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When I had my own horse it was one of the happiest times of my life. While there was a lot of work involved in keeping my horse elated and healthy, every job was literally a labor of love. The ultimate reward is that feeling inside your heart when your own horse calls to you and rubs her head on your shoulder as you stand next to her.

I have always loved horses and now that I am horse-less, I spend a lot of time thinking about them. One of my favorite times of year is Halloween and thinking about all the fun costumes to dress a horse in. I have written one long, detailed article “Halloween Costume Ideas for Your Horse and Yourself” which you can read here. After I wrote that particular article though, ideas honest kept popping into my mind and I realized that I needed to write another article on Halloween horse costume ideas for horses and their riders.

Since I continue to have so many different Halloween costume ideas for horses, this article will focus on Halloween costume ideas for spotted horses. If you own or lease a horse that is one of the color breeds who have spots such as Paint, pinto, leopard Appaloosa or Knabstrupper, then I have five relatively simple Halloween costume ideas for your horse; Paint by Number, Connect the Dots, Measles quarantine, Holstein cow and Dalmatian dog.

Halloween Costume Ideas for Spotted Horses #1: Paint by Number

If you have a pinto or Paint horse with a tobiano or overo pattern, you can make use of that fabulous pattern to create a very easy “Paint by Number” Halloween costume. All you will need is your horse and stick-on numbers that are easily seen from about fifteen feet or more away. Place a number on each patch of color on your horse and your horses’ Halloween costume is done.

Now it’s time for your coordinating costume as an artist. You will need a loose shirt with long sleeves and pants which you have splashed and smeared paint on in a few areas. Add one paint brush and artists’ palette and you are now an artist riding your paint by number horse art creation!

Halloween Costume Ideas for Spotted Horses #2: Connect the Dots

You can create a “connect the dots” Halloween costume for your horse if you have an Appaloosa or Knabstrupper horse with a leopard pattern. This works for horses whose coats have that flea-bitten look as well. All you need to do is win a marker or paint that will easily wash out of your horses coat and then use it to connect the dots on several areas of your horse’s body. If you are riding your horse, obviously you will be unable to connect the dots on your horse’s torso where the saddle will be but you can connect the dots on your horse’s shoulders, neck, hips and even face. Exercise a bright color marker or paint and connect the dots in some sort of pattern.

You can also wrap your horses legs in several different colored leg wraps to make it look like pencils or crayons on his legs. The main color wrap can be yellow with a pink eraser (wrap) at the top and then a tan or peach color wrap at the bottom to look like the inside of the pencil. The “lead” of the pencil can be a piece of electrical tape attached at the bottom to look like the lead. The leg wraps are optional but a cute touch.

Your coordinating Halloween costume can be your favorite riding outfit along with a giant “marker” in the color you used to create the connect the dot pattern on your horse. This giant marker can be created with the cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels, stuffed with newspaper and covered with construction paper in a color that will do your marker look authentic. The tip of your homemade marker can be created from any round object covered in either construction paper or colored electrical tape and attached at the waste of your giant cardboard tube.

Halloween Costume Ideas for Spotted Horses #3: Measles Quarantine

The measles quarantine Halloween costume plan is for the same horses as idea #2; Appaloosa or Knabstrupper horses with a leopard pattern. The idea for this costume is simple; the spots on your horse’s coat suggest that he has measles or chicken pox. Create a sign that says “Quarantine: This horse has measles” and hang it around your horse’s neck so it rests on his chest. Cut out a large piece of cardboard from a box or use foam core poster board in a square or rectangular shape. Use a bright black or red marker or paint to write the words so they can be easily read from a distance. Punch a hole at the top corner of each side of the trace, tie cord in each hole and attach around your horse’s neck. If necessary, you can enhance your horse’s spots with washable red non-toxic paint.

To create your coordinating costume, dress as a doctor or nurse in green surgical scrubs and mask. Wear a stethoscope around your neck and carry a doctor bag with MD stenciled on it. You can spend the doctor bag toy that is made by Fisher Designate Toys available from Toys ‘R’ Us. It includes all the doctor tools such as a stethoscope, thermometer and more. Or you can expend any handheld black bag and stencil MD on the front of it.

