horse saddles tack and accessories

Horse Camping.  Time with family and friends

Coming in from a ride with our 6 yr old

Camping with your horses and family can be so much fun!  We are going to a horse camp this week end and it’s a lot of work to get ready, but the fun is worth it.  Its good for your horses.  Performance horses really need time off the job, to enjoy just riding and being a horse.

      Where ever you ride, ifs its not a regular horse trail, be sure you have permission to be there.  That can really mess up your day.  There are so many horse camps that its easy to find them and they are set up with you and your horse in mind.

      Check the weather forecast and take appropriate clothing.  Bug spray for you and your horse is a must. Sun screen is another have to have.

      It’s a good idea to make lists of what you need for you and your horse.  Clothing for the entire trip, cooking essentials and food for you and your horse.  Water buckets, grooming tools, rope and tack.

Happy Trails

      Its wonderful to be able to set up camp and take rides each day.  A good campsite has access to water.  Most horse camps have water and corrals.  I feel that is  the best way.  Some people carry portable ones that set up quickly.  We have taken our corral panels and that works fine if you are able to take an extra rig or you can hang them off the horse trailer as some do.   A picket line works, be sure the horses are tied at least 10 feet apart.  Tethering is done, but not the best way.  Horses can come loose or become tangled.  Hobbles have been used for years.  Be sure your horse is broke to the hobbles as they will be less likely to panic.   However you secure your horses, be sure they are away from your campsite.  They do attract flies .

      Always clean up your camp before leaving.  Take your litter and remove all unused hay.  Clean those corrals and put manure where the camp grounds ask you to.  There is nothing worse than people leaving their mess for the next one to clean.   Leave the campsite better than when you found it.

      Crazyhorsesaddleshop has many items to assist with that great camping experience.

      We have Trail saddles, buckets, ropes, halters and those awesome shoe boots.

collapsible buckets a must for trail/camping rides The trail saddles are affordable and well made.Enduranc saddle ses-061

You never know when your going to loose a shoe on that ride.  Have one with you at all times. 

  

 

Hoof Shoe

These are well made and a must for the avid trail rider.

We have a nice selection of Saddles. Endurance, Barrel Racing as well as roping and all around.

 

      Crazy horse saddle shop is dedicated to all the riders and horses out there.  Happy Trails and be safe.

Hope to see you out there……

“Don’t worry about what’s ahead.  Just go as far as you can go- from there you can see farther.”

My two Girls

Our family from Crazy Horse Saddle Shop love trail riding and camping.  We belong to our local trail riding club and participate in many campouts and trail rides throughout the year.

Trail riding can be a fun way to enjoy your horses as well as family and the outdoors.

There are safety guidelines that are always good to follow.  Safety is priority.

Begin with a well mannered horse.  Make sure your horse is in good physical condition to make the ride.  Choose area’s that match the rider and horses skill levels.  Always vary your gates if you want to do more than walk.  Never lope or run for long periods of time.  Speed is not safe for the horse and rider as well as its exhausting.

Be sure all equipment fits and is in good condition.  Keep a snug cinch, not a tight one and always check the cinch before mounting and before going down steep grades.

NEVER ride alone.  Prefer to ride with groups and the trail boss will select the pace and trails to fit the horses and riders within the group.

Ride with good balance and erect stature.  On long rides dismount and lead your horse for a short distance each hour.  At times let the horse rest, be sure to loosen the girth while resting.  Retighten before mounting again.

If you come across water, make sure you give your mount a chance to drink.

Be careful if you leave the trail.  You could fall in holes or run across unsafe surfaces, sharp objects or a swarm of bee’s.

Items to carry with you on the trail ride:

Halter and lead rope, pocket knife, hoof pick, wire cutters, canteen, basic first aid kit, litter bag or sack, easy boot, cell phone, pieces or leather or bailing twine for repairs, matches, flashlight and some energy bars.

At Crazyhorsesaddleshop.com we sell a fantastic hoof boot.  We use them ourselves and just love them.  They allow for the water to escape, yet there are no metal catch’s to hurt the horse.  All fastened together with Velcro .

Hoof Shoe

We ride our local trails and love our horses. The Hoof Shoe is a safe alternative to shoeing your horse or for replacing a shoe out on the ride.

We also Sell Awesome trail riding, endurance saddles. Our Endurance saddle fits your horse and is so light weight.  Makes for a wonderful experience for horse and rider.  Come on in and browse our store.  You will be glad you did.

