WELCOME TO VIRGINIA
Virginia is for horse lovers!
(via guestbook)
Happy St Patrick's Day
Nokesville Horse Society will be riding in the Manassas St Patrick's Day Parade click here for info.
Visitor
Dawn Horse (Eohippus (Eo Dawn Hippus Horse) or equus caballus)As the horse evolved, it first appeared on the grass lands of the North American continent. But for reasons that scientists still don't understand, horses began wandering off North America about 10 million years ago. They began their journey across the Bering Straits (west of Alaska) into Asia, and continued across the Iranian Plateau of the Middle East and as far as Europe and northern Africa. By about 10 thousand years ago, no more horses remained on the North American continent.
The reintroduction of the horses into the Americas began in 1519 when Cortez came from Spain. As more and more settlers from Spain and other European countries came, they brought horses with them and returned these animals to their native land after a 10,000-year journey around the world . ( http://www.returntofreedom.org/kids/wild_horses.html)
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Welcome to Virginia's Horse Country - where scenic horse trails, elite competitions, thrilling races, hunts and the Chincoteague ponies have established Virginia as one of the best destinations for equine activities and events. Horse enthusiasts can find all breeds of horses, used for all purposes from trail riding to competition, to breeding and hunting, racing and training, all across Virginia. More than a half million horse lovers and admirers travel to Virginia each year to enjoy and participate in numerous events, shows, hunts, races, and trail rides. Long before Secretariat won the Triple Crown and the wild ponies in the factual book, Misty of Chincoteague, became famous, Virginia's horse industry had already established itself as the birthplace of some of America's first horse legends and breeds. In fact, Virginia's partnership with horses began back in 1610 with the arrival of the first horses to the Virginia colonies. Forward thinking Virginia colonists began to improve upon the speed of the short stocky native horses acquired from the Indians by introducing some of the best early imports from England to the local bloodlines. Brought to the Old Dominion before the English Stud Book was established, Janus was an instrumental sire in improving these local running horses. Many breed historians consider these first improvements to native stock as the true beginning of the American Quarter Horse. As Colonial Virginia prospered, horse breeders imported more of the new English breed, the Thoroughbred, to blend with the local American bloodlines and fast Indian ponies. Bulle Rock, the very first imported Thoroughbred, arrived in Virginia in 1730. Diomed, an English racing legend, sired enough progeny to be considered the father of the American Thoroughbred. During wartime, several hundred thousand Virginia horses served in the military, often going hungry, as did troops, and sometimes even dying in battle. Soldiers, lives and military maneuvers depended upon the endurance and stamina of Virginia-bred horses. Stables across the Old Dominion lost over 100,000 horses during the four years of the Civil War in Virginia. Two of the Civil War's greatest steeds, Traveler, owned by Robert E. Lee, and Little Sorrel, owned but "Stonewall" Jackson, are both buried in Lexington, VA. Virginia continues to celebrate its legendary equine heritage and its promising future at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show. Beginning in 1853, it is the oldest horse show in the country, and still takes place today at its original site in Upperville, VA. Horse racing has always been popular in Virginia, especially during Colonial times when one-on-one matches took place down village streets, country lanes and across level pastures. Some historians claim that the first American Quarter Horse races were held in Enrico County (now Henrico County), Virginia, in 1674. Searching for that perfect horse trail? Look no further! Virginia offers over 285 public access horse riding trails across the state. It is not surprising that recreation and trail riding is the number one use for Virginia horses. Trails are located throughout the state at a multitude of public locations including state parks, national park, historic battlefields, and city parks and cover a variety of terrain from sandy and hilly, to mountainous, flat and rough. For more information about trail riding in Virginia, visit the Virginia Horse Council website: www.virginiahorsecouncil.org For almost 400 years, horses have contributed to the state's economic success and stability. Providing horse power in the fields and transportation for goods and people, horses were the backbone of the first Virginia Colonies. Today, the role of horses has changed dramatically, yet horses are still a vital economic factor influencing the lives of millions of people who reside in and visit Virginia. Caring, grooming, feeding, transporting, training, sheltering, and providing equipment and land for over 170,000 horses is big business in Virginia. It involves numerous industries and individuals from farmers who grow the feed