Saturday, November 10, 2007

Check Out Decker Before Deciding On Your Horse Saddle Packs

If you are looking for horse saddle packs you will most likely want to choose between two popular options which are Sawbuck and Decker. No doubt, most of us will have heard of Sawbuck horse saddle packs; however, there is another option worth checking out as well which are the Decker horse saddle packs that are a good choice as well.

Made To Meet The Requirement Of Forest Service

The Decker horse saddle pack was the creation of O.P. Robinett and it later came to be made around the year 1930 by the brothers Decker mainly because there was a pressing need for such items as required by personnel of Forest Service which needed something that could bear heavy loads over extended distances. Thus, the early Decker horse saddle packs came to be very popular with the Forest Service and also with packers and have since been the first choice as far as horse saddle packs are concerned even today.

While comparisons are certainly quite odious, nevertheless there are certain features in the Decker horse saddle packs that differentiate them from others like Sawbuck which is most noticeable in the steel hoops used in place of the cross bucks made from wood as is usual on Sawbuck saddle packs. Thus, you will find that with the Decker saddle packs it is a lot simpler to use steel hoops when attaching panniers since there is no need to lift them over the cross bucks as you would when using Sawbuck saddle packs.

Another notable feature of the Decker horse saddle packs is the half-breed which lies over the pack saddle and will greatly give protection to the horse that is carrying heavy loads. It is usual to find the half-breed being made from canvas and also leather in traditional style, though modern ones may make use of nylon as well as other materials.

When you buy Decker horse saddle packs you will also find that they have buckles for rigging to a tree and you can also move the cinch wherever required and it is quite different to the rigging system of Sawbuck saddle packs in which the pack saddle is screwed to a tree and is also not adjustable.

And, the Decker horse saddle packs also score good points when it comes to packing heavy and bulky loads that may also be quite awkward as it has a Not-A-Knot pack system that can do the loading simply in four easy steps and there is no knotting required.

So, before choosing your horse saddle packs, it would be a good idea to check out different options and the Decker is certainly one of the better options that are well worth giving a second thought to, which in any case are also very popular in some of the northwestern US states and are also gaining in popularity in the rest of the United States.

A Good Horse Saddle Stand Should Not Let The Saddle Tip Or Roll Off

There is really not much difference between saddling your horse using Western saddles and English saddles as both types can be used without any new kind of knowledge required. However, once they are placed on a horse saddle stand there may be times when the saddles roll or tip off the stand. Thus, you would be sure to welcome any means and suggestions that will help you overcome the problem, and though there are many solutions available, there is nevertheless some that are more suitable than others.

Simulate Shoulders Of Horse

In this regard there is a good solution in the form of a wooden horse saddle stand that can have sizes of two by four inch boards for free standing stands, or two by eight inch boards as used with the wall-mounted stands. These horse saddle stands should also have features that will simulate the shoulders of the horse as also something in the center to keep the gullet of the saddle steady.

So, by using built-up pieces of wood one can easily make a horse saddle stand that is neat and which also makes the barn look orderly, and which will keep the saddles from falling off the horse saddle stand. The best part about choosing a proper horse saddle stand is that it helps keep the saddles safe and is also a good piece of furniture that you can place anywhere you desire. Choosing different woods will depend on which type you are partial to and what your budget allows you, and there are many types of woods to choose including light Oak, and also Mahogany and Cherry stains.

The cost of a good horse saddle stand in Mahogany stain could set you back as much as one hundred seventy-five dollars and it will usually weigh about twenty-two pounds and is what every horse owner would be proud to own. And, if you happen to know anyone that is also a horse riding enthusiast and who owns a horse, then you can always think of gifting a horse saddle stand to them which will be much appreciated and also not all that costly.

There are also different kinds of horse saddle stands and you can choose from log stands, Pony Express stands that make for very handsome displays and which should also be sturdy so that they can easily bear the weight of even the heaviest of saddles, though the saddle stands made from log would be costlier though much more decorative than those made of Mahogany. The Pony Express stand has turned posts that show off class and with a horseshoe is great to use as a bridle hook and the top of the stand allows you to hold more than the saddle and also a roper of good size as well.

