal for health and longevity of your cats.
Wellness pet food contains 100% natural and healthy ingredients which will increase the energy of your pets. They never cause allergy. They will improve the shininess in skin and coat. They also provide canned foods for pets. Wellness dry cat food and do food are also available. There is separate food for small puppies. This new formula pet food will help your puppy to grow fast. Since this pet food does not contain any animal fats or artificial ingredients, your pets will show greater immunity which will in turn increase their longevity.
Organic Dry Pet Food: What Makes It Different?
Rabu, September 03, 2008 | pet foods with 0 komentar »There are some things about organic pet food that might surprise you. We all know that organic pet food is better for your pet, but what you may not know, is that the best organic pet food companies strive to put ingredients in their food that humans can eat.
It's called "human-grade" ingredients. You will find "human-grade" ingredients in almost any organic pet food that is worth considering for you animal.
- The Facts about Organic Dry Pet Food: Something Else You May Not Have Known:
There are some critics who would consider dry pet food a bad option for your animal, period, end of discussion. This is because there is a lot of talk about whether dry pet food is a natural food that your dog or cat can properly digest. The issue has a lot to do with the cheap ingredients that are added to dry pet food, as well as the fact that the purely carnivore nature of dogs and cats makes it seem only obvious that dry foods will not provide the same nutrients as wet foods.
- Here is the Problem with Dry Food:
Dry pet food is essentially a cereal. This means that dry pet food is full of carbohydrates, and these are essentially absent from a dog's or cat's natural prey diet. This means that dogs and cats need a very small amount of carbohydrates, yet most dry pet food contain as much as 45% carbohydrates. This might explain why your cat gains weight easily, and your dog sluggishly bumbles around the house. Some critics would even go so far as to compare a dry pet food diet to a human diet consisting entirely of micro-waved mac and cheese.
- The Organic Dry Pet Food Solution:
What you will want to look for in dry pet food, and which should be naturally included in most organic dry pet foods, are ingredients like real lamb and chicken, brow rice, beets, spinach, tomatoes and other natural foods. These should have a somewhat "human-grade" quality to them and you will want to make sure the organic dry pet food is sealed with an oxygen barrier bag. This will also keep the organic dry pet food staying fresh for some time after you open it.
- Organic Pet Food: The Only Way to Go?
In my opinion, organic dry pet food is really the only way to go when it comes to dry pet food. Considering all the re-calls in pet foods lately, and the critics who will swear up and down that dry pet food is horrible for your pets and it suddenly sounds like a darn good idea to trust an organic pet food brand that prides itself on natural and healthy pet food for your animal.
- The Dry Pet Food Problem:
Some pet owners will tell you to stay clear of all dry pet food. The truth of the matter, is that some pets digest dry foods better, and if you must go with dry pet food, your best bet is going to be with a reputable organic pet food company. A company that understands the concerns you may have about dry pet foods and uses all natural ingredients that your little carnivore will appreciate.
Why we need a a horse trainer to train our horses? This is largely because they aren't considered domestic animals, though they will be able to assist us to do different and complex activities.
Due to the fact that horses are not domestic animals, they are not ready to perform new activities immediately after being in the wild for some time. A horse trainer is needed here because untamed horses are truly uncontrollable and will not be useful to the owners at this stage.
The different tasks which the horses have been trained are for transport, for farm works, for sports and even for warfare.
In order for them to to perform any of the tasks intended for them, it is vital for them to undergo training sessions where they are taught the basic skills and tricks .
Employing a horse trainer
If you would like to make full use of the horses' assistant in carrying the tasks given, then you need to employ a horse trainer. He would be able to unlock the full potentials of the horse. Training sessions will only be possible after the trainer has conditioned the mindset of the horse so that it could be open to learning tricks.
What must you look for when looking for a reliable horse trainer? Look for your peers' and other horse owners' recommendations.
Your peers' advice will be a great help to you in looking for a reliable trainer. If that doesn't help go to the local veterinarian. He would be able to suggest the best horse trainer in your community. In addition he will also know if the horse trainer is reliable and trustworthy to do the work.
The good news is that there are some vets who also offer horse training services. However only a handful of them are doing it due to the effort and patience involved in the training.
If you can find a vet that provide training services, you might as well employ a horse trainer immediately. The links and contacts can be obtained from the online Craig's list or from the traditional and online classified.
The potential new horse trainer when being interviewed must give his personal and work history data to you. This is to ensure your horse is getting the best services.
Horse training bodies and industry groups are also being given the responsibility to certify a horse trainer's capabilities. The horse trainer who holds the certificate would be the right candidate.
Horse trainer that you should choose
it is a relative and case to case basis in choosing the best horse trainer. This is because horse owners' preferences and standards are not the same, one that is good enough for the standard of one horse owner may not be good enough for you.
For that matter, you shouldn't rely on other horse owners' experiences on horse trainers. You also shouldn't entrust the overall welfare of your horses wholly to the horse trainer though recommendations are favorable. Use your personal discretion and insights.
