by: Andy Curry
As you likely know already, horses have at least 10 times our strength. If they also had our intelligence, they would probably be riding us humans. Fortunately, horses cannot reason like human beings and therefore will never have superior intelligence.
Since they don't have reasoning abilities, horse training becomes a challenge because you now have to understand how their intelligence works. You have to know what works and why to really be effective.
The biggest secret that makes it so we can train a horse is the fear of pain and/or punishment that our creator instilled in their mind. We can use that built-in fear to our advantage and teach the horse what we want him to do.
The trick is to not push the horse too far with his built-in fear. We must never abuse this knowledge because it will backfire. Once it backfires then we will have problems with the horse we're training.
How does it backfire? Let's take a novice horse owner who fulfills his dream to have horses and train them. Unless he's studied a horse's nature he will probably get into big trouble with his horse because of the delicate balance of the horse's built-in fear.
For instance, the very first lesson you must teach your horse is to have confidence in you. If your horse doesn't have confidence in you, he will neither trust you. Both are enormously important to horse training.
Think of confidence in this way. If you're a child who's just seen a scary movie on TV you probably want to sleep with Mom and Dad for the night. They'll protect you. You'll be safe with them. Hopefully, you know these things to be true because you have experienced it with your own parents.
But if you didn't feel like they'd keep you safe you wouldn't have confidence in them, would you?
A horse's thinking is similar to that. He must have confidence in you when you're working with him.
A horse can be taught confidence in different ways. I prefer to the Jesse Beery confidence lesson.
Jesse Beery, a famous horse trainer from the 1800's, uses his confidence lesson as the beginning place of training his horses. He said, "This is the most important lesson of all." To learn more about Jesse Beery go to:
http://www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beery_etips.htm
Interestingly, it's also the easiest.
How nice it is that the most important lesson is the easiest to do.
Essentially, the confidence lesson takes advantage of (but never abused) the horse's built-in fear. In a way, the fear is harnessed and carefully used to get the horse's confidence in you. It's akin to getting a child to watch a scary movie and being there to protect him or her when they get scared.
When the horse experiences the fear, you're there to save the day. You make it so he depends on you to be his superhero.
When the horse gets fearful, you have to be there to tell him everything is okay. You do that through petting him. Talking to him in a soothing manner. Using a pleasant tone of voice.
I have a friend, Gene, who loves his horses but when they don't do certain things he think they should do, he punishes them. (By punishing, I don't mean he hits or whips. A horse can feel punished just by a threatening tone of voice for example)
Anyway, I rode with a group of people one day and Gene was in our group. We came upon running water. You could call it a small river or a big creek. It was about 30 feet wide and varied in depth from a foot to three feet.
Every horse crossed the water but Gene's. Gene got so upset that his horse wouldn't cross that he began booting his horse in the ribs. That poor horse wanted to comply with Gene's request but the running water scared him. The horse was spooking.
The horse paced back and forth, occasionally sniffing the water but never crossed it. The whole time Gene's legs were wildly kicking the horse trying to get him to cross - yet the horse remained spooky.
What Gene didn't realize is the horse was fearful and needed his help. Anytime a horse is fearful of a place or a thing he should be reassured with pleasant, soothing voice sounds and/or petting him.
If you do what Gene did, you just gave your horse another thing to fear. Not only does that horse fear crossing running water, now he fears he's going to be punished for it. And it's likely that anytime the horse comes upon running water both fears will crop up and Gene will have a horse that would like to comply but his instincts are so powerful that he probably won't (unless Gene figures out what to do)
Think of it from the horse's point of view.
You're a horse that cannot reason and you're instincts are self-preservation. What keeps your self-preservation in check is the built-in fear. Fear makes you run from danger. Fear is what keeps you alive. If you don't understand something you fear it even more.
Now knowing all that, imagine you're the horse and you're standing at the edge of the river. You won't cross it because you think there's danger in it somehow. On top of that, someone is on your back, pissed off and kicking you in the ribs because you won't go forward.
Not only are you scared of the water, but now you're getting kicked in the ribs and feeling punished. You want to be obedient and go forward but your instinct is too powerful and tells you not to.
It would be like telling a scared child who just saw a scary movie that he had to sleep in his own damn room.
But what if Gene had understood his horse was scared? What if he helped his horse deal with his fear.
How would he do this?
When Gene and his horse approached the water he could have spoke to his horse in a pleasant, soothing manner. When the horse was getting scared Gene should have recognized it as fear and not as disobedience.
He could have petted his horse to reassure him all is okay. He could have talked to his horse in a pleasant manner. He could have let his horse sniff the water and check it out on his own.
Instead, the horse was now confused, scared, feeling punished, less trusting of his rider, and who knows what else.
But if Gene would've recognized the fear in his horse then he could have helped his horse overcome it. Gene lost the awesome opportunity to gain a significant amount of the horse's confidence and friendship in that river scene. Too bad too. That's a beautiful paint horse.
About The Author
Andy Curry is a nationally known horse trainer and author of several best selling horse training and horse care books. For information visit his website at www.horsetrainingandtips.com. He is also the leading expert on Jesse Beery's horse training methods which can be seen at www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.htm.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Horse Racing Betting, a Beginners Guide (Part 2)
by: Rob Mellor
Horse Racing Betting, a Beginners Guide (Part 2)
Quickly take yourself to been able to select winning horse racing bets from only a few quick lessons. Learn what to look for when selecting horse racing tips.
In part one we went over how to pick contending horses by looking at the jockey, trainer and then finished off by looking at the form of the horse. By looking at the factors we went over last time you should now have been able to select some winners.
In this article I’m going to give you a few more tips on how to select winners and give you a few more factors to look for to narrow down your potential selections
The first factor you need to look for is if any horses have already won a race on that course or at that distance. To do this you need to look at the right hand side of the horses name. The letters you will see will be a ‘C’ if the horse has won at the course before and a ‘D’ if the horse has won a race at the same distance. Sometimes you will see a ‘CD’ which means that the horse has won a race at the same distance which was at this course.
This is very good as the potential selection has already won a very similar race and there is no reason why it can’t win again.
One thing you must be careful about when looking at this is that the race may be of a higher class meaning that the selection is racing against better horses which lowers his chance of winning.
There is plenty more factors to take into account when selecting winning horses and when looking at horse racing betting to help you select winners.
About The Author
Rob Mellor is making a living using his horse racing betting system and you can join him going to his site www.racing-systems-uk.com to learn more about horse racing systems.
Horse Racing Betting, a Beginners Guide (Part 2)
Quickly take yourself to been able to select winning horse racing bets from only a few quick lessons. Learn what to look for when selecting horse racing tips.
