Janine Carter asked:


One usually thinks of the western saddle as an American style of horse riding, but in fact it’s origins can be traced back to the Moorish horsemen and warriors of the Dark Ages. When the Moors invaded Spain in the 700’s, they brought with them their unique style of horseback riding and tack. Their saddles were designed for battle with longer stirrups to accommodate their armor and high cantles which provided them security in the saddle and protection from their enemies. So it was mostly Knights and crusaders that used these saddles.

The Spanish adapted the Moors saddle for their use in to what became known as the Spanish War Saddle. This was the same saddle they brought with them to the New World. As they changed from needing military gear to fight an uprising to the needs of colonial expansion, the military saddle was again transformed in to a stock saddle to better suit their needs. This was known as the Spanish Stock Saddle. It was designed as a tool for the working cowboy and evolved along with the expansion into the American West, from everything to fighting Indians to helping settlers round up their cattle.

Over time the stock saddle was influenced by geography and the culture using it. Very distinct styles developed reflecting differences in climate, terrain, culture and stock working styles. The harsh climate and punishing brush of the mesquite of the southwest resulted in saddles built to protect the rider, thus making it big, bulky, heavy and plain. California, on the other hand, had a mild climate with lush land where the vaqueros had much more leisure time. Their saddles were not only smaller than the Texans, but evolved into highly decorative pieces that are still used in show rings today with their conchos and elaborate designes of tooling.

From the 1700’s through the 1950’s, the western saddle continued to grow and evolve, with many new features to support cattle work and improved construction methods extending the strength, durability and comfort of the piece.

Today, the working cowboy isn’t the only focus on saddle making. They are now designed for a wide variety of uses and riders such as trail or pleasure, endurance, rodeo contestant, team roper, barrel racer, reiner, cutter, and of course, working cowboy. Western saddles are now all over the world, but regardless of the style or origins, all of these saddles have an ancestry they share from the western stock saddle.



LANDON

Mike Freemen asked:


While in generations past children and adults alike rode their bicycles without giving helmets a second thought, today no responsible parent allows their son or daughter to ride without first donning their high quality bike helmets.

Part of the reason for the changing attitudes about helmets has to do with better education and research. Study after study has shown that those wearing helmets suffer from much lower rates of head trauma than those who ride their bikes unprotected. Simply donning a bike helmet provides the rider with a much greater chance of survival, and helmets are the number one most effective pieces of equipment for any rider.

Of course helmets are not just for bike riders. There are many sports that use helmets as part of their basic safety equipment. These sports include snowboarding and skiing, skateboarding and horseback riding. All are sports that provide a great deal of enjoyment, but that also have a high rate of injury. Simply by wearing the appropriate helmets, it is possible to greatly reduce the risk of injury without interfering with the fun and exercise these great sports provide.

When it comes to motorcycle riders, helmets have always been, and probably always will be, a matter of contention. Some riders insist that the decision on helmets should be made by each individual motorcyclist, while others feel that the decision to require helmets should reside with the state. Safety experts agree, however, that helmets are an important safety measure for any motorcycle enthusiast.

No matter what sport or activity you participate in, however, it is important to purchase the helmets for those sports from reputable, quality manufacturers. Not all helmets are created equal, and it is important to choose helmets that are made to the toughest quality specifications.

It is also important to buy only those helmets that have been designed specifically for your own sport or activity. For instance, the safety requirements for horseback riding are quite different than those for riding a bike or a motorcycle. For this reason, bicycle helmets simply will not do for horseback riding, and riding helmets will not be appropriate for riding a bike or motorcycle.

Fit is another vital consideration when it comes to choosing helmets. Helmets that are too large or too small will be worse than useless, and an ill fitting helmet could actually be dangerous if it interferes with range of vision. It is important to purchase helmets for every member of the family, and family members should not switch helmets unless their head sizes are exactly the same. Every manufacturer of helmets will provide an easy sizing chart, making it easy to choose the right size helmets even when ordering those helmets through the mail or over the Internet.

