Horses the size of small dogs were common for 50 million years

For more than 50 million years, was much more heat in the earth and horses, to adapt to these temperatures werealmost the size of small dogs, wandering the forests of North America, according to a study published on Thursdayby Science magazine.


These earliest known horse called Sifrhippus actually become smaller over tens of thousands of years, an age in which methane emissions have soared, possibly due to large volcanic eruptions. And the research could contribute to the knowledge of how modern animals on the planet can adapt to global warming.To reach this result, the scientists analyzed fossil teeth of horses found in Wyoming (northwest).Many animals have become extinct during this period of 175,000 years in length, known as the Thermal Maximum of the Paleocene-Eocene, which occurred 56 million years ago. Others decreased in size to survive with limited resources.According to a study author, Jonathan Bloch, of the Natural History Museum of Florida (Southeast), the average world temperatures rose 10 degrees Fahrenheit during this period due to the significant increase of carbon dioxide emitted into the air and oceans.The sea surface temperature in the Arctic was then 23 degrees centigrade, as the subtropical waters of the contemporary.The research showed that Sifrhippus fell by almost a third, until you reach the size of a small dog (four pounds) for the first 130,000 years of the period. Then he began to grow again until you get to seven pounds in the last 45,000 years of the period. Approximately one third of known mammal also become smaller during this time.
According to researchers, observing the reaction to climate change Sifrhippus of his time has major questions about how modern mammals respond to global warming today, what is happening much faster. By current estimates, the Earth's average temperature could rise by four degrees Celsius in just a century against the thousands of years it took to reach a level similar in Paleocene-Eocene.
"We estimate that about a third of mammals shrink in size and some will be very small, with up to half his original body weight," says Ross Secord, University of Nebraska and lead author of the article in "Science". "As warming occurred much more slowly during the PETM, the mammals had more time to adjust the size of their bodies. Thus, it is unclear whether we will see the same thing happen in the near future, but it is quite possible. There is a huge difference scale between the two heating which raises questions as' animals able to keep pace with climate change and readjust the size of their bodies over the next two centuries? "

Essex Police Mounted Unit welcomes new arrival

Essex Police have welcomed a new addition to its Mounted Unit – a police horse named King.

The five-year-old pure breed Shire horse has been training with Pc Dale Copley at the mounted unit base in Writtle, Chelmsford, since September last year after being bought from a breeder in Devon.

King, who stands at 18 hands high, replaces police horse Bella who retired in 2011 after developing a problem in her foot.

The new arrival joins Essex Police’s seven other horses; Major, Toffee, Trojan, Rosie, Biscuit, Carlsberg and Patrick and is expected to be fully operational by Autumn.

Read the full story by clicking here. 

What to give for your horse or not eat?

Keep feeding their horses healthy is essential for your well-being and health in one day. But not all foods have the nutrients needed to keep a horse in good shape. Meet a few of the more traditional means of horse feeding and how to choose the best diet.
Hay, the primary means of power given by the creators, must take great care when choosing. Those collected in the spring have greater nutritional value, so will the animal sated and well fed. For it is in good condition for consumption should be dry for at least six weeks. If your pet has a respiratory disease or in drier times of the year moisten the hay with a little clean water to help not hinder digestion and breathing because of loose particles in the air.
Another food that should be very careful when providing horses are herbs in general. They are important minerals in the development of the animal, but in large amounts tend to leave the belly increased, which for those athletes that are difficult activities. Knowing what type of grass to give the horse will depend on the personal taste of each animal, they tend to prefer more green leaves and tender, and his instinct chooses that which is required at the time.
To address the lack of vitamin A in the body of the horses in your daily diet includes portions of raw carrots and very clean. Being a food rich in beta carotene, helps the production of melanin in the body causing your horse has a soft fur and bright color. The carrots should not be part of the diet, but a supplement.
If you use their horses for activities or sports that require him an excessive expenditure of energy, in the daily diet includes a lot of oats. It can be mixed with hay and is easy to digest. Before the competitions coaches typically offer a little more to ensure energy until the end of activities. It is rich in iron, calcium and protein, which will prevent many diseases, especially in older animals.
A good option to supplement the diet of your animals is to mix with the food of the day-to-day some cookies concentrated. On sale in specialized stores, they contribute to the balance of vitamins and minerals important for fitness of the horse. The type of cracker must be chosen according to breed, age and size of each animal.


