Archive for the ‘Horse Saddles’ Category
Horses and the Economy Part 2
No one likes to dwell on a down economy and a tight budget, but its lasting impact may turn out to be a positive one. All in all, it’s a great time for horse and dog owners to discover new opportunities.
Everyone has had to make sacrifices for their animals. You also see more and shelters being filled up as Some simply let their animals loose in the streets or ignore them and abandon them altogether.
I have seen many horses being given away as the owners are in a foreclosure status on their homes. It is so sad to see so many displaced animals much less the people who love them.
I’ve heard from veterinarians, breeders, and barn managers but now I want to hear from you. Where have you cut costs? How creative have you gotten? Share some of your tips and tricks by commenting on this blog
Some of the things that I have heard people doing are bartering for services. This eliminates the output of cash and build a better business community. If this is what you choose to do remember not to sell yourself short.
Also the time has come to get back to the basics. Horse grooming for instance can be done by you and save hundreds of dollars per year.
This blog will take a look at a different component of owning a horse and suggest ways you can cut costs and save money. I would like your advice and suggestions from you via the comment section.
I have already written about the pros and cons of synthetic vs traditional western saddles. Check out the blog and give me your thoughts on that subject as well.
How have you dealt with the economy and your animals?
Saddles-Old versus New
I don’t know about you but when I grew up the saddles were completely leather the saddle pads were very simple and not decorative. Plain Jane type tack and saddle, snaffle versus straight bit. Of course you had to take care of what you had but everything seemed so much simpler when it came to choices.
Now you have still have the leather saddles but also saddles that are made of synthetic materials or a combination of the two.
A lot of what you purchase will also depend on how you ride.
Obviously good materials and good quality are essential in all gear. But has anyone tried both? There are pros and cons to all types and it can get confusing and costly for a beginner to figure it out.
In conducting minor research on the different models I found that
Synthetic is:
Lightweight
Easy to keep clean
Sometimes less expensive
Durable
Leather
Deeper seat
Heavier
Care needed
Durable if cared for
Your thoughts?
To Blanket or Not to Blanket
That is the question
Horse blankets are usually used while a horse is in the pasture, in a stall or trailer. There are blankets made for all weather conditions. Heavy blankets are normally made with a canvas type material and then lined. Some are water resistant but not necessarily water proof. There are light weight horse blankets that are made of a canvas material with no liner and may be water resistant but not water proof. Spring or fall horse blankets are made with a water proof material.
The blankets can also be used to keep the horse from growing a winter coat in the winter.
Horse Halter Training
I am not going to tell you that my way is the right way or the only way to train your horse on halter use. I will tell you that it is best to start them as young as possible. Although a horse of any age can be halter broken; but the older they are, the more time and effort it may take.
As with any training it helps if you have spent some time with the horse to get to know his temperament. If they are not use to people and touch, it is best to start off very slowly. Let them get use to your presence and touch before introducing the halter.
Let the horse become accustomed to the look, feel and smell of the halter and it will make it easier for you to introduce it over the head. Let him smell the halter and get used to it being around. Horses like to have time to become familiar with new things, just like humans or any other animal. Once the horse seems satisfied that the halter is not going to hurt him, slip it on him.
Once you get the halter on, attach the lead rope and lead the horse around. Be patient. You may have to pull and tug a little to get the horse use to following you. After a while, when you feel your horse is comfortable with the halter and lead, take the halter off and put it back on. The more your horse sees that it is not going to injure them and that they can trust you the easier it will be to put it on in the future. It may only take a few times to succeed.
Step Up to Your Horse Tack Box
Tired of walking back and forth to get your tools? I have been in that position. I forget something and I have to keep walking back and forth to the barn to get it. Not fun when you are trying to get something accomplished. Horse supplies are not always in the right place at the right time.
Have you, no matter how hard you try to remember it all, you just seem to accidently leave something important at home when traveling with your horse(s)? I have.
Have you spent a lot of time just looking for all the important things you need to bring with you when you travel with your horse? I have.
I have found the most convenient thing to have, even when I have traveled. It is a step and a storage area in one. Actually it’s called Mounting Steps. It’s great for being able to comb the mane without having to reach up for a long period of time or have the inability to do so. We all know how long it could take to comb a mane or tail.
The steps can come in 2 or 3 step versions. But I absolutely love the 3 step version that has a lockable storage area in the top step. Whether I am traveling or at home it makes it a simple and easy solution to help keep my tools all in one place, when and where I need them. I especially like to keep the horse pick, grooming tools such as the curry comb and brushes. With the lockable top I can keep my supplies safe from others when I do have to travel. That saves me time and money.
I just wanted to give you one of my suggestions. Let me know what you think.