Halloween Costume Ideas for Spotted Horses #4: Holstein Cow

Obviously a black and white Holstein cow Halloween costume will work best for a Paint or pinto horse that is already black and white. In fact you won’t need to do anything to your horse except for attaching a giant pink udder. For safety’s sake, I suggest you add the pink udder to your saddle blanket so that it hangs near your horse’s underbelly. Reduce two pieces of pink felt in an udder pattern shape which consists of a colossal circle with four hanging teats. Make it big so that when you attach one fraction of the udder shape to each side of your horse, on your saddle blanket, it will hang down far enough to look like an udder.

Your coordinating Halloween costume can go either one of two different ways. You can dress as a milk maid with your hair in braids and in a dress or you can dress as a farmer in blue overalls. You will need a metal milk pail for both costumes. Write the word milk on it with paint.

Halloween Costume Ideas for Spotted Horses #5: Dalmatian Dog

This costume idea will work best for horses with a leopard Appaloosa coat pattern. If your horse’s spots are black, that’s even better though there are liver-colored Dalmatians so if your horses spots are a shade of brown, this costume idea will work for your horse. Create a giant “dog” collar for your horse out of red fabric. If you have the proper tools, you can originate it out of red fake leather but this is more difficult so I suggest using a thick red fabric or red felt. Cut a wide strip, about five inches wide and long enough to go all the way around your horse’s neck. Attach a Velcro fastener or other fastener so the “collar” will stay around your horse’s neck. Next, crop out a large round circle (you can exercise a large bowl as a guide for a perfect circle) from foam core poster board and write your horse’s name on it with gloomy marker. Punch a hole in the circle “trace” and using twine, attach the tag to the collar.

To go along with your Dalmatian horse, you can dress yourself as a Dalmatian too by using a white t-shirt and sad felt pen to make spots on it and then creating a collar for yourself out of the same red fabric and foam core poster board you used to create your horse’s ‘”dog” collar.

The Halloween costume ideas for horses in this article are basic and simple but only if you have a spotted horse such as a Paint, pinto, leopard Appaloosa or Knabstrupper. By using one of these five Halloween costume ideas for your horse, perhaps you will even win a ribbon at your local Halloween horse show this year.

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Having a cat that can get over stimulated quickly, and turn around and bite you can be a difficult thing to deal with. Or what if your cat is timid and jumpy and runs every time someone moves. There are ways to help him or her out, but your cat may not always overcome it.

There is nothing wrong with having such a cat, if you can handle it. Be wary though of having a cat that is easily over stimulated or aggressive if you are going to have it around children, especially if they are easily frightened.

I have two cats: one is relaxed, loves people, and isn’t startled when she hears things. She just basically snoozes, plays, and socializes fearlessly. My other cat however is jumpy, nips, and rebels when he is overly bored or feels neglected. When I am trying to work on my computer and am not actively petting him at all times when he is on my lap, he gets mad and goes around my apartment pawing at my TV, computer cover, and windows. But he has greatly improved his behavior but it took action on my part too to help him out.

Give Your Cat Attention When He’s Estimable. Ignore Him When He’s Bad.

Never yell at your cat, especially ones that are jumpy. One good solution to this is when your cat is naughty to emphasize that you will not give him any attention if he acts up. If ignoring isn’t good enough and he’s nipping at your hands (as mine does) put him in another room and shut the door. But only do this for a few minutes. It will be long enough. Please do not forget about your cat in the room. Basically the message you are trying to give your cat is, “If you are going to be nippy and mean, I will not give you attention.”

Basically, this is a short time out. It’ll let him cool off some steam.

Realize Cats Get Angry and Resentful: Find Out What is Causing Their Grudge

Some cats will soil your carpet, some will knock things over while you are away, and others will be more aggressive. On the flip side, some may just ignore you. Cats are not like dogs in this manner. Dogs are diminutive better about being happy to see you no matter what. Cats will be revengeful, and even hold grudges.

If you have to be away for a while at work, construct clear your cat has everything he needs. Don’t be afraid to leave a little laundry on the floor. Your scent will help remind them that you are coming home.

My cat has so considerable built up energy when he sees me after I’ve been gone for work that he doesn’t know how to be gentle. Having a second cat helps because it gives him someone to socialize with so he doesn’t engage it out all on you. Two cats can still cause a lot of mess together if they get into mischief.