Don't be too sure that overall care for the horse is guaranteed, even if you are hiring a horse trainer. Therefore you must choose the best candidate available where you can get the idea during the interview.
Understanding Which Horses Make the Best Barrel Racing Horses
Rabu, September 03, 2008 | Horse with 0 komentar »When you look at horses for sale, you may be looking for a horse that will be good with the kids. You might be looking for a horse that you can bring into the racing world. But some of you will be looking for something more specific; those of you who have seen barrel racing at rodeos or even on television events might be thinking that barrel horses may be a great option.
Contrary to what some people believe, not every horse is an ideal candidate for barrel racing. Though there are fewer particulars than there are when looking for a Thoroughbred that will be a winner on the race track, there are a number of different characteristics that will be found in great barrel horses. Temperament can play a role in the success of barrel horses just as much as the horse's skills, character, training and lineage.
You read that right - even with barrel horses, you'll find that one of the major considerations that many buyers have is the lineage of the horse. A barrel horse's bloodlines can help to identify how successful past generations in the line were, what the horse was bred for and can provide a sense of what the horse will be able to accomplish during the race.
Of course, more than the bloodlines, most buyers find that, with barrel horses, it is about the build and health of the horse. A good barrel horse has legs that are straight, and if you're buying a horse that's already been raced, you will want to be sure that its legs are free of any bumps or external scars. It's important to be sure that the horse's hooves are healthy, that its back is strong and that the horse is flexible and athletic.
To some extent, you will be able to tell whether or not horses for sale are healthy based on looks, however, before you make a commitment to making a purchase it is usually a good idea to have a veterinarian check to make sure that there's nothing underlying that cannot be seen by the human eye.
If barrel horses have been worked with by trainers to get them ready for the sport, you will want to gather information about the trainers and their experience. The trainers, much like the horse's lineage, can tell you a lot about whether the horse that you are looking at is going to be ideal when you're looking for barrel horses that you will be able to take around the country to ride at events with the hopes of - someday - competing in some of the sports' biggest competitions.
On the other hand, if you only plan to participate in a race or two during the local rodeo season, you're likely to find that you are looking for a very different horse. Yes, the animal's health and build will still be important to you, but you won't want to focus as much on professionally trained barrel horses. Choosing a horse that is good for overall riding as well as barrel racing can, quite possibly, save you $20,000 or more.
In either case, you are going to want to focus more on the health and build of the horse than on the coloring and markings - characteristics that those who are looking for a horse for afternoon rides can focus on a bit more. When you are looking at horses for sale and trying to find barrel horses, you'll want to focus your attention on Quarter Horses which are great at running at high speeds in short bursts, or, if you prefer, Pintos and Paints.
Whichever horse you choose as your barrel horse, it is important to recognize that you won't just be heading into the ring to compete. In order to keep barrel horses ready - and to get them ready if they haven't previously been used for barrel racing - you are going to need to focus on building the horse's lung capacity with long trotting on a regular basis. A good goal to set for barrel horses that you are conditioning is the ability to keep a fast pace for six to eight miles at least three days a week.
To that end, keep in mind that conditioning barrel horses is not just exercise for them; it's also exercise for you.
Understanding What a Paint Horse Is, And How to Identify One
Rabu, September 03, 2008 | Horse with 0 komentar »Paint horses did not get their name because their riders and owners tend to be creative types who stabled them in their private studio. Paints did not get their name because they possess some unique creative gift of their own.
Instead, paint horses got their name for a far more obvious reason: in every case, whether their pattern falls into the Overo, Tobiano or Tovero category, the horse is marked by some percentage of white hair over un-pigmented skin in addition to another color: brown, tan, black or gray. The Paints' markings don't have any set location or size, they can appear anywhere on the horse's body.
So, if you have been looking at horses for sale and see Paint horses along with terms like Overo, Tobiano and Tovero, chances are good that you're going to have some curiosity about what they describe.
The Overo pattern describes Paint horses on which the white markings do not happen between the horse's withers and tail. Another characteristic of this pattern is that at least one, if not all, of the horse's legs will be brown, tan, black or gray in color. While the markings on the horse's face occur in standard patterns, the majority of its markings are irregular with the white often scattered.
On a Paint horse with a Tobiano pattern, on the other hand, the white spots are regular. The "painted spots" are often oval or round and found on the neck and chest. All four of the horse's legs are white - at least from the hocks and knees down - and at least one of the horse's flanks is dark. The tail will also be two colors - both dark and white.
Unlike the Overo and Tobiano patterns, Paint horses with the Tovero pattern have one or both blue eyes. Tovero Paint horses tend to be defined more by the location of their dark marking than where they have splashes of white. These Paints have dark pigmentation around their ears and around the mouth, on their flanks. Chest spots may also show on the horse's neck, and there may be dark spots at the base of the horse's tail as well.
