The different kinds of horse rugs.

In this Post I’d like to briefly talk about some of the different kinds of horse rugs. I’m sure you’ll be aware of the importance of horse rugs to provide protection for your horse in varying conditions, both inside and outside his stable. You can select the blankets you need from a whole range of different kinds, each serving a specific purpose. These include …

The stable rug.

As its name indicates, stable rugs are used to keep your horse warm and comfortable when he’s in his stable. Depending on your your taste, you can choose between light, medium and heavy with each providing your horse with a different degree of warmth. You may wish to vary these to cater for varying times of the year. Also you may wish to use a neck cover to complement the rug.

I’d suggest that once you’ve started to use a rug at night, you don’t leave it off, even on milder nights to prevent your horse from catching a chill. Preferably wait until the weather allows you to leave it off permanently.

All-in-one rug.

These are usually completely waterproof and provide protection for both your horse’s neck and body. They’re mostly medium-weight and you can use these in order to keep your horse clean and dry when he’s outside. I should mention that some horses resent a head cover at first. If this is the case with your horse give him a little time to get used to it before turning him out.

The sweat sheet.

This is mesh rug and can be used after a hard workout to provide a little warmth against the cooling effect of sweating while still permitting the sweat to evaporate. A sweat sheet can be used on your horse, secured by a roller, both in the stable and out in the pasture.

The exercise sheet.

The exercise sheet is fitted under your horse’s saddle to provide warmth, if he has been clipped, during slow work. The sheet covers his hindquarters but leave the shoulders free for movement. If you’re going to be doing fast work an exercise sheet shouldn’t be used as it will stop sweat from evaporating causing overheating.

Fly rug or fly sheet.

It’s also known as a summer sheet. Typically this type of rug or sheet protects your horse from biting flies and insects when he’s outside in the pasture. This rug is not waterproof and is usually made of a fine mesh material that is actually impenetrable  to insects. Normally the surcingles, or straps, go from front to back, crossing under your horse’s belly, to hold down the light material in the wind.

Checking your horse when he’s wearing a rug and turned out.

It’s important that you do this. I suggest that you keep an eye out on your horse when he’s turned out just in case the rug you’re using slips out of place. I know that this does happen because my partner’s horse has a habit of playfully biting at my horse’s rug pulling it to one side.

If your horse’s rug does slip, it’s best to take it right off and then put it back on. If you just pull it back into place, you’ll rub your horse’s coat the wrong way causing discomfort. I recommend that you always tie your horse up when you remove  and put on his rug. If you don’t you may find that your horse will gallop off with the rug half on!

Related posts:

1. Equestrian Wear – Tips On The Use Of Horse Rugs, Boots, and Bandages.

My early saddles …

Due to budget restrictions, when I purchased my first horse while in my early 50s, the saddle I got was a low cost vinyl saddle. Some time

My horse, Midnight.

 later, following the advice of one of my Saddle Club instructors,I graduated to a quality, secondhand leather saddle which I use to this very day. My riding was basically confined to my monthly all-day Saddle Club instructor-type days, and to my very frequent outings into hidden roadside tracks and the more challenging bush tracks.

However I did find that after a few hours of both activities, in spite of the undoubted quality of my Australian made saddle, I did become a little bit sore. But then I found the solution! I invested in a hand-made lambswool saddle cover. This had been dyed black, so was color-cordinated with my black Percheron/Thorobred cross (that’s him, Midnight, in the pic) This really was great, both in terms of comfort and durability.

Back to the Western Saddles

I’ve often wondered, if had I know about them, whether I’d have been better off had I gone for one of the numerous versions of a Western Saddle. So purely out of interest I recently did a little research on this form of saddle. Not being a teenager any more, I thought that perhaps the western saddle would have given me more security when riding, particularly the horn which I felt I could hang onto if I suddenly felt insecure (I was accustomed to using a martingale which was always there for me to grab in an emergency). But my little bit of research told me that “for a beginner rider, the western saddle may give the impression of providing a more secure seat … this is misleading as the horn is not meant to be a handle for the rider to hang onto, and the high cantle and heavy stirrups are not forcing the rider into a rigid position”. This has given me quite some food for thought!