Soiling the carpet or your clothes may not always be a revengeful act. You may have to look into if your cat has a bladder infection or some other health pickle causing this. They may be trying to stammer you something.

Make Sure He Has Something To Do

Cats don’t sleep all the time. I notify my cats are up all hours of the day, and when the lights go out that’s when the real party begins. Don’t automatically assume your cat is going to be joyful with a comfy bed. They need something to hold their attention, otherwise they’ll have all sorts of built up energy and not know what to do with themselves.

My cats like stuffed toys and balls. I have a catnip rug, but I am careful about catnip because too much catnip sometimes overstimulates my male cat, causing him to be more aggressive. I also am careful with toys with strings and small pieces. A lot of cats are, for lack of a better word, stupid with not getting tangled up or getting little pieces of their toy in their mouth.

Perhaps It’s Time For a Second Cat

This should only be used if you know not only you can financially handle another cat, but if your living set is suitable. Many apartments only allow one cat. A second cat has helped release a lot of energy out of my male cat. Now by the time he gets to me, all he wants to do is snuggle. Another cat is double the litter mess, double the cost, double the trouble, but at the same time be a unbelievable addition.

I can’t imagine things without my second cat. It has helped calm the nerves and aggression out of my male cat significantly. They still have their territorial battles, but my home seems like a happier home. The extra scooping is a dinky price to pay for all the love she gives me other cat, and the play time she gives him, and all the cuddles she gives everyone she meets. The second cat also helped sooth the timidness of my other cat.

Now what about that timid cat? He may always be timid to some extent, but you can help him. There are a lot of reasons why a cat may be timid. Perhaps he is feral and had very little human interaction. Perhaps he was slightly abused and had a dreadful past. Maybe your cat was the exiguous and was always picked or neglected.

Stop Enthralling, or Find His Favorite Toys to Bring During a Move

I moved multiple times in three years, and each time it put a strain on my cat. He always crouched around the new apartment sniffing his surroundings as he checked out the new place. Being stable in the same location will help your cat over time calm down and feel more relaxed. Since I was always moving or taking him to my parents with me, he saw the cat carrier as an evil thing. When he heard the cat carrier, or even saw me get my shoes on he’d hurry.

It has been a long time since he has gone anywhere, except to the vet when he was sick and since then he doesn’t mind when I put my shoes on. He is relaxed, and not afraid he’s going to have to ‘go somewhere new’ again.

If it is not possible for you to discontinue in one state for long, contemplate having a blanket or a stuffed toy that your cat likes, that has his and your scent on it, that you always have for every move. For my cat, it was a microscopic baby sized blanket and a stuffed toy cat that was always immediately laid out when we were at a new location. He immediately latched onto those items and it helped him feel more at home.

Your first objective when releasing your cat from his cat carrier to the new home is to unpack his approved toys that will perform him feel safe and at home.

Use Your Inside Voice

Now I know it isn’t always possible to keep your dwelling completely quiet when needing to vacuum or use a blender, but there are things in you that you can keep in control of. I noticed that any heightened volume of my voice causes my cat to become afraid and nervous. Even when he is biting, yelling will either cause him to run away or bite harder because he is afraid.

He never bites hard enough to break the skin but I know I have to still be cautious with him. I used another approach that has helped me. I talk him through it. If I yell I would only startle him and cause him to lose some trust with me. Instead give him a chance to snap out of his mood and consume a gentle voice. If this doesn’t work after awhile I resort to a time out, but the time outs are basically far past us now as he normally can be talked through his mood. The key here is to never do anything to startle your timid cat because it will break the trust, even when he’s naughty.

Never Ever Hit

Hitting a cat is impartial not proper. Cats are selfish animals for the most allotment. As much as I love my cats, I believe this to be good. They will love you, cuddle, and be a astronomical pet for you, yes. But they also hold grudges. They may not remember why they’re holding a grudge against you, but they still will. A unnerved cat will never get over his timidness, and a nice cat may become stunned, if he is struck. If he soiled on your carpet or you come home to a shattered vase, hitting the cat will do nothing. He’ll have no idea why you’re hitting him, but instead fair see you as a threat. Hitting will only cause timidness and aggression in your pet.