When you're looking at horses for sale and see Paints, in addition to the terms that describe their marking pattern, you're also likely to see many of the following adjectives: hard working, dependable, athletic, intelligent, and friendly.
Paints earned their reputation as a hard working breed in the American West, ridden by Native Americans, cowboys, and the ordinary folks who needed transportation from the farm. For those who were looking for a horse that responded quickly, could maneuver easily, could run with great speeds to keep order on a ranch, Paint horses were a great solution. They kept a distinct, interesting look that made them stand out, and, like a Quarter Horse, they tend to have strong and muscular back legs, a low center of gravity and a good weight distribution, but not tall.
These same characteristics make Paint horses great for those who are looking for a horse that will get them around the ranch and from one area to another, for those who enjoy riding on a trail, as well as those who just like going out and taking a leisurely ride and enjoy a great afternoon on horseback. Similarly, those who are looking for a friendly, intelligent horse that can be well loved by the entire family - kids included - will find these attractive characteristics in a Paint.
As popular as Paint horses are with those who have owned and ridden them, there was not a registry for the breed until the 1960s. Previously, Paint horses - regardless of the pattern that they displayed - were widely unregistered as the American Quarter Horse Association, which included horses with the same body structure did not accept horses with the Paint markings.
Now, however, there are a number of requirements that are used to register and track the lineage of Paint horses. Either the sire or the dam must be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, and, if the other is not registered with the American Paint Horse Association, he or she must be registered with either the American Quarter Horse Association or the Jockey Club. Despite those standards, new registrations each year show that Paint horses are among the fastest growing and most popular horse breeds in the United States.
Anyone looking through a list of horses for sale needs to have a strong sense of what they are looking to buy. When buying horses in Texas, or anywhere else, most people are going to find right off the bat that they are not just looking for "a brown horse," they are going to be looking for horses that will serve a particular purpose.
Cattle Horses
When some people look to buy horses, it is because they have a ranch and they need to have a horse that will allow them to keep up with a herd of cattle. Other people still view horses as an inexpensive mode of transportation that will enable them to move from one place to another with relative ease, despite the surrounding terrain. In other cases, people will be shopping for horses that will be workers - that will help to keep the herd together, move supplies, or even help pull the truck out of the mud.
In most cases, ranchers looking for a new horse will turn to American Quarter Horses, because they are well suited to the work. With strong hind legs, athletic bodies, speed and flexibility, American Quarter horses allow ranchers to get the job done every time, quickly and efficiently.
Rodeo Horses
Many people who are looking to buy horses are doing so because they are drawn to the competitive rodeo arena. Whether their goals include calf roping, barrel racing or steer wrestling, they know that the horses that they select need to be able to sustain fast speeds, be maneuverable and responsive to the rider.
In most cases, those individuals who are looking for rodeo horses are also going to be turning towards the American Quarter Horse, when they are shopping for a good horse. The reason for this is very much the same as the reasons that motivate buyers looking for ranch horses: American Quarter Horses have the necessary speed and athleticism to excel.
Horses for the Family
While those who have ranches and those who ride in rodeo events often have kids, they know that their horses may not be the most suitable horses for young, inexperienced riders. Therefore, plenty of riders look for horses that will be good for casual rides and for all members of the family.
Not surprisingly, many of them also gravitate towards the American Quarter Horse; however in this case, they often look towards older horses and those who have not been trained to participate in more competitive events.
Characteristics Of A Good Horse
In all cases, however, those who are looking for horses recognize that there are some characteristics that they absolutely do not want in a horse. They do not want to purchase a bad tempered horse that tends to bite or kick. They don't want to make an investment in horses that have not been broken - especially when buying a horse for the family.
Most importantly, when looking for horses anywhere in the world, even in Texas or Oklahoma, the most crucial element that they are looking for a horse that is in good health. The horse's hooves should be healthy. Its legs should be muscular and strong and should be free from scars and bulges. Similarly, the horse's hearing and eyesight, teeth and heart should be in great condition.
Finally, people who are shopping for horses will want to find a horse that is a good fit for them. In part, this is a measure of the height and weight of the horse. In part it's simply a determination that the horse is responsive, and is comfortable when you ride.
Texans Know Their Horses
It may be a common belief that everyone in Texas is familiar with horses, but those who are looking for horses in Texas know that this simply isn't true. Like everywhere else, people have different experiences with horses. The horses for sale that they see listed will also have different experiences. Some will have training for particular tasks; others will be better suited for kids. Some will be athletes, born and bred, while others will be geared for work, or standing around in a pasture all day long.
When buying horses in Texas, or anywhere else, it is important to take the time to ask questions about the horse's lineage - particularly if you are looking for a horse that can enable you to participate in rodeo competition. Understand that the look of the horse is less important than the horse's demeanor and strength, and make a wise and educated choice.
It is natural to believe that wild horses have "always" roamed America's Western States, but that simply is not the case. Horses were native to North America until the end of the last ice age, 10-12,000 years ago, and then they died out.
