What is a filly? This is just one of several words used to describe a horse's age and gender. The word is used to differentiate between a young male and female horse. All baby horses are called foal, but a filly or filly foal means that the foal is female. Definition of Filly A female horse under four years of age is called a filly....

Horses have a much better sense of smell than we humans. If you've ever ridden a horse on the trail, that dropped its head to sniff its way along because other horses have been on the same trail, you'll know that they get much more information out of a smell than we do. They aren't as good at scent recognition as a dog, but they are able to identify predators and other horses by their smell....

What size of Western saddle seat will you need? Well, that depends. Not the answer you wanted to hear, right? Let's explain why this seemingly simple question isn't so straightforward. General Rules to Follow First, start with some general rules of thumb for proper western saddle seat size for the rider: Keep in mind that Western saddle seat size refers to rider fit and has nothing to do with how the saddle fits the horse....

A number of things can make horses stressed, like being alone, loading and riding in a trailer, veterinary care, farrier work, preparing for and going to shows, changes in weather, changes in the people caring for them, changes in routine such as a new stall or differing feeding schedule, stall rest due to injury or illness, and a stressed handler or rider....

There are many reasons why a horse's breed registration papers can be lost. For instance, if the horse has been bought and sold several times, a previous owner might neglect to pass along the papers. Or sometimes paperwork simply goes astray. Also, unscrupulous sellers might pair the papers with a similar horse to increase its value....

Eye injuries and infections are common in horses given the large size and prominence of their eyes. This is just one of the reasons you should check your horses-and not just from over the pasture fence-at least twice daily. With prompt treatment, many eye problems can be brought under control within a few days....

One of the most common questions people ask when buying a horse is: Am I too big for this horse? The size of the horse should be proportional to the rider, but weight alone is not the only factor to consider. Height and riding skill comes into play when it comes to making the horse's job easier and the rider feel secure and comfortable....

Horses are healthiest and happiest outdoors in their pastures. There are a number of reasons why your horse should be outside as much as possible. Although many horses will clamor to come into a stable during nasty weather, it's important that they live outdoors as much as possible. Sometimes keeping your horse confined in a stall is necessary, such as when a veterinarian prescribes stall rest....

The sleeping habits of horses are quite different than humans. Most human sleep is usually a long, single stretch-about eight hours in a 24-hour day. Horses doze for various periods during the day and have short bouts of deep sleep lying down in the middle of the night. Horse's sleeping patterns change depending on their age....

When an apparently healthy horse suddenly dies for no obvious reason, it can leave you feeling confused as well as bereaved. Although a rare occurrence, this could happen to an otherwise healthy adult horse. Here are a few of the more common reasons why this could happen. Ruptured Aorta Julian Herbert/Getty Images The aorta is the large main artery that comes directly from the heart and distributes blood to the rest of the body....

Is your mare in foal? The gestation period of a female horse is approximately eleven months. For the first several months, it will not be obvious if a mare is carrying a foal. If you suspect your mare is in foal, it is essential she is cared for properly right from the beginning of her pregnancy, for her own health and the health of the foal....

Here are the most common names for each part of the horse. These are sometimes called the points of the horse. When you talk about horses, evaluate their conformation, or work with them, it's essential that you know how to identify and say or write the correct words for each part. Scroll through the photographs for a closer look at each body part....

A concentrate is any mixture of grains, cereals, and minerals used to supplement a horse or pony diet. Concentrates can contain only one or several combinations of ingredients designed to enhance the condition of horses, whether for weight gain, growth, energy for work, or general overall health. Here's a look at common supplements fed to horses....

Horses are such fascinating creatures. Even if you never learned to ride one, you could spend your whole life studying them and still have plenty to explore. Here are 15 interesting facts about horses. Horses Sleep Standing Up Daniel Valla Frps / Getty Images Yes, horses do sleep standing up! They sleep laying down too, but only for short times....

Versatile, noble, and with a smooth, enjoyable gaits, the Azteca excels in countless disciplines today. You're likely to find this horse competing in dressage, exploring the trails, or working hard on a cattle ranch. This athletic breed is sensible, hardy, and agile, and while it once hailed from Mexico, this breed has become highly popular among American riders, too....

A wither tracing of your horse's wither and back area can help you with saddle fitting. Here's how to make a wither tracing that you can take with you to buy a saddle. While a tracing won't ensure that a saddle will fit, it does help you make the first decision: is the saddle worth taking home and trying on the horse....

It is important to learn to tie your horse safely. When you tie your horse, you should either use quick release snaps or a quick release knot. With a quick release knot, you will be able to free your horse from wherever it is tied should it become anxious and struggle against the rope. This is a much safer way of tying a horse than with a knot that is tough to come undone....

Overview Total Time: 60 mins Many older horse books state that you should clean our saddles every time you use them. However, that may not be practical. How often you clean your saddle may depend on how it is used. If you only use your saddles on weekends for leisurely pleasure rides, you might not need to clean your saddle as frequently as someone who participates in a sport where the saddle is exposed to sweat, mud, and dirt regularly such as distance riding or cross-country jumping....

Have you taken your bridle apart for a good cleaning? Putting your bridle back together isn't complicated. These instructions are for putting together an English bridle, but many western bridles are similar. Start by doing up the buckles that hold the reins in the center. Western reins may not have a buckle, so just set them to the side for now....

To put a bridle on a horse, start with your horse--halter on and safely tied. You may have him in cross-ties or tied with a lead rope with a panic snap or quick-release knot. Some people like to have their horses untied, but that can be a problem in public stables where there are a lot of people around....