Associate Yourself With Their Food

Calling your kitty to eat when opening a can of food or giving them a few pats on the head when their eating to display you’re the one that feeds them can help. If nothing else your timid cat will at least begin coming out and looking for you when he’s hungry. Some cats are very territorial over their food, so if your cat is growling while he eats just leave him be.

Sit At Their Level, Have Fun With Your Cat

Allow your cat to also associate you with fun and play time. Find a toy they might like, such as a wand with a string and feather and play with them. Some cats simply enjoy stalking things under a newspaper that you proceed around under it. Don’t make many sudden movements, but move quietly with your cat. Even reward his play time with a treat. And never underestimate the power of a gentle voice, or even meowing at your cat. Cats love it when you at least try, even though you may sound silly or feel strange doing it. If you feel really weird about it, objective do it when you’re alone with them. They will begin to build a trust with you as not only their playmate, but their friend.

Cats objective like to feel comfortable and safe. They are not as human loyal as perhaps a dog would be. An overstimulated and petrified (timid) cat takes a lot of time and patience to work with. The main key to remember is to not to do anything abrupt or loud that might frighten them, and give them a lot of attention when they are behaving. Don’t be afraid to talk to your kitty, many talk back. And others are quieter, but are trying to remark you something, you just have to listen.

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With Halloween appropriate close to the corner, I have pulled together some remarkable homemade costume strategies. Most are for youngsters but could effortlessly be for adults also. Homemade costumes constantly win all the contest and every thing. Why? Well thats simple, its distinctive and you can place your own personal touch to it. This way you do not end up looking like everybody else.

Puppy Trainer who has been attacked
Get an antique stuffed puppy  and sew its mouth to the arm of an unwanted shirt. This will make it look and feel like the canine is biting you. Site a name tag that says Bills Puppy Training. Reduce some little slits throughout the shirt and pants. Add some fake blood in spots and your prepared.

Q-Tip
I have seen this on minimal children and just adore it. Puff up your hair and spay it white. Or if you can locate a cheep white puffed up wig that would work to. Put on a blue sweat go well with. Then wrap your sneakers in cotton.

Vampire Devil
Get an outdated purple dress for girls, purple shirt and black pants for the boys. Use some former pink material for a tail and pin it to the outfit. Good old crimson boots or even black ones would glance very good. If you want to go further you could decide to purchase some cheep vampire teeth and a pitch fork (sold at most dollar stores) and your accomplished.

Smarty pants
This a single is magnificent, if your kid thinks he/she is a know it all. Use any outfit you feel would appear cute. Decide to purchase a bunch of rolls of smartie candy. Tap the rolls of candy up and down the pants.

Farmer (for the tiny ones)
This a single is remarkable if your little one wont last lengthy walking and you have a wagon thats attainable. Have your small a single place on some overalls and a plaid flannel shirt. Some boots if offered and a straw hat. Tie a bandanna close to the base of the hat. Add some freckles to your small an individual. Fill the wagon with some hay, spot some stuffed animals in there on top of the hay. Have the tiny 1 sit on the hay and off you go.

Construction worker
This a single is excellent for tiny boys. I haven’t met a boy yet who doesn’t adore tools. Set your boy in some dirty jeans and a flannel shirt. reduce the sleeves off the flannel shirt (if its cold when you trick or treat area a thermal extended sleeve shirt underneath) and  Brownish working boots. Use an Older wide belt and connect some tools to it. Clip an used cell phone or walkie talkie to it , add a challenging hat and hes prepared to go.

Skunk
This a single you will will need an all black hooded sweat go well with. Black gloves and black sneakers/boots. To make the strip down the back use some white furry kind cloth. Minimize a very long strip and glue it down the back. Also lower an oval out of the exact same material and glue it to the front.

Bear
Put on a brownish sweat go well with or other brownish clothes. The shirt wants to have a hood with it. Make some ears out of felt and glue to the hood of shirt. Cover your sneakers in brownish or black fake fur. Add some brownish gloves and your set.

Mummy
Take an aged sheet and slice it into strips. Dye it in tea so it gets that antique appearance to it. Glue the strips to the unwanted pants, shirt and footwear. You can also use a ski mask for the face and glue the strips to this.

Hope these support you. Keep in mind to be Secure and have fun.

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