It took the joint actions of Christopher Columbus and Hernando Cortez, to bring horses back to North America. In 1493, Christopher Columbus brought horses from Spain to the West Indies, during his second voyage to the Americas. In 1519, the Spanish conquistador Cortez brought horses to the mainland, as the captain of the third Spanish expedition.
Horses arrived in North America, by way of Mexico and Florida, as a tool of the Spanish conquistadors and were used to great effect by Cortez in the defeat of the Aztec empire.
Many horses went wild after their riders were killed. Other horses escaped from their corrals, and many more horses were integrated into Native American societies. Within just a few decades, horses had migrated from Mexico and Florida and entered into the North American interior.
The History of American Horse Breeds
Nearly all of the horses currently running wild in the ranges of the Western United States hailed from the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, in a region defined by modern day Spain, Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations suggests that there are 17 individual horse breeds that can be defined as "Iberian horses". Three of the breeds hail from Portugal and the remaining 14 originated in Spain. Most of the Iberian horse breeds are considered to be Baroque horses, comprised mostly of horses of Andalusian, Arabian and Barb ancestry.
Many of the Native American tribes became master horse breeders, most importantly, the Comanche, the Shoshoni, and the Nez Perce nations. Through selective breeding by the Native American tribes, the first truly American horse breed was the Appaloosa.
The wild horses of the Western United States are actually more accurately referred to as horses that have gone "feral", or horses that were once domesticated and now are wild. Just as there is a huge population of feral dogs near the big cities of America, most notably near Miami, Florida, there is also a substantial population of feral horses in America.
Free-Roaming Horses Eventually Required Protection From Congress
In 1900, it was estimated that there were as many as two million free-roaming horses in the United States. During the early years of the twentieth century, the free-roaming horse population was severely diminished through a combination of factors including the capture of horses for use in the military, and more revoltingly, by companies who killed the horses to make dog food.
By the 1970's, the plight of wild horses in the United States had attracted the attention of the U.S. Federal Government. This newly focused attention eventually led to the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.
In recent years, it has been estimated by the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management that there are as many as 29,000 feral horses and burros on BLM-managed lands in ten western states. The ten Western U.S. states that have feral horses running wild includes: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming.
It is estimated that more than half of the wild horse population resides in Nevada, and Montana and Oregon are the other states with significant wild horse population numbers. There is another few hundred head of wild horses free-roaming in Alberta and British Columbia, in Canada.
Through the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, the Bureau of Land Management has the responsibility of managing the numbers of wild horses and burros, to ensure that healthy herds thrive on healthy rangelands. Within the mandate of the BLM, they are responsible to manage the herd numbers of wild horses and burros that roam the American West.
The BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption and Sale Program
Wild horses left to their own wits can literally double their population within four short years, provided that drought and wildfires do not diminish their numbers naturally. Horses do not have natural predators within the rangelands of North America, so their numbers will generally run unchecked without BLM intervention.
The beauty of the 1971 law is that as the BLM culls horses and burros from the wild population, those horses and burros will become available for adoption and sale through the BLM program to individuals and groups willing and able to provide humane, long-term care to these beautiful animals.
To learn more about the adoption of purchase of horses or burros, you can visit the Bureau of Land Management website at: http://www.blm.gov or give them a call at: (866) 4MUSTANGS. You can actually adopt and purchase feral horses through the BLM program in states on both sides of the Mississippi River. Sales are held yearly throughout the South, the West and even in Illinois.
Buying a horse is a huge investment in both time and money, and there are some things you'll want to know before you start searching for horses for sale. Buying a horse can be compared to buying a used car.
Unscrupulous horse traders will alter the appearance or behavior of their horses for sale to fool you. Even among the honest horse traders, most wouldn't purposely mislead you, but they may not tell you the whole story about their horses for sale unless you ask. Ask the seller some questions that relate to what you are looking for in a horse. Some of the following questions may help you decide if the horse you're looking at is right for you.
Why are you selling this horse and how long have you personally owned this horse?
Does the horse have any medical problems? Has the horse ever been lame?
How are the horse's teeth? Have you ever had the horse's teeth floated?
Has the horse ever foundered?
What type of worming program are you using?
What type of riding do you do? (Trail, English, Western, Three day Eventing, Barrel racing, etc.)
What do you feed the horse?
How is the horse kept? i.e. in a pasture, in a stall, in a small paddock, alone or with others.
Has the horse ever hurt anyone?
What type of training has the horse had? Does the horse have a trainer? Can I call the trainer?
How is the horse with the farrier? Can I contact the farrier?
How is the horse with the veterinarian? Can I contact the vet.?
Does the horse load into a trailer easily? How about unloading?
How is the horse with water? i.e. bathing, walking through it.
