Tack and Equipment – The Tie Rail

Bits

This is a really hard question, mostly because there are so many possibilities and never one easy answer.
Let’s break it down: If it works, it’s usually a good idea.

[x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text][/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section][x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0 0 0 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px… Continue reading How to Pony a Horse

2 Knots

There are 2 knots… that I think are a must to know if you have or work with horses. But the first thing I want to stress is the importance of watching your fingers. Fingers get caught in knots, when they do you lose them. Don’t put your fingers in any loop – ever. Hold the… Continue reading 2 Knots

Saddling a Horse: Western Saddle

No matter what kind of saddle you’re using, remember to go through your saddling checklist: Pads eat horses (or at least horses think they do). So don’t just swing it all over the place. Keep it close to your body and place it carefully on your horse’s back. Be gentle. Don’t just throw, plop, or slap… Continue reading Saddling a Horse: Western Saddle

Taking Care of Your Tack: How to Clean and Store a Saddle Pad

So you’ve just ridden your horse. There was fun, laughter, and lots of sweat. Now you’re unsaddled and putting away your tack—the tack you’re (probably) going to put back on your horse the next time you ride. Presumably you like your horse. You paid a lot of money for him, and you enjoy riding him… Continue reading Taking Care of Your Tack: How to Clean and Store a Saddle Pad

The Truth about Horses and Water

How much water should a horse drink? Depending on who you talk to, horses should drink anywhere from 5–12 gallons of water per day. And, since a horse’s stomach can only hold 2–3 gallons of water or food at any given moment, that amount is spread out over the course of the day. So, taking an average of… Continue reading The Truth about Horses and Water

Simple Horse Bridling

Bridling a horse can be pretty painless, but there are a few things you should always keep in mind: Prepare and figure out your bridle before you approach your horse. It’s like homework. Get it done before you go to hand it in. Never bridle a horse while he’s tied to something. If something unexpected… Continue reading Simple Horse Bridling

Basic Grooming

So many tools…hoof picks, dandy brushes, body brushes, curry combs, shedding blades and vacuums. What’s a girl to do? Here is a basic guide on how to get a horse ready to ride. We’re not talking competition grooming, we’re not even talking nice-restaurant clean, but we are talking clean enough and thorough enough for everyday… Continue reading Basic Grooming

How to Swing Up on a Horse – With a Saddle

DON’T DO THIS. But if you want to, this is how you can. But… DON’T DO IT. Below is a brief how-to. Stop laughing and press play.

Hoof Picks

So many options, what’s a girl to do? Well I have my favorites. Below are the top 2 and the bottom 2. Please take my word on the bottom 2 and don’t waste your money trying to prove me wrong, ok? I’m not. These stink. So get one of the top 2. And seriously just get the top pick of picks, it’s the best option and cheap too.

All About Hooves

Let me tell ya, picking a horse’s hooves is one incredibly important thing to do. And you can’t do it enough. Those feet are your only connection with the ground when you’re on your horse’s back so take good care of ’em. Doesn’t mater if your horse has shoes or is barefoot one of… Continue reading All About Hooves

Picking a Hoof

Just Bought a Horse?

So you just bought a horse. Now what? If this is your first horse you probably have nothing but a horse and maybe a halter. Well here’s a list of the essentials. Go to the store and spend more money. If you bought a horse you probably have more than you know what to do… Continue reading Just Bought a Horse?

Trail Riding

Trail riding can give you some of the most wonderful experiences you’ll ever have on a horse. On a great ride, you can experience some of the greatest things about working with and riding horses: interaction with nature, the power of the horse, a great controlled and totally connected trot or canter, good conversation or just… Continue reading Trail Riding

Feeding

Good lord this is a hard one. Once again remember the incomparably smart words of my better half: “I’m a firm believer in whatever works….” –CA Here’s the basic breakdown: How much food? ~2% of the horse’s body weight per day in total feed. What kind? This is where it really gets sticky. But basically for a… Continue reading Feeding

Helmet, Rope, Boot

[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]Helmet\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”5″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”6″ ][cs_element_text _id=”7″ ][cs_content_seo]Troxel Sport It’s really hard to know where to start when looking for your first helmet. There are a lot of companies that sell ’em so if your looking for an inexpensive, good looking and safe helmet . . . The… Continue reading Helmet, Rope, Boot

Online Resources

PARELLI’S ONLINE RESOURCE http://www.parelli.com/articlestips.html This is a great place to look through some of the best training articles on the net. When you find a place like this, it’s hard not to spend the whole afternoon reading. HORSETRADER.COM http://www.horsetrader.com/ Looking to buy a horse? Thinking about it? Look here first. Start searching, see what’s out… Continue reading Online Resources

Reading materials

CHA COMPOSITE HORSEMANSHIP MANUAL The Certified Horsemanship Association has one of the most comprehensive and well organized manuals out there. It’s really too bad that more people don’t know about this. It’s organized into four sections that will take you from novice through advanced riding. I’ve found this to be my go-to manual for 20… Continue reading Reading materials

Western Saddles

[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_image _id=”4″ ][cs_element_text _id=”5″ ][cs_content_seo]2 Things… When looking at western saddles, people can get overwhelmed with options. Trail, endurance, roper, show, reining, cutting, shooting, barrel racing, ranch, training. 7/8, 3/4, full. Semi-Quarter Horse, Full Quarter Horse… 1) Does it fit the horse? Most important. Too many people buy a… Continue reading Western Saddles