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Rich Strike – The favorite underdog

The Kentucky Derby is known as the most exciting two minutes in sports and has a long, rich history and even richer traditions. This event is one of the biggest horse races in the world, and it attracts thousands of spectators every year. And while ratings have fallen off over the years I believe what happened this year at the Kentucky Derby will definitely bring some great marketing and attract new people.

The Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby isn’t a new race – it goes back to the 19th century when Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., who wanted to celebrate the American spirit and honor the horse racing tradition that was already common in Kentucky. He decided to hold a race on a farm owned by him, which led to the creation of Churchill Downs (now known as Churchill Downs Racecourse). The first race was held on May 18th, 1875 and it had just three horses participating in it.

This year however…

The 2022 Kentucky Derby was a memorable race. The bettors had two favourites: Epicenter and Zandon,
Besides the two favorites, there was a long list of horses also likely to perform very well on this race, but none of them actually crossed the finish line on that day!

Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

However, it was Rich Strike who secured the win 

The most recent winner of the Kentucky Derby was Rich Strike, despite the odds being against him. Not only was this racehorse looked on as an outsider who had no chance of winning the race and was barely mentioned before the race, he wasn’t even supposed to participate in the first place. 

All eyes were on Epicenter and Zandon, nobody noticed Rich Strike until a racehorse that was given a 80-1 odds of winning flew past these favorites and eventually won one of the most prestigious races in the world.

This moment will be remembered and mentioned for a long time surely. It was something nobody expected, not even Rich Strike’s own team, and also exactly what horse racing needed.

Who is Rich Strike?

Rich Strike was bred by Calumet Farm which was at a moment in history one of the most productive farms. With Rich Strike’s win, they have bred a total of 10 Kentucky Derby winners.

One of the most interesting things about this amazing horse, Rich Strike, is that his career began at Ellis Park, finishing dead last in a field of 10 horses. Right after this he won the next race at Churchill Downs, leaving his competition in the dust. And ever since his record was just like this, full of wins and loses. In my opinion this makes them one of the most interesting horses to look into in the following months.

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Essential horse riding equipment list

As a horse owner, I know all too well how expensive tack can be. Even if you have a wonderful local tack shop that offers discounts to regulars, it’s never fun to buy more than you need. To help you avoid this pitfall, I’ve put together a quick guide outlining the essential equipment for any rider. 

Riding helmet

Riding helmets are intended to protect the wearer in case of an accident, as well as prevent injury from low-hanging branches or tree limbs. Head protection should be one of your top priorities when purchasing riding gear and equipment for both your own safety and that of your horse.

There are many different types of helmets available today including:

  • Open face – with no facial coverage, most common type used for trail riding and pleasure riding
  • Modular – with chin bar that comes off allowing air flow through mesh panels which prevents overheating during hotter months 
  • Full face – similar appearance to open face but covers all sides including mouth area. It is best for jumping due to added protection around lower jaw area
  • Hockey style – almost identical shape as hockey helmet except has padding inside instead of hard plastic shell like hockey skates do so they’re more comfortable while still providing good protection if you fall off unexpectedly

Boots, or chaps and paddock boots

One of the first items on the list are your riding boots. If you’re riding in cold weather, you’ll want to wear these over your jeans or breeches. They’ll keep you warm while still allowing freedom of movement.

Chaps are a type of leather boot that can be used for showing as well as riding. Chaps are usually worn by those who plan to show their horse at events like county fairs.

Breeches or jodhpurs

Breeches or jodhpurs are a type of riding apparel worn by both men and women when riding, showing, or doing other equestrian activities. They can be used over long underwear  or shorts. You may want to wear breeches when you’re first learning how to ride because they make it easier to position yourself in the saddle. However, if you’re an experienced rider who just wants something more comfortable than jeans while on your horse, then wearing pants might be better suited for your needs.

Girth or cinch

The girth is a strap that goes around the horse’s belly. The cinch is a strap that goes around the horse’s belly and the saddle, so it can be used for both English and Western saddles. However, if you are riding an English saddle, you’ll want to use a girth instead of a cinch because they are designed differently and function differently.

An English saddle is a type of saddle used for riding horses. This saddle is typically used in horse shows and equestrian events such as show jumping, dressage, eventing and fox hunting.

A western saddle is wider than an English saddle, and is designed to sit with your legs forward, knees bent. It’s also designed to keep you in the saddle for long periods of time.

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Andalusian horses 101

Welcome back friends! In the following blog I will share more about the legendary Andalusian breed. They’re spirited, they’re athletes and they’re beautiful to look at—but there’s more to them than appearance. For example, their rich history goes back to ancient times when they were used by Roman aristocrats as war horses.