Ask the horse owner to show you what his horses for sale can do. Have the owner pick up the horse's feet. Watch to see if the owner can touch the horse anywhere on it's body, inside the ears, above the tail, on the flanks, legs, and belly. Watch the interaction between the horse and the owner to see how the horse behaves. Remember that if something bad is going to happen it's better to have it happen to the guy who's trying to sell you the animal!
Watch the horse move at liberty. Look for anything that is a sign that the horse may have medical problems, lameness, or a bad attitude. Watch the head when the horse walks, excessive bobbing of the head might signal a problem. Pinned ears or a swishing tail all of the time in horses for sale can indicate other issues.
As a rule, don't get on any horse first - have the owner ride the horse first. If the owner won't get on, there had better be a good reason. Ask the owner to bring the horse into a walk, trot, canter, change leads, etc so you can see all the paces. Watch for lameness, length of stride, range of motion, problems with the right and left lead, etc. If the horse doesn't look safe, don't ride him.
There are many other things to consider when buying a horse, such as whether you prefer a Mare or a Gelding (we never recommend buying a Stallion unless you plan on using him for breeding purposes, and have appropriate facilities to accommodate a potentially aggressive and dangerous horse).
You will also want to consider the ages, level of training, and constitutions of any horses for sale before making a purchase, and how these characteristics relate to your purpose for buying a horse in the first place. Be careful not to get carried away with a horse just because it's beautiful, and buy a horse that won't meet your needs. Remember, the most important thing is how a horse behaves and performs not how it looks in the barn.
Good luck as you search for horses for sale, if you find the right match, you will have made a very good investment to bring you satisfaction for many years.
Today it is often more difficult than going to the local stable to buy or sell a horse, in some cases it is even difficult to find a stable in the area. There is another way to buy or sell a horse today and that is on the Internet, there are reputable websites where advertisements can be placed to sell a horse and this is also a good place to begin looking for a horse to buy.
Horses, unlike most other things bought and sold, have a health history, a temperament and certain breeds are meant for certain tasks in life. The owner who is selling a horse has certain things that they can do to ensure the horse is sold in a reasonable amount of time and that it is sold to the correct new owner.
Selling A Horse
It is important to match the horse with the best possible owner for several reasons, the first of course is that is it a smooth sale and the second reason is to ensure the horse will have a good quality life and be treated properly.
Some ways to ensure this is to list the horse at a reputable website where it will attract quality buyers. Then the advertisement should also be properly written with a catchy title to attract views. Photographs should also be a part of this advertisement, an advertisement with accurate and clear photographs will have a much better response.
It should include the sex of the horse, the age along with the height and weight. In this advertisement it should also tell about the breed of the horse including any cross breeding.
The advertisement should also have information about the horse that might not be seen from photographs, things that only an owner can know, including the horses’ temperament. The advertisement should also be filled with any other pertinent or interesting information about the horse and its background and his appearance.
This advertisement should also include accurate contact information so that interested buyers will be able to make contact and any email or telephone messages should be answered promptly.
One thing that should always be done is to make a decision on the type of payment and stick with that, there are scams whenever selling anything and to avoid this a potential buyer should be checked out prior to accepting a check with their bank to ensure they are a member of that bank. There are also other ways of taking payment such as a cashiers check; this is an amount of money that has already been paid to the bank to draw this check. If selling the horse to a potential buyer that wants to send a check and have you send them the balance back, disregard this buy as a fraud. This is an Internet scam that has cost many unknowing and trusting people money because these checks are not good and the person is in a country that will not prosecute them.
The final step in most cases is done is to draw up a bill of sale that also includes buy back rights. In the event the buyer at anytime decides to sell the horse the original owner will have the option to buy the horse back. The buyer and the seller each receive a copy of the sale agreement.
Buying A Horse
When buying a horse there is as much information that needs to be researched as when selling a horse. One of the first things that needs to be decided is how experienced is the person who is looking for the horse and what they plan to use the horse for, such as riding, showing or racing. This can determine what type of horse to look for when reading the advertisements for horses for sale. Depending on experience and what type of horse they buyer is looking for they also might want to read the listings of horses for sale to avoid the untrained horse. The untrained horse takes an experienced person and they can take months to train making this an unfit match for the new rider and even the intermediate rider.
The age of the horse is also a factor, the new rider in most cases are not suited well with the young horse, because this horse is not as well mannered or calm as an older horse would be with the new rider.
If the buyer is going to look for a horse in the Internet they want to make certain that they are searching for the right horse on a reputable website. Each advertisement should be read over carefully, there are important facts that need to be known before purchasing a horse. The health records of the horse are as important as how nice looking the horse is, an unhealthy horse can be a great expense and also have a tragic ending.
The breed of the horse in some cases can also be a factor depending on what the horse is being bought for, as well as its age. This also applies to the buyer who wants to breed the horse.
In many cases when a horse is for sale the buyer can arrange a trial period with the present owner to try the horse out in their surroundings to ensure that it is the proper horse to purchase.