Sweets in general should stay out of the power of any animal, especially horses. To avoid lumps of sugar, so the level of blood glucose level will always be acceptable. To brighten the animal with a sweet taste of fruit, preferably apples, or crackers suitable for horses.
The grass has very little nutritional value, but many animals like to consume it. For horses that need to gain weight opt ​​for drought. In animals within the weight be sure to put them in sauce and serve within 24 hours so that fermentation does not occur. The other dry forage tends to colic in horses, avoid them as much as possible, especially if they perform activities that require too much effort on a day-to-day.
Other common foods in the equine diet are salt, corn, barley and sugar beets. Any doubt consult your veterinarian. Sometimes it is necessary to complement with drugs and he alone can assist you in choosing the best diet for your troop.

Taking good care of the hooves of his horse

The care of your horses go beyond food and a good environment for sleep. The observation of the hooves and verification of the horseshoe of the animals are important parts to keep them healthy and willing to perform their daily activities.
The horseshoe has the main role of protecting the hull of the horses. Furthermore, it corrects wear and assists in the treatment of wound healing. But before doing the insert or exchange is the same as it is necessary to check the poise of the animal. Without forgetting that not all horses need to be ferrageados.Those who walk in pastures loose not need to use the shoe as the hoof wear is a natural action and does not cause as much impact as that occurred in the concrete runways, for example.
But what is ferragear?
The shoeing is nothing more than the act of preaching the shoes with the specific use of nails in the horse's hoof. In addition to protecting the feet, the shoes help to compensate for the defects of training and help reduce gait irregularities.
Horses that live in barns, stables or other places with hard flooring shall be ferrageados ever for excessive wear of the hoof will not cause health problems and performance of the animal.
But not just anyone can go ferrageando a horse. The officer should have knowledge of animal anatomy, to determine which features of each part and not reach any area of ​​the soft shell. Depending on the breed and age of the animal that body part is changed constantly, so it is necessary care and attention in time to nail the studs in horseshoes.


Enhance it!
Today there are many specialized courses in all areas in the care of horses and learn how to care for their hooves are part of many grid. In these classes the ferrageador will learn how to trim the hoof, correct angulations as well as special techniques for placing the shoes without the animal gets hurt. Among the materials are learned, and the anatomy of the horse, lectures on the physiology of the animal's foot trimming and trimming to broker everything goes safely.
You can find out much about your pet during trimming
When the animal is prepared to receive the shoe the process of trimming, trimming and verification of the legs can help uncover potential health problems in your pet. If the procedure is performed correctly even small deviations bone can be corrected with a simple arrangement of shells.
But do not forget that the lack of knowledge of the techniques can also harm your animal. If you are not knowledgeable of the anatomical system of transportation of horses can cause serious health problems.Therefore, creator, pay close attention when hiring a professional who will take care of that part so sensitive and important of his horses.

Get inside the largest horse fair in the world - Equitana

Almost nothing in the streets of Essen, Germany, recalls that in the city a great meeting place of races. In late winter, with temperatures between three and eight degrees, everything happens in the inner area of ​​the buildings in a kind of Essen organization that shares with other cities in western Germany.

Along with Frankfurt, Hanover and Dusseldorf, Essen specializes in fairs and exhibitions. The city has an immense structure, with several decks and four inputs. Every day, about 30 to 40 thousand people visit the fair in which more than a thousand horses. The diversity of races and a variety of countries, Equitana (Monday is considered the largest equestrian world.


In each of the 17 pavilions of the exhibition park has a fence, a barn, where a racial profiling from 15 to 15 minutes. There is also a great arena for more elaborate views, where there are dozens of simultaneous presentations, for example, the English horse, used in fox hunting, the Tennessee walking, the walker of the United States, the handsome Andalusian, pure Spanish race; and representatives of German lines of today, whose ancestors participated in sports competitions in antiquity as the Roman chariot race, chariot drawn by four horses paired. The numerous and successive views are as special shows each of the 40 races that took part in Equitana in 2011.

