nkhn.org

A barn or stable manager does any and everything that ensures that horses are taken care of properly. Although this may not sound difficult, their job involves a wide variety of tasks that range from making sure that the horses are fed, to hiring and firing barn/stable employees who are equally knowledgeable and caring for the animals as well.

Extensive management and decision making skills are a must. They are responsible for not only hiring and firing employees to assist with general care of the horses, but typically handle training/overseeing of them as well. A good manager must also possess the ability to handle multiple projects and maintain all equipment and feed necessary for the equestrians who have been placed in their care. Those given the privilege of this job must be available at any hour and able to make quick decisions in regards to the health of the horses and must be able arrange and oversee all vet visits.

This is often a very physical job as well. Managers must be able to dispense medications, enforce exercise routines, assist in disposal of waste, and load/unload feed and/or hay. They will be just as involved with the physical labor and care of the equines as any member of the staff while remaining available for any questions or concerns that may arise.

Although this job is often busy and complicated, it is also incredibly rewarding and best suited to someone who is not only knowledgeable of horses, but who is able to care for them as if they are their own.

Getting Personal Loans After Bankruptcy

Between September 2011 and September 2012, over 1.2 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy [http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/Statistics/BankruptcyStatistics/BankruptcyFilings/2012/0912_f2.pdf] because they were no longer able to repay their outstanding debts such as mortgages, student loans and credit card bills. Since bankruptcy has become so common in the United States, many consumers are left wondering about how they can obtain a personal loan after their bankruptcy is discharged.

Post-Bankruptcy Lenders

Just like a bad credit loan A bankruptcy remains on your credit report for up to 10 years, meaning that every time a lender runs your credit score they will know when you filed bankruptcy and the amount of debt that was dismissed. Traditional lenders view this as a “red flag” and will usually decline a personal loan application from anyone who has recently declared bankruptcy.

Often people who have declared bankruptcy are able to obtain a personal loan through a payday loan company or credit union; however, the interest rates for these loans are often much higher than the prime lending rate. Known as high-risk loans, lenders may also charge additional fees or demand some type of security on the loan, such as a co-signer or a lien against a vehicle.

Re-Establishing Your Credit Score

Many bankruptcy trustees recommend applying for a secured credit card as soon as possible following bankruptcy in order to re-establish a credit score and begin building a positive credit record. Establishing a good credit score following bankruptcy will improve your chances of being approved for a personal loan in the future.

References:

United States Courts: http://www.uscourts.gov/Statistics/BankruptcyStatistics.aspx

LawQA: http://www.lawqa.com/qa/getting-personal-loans-after-bankruptcy-dismissed

Boston Globe: http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2012/08/17/bankruptcy-filings-plunge-massachusetts-people-sock-away-money-for-rainy-day/mgCSV7VxKeNOgIAGOGNkSM/story.htm

The Mustang is considered to be a free-roaming wild horse of North America but the only real wild horse is the Przewalski’s Horse, which came from Mongolia. The Mustang was brought over to America by the Spanish, because they are the first ones to own the horses. Because the Mustang is a domesticated horse it is not considered a wild horse but a feral horse. 

The Mustang came from the Iberian horse, and later was found in Mexico and Florida. Native Americans would still the horses and keep them for their own use. The Native Americans would keep the horses that were caught and claim them as part of their culture. But the Natives used the horse for transportation, so they could hunt bison. It was easier to kill bison on a horse than on foot. But some tribes would breed the horses, and they would have different types of horses, the Appaloosa being one. 

Many of these horses would roam the plains. Cowboys have to catch them, break them from being wild and then the horses would be sold to ranchers, settlers, traders, etc. The ranchers would set them free for different reasons or some of the horses would get loose, and they would join other horses that were running free on the plains. Therefore, because it was now free and running the plains with other horses, it was considered a “wild horse.”

Around 1900, millions of horses were running free on open land. That estimate dropped considerably, because people would capture them and use them or have them killed for food. Capture and poisoning of the horses became a big concern because of the abuse on the animals. Because of the capture and killing of so many horses, there was a protection act put in place to protect them. It was the Wild Free-Roaming Horses Act. 

The “Wild Horse Annie Act” was put in place to protect the horse and burros from being hunted down by a motor vehicle. The Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act plus the Annie Act doubled as protection for the Mustang in 1971 when these acts where introduced. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM0) is in charge of protecting the horse and making sure they are treated humanely. And the United States Forest Service is in charge of watching the horses in all territories. 

The BLM is responsible for making sure the horses are healthy and that they have room and land where they can run free. Any type of killing of the Mustangs is against the law, and ones caught doing so can be charged with a felony. Adoption plans are also set in place, in order to help keep the horse population down and to allow them to go to a good home. But only private individuals or groups willing to take care of them and protect them are allowed to adopt. Over 220 thousand Mustangs got adopted in 2010. 