So, before choosing a particular horse saddle stand, look about for the most suitable stand as there is plenty to choose from and many interesting ones as well.

What To Expect In Your First Horseback Riding Class

So, you want to ride a horse. Good for you! Horseback riding is better than sex. Not only do you get an all over body workout that feels good, there’s no marriage or divorce involved. If you have a brain in your head, you will just park next to the closest pasture and swing up on the nearest grazing equine. This is a sure way to wind up not only in jail, but in The Darwin Awards website. You are best off going to a horseback riding class.

What You Need To Bring

For your first horseback riding class, some basic equipment may be provided. Find this out before the horseback riding class begins! As you progress, you will be expected to buy your own. You need a hard hat – even a bike helmet is better than nothing. Do not be swayed by every movie and book cover you’ve seen of nearly naked lovers galloping on a beach. You will fall off the horse. There’s no shame in that. So, you need your head protected.

You also need pants that let you bend, but will not get caught in any of the equipment. Jeans will do. You need footwear with at least a half inch heel. Boots, ducks and Wellingtons are perfect. My first pair of riding boots were snow boots that just happened to have a half inch heel.

Meet Your Mount

Your first horseback riding class may be as a solitary student to see how you are on a horse and make sure you are safe enough to unleash in a group class. We all started this way. And you get all the attention. You will be introduced to the proper way of approaching, mounting and sitting on a horse. You will discover muscles you never knew existed during your first horseback riding class. This is because these muscles are only used for riding – and in certain sexual positions, but we won’t go into that.

You will be walking and trotting in your first horseback riding class. Nothing faster until your muscles know where they need to be. When you are trying to find your balance on a moving animal, the horse will seem to be moving fast enough! You will learn a whole new language – how to communicate with your horse via your body and not your mouth. Holding the reins, keeping your heels down and your shoulders back while posting at the trot will be a significant challenge on your first day of horseback riding class.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Walking Horse Saddle Is Only Suited To Particular Types Of Horses

The Tennessee Walker is the horse ideally suited for the walking horse saddle which is certainly an exceptional saddle that is made from fiberglass covered wood tree having a cantle of four inches and broad seat with brass hardware and saddle strings trim that is quite a pleasure to own. This is important because such a saddle is ideally suited for the American and also for Canadian horsemen and women and especially for anyone interested in staying in the saddle for long hours and not wanting to have the horse do anything like jumping or running.

Shows The exaggerated Walk Of The Horse To Best Advantage

The walking horse saddle is mainly supposed to show to best advantage the exaggerated walk of the horse and it is not meant for jumping the horse; rather, it is used in flat riding. The horse most suited for the walking horse saddle is of course the Tennessee Walker also referred to as the Tennessee Walking Horse which is a gentle animal originally bred in the South of the United States and was meant to carry plantation owners to different parts of the land that they owned. Another horse quite suitable for using the walking horse saddle is the Garrett Walking Horse and when such horses move in a four-beat manner that can be thought of as a running walk, the rider is very comfortable in the saddle and this type of horse then becomes a very suitable companion even for trail rides.

When you are astride the Tennessee Walker and comfortable in your walking horse saddle, you will find your horse moving at about four miles per hour which is the speed of the four-beat gait though the Tennessee Walking Horse has what is known as the running walk which is more akin to an amble. Thus, you can expect to go faster than mere walking though it is not as fast as a canter which means that your walking horse saddle will provide you with a smooth ride that is much more comfortable than if you were to trot your horse or go any faster.

This means that you can sit in the walking horse saddle for longer periods without becoming uncomfortable or having a sore seat, and are thus such a saddle is ideally suited for trail riding and also for doing tasks in which the rider has long hours to spend in the saddle. Since not every horse can perform the ambling gait, you would be well advised to use your walking horse saddle on a breed such as the Tennessee Walker or on any other horses that have inherited this particular trait through birth or via minimal training.

