Archive for January, 2009

Firefighters were called to rescue an 11 year old American Paint horse that had fallen through a snow covered pool cover into a swimming pool in Sherborn, Massachusetts.

When the firefighters arrived the horse was in the deep end of the pool shivering with cold and nervousness. Firefighters considered a number of rescue options, finally opting to cut through the ice and pool cover and lead the nervous horse to safety.

The horse had taken a walk from his barn while nobody was looking. Unfortunately it had not been possible to shut the gates between the barn and the swimming pool due to the snow which also obscured the inground pool.

Spider the horse walked onto the surface of the pool which was protected with a high strength swimming pool cover. Advertisers of this particular pool cover proudly indicate that it can take the weight of a small elephant. Unfortunately the high strength swimming pool cover wasn’t strong enough to take the combined weight of both the snow and the horse.

There were fears that Spider would succumb to hypothermia as the pool heaters were no longer in use and the water was covered in a layer of ice. But firefighters successfully managed return him to his stable in about half an hour. He’d suffered a few minor scratches on his feet and ankles but the biggest concern was the cold.

Spider the horse was dried and treated to a vigorous rub down and warmed up with propane heaters. It was clear that he had not suffered any adverse affects from his cold, mid winter dip.

Pool owners are warned that their swimming pool covers may be able take a lot of weight but if there is already a lot of snow and ice on the cover and then it is walked on the additional, localised weight can be enough to rupture the cover. Combine this risk with the camouflaging effect of the snow and you have an immediate danger. Pool owners are encouraged to put a fence around their inground swimming pools to prevent accidents like this.

English saddle makers are improving the design of their saddles with the use of new technology. Different companies offer different English saddle brands with options for riders from the Pessoa saddles that are treated with vegetable dyes and natural oils to become completely waterproof to the Bates, Collegiate and Wintec line of saddles that have adjustable gullet systems that allow these saddles to be custom fit to any horse.

The specialized systems can also work between these brands, making them a good choice for riders with different types of saddles in their tack room. These types of advances have not only made improvements for the rider but they have also made saddles and tack much more comfortable for the individual horse. Panels that don’t need re-stuffing, found in most Courbette saddles, ensures that you can use your tack on different horses while still maintaining that great fit to eliminate rubbing and irritation for the horse, regardless of the width of his or her back.

The explosion of the popularity of synthetic material in English saddles, away from leather, has had a major impact. Wintec saddles are the leader in synthetic saddles with all English saddle types now available in durable, waterproof and easy fitting options. These saddles are great for training and also for novice riders and children since they are lightweight and very low care types of saddles. Not all Wintec synthetic English saddles are cheap, but they are high quality and very durable, an excellent investment for novice and experienced riders alike.

Some of the classic saddle makers are also becoming more popular again both in producing competitive saddles for championship events as well as for very high quality riding saddles for the average horseman or horsewoman. Albion saddles have long been a European and British English saddle, but are now found around the world. These saddles come in a variety of styles from competitive dressage through to all purpose saddles. They are leather, very high quality and designed to allow weight to be equally distributed across the horse’s back, ideal for dressage, equitation and jumping where balance and stability for both horse and rider is essential. Advances in available technology enable saddle designers to really study the points of pressure a saddle places on a horse at rest and in a variety of movement and motion.