When purchasing a horse from a website on the Internet it is important to have clear concise emails and then phone conversations with the present owner until the time a meeting is arranged.
If this is the proper horse and the decision to purchase it is decided then a bill of sale should be drawn up that will protect the buyer in the case that the present owner has withheld any information about the horse that would have stopped the sale.
Above all when buying or selling a horse on the Internet it is important to ensure the site that is used is a reputable one and that they monitor their website to keep it safe for buyers and sellers.
If you're new to horses, you might be thinking "I want a horse, but how on earth do I go about getting one?" Following these steps will help you avoid scams, traders, lemons, and other "oopsies". There are a lot of horses for sale, and you want to be sure that you find the perfect one.
1. If you've never owned a horse, don't go into it unprepared. You need to have a secure paddock with shelter, adequate feed, and room to run; or else board at a stable. You need to read up on the aspects of horse care, talk to friends you know who own horses, and visit with your local vet in order to plan for the best possible home for your new horse. Begin riding lessons and help out around a stable, so you'll be able to have a basic knowledge of horses before you tackle the responsibility of caring for your own.
2. You can ask your lesson instructor or horse friends to help you find a good horse for you to buy. Often they know of horse breeders in the area that are reputable for raising and training good horses. If you can find a horse to buy from a local stable or someone you know, that's the best route to take. Ask if you can begin lessons on the horse with your instructor, for a trial period, before you actually buy the horse. If this isn't possible, at least ask your trainer to go along with you to watch the horse being ridden by the owner first, and then with you riding. Schedule a prepurchase exam with a veterinarian, before you buy.
3. Other methods you can use to find horses is through the internet, with websites like www.liverystable.net. When you find a horse you are interested in, here are some questions to ask when you contact the owner: How long have you owned this horse? (If less than a year, beware.) Why are you selling? Does this horse have any known bad habits? Has this horse ever bucked, reared, run away, or kicked someone? How old was this horse when it started training? Do you personally know the trainer and recommend the horse as being trained well? Was this horse ridden regularly this past year? Do you have any knowledge of the sire and dam of this horse, whether or not they were good riding horses or have any outstanding accomplishments? Do you have the registration papers for this horse, and does the horse sell as registered? Do you consider this horse to be a good match for a rider of my level? Is this horse hard to catch? Does it have any known vices such as cribbing, wind-sucking, stall-weaving, pacing, etc? Is this horse easy to trim, shoe, bathe, trailer-load, etc? Does this horse have good ground manners, or are there areas he still needs work on? What potential disciplines would you recommend for this horse, and is there any reason why he would not make a good (fill in your intended discipline) horse? Are there any soundness issues or illnesses in this horse? Past injuries or problems?
4. When you have narrowed down your search and the above questions have been answered to your satisfaction, you will want to go take a look at the horse. Don't go horse-shopping by yourself. Take a trusted horse-owner who has years of experience or else ask (or "hire") your riding instructor to accompany you. You should schedule enough time with the horse's owner and your trainer/friend so that the owner can demonstrate all of the horse's capabilities to you. For instance, let the owner know you would like to see him catch the horse, tack up, ride the horse through all of its paces, and so forth. Then your trainer/friend should ride it, and after that, yourself. During all of these stages, you and your trainer should be watching the horse for any sign of a limp, short-stride, unruly attitude, balkiness, buddy-sourness, etc. If you can find any fault, congratulate yourself on money not wasted, thank the owner, and go home. Be aware that some unscrupulous horse sellers will drug a horse when a prospective buyer is coming to look at it, to pass off an otherwise unmanageable horse as gentle and well-behaved.
5. If you instinctively know that you have found the perfect horse for you, and your trainer/friend agrees wholeheartedly, then you're ready to shedule the vet to perform the prepurchase exam on the horse. This is something you will pay for, before you agree to purchase the horse. If the owner does not agree to the prepurchase exam, walk away. Be sure to inform the vet what you intend to do with the horse. For instance, an exam for a broodmare will be different than an exam for a barrel racing horse.
6. Once all of these things have taken place, you should draw up a bill of sale for the owner to sign. It can be a simple statement of the transaction, or you can download a bill of sale form from the internet. If you are buying a registered horse, the seller should give you the registration papers when you hand him the money for the horse (if he's waiting for any reason, understand you may be buying a "grade" horse that isn't worth half what you're paying for it!). With these papers, you need a Transfer of Registration form with the seller's signature and information written in. This enables you to send the registration in to have the ownership changed over into your name. It is like the title to a vehicle. You need a signed Transfer form in order for the Registry to make the changes, though.
7. You are now the proud owner! A few things to remember when you take a horse home to new surroundings -- don't just turn him in with his pasture-mates and let them run. Keep him in a stall or small secure pen for a day or two to let him get used to the area and horses around him. If he is going to be pastured with other horses, let them meet over a secure fence (no wire or sharp edges) and "talk it over" before putting them in the same pen. If your new horse is going to have a large pasture, it is wise to lead him around the perimeter of the field so he is acquainted with his boundaries, especially with wire fencing that is difficult to see clearly. The worst thing would be for him to spook and run through a fence the first day you bring him home.