More on Western Saddles

My limited research, however, convinced me that I would have been more than happy with a western saddle – largely due to the fact that there so many variations that I could choose from.

Do you know about the most common variations?

The trail saddle. This undoubtedly would have been my choice. A saddle designed for great comfort for the rider, but importantly, a comfortable fit for your horse. Ideally suited to long periods in the saddle spent at a leisurely pace.

 Then there are:

A show saddle for the energetic rider involved in activities such as cutting and roping. The roping saddle which enables the rider to dismount quickly which is essential when you’re working with cattle. And the cutting saddle which allows the rider to sit deep and securely through sharp turns and stops. The barrel racing saddle which allows your horse to perform fast sprints and turns while still allowing the rider to sit securely. The equitation saddle which is a show saddle, deep seated to help hold a rider in the saddle.

And finally, I found the endurance saddle, one that is considerably lighter than the other western saddles, frequently without the horn and with a structure that spreads the rider’s weight over quite a large portion of the horse’s back. Basically it’s purpose is to cope with long rides at faster speeds than my type of trail riding.

 Here are some features of the Western Saddle that I was not aware of …

If you know about the structure of a saddle you’ll appreciate the differences I learned about. For example, the stirrups of the western saddle can’t be detached from the saddle. Apparently they are wider to comfortably accommodate a rider’s high-heeled boots and to minimise the possibility of a rider’s feet slipping through and being dragged if the horse falls.

The Seat and the Cantle of a western saddle are more prominent that in an English type saddle. Presumably for great security and comfort for the rider. And with the girthing, rather than buckling as you’d do with an English-type saddle, the western girth (known as a cinch) you anchor a flat strap of leather or nylon that is secured with a flat knot. Although sometimes with holes added so that a buckle can be used. The other thing is found is that the Tree of a western saddle is normally larger and covers more surface than any other more English types of saddle.

 So would I have bought a Western Saddle?

 I think I would have if I’d known what I’ve now learned.

 From what I hear, western saddles last a lifetime, and often beyond! And they do look so secure and comfortable. My horse, Midnight, being so big and strong (16+ hands) would have been well-suited to a western saddle. But then, my good old Australian second-hand saddle is still serving me well!

Related posts:

1. A Modern Jumping saddle – the Pessoa AO.
2. Selecting the Right Horse Riding Saddle is Vital: Tips on Selection and Fitting.
3. Wintec 2000 – Just One Of An Extensive Range of Saddles For All Riders!

What are bell boots?

Why you should consider using bell boots.

The wearing of bell boots are really a necessity if your horse is inclined to overreach. That is, if he’s inclined to catch his front heels with the toes of his back feet. This overreaching is the reason that bell boots are sometimes known as overreach boots.

Also it could be the case that your horse may be rather poorly shod resulting in him wearing shoes that protrude behind his feet. A very likely result of this is that if your horse overreaches he can loosen or totally dislodge the front shoes. You’ll find that this is most likely to happen when you’re  jumping, riding in muddy conditions or on a slippery surface, or longeing. Bell boots can effectively help prevent this from happening.

To help prevent your horse from accidently losing a shoe when he’s out in pasture, bell boots will provide some protection and lessen the chance of this happening.

Will bell boots be comfortable for my horse?

It seems that most horses don’t mind wearing bell boots and don’t suffer adverse effects when they are fitted and used in the correct manner. But even a correctly fitted bell boot could chafe and cause discomfort to your horse if the boots are made of very stiff material. And if, by chance, your horse has especially sensitive skin there could be some discomfort.

What are ‘splint boots’ and what are ‘sport boots’?