In part one we went over how to pick contending horses by looking at the jockey, trainer and then finished off by looking at the form of the horse. By looking at the factors we went over last time you should now have been able to select some winners.
In this article I’m going to give you a few more tips on how to select winners and give you a few more factors to look for to narrow down your potential selections
The first factor you need to look for is if any horses have already won a race on that course or at that distance. To do this you need to look at the right hand side of the horses name. The letters you will see will be a ‘C’ if the horse has won at the course before and a ‘D’ if the horse has won a race at the same distance. Sometimes you will see a ‘CD’ which means that the horse has won a race at the same distance which was at this course.
This is very good as the potential selection has already won a very similar race and there is no reason why it can’t win again.
One thing you must be careful about when looking at this is that the race may be of a higher class meaning that the selection is racing against better horses which lowers his chance of winning.
There is plenty more factors to take into account when selecting winning horses and when looking at horse racing betting to help you select winners.
About The Author
Rob Mellor is making a living using his horse racing betting system and you can join him going to his site www.racing-systems-uk.com to learn more about horse racing systems.
Popular Horse Site Now Accessible For All!
by: Rob Fenn
Since the Disability Discrimination Act has come into force in 2005, usability and accessibility has driven the new design for www.black-stallion.co.uk, home of Gran Culom, a Spanish Horse available for stud in the UK.
The Disability Discrimination Act details how UK businesses should provide equal service to the disabled, including the legibility of their website(s). The Black Stallion site uses guidelines set out by the UK Government and the W3C to ensure consistent legibility in any browser by anyone. Since the re-design, a reviewer on Amazon in fact said “The layout and design of the pages seems to work in most browsers.”
An added benefit of having an accessible website, incorporating well structured code and layout, is that sites are likely to do better in the search engines, such as Google, Yahoo and MSN. Using Black Stallion as an example, on MSN Search the keyword phrase “stallion for stud UK” gives a placing of 3rd, despite competition from much larger sites.
The re-design was carried out by Sixth Sense ESP (http://www.sixthsense-esp.co.uk) who has experience in creating website designs that focus on attractiveness and usability. Samantha Hicks, Black Stallion’s owner spoke of the company favourably; “Sixth Sense ESP have created a professional website that not only looks great but brings in visitors too!”
Clearly a site that is accessible has many advantages, not only from an ethical point of view but from a business perspective as well. Either way, the Disability Discrimination Act is no longer a guidance document, but a law.
About The Author
Rob Fenn
Black Stallion is home to Gran Culom, a Spanish Menorquina residing in Kent. He is available for stud. His website, http://www.black-stallion.co.uk enables you to follow his recent events, view pictures, movies and contact his owner, Samantha Hicks.
This site can be reproduced as long as it includes all links to the sites within the press release.
Since the Disability Discrimination Act has come into force in 2005, usability and accessibility has driven the new design for www.black-stallion.co.uk, home of Gran Culom, a Spanish Horse available for stud in the UK.
The Disability Discrimination Act details how UK businesses should provide equal service to the disabled, including the legibility of their website(s). The Black Stallion site uses guidelines set out by the UK Government and the W3C to ensure consistent legibility in any browser by anyone. Since the re-design, a reviewer on Amazon in fact said “The layout and design of the pages seems to work in most browsers.”
An added benefit of having an accessible website, incorporating well structured code and layout, is that sites are likely to do better in the search engines, such as Google, Yahoo and MSN. Using Black Stallion as an example, on MSN Search the keyword phrase “stallion for stud UK” gives a placing of 3rd, despite competition from much larger sites.
The re-design was carried out by Sixth Sense ESP (http://www.sixthsense-esp.co.uk) who has experience in creating website designs that focus on attractiveness and usability. Samantha Hicks, Black Stallion’s owner spoke of the company favourably; “Sixth Sense ESP have created a professional website that not only looks great but brings in visitors too!”
Clearly a site that is accessible has many advantages, not only from an ethical point of view but from a business perspective as well. Either way, the Disability Discrimination Act is no longer a guidance document, but a law.
About The Author
Rob Fenn
Black Stallion is home to Gran Culom, a Spanish Menorquina residing in Kent. He is available for stud. His website, http://www.black-stallion.co.uk enables you to follow his recent events, view pictures, movies and contact his owner, Samantha Hicks.
This site can be reproduced as long as it includes all links to the sites within the press release.
The History of Steeplechase Horse Racing
by: Toby Beavers
The sport of Steeplechase racing dates back to 1752 in Ireland when two, half-crocked, friends settled the argument over who owned the best horse by racing to the nearest Church steeple after returning from Fox hunting. The winner actually rode right through the church where the vicar was holding a solemn funeral. Soon steeplechase racing spread to England, where in 1792, the first recorded race was held. This sport then crossed over from the Atlantic to the US, where it has became very popular.
In the early 19th century nine prominent men from New York - August Belmont, H. DeCourcy Forbes, Samuel S. Howland, James O. Green, Frederick Gebhard, A.J. Cassatt, Foxhall P. Keene, John G. Follansbee and Frederick H. Prince founded the National Association for Steeplechase. When it was first founded, its mission was to make the sport popular in the US and help it grow across the Atlantic. For membership details and other small tidbits about the Association, you can visit their website at http://www.nsfdn.org/membership.html.
Steeplechase races are held at 12 states across the country and the cumulative purses for these events are $5 million annually. The horse races are a place to see and be seen at. It's seen across the country by millions of fans and admirers and is a major sponsored event where corporate sponsors vie with each other for sponsorship of the events. It attracts the best talent for horses, horse owners, and riders and also raises millions of dollars in charities. Thus it also attracts the most powerful and the influential men and women. If you have seen Pretty Woman, you pretty much have got the idea.
Some of the oldest and the most prestigious steeplechase horse racing events are Montpelier Hunt Races, which was started on the estates of Former President James Madison since 1929. For more information you can visit their site http://www.montpelier.org/races.htm.
Others are The American Grand National that began in 1899 and the The National Hunt Cup in Radnor, Pa., which was started in 1909.
For more information on steeplechase racing across the country, you can visit http://www.steeplestakes.com/links.html, which lists all the races, their schedules and the prize monies.
In Virginia, you can visit the Virginia Steeplechase Association at http://www.vasteeplechase.com/.
The big races in Virginia are The Virginia Gold Cup, The FoxField Races at Charlottesville, Fairfax Hunt races at Great Falls, Middleburg Spring races at Middleburg, Montpelier Hunt Races at Montpelier Station, Morven Park Steeplechase Races at Leesburg and the Mountaineer Chest Track in Chester.