to the veterinarians who care for the horses. The average Virginia horse owner spends $2,969 per horse yearly. Horse owners spend $505 million in annual expenses and support approximately 20,000 jobs statewide. In total, Virginia's horse industry has a $1 billion impact on the state's economy according to the 2001 Equine Survey conducted by the Virginia Agricultural Statistics Service. Recognizing the importance and scope of the industry, horse owners established the Virginia Horse Industry Board, through a statewide referendum in 1994, to promote and economically develop the industry. The Board is compromised of leaders in all segments of the industry including breeders, association presidents, and commercial and professional service providers. Together they work on behalf of the various breeds, disciplines, interests and related businesses to promote Virginia's equine industry. Operating through the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Board focuses its work on such areas as education, research in horse health, business management issues, and marketing the industry to various public, Financed by the Virginia Horse Industry Promotion and Development Fund (which is generated by an assessment on each Equine Infectious Anemia Test), the Board awards grants in the areas of education, research and marketing. Since 1995, the Board has awarded more than $800,000 to qualifying projects that promote the overall Virginia horse Industry. The Virginia Horse Council is the driving force behind the Virginia Horse Center, pari-mutuel horse racing, trail development, area and statewide education seminars, and much more. The Council is a nonprofit organization formed by Virginia horsepersons, and is the spokesperson for the expanding Virginia horse industry. The membership and Board of Directors represent all breed groups. With a goal to promote the common interests of the entire industry, the Council has committees that are active in Research and Development, Communication, Youth Programs, Trail Development, Land Use, Health Programs, Education, and Legislation. Visit the Virginia Horse Council website: www.virginiahorsecouncil.org
A Guide to Virginia's Horse Country
Virginia’s Legendary Heritage
Off to the Races
Come, Follow a Virginia Trail
Still Running Strong
Even the tourism sector of Virginia's economy benefits from Virginia's active horse industry. Some 700 equine events are held in Virginia each year, attracting over 800,000 participants and spectators who spend more than $167 million at these events.Looking to the Future:
Virginia Horse Industry BoardVirginia Horse Council
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Virginia is home to approximately 225,000 horses. The owners of these horses spend $2,800 per horse per year to maintain, i.e. feed, vet, farrier, maybe this includes the little niceties too, like nicer brushes, combs, show braiding etc. This equates to $680.5 M per year in revenues to support our four legged friends. So, just because we have a horse does not mean we are rich, just means we have decided to spend our children’s inheritance on something WE like. The old saying of a diamond is a girl’s best friend does not pertain to all women. That said Virginia equestrians also spend about $126.8 M annually for either buying or the leasing of horses. That is a lot of horse-crazy folk spending money to own or have access to a horse. This data is from 2005 I believe. The figures are bound to go up with all the empty nest Moms out there, who gave up their equestrian life style once they went off to college, were married, had children or whatever their situation warranted, are getting back into horses and buying and recollecting new stuff! KAAAA CHING! Click here to view a statistical breakdown of resources in pdf format.
Below are figures of various states, http://www.horsecouncil.org/nationaleconomics.php, sorry Virginia’s stats were not found. This study was conducted by Deloitte Consulting LLP for American Horse Council Foundation (AHCF) in 2005.
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Things Every Horse Owner ~~A horse isn't considered an adult until it reaches age four. ~~A male horse over 4 years old is called a Stallion or a Gelding, if castrated. ~~Horses are measured in hands high (hh). ~~A hand is equivalent to four inches or 10.2cm. ~~Horses are normally over 14.2hh except for miniature horses. ~~There are over 200 breeds of horses in the world. ~~A horse's gestation period (time from breeding to birth) is about 11 mths ~~Horses usually live to be 20-25 years old. The oldest horse lived to be 62 ~~A father horse is called a sire. ~~A mother horse is called a dam. ~~A young female is called a filly. ~~A young male is called a colt. ~~The scientific name for the horse is equus caballus. ~~A mule is a cross between a male donkey (a jack) and a female horse (a mare). ~~Mules are usually sterile. ~~A hinny is a cross between a male horse (a stallion) and a female donkey (a ~~Hinnies are usually sterile. ~~Mules are known for having very long ears.
Should Know
These tid bits courtesy http://www.localriding.com
Basic Horse Facts...
~~A female horse over 4 years old is called a mare.
~~Anything under 14.2hh is classed as a pony.
jenny).