Splint boots really only protect your horse from ‘crossfiring’ with the other front hoof. Basically they are designed to prevent splint bone fracture, but don’t do anything for support of the soft tissues.

Sport boots are more for protection as they support the tendons and joint as well as protecting the bone and other soft tissues from concussion.  From a personal point of view I’m using and recommending for the average trail rider the sport boots. And these are the boots I’d suggest when you fitting boots prior to putting your horse out in the pasture.

How do I fit bell boots to my horse?

Here, I’ll quote directly from Wikipaedia …

“Bell boots are usually made of rubber. They may be open, with Velcro or other fastenings to close them, or closed and slipped on over the hoof. Although open bell boots are the easiest to apply, close bell boots are more secure as they have no chance of slipping off.

“To apply closed bell boots, it is easiest to turn them inside out, before slipping them over the toe of the foot. It may also help to place them in warm water so they will expand before trying to put them on.

“A correctly-sized bell boot should just touch the ground behind the bulbs of the heel while the horse is standing. The mouth of the bell boot should be just loose enough to fit a finger or two between it and the horse’s pastern.”

Finally …

In finishing this post I’d like to say that all aspects of your horse’s hoof care are essential to the overall health and performance of your horse.  Any effort you make in this area will reward you in the long-run.

Related posts:

1. Equestrian Wear – Tips On The Use Of Horse Rugs, Boots, and Bandages.
2. How To Pick Up Your Horse’s Hoof
3. Horse hoof care ~ this is one of the primary responsibilities you have as a horse owner!

My introduction to Wintec saddles.

As I said in one of my earlier Posts, when I started horse riding (when in my 50′s), and acquired my first horse, I was a complete amateur. This didn’t just mean my riding ability, but carried right through my knowledge of everything to do with riding and horse ownership. So it applied to my knowledge of saddles!

It was at this time that I was introduced to Wintec saddles.  My very first saddle was a Wintec All Purpose saddle and it came about due to the fact that in my enthusiasm to get started, I did little research and was favourably influenced by the price of this Australian made  synthetic saddle. Although I got around to buying a rather expensive leather saddle at a later stage – mainly for use at my Saddle Club where at the that time I felt it important to make a good impression! – I used my comfortable, easy-to-look-after Wintec saddle for many, many years for day-to-day riding.

Some thoughts on Wintec  saddles.

 Not everybody is eager to adopt a synthetic saddle.  Early adopters, though often happy with their choice, did have a number of issues to cope with, but Wintec  are continuing to enhance their synthetic saddle range,  for example with the popular Wintec 2000

Let’s look at some of the benefits of synthetic saddles.

Ease of care – A light care routine is a great advantage of synthetic saddles. With the elimination of such maintenance factors as  oiling and careful storage routines, synthetic saddles can be hosed off and only need the occasion wash with manufacturer’s recommended detergent. Very quick to dry, the saddle is good to go again.

Weight – You no longer have to be the strongest in the yard as synthetic saddles weigh around half the weight of a leather saddle. This not only makes handling the saddle (tacking up or storing) lots easier, but also has a substantial benefit for your horse in reducing the weight he carries.

Comfort - Breaking in a synthetic saddle is often more comfortable thanks to the superior, softer fabric.

Reduced friction – The lighter construction and sophisticated technology (Wintec 2000 CAIR system for example) works to better distribute your weight on your horse’s back, minimising the risk of rubbing.

Grip – Improvements in saddle material results in creating products that not only look good and last a long time, but also give improved riding experience thanks to material that provides exceptional grip even in wet conditions.

Adaptability - Giving you more choice than leather, synthetics are often more flexible. Allowing you to adapt the saddle (for example by having adjustable trees) ensures the best match for your horse.

Safety  – is an interest for every rider at all levels. The Equileather or Equisuade material of the Wintec range gives enhanced grip in damp conditions where a leather saddle becomes ‘slippy’.  This allows you to hold a more assured seat. This is both reassuring  and fundamental in building your self-confidence.

