horse saddles tack and accessories

Teaching your horse to bath..

We at CrazyHorseSaddleShop.com have taught a lot of horses to bath.  If your horse is afraid of the water and hose, just run it for awhile and get them used to the sound.  I like to begin with a spray nozzle and a very soft spray.  Some horses like the nozzle pointed up over the hips so it comes down like rain.  We start the babies that way. They are usually used to the rain hitting them and this feels the same.  Make sure it’s a soft spray.  Another idea we use is beginning with the feet.  Keep the soft spray on their hooves until it does not bother them and then continue on up the legs.  Most horses will adjust to the bath if you take it slow, talk to them and do not get impatient.  Only begin this training when you can take the time to allow your horse to adjust and learn to take a bath.  This can take awhile with some horses or babies, allow yourself and your horse the time.

Washing the face can be a challenge if not done carefully.  We use the very soft spray over them like rain hitting them.  Be aware that you do not want a lot of water in their ears. One idea is to pinch the ears closed.  We also buy very large sponges and use them with care around the face.  If you finish what you start and make your horse understand and trust you, you will have an easier time giving your horse baths in the future.

Wet your horse thoroughly all over and use a sponge on the head.  You can pinch the ears shut to keep water from getting in them.  Wet and shampoo one section at a time and get the soap off as soon as possible.  Rinse thoroughly. 

Carefully wash out a gelding sheath with a hose to remove dirt and shavings that can cause urinary problems.  Some horses may not allow it and have to be taken to your local Vet.

Wipe off excess water with a sweat scraper or shedding blade.  Be sure to use long strokes.  Do not scrape the heads and legs.

CrazyHorseSaddleShop.com wants your experience to be a good one.  There are may grooming tools to assist you.  Make your take room organized with some of our grooming products and racks.

CrazyHorseSaddleShop.com has a wide selection of products available.  We are adding more every week.  Come on in a check us out.

Our Quote for the Day…..

Just keep going, everybody gets better if they keep at it.

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If it weren’t for the fact that the TV and the refrigerator are so far apart, some of us wouldn’t get any exercise at all.

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Have a great day and smile some.

To continue with the process of a better horse and rider combination, we look at the details of the horse and tack.

          Be sure your horse has a good topline.  That he is flexing nicely with his poll slightly above his withers.  Be sure he is carrying his head in a nice vertical position.  Make sure it is not dropped below the withers.  Check your horse to be sure he appears to be in good condition.  Check to see if he is steep in his shoulders, short through the hips and that his hocks appear to be straight.  We don’t want them too straight.  A horse with these flaws make it harder for him to collect up. (carry himself well).  He needs a good slant to shoulders, nice hips and hocks to move off his rear end correctly to perform the true three-beat lope.

          Gear is another issue when your riding.  Make sure your saddle fenders are the appropriate length for your legs.  Make sure they swing freely and don’t buckle the leather.  This helps the rider move more easily to use her legs against the horses sides.  Stirrups need to be set perpendicular to the saddle fenders for a better foot position. 

Be sure there is not too much padding under your saddle.  This will make it difficult to communicate with your horse, and hard for you to feel what your horse is doing.  When in doubt have a professional check how your saddle fits your horse, you will both be happier.

          Make sure the bridle’s curb chain is not too tight. You need to be able to fit 2 fingers between the horses chin and the chain.  The two fingers allows the shank to be pulled back no more than two inches to make contact with the horse if needed.  Many horses are sensitive enough that you don’t need but a slight movement of the reins to communicate what you want.

Remember there are many videos, books and seminars out there to help you. The basic principle you must understand is “How does my Horse Communicate and Learn”? 

At CrazyHorseSaddleShop.com we are dedicated to great customer service and helping you have a wonderful, productive and safe ride.

CrazyHorseSaddleShop.com has several styles of saddles to choose from.  Come on in and browse awhile.  You will find great saddle pads and blankets, and a bit for every disipline.

Our quote to make you smile for today is:

“Money doesn’t make you happy, but it quiets the nerves.”

Hows your Riding?  Here are a few tricks to watch for.

          Here at Crazyhorsesaddleshop.com we love to encourages good horsemanship and safe riding.

          With a few adjustments to the rider and tack it will strengthen your position, balance, and overall effectiveness as a rider.

          Keep your shoulders square to improve balance. Sit squarely over both hipbones and sit directly in the center of the saddle and your horses back.

          Keep your rein hand directly in front of the saddle horn and over the top line of your horse’s mane.  Make sure your reins are even on both sides. 

          Using all the above directions will improve you and your horse’s balance and help encourage your horse to move forward from his hind end.

I will have more on the next Blog to continue with the process of a better horse and rider combination.

Here at Crazyhorsesaddleshop.com we have wonderful products for you and your horse.

These awesome saddle blankets are a must have for your riding pleasure.

We also have a nice selection of bridle and saddle racks to help organize that tack room.

         and many more.

Its that time of year for those nice warm horse blankets, come and check out our selections.

Remember this quote for today:

“It isn’t so important what others think of you as what YOU feel inside yourself.”

From all of us at CrazyHorseSaddleShop.com  Have riding good day.