You can also visit these websites for further information on racing in Virginia.
http://www.ctownraces.com/
http://www.colonialdowns.com/
http://www.fairfaxhuntraces.org/
http://www.montpelier.org/
http://www.foxfieldraces.com/
http://www.vagoldcup.com/
http://www.middleburgspringraces.com/
About The Author
Toby Beavers
The history of Steeplechase racing. Learn all the history and facts before you attend the races. Read more about what America's new, glamorous, spectator sport at: http://www.charlottesville-area-real-estate.com/Charlottesville-Area-Articles.html.
The sport of Steeplechase racing dates back to 1752 in Ireland when two, half-crocked, friends settled the argument over who owned the best horse by racing to the nearest Church steeple after returning from Fox hunting. The winner actually rode right through the church where the vicar was holding a solemn funeral. Soon steeplechase racing spread to England, where in 1792, the first recorded race was held. This sport then crossed over from the Atlantic to the US, where it has became very popular.
In the early 19th century nine prominent men from New York - August Belmont, H. DeCourcy Forbes, Samuel S. Howland, James O. Green, Frederick Gebhard, A.J. Cassatt, Foxhall P. Keene, John G. Follansbee and Frederick H. Prince founded the National Association for Steeplechase. When it was first founded, its mission was to make the sport popular in the US and help it grow across the Atlantic. For membership details and other small tidbits about the Association, you can visit their website at http://www.nsfdn.org/membership.html.
Steeplechase races are held at 12 states across the country and the cumulative purses for these events are $5 million annually. The horse races are a place to see and be seen at. It's seen across the country by millions of fans and admirers and is a major sponsored event where corporate sponsors vie with each other for sponsorship of the events. It attracts the best talent for horses, horse owners, and riders and also raises millions of dollars in charities. Thus it also attracts the most powerful and the influential men and women. If you have seen Pretty Woman, you pretty much have got the idea.
Some of the oldest and the most prestigious steeplechase horse racing events are Montpelier Hunt Races, which was started on the estates of Former President James Madison since 1929. For more information you can visit their site http://www.montpelier.org/races.htm.
Others are The American Grand National that began in 1899 and the The National Hunt Cup in Radnor, Pa., which was started in 1909.
For more information on steeplechase racing across the country, you can visit http://www.steeplestakes.com/links.html, which lists all the races, their schedules and the prize monies.
In Virginia, you can visit the Virginia Steeplechase Association at http://www.vasteeplechase.com/.
The big races in Virginia are The Virginia Gold Cup, The FoxField Races at Charlottesville, Fairfax Hunt races at Great Falls, Middleburg Spring races at Middleburg, Montpelier Hunt Races at Montpelier Station, Morven Park Steeplechase Races at Leesburg and the Mountaineer Chest Track in Chester.
You can also visit these websites for further information on racing in Virginia.
http://www.ctownraces.com/
http://www.colonialdowns.com/
http://www.fairfaxhuntraces.org/
http://www.montpelier.org/
http://www.foxfieldraces.com/
http://www.vagoldcup.com/
http://www.middleburgspringraces.com/
About The Author
Toby Beavers
The history of Steeplechase racing. Learn all the history and facts before you attend the races. Read more about what America's new, glamorous, spectator sport at: http://www.charlottesville-area-real-estate.com/Charlottesville-Area-Articles.html.
Horse Racing Basics
by: Mansi Gupta
Horse racing is perhaps one of the most common and attractive wagering game. Every country that permits horse racing earns huge revenue through it. However, not every one is aware that a horse race has more to it than four legged animals and bets. For example, how many if us know about the evolution of horse racing, or where the first race was run, or the various horse breeds other than those that run in the famous Kentucky Derby? Horse racing has various connected activities that help us to witness and bet on the final race.
The game emerged in United States of America when it was a mere colony. The first official race track in North America was a grassy pasture in Long Island. This was the privileged track where Bulle Rock, the most popular horse of the eighteenth century, ran it’s race. In fact the Jockey Club, one of the most famous institutions today, came into existence way back in 1750. Eventually racing spread westwards with more families migrating to newer areas. However, racing was not always as strong as it is now. It has to face the brunt of some fierce legislations and wars. The first Kentucky Derby was organized after the Civil war and was a success. At present the most prestigious American races include Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes.
The most famous racing horse of all times would always be the Seabiscuit. The horse fascinated the Americans so much that it has inspired a novel and a movie, as well. Seabiscuit was discovered in 1934, and won its first races in 1937. This legendary horse attained such popularity that death threats were made against him. One such plot was unearthed and made headlines.
The most famous breed of horse is the thoroughbred. The ancestors of this horse were bred in Europe from Arab and Turk sires. These were then imported from England, in 1700’s, and have multiplied since then. This horse has a capacity to carry heavy weights and gallop steadily for long distances. Owing to these characteristics, this royal horse is perfect for racing tracks.
Another breed is the Quarter horse. The quarter horse can sprint well over small distances and are known for their ‘cow sense’. Though they are used in races as well, they are primarily bred for ranches and herding cattle. Thoroughbreds are sometimes used to improve the racing capabilities of this breed.
The speed and adventure in these races make accidents quite common in horse racing. The lack of distances between the competitors endangers both the horse and its jockey. Slipping of the horse can be fatal for the jockey as he might get crushed by the other horses. Any mishap can be dangerous for the audience as well, as the horse might get a scare and choose to run away from the tracks.
The most common event in horse races is betting. The adventure and uncertainty of the game attracts various bettors. However, the bettors need to be aware players. Knowing the personal, medical, and racing history of the horse can help in placing the odds. Other factors can be the jockey and the prevalent weather conditions.
Horseracing is a phenomenon that involves various activities. The information about the various related arenas helps to be informed participants and not just passive on lookers
About The Author
Mansi Gupta writes about horse racing. Learn more at http://www.horsebettingnotes.com.
Horse racing is perhaps one of the most common and attractive wagering game. Every country that permits horse racing earns huge revenue through it. However, not every one is aware that a horse race has more to it than four legged animals and bets. For example, how many if us know about the evolution of horse racing, or where the first race was run, or the various horse breeds other than those that run in the famous Kentucky Derby? Horse racing has various connected activities that help us to witness and bet on the final race.