      Easy Change Gullet system – It is imperative your saddle is a absolute fit for your horse. The gullet system used in Wintec’s All Purpose range allows you fine tune the match of your saddle. This system allows you to adjust the match of your saddle as your horse matures, without having to change your saddle. Further, for most Wintec saddles if you exchange your horse, or ride more than one, you’ll no longer need to alter your saddle. Easily substitute the gullet and your saddle will fit the new horse.

CAIR system – Simply put, the Cair panel system replaces traditional flocking with air. As the air moves and shifts with the movement of your horse, this provides him with greater comfort.  And as most saddles load the padding with course, hard wearing fibre that can lead to pressure points the Wintec system uses pockets of air that relieve this pressure.  This minimises the stress as your horse moves helping to preserve a comfortable, flexible movement in your horse.

Price - The greatest news is the price. A synthetic saddle gives you access to top of the collection features for frequently 1/2 the price of some of the leather brands..

 A model such as the Wintec 2000  or Thorowgood should ensure you see all of the benefits described above.  And all at the cheaper end of the market.

Related posts:

1. Wintec 2000 – Just One Of An Extensive Range of Saddles For All Riders!
2. A Modern Jumping saddle – the Pessoa AO.
3. Saddles and tack: Tighten up the girth ~ or not?

The evolution that began in the early 198o’s.

I was motivated to write this Post about Wintec  after becoming aware of it’s evolution (and also being Australian,  just like me!). Apparently Ron and Ken Bates, owners of Bates Saddlery Australia on Perth, Western Australia are the designers behind the revolutionary Wintec saddles.

Wintec 500 All Purpose Saddle

I learned from further research that this first ever full cloth race saddle was given to a local jockey to test. He absolutely loved the saddle and would, in fact, take it into the shower with him after a race to wash the mud and sweat off it. In no time there were enough jockeys interested in the saddle to send it into full scale production.

The Wintec saddles took the global market by storm, especially in England where in 8 out of the next 10 years the famous English Derby was won by jockeys riding in Wintec saddles.

I’ll probably do Posts on other Wintec products at a later stage, such as the Wintec 500 and the Wintec dressage saddle, but for this Post I cover some of the features of  the …

Wintec 2000

Wintec 2000 All Purpose Saddle

The Wintec 2000, a strong contender in the synthetic all purpose family saddle field. Toward the top of the all purpose range, this great multi discipline saddle offers exceptional performance. It feature Flexibloc inset panels that form to your horse and you, the rider, working with the deep designed Equisuade saddle to promote a stronger riding position. The popularity of this saddle is understandable when you consider the Wintec 2000 offers the best of all worlds to riders.

With a formidable heritage, the Wintec 2000 takes some of the strongest features of the synthetic all purpose range. The range boasts a number of new attributes to ensure you get the most out of your saddle.

Features of note.

• Easy Change Gullet System – adapting to your horse or pony as it matures, the gullet can be changed to assure a marvellous fit.
• Equisuade Saddle – ensuring a excellent grip in the saddle even in wet weather.
• CAIR system – Greatly improving the comfort of you saddle, this system reduces friction points on your horse or pony. (The CAIR system is also available in the Wintec girth range which has also taken off in popularity).

Real Riders

The Wintec 2000 invariably scores high with real riders who cite quality and security as the key features of this saddle. The saddle is soft and comfortable unlike many leather saddles. The design of the seat gives an improved position enabling you to sit more properly with the fabric of the Equisuade adding to the feel.

Likes

• The Equisuade seat compared to basic end Equileather seats meaning you can essentially benefit from the improved grip provided by the fabric.
• With the gullet system meaning you don’t have to buy a new saddle as you switch horses means this saddle is a excellent investment. Very straight forward maintenance saves you cash and work.
• Just rinse off the saddle with warm water while your friends have to oil and treat their leather saddles.

