Here are some useful horse facts that you might not know:

A hand is the unit of measure for telling how tall a horse is. A hand is four inches, and horses are measured from the ground to the withers, which is the point where their neck joins their shoulder. Most riding horses are between 15 and 16 hands tall. Drafters can be 18 hands tall. Ponies can be 13-14 hands or shorter.

Horseback riding has been a method of transportation for hundreds of years, and over time as technology advanced it became more of a pastime. People love horseback riding as a way of feeling free and having a special connection with parts of nature. If you have been thinking about owning a horse, or maybe you just want to take riding lessons, you should know a few things before you get into serious riding.

Taking care of your horse saddle is critical. The leather and metallic parts can quickly deteriorate if not properly maintained. Saddles are a pretty expensive purchase, so in order to protect your investment you want to care for your saddle properly on a regular basis.

If you perform upkeep on your horse saddle at least once per month, you can prevent the build up of grime and eliminate the possibility of rotting. Of course if you ride more frequently than most, you may need to put in a little extra time tending to your saddle.

Taking care of your horse saddle is critical. The leather and metallic parts can quickly deteriorate if not properly maintained. Saddles are a pretty expensive purchase, so in order to protect your investment you want to care for your saddle properly on a regular basis.

A good cleaning every thirty days or so should e adequate. This will be enough to stop build up of dirt and rust on the components of your saddle. If you use your saddle more frequently you may also want to increase the frequency of your cleaning regiment to err on the safe side.

The American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) uses being around horses, and being involved in movement with horses to move forward therapeutic goals in the treatment of both children and adults. Using horses to assist in therapy is relatively new, but is a growing therapeutical tool.

This therapy joins other exciting and promising therapies and supports involving animals. For example, recently there has been a surge in service animals beyond the traditional canine (for example, miniature horses and monkeys) as well as a rethinking of how traditional support animals such as dogs can be trained to assist other populations.