They are one of the most popular breeds!

The Andalusian breed is one of the most recognised and popular horse breeds in the world. They are known for their friendly demeanour, easy going temperament, and ability to adapt to a wide variety of riding styles. They are also known for their endurance and speed, which makes them capable of long-distance riding. Their elegant appearance and small stature has made them suitable for use in many forms of equestrian competition, including dressage, western riding, and hunter/jumper.

The Andalusian horse is a powerful breed that originated in the Iberian Peninsula. The breed’s history dates back more than 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest breeds still being used today. It has been popularised most recently by its use in competitive dressage and show jumping events.

The have a very recognizable figure

Andalusian horses are known for their distinctive markings, which include a “salt and pepper” coat pattern, which is unique to Andalusians. They also have a unique mane and tail, which can be any colour except black. The most common colour of Andalusian is black, followed by brown and roan. Like almost all other horse breeds, Andalusians are known for their athletic build and refined, elegant movement.

The Andalusian is a small horse. They aren’t the tallest, or the biggest, or even the heaviest horses out there. Andalusians are known for their strength and power; they don’t need to be big to get the job done.

The breed was originally bred for use as cavalry horses in Spain during the late 17th century, but it has been used by many people around the world since then as a workhorse, as well as a show animal. Now, andalusians are bred for the show ring, but they can also excel at horse shows and competitions. They’re good mounts for pleasure riding and trail rides. Andalusian horses make great jumpers, so if you like to do cross-country jumping, this breed is right for you!

Their style of movement was developed, not innate!

The Andalusian horse’s famous trot is smooth, bouncy and soundless. The two-beat gait enables the rider to sit easily in the saddle without being jarred about by the horse’s motion, making it a comfortable way for the rider to travel even over long distances.

Like most gaits other than walking (or ponies who trot), this style of movement was developed by selective breeding. In this case, Spanish breeders were seeking to increase stamina in their horses without sacrificing speed—and they definitely accomplished that goal!

This two-beat lateral gait may remind you of something else: a rocking chair! If you’ve ever sat on one as an adult or child then you know what we’re talking about—it feels like your whole body is gently swaying back and forth with each step taken by your feet against the floor beneath them. That’s because one foot is moving forward while another is moving backward at any given moment during this gait cycle (which lasts four beats).

For those of you who are horse lovers, the Andalusian is a wonderful horse to own and ride. They’re easy to take care of, easy on the eyes and have a rich history that brings great pride to all who own them. Even if you don’t own a horse, there are lots of competitions where Andalusians can be admired up close in action!

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How to bond with your horse – without riding!

Bonding with your horse is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have as a horse owner. However, if you can’t ride, or if that’s just not something you’re interested in doing, there are many other ways to build a bond with your horse. In this guide, we’ll go over some of the lesser-known ways that owners and their horses spend quality time together, on the ground and off.

Build trust with your horse!

Building trust is an important part of a horse’s development, and it can be a little tricky to do with a new horse. Here are some things you can do to help your horse feel comfortable around you:

Be patient!

Be patient. Your horse may have been mistreated in the past, so he might not trust people right away. Don’t rush his progress by forcing him into situations that are stressful for him. instead, take the time to build trust over time.

Be kind to them

Be kind and gentle. Horses respond best when they’re treated kindly, so try not to yell at them or hurt them physically when disciplining them. Try talking softly and calmly while working with your horse; this helps establish rapport between the two of you

And obviously, keep them fed!

Don’t forget to feed your horse! If you know how to do that, great. If not, there are plenty of videos and websites out there for learning how to feed a horse. 

Brush them regularly!

A horse’s coat is a work of art, and it serves many purposes. If you have horses, you’ll want to learn how to groom your horse so that you can keep their coats healthy and shiny.

There are several steps in the grooming process: brushing every day, cleaning hooves regularly, cleaning teeth regularly, cleaning ears weekly and cleaning eyes daily with cotton balls dipped in warm water. You should also brush your horse’s coat with a curry comb once or twice per week to loosen dirt and remove dead skin cells from the surface layer of their hair.

Now, the horse’s lead rope or halter is a useful tool, but it shouldn’t be the only way you interact with a horse. You can practice leading your horse in many ways. 

Don’t make them feel stressed

In order to bond with a horse, it’s important to keep them safe and relaxed. A horse that is scared or confused may lash out, so be sure that you are not putting it in a position where it feels threatened. Your relationship will be much stronger if the horse trusts you and feels comfortable with your presence.

