Looking For the Perfect Fit When Choosing Saddles/Horse Tack

The saddles/horse tack must be in perfect harmony with the horse and the rider; it must be comfortable for both, to ensure a safe ride and the horse's health. This is why it is imperative to get the perfect fit when choosing saddles/horse tack, it doesn't have to be custom made, although that does prove effective every-time, as long as the right one is chosen.

Remember that the saddles should not interfere with the movement of the horse's shoulders, and it shouldn't impose any pressure past the horse's last ribs, and that ideally the rider must be comfortably seated in the horse's centre of balance. If the fit is wrong there will be no amount of cushioning able to make up for a poor fit. So don't think that saddle blankets or pads will be of any help if you got it wrong.

Also, you must be aware that, even though a saddle might be a perfect fit for your horse and you now, that won't always be the case. As a horse gets older, fitter or slimmer, changes in its saddle will be necessary, so take this into account when choosing saddles/horse tack. You might want to go for one in which some changes can be made as time goes by. The English saddle is an example of a more easily altered type of saddle.

It is not only about styles, materials and prices when it is time to start choosing saddles/horse tack, it is about something that would fit you both. That is what I have been trying to explain, it won't be of any use to buy something that looks very pretty, if it would hurt your horse. It has to be as close as possible to being a perfect fit to make it comfortable for you and the horse.

Manufactures have great ranges of prices and designs that can be bought by you, but you need a retailer that can offer you the possibility of minor changes and adjustments. And when it comes to quality you can upgrade with time, as your horse gets a more definitive size and built.

If you are in the process of choosing saddles/horse tack now, I do recommend the English saddle, as I mention earlier they do allow more freedom of adjustments over the Western ones. And it is more likely that they would provide more comfort, even if not the perfect fit.

Make sure to get the right stable supplies for your horse, including horse saddles to make sure you and the horse are comfortable.

Tips on Buying Horse Saddles

Horse riding is one of the most desirable sports in the entire world and its growing popularity it has drawn millions of fans. There are a lot of people who enjoy watching the races and betting on the horses and jockeys have become a common thing. To ride a horse it is imperative that you buy a horse saddle. This is the only way you will be able to ride comfortably.

There are different types available in the market today. You can choose one that suits your style and that you think is comfortable. So the choice really depends on you. You also need to learn how to tie it to the horse. You also need to take the animal into consideration before buying one, because you won't be able to ride it properly unless it is comfortable in what is being put on it.

Make sure that you set a budget before buying one because they can be very expensive to buy one. you need to check out the various types available before you settle on one. this way you will be able to get what you want easily. you will have to take someone help while buying one. this will help you make a better choice.

If you have no idea where to buy one from you can browse through the various websites selling these. you may even get these for the best deals online. All you need to do is shop around a bit and buy one that is right.

Save 20% now on all horse saddles store wide. We feature all types of western saddles from Circle Y Saddlery & High Horse Saddles. A resource for horse saddle.

Snake Bites in Horses

Horses are most commonly bitten by poisonous snakes, such as rattlesnakes, copperheads and coral snakes, in the spring and summer months. Horses at pasture are often bitten on the nose and head. Bites to the head and nose are true medical emergencies. These may cause swelling of the nose and surrounding tissue, making it difficult for the horse to breathe. Bites to the legs are less common and less serious, and usually occur during rides through snake-infested areas. In addition to swelling, the venom causes tissue destruction and blood clotting problems.

If Your Horse is Bitten by a Snake

1. If you see or hear snake when riding, move away from the area.
2. If you think your horse has been bitten, move away from the area, dismount and examine the legs for blood, swelling or puncture marks.
3. Slowly hand walk the horse back to the stable or trailer.
4. Keep the horse calm.

Treatment of Snake Bites

If you are unsure whether your horse was bitten, clip the hair on the legs and examine for dark oozing blood, puncture holes (1 or 2), swelling or discoloration of the wound area. If you find a snake bite after clipping away the hair, apply cold packs to the area. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, as this will freeze the skin and further damage the tissue. You may be initially unable to determine if your horse has been bitten. Observe your horse's legs or muzzle for 1-2 hours for signs of swelling, blood, or discoloration. Medical treatment involves the use of antibiotics to prevent infection at the bite site and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.