Finally, while no parent can put a price on the safety of their children, the price of helmets is of course an important consideration. Nobody has unlimited funds, and it is important to shop around for the best helmets at the best prices. After you have determined which helmets are of the highest quality, it is important to shop around for the best prices on the helmets you need for yourself and your family.



MICHEAL

Amy Nutt. asked:


Horseback riding has been a method of transportation for hundreds of years, and over time as technology advanced it became more of a pastime. People love horseback riding as a way of feeling free and having a special connection with parts of nature. If you have been thinking about owning a horse, or maybe you just want to take lessons, you should know a few things before you get into serious riding.

When you first consider dealing with a horse on a regular basis by owning one or ‘leasing’ one for riding, you might not have any previous experience or seen one up close and in person. If you are going to be in close contact with a horse for the first time, be prepared because they are very large creatures. While they are beautiful and generally well mannered, most people are slightly intimated by the size for the first few times they are around it. This is why it is very important for you to get to know your horse before riding it.

If you are buying your own horse, then you will probably be doing a fair amount of grooming. Even if you keep it at a stable and hire someone to do some of the grooming, you should spend time grooming it too if you plan on riding. Most people who lease out their horses to let people ride them will require you to groom the horse before each riding session. By grooming the horse, you’ll not only be developing a connection but you’ll also help yourself to feel comfortable around it. Every horse has a different personality and it’s important that you have a sense of your horse’s personality before riding, because it may be a factor in how you need to handle it.

Whether you are getting ready to groom your horse or get on its back for a ride, you need to be sure you approach it in a safe manner. Horses aren’t naturally dangerous creatures, but they can dangerous be because of their sheer size. They don’t know any better so it is up to their handlers to take the extra precautions. Never approach your horse from directly in front or behind. The way their heads are shaped prevents them from being able to see behind them and it is hard for them to see in front of them as well. Coming in from either side, especially where you can see their eyes directly in front of you means they can see you coming and won’t accidentally hurt you.

As far as the actual riding goes, that is the easy part. A well trained horse - and as a beginner you should be riding a well trained horse - will follow commands very well. You’ll need to keep a comfortable grip on the reins and be sure not to pull tight because you’ll need room to pull back when you want to horse to slow down. The commands are simple; you’ll be using the reins to direct the horse by nudging its head to face the direction you want it to go. That’s it for the basics. If you want to learn more advanced riding, you will definitely want to take lessons.



SILAS

Margarethe De Clermont asked:


Supremely self-confident equestrians know how to optimise their unique talents and skills by harnessing the collective powers of their minds, their bodies, and their individual resources. The ability to build (or even re-build) one’s self-confidence, is essential for any rider. Absorbing and making use of high-quality information works from the inside out, resulting is a set of concrete strategies that are powerful, easy to apply, and quick to show results.

Where can one get inspiration and high-quality information? The following ten options are very practical and useful.

1. Watch instructional video’s and DVD’s

2. Join associations and clubs - often free on the internet

3. Subscribe to reputable newsletters via e-mail or RSS

4. Attend master classes/ lectures - check the appropriate websites for dates and locations

5. Attend residential workshops - these can be especially enjoyable if combined with an equestrian holiday

6. Get personal equestrian life coaching. Coaching helps you figure out who you are, where you are now and where you want to go from here. It helps you turn your riding dreams into goals. After all, a goal is only a dream with a deadline. An equestrian life coach offers you support and commitment, and use specialised professional skills to provide inspiration, motivation and encouragement.

Common benefits people experience from coaching include:



- Improved sense of direction/focus- a clear sense of direction is always useful to horse riders

- Increase self-knowledge/ awareness: you will master new riding skills faster if you are fully aware of your weaknesses…and strenghts

- Improved ability to relate to others, especially to horses

- Increased motivation - essential on a freezing cold winter morning with several stables waiting to be mucked out

- Increased ability to handle change - since, as a horse riders, you never know exactly what is going to happen next, adapting to change is an essential ability

- Increased resourcefulness/resilience

7. Read books about riding technique written by excepted equestrian authorities.

8. Avoid overconfidence like the plague. Arrogance can be very dangerous. Pride comes before a fall - don’t risk a riding injury.