Once you’ve mastered these steps, your relationship with your horse will be stronger than ever. You’ll even find that spending time together without riding can be a good way to relax! And if you ever do decide to ride again, the bond you’ve developed will help make it easier for both of you.

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HorseCare App – Why I love it

Today I decided to talk a bit about one of my favourite apps when it comes to taking care of horses. The HorseCare app is perfect for horse owners who have a lot of different horses and want to keep track of all their data. I like the clean, simple design and the easy-to-use interface. The app offers a lot of great features and in this article I’ll talk about some of my favourite ones.

Useful for day-to-day use!

To start off, there are a few sections in the app that you can find useful in your day to day. For example the Horse Care Schedule and Stable Notebook sections.

Horse Care Schedule – This section includes everything from feeding schedules and supplements to giving your horse medications. It also includes reminders for when it’s time to brush their teeth or clip their hooves.

Stable Notebook – This section helps you keep track of things like medical history and known issues with your horses as well as vet visits, vaccines given, etc.This feature could prove very useful in case something happens while travelling away from home such as an injury requiring immediate attention.

It’s highly customizable

This amazing app allows you to have all the information about your horses and your stable in one place and it is highly customizable. For example, another great one: the calendar feature allows you to create new events for each individual horse. You can enter up-to-date information about vaccinations and other important dates as well as attach photos or videos from previous events so that you never lose track of anything!

My favourite? Easily the calendar!

The calendar feature is my favourite. It’s easy to use, and as I mentioned you can customise it to your liking. For example, I like to add tasks like feeding, worming, and farrier appointments for my horses in a separate category called “daily tasks.” That way I can see at a glance when each of those things needs to happen!

The app also lets me keep all the information about my horses and my stable in one place so that I don’t have to worry about losing important information if something happens with my phone or tablet.

You can also add your own categories or fields, so you can keep track of anything important to you.

Note-taking is a really good feature

In addition to keeping track of the basic info like height, age, and colour/breed, HorseCare allows you to add notes about your horse’s behaviour in each category (like whether they’re good with other horses). So if your pal is particularly aggressive with other horses but easily rides well by himself you can note that here.

As is the photo feature!

Another great feature of the HorseCare app is the note and photo module. In this section, you can add notes to each horse, upload photos of your horses’ health, behaviour and training, tack, and more. I love being able to add a photo of my horse’s saddle pads so I know exactly what brand they are when I go shopping for new ones. Plus it’s fun to show off pictures of my beloved equines!

In conclusion, you should take advantage of all of the great things the modern times have given us, especially apps that can make your everyday life so much easier and allow you to have more time to focus on more important things, like actually training your horse.

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The rarest horse breed in the world!

We all know that our four-legged friends are some of the most majestic animals out there, but did you know that some horse breeds are a lot more rare than others? In fact, we’ll discuss 4 horse breeds that are so rare you might not have ever heard of them. Keep reading to learn more!

The Akhal-Teke

The Akhal-Teke originated in Turkmenistan. The breed’s name comes from the Akhal Oasis, located in southwest Turkmenistan. The Akhal-Teke is considered to be one of the oldest horse breeds in existence and its origins are still unknown. The physical characteristics of the Akhal-Teke make them stand out from other horses—they’re small but muscular with long necks and heads that make them look like they’re always smiling (which makes sense when you see their nickname: “the smiley horse”). Their coats range from chestnut red to black with white markings on their faces and legs. Some even have pinkish manes! 

Although these horses may not seem especially rare at first glance since there are thousands of them around Russia today (thanks mostly to Soviet breeding programs), only 200 pure bloodlines exist worldwide—making them truly unique creatures indeed!

Artur Baboev, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Bashkir Curly horse

The Bashkir Curly horse is a rare breed of horse that originated in the Ural Mountains in Russia. It has been bred for centuries for rocky terrain and temperate climate conditions, which explains its unique curly coat.

This breed was developed by crossing native horses with Arabians, Barbary mares, and other breeds from various parts of Europe and Asia. The result was a hardy yet beautiful animal that could endure long journeys across rough terrain without tiring or becoming ill.

The Bashkir Curly is similar in build to other types of horses, but because it has a coat made up entirely of tight curls rather than straight hair or fur, it looks quite different from other breeds when you look at it head-on.

The Cleveland Bay horse

The Cleveland Bay horse is a British breed of horse named after the Cleveland district of northern England. It originated in the late 18th century and was used for riding and driving, but today it’s primarily seen in hackneys, showing off its elegant gait to bystanders.