Good luck, and enjoy your horse!
Horses are amazingly beautiful and sensitive creatures. Horses require not only understanding and patience to have a horse as a pet, it also requires a whole lot of care.
Herd Mentality:
Observe horses in the herd system, each horse's welfare in the wild depends upon an instinctive submission to the discipline of the herd. The instinct is for immediate action. To the horse, action is survival. When horses live in an herd environment, they often take turns sleeping and standing guard for any predators. When the leader of the herd signals danger they take flight.
Learning respect and ascending to authority starts on the first day of life for the foals, there is a distinct pecking order in herds of horses.
It is important to keep a quiet profile around horses. Horses naturally do not like unnecessary noise because in the wild their survival depends on detection of predators with their hearing. Extraneous noise interferes with this predator detection. This predator detection is tightly coupled with a horse's flight reflex. Due to these survival genetics, horses have a physiological wiring in their brains that predisposes them to prefer quietness and to become bothered by unnecessary noise. Many horses can get startled easily from abrupt noises and this could result in injury to the horse, the rider, or people around the horse. Talk to your horse in a quiet, reassuring voice.
Relationship With Horses:
A horse will love you if, first and foremost, you treat it fairly, and secondly, if you allow yourself to develop a relationship with it in the same way you would a human partner. There are too many who will look after the horse's material needs but put nothing back into the partnership itself. The horse born in captivity will identify with an alternative provider and companion, resulting in a healthy relationship from the beginning. A healthy relationship with your horse requires: trust, coupled with respect, fondness with compliance, and a desire to please.
Check Your Horse:
Examine your horse every day and especially prior to riding the horse. Carefully examine the horse's legs and back for any unusual heat or lumps. Make sure that the horse's eyes are alert and not glazy. Listen for any excessive noise or gurgling sounds coming from your horse's stomach. Catching problems before they become serious is critical to keeping a show horse sound and alive.
Exercise caution and discretion when around stallions and mares when they are in heat. They are dealing with hormones on an order of magnitude that you probably can not comprehend. Stallions typically bite and some may be easily triggered into violent behavior.
Grooming Horses:
Keep your horse clean. Keep your horse's entire coat free from dirt, mud, sand, and sweat. Brush your horse every day. Pick out your horse's feet every day. Wash out any sweat residue from the saddle pad or girth every day. Wash out any dirt or sand residue, as from the riding arena, on your horses legs every day. A number of different problems can result if a horse's coat is not kept clean.
Barn Care:
Keep your horse's stall clean. Make sure that your horse's stall is cleaned every day. Be sure that any wetness is removed with the manure. Replace the removed bedding with fresh, clean, dry bedding. Water should be dumped from buckets every day without exception. Unhealthy dirt and bacteria can build up in a bucket if it is not cleaned on a daily basis. Clean water is essential to maintaining a healthy horse. Make sure your horse always has clean, fresh water available.
Training A Horse:
The intelligence of the horse increases rapidly with education. An intelligent trainer can make an intelligent horse. A kind but firm trainer will result in a disciplined but pleasing horse.
Horse Feed:
Feed your horse(s) at the same times every day. A horse may get upset and colic or injure themselves by kicking the stall or pawing, if not fed when feeding is expected. You should not make radical changes in a horse's feed program. If you must make a change in the feed program, make the change gradually. Drastic changes in a horse's feed program can cause the horse to colic and in some cases, may die. Your horse's stomach is a highly sensitive bio-reactor that maintains a delicate balance of the organisms that digest food in your horse's digestive track.
Visitors should not feed a horse that you do not own without the owner's permission; no carrots, no apples, no treats, nothing. The horse could potentially, get sick if they have an allergy or sickness.
Pay attention to everything that goes into your horse; that means all feed, all hay, all water, all treats, all supplements, all pills, and all shots. This knowledge could save your horse's life in an emergency situation. Post this information on your horse's stall door so that it is available to a vet if you are not around in an emergency. Make sure that your horse gets high-quality feed and hay. Your horse's health and soundness depends on the nutrition that you provide for them. Take good care of your horse. A rider without a horse is no rider at all.
Vet Care:
Make sure that you have a good equine veterinarian. A good vet will save you money in the long run and may save your horse's life some day. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Make sure your horse has all the vaccinations that are normal for your geographical location. All horses should be on a good worming program to control intestinal parasites. A horse should be wormed by a vet at least twice a year.
Horse Flies:
In the summer spray your horse trailer down with fly spray about 10 minutes before you load the horses. The flies should leave, and your horses will be without those pesky flies!
