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Saddle Fitting, What's More Important, Horse or Rider?
Posted On 23-11-2009 , 9:08 AM
I am always surprised at people when they purchase a saddle it seems like their biggest concern is if the saddle will fit them. I see all these used saddles for sale on line in the descriptions they say 16" seat and go on to describe the saddle color, tooling, maker, and more. What they seem to fail to mention is what are the measurements to the parts that meet the horse? The size gullet, the spread of the bars, the skirt length. These are very important factors as to if the saddle is going to work for you and your horse. If your horse is uncomfortable he won't be enjoying the ride like you, and our fit can usually be adjusted, stirrup length and even seat size can be made smaller with a tush cushion. I agree seat size is very important and proper stirrup length is very important but other than that it has to fit the horse. So many horses are suffering in quiet pain, some are acting out and misunderstood, some are just nervous, sweating profusely and chomping at the bit. Then I hear, "I don't have white spots so my saddle must fit". I want to tell you a personal story about white hairs. When my saddle did not fit and what it took for the white hairs to show. No amount of saddle pad can correct a poor fitting saddle and in some cases can make the fit worse. Consider when you purchase your next saddle you try a bare tree fit, with this you can see for yourself how the saddle will fit. If you want to know more about saddle fitting and the bare tree fitting process just click on the links for additional information. To leave a comment click here. UVBG9B5VB239
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Muzzle Fungus Stopped My Horse Training
Posted On 18-11-2009 , 9:01 AM
 My horse came in from the pasture one day with her muzzle bright pink. I remember noticing it and thinking it was not real sunny out for her to get a sunburn but it sure looked as though it was burned. A few days later it was broken out slightly in small sores. I could tell it was tender because she did not want me to touch it. I started putting some ointment on it but it continued to get worse. A few days later it was coated with a brownish red scab. The scab was all over her muzzle, under her lower lip, in her nostrils and solid coating of this brownish red scab. Poor thing, she did not want to even put a halter on because she did not want the halter strap to touch it. She would dive into the halter nose to try to get past her muzzle with touching it. The scab started to crack and almost bleed at the bottom of the cracks. I called the vet to see if there had been a reaction to a plant that was blooming and if she had been having this problem. She told me that it sounded like a fungus that is caused by a lot of dew on the morning grass. I thought that was quite strange and somewhat did not believe it. But when my yearling’s nose started to break out with small sores, I agreed it must be a fungus. She informed me that they treat it with the same ointment that they make up to treat “scratches”, another fungus that is found mostly on the legs. I picked up some of this ointment and when I put the first swipe on her nose she showed signs of instant relief. She lowered her head and acted like she wanted me to apply more. My yearling did not get it as bad because I started applying the same ointment right away. Everyone I talk to has not heard of this so I just wanted to put it out there. If you see a horse with this condition now you will know and possibly get it some relief. If not treated I’m not sure what it would do. To leave a comment click here.
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Training Your Horse to Trailer Load
Posted On 10-11-2009 , 12:02 PM
Training to Trailer Load
 I have tried a new method for trailer training that I really love and works great. The problem I have always had with trailer training is that I eventually win and they go in but its not like they really want to, they do it because I bug them enough that they go in so that I will leave them alone. The problem with the trailer is that it resembles a cave and caves are where a horse’s predator lives. Horses are basically claustrophobic and it is against all their instincts to go in a trailer. If you have ever ridden in a horse trailer (an experience I think everyone should do once) you would wonder, if they ever went in once, why would they ever go back. It is not a fun ride, noisy, rough and hard to keep your balance on easy turns. So the challenge has been to make it a place where they want to be, a place they will willingly and eagerly go into. So here is the best method I have ever tried and one I will always use from now on. It makes it their choice and the trailer becomes their sanctuary. Here is what to do.... Horse Trailer Training Let me know if you have any great methods. Click here to leave comment. - by Horse Girl
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Your Horse Deserves the Best Fitting Saddle
Posted On 22-04-2009 , 4:12 PM
How do you know your saddle fits correctly? I rode in my saddle for quite sometime always thinking it fit my horse well. It wasn't until I went on a 4 day camping trip with some Tennessee Walker riders and had to do a posting trot to keep up. On day three I started noticing an area on my horse's back that looked swollen. When I got home the hairs started turning white and I knew for sure my saddle did not fit right. It is very hard to tell when all the leather is covering the tree and with a template fit over the withers you only get the wither measurement and you don't know how the bars are laying on the horse's back. Most of us never ride long enough and hard enough to really tell by riding if we have the right fit either. Our horse have a hard time telling us because we interpret that they are acting up or they just suffer in silence.
I am convienced that the only way you can get the right fitting tree for your horse is to fit the bare tree first then have the saddle  built. When you can see the bare tree on your horse's back you can see that the bars are laying flat and the gullit is high enough and that the spread is correct so as not to pinch the shoulders. That is why we developed the bare tree saddle fitting process. You can ride with confidence knowing your saddle fits your horse. You can't get a better fit than when you fit the bare tree first. Click here to leave comment.
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Horse Camping, An Experience You Won't Forget
Posted On 12-01-2009 , 1:39 PM
Do you enjoy trail riding? Do you enjoy the outdoors? Do you enjoy camping? Then why not combine all three and experience horse camping? With horse camping you will cover more trails, see more sites, enjoy more of the outdoors all on the back of your horse.
There are many horse camps available to the public in every state. Some are privately owned and operated and others are set up and maintained by the public parks departments. They are set up to accommodate trucks, trailers and horses so the campsites are spaced farther apart than in people camps.
Most horse camps provide hitching posts or highline post along with water and a place to dispose of manure. I find the campers are all fellow horse people, easy to get to know and lots of opportunity to make new friends. Camps are usually less crowded, trails are great and the scenery is superb.
If you have never been horse camping I am sure you have lots of questions. You are probably wondering what to pack and what to do with your horse while camping. There are different options to choose from as far as how to contain your horse. Also, you don't want to forget something, which could ruin your trip completely.
I have put together a few articles to get you started. First you need to be sure and pack everything for horse camping. You will also need to decide how you will contain your horse while camping. These will get you well on your way to a great experience horse camping. Please, leave a comment.
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