Cleveland Bays are strong horses with excellent stamina that can work all day without tiring out. They’re also known for their endurance during competitions like jumping or racing—they’ve even won multiple races at prestigious events such as Royal Ascot!

nikoretro from Ft. Myers, FL, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The American Cream horse

The American Cream horse is a rare breed of horse that originated in the United States. They have been recognized as a distinct breed since around 1875 although it’s believed that they date back as far as the early 1700s. The term “cream” refers to their light golden coat colour, which can range from a very pale cream or yellow-white to a rich golden-yellow. Their high endurance and calm disposition make them ideal for riding. They are also good at jumping and dressage.

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A brief guide on how to bet on horse races 

While watching horse races in general is an activity I’d recommend to everyone, horse race betting is not for just anyone, but rather for those who see it as yet another cool pastime and who like it because of the fun it brings. And, just like sports lovers search for sources to learn about the best betting sites in South Africa with Bettors ZA, horse race enthusiasts also need a good source to find out how they can place their bets with caution and precision. That’s why, in this guide, we’re going to go over how one can get started with horse race betting and have a lot of fun in the process.

Know the basic types of wagers

It’s important to know the basic types of wagers you can place, as well as how they are different.

In order to actually win your bets: You must choose which horse will finish first.

In order to place your bets: You must choose which horse will finish either first or second. If the number of place-finish bets is greater than two times the number of win-place bets, then payoffs for these types of bets are reduced by a fixed percentage. Otherwise, they’re paid at their full odds (as in pari-mutuel) betting systems.

The amount wagered per dollar wagered is known as “the handle.” The handle varies depending on things such as where you’re betting, what types of wagering options are offered, etc.

Understand your odds

The odds of a horse race are determined by the bookmakers, who set them according to how likely they think each horse is to win. The odds are expressed as a fraction or percentage, for example:

1/1 – You will win your stake back plus an additional amount equal to your stake.

3/1 – You will win your stake back three times over (plus an additional amount).

Do your research

The first thing you should do is look into the horse you want to bet on. Know what it is and what it has done in previous races. If you know that a certain horse has won three out of its last five races, then that gives you an edge in betting on them.

Know who will be riding the horse in this particular race as well. A jockey can determine how well or poorly a horse performs, so knowing their record could help you make a decision about whether or not to place a bet with them at all.

Doing research on past performances of both trainers and jockeys can also help inform your decision about whether or not placing any money on the outcome of this particular competition would be worthwhile.

Bet in small amounts

The best way to learn how to bet on horse races is by betting in small amounts. Betting in small amounts allows you to learn from your mistakes and enjoy the process of learning. You will also be able to put more thought into each of your bets, since there will be less pressure on them than if they were larger. 

Finally, horse race betting takes a great deal of research and understanding to enjoy. Betting on horse racing is a serious business. You need to know the basics of betting on horse racing and how it works, as well as some of the more advanced tips that can help you make more money from your bets.

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Horse training tips: From me to you

I’ve wanted to be a horse trainer since I was little. But what is the best way to become a good horse trainer? It’s not easy, but it’s definitely possible. Here are some tips that have helped me become a better horse trainer.

Never run away from a horse

If you have ever seen a horse running around, you may have wondered why they do that. Well, it’s not because they are happy to be free and running around. In fact, most of the time when horses run away from people or objects it is because they are scared and trying to escape something or someone. Running away from a horse will only make them more scared and aggressive. Instead of trying to run away from your horse, give them space and let them calm down before approaching them again.

Don’t turn your back on a horse, they have no idea you are trying to protect them

Don’t make sudden movements around a horse, especially if it is eating or drinking. Believe me, I know from experience that the last thing that a horse wants to do is get up and run away from you when you are trying to catch them!

Even though we love our horses dearly we would never want anything bad happen because of them being startled by something unexpected happening right next door during feeding time or worse yet while turning around after cleaning out stalls with one arm full of fresh hay bales ready for distribution among other things needed around here.

Understand the body language of horses, some are comfortable with you and some aren’t

When you’re riding a horse or working with a horse, you need to understand their body language. This way, you can tell if they are comfortable with what you are doing and if they are not. Horses that are uncomfortable will act differently than horses that are comfortable.

One way to tell if a horse is feeling stressed or uncomfortable is by looking at his ears. If one ear is pinned back and the other forward, this means he is feeling threatened by something or someone. If both ears go forward, it usually means he wants to get closer to whatever the source of danger might be.

Another sign of stress in a horse is when they raise their tail up high in what we call “flagging tails” because it looks like flags fluttering above them! When this happens it means something is making them nervous so be careful until there isn’t any more danger around before proceeding with whatever activity was planned for that day.

Never work with a young horse, they don’t know what to do yet

If you’re thinking about training a young horse, I have some advice. Don’t do it.