9. Attend horse shows, competitions, performances and open days. Fuel your motivation with inspiring quotes, books and films ( like Citizen Mane , Withering Heights ,The Bridle of Frankenstein, Gentlemen Prefer Palominos, Rein Man, Lawrence the Arabian and Stall Wars)

10. Inspirational and motivational quotes can change your life! Quotations can motivate and inspire you and increase your self esteem. Quotations can change your attitude and your mood. Reading famous quotations and reflecting on them will help you refocus on what is really important to you. And for that reason I am ending with a quotation from one of the greatest movie makers of all times:

Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C’s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable - Walt Disney



CURTIS

Janine Carter asked:


Children have a love of animals almost as soon as they are old enough to know what they are. Some have an innate love of horses specifically. The key to keep young riders interested is to not get too structured in the beginning with their lessons. Teach them the basics when they are old enough to physically handle an animal as large as a horse. Usually under six years of age, children are not strong enough to handle anything but the most safe and older “kid horse”. Make your first lessons fun and don’t ask too much of them until they are older and more mature.

In the beginning, have the horse already in a stall waiting for the student. Later on he or she can help to collect the animal from where its kept. Horses are very large and you don’t want a student to get hurt trying to lead a horse. This will certainly scare the child and cause he or she to be afraid which is what you don’t want. The student should be told exactly where to stand to do each grooming process and safety must be stressed as the number one priority while still making it fun.

The first lessons with children are how to groom and take care of a horse before they ever get on one. It is suggested to have the student wear a helmet during the entire lesson, even while grooming. Children love to feed treats to animals, so let them drop treats into a bucket for the horse or pony. If they get very familiar and relaxed you can teach them how to feed from their hand, with it being totally flat and fingers tightly together so the horse doesn’t nip their fingers. Also, when giving treats to a horse he will try to nuzzle for more and maybe try for pockets and could possibly push on the child. Let them know this is normal and the horse is simply looking for more treats.

Fit the saddle to the child. Use the smallest available and try to loop the stirrups until they are short enough for them to reach with their feet. Having their feet reach the stirrups will give them more balance and control. Keep a halter on underneath your horses bridle so you can attach a lunge line on. With the lunge line you can allow the child to ride around on the horse while still having control over the horses head. It is much easier for the teacher of a child to physically demonstrate what you mean rather than give only verbal lessons. Teaching a young rider is very “hands on”.

Wearing safety gear and keeping the lunge line clipped to the horse’s halter at all times, proceed with the lessons. Teach balance and getting used to the motion of the horse and learning to use the reins to direct which way the horse will go. Also they will learn the proper position of their hands and feet . As time goes on the student will gain the strength and balance needed to pursue riding.

If you have any questions on Horse supplies or Posh Pampered Pets, please call 979-221-7251 or email info@poshpamperedpets.com. Our home office is located in Waller, Texas, with warehouses located throughout the United States such as Dallas TX, Houston TX, New York NY, Denver CO, Chicago ILL, Seattle WA, Kansas City MO, Miami FL, Raleigh-Durham NC, Washington DC, Los Angeles CA, Fayetteville AR, Philadelphia PA, Phoenix Arizona, San Antonio TX Texas.



EZRA

Margarethe De Clermont asked:


One thing I have learnt during my struggles to become a better horseback rider is definitely non-negotiable: Whatever it is that you want to achieve with your horse and your riding, there is one fundamental concept you have to accept in all its complexity: you have to exercise you mind with as much diligence as you exercise your body.

There is a vast variety of mental exercises at the thinking rider’s disposal: mental rehearsal, anchoring, resourceful state induction, eradicating limiting beliefs with affirmations, reframing, perceptual positioning and many more at least one to suit every rider, though most riders prefer to use their own combination of techniques. The following ten are some of the greatest confidence boosters for horseback riders.

1. Start by accepting yourself exactly as you are. You are good enough exactly as you are now. That does not mean that there is no room for improvement, just that you are perfectly acceptable in whatever state or condition you are right now. And while you are at it, give your horse a break and accept him too, just as he is now.