Horses that are over 10 years old and have no use any more or cannot be adopted can be euthanized. But even euthanization has to be done in a humane way.

Because purchasing a horse is a large investment, having a horse that behaves is going to be beneficial to you. This is why you’ll want to have a great horse trainer work with you and your horse together, and also the horse individually. When you’re on the search for a great trainer, you’re going to want to first ask around to the different riders and owners in the community where you live. 

These people are going to be familiar with trainers around you in the equestrian community, and they can share with you the good and bad information about them. Some people will be able to give you first hand experiences of trainers that have been highly successful, and you’ll also get to hear about some trainers that have been less than desirable. You can look into the background of a trainer, see his or her credentials, verify his or her skills, and get references, but sometimes hearing from others about their personality and abilities is different. Someone may look good on paper, but be horrid in real life. 

If you’re unable to get a good recommendation, you can start looking for services online, and through local veterinarians or stables. You should meet with trainers before agreeing to anything, talk about the work that they have done in the past, talk about their successes with horse training, the horses that they have trained in the past, the amount of horses they have trained, and anything else that comes to mind. These things should be able to indicate if the trainer is qualified for the training that you and your horse need. 

If you want to train a horse for show, competitions, racing, or other interests, you want to get a trainer that specializes in these areas. Having someone who isn’t familiar with this type of training, will most likely not be able to train your horse to your level of satisfaction. If you’re training a horse for your children, you’ll want someone who is able to work with children, to work with the children and the horse together. 

All of these different things should be taken into consideration before choosing a horse trainer for your horse. You will spend a lot of time and money on the things that your horse wants and needs, and you want to make sure that they get the best training that is available in the area. Ask around to start getting recommendations before purchasing a horse or a foal, and have a trainer lined up before you take the horse into your position. Training is going to help you avoid behavioral problems with your horse, and make your relationship enjoyable.

Purchasing a horse trailer is a large investment, and before you choose one, you need to decide exactly what you need. Just as with any other large purchase, do a bit of research. This may seem difficult, especially if you are not sure for what to look. However, the following information can help you find a suitable horse trailer for your horse.

Be sure to consider the size of the horse. It is essential that the trailer is large enough to allow the horse to move its legs, so that it can keep its balance while the trailer is moving. It should also be large enough to allow the horse to move its head around while it is inside the trailer. 

The next thing you’ll need to consider is whether you need a slant or straight load trailer. Slant load trailers are excellent for transporting several horses, but they offer a somewhat restrictive environment. The horses tend to stand on a slant while being transported, and forcing them to remain like this for a long time can cause problems when riding them later. Thus, slant load trailers are not ideal for especially long trips.

Straight load trailers provide a great deal of space for the horse, allowing it more than enough room to move around. Some of them are even big enough to allow the horse to completely turn. Due to the size of these trailers, it can be quite difficult to pull them with small vehicles, but it is no problem for a medium to large-sized truck. 

Horses can be quite skittish, and they are often prone to making unexpected movements. As such, people need to make sure that the horse trailers they choose do not have any sharp edges that could potentially harm their horse. Not only could the horse become spooked by something and move into a sharp edge, but they could also be propelled into it if the road becomes particularly bumpy.

In addition to checking for any sharp edges, make sure that the trailer you choose has all of the safety ties necessary to keep the horse safe. These features should be securely attached to the inside of the trailer, and they include such things as tie rings, dividers, chest bars and butt bars. All of these features ensure that the horse does not become hurt or try to escape while traveling. 

Finally, you should also think about what you need yourself  in a horse trailer. Do you need it for long trips? Do you need a dressing room for shows or a cot to sleep on? Can your vehicle pull the trailer you are looking to buy, and is there room to store any equipment? When you take all of the above factors into consideration, you should be able to find a suitable and safe trailer for your horse.

Buying a horse for the first time can be a daunting task. However, it is important to not to get carried away by your excitement in order to ensure that you are making the right choice. So that you don’t buy a horse that is unfit for you, learn to avoid these common mistakes.

