Horse Tack Archives - countyfairsusa.net

Getting The Right Horse Saddle For Your Horse

Ensuring that you select the right horse saddle is vital. It not only affects the position in which the rider will sit, and therefore can be beneficial in preventing backache or muscle pain, but it also affects the horse. No responsible horse owner would want their steed to be in discomfort and pain and so choosing the best saddle is very important. There are companies available who will measure your horse and recommend the saddles that they think are most appropriate but as with most things, this service costs money. I highly recommend this service as it ensures that you will not be causing any distress to your horse when you ride it. Once the correct horse saddle has been purchased it is important to remember that positioning the saddle on the horse’s back is also vital in ensuring your horse is comfortable when ridden. You have to learn how to saddle a horse. Three main muscles in the horse’s back can be affected by the use of a badly positioned saddle. It is important to familiarize yourself with these and their locations before attempting to position the saddle on your horse. This will give you an idea of where the saddle needs to sit to be most comfortable for the horse. Optimizing Horse Saddle Placement for Comfort and Health: In addition to the muscles which can be affected by the saddle, you must remember that the saddle is positioned on the horse’s back and so this can have an effect on the spine and its vertebrae. Remembering this should remind you of how important this lesson is and that you cannot afford to take risks with your horse if you want it to lead a long and painless life. It would help to find pictures of how a saddle should look on a horse when it fits well. Firstly, place the saddle on the horse’s back, forward of the wither. Once you have done this, slide it back along the back of the horse until it cannot comfortably go any further. This will vary dependent on the shape of the individual horse but the lowest point of the saddle should correspond to the lowest point of the horse’s back. If the horse saddle is in the correct position, the saddle tree will not be pressing on the scapula (the shoulder of the horse) but will rest in the natural grooves behind them. The most common mistake is to position the saddle too far forward and this [...]

Horse Shopping Is Easier If You Do This First

Horse Love Top 10 Things to do BEFORE you go horse shopping Buying a horse is a big commitment in both time and money. The emotional energy spent is a large factor as well. With so many horses for sale, how do you choose? If you buy a horse before you lay the correct groundwork, you run the risk of coming home with one that isn't suitable for you. At worst, he could be dangerous, and at best, you could easily spend a thousand dollars or more to get a professional trainer to correct the problems. Make a plan before you look at horses for sale and do these 10 basic steps first. 1. Take riding lessons for at least six months. Horse Shopping riding lessons will teach you the basics of control and the foundation for correct horsemanship. In addition to learning to ride a horse, you’ll also learn how to safely groom and handle one. You'll establish a relationship with a professional horse person in your area who knows you and who you can turn to for help if you need it. 2. Decide on the type of riding you want to do. There are many types of horse-shopping riding styles. The most basic are Western or English. Then you can break down those two styles into many subcategories. You don't have to make one choice exclusive of all others. Many people enjoy riding both styles and compete in both. Decide if you want a horse Shopping to trail ride and just enjoy having him or if you want to be competitive and show. 3. Horse's personality The type of personality you want for your horse depends a lot on the type of riding you want to do and also your personality. Some riders want a horse with a big engine and a lot of fire. Others like a horse Shopping to be quiet and laid back. It’s usually easier to get the laid-back one to rev his engine than to get a hot horse to relax. 4. Decide on what breed of horse you most want. Once you’ve decided on the type of riding you’re interested in and the type of personality you want your horse to have, the breed choice will become easier. Some breeds are associated with certain types of riding. For instance, a Thoroughbred or Warmblood breed is usually thought of for the Hunter/Jumper circuit or dressage. In the past, the Quarter Horse, Appaloosas, and Paints were thought of [...]