2. Mental rehearsal

Athletes every where use this technique to prepare themselves form competitions. Imagining and fine tuning every step of their performance results in a dramatically enhanced outcome.

3. Installing anchors

An anchor is a stimulus that generates a specific state of mind. For example, touching a thumb to an index finger while holding the reins could be an anchor that will make you feel more confident in the saddle.

4. Journaling

Keeping a journal or training can be a powerful confidence booster. When you feel as if your training is going nowhere, you can look back at past achievements to remind yourself that one often feel discouraged just before one’s greatest breakthroughs.

5. Hypnosis

The power of suggestion to the sub-conscious mind can not be neglected. I believe it is an essential supplement to the thinking rider’s mental toolkit.

6. Practice Gratitude

Be grateful for everything you have achieved so far, no matter how small and insignificant a goal it was. Get a gratitude attitude.

7. Goal setting

Your self-esteem, awareness, ability to communicate with horses and people, energy and happiness can all be amplified by your use of goal setting. This type of confidence-building takes time, although the sense of achievement when you reach that elusive star, is an instantaneous confidence booster. So aim for the moon, if you miss it you will still land amongst the stars.

8. Reframing

In reframing you choose what an event will mean to you and how you are going to respond to it emotionally. After a dressage test you can focus intentionally on what went well, instead of every little thing that went wrong. Usually we tend to maximise our blunders, even if they are by far in the minority. Often we are blind and deaf to our own successes.

9. Get rid of limiting beliefs

Most of us have very rigid ideas of who we are, what we can or can’t do, what we do or don’t believe about horses and riding, about instructors and farriers and vets. Very few of us are willing to adjust our beliefs even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Instead of changing our beliefs, we get even more entrenched in our comfort zone, and decide instead to find some one or something else to blame: our horse, for example. Or the weather, another rider, the course planner, the trainer, our instructor etc. etc.

10. Discover your learning style and stage

Your mental fitness determines how efficiently you learn; how easily you remember new information and master new skills. How effectively you can use your brain to achieve the goals you aim for is subject to your level of mental fitness.

Start your mental fitness program today. You get mentally fit in exactly the same way as you get fit physically. By exercising your mental muscles. Daily, preferably. Otherwise as often as you can find time. The fitter you are mentally, the more spectacular the increase in your confidence.



KARL

Susanne Malloy asked:


Have you ever though about riding your horse barefoot, with the wind whipping through your hair? It does sound nice, doesn’t it? However, you might want to think twice about this idea and instead consider some suitable riding apparel. Riding apparel has a very important purpose - keeping you, the rider, safe as you go galloping around.

Boots are a must, whether you are an adherent of the English or Western style of riding. Wearing boots is not just for riding, but for all activities around horses including feeding, grooming, exercising, etc. After all, those hooves are very heavy and if your horse accidentally steps on your toes; well, let’s just say you’ll wish you’d worn boots. For riding, a boot with a heel is the best choice as it will prevent your foot from slipping through the stirrups. However, for working in your stable, you may want to pick up a pair of paddock boots or work boots. They’ll be more sturdy and durable, and often more comfortable.

Not very many people are excited about wearing a riding helmet. After all, one would hardly call them stylish. At the same time, a riding helmet can quite literally be a lifesaver in the event of a fall. Your baseball cap or cowboy hat will not provide adequate protection. Shop for a well-rated helmet specifically designed for horseback riding. Vented models can keep you cooler.

Long pants, breeches or jodhpurs should be worn when riding. They’ll protect your legs from the saddle and horse’s sweat and from brush, sticks and the elements.

In competitive riding, you’ll have to stow your regular riding wear and pull out your show clothes - whether riding English or Western. Each style has clothing requirements, and each season brings new styles. If you aren’t following both the rules and the styles, you’ll find it hard to win ribbons.

If the show you’re riding in asks for hunt seat attire, then you’ll have to wear a riding shirt which is either white or pinstriped. You’ll also need breeches, a hunting cap, dress riding boots and a wool riding jacket. Riding gloves are also customary in these events. Breeches and jacket can be any dark color, but you may want to find out what colors are “in” before making an investment in them. Being out of style may not win you favor with the judges or the audience.