The game emerged in United States of America when it was a mere colony. The first official race track in North America was a grassy pasture in Long Island. This was the privileged track where Bulle Rock, the most popular horse of the eighteenth century, ran it’s race. In fact the Jockey Club, one of the most famous institutions today, came into existence way back in 1750. Eventually racing spread westwards with more families migrating to newer areas. However, racing was not always as strong as it is now. It has to face the brunt of some fierce legislations and wars. The first Kentucky Derby was organized after the Civil war and was a success. At present the most prestigious American races include Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes.
The most famous racing horse of all times would always be the Seabiscuit. The horse fascinated the Americans so much that it has inspired a novel and a movie, as well. Seabiscuit was discovered in 1934, and won its first races in 1937. This legendary horse attained such popularity that death threats were made against him. One such plot was unearthed and made headlines.
The most famous breed of horse is the thoroughbred. The ancestors of this horse were bred in Europe from Arab and Turk sires. These were then imported from England, in 1700’s, and have multiplied since then. This horse has a capacity to carry heavy weights and gallop steadily for long distances. Owing to these characteristics, this royal horse is perfect for racing tracks.
Another breed is the Quarter horse. The quarter horse can sprint well over small distances and are known for their ‘cow sense’. Though they are used in races as well, they are primarily bred for ranches and herding cattle. Thoroughbreds are sometimes used to improve the racing capabilities of this breed.
The speed and adventure in these races make accidents quite common in horse racing. The lack of distances between the competitors endangers both the horse and its jockey. Slipping of the horse can be fatal for the jockey as he might get crushed by the other horses. Any mishap can be dangerous for the audience as well, as the horse might get a scare and choose to run away from the tracks.
The most common event in horse races is betting. The adventure and uncertainty of the game attracts various bettors. However, the bettors need to be aware players. Knowing the personal, medical, and racing history of the horse can help in placing the odds. Other factors can be the jockey and the prevalent weather conditions.
Horseracing is a phenomenon that involves various activities. The information about the various related arenas helps to be informed participants and not just passive on lookers
About The Author
Mansi Gupta writes about horse racing. Learn more at http://www.horsebettingnotes.com.
How To Find The Best Horse For Your Child
by: Dylan Miles
Owning a horse is a huge responsibility for an adult, much less for a child. Owning a horse requires a lot of time and money, both from the parent and the child, therefore, before you decide to go horse-shopping, it’s best that you sit down and discuss the responsibilities and tasks involved in owning and caring for a horse with the child. A horse, remind them, is not a mere domestic pet. It’s unlike a cat, dog or hamster. Horses require more than that.
Let your child know that the owner of the horse should be ready to take on the responsibilities of grooming, exercising, feeding, washing, playing with and caring for the animal. These responsibilities should be done daily, otherwise, both the horse and the owner will suffer.
Before you actually go out and buy a horse, parents are strongly advised to bring the child to a stable, let them take some riding lessons. This will help your child understand and comprehend the responsibilities ahead of him or her. Parents should give the child adequate time to adapt and adjust accordingly. Under the supervision of an expert, they should be able to grasp the whole concept of owning a horse in about a month or two.
Buying a horse that suits your personality.
It is important for a horse buyer to understand that there is a very special relationship and bond between a horse and the owner/rider. The more nervous or jittery the rider is, the calmer the horse should be. Hence, the best kind of horse for a child is one with a very good temperament. The pony or horse should not have a history of bolting off whenever they are scared. Compare this to the needs of an experienced rider who needs a very sensitive horse who is responsive and understanding.
Riding experience and testing the horse out
As mentioned, before a parent decides to buy a horse for the child, the child should be given a chance to take riding lessons and familiarize herself or himself with horses. Not only does the child have to take riding lessons, it is best that the horse is a trained one as well.
The child and horse should get to know each other before the parent actually purchases the horse. Test the horse out by taking the child out for a test ride. Let them get to know each other and then let the child decide which horse is best for him or her.
Horse to suit the occasion
Depending on what the child intends to do with the horse, there are many different types of horses trained for different purposes. Some horses are suitable for riding on the flat, some prefers a horse that will jump and perform. Some prefer a horse that can be taken hunting or ride through rough terrains and some prefer show horses. Consult with the horse trainer so that you do not get the wrong type of horse for the wrong purpose.
About The Author
Dylan Miles, journalist, and website builder, lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.horsebuzz.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.
Owning a horse is a huge responsibility for an adult, much less for a child. Owning a horse requires a lot of time and money, both from the parent and the child, therefore, before you decide to go horse-shopping, it’s best that you sit down and discuss the responsibilities and tasks involved in owning and caring for a horse with the child. A horse, remind them, is not a mere domestic pet. It’s unlike a cat, dog or hamster. Horses require more than that.
Let your child know that the owner of the horse should be ready to take on the responsibilities of grooming, exercising, feeding, washing, playing with and caring for the animal. These responsibilities should be done daily, otherwise, both the horse and the owner will suffer.
Before you actually go out and buy a horse, parents are strongly advised to bring the child to a stable, let them take some riding lessons. This will help your child understand and comprehend the responsibilities ahead of him or her. Parents should give the child adequate time to adapt and adjust accordingly. Under the supervision of an expert, they should be able to grasp the whole concept of owning a horse in about a month or two.
Buying a horse that suits your personality.
It is important for a horse buyer to understand that there is a very special relationship and bond between a horse and the owner/rider. The more nervous or jittery the rider is, the calmer the horse should be. Hence, the best kind of horse for a child is one with a very good temperament. The pony or horse should not have a history of bolting off whenever they are scared. Compare this to the needs of an experienced rider who needs a very sensitive horse who is responsive and understanding.
Riding experience and testing the horse out
As mentioned, before a parent decides to buy a horse for the child, the child should be given a chance to take riding lessons and familiarize herself or himself with horses. Not only does the child have to take riding lessons, it is best that the horse is a trained one as well.
The child and horse should get to know each other before the parent actually purchases the horse. Test the horse out by taking the child out for a test ride. Let them get to know each other and then let the child decide which horse is best for him or her.
Horse to suit the occasion
Depending on what the child intends to do with the horse, there are many different types of horses trained for different purposes. Some horses are suitable for riding on the flat, some prefers a horse that will jump and perform. Some prefer a horse that can be taken hunting or ride through rough terrains and some prefer show horses. Consult with the horse trainer so that you do not get the wrong type of horse for the wrong purpose.
About The Author
Dylan Miles, journalist, and website builder, lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.horsebuzz.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.
Siena, Italy – Medieval Life and Horse Racing
by: Rick Chapo
Italy has many well-known travel destinations such as Rome. Less publicized destinations such as Siena are even better.