Dislikes

• The grip provided by the saddle can take a bit of getting used to. A few riders have suggested the Equisuade holds some moisture for a period after rain.
• Change is distressing for some people and they see anything but leather as inferior. ( I’ll cover the features of synthetic saddles in a later Post).

There’s a lot to recommend the Wintec 2000 saddle and this will be appreciated most by multi discipline riders who are looking for function and value. As well as trusting your saddle, you need to be able to rely on your supplier. Wonderful guarantees and a ‘trial ride’ service make the organization at the link above a great recommendation. But as always, I strongly recommend that you check out all  suppliers available to you

Related posts:

1. Synthetic Saddles: What are the Benefits?
2. A Modern Jumping saddle – the Pessoa AO.
3. Saddles and tack: Tighten up the girth ~ or not?

The latest in classic jumping saddles.

The Pessoa AO Saddle. This, Pessoa’s principal jumping saddle is a classic and has already hit their their top seller mark. It’s ideal for a wide range of riders, amateurs and experienced riders alike both of whom who will appreciate the quality and comfort of this  jumping saddle. Plus it’s standard or lengthened flaps provide an element of individual choice when selecting the saddle and the square cantle, deep seat build ensures a secure ride position.

This saddle incorporates the best of the Pessoa collection. Years of development have gone into the technology harnessed in this saddle and the refinement is also shown in the calf skin leather:

• Adjustable Gullet: The saddle tree can be refined using the xChange gullet system. This allows you to suit the saddle correctly to your horse.
• BayFlex Panels: An innovative memory fabric that offers the best comfort for both you and your horse by adjusting and adapting to the applied pressure.

Innovations like these keep the Pessoa AO out in front of  competitors saddles.

Real Riders

The popular Pessoa AO Saddle, as real riders will quickly tell you, is built to endure. These saddles will last and last with only a little thought to maintenance. You may decide to replace your sadddle, but it certainly won’t be because you need to. Riders regularly buy into another recognised marque but the value they get from the brand both in terms of comfort and longevity frequently means they come back to Pessoa time and time again.

What you’ll like about this jumping saddle:

• The flexible leather and BayFlex panels break in remarkably quickly meaning there is a reduced chance of rubbing as you and your horse get adapted to the saddle. 
• Wider ponies and horses are well suited for this saddle. Although the gullet can be changed to fit narrower horses and ponies as well. 
• Supple and forgiving to the rider, you don’t sense like you miss any of the stability you look for.

A potential dislike:

• For some horses, the saddle could look to sit slightly high if the gullet is not the right match.

The above opinitons of real riders will hopefully be beneficial when you’re looking and trying to decide on the right jumping saddle for you.

If you want the best out of a saddle and want to mix both operation and appearance, the Pessoa AO Saddle is favorably recommended. The last step is to find the best retailer. One where you’ll find true horse lovers can be found by clicking above.  They have an excellent customer support team and are all riders. They provide quick shipping and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  And they currently have a 10% deduction on the Pessoa ao saddle.  But, as always, it’s time well spent to shop around and compare.

Related posts:

1. Saddles and tack: Tighten up the girth ~ or not?
2. Wintec 2000 – Just One Of An Extensive Range of Saddles For All Riders!
3. Where To Look For Affordable Horse Tack!

It’s very important for the health and well being of your horse that you protect him from the elements and keep him comfortable by choosing the right horse wear such as rugs, boots, and bandages. 

Horse Rugs – There is a variety of rugs which you can use for your horse but many types are types are designed for a particular purpose with a few that can be versatile.

Stable rugs are perfect for keeping your horse warm while in the comfort of a stable, but these rugs are not waterproof, they’ll just keep your horse comfortable. It’s not uncommon to use lighter weight stable rugs during the day when the temperature in the stable can be higher and use a heavier rug through the night as the temperature drops.

When your horse leaves the comfort of the stable, he needs a turnout rug to face the elements. These are waterproof and are designed to keep the rain and the snow off your horse while keeping him comfy, warm and dry.