You’ll need to dress formal for dressage riding. You’ll need a white shirt, a stock tie (which should be fastened with a horse-themed pin), white or tan breeches, black jacket and dress boots, as well as a helmet or hunt cap. If it is a saddle seat competition, then you’ll want dark jodhpurs, jodhpur boots, a riding derby, a dark jacket and white riding shirt.

Western riders wear different clothes depending on their gender. Men will need Western shirts, ties, belts (leather with silver buckles), felt cowboy hats, riding boots, jeans and chaps. Women will be attired in Western shirts, vest or jacket, riding boots, felt hats and of course, jeans and chaps. In more intense sports, the ties and silver belt buckles are not required.



JOAQUIN

Margarethe De Clermont asked:


When you have had a bad fall, it can take a long time before you feel confident enough to get back on a horse. And so it should be, caution is the body’s way of protecting itself. But what do you do if you love horse and you love horse riding and you are yearning to get back in the saddle but your riding confidence is a rock-bottom low?

1. Maintain physical fitness, strength and suppleness

Start with what you have. Get fit. Lose any surplus weight that may have accumulated while you were laid up. Slowly build up your strength again and gradually regain your suppleness with stretches and yoga. If it was a severe injury, work with a professional, like a physiotherapist. You will automatically feel more confident when you are strong and fit

2. Eat a healthy diet. After an injury, you need to rebuild your physical strength. Eat enough, but not too much. Make sure you ingest all the vitamins you body needs while it is under all this physical and mental stress.

3. Limit alcohol, avoid drugs. Most horse riders know to avoid alcohol (and drugs, for the same reasons) if they plan to go anywhere near their horses. Be careful not to self-medicate with alcohol while you are feeling low and bored, it will not make you feel happier or better. You are only delaying the healing process; a very unwise approach indeed

4. Get enough sleep. When you sleep, your body takes time out to heal itself, physically and mentally. At no other time does your body need to recharge its batteries as desperately as after an injury. Invest in eight hours of deep, rejuvenating sleep a night, until you are fully restored.

5. Increase your body awareness. If you were injured physically, you probably have no difficulty paying attention to your body’s messages - especially the parts that were injured. Even if you did not sustain a serious injury, pay attention to what is going on inside you and in the immediate area around you. Rediscover your sense of touch and physical orientation. Body awareness is an essential attribute of all good riders.

6. Review your commitment to observe standard safety procedures. Always wear appropriate riding apparel, always check your equipment, always wear a helmet

7. Learn how to fall. Martial arts students spend a lot of time learning how to fall without injuring themselves. If you haven’t mastered this useful art yet, take some time to do so now. You will be investing in your future.

8. Get your timing right. Next time you ride, take all the variables into account. Don’t go riding if you are rushed, or feel under the weather, or have too many other things on your mind. Give your horse not only your time, but also your full attention.

9. Take the environment into account (as well as your horse’s reaction to the environment). Do not put either yourself or your horse at risk because you are desperate to go riding. Life’s too short.

10. Buy insurance, personal, horse and third party.

Make sure you are fully insured, and so is your horse. Last thing you need when you are recuperating from the physical and mental effects of a horse riding injury is to worry about doctor’s and/or vet’s bills.

So you see, there is a lot you can do to restore your confidence long before you gat back into the saddle. And doing something physical is good for your body and your mind. Once you are strong enough to start exercising again, remember exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural analgesic. So get out there and start mucking out those stables. It will cheer you up no end and in no time. (Just joking!)



DWIGHT

Susanne Malloy asked:


Although the name refers to a very specific country, English riding is a form of horseback riding that is found all over the world. There are many different variations of English riding, but you’ll find that there are certain factors that unify it into a style that is immediately recognizable from Western riding. When you are looking at English riding, you’ll find that some things will immediately let you know what you are looking at.

When you are looking at English riding, you’ll find that an English saddle will be used, no matter what the horse is doing. The English saddle is quite flat, without the deep seat that is common to the Western saddle and without a saddle horn. This kind of saddle is designed to allow the horse the maximum amount of movement, no matter what task is in front of it. When you realize that a horse that is being put through its paces in English riding will be doing things as varied as racing or classical dressage, you will see that that demands a great deal of movement in deed.