Sienna
Located roughly an hour outside of Florence, Siena is one of my favorite places in Italy. When you think gothic architecture and medieval town, you think of Siena. Built as a fortified city behind large, thick walls on a small mountain, Siena oozes history. Cars are barred from much of the city, so you can meander down ancient brick alleyways below towering wall-to-wall residences.
In Siena, you’ll find a relaxed way of life, two music schools and just a general feel of what Italy must have been like in the past. Head to the Piazza del Campo in the heart of the city and grab a seat in a café. As you gaze across the city, you can view the Duomo Cathedral that towers over the city. Unlike other cities, the cathedral does not contrast with the buildings around it. All of Siena retains the gothic medieval architectural style and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better gothic example in Europe.
The best way to experience Siena is to simply stay there. Like wine, Siena improves the longer you stay. Daily explorations lead to surprising little shops, incredibly friendly people and a general feeling of peace.
Il Palio
If you prefer a little action on your trip, Siena has an event that rivals any in Europe. The Il Palio bareback horse race around the Piazza del Campo is a sight to be seen. The fun starts well before the race when various neighborhoods challenge each other. The challenge comes in the form of bands walking through “enemy” neighborhoods in the middle of the night and making an unholy racket. Eventually, each neighborhood produces a horse and rider for the day of the race. Bareback, the riders race for neighborhood pride among an absolutely screaming crowd of people. The running of the bulls has nothing on this event.
If you visit Florence while in Italy, take the time to spend a couple days in Siena. In fact, blow past Florence and go immediately to Siena.
About The Author
Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. Travel journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for student travel, family vacations and adventure travel. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles, travelogues and travel stories.
Italy has many well-known travel destinations such as Rome. Less publicized destinations such as Siena are even better.
Sienna
Located roughly an hour outside of Florence, Siena is one of my favorite places in Italy. When you think gothic architecture and medieval town, you think of Siena. Built as a fortified city behind large, thick walls on a small mountain, Siena oozes history. Cars are barred from much of the city, so you can meander down ancient brick alleyways below towering wall-to-wall residences.
In Siena, you’ll find a relaxed way of life, two music schools and just a general feel of what Italy must have been like in the past. Head to the Piazza del Campo in the heart of the city and grab a seat in a café. As you gaze across the city, you can view the Duomo Cathedral that towers over the city. Unlike other cities, the cathedral does not contrast with the buildings around it. All of Siena retains the gothic medieval architectural style and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better gothic example in Europe.
The best way to experience Siena is to simply stay there. Like wine, Siena improves the longer you stay. Daily explorations lead to surprising little shops, incredibly friendly people and a general feeling of peace.
Il Palio
If you prefer a little action on your trip, Siena has an event that rivals any in Europe. The Il Palio bareback horse race around the Piazza del Campo is a sight to be seen. The fun starts well before the race when various neighborhoods challenge each other. The challenge comes in the form of bands walking through “enemy” neighborhoods in the middle of the night and making an unholy racket. Eventually, each neighborhood produces a horse and rider for the day of the race. Bareback, the riders race for neighborhood pride among an absolutely screaming crowd of people. The running of the bulls has nothing on this event.
If you visit Florence while in Italy, take the time to spend a couple days in Siena. In fact, blow past Florence and go immediately to Siena.
About The Author
Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. Travel journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for student travel, family vacations and adventure travel. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles, travelogues and travel stories.
Rating Horseback Riding Vacations At Dude Ranches
by: Bayard Fox
Dude ranches in general have a bad reputation among many of those who are truly interested in riding and horsemanship. This is true of many dude ranches which cater to a clientele knowing little about horses or riding and offer a pseudo western vacation where square dances, wranglers with big hats, hay rides and cookouts are the main attractions. Not all ranches are like that and they are as contrasting in character and philosophy as the individualistic types who run them. If serious horseback riding on fine horses is your main interest, here are some important points to consider in seeking the dude ranch which will best suit you.
1. OWNER ATTITUDE – Do the dude ranch owners or managers ride personally with their guests or do they feel they have more important things to do? If horseback riding is a top priority with them, they will participate often. If they don’t, then riding cannot be all that important in their program. Family ranches with an established history are generally a better bet than ones which have only been offering horseback riding vacations for a few years.
2. THE HORSES – Do the horses used at the dude ranch belong to the ranch itself or are they rented? Many ranches rent horses during the season only and are often unfamiliar with the horses they get at the start of the season. They have little control over the quality of these animals and rented horses are usually not of top quality. It is certainly the cheapest option for a dude ranch with a comparatively short season and requires little investment, but it is not likely to produce as good a string as the horses which have been carefully selected over the years or raised and trained on a ranch. If a dude ranch has its own horses and many or all of them have been raised and trained there, it shows a real commitment to an excellent riding program. It is also a pleasure for many guests to see newly born foals, stallions, brood mares and young horses in training. If the ranch has a broad selection of different breeds and types, you are more likely to find the horse that suits you.
3. CLIENT/HORSE RATIO – A vital factor to consider is the client/horse ratio. If a dude ranch has only one horse per client, the horses are going to be exhausted long before the end of the season unless they are used very lightly. A hard riding cowboy will need half a dozen horses used in rotation so that they can be fresh enough to work well for months on end. Guests are unlikely to ride that hard, but if they are going to put a horse through its paces and cover some ground in rough country, they will need at least two or better three horses per serious riding client.
4. TERRAIN AND LOCATION – Dude ranches vary greatly in the kind of terrain they have for horseback riding. Some are surrounded by flat, uninteresting country. Sometimes the ground is very rocky and there are few places where one can ride safely at any speed. There are superbly beautiful locations in steep mountain valleys which severely limit the possible rides which are on steep and rocky trails or up and down the valley. Some dude ranches can ride in every direction with a great variety of terrain from mountains and forest to alpine meadows and sagebrush plains. Others are very limited by steep mountains, highways and no trespass neighbors. Some ranches are far from paved roads and signs of civilization, but others are located near highways and have buildings nearby. Some dude ranches have rides in pristine wilderness areas and others have fences, traffic noises, paved roads, houses near the riding trails and numerous hikers. It is important to find out how favorable the ground will be for the kind of riding you want to do.
5. PACE OF RIDES – Few ranches today allow riders to gallop around freely. Liability issues have become too important and it can be hard on horses. Many ranches do not want riders to get out of a walk and others go no faster than a trot. Rides can move at a faster pace safely if they are kept small and it is important to find out how big the riding groups will be. Some dude ranches will take up to twenty people together regardless of their experience. Others will send out groups of six or less carefully matched according to ability which allows guests to ride to the top of their ability. Determining ability is vital in putting guests in the most suitable group for them. To do this properly a ranch must not only get the riders own assessment beforehand, but also evaluate them on the spot. In this way a ranch can avoid having skilled riders bored and inexperienced ones terrified. If a ranch has a broad selection of horses, it is of the utmost importance to match the rider to the most suitable mounts. The most spirited and highly trained horses would quickly be ruined by inexperienced riders who would be in jeopardy on their backs.