Most visitors hitting the leg Friday to see what's new. One shelf is lined with grass, like a health food store.The seller explains that Julia AATS is one of the herbs for intestinal problems, respiratory problems to other serves and is indicated for other stomach problems. But none is to be human. They are all herbs to prepare tea for horses.
"Actually, it's a mixture. Several herbs, highlighting chamomile. You put the herb in a bowl, comes with hot water, wait a minute and then mixed on a diet. The horse is very sensitive and always react well to these treatments, "explains Julia.
In another bookcase shelves are natural essences, known as "Floral bach." Dyes that are an English doctor invented to aid in the treatment of negative emotions. Sandra Muller, who has a herd of 30 animals, took the whole collection of dyes designed to balance the bad feelings and also a pot of edible mushrooms called "calmmatrix." "The product has antioxidants, amino acids and vitamins, ingredients that act on the immune system. My clients have used successfully on horses intemperate. In two weeks, return to ride, happy, "says the inventor and manufacturer Christian Ehrenberg.


The vet Aluízio Marins Brazil, which has expertise in the United States and Europe, directs the university in Brazil and the horse does not lose a Equitana. "One of the things we see is the very absence of injectable drugs and the increase in natural products," he says. The trend is that the horse is treated as a partner, a companion, to whom they are offered snacks, cookies in colorful flavors of banana, blueberry, eucalyptus, vanilla and pineapple. Part of rations, properly, is very varied. Its race, by sport, by service, by age and even horse retired and no teeth.
The training section provides interesting alternatives for those who can not leave with the horse. The rodador exercise many animals at the same time at varying speeds. The treadmill was developed for the animal to gain muscle, gain strength and improve heart function. Some models have the option to be shielded compartment filled with water. On a treadmill with a pool, you can double the efficiency of effort.


Cleaning is a serious issue for those who keep the troops in the bay, as in most cases in Europe. The bed, the layer of straw, sawdust, or synthetic material that coats the ground, is extremely expensive. The handler Saskia Cózman have to remove the dirt in 30 stalls every day. "The movement of swinging the rake to separate horse manure overloads the muscles of the bed. After two hours doing this task, it gives a lot of pain in the arm. I had a serious injury at the elbow, "says Saskia.
The retired engineer Klaus Schwécker devised a machine for separating manure. It has a vibrating sieve dropping the precious bed. He says that the noise does not disturb the horse and that energy consumption is the same as a lamp. The equipment costs six thousand dollars.
And what is the difference between the public on the horse in Brazil and Europe? The question was put to the judge of evidence, Professor Paulo Roberto Ribeiro and veterinary and riding teacher Claudia Lechonski, two Brazilian experts who were visiting the Equitana. "People see the care of his horse as part of having a horse," says Claudia. "In Brazil we have a very different chain. We have the creator of horse, trainer, handler and the user. The chain in Europe has a huge number of users, "adds Brooks.
In Europe, users make a huge legion. Only the German equestrian federation has nearly two million registered riders. It is a vibrant market. The bill Equitana one billion dollars from the sale of clothes, medicines, food and junk riding.
Credits - Globo Rural Program (25/09/2011)

As the wild horse was domesticated

Today it is common to have horses as pets, helping with tasks of day-to-day and participating in sports andtherapeutic techniques. But it was not always so. For thousands of years ago these animals were completelywild so mysterious. But then as he was tamed?

Count the historical accounts that six thousand years ago the peoples of the Iberian Peninsula hosted agroup of wild horses on their land and that this was the beginning that the man could get closer to theseanimals unless they frighten one another.

The survival of these animals in the wild occurred when encaminharem to pasture on the Iberian Peninsulaand some Asian lands to escape the dense vegetation covering the whole of Europe. Nature did the rest by getting them to survive and they were getting used to the presence of people around you.



Without fear of approaching animals, humans were getting close gradually giving food and cuddles to win. Not long after, had already mastered these four-legged friends. Shortly after they were already used to help in agriculture as a means of transport, trade and even wars.