Foals and Foaling ~~A newborn foals legs are already 80 to 90% of the length they will be when full ~~A foal is able to stand just one hour after birth. ~~A foal can walk, trot, and run just two hours after birth. ~~The first milk the mare makes is called colostrum. This rich milk builds the foals ~~Most foals will start to nurse less than two hours after birth. ~~A female foal is called a filly. ~~A male foal is called a colt. ~~More foals are born between April 15 and May 15 than at any other time. ~~Mares usually foal at night. ~~Foaling mares don't like being watched. They will stop foaling and wait till a person ~~A mare may give birth in as little as 15 minutes, but usually no longer than an ~~If a mare is still straining after an hour has passed, something is seriously wrong. ~~If you have to help pull a foal out, NEVER pull up! Always pull down, toward the
grown.
immune system.
leaves.
hour.
mares feet.
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Did you know...
~~Horses like classical music. ~~The oldest horse was named Old Billy. He was a cross breed, he was born in 1760 ~~The oldest pony ever recorded was named Teddy E. Bear. He lived to be 55 and ~~The World's Largest Horse was a purebred Belgian stallion named Brooklyn
and lived to 62.
is owned by Kathy Pennington of Virginia Beach, VA. He was still alive in 1998.
Supreme. He stood 19.2hh (6'6") at his withers. He weighed over 3,200 pounds
and is entered in the Guiness Book of World Records. He was foaled in 1928 and
died in 1948. He lived in Iowa, USA.
The Oldest Winning Thoroughbred Racehorses Are... ~~The 18-year-olds - Revenge, at Shrewsbury, England 1790; Marksman, at Ashford, ~~Also at 18yrs old; Wild Aster won three hurdle races in 1919, and Sonny Somers
Kent, England, 1826; and Jorrocks, at Bathurst, Australia, 1851.
won two steeplechases in February 1980.
Horse Anatomy Facts... ~~~~A full grown horse weighing 1000 pounds (455kg) contains approximately 13.2 ~~~Horses have about 175 bones in their body. ~~~~A horses hoof grows at about 1cm per month. ~~~~Horses leg joints are not fully fused (grown) until the age of 3.5yrs. ~~~~Most horse breeds have 18 ribs. ~~~~The Arabian horse has 17 ribs. ~~~~Most horses have 6 lumbar bones. ~~~~The Arabian horse has 5 lumbar bones. ~~~~Most horses have 18 tail vertabrea. ~~~~The Arabian horse has 16 tail vertabrea. ~~~~Arabian horse are very strong for their size. ~~~~Horses can see in two directions at once. ~~~~Horses can see everywhere, except directly in front or behind them. ~~~~Horses can't vomit and it is very dangerous if a horse chokes! ~~~~Horses make 8 basic sounds; Snort, Squeal, Greeting nicker, Courtship nicker, ~~~~Horses cannot breathe through their mouths. ~~~~Horses have a prehensile upper lip. Prehensile means "adapted for seizing, ~~~~All horses, regardless of when they were actually born, are considered to have a ~~~~Scientists believe that the first known ancestor of the horse lived about 50
gallons of blood.
Maternal nicker, Neigh, Roar, Blow.
grasping, or taking hold of something." Their upper lips are very sensitive and
capable of feeling the smallest of differences in objects.
common birthday of January 1. This is one of the reasons most horsemen don't
like their foals to be born late in the year: Even if a foal is born on December
31st he or she will have their first birthday the very next day.
million years ago. This prehistoric horse is called Eohippus and had four padded
toes on the front legs and three padded toes on the back legs. Eo means "dawn"
and hippus means "horse," so Eohippus is "dawn horse."
~~~~A horses splint bones are thought to be remnants of toes from prehistoric horses.
The splint bones are small bones (about the size of a pencil at the top and
tapering down to be much smaller) found on each side of the cannon bone.
Sometimes a small bulge will appear on the horses lower leg, this is usually a
splint bone that has popped. This happens when the splint bone becomes
detached from the cannon bone. A splint might become detached due to a
nutritional imbalance or trauma. It is usually not a cause for concern. In most
cases a popped splint will cause mild pain to the horse but when the splint
as "set" or healed it is completely pain free and is not a health or soundness
concern.
Northern Virginia is the home of some very active horse organizations, Battlefield Equestrian Society, Clifton Horse Society, Farifax for Horses, Loudon Horse Association, Mason Neck Horse Association, Nokesville Horse Society, Back to Basics Horse Show Association, Northern Virginia Coalition of Equestrian Organizations, and Trailblazers. One of the main objectives of these organizations is to ensure trails are open and stay open for all equestrians to use and enjoy. Those of us who use these trails are very thankful.