Know How Best To Avoid Having Saddle Sore On Horse

One of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors is through trail riding which provides you with ample opportunity to view the excellent scenic wonders and also allows you to spend quality time outside the confines of city life, and best of all, it provides the horse with some good exercise and different paced walks. Because, if one were to leave a horse on its own, most probably it would take to doing something like a trail ride, which is sure to give it a good deal of pleasure as well. So, besides the rider, even the horse will prefer going on a trail ride though there are certain necessities that must be taken care of so that the neither the rider gets saddle sore on horse nor the horse feels too sore after a day on the trail.

Sitting On The Saddle For Several Hours Is Sure To Cause Much Soreness

Also, for those who are relatively new to horse riding, going out on the trail all alone is not recommended as you will also be more prone to getting saddle sore on horse because of not having the proper feel of riding and also because of less amount of experience to ride comfortably on the horse. Trail riding involves sitting on the saddle for several hours which will definitely cause saddle sore on horse and so you need to understand what your limitations are and not exert either yourself or the horse more than is absolutely necessary. The idea is to enjoy your trail riding rather than causing your own and the horse’s life to become miserable because of too much wear since getting sore or hurt will certainly not be any fun.

Just like competitive riding, trail riding too makes a lot of demands of both horse and rider and there is need to spend many hours in the saddle while riding for miles on end, or while preparing for a competition. Thus, to prevent saddle sore on horse you need to know the correct posture for riding and also know which saddle will make you feel sore, and which are more comfortable, and to minimize saddle sore on horse, you will certainly need to be very careful in selecting only the proper saddle while learning to keep the correct posture as well.

Though you can pick a saddle that fits in with your technique of riding, there are still so many different riding postures to choose from that no one single posture would suit every rider, and a basic thing to look for in a saddle is that it is wide enough for you to sit comfortably upon and which will also support your body weight well at the same time.

Next, you should be adept at riding otherwise the chances of your getting saddle sore on horse will greatly increase and you should know how to move on as well as off the saddle well so that there is not constant pressure or discomfort felt when riding. And, of course you should be able to handle your horse well if you don’t want even more saddle sore on horse.

Therapeutic Horse Riding Is Great For The Soul

Therapeutic horse riding can bring healing powers to people afflicted with different ailments. Therapeutic horse riding is not new for many people have recognized the healing powers of riding a horse for many years. People with severe disabilities have found great comfort in therapeutic horse riding for some time. Therapeutic horse riding has been recommended by medical professionals for different patients, and there are now centers that specialize in working with people in search of a therapy. Therapeutic horse riding allows some disabled people the use of the legs of magnificent creatures.

People who have lost some of their abilities can regain a feeling of power by using the power of a beautiful horse. Many disabled people gain the power to move around more easily on the back of a horse. There are psychological as well as physical benefits to riding a horse. Therapeutic horse riding requires balance, and the work on a horse often helps people regain some balance by riding on the back of a horse. Horse riding can help people with problems regain some of their physical strength. Exercises on horseback can also help people improve their muscle control and range of motion.

Experts Help Those In Need Through Therapeutic Horse Riding

Therapeutic horse riding is not an imaginary exercise. There are many centers where experts know the value of horseback riding for those with afflictions. Some of the centers are non-profit for maximum benefit to those in need. Many people who suffer from a debilitating condition lose their sense of hopefulness and worthiness. A difficult condition can make people feel that they are useless. Therapeutic horse riding can restore their self-confidence. The skills necessary for riding a horse take practice and patience. Many people feel a great sense of satisfaction from acquiring the necessary skills to control and care for beautiful horses.

Therapeutic horse riding can be especially helpful to children. Some centers that specialize in therapeutic horse riding welcome children to their services. These centers are in rural settings, and there have been children who have benefited greatly from time away from urban centers where their lives are troubled. These children get a chance to escape from some of their troubles for a time. These centers often provide an opportunity where people can work together as a team to care for horses and their stables. Most of the people who enroll in a center work with the team and ride with the team.