Although the history cite several ways to approach, until now researchers have found that walking was not the exact shape of the capture and domestication of horses. Any statement made ​​to them about being in our lives today is pure speculation. The only thing certain is that humans, being ranked as the most developedmammal, it is natural that can stand out and dominate the other races with ease. Unfortunately, use of violence in many cases. This is the only part that must change to actually be more "evolved" these beautiful animals.

The History of Horse Racing

It all began in 1689 when the British decided to import from the Middle East and Africa a few horses, they were Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian and Godolphin Barb. When they reached the English lands were crossed with mares of the region and gave birth to animals of great speed and endurance.
A sport traditionally British arrived in Brazil in mid-nineteenth century. Initially the owners of the animals trained and ran themselves. This over time has been changing and now the owners focus their attention on creating the fastest animal in the world and leave the mount for professionals called Jockeys.


The Horse Racing is split into different categories where each method focuses on a specialty in common, both animal and rider. What owner, both in the seventeenth century as today's prize are speed and balance, the temperament of the animal always ended in the background. But that's changing today.
The types of races ranging from horses or hitching. That is, the horse can be mounted by the jockey or linked to a carriage, for example. They occur in a straight line paths or tracks with special oval or triangular. The owners invest in training both the animal and the mount and in return receive a percentage of the profits from the visitors and gamblers races.
To mount a horse race you must have certain peculiarities. A jockey, for example, weighing 48 kg at the most and have a height of 1.50 m recommended. The fitness gonna ride that has to be as good as the animal that will be your partner in racing.
The timing of events varies from country to country. And each presentation there is a ritual where riders ride the animal in front of spectators and make a procession headed to the starting line, where the gate of each pen is closed and awaiting the starting signal. The pathways vary depending on each competition. The minimum distance is 400 meters, and the Grand Prix, arrive at 4000 meters.
In Brazil there are four main Jockeys Clubs: the Brazilian Jockey Club, which sits at the Hippodrome Gavea in Rio de Janeiro, the Sao Paulo Jockey Club Racecourse in Garden City in Sao Paulo, the Jockey Club of Parana in Curitiba Hippodrome Tarumã and the Jockey Club of Rio Grande do Sul in the Hippodrome of Cristal in Porto Alegre. In addition to other bodies scattered throughout the country.

Special care with older horses

All age and our animals too. Like us, they need special care. The horses in particular need special attention when it comes to age. Depending on how you used the animal throughout its life some problems may arise and how to prevent these situations and lidarcom other is the best way to help your pet.
Know when your pet should "retire" will depend largely on the type of activity and intensity that was required of him throughout his life. The average age to be considered elderly is around 16 years, but those that are used as means of work or play sports may show increased wear due to past injuries. So it is always good conduct frequent medical check-ups and begin to save you from more stressful activities when they reach that age.
Saving does not mean putting them grazing just stopped without any further activity. Exercises calm and relaxing walks help the animal to go through this delicate stage of life. Exchange activity is also a great option. If he was a sportsman, for example, why not use it in Hippotherapy? This way he will be helping people to rehabilitate and will also be helping their own stage of life without major hassles.
Do not let activities exceed more than four hours per day. Exercise, walking and other feats more in older animals can cause stress that leads to various specific diseases of aging. Usually a horse cared enough to live to 30 years, so if you receive love, care and treatment ideas can achieve healthy this age group without major problems.


The most common diseases in older horses are mainly related to respiratory and digestive systems. Absorb certain nutrients from food becomes increasingly cornered the animal, so changes in your diet should be done in order to meet this loss from the body.
The musculoskeletal system also suffers from the passage of time. Injuries to muscles are becoming more frequent due to the wear and tear of the body, so that repeated physical activity, contained exaggerated and should stay out of the routine for older horses. The wear of the fingers makes it difficult to chew food and the time it takes to feed. With this frame of gastritis may occur eventually. To better separate the situation of young people aged horses to prevent played in time to eat.
Remember that any change in routine animal should be gradual, whether dietary or physical. Seek guidance from your veterinarian pair assist during this transition and look to modify the environment in which they live so they can enjoy the rest of the life of peace and tranquility.

