Archive for the ‘Health and Fitness’ Category

What is Natural Horse Training

Friday, January 8th, 2010

This is why many trainers show a horse how to stop and start through the use of a lead rope or bridle. But what can you do if you don’t have these supplies? What method can you use to control the horse? If you have spent time chasing a horse around a pasture then you have likely asked yourself these questions.

People can learn to control the horse’s mind through the process of natural horse training. If you control a horses mind you won’t lose control, no matter what situation you are faced with. Natural horse training is a unique method that needs to be done properly in order to ensure success.

The process of training doesn’t use any form of punishment or obedience, but uses calm compliance. As a trainer, you need self-control and discipline to get your horse to willing follow your lead all the time. To achieve this, natural horse training focuses on developing a pattern and establishing a feeling of safety and comfort for the horse. By this description, natural horse training seems easy when in reality it is a very difficult program to learn.

Before you can start this training method, you need to get your horse to pay attention to you. To do this you also need to provide your horse with your full attention. Focus on what your horse is doing and don’t allow distractions during the training session.

Both you and the horse need to be in a position to concentrate and focus. If this is impossible to do for long periods of time, then you should start training in small increments and work up to longer periods. Ideally, you should start with at least ten minutes of training time.

In addition to paying attention to your horse, you also want to consider the feedback they are providing. Are the eyes and ears signaling anything? What is the horse’s breathing pattern? Are their reactions similar to the last time you worked with them? By paying attention to these things you will be able to help the horse pay attention to you. Find a trigger that gets your horse to do what you want them to do willingly and then use this continually.

Rhythm and relaxation are key when it comes to natural horse training. Your movements as you approach the horse should be rhythmic. Be relaxed when approaching the horse or stall. Your breathing plays a vital role and should be carefully monitored. Horses are keen to your actions and they will sense if you are tense. If something unusual or unplanned happens this relaxation and rhythm is very important.

After mastering these two simple key features then you can advance in natural horse training. Although don’t be disappointed if things are perfect in the first day or week. Often times it can take several months before horses learn a non-predatory system through natural horse training. While it is known as natural horse training this doesn’t mean that it will come naturally for all people.

Thanksgiving Dinner For Dogs

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

While it is great to unite with friends and family, this is also a time of year that many of us begin to put on weight. This is also true for our pets as well. Pets often are the recipients of endless scraps while their owners are preparing for their parties. While giving pets a treat may seem innocent enough, extra weight on a dog causes numerous issues including joint problems, heart disease, and a reduced lifespan. Of course our pets deserve a special Thanksgiving Dinner just like we all do. Just be more cognizant of all the other treats that are being given while preparing for that special meal.

Be sure to never allow your pet to eat any poultry bones without fail. All poultry bones easily splinter and can become lodged inside or perforate a dog’s intestines. Be certain to discard all bones after carving your turkey and place all bones in a tightly sealed bag. Be sure that the dog will not be able to gain access to the bag so that you can prevent a potential disaster from unnecessarily ruining your holiday plans on Thanksgiving day.

So, why should only humans get to have a special dinner on Thanksgiving? The answer is they shouldn’t! Don’t forget to treat your dog to a great meal as well. The recipe below is also a great way to utilize some of the leftovers in your refrigerator that you might become tired of looking at after a while. This is an easy to make recipe for Turkey Patties.

Tips On Training Your Dog

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

You can always try referring to a dog training guide so that you can make better informed, brief and simple sessions for your pet animal. You just have to ensure that your dog is in fact interested in the dog training session and at the same time also follows everything that you are teaching him.

You just have to keep in mind that a dog may have a much shorter attention span, as compared to humans. Always ensure that dog obedience training session is very interesting, especially when both of you have just been together for a short time of the day. Whenever you are having dog training sessions with your dog, you have to be sure that you never organize it after meals as your dog may not get motivated by food rewards and may in fact be very tired, so he may never pay attention to your dog obedience training sessions.

When training your dog you have to be sure that you are in fact very patient with him so that you avoid pushing him too hard and forcing him to just lose all interest in the dog training session. You can also read more of this when purchasing some of the best dog training guides that you can easily find in a number of book stores in the market and online. You can also try to go through various dog training guides that are in fact available over the internet as most websites may also allow you to download the eBook format online. Always ensure that you make your dog training session short and quick and try taking one lesson at a time so that you don’t over burden your dog with too much information.

You may just have to try to end a particular dog training session the moment your dog has learned one task and the best thing is that you may have to try to reward him for his work so he might be more interested in his dog obedience training session next day too. You always have to ensure that you and your dog together are in fact enjoying your dog training sessions so both need to co-operate well with each other and have better understanding. You can always be sure that your dog certainly needs to be motivated at every step of his dog training session so you have to keep stocks of dog treats, so that he is motivated continuously.

Housing For Your Guinea Pig

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

The first thing you need to do is build the sides of your pen. The finest item to use for this is chicken wire. Note that guinea pigs will chew wood, and while they may gnaw on plastic, they cannot destroy hard plastic very easily. In actual fact think about the supplies that you will use for your guinea pigs pen, and look on the Internet to see the materials and designs that other guinea pig owners have used.

It is very crucial that you not utilize wood for the floor of your pen. Odors, including odors from urine and feces, will soak into the wood, and it won’t take long before you have a smell in your house that you cannot get rid of. Plastic is preferable, because it can be washed, and the odor won’t seep into it.

When your pen is complete, it will need bedding. You must shun bedding that is made of cedar and/or pine shavings, as these can be harmful for your guinea pig. Instead, choose Aspen shavings, newspaper bedding, or pellet bedding. Top this with fresh hay, and be prepared to change the hay at least twice a week, and change the bedding weekly. Bedding can be spread over the entire surface of the pen.

After that, you need toys and other accessories. The imperative thing here is not to place items against the sides of the pen, as this will prevent the guinea pig from running around the interior. He needs to do this for exercise, and he will do it often unless his pen is too crowded for running.

The initial thing to add to your guinea pigs pen is a hiding place. Guinea pigs love to hide, and hiding places can easily be constructed from numerous materials. The best hiding place is a plastic tub, turned upside down, with a little door cut out. Steer clear of using cardboard, as it will have to be replaced often.

Your guinea pig wants more complex hiding places as well, such as tunnels. You can purchase different tunnel systems at any pet store, or make your own using PVC pipe and PVC joints. Make sure that there is plenty of airflow. Finish your guinea pigs home with a ceramic water bowl, a pet bed, a water bottle, a hay hopper, and plenty of toys that he can safely gnaw on.

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