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

Mandy at SOBRA finals 2009

Barrel racing is a sport that takes the best equipment to get the job done.  An outstanding Santa Fe barrel racing saddle can do this for you.  We have this Santa Fe barrel racing saddle that is custom rawhide covered.  It has a barrel racing saddle tree. This saddle comes with 5 year guarantee.

To run the race and come out first, you must have a great barrel racing saddle that fits you and your horse.  The best equipment that fits both the horse and you, thats the goal for Crazy Horse Saddle Shop.

Barrel Racing is my passion and I know from experience that without a great saddle the job is 10 times harder to get done. Gett’r Done!

The rawhide cover of this saddle makes sure that you stick to the barrel racing saddle and don’t have trouble staying in as you chase those cans.  When I began I had a ‘used’ barrel saddle without the rawhide roughout seat.  Believe me that is a chore to accomplish with your body sliding at each turn of the barrel. 

It will also send the wrong signals to your horse as you slide into the wrong position.

You and/or your loved one will love this saddle.

We have these barrel racing saddles in 14″, 14.5″ & 15″ seats.

The low price of $899.00.  Why pay more? The BIG plus is FREE Shipping on all Saddles!!

You can visit CrazyHorseSaddleShop.com and find the saddle and gear for you and yours.

Learning Barrel Racing by a Baby Boomer.  Believe

Racing home to win the 4D saddle

You must believe, so success will follow.

Barrel Racing and what it means to decide at 56 years young, thats what you want to learn to do.

I believe you’re never too old to accomplish a dream, if you believe.
Edith Wharton once said, There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

To me light is the accomplishment of a task with my horse. The joy that comes from getting through the cloverleaf pattern with all three barrels standing and a decent time is always nice.

I began Barrel Racing with my daughter, she was 10 and just learning to ride. I had not been on a horse in 20+ years, but the love and determination was there. So we joined a gaming club to ride once a month in a summer series.

As she learned to ride, I once again learned balance and the technique I had long since lost. In 2001 we bought a horse that was barely broke to ride, although she was 10 years old. She soon became mine and we began the long process of learning together. Since shes a little hot, being an appendix Quarter Horse, this was a challenge. We both had to learn balance and the pattern, but we did it together. The road was long and hard.

By 2004 I realized that if I wanted to accomplish my goals, I had to get together with an instructor. We have a good friend that is an awesome trainer of barrel horses, and kids. She took me and my horse under her wing and worked with us, helping us gain the technique, self confidence and balance we both needed.

She has kept us going these past years with spots of training here and there. We go to the same games so she’s there to instruct and scream (its ok) support and directions from the side lines.

Martin Luther King Jr said; Everybody can be great..You only need a heart full of grace.

I have left many arena’s in tears. One year for the series finals we hit barrels on every run, which of course means no time. We had done very well up to the finals, with very few barrels being hit. I was disappointed and I was going to quit, I felt I could never get this dream accomplished. I was too old to respond fast enough. Your horse goes from a stop to 30 miles per hour in a couple of jumps. You only have split seconds to think of your next move as your coming to the next barrel. Several of the long time gamers said its just part of it. One special lady that has been racing for years and has been to world said, we all cry, want to quit, sell the horse, go to knitting. But its worth it, hang in there and keep trying. At the end of season Award ceremony, they gave me a camp chair with a barrel racer and inscribed on it is “Betty & Niki, the school of Hard Knocks”. I love that chair!

Now I’m 63 years young. I am still trying, still racing, still learning, still loving it. My Horse has a hurt leg, I have a hurt leg and we continue to go for it. Remembering all this, speaking of it, is not just about what those outstanding women taught me, helped me and encouraged me. Its about the Teamwork, Love for my horse and her for me, accomplishment and self worth.
I like to say, we are not the fastest, but we are the funnest. Niki and I love what we do. We scream and carry on, when the run is great, I do a jig that makes my family disown me. Niki loves to run and I love riding her as fast as she chooses to go. We win some money, win some awards and have the time of our lives. I feel I have accomplished my dream. The awards we win are secondary to the accomplishment of a dream.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr said Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.
It was not all I had, for I had the support of my wonderful husband (now gone, this passed last year) and a great daughter, as well as the rest of my family and very special SOBRA friends. They made sure the shoulder was there to cry on and support me through the roughest times, and scream their support and pride during the successful times.

A wonderful note from Take it from me: Life’s a struggle but you can win by Erin Brockovich/Marc Elliot reads:

You can Prevail

If you believe you’re right or you can stand up and fight for your place in the sun. If you believe you can do it, hang in for the whole 15 rounds because even if you don’t win, you will have earned the respect of everyone in the fight, including yourself, and in that sense you will have prevailed.

My gal Niki and I did prevail, we Gott’er Done!

 Niki pulled up lame the week-end before the SOBRA finals this past spring of 2009. I ran her daughter TIKI for the finals and together won the 4D saddle!

You can do it, just keep trying.

Niki & I

Stop by and browse our store at Crazyhorsesaddleshop.com  We have barrel racing saddles, english saddles, tack and accessories for all those horse lovers out there.

Why don’t sheep

 shrink when it

 rains?