1. Don’t purchase a green or untrained horse. First time horsebuyers should stay away from green or untrained horses. Of course, they are generally easier on the pocketbook, but the cost of training can be exorbitant. Additionally, most horses will need to undergo training for many months, and an improperly trained horse can be dangerous. The best investment is to buy a horse that has been trained by a professional and has proven to be steady under saddle.
2. Don’t avoid older horses. Older horses are generally sound well into their thirties and can provide stable, reliable companionship and enjoyment for many years, especially if ridden regularly. Additionally, older horses have experience which make them ideal mounts for inexperienced riders as they are less likely to shy or bolt under saddle.
3. Don’t buy at an auction. Purchasing a sound horse that is suitable as a companion animal for anyone is extremely difficult, but for a first time buyer it is almost impossible. Oftentimes, unscrupulous techniques are used by the sellers to make a horse appear to be more desirable than it is, including the use of drugs to mask behavioral and medical issues. Avoid buying a horse at an auction.
4. Don’t purchase a horse that exceeds your skill level. Buying” too much horse” is a common problem that novice horse buyers make. The idea is that you want to purchase an animal that you will grow into in terms of skill, but this approach can be extremely dangerous as they can oftentimes be difficult to control as you are learning. Stick with horses that match your skill and fitness level to ensure that the experience will be pleasurable for both of you.
5. Don’t underestimate the time and money commitment. Before you purchase any horse, understand that, like any other pet, you will need to invest a considerable amount of time and money into your horse. In addition to the initial purchase cost, horses require a large amount of food, grooming, gear and veterinary care in order to be happy and healthy. You will also need to ensure that you have adequate shelter and pasture provisions as well. And these costs do not stop in the event you want to take a vacation or lose your job. If you have any doubts regarding how much it costs to keep a horse, talk to a local horse owner in your area. This should give you a realistic idea of whether or not you can afford such an undertaking.

So, if you are in the market to purchase your first horse, avoid some of the common pitfalls that first time horse buyers make. This will go a long way to ensuring that you will have a long and fruitful relationship with your horse.

Owning a horse is a huge responsibility. You have to provide a place for the horse to get out of bad weather, provide hay and grain, fresh water and a place to exercise. You also need to be prepared to take the horse to a vet if any illnesses come up, which may require a truck and trailer purchase. 

The horse

A horse can be bought for as little as $100 at a horse auction. Or if they are high blooded and trained in a special area, they can go for more than $100,000. It just depends on what you are looking for in the horse you buy. A median price for a trained and registered quarter horse would be around $500 to $2500, depending on training and bloodline. 

The tack

Saddles should be considered carefully. You want to buy a saddle that not only fits your horse, but also fits you. Saddles are an area where the prices vary greatly, depending on the brand. If you look at online sites that feature ads for used saddles, you may find a used saddle for as little as $200, while a custom made saddle can be very pricey at around $3,000 to $4,000. Bridles, blankets, saddle pads, grooming brushes and curry combs, hoof picks, halters and lead ropes are all needed as well. 

The food

The cost of food depends considerably on what you feed your horse. Alfalfa hay can be used as a complete meal for your horse, but in recent years the price of alfalfa hay has increased dramatically. A small (100 lbs.) bale can go for as much as $20. Since a horse will need to eat around 1/5 of a bale a day, this can become an expense in itself. You can decide to supplement your hay with grain, which can be generally any grain – corn, barley, oats, etc. Look around your area for local farmers who grow grains to get a good price on these feed options. You also have to buy the containers from which the horse will eat and drink. Depending on the weather, you may need to look into buying automatic watering and/or heaters to keep water from freezing in winter time. 

The Medicine

Your horse will need to be de-wormed at least 3 times a year. This can be done by buying tubes of de-wormer such as Safeguard brand. Follow the directions on the tube. De-wormer costs around $10 a tube. Always have some antiseptic salve and bandages around in case your horse gets a scrape or cut. You may decide to have your horse shod or not, depending on the terrain around where you live. Farriers charge around $100 a horse to put shoes on them, and they will need to be refitted with the shoes every two to three months.

The mission of Northern Kentucky Horse Network is to enrich our horse industry and community, to “promote, protect and educate“.

The vision of Northern Kentucky Horse Network is to encourage the Northern Kentucky region to become a model equine community for all disciplines and breeds, to protect the horse population, to provide recreational opportunities, to encourage sound management practices and to promote agri-tourism and the interests of the local horse industry.

We are a group of over 300 horse enthusiasts from the Northern Kentucky area. We hold clinics on everything from trailer driving to horse shoeing. We have trail rides and horse shows. We also get together just to socialize and share stories. We are involved in educating on abuse and neglect and supporting Large Animal Emergency Rescue. We also build and maintain trails and promote trail riding. We are a collaborative effort among the UK Cooperative Extension, the Conservation Service, horse owners, riders, trainers, educators and equine businesses from all breeds and disciplines. We are an “all volunteer” group.

We hope you can join us!

“Recognized as the 2008 Most Active Horse Group”, the Kentucky Horse Council has credited NKHN as the type of organization that “exemplifies the type of regional organization that the KHC would like to see develop throughout the state.”