Most common ailments that your horse may have

The animal lovers has always been concerned with protecting, caring, loving and feeding your pets. One such care is to be aware of the possible diseases that may arise and prevent those that can be avoided. Meet some of the most common equine diseases, how to identify, prevent and treat.
The most common of all is the Tetanus. To find out if your horse is suffering from this disease to be aware that symptoms can appear suddenly, such as locomotion difficult, nostrils dilated, local or generalized stiffness, eyes out of orbit, ears rise up and close together and more. If he has any of these symptoms seek any apparent injury. Make sure that the veterinarian collecting the material needed for examinations of the wound. Please follow medical guidelines, giving the necessary medications and avoiding exposure to sunlight the animal while being treated. Avoid exposure to rain and the noise, so that he recovers soon.
 The equine adenitis, known as strangles or strangles, because the animal runny nose and cough. The pharyngeal glands, sublingual and jaw are swollen. Breathing becomes difficult and may even cause choking the animal. Immediately call your veterinarian for a thorough examination, take the medicines needed during the time it is requested. Clean and disinfect the pens where the animals sleep, as well as boxes, troughs, troughs and other local access shared with other animals. Keep the sick horse, apart from the others until his full recovery and vaccinate to prevent all others. If you have any other animal suspected of being infected, keep them under observation and seek medical attention.

Animals that live in colder cities may be at risk of contracting Gasterofilose. To find out if your horse is suffering from this evil be aware of the excessive itching on the lips. They also exhibit a progressive weight loss, for his tongue and teeth are attacked and hinder feeding. Animals also suffer violent colic, anemia and weakness. In more severe hemorrhage occur. Properly clean the site and remove any evidence of flies. They are responsible for the transmission of the disease. Seek emergency veterinarian for checkups and treatment.
The worms are another common problem in horses. Be aware of any symptoms differently and remember always vermifugar where they are and the animal itself. Symptoms vary from worms to worms, but some are common among them: blood in stool, weight loss and colic. If suspected, immediately call the vet to start treatment. Remember to keep the environment clean and their horses always vaccinated and wormed. Having this carefully you can, and will prevent many diseases. Do not forget that you know more than anyone else, then change his behavior somehow do not think twice, immediately call the vet for a check-up. Better safe than sorry, right?

How it works and covering the Equestrian Life Insurance?

The horse market is increasingly competitive. To keep animals healthy and make you reach your destination without any damage it takes a lot of care and attention. Today the owners can rely on several tools to aid one of them are life insurance, health and transport of horses.
Make a life insurance policy for your pet is to have the assurance that at least part of what you invested will be refunded if something more serious happens. But it's only advantages that these policies are made. Just as you are careful in choosing the insurer that will take care of your assets and your family, it must be used to choose one that will heal on their animals.


Before hiring an insurance company and study the pros and cons of this need. Investigate the company to determine the suitability of her and talk to people who already have insurance for horses. Ask the company name used, has had problems with the services provided which required documentation and coverage given by her.
Most insurers examine the horse for their potential, be it a player or a competitor. Others do not take into account these items. Make sure everything is covered and if any service is charged out.
Some companies make packages for life insurance or life and health and transportation, choose one that's best for you and your animals. Consider also the prices and cost-benefit of each proposal with a gain you will have with each horse insured. The values ​​of the policy may increase or decrease according to the activity of your pet, the more risky the higher the price.
There are the individual policies or in groups, which tend to go more into account. Those that have health insurance also come to provide coverage in the event of special operations and autopsy, in the case of horses athletes. The covers can also be chosen for geographic analysis, international coverage if they choose the price can increase greatly. Pregnant mares may come into coverage of pregnancy, which is nothing more than to hold the foal to be born.
Much of the life insurance cover for horses animals in matters of natural deaths, accidents, diseases, natural disasters, explosions, fires, breakdowns in transportation, stealing and killing for humanitarian reasons or contagious diseases. Check out all items well before closing the deal.
To make the register most insurance companies require a veterinary report, statement of campaign, CBC and the IEA in the case of animals without registration. For the record, besides the aforementioned is also necessary to deliver the copy of record of the animal