English riding consists of many different styles, but virtually all of the styles require that both hands be held on the reins. This allows more control over the horse, and it also changes the focus of this style from the horse to the rider. When you are looking at someone who is riding English as opposed to Western style, you’ll also notice that during a trot, they will tend to rise and sit with the rhythm of each stride, something that is called posting, while in Western riding, the rider will usually stay seated in the saddle.

For many people, English riding is a discipline that exemplifies the grace and power that a horse can display, and this is evident in many of the events that use this style. For instance, dressage, which is a form of training and competition, is always performed using an English saddle. Dressage is a form that maximizes the horse’s potential as a riding animal, and it is aimed at enhancing the horse’s precision when it comes to the control of the rider. Show jumping, where a horse is timed as it is taken over a number of obstacles, is another sport that uses English riding, as is polo, which involves a high degree of movement and exacting timing from both animal and rider.

While there is some discussion that is ever ongoing about whether one horse breed or another is preferred for Western or English styles, the truth of the matter is that any horse can be trained to either style. Most people prefer horses trained for specific events be trained exclusively in one or the other. The training in style will affect the way that the horse responds to stimulus and this can strongly affect the horse’s ability to perform as necessary.

When you are looking for information on styles of riding, think about what suits you best, and make sure that you get all of the information that you need!



WILSON

Janine Carter asked:


Horseback riding vactions are a time of the year that horse lovers look forward to, whether its with the whole family with kids included or just the two of you. Here we will talk about a few vacation spots to take your horses to, or if thats not possible rent the horse, saddle and tack right there. Either way you will have a great western riding experience.

Walden Creek Stables in the Smokey Mountains of East Tennessee is our first stop. This riding stable has five hundred acres with one-hundred horses and fifty riding cowboys to keep the action going for seven days a week, and that includes Christmas Day. So you can pretty much plan a trip here all hear round complete with saddle and tack. This Stable has horses for every level of horsemanship so there are no worries there. Not only do they have several trails to choose from but on special nights there is a Wild West Show with live entertainment.

Now lets jump on over to Wyoming where jumping in the saddle all tacked up and riding horses is just about second nature. Bitterroot Cattle Roundup is a great place to learn to ride in some of the most beautiful country you’ll ever see. The Bitterroot cattle graze on the adjacent national forest land from July to October. Guests who ride well enough can help the cowboys with the work of herding the cows into the mountains the first week of July and rounding them up again in the last week of September, known as the “roundup”. The cattle are spread out over fifty square miles of high mountains, forests, clearings and river valleys. When you return to your log cabin each evening, you’ll have a nice cozy bed waiting for you.

One of the most awesome places in the world is in the Grand Canyon located in Utah and Arizona. Grand Canyon Winter Pastures is one of the few stables that allows you to ride your horse down in to the canyon all saddled up with pack horses. This trip is not to be confused with infamously tedious donkey rides. This is a rigorous horse pack trip into some of the canyon’s least frequented drainages. Often riders need to dismount in order to lead their horses throught hazardous spots. Checking your saddle and tack often is the norm on this trip to make sure all is secure. The groups are small and everyone must be willing to pitch in around camp. The scenery alone is worth the trip.

Now we find ourselves in California at the Redwood Coast Ride stable. This ride goes everywhere from sandy beaches of the Pacific to the majestic redwood forests in northern California. Your riding guide has twenty-five years experience as a riding instructor. I would say a beginning rider might want to take a few lessons before trying this ride, although it is certainly more tame than the Grand Canyon adventure above.

So far we haven’t talked that much about beginner riders or lessons. At Medicine Hat Trail Ride in Carthage, MO, you can find a place to do both. You start off by learn how to groom and prep a horse for riding to putting on all the tack, then on to the trail for an hour long lesson that is relaxing and educational. While riding, you learn all the little signs of reading a horses disposition with the position of his ears and a swish of his tail. Great for kids and adults alike.



DARIUS