After the horse itself, the most expensive equipment you’ll buy are horse saddles There are many styles of saddles, but you should choose the one that you’re comfortable with, fits the horse properly and suits the kind of riding you will do.
Choose a saddle that suits the activity you and your horse participates the most
There are three main types of saddles for serious riders: English, Western and Australian. There are other variations within these three main types
English saddles are used by Olympians in equestrian events, designed to give the horse freedom of movement. This saddle is known to be the most comfortable for both the rider and the horse The Hunt Seat saddle and Cutback saddle are example of this type. Hunt seat saddles are med for jumping while Cutback saddles allows greater movement of the front legs and shoulders
Western saddles are known as the cowboy saddle, designed to keep a rider secure on an uneven ground. This type of saddle is often put on working horses, as it provides the most security for its riders The Ranch saddle is known as the most versatile of this type.
Australian saddles are made for the rider’s comfort, usually used by people who are confident of their riding abilities They are originally English saddles, of which the most dramatic change was having the addition of poleys, or kneepads in front of the saddle.
The saddle’s fit on the horse is crucial, whatever the type of saddle you choose Ill-fitting saddles can result to both health and training problems, and can even make your horse behave badly. Factors such as breed, overall size and unique physical features must be considered The main feature of the saddle which dictates whether it will fit your horse or not, is the width of the gullet. A saddle that is too wide will press down on the withers, while a narrow gullet will pinch It should comfortably clear a horse’s withers, allow for free movement of the shoulders, be the proper length and shape for its back, and be well balanced to provide good weight distribution.
Try on as many saddles as possible Choose a saddle that feels comfortable to you and allows the proper riding position. Comfort can be determined by size and angle of the seat, stirrup position, cantle height, fork height and angle, and weight of the saddle Too small can make you bump against the pommel at every stride, while too large can make it difficult for you to maintain your position.
Determine your budget A new saddle can be custom-made for you to fit your horse with the maximum comfort possible, but can fetch a hefty price. Used saddles can be much cheaper. Spend as much as you could, if possible Better trust a branded yet trusted product than a cheap unnamed one. Saddles are crucial to a safe and enjoyable riding, so never settle for an inferior product

Bridleways Saddlery supplies all types of saddles as well as wintec saddles , dog rugs and cortaflex for horses .

Each equestrian sport is unique and demands different skills from the rider so their clothing is not just used for demonstration but also to help them move freely during competitions. A mass of clothes are made to provide head to toe safe-guard for equestrians. For equestrian activities, the essential items of apparel are the boots, chaps, gaiters breeches and jodhpurs for the legs, the jacket and body safety for the torso, and the hat for the head. It is essential to know about each one of the types of apparel, especially for a starter. Each person’s favorite might vary but it is necessary to be have knowledge about the basics before purchasing any clothes since horse back riding can be pricey and the clothes for this activity is no exception.

The horseback riding hat important because it protects the head from injuries from a fall which can occur in or out of competition and even with the best trained horse. The hat, with its hard shell and impact absorbing lining, provides a certain amount of safety for the horse rider in case of a fall. When you’re not horseback riding, it is still essential to wear them, since the horse may kick when you are on the ground.

Anyone in competition knows you should have a good set of leather or artificial leather gloves. For help in choosing gloves then read this helpful articles tips with details about artificial leather gloves.

If the horse rider falls, the helmet can become damaged and less effective in future uses so you should be sure to buy a new one. Every three or four years you should replace your riding hat as its protective ability decreases over time as the padding compresses with daily use. The classic horse riding hat, made of traditional velvet, is the first of the three basic hats available for riders. It is available in brown, black, or navy and has a hard peak.

You will also run across the skull cap with is a horse riding helmet that does not have a peak and can be seen worn by most jockeys. It’s now popular with other riders for leisure or competition and silks which are peak covers can be placed over the skull cap giving the appearance of a riding hat. There are also novelty silks ideal for young ones with eyes and ears sewn on them for example. The third one is the skull protector which is a horse riding hat similar to a cycling equestrian helmet so it is lightweight and ventilated, generally worn during warm weather or summer.

Riding headgear include chin straps, and they should conform to standards of hat safety. For example, the United Kingdom has three safety standards. Riding headgear should follow one of these standards for optimum safety of the horse rider so the chin straps should be able to secure the hat safely and securely on the horse riders head. A beginner should be sure to buy a hat that is comfortable, and all riders must remember to invariably secure their headgear when horseback riding. Riding hats are critical pieces of equestrian clothing that safe-guard the horse rider by reducing the risk of severe injury during potentially fatal falls. people who ride horses should not purchase a riding hat that used to belong to somebody else because the damage it sustained throughout the first ownership is not visible from the exterior and has a good chance to not offer as much safety, therefore invariably purchase new hats if you want to be sure.