Keep flies at bay by using a fly sheet.

As you will well know from per4sonal experience, flies can be a real nuisance. And just like you, horses don’t like to have flies attacking. ABut a fly sheet can keep the flies at bay. There is no need to worry about your horse getting hot under the fly sheet (rug) as  it’s made out of mesh which allows adequate airflow. If you choose to do so, you can add a neck cover to a fly sheet to protect your horse’s neck from flies, too. Sun security is another benefit of fly sheets..

You can keep the flies off and your  horse cool in the warm weather when you use a summer sheet as a fly sheet, and a stable rug in the colder weather. Dust and wind are also held at bay.

Travel Rugs and Sweat Rugs.

The discomfort of travel can be avoided by using travel rugs. Insects can be irritating as the horse travels.  Dust can get everywhere. Keep the dust and insects at bay by making use of travel rugs..

Intense exercise creates a sweaty horse.  Your horse has to be cooled down. Absorbing the sweat is what a sweat rug was designed to do..

You can everything you’ll need to know if investing in horse clothing by going  to => horse wear.

Bandages.

You can protect your horse by using bandages. Described here are the various equestrian uses of bandages..

Use tail bandages to help make the transportation process of your horse easier. If you wrap his tail, you keep it from getting caught and ruining a beautiful piece of your horse.

And a great way to ensure healthy legs that are not getting injured is to wrap your horse’s legs with bandages. Leg injuries can be easily sustained when travelling..

Boots.

 Boots are another form of horse wear that can be used to keep your horse healthy and minimize injury.

Look to tendon boots to keep tendon damage to a minimum. As your horse moves and jumps, his legs are moving amazingly quickly and many times his back hooves will connect and damage their front tendons.  These boots can be critical in protecting your horse’s health. Overreach boots can protect your horse’s legs against damage from brushing up against each other..

It is vital that you protect your horse’s joints. Lessen the damage that can potentially be done to your horse’s joints by using fetlock boots.

The objective of all this equestrian wear is not just for dress up sake, or impressing a judge. Your main intent should be to guarantee the health of your horse.

To find out more info on horse wear take a trip over to http://www.equestriansuppliesshop.co.uk/ now. They have a vast selection of superb horse wear for speedy delivery.

Related posts:

1. Choose The Right Rug For Your Horse.
2. Hoof Protection with Bell Boots.
3. Equestrian Bridles: 11 Tips On Bridling Your Horse.

 More about horse bits (refer also to previous Posts).

The Snaffle Bit and the Curb Bit

Generally types of horse bits are divided into either the Snaffle Bit or Curb bit.  A somewhat simplistic division but in this post we’re looking in more detail at the different types of Snaffle Bit and some of the more exotic features you can find on this, what seems to be just a humble bit.

A snaffle bit  covers quite a broad category of horse bits however they all feature a single common factor in that they allow you to signal your intention to your horse through direct force by the pulling of one or both reigns.

The basis of a snaffle bit.

For background , a snaffle bit is made from a bar or mouthpiece and on each side there are rings connected with different amounts of freedom to move at each end. The snaffle bit sits in the horse’s mouth resting on the gums not the teeth, in the space behind the front incisors and the molars behind often refered to as the “bars”.

For now we’re going to concentrate on just some of the different types of mouthpiece that you can get with your snaffle bit and what function these different types have.

The mouthpiece of a snaffle bit can take many forms but here we’re going to review the following mouthpiece styles:

• one solid piece
• single jointed in the middle
• double jointed in the middle
• multi-link or chain

Solid one piece mouth-pieces may be moulded rubber and sometimes gently curved, called a Mullen.  They tend to be softer and it places even pressure on the mouthpiece, lips, and bars and works well for young horses.  However you must be cautious about describing a bit as mild as the skill of the rider has a big impact on this, however all things being equal and when compared to other types, this is a mild mouthpiece.

For horses needing a little stronger signalling, the bit designers gave us the “broken” bit.