Endurance Trail Saddle

Trail

 

 

Ideas and tips when choosing & using bits for horses.

Snaffle

  Why do we use them?  Well for control of our horses.  Very few people can move and stop their horses with only the movement of their bodies.  There are trainers that can, but for the most part the rest of us need some form of a bit or hackamore.  

  The use of a bit on your horse is more important than which bit to use.  You should ride your horse with the lightest rein contact possible.  Many riders and especially kids and new riders depend too much on the reins and the ability to stop them than on using weight, balance and other aids (legs) to control their horses.

  Take some time to learn about bits and the horses mouth.  Then you can choose the best possible bit for you and your horse.  Then its best as well as cheaper to borrow several styles of bits and try them before buying one.  The first one usually will not work.  Start with the easiest bit possible and work up.

gag

 

  Bits help control your horse by putting pressure on one or more parts of its head or mouth.  Learn which does what. Different bits and bridles apply pressure to different parts. 

  There are seven control points and there are specific parts of the bridle that affect them. Hackamores pressure point is the bridge of the nose.  The curb chain puts pressure on the chin groove.  All bits with mouthpieces put pressure on the corners of the mouth.  High port bits add pressure to the roof of the mouth (these can be cruel if not used correctly).  Chain and three piece snaffles add pressure to the tongue.  Bits with shanks and draw gags add pressure to the poll.  A snaffle adds direct pull on the mouth and no leverage.

  So take care of your horses mouth, don’t make them hardmouthed or cold-jawed.  It will make for a happier relationship between the two of you.

At Crazy horse saddle shop We carry all types of bits and hackamores.  Stop in a see us after you know whats the best bit for your horse.

HUNT SEAT RIDERS BASIC INFORMATION.

bailey-mandy-quarter-horse-show-2006

  The Hunt Seat Saddle style of riding suits a horse with a free, forward movement and the basic aptitude for cross-country riding or jumping.  Hunt Seat riding allows you close contact with your horse, using your balance and a slight grip.  Make sure you learn the basics of riding on the flat before attempting the jumps.  Begin with small jumps and work your way up as your horse and you progress.  Be safe, don’t hurry.  You and your horse are worth the time it takes to learn correctly.

  One path to success is making sure you have a nice close contact saddle that fits you and your horse.  The hunter saddle places your body position slightly  forward which enables the horse to balance your weight for any athletic performance.

  Our store at Crazy Horse Saddle Shop has a nice selection of close contact saddles.  Stop by and sit a spell.  Browse our store for saddles and more.

Crazyhorsesaddleshop.com

english cc saddle

Our word for today to keep those frowns away:

Horse sense is what keeps horses from betting on what people will do.

Justin McBride, 2 time world Champ Bull Rider

Our family went to the Spring Fair and Rodeo this past week end. We attended part of the Rodeo.  My kids enjoyed the Rodeo Clown and the mutton busting that was for 8 yrs old and younger.  A local store gave all those that rode the Sheep a bull riders vest.  They loved that vest.  My grandson who is 7 yrs old had a vest from my daughters youth.  He would not ride in it because he wanted to have that nice new one like the rest of the kids. Typical.

The clown spoke with all the kids and gave each one a high five before they got on the sheep.  Two of the sheep were had their wool and two were sheared.  The participants as well as the audience loved this event.  Most of the kids said they liked the Bull riding and Saddle bronc riding.

There was barrel racing each of the three days.  The barrel racing was done by professional barrel racing gals that travel around from rodeo to rodeo and have their pro card.  They are fun to watch as the horses are so well patterned around those barrels. All of the riders have outstanding barrel saddles, headstalls, breast collars and tie downs.  The most important piece of protection for the horses are their splint boots and bell boots.  Without those you could have a lame horse as you ride out of the arena.  No legs – no horse.

The speed and power it takes for those horses to run the course can cause bowed tendons and other leg injurys.  A stepped on cornet band is also at risk without those bell boots.  This is because the back feet hit the front as they make their turns at a fast & quick speed.

Equipment in any sport is important for the participant and their team mates.  In rodeo its the riders and their mounts.  They know the importance of good equipment.  An injury during an event not only costs medical bills, but the chance for that big win.

We at Crazy Horse Saddle Shop know the meaning of good equipment and we work to sell the very best at an affordable price.  Check out our store at http://www.crazyhorsesaddleshop.com/

The Rodeo clown with Joey our grandson