Anyone who has made the decision to buy a horse will soon find out that there is so much to learn. One thing I had not really considered was the maintenance needed for all the equipment etc and below are some useful points I have discovered which you might like to share.
The purchase of a good quality horse blanket is important and the aftercare, because laundering equestrian blankets needs an industrial washing machine.
Your horse should be checked on a daily basis to make sure that their blanket is not pulling or rubbing. If you see any patches of broken hair this is usually a certain sign.
Folding your blankets, fleeces and rugs, in the correct way makes them so much easier and safer to put back on your horse or pony. The horse is also less likely to spook if you set a folded bundle on his back, carefully unfolding it than he would if you just dumped the blanket over his back and dragged it into position. 
Fold your blanket whilst taking it off the horse or after cleaning ready for the next use. A folded blanket seems much easier to carry. 
Start with the blanket, placed unbuckled on the horse, or take it off and lay it on the ground.Then put the rug so the outside is facing upwards. Spread the straps straight out so they can be folded into the blanket as you go.
Fold the back third of the blanket up towards the middle, then tuck in the leg straps and fold in the tail flap.
Then fold the front third part of the blanket back towards the folded edge. Then straighten out the shoulder gussets.
Fold the right side up so the lower edges meets the centre seam.
Then fold the left side up so the lower edge meets the centre, thus folding up the belly straps.
Put the two halves together. The bundle can then be folded together once more and packed in a bag for storage. Then just reverse the order of the folds which enables you to put the blanket back on the horse easily.
If your horse is kept outside a lot it will probably be good to have two outdoor rugs. An extra blanket allows you to swop one blanket to allow the other one to dry.

It is wise not to try to wash your horse blankets in your washing machine!
There are heavy duty washing machines that can be bought especially for “equestrian use”. This could be invaluable and if you share livery with other people at your stables it could well be a great investment if the cost is shared.

Good hygiene is paramount for the wellbeing of horses that are stabled in equestrian schools, and the correct cleaning of the material that comes into contact with the horses is extremely important.Your article has 10 sentences left that can be rewritten. In fact a well laundered horse blanket is a sure sign of a well kept horse!This is particularly important when it comes to competitions when often great importance is placed on visual appearance. Washing horse blankets in a simple domestic machine will not be a good idea. This is a specialist task that requires the right technology and wash programmes. An onsite laundry within the riding school is sure to have many advantages. Laundry can be done as part of the daily routine and equine smells will remain in the stable.
A great large capacity washing machine on the market which fits the bill is Miele. This offers washer-extractors with capacities of 7.5 to 32 kg with special wash programmes for horse blankets and accessories which are great for equestrian schools. The machine has four special programmes for washing and proofing blankets: a 30°C and a 60°C programme, a programme for delicates and one with a proofing phase included for waterproofing. These machines can also handle halters, girths, bandages, saddlecloths and similar textile items which are not always happily accepted by commercial laundries.
Laundry is usually ready for use in less than an hour. These machines have high spins speeds and drying times are radically reduced.
A great machine for equestrian schools would be the Miele PW 6101 washing machine with a PT 7251 tumble dryer. These are capable of coping with 1 winter blanket and 2 summer blankets or up to 7 saddle cloths per load.
Over a period of time an investment in one of these machines is sure to pay dividends!

At first, tacking up can seem daunting, but if you have a set routine, you’ll quickly get the hang of it and your horse will to. Having your horse secured with a set of crossties that fasten to the halter from opposite sides at about normal head height is really helpful as this leaves the rider with both hands to work with the tack.