6. TACK – It is vitally important that the tack should be comfortable for both riders and horses. Does the dude ranch have a broad selection of saddles? Are they careful to select a saddle which will not have uncomfortable pressure points on a horse? The rider can tell you if the saddle does not suit, but the horse cannot. A poorly fitting saddle can cause a horse to buck or act strangely and detract greatly from the riding experience. Is care taken to give each horse a bit which suits him and is fitted properly? The best procedure is to have a separate bridle for each horse. Obviously the equipment must be well maintained and headstalls, reins, girths and latigoes checked and replaced periodically.
7. Safety – If you are enjoying your life, safety should be a major consideration. Never ride without a hard hat. After 65 years of serious riding, at least a hundred falls and seeing and studying many accidents, I have developed some ideas about how to reduce danger. Like most of the world’s exciting sports, horseback riding has inherent risks. They can never be eliminated, but they can be minimized without losing much of the potential thrill and pleasure. Here are some of the ways to reduce risk: A) Match the horse and the rider carefully. B) The pace of the ride should be slow enough for the ability of the least skillful rider in the group. C) Each rider should get careful instructions in how to handle this particular horse. A rider who is not in control of his horse can endanger others as well as himself. D) All ride leaders should be well qualified, have first aid training and be attentive to all the riders with them. E) It is a vital safety feature that ride leaders should have quick communications to summon help in case of an accident. Having a good plan in place beforehand can save precious time. F) It is important to see that cinches are properly tightened, neither too loose nor too tight. They should be checked before the rider mounts and again after a few minutes of riding since horses often puff up at the start. G) The ride leader needs to be alerted to and aware of hazards like badger holes, quicksand, down barbed wire and potential scares which might spook horses from game like moose, elk, bear and deer. H) As is the case with people, a small percentage of horses cause most of the accidents. Safety conscious dude ranches will be vigilant in getting rid of potential problems. They cannot do this if they are not familiar with the horses they have. That is one reason why owning, raising and training them on the ranch is best. I) Head accidents are probably the worst kind. Wearing a hard hat greatly reduces the danger of them. One has to decide whether a pseudo Western experience with a Marlboro style hat is worth the risk. Most dude ranches allow riders to ride without hard hats, but some do not.
8. Attitude to Horses - Ranches have totally different philosophies toward handling and training horses. Training can range from the often brutal, hell for leather methods of the old West to the gentle persuasion of the Linda Tellington-Jones (WWW.horseplaza.com) TTouch approach. Some ranches have about the same feeling for a horse that they do for a motor bike and others treat their horses like loved members of the family.
9. Working Ranches – Some dude ranches have their own working cattle operation and others get all their income from paying guests. Working cattle in partnership with a good horse in the traditional Western sense can be an exciting and rewarding experience. In many parts of the West it is still the best way to move cattle from one part of a range to another and to round them up in the fall. Remember that there is a big difference between rounding up cattle over a wide grazing area with varied terrain and driving a herd of cows down a dusty road at a slow pace. Some ranches have authentic chances to work cattle and others stage it purely for the guests. If team penning or team sorting is something you want to try, check to see if the dude ranch offers this opportunity.
10. Pack Trips – If the dude ranch is near a national forest, it may offer the opportunity to take a pack trip into the wilderness for an overnight or more. These wilderness trips can be a marvelous experience and provide a chance to bond with the horses who will be your close companions throughout the trip. You will see country which would be difficult to visit in any other way. Keep in mind that this is usually not an opportunity for fast riding as pack horses should usually go at a walk and trails are often steep and rocky.
11. Wranglers – America has been late in setting up instruction programs for wranglers, but the Certified Horsemen’s Association now has an excellent program to instruct potential ride leaders. The British Horse Society has excellent instruction programs for many years and the Federation Francaise d’Equitation has long had stiff requirements for ride leaders in France. A good wrangler needs not only to know how to ride well, but they should be attentive to those behind them and their problems. Sensitivity to riders and horses is the great virtue, not macho strength.
12. Instruction – The horses at each dude ranch are trained in a particular way which may not be the kind of riding you are used to. For instance, if you are a dressage rider, you will need to adapt to the dude ranch horses. They cannot be retrained for the week you are there. Most places will give at least some basic orientation as to how they expect you to handle the horses. Some will offer instruction from qualified riding instructors which can be videotaped for your later viewing to get the best results. If you are not familiar with the approved style of riding at the dude ranch you visit, you will be more comfortable and get more out of the riding with a few hours of instruction. On some ranches the horses are used to having their riders post the trot. Other places just expect riders to sit in the saddle and bounce along.
At their best, dude ranches can provide a superb horse riding experience now impossible in many parts of this highly developed planet. The scenery is spectacular, the air is clean and the climate excellent. It is ideal country for horses. Few places can rival the Rocky Mountain West for riding holidays.
Copyright 2005 Bayard Fox and Equitours, Ltd.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.5/
About The Author
Bayard Fox has been riding for 70 years on six continents and has ridden enough miles to circle the globe several times. He is owner and founder of Equitours Worldwide Horseback Riding Vacations http://www.ridingtours.com. He and his wife also own the Bitterroot Dude Ranch http://www.bitterrootranch.com where they raise horses.
Dude ranches in general have a bad reputation among many of those who are truly interested in riding and horsemanship. This is true of many dude ranches which cater to a clientele knowing little about horses or riding and offer a pseudo western vacation where square dances, wranglers with big hats, hay rides and cookouts are the main attractions. Not all ranches are like that and they are as contrasting in character and philosophy as the individualistic types who run them. If serious horseback riding on fine horses is your main interest, here are some important points to consider in seeking the dude ranch which will best suit you.
1. OWNER ATTITUDE – Do the dude ranch owners or managers ride personally with their guests or do they feel they have more important things to do? If horseback riding is a top priority with them, they will participate often. If they don’t, then riding cannot be all that important in their program. Family ranches with an established history are generally a better bet than ones which have only been offering horseback riding vacations for a few years.