Young horses are unpredictable and often dangerous. They can hurt you and that’s just the beginning of the problems associated with working with horses when they’re still developing their personalities. If you want to train a young horse or pony yourself, find someone who has experience doing so too.

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Arabian horses 101

Arabian horses are well-known for their incredibly beautiful heads and high tail carriage. The Arabian is considered to be the most influential horse breed in the world, as they have contributed to the development of almost every other modern day horse breed. In this article, we will talk about some facts that you should know about Arabian Horses. So without further ado, let’s begin!

Origin

You may have heard that Arabian horses are the oldest known breed of horse. In fact, they may even be one of the first types of domesticated animals, with evidence that people were riding them around 4,000 B.C.

The Arabian Peninsula is thought to be where Arabian horses were first domesticated and bred as a distinct type of horse (evidence suggests this occurred in what is now northeastern Saudi Arabia). They were then introduced into other parts of the Middle East by traders who used them as working animals during trade trips through Arabia and on into Europe and Asia.

Appearance

Arabian horses are known for their beauty, endurance and speed. They have a refined head with long ears and a high tail carriage. The Arabian horse is the most elegant of all horses in terms of appearance.

In addition to their gracefulness, Arabian horses also have exceptional stamina. They are able to run extremely long distances at varying speeds without tiring or falling behind. These attributes make them ideal for use as cavalry mounts during battle or racing competitions, where they must compete over long distances while maintaining speed throughout the race course.

Size and Type

Arabian horses are small and compact. They have a short back and long legs, making them one of the fastest horse breeds in the world. This is coupled with their extreme endurance that makes them ideal for racing or endurance riding. They are also known for their intelligence and are considered to be one of the smartest horse breeds in existence.

Temperament

Arabian horses can be very noble and elegant, known to have a calm temperament. They are also intelligent, athletic, versatile and popular. They have even been known to be used in war.

Some Arabian horses have been bred for racing. The Arabian horse has a gentle way of running that makes it easy on both the rider and horse when they are racing.

There are many different types of races that Arabians can compete in though some of them may not be as well suited for it than others but overall this breed is known for having a gentle demeanour which makes it easier on both people around them as well as themselves when competing in these events such as running or jumping over things like fences while being ridden by someone else

Colours and Markings

Arabian horses come in many colours. The most common are bay, chestnut, and grey. They can also have white markings on their face or body.

Some Arabians have very little white on them at all, while others may have a white blaze down the forehead or even socks (white trim around the lower legs).

The Arabian horse’s tail is often left long so that it can be braided or tied up in knots to show off its femininity and gracefulness.

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How come that horse racing is still popular after all these years?

Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the world. Its fans have included kings, queens, and other members of royalty. However, its appeal is not just limited to members of high society as it has also been a popular pastime for commoners for hundreds of years. There are many theories about why horse racing continues to be so popular with spectators even today when there are so many other forms of entertainment available. Below we will discuss some of these theories and you can judge for yourself whether horse racing really should continue to be such a favourite spectator sport after all these years.

Horse racing has a long history

If you look at history, horse racing has been around since ancient times—even before there were written records to document it.

Horse racing is popular in many countries around the world, including Australia, the United Kingdom and America (the U.S.). It’s also very popular in other parts of Europe as well as Asia and the Middle East.

Horse racing events are exciting and fun to watch

Horse racing events are exciting and fun to watch. I know you’ll agree that it’s thrilling when the horses are running and taking a leap, but there’s more than just that. The jockeys and trainers can be seen too! You can see their excitement while they’re riding on their horses, which makes the race even more enjoyable to watch. And if you’re lucky enough to live near a horse racing track where people gamble on it, then there will be plenty of betting going on as well!

For many people, going to the races is a social event and a chance to have a meal out or catch up with friends

For many people, going to the races is about much more than watching the horses—it’s also an opportunity to catch up with friends and family members while having an enjoyable meal out or catching up with old acquaintances (or possibly even making new ones).

The betting is an important factor in the popularity of horse races

Betting is a great way to make money. If you’re good at betting, it can be a great way to make some extra cash. It’s also fun to play with friends and family over bets, and it can help build relationships as well! Betting on horse races can also help you learn more about the horses involved in the race and what kind of track they might be best suited for.

Horse racing is still popular after all these years because it’s so much fun!

Horse racing continues to be popular because it appeals on so many levels

Horse racing is a sport that appeals to people on many levels. It’s exciting, fun and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Horse racing also brings about social interaction and has long been used as an outlet for betting on animals. As well as being great entertainment, horse racing teaches you about horses and how to care for them properly!