When the rider pulls on the reins, the mouthpiece breaks at a central join, forming an angle and applying a “nutcracker” effect on your horses tongue.  Also, and depending on the height of your horses mouth, the “point” of the broken piece may touch the roof of the mouth providing a further “signal”. The mouthpiece can still be made from softer material such as vulcanite.

Remember, the skilled rider “signals” his intention to the horse so force should not be necessary the majority of the time. Observe how your horse behaves with these bits. If it’s causing discomfort such as spiking the roof of the mouth your horse may not only raise his head up and down but also poke his nose out, as a sign that he is trying to relieve the pain.   If you have one of these you might want to put it over your wrist and close it like a nutcracker, then you’ll get some idea of what your horse is getting ! So learn to be subtle with your use of these bits. Try not to yank hard.

Double jointed mouthpieces.

Where the single jointed bit hits the mouth and causes the horse too much discomfort, double jointed mouthpieces were developed which also give the tongue a bit more room .  Two very popular forms of this style of bit are French Link e.g. french mouth full cheek and the Dr Bristol style e.g. dr bristol full cheek.  The Dr Bristol style compared to the French Link has a longer link  i.e. the middle section .  The link is also angled so that when the bit is pulled , the edge of the link presses into the tongue as a fairly sharp signal. The French Link has a shorter link and is flat or angled differently so that the flat edge of the link contacts the tongue therefore being milder.

The chain style bit.

The chain style of bits often attract a little controversy on their harshness or otherwise. At least in part a bit may be a problem if the rider is a problem so whether a bit is mild or harsh is not specifically down to the bit.  A popular type of chain bit the waterford full cheek comprises a chain of three or more interlinking pieces.  As such, this chain style of bit tends to slide back and forth across the horses mouth with the “nobbly” bits of the chain giving the signal as well as the chain engaging with the sides of the mouth.  These bits are often chosen by owners of bigger horses or excitable horses that might take the bit and run .  The chain style of bit because of its chain feature doesn’t offer the horse anything to fight against, it is too fluid so can work well in controlling such horses.

It pays to seek expert advice.

The effect on the horse of any bit can be drastic and so seek expert advice to ensure the bit will actually help you.

Remember there is a balance between being too soft on your horse and not firm enough. Going for the soft option can lead to bad habits that are then more difficult to address later on, and being too harsh can cause your horse pain and discomfort and is just bad in every way.

The snaffle bit offers a surprising amount of flexibility in its features so be sure to do your research to find the right one for you.

A recommended supplier of tack:  Horse Saddle Shop

Recommended Resources:

Applied Posture Riding

Natural Horsemanship Training Videos

Trailer Loading of Horses

Related posts:

1. The Snaffle Bit. Simple but effective.
2. The Curb bit. What the horse rider needs to know.
3. What You Need to Know About The Pelham Horse Bit.

More about horse bits (refer also to previous Posts).

The principle of the horse bit.

 Most horse bits follow the principle of either direct pressure or leverage pressure.  The Pelham bit, as does the Swiss Army Knife ,tries to fit all features into one. Basicially horse bits are split into two main categories. Snaffles are what are called direct pressure bits where the reins transmit the force directly to the mouth piece .

 Curbs bits are leverage bits where the force is multiplied so a stronger horse can in theory be controlled by the same forces used with a Snaffle. It is much better to avoid using the term “control” when discussing how best to ride your horse.

  Consider using the term “signaling” instead. . In other words the horse does what you want him to do happily because he recognises the signal, and your training together has formed a strong contract between the two of you. 

Considering the concept of signals therefore, sometimes one needs to switch to a stronger signaling mechanism for certain situations.  The vast majority of the time good snaffle use is sufficient to keep the horse in line but now and again the extra leverage of a Curb would just bring the horse back on track.

A common solution. 