2. THE HORSES – Do the horses used at the dude ranch belong to the ranch itself or are they rented? Many ranches rent horses during the season only and are often unfamiliar with the horses they get at the start of the season. They have little control over the quality of these animals and rented horses are usually not of top quality. It is certainly the cheapest option for a dude ranch with a comparatively short season and requires little investment, but it is not likely to produce as good a string as the horses which have been carefully selected over the years or raised and trained on a ranch. If a dude ranch has its own horses and many or all of them have been raised and trained there, it shows a real commitment to an excellent riding program. It is also a pleasure for many guests to see newly born foals, stallions, brood mares and young horses in training. If the ranch has a broad selection of different breeds and types, you are more likely to find the horse that suits you.
3. CLIENT/HORSE RATIO – A vital factor to consider is the client/horse ratio. If a dude ranch has only one horse per client, the horses are going to be exhausted long before the end of the season unless they are used very lightly. A hard riding cowboy will need half a dozen horses used in rotation so that they can be fresh enough to work well for months on end. Guests are unlikely to ride that hard, but if they are going to put a horse through its paces and cover some ground in rough country, they will need at least two or better three horses per serious riding client.
4. TERRAIN AND LOCATION – Dude ranches vary greatly in the kind of terrain they have for horseback riding. Some are surrounded by flat, uninteresting country. Sometimes the ground is very rocky and there are few places where one can ride safely at any speed. There are superbly beautiful locations in steep mountain valleys which severely limit the possible rides which are on steep and rocky trails or up and down the valley. Some dude ranches can ride in every direction with a great variety of terrain from mountains and forest to alpine meadows and sagebrush plains. Others are very limited by steep mountains, highways and no trespass neighbors. Some ranches are far from paved roads and signs of civilization, but others are located near highways and have buildings nearby. Some dude ranches have rides in pristine wilderness areas and others have fences, traffic noises, paved roads, houses near the riding trails and numerous hikers. It is important to find out how favorable the ground will be for the kind of riding you want to do.
5. PACE OF RIDES – Few ranches today allow riders to gallop around freely. Liability issues have become too important and it can be hard on horses. Many ranches do not want riders to get out of a walk and others go no faster than a trot. Rides can move at a faster pace safely if they are kept small and it is important to find out how big the riding groups will be. Some dude ranches will take up to twenty people together regardless of their experience. Others will send out groups of six or less carefully matched according to ability which allows guests to ride to the top of their ability. Determining ability is vital in putting guests in the most suitable group for them. To do this properly a ranch must not only get the riders own assessment beforehand, but also evaluate them on the spot. In this way a ranch can avoid having skilled riders bored and inexperienced ones terrified. If a ranch has a broad selection of horses, it is of the utmost importance to match the rider to the most suitable mounts. The most spirited and highly trained horses would quickly be ruined by inexperienced riders who would be in jeopardy on their backs.
6. TACK – It is vitally important that the tack should be comfortable for both riders and horses. Does the dude ranch have a broad selection of saddles? Are they careful to select a saddle which will not have uncomfortable pressure points on a horse? The rider can tell you if the saddle does not suit, but the horse cannot. A poorly fitting saddle can cause a horse to buck or act strangely and detract greatly from the riding experience. Is care taken to give each horse a bit which suits him and is fitted properly? The best procedure is to have a separate bridle for each horse. Obviously the equipment must be well maintained and headstalls, reins, girths and latigoes checked and replaced periodically.
7. Safety – If you are enjoying your life, safety should be a major consideration. Never ride without a hard hat. After 65 years of serious riding, at least a hundred falls and seeing and studying many accidents, I have developed some ideas about how to reduce danger. Like most of the world’s exciting sports, horseback riding has inherent risks. They can never be eliminated, but they can be minimized without losing much of the potential thrill and pleasure. Here are some of the ways to reduce risk: A) Match the horse and the rider carefully. B) The pace of the ride should be slow enough for the ability of the least skillful rider in the group. C) Each rider should get careful instructions in how to handle this particular horse. A rider who is not in control of his horse can endanger others as well as himself. D) All ride leaders should be well qualified, have first aid training and be attentive to all the riders with them. E) It is a vital safety feature that ride leaders should have quick communications to summon help in case of an accident. Having a good plan in place beforehand can save precious time. F) It is important to see that cinches are properly tightened, neither too loose nor too tight. They should be checked before the rider mounts and again after a few minutes of riding since horses often puff up at the start. G) The ride leader needs to be alerted to and aware of hazards like badger holes, quicksand, down barbed wire and potential scares which might spook horses from game like moose, elk, bear and deer. H) As is the case with people, a small percentage of horses cause most of the accidents. Safety conscious dude ranches will be vigilant in getting rid of potential problems. They cannot do this if they are not familiar with the horses they have. That is one reason why owning, raising and training them on the ranch is best. I) Head accidents are probably the worst kind. Wearing a hard hat greatly reduces the danger of them. One has to decide whether a pseudo Western experience with a Marlboro style hat is worth the risk. Most dude ranches allow riders to ride without hard hats, but some do not.
8. Attitude to Horses - Ranches have totally different philosophies toward handling and training horses. Training can range from the often brutal, hell for leather methods of the old West to the gentle persuasion of the Linda Tellington-Jones (WWW.horseplaza.com) TTouch approach. Some ranches have about the same feeling for a horse that they do for a motor bike and others treat their horses like loved members of the family.
9. Working Ranches – Some dude ranches have their own working cattle operation and others get all their income from paying guests. Working cattle in partnership with a good horse in the traditional Western sense can be an exciting and rewarding experience. In many parts of the West it is still the best way to move cattle from one part of a range to another and to round them up in the fall. Remember that there is a big difference between rounding up cattle over a wide grazing area with varied terrain and driving a herd of cows down a dusty road at a slow pace. Some ranches have authentic chances to work cattle and others stage it purely for the guests. If team penning or team sorting is something you want to try, check to see if the dude ranch offers this opportunity.
10. Pack Trips – If the dude ranch is near a national forest, it may offer the opportunity to take a pack trip into the wilderness for an overnight or more. These wilderness trips can be a marvelous experience and provide a chance to bond with the horses who will be your close companions throughout the trip. You will see country which would be difficult to visit in any other way. Keep in mind that this is usually not an opportunity for fast riding as pack horses should usually go at a walk and trails are often steep and rocky.
11. Wranglers – America has been late in setting up instruction programs for wranglers, but the Certified Horsemen’s Association now has an excellent program to instruct potential ride leaders. The British Horse Society has excellent instruction programs for many years and the Federation Francaise d’Equitation has long had stiff requirements for ride leaders in France. A good wrangler needs not only to know how to ride well, but they should be attentive to those behind them and their problems. Sensitivity to riders and horses is the great virtue, not macho strength.