Keep Your Horse Comfortable in Cold Weather

Horses are beautiful and adaptive animals. However, they are warm-blooded creatures that get cold in the wintertime. Almost every state in the U.S. experiences weather that is cold enough for horses to need horse blankets when the temperatures drop. While horse stalls offer sufficient shelter from wind, rain, and snow, a stall is not always an adequate barrier against bone chilling cold, particularly for older animals.

Think seriously about how cold the environment gets and for how many months of the year the temperatures are low enough to cause discomfort. This will help you determine the type and weight of the horse blanket needed. The colder the weather the more likely it is that your horse will need a fitted blanket with head and neck coverage. Winter blankets for horses will provide protection from cold, wind, and rain. They come in a variety of configurations, weights and sizes. Just make sure you measure your horse before you order a blanket for him.

Weatherbeeta horse blankets are well known for their versatility and durability. This manufacturer has thirty years experience in the blanketing industry. They feature a large selection of blanket options. Weatherbeeta specializes in protecting these majestic animals against the elements. There are also several other well-respected manufacturers in the horse blanket business, like Treadstones, Saxons, Rambo, Amigo and others.

These blankets for horses can be purchased at most farm supply stores, tack supply stores or online. Correct measurements are essential to obtaining an accurate fit. This is especially pertinent with the fitted blankets that include neck and head covers. There are also loose one size fits all types of blankets. These are easy to fit and can be used on more than one horse, so having a couple of these around the stable is a good idea. These versatile blankets are essential in a stable located in the colder regions of the world.

Particularly when you have an older horse, it is important to keep that horse warm and comfortable in colder temperatures. Arthritis can worsen in the cold. Another tip to keeping your older horse comfortable in winter is to supply the horse with joint supplements for horses, particularly when winter strikes, but also leading up to the colder weather to make sure the horse is as comfortable as possible when the North winds begin to blow. Keep them warm and their joints functioning smoothly so you can be ready to ride when the season changes again.

Barrel Horse Training

Barrel horses are mostly stubborn, ringy, and they hardly listen to their riders. Because of this, many horse trainers have second thoughts in training them. If you were given a chance to train barrel horses, will you take up the challenge?

Well trained barrel horses have a cutting edge, ready to run barrels, and most especially, they have high energies. However, there is no reason for you to treat barrel horses like machines. Treating animals kindly is very important and there should be no room for cruelty.

You don’t need to train your horse to run barrels everyday. During the training, why don’t you try doing other things like trail rides? Taking your horse out for a ride, doing nothing and just having fun is an excellent training tool as well. By spending a fun time with your horse, your animal friend will be reassured that his life is not just about barrel racing; and that he can do fun things as well. This is another good way of using up your horses extra energy.

Consider putting yourself in your horse’s place. If you are required to work everyday, you will soon feel bored and exhausted. You will end up stressed out. The same thing happens to your horse. If you work him out everyday, he will eventually feel upset and uninterested.

During training, you need to train your horse to jump on the barrels. When you notice that your horse is tired, take him in front of the barrel and stop. Just stand and rest in front of the barrel. This gives your horse time to look around. He can explore the rest of the arena without actually running around. This breaks up the pattern of just running and jumping all day long.

As a horse trainer, you should learn a lot about your horse. You need to treat him as a friend. Every day, when you go out training, make your horse feel that he’s still your friend; spend time together without actually working out the lessons.

Before starting out the training sessions, make sure that you know a great deal about the barrel horses. You can read books, magazines, or other online resources. You must be aware that in order to become a good trainer, you must continue learning. By working with your horses, you will also learn a lot of things from him. Always keep in mind that horses should be treated kindly. You can’t get him to follow you by constant whipping or hitting. Being cruel to horses and other animals are punishable by law. As a trainer, you should have patience whether you’re handling your own horse or that of others. Make sure that the horse will not encounter any injury during the training sessions.

All the equipments you’ll need in barrel horse training should be ready. Make the environment an ideal place to learn for the horse. Bonding is usually the first step to training the horse. When your horse is already comfortable with you around, you can now introduce the lessons. Training your horse takes time and you need to invest a lot of energy, time, and effort. By being patient and determined, you can train your horse to become one of the best barrel horses ever.

Good luck with your training. Soon, you will see your horses competing in the various barrel events
.