A  solution to this is to fit a double bridal such as a weymouth and bradoon, where the weymouth provides the Curb mechanism and the bradoon is the Snaffle part.  Separate reins are attached to the two separate bits and are used independently.

However a issue can arise with fitting two separate bits into a horse’s mouth.  Is the horse’s mouth big enough ? .  Do not go down the road of sourcing these two bits with very narrow wire mouthpieces just to force the issue of getting this to work . This is potentially cruel. Don’t to it.  

The Pelham Bit can be the solution.

The solution to this issue if offered by the Pelham bit . It provides, in one unit, the features of a snaffle and a curb bit.  The familiar “99% of the time” signal of the snaffle can be achieved with one set of reins via the single mouth piece and the “1% of the time” stronger signalling achieved via the curb rein again via the single mouth piece.

All the features that you may look for in a snaffle and curb can be obtained in a pelham such as high port pelham, copper mouth pieces or longer cheek lengths.  If you are migrating from a Snaffle try going for one similar to the Snaffle you are already successfully using .  Consider also going for a rubber mouth if not already doing so as you’ll be introducing the horse to curbing . However don’t necessarily expect the Pelham to work identically to the equivalent double bridal as the Pelham is a slight compromise.

One final final point. 

 Apply a liberal amount of common sense when considering your need for something like the Pelham and the needs of the horse must be paramount according to its individual circumstances.  Be the best rider you can be first and don’t try and address lack of your own riding ability with a silver bullet horse bit!

A recommended supplier of tack:  Horse Saddle Shop

Related posts:

1. The Curb bit. What the horse rider needs to know.
2. Snaffle Bits ~ How Different Types Work.
3. The bit is the key to the horse.

Tips on buying affordable, quality horse tack.

You could possibly be a ’newbie’ rider or an individual doing your best to outfit a stable. Whatever the motive, you should be endeavoring to locate superior  horse tack at inexpensive prices. If you realize where to look, along with the manner in which to shop, you can wind up spending a lot less money to purchase the things that you need. All it takes is a bit of preparation, a little networking and the awareness of just what you want along with where to obtain it.

Horse care  can be somewhat expensive. Between grooming equipment and tack, fodder and added products you can finish up having to pay out a considerable amount of hard cash on a steady basis. The quandary is that if you are doing your best to get started, or are functioning on a budget, you may think that you are restricted in the selection of horse equipment you have got to choose from.

This needn’t be the case. You’ll regularly come across excellent deals on horsetack equally via the internet as well as at your neighborhood tack stores. Should you decide to search the internet , you can regularly hit upon many excellent supply stores that stock everything from grooming supplies to tack to riding clothing. If you are going to purchase by going online, you should study the online businesses you are thinking about buying from. You should take a look at the suppliers they represent and figure out if they manufacture high quality goods. If they do, you will feel more confident about purchasing things.

Consider networking.

If you can obtain price savings for obtaining a larger amount of products, this is where networking comes in. If you’re part of a riding stable, find out if other horse owners are in the market for ordering tack or other supplies at the same point in time as you might be. You may well have the opportunity to order many items and get a better price both on the per unit cost as well as on the shipping and handling expenses. You may perhaps be surprised at how inexpensive horse equipment may become when you consider purchasing it in this way.

Take the time to compare prices.

Consider that if you’re comparing cost between a shop and a web site, you should be sure that that you take shipping and handling and any minimum order charges into account. If viewed in this way, you may discover that opting for items from a tack shop can in point of fact be cheaper than buying on the internet. Or in may turn to be the reverse.

If you take the time to check around you will soon find a set of tried and true stores and websites that you are able to use to make all your purchases. A little research at first will save you lots of time and not inconsiderable amounts of money later.

A recommended supplier of tack:  Horse Saddle Shop

Related posts:

1. Saddles and tack: Tighten up the girth ~ or not?
2. A Modern Jumping saddle – the Pessoa AO.
3. Selecting the Right Horse Riding Saddle is Vital: Tips on Selection and Fitting.