12. Instruction – The horses at each dude ranch are trained in a particular way which may not be the kind of riding you are used to. For instance, if you are a dressage rider, you will need to adapt to the dude ranch horses. They cannot be retrained for the week you are there. Most places will give at least some basic orientation as to how they expect you to handle the horses. Some will offer instruction from qualified riding instructors which can be videotaped for your later viewing to get the best results. If you are not familiar with the approved style of riding at the dude ranch you visit, you will be more comfortable and get more out of the riding with a few hours of instruction. On some ranches the horses are used to having their riders post the trot. Other places just expect riders to sit in the saddle and bounce along.
At their best, dude ranches can provide a superb horse riding experience now impossible in many parts of this highly developed planet. The scenery is spectacular, the air is clean and the climate excellent. It is ideal country for horses. Few places can rival the Rocky Mountain West for riding holidays.
Copyright 2005 Bayard Fox and Equitours, Ltd.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.5/
About The Author
Bayard Fox has been riding for 70 years on six continents and has ridden enough miles to circle the globe several times. He is owner and founder of Equitours Worldwide Horseback Riding Vacations http://www.ridingtours.com. He and his wife also own the Bitterroot Dude Ranch http://www.bitterrootranch.com where they raise horses.
Only 2% Will Beat The Bookies And Make Their Horse Racing Betting Pay!
by: Roy Carter
6 Ways To Beat The Bookies.
It is widely quoted that only 2% of horse racing punters actually make anything like decent profits from horse racing over the long term. And probably much less than that are actually able to make a living from horse racing.
From my side of the fence, as the owner and operator of a successful racing tipster service, it is easy to see why the average man in the street doesn't make a success of his betting activity.
I am often asked if it is possible to make decent profits from horse racing. I would list the following advice as vital to finding success when betting on horses.
1) Decide On Your Betting Bank From The Outset - It is important to never bet more than you can comfortably afford to lose. Decide on an amount that you are prepared to set aside solely for your betting bank, then divide this amount by 25 and the figure you are left with will become your stake. As your profits increase or decrease, you will always be betting one twenty-fith of your bank (if betting at level stakes), and this will offer you some protection against losing runs.
2) Never Chase Losses - The road to the poor house when betting on horse racing is to chase your losses. Trying to bet bigger stakes each time, following a losing sequence, will end in profit.... but only for your bookmaker! Stick to your staking plan and don't divert from it whatever the temptation.
3) Leave Emotion Out Of The Equation - You should aim to develop a detached view to winners and losers alike. There will always be winners (if you know what you are doing), and there will always be losers. Don't allow emotion to creep in whether you are in the middle of a winning sequence or a losing run. If you are serious about your horse racing betting, you must treat it like a business and aim for long term profits without becoming emotional, win or lose on the day.
4) Treat Your Betting As A Business, Not A Hobby - In order to make your betting pay over the long term, you must operate as you would if you were running your own business. This means keeping proper records of all of your betting activity, profits and losses.
5) Knowledge Is Power - If you can't afford the time (and it can take years) to build up your own knowledge of the form book, or to make a few decent contacts of your own, then try to find a racing advisory/tipster service that has stood the test of time.
6) Aim For Long Term Profits - If you are using your own (or someone else's) system to make your selections, give it enough time for a sensible test period. There is absolutely no point in jumping from one system to the next without giving it time to work. The same applies to using a racing advisory/tipster service. Aim to find a service that has been around for some time, proofs their selections etc. Then once you have made your choice of system or tipster service to use, don't jump from one to the other after a short period. Decide on a fair test period and stick to it.
Finally, horse racing can be a fascinating and exhilarating hobby, but if you want to make your betting pay, follow the rules above and you'll have a head start over most punters out there!
About The Author
Roy Carter owns and runs the 2% Racing Syndicate, one of the Uk's foremost horse racing advisory services. His service has been featured in The Racing Post and all advices are proofed in advance.
Join The 2% That Win, Not The 98% That Don't!
www.2percentracing.com
6 Ways To Beat The Bookies.
It is widely quoted that only 2% of horse racing punters actually make anything like decent profits from horse racing over the long term. And probably much less than that are actually able to make a living from horse racing.
From my side of the fence, as the owner and operator of a successful racing tipster service, it is easy to see why the average man in the street doesn't make a success of his betting activity.
I am often asked if it is possible to make decent profits from horse racing. I would list the following advice as vital to finding success when betting on horses.
1) Decide On Your Betting Bank From The Outset - It is important to never bet more than you can comfortably afford to lose. Decide on an amount that you are prepared to set aside solely for your betting bank, then divide this amount by 25 and the figure you are left with will become your stake. As your profits increase or decrease, you will always be betting one twenty-fith of your bank (if betting at level stakes), and this will offer you some protection against losing runs.
2) Never Chase Losses - The road to the poor house when betting on horse racing is to chase your losses. Trying to bet bigger stakes each time, following a losing sequence, will end in profit.... but only for your bookmaker! Stick to your staking plan and don't divert from it whatever the temptation.
3) Leave Emotion Out Of The Equation - You should aim to develop a detached view to winners and losers alike. There will always be winners (if you know what you are doing), and there will always be losers. Don't allow emotion to creep in whether you are in the middle of a winning sequence or a losing run. If you are serious about your horse racing betting, you must treat it like a business and aim for long term profits without becoming emotional, win or lose on the day.
4) Treat Your Betting As A Business, Not A Hobby - In order to make your betting pay over the long term, you must operate as you would if you were running your own business. This means keeping proper records of all of your betting activity, profits and losses.
5) Knowledge Is Power - If you can't afford the time (and it can take years) to build up your own knowledge of the form book, or to make a few decent contacts of your own, then try to find a racing advisory/tipster service that has stood the test of time.
6) Aim For Long Term Profits - If you are using your own (or someone else's) system to make your selections, give it enough time for a sensible test period. There is absolutely no point in jumping from one system to the next without giving it time to work. The same applies to using a racing advisory/tipster service. Aim to find a service that has been around for some time, proofs their selections etc. Then once you have made your choice of system or tipster service to use, don't jump from one to the other after a short period. Decide on a fair test period and stick to it.
Finally, horse racing can be a fascinating and exhilarating hobby, but if you want to make your betting pay, follow the rules above and you'll have a head start over most punters out there!
About The Author
Roy Carter owns and runs the 2% Racing Syndicate, one of the Uk's foremost horse racing advisory services. His service has been featured in The Racing Post and all advices are proofed in advance.
Join The 2% That Win, Not The 98% That Don't!
www.2percentracing.com
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