Cooling Horses:
Never spray a hot, sweaty horse with cold water immediately after working the horse. This can cause muscle spasms and binding, or shock that can lead to death. Wait until the horse is breathing regularly, and use warm water if it is available. If a horse has heat shock, consult your vet and the vet may instruct you to cold hose the horse, even if still hot and sweaty. Never put a horse in a stall or confined area while sweaty or while they are still breathing heavily. This can result in shock and/or colic that can lead to death. Walk the horse until the horse is cooled out and the breathing is normal.
Shoeing:
Horses' hooves generally grow approximately 1 cm in a month, and take nearly a year to grow from the coronet band to the ground. Horse's hooves need to be trimmed regularly (about every 6-8 weeks). Shoeing a horse does not hurt them. If you were to grow out your finger nail, you could put an earring/pin through it without causing discomfort; however, if you pushed the pin through the part of your nail that is attached to the soft tissue of your finger, it would hurt. When horse shoes are nailed in, they are nailed at an angle so which the horse doesn't feel it.
Make sure that you have a good farrier, especially if you show your horse over jumps. The concussion from landing from jumps amplifies any problems in a horse's shoeing. If a horse gets sore feet or legs from bad angles or bad shoeing, the horse can not just take his shoes off, sit back on a couch, and rub their feet, or find another pair of shoes like you can. Bad shoeing can result in your horse becoming lame due to a number of problems including: bowed tendons, popped splints, or shoulder/back soreness or spasms. Bad shoeing can ruin a good horse, so don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish where shoeing is concerned. A laid-up horse is far more expensive to maintain than a good farrier. And remember not all horses need to have shoes, only if they are competing, walking on hard/rocky surfaces, or have hoof problems.
Sleeping:
Horses do lay down to sleep, but only if they feel completely comfortable in their environment. It is not enough to provide a dry stable, food and water. Horses will often sleep standing up by locking their knees. Horses are one of the few animals that can put one half of their body asleep while the other half is wide awake. Emotionally and mentally, all horses need to feel they have and be comfortable in their own space!
To fully enjoy a horse's finer qualities you must treat them with both kindness and quality care. In the end, a happy horse will mean a nicer ride and a happier rider.
Have you recently decided that you would like to purchase an aquarium, which will be used to display a collection of your fish? Whether you are interested in owning tropical fish, saltwater fish, or even freshwater fish, an aquarium is an important part of fish keeping. That is why, when it comes to purchasing an aquarium, a lot of thought and consideration should be put into your purchase.
Although it is important to focus on the type of aquarium that you would like to purchase, it is not the only thing that you should examine. In many cases, you will find that the fish tank accessories you choose are just as important as the fish tank that you choose to purchase. In fact, there are some fish that cannot live a long and healthy life without certain fish tank supplies. These fish tank supplies tend to include aquarium lights, heaters, aquarium chillers, and filtration systems. It is also important to note that additional fish tank supplies may be vital to the survival of your fish, but it tends to depend on the fish in question.
If you are unfamiliar with the aquarium supplies or accessories that you may need to purchase, you are advised to do a little bit of research. The purchase of a fish keeping resource guide or a standard internet search should produce informative results. Depending on the fish tank manufacturer or supplier that you are interested in doing business with, they should also be able to give you assistance with what you should or shouldn't purchase for your new aquarium.
Speaking of buying fish tank supplies, when it comes to making your purchases, you will find that you have a number of different options. In the United States and all around the world, for that matter, there are a large number of individuals and companies who specialize in selling fish tank supplies and fish tank accessories. In fact, there are so many different individuals and companies, that you may have a difficult time deciding who do business with. To make your decision easier, you are advised to examine the advantages and disadvantages of each of your options. Doing so may help make deciding who to purchase your fish tank supplies from one of the easiest decisions that you will ever have to make.
As previously mentioned, fish tank supplies can be purchased from fish tank suppliers or fish tank manufacturers. Fish tank manufacturers are individuals or companies who actually construct the fish tank that you are about to buy. A large number of these individuals and companies not only specialize in the construction of fish tanks and aquariums, but they also provide additional fish tank accessories. If these accessories are not developed by the fish tank manufacturer in question, the manufacturer likely partners with another company to give you easy access to the fish tank supplies that you may need to make your aquarium a safe home for your aquatic friends.
In addition to fish tank manufacturers, fish tank suppliers typically offer a collection of fish tank supplies available for sale. These suppliers, in a way, act as a middle man. They purchase their products directly from the manufacturer and then they turn around and sell them to you. Fish tank suppliers often give you the largest selection of fish tank supplies and accessories to choose from. This is often because they tend to do business with multiple manufacturers, not just one. For an even larger selection of aquarium supplies and accessories, you are advised to shop online, but if that isn't an option, your local pet supply store or fish tank supply store may have want you need in stock.
Whether you make the decision to purchase your fish tank accessories and supplies directly from a product manufacturer, or an online or retail storefront, you are advised to choose who you do business with carefully. Doing business with a reputable company, such as Tenecor, helps to ensure that you purchase the quality fish tank supplies that your fish need and deserve to have.