Don’t be in rush to tack up. Take the time to check your horse over first to make sure he hasn’t incurred any injuries or other problems. Slide your hand down each of the legs, pick up the hooves and be sure to pick out all the dirt, mud or debris using a hoof pick. This will give you a chance to check over your horse’s foot for any problems that could cause lameness under saddle. After checking the legs and hooves it is time to brush the back and sides. Give your horse a good scrub with a stiff brush to get rid of all of the built up hair and dirt, especially around the saddle area where it can cause particular irritation.

Since the halter is securing the horse to the crossties, you may want to start with the saddle. Place the saddle pad or blanket straight down on the horses back, just on the highest point of the withers and slide it straight back a fraction of an inch to position it. This ensures that the hair is all flat, if you have to reposition the blanket lift it off the horse, smooth down the hair again with a brush or your hand, then start over.

With the saddle pad or blanket in place, pick up the saddle with your left hand on the horn or pommel and the left hand under the back skirt or the cantle, depending on the saddle type. After securing the stirrups (you don’t want to get clunked in the head), place the saddle in onto the saddle pad just behind the withers. The saddle should be placed in the natural depression that occurs on a horse’s back. If you have a western style saddle, reach under the horse’s belly and grasp the cinch, make sure it is straight and tighten the saddle from the left side. With an English saddle you may need to walk around to the right side and affix the cinch, then move back around to the left to tighten it.

Most find bridling a horse the most challenging as many horses have learned to evade and throw their heads to avoid the bit. This can be corrected by slow and gentle movements, so always move with a purpose and don’t become excited or angry with the horse. Unbuckle the throatlatch and noseband if there is one, then standing in the same direction as the horse on the left side, hold the bit in your left hand and the top of the bridle in your right. Bring the browband of the bridle above your horse’s head with your right hand, thereby positioning the bit below the lips. Gently insert the bit by raising the top up and over the ears. Position both the bit and the headstall in the right place, then latch the throatlatch and noseband. Banging your horse’s teeth with the bit is no way to create a willingness to be bridled.

Mounting the horse is the opposite of dismounting and should be done in one fluid movement. With the reins in your left hand, grasp your horse’s mane in your right hand. Using the right hand to hold the stirrup, place your left foot in the stirrup, swing your body up and your right leg up and over the back of the horse, gentle sitting down into the saddle. Put the right foot in the right stirrup and you are all ready to go.

Learning how to ride is a very rewarding experience, but it can often be a bit confusing as to which type of riding is most suited to your goals with regards to what you want to do with your horse. A good place to start is by talking to experienced riders. Find out what they like about each style and see which fits you the best. You’ll find that whichever style you choose, you’ll have to comit a good amount of time to learning the basics, and even more if you want to be a competitive rider.

If you are going to compete, knowing what you want to do in the competition is essential before choosing a riding style. If you like the more formal style of dressage, hunt seat and saddle seat, than your choice will be the English riding style. On the other hand if you want to compete in less formal events where jeans and western style shirts are the trend then rodeos or trail riding, endurance events, cross country rides, gymkhana, western pleasure riding or any type of working cow horse event then your only option is to learn to ride western style. You can ride for pleasure on the trails with either style of riding.

Besides just what events you can compete in there are also differences to the actual riding styles. Western riding tends to be more casual with the rider somewhat relaxed on the back of the horse, longer stirrups with less posting during riding and more firmly affixed to the back of the horse to maintain balance. Western riding also has the reins held in one hand, leaving the other hand free for using a rope. With English riding the rider has shorter stirrups that keep the rider erect and forward in the saddle with reins in both hands. Some English riding will require double reins, one set to direct the motion of the horse and one set to control the head position. English riding also has several different styles including hunt seat, dressage, saddleseat, and endurance. Each of these disciplines has their own style of tack – a dressage saddle, jumping saddle, all purpose saddle, and so on.

Whichever style you choose, proper safety equipment, especially a helmet should be part of your routine. Proper safety equipment is a must for all junior and novice riders. When you select a style you can always decide to learn the other style at a later date, after all your horse can certainly learn another style, but learning both at the same time is overwhelming and can lead to confusion.