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TACK:
Saddles:
Bob Marshall Treeless Saddle. I LOVE my BM saddle!! Fits all my horses and is extremely comfortable for distance riding. I have owned mine for 3 years now and have ridden on average about 1,000 miles per year. My horse is never sore! Savvy Sport Saddle is the best to deal with too - very courteous, fast and great prices. ~Denise
I second the Bob Marshall Treeless saddles! Lakota moves out the best in my Bob Marshall (or bareback), and I find it extremely comfortable. ~Michelle of Chestnut Hill Designs
Specialized Saddles:
These saddles ARE different, you start with a saddle built on a tree,
just like any other, then you fit the horse from the tree down, with
neoprene pads and shims, more where you need more padding, less where
you don't. They also have several models, I was searching for a trail
saddle, something with english leathers and no horn, but a deep enough
seat to be comfortable for hours on the trail. They ALSO have English
and Western style saddles. Tell them Linda at Creekside Curlies sent you.
NEW! Bareback Pads: (for safety reasons ALWAYS remove stirrups!)
Denier Nylon Padded Bareback pad: I LOVE this bareback pad! I searched high and low to find the perfect pad, and I think this comes pretty close. I love that it comes in two styles, english & western. I love the exterior which is denier nylon, washable and not at all slippery! The padding is super great, but I do use a tiny memory foam pad under it just to raise it abit off Reese's withers. It has little raised padded sections on the pommel and cantle and it just makes you feel a bit more secure. THE BEST part is the price! Just $60 for the english version and $99.00 for the western style that comes with saddle bags! Denise & Reese
El Companero - My el companero is indeed very impressive as a bareback pad and you do really stick like glue, even if you're wearing every day jeans and your hiking boots. Going up some very steep hills I still felt secure and comfortable and even trotted a bit. Going down some rather steep inclines I was less secure. I got into one spot where Annie was plunging down the mountainside at a trot and I was hauling on the reins with one hand to help her balance and tell her to SLOW DOWN, and I was pushing with the other hand against her withers because I was in real danger of simply toppling down her neck and right in front of her as she pitched down the mountain. That was adventurous. :|
Even still, my trainer says that riding in any other bareback pad she DOES end up on the withers of her horse, and if I managed to stay 'in the saddle' then the el companero is very secure indeed. I suspect her suede half chaps help in that department...I can see where the suede on suede contact would be truly superior to any other bareback pad on the market. Jeans to suede still left me feeling I will take a saddle next time...
My friend Cherie has ridden in her el companero for up to 6 hours for competitive trail rides and endurance rides. She has a bad back and can't tolerate sitting in a saddle that long. Her horse Rowan, is fairly unpredictable, even though she has taken him through parelli level 2. She reports that she's comfortable sat some of his spooks in her el companero. Again, I suspect her suede chaps help...She is the reason why I got an el companero in the first place...I needed something to give Sage and I padding, and I needed something I could lift even when my stomach acts up. Even my light abetta endurance saddle really does my stomach in lifting it sometimes.
I like the velcro pouch that the foam goes in, but am not impressed with the foam itself. It's the low quality foam you could buy at a craft store, and it compresses into not much padding when you sit on it. I am thinking of buying either a piece of neoprene padding to go in the pouch, or some memory foam. El companero makes pads specifically for therapeutic riding that are more expensive...perhaps there is a higher quality foam in those???
Downsides are that Cherie's horse was quite agitated by the erm...western term is escaping me...leather laces trailing off the conchos on the back of the pad. Apparently they flapped around and scared her horse / stung his skin by flapping. Annie had no reaction to them at all, and my trainer says all the horses she's used it on have been fine.
I also think I want to use a wool pad underneath in the future. The el companero girths up securely enough to hold a pad in place, and I think the wool might be more comfortable against the horse's skin than the suede. Annie didn't seem to mind the suede but it sure gets dirty!!! There's also a loop for getting on from the ground...I didn't try it though. It didn't bother me at all while riding but my trainer commented that it bulged up under her knee (she has longer legs than me) and she is planning on removing that extra strap when she gets her el companero.
Can't wait to try washing it, but haven't gotten specific washing instructions from the company yet....Brie & Sage
Bridles:
Beta Halter Bridle by Tack-A-Tack. - I ride alot and I wouldn't be without my Beta Halter Bridle! I can tack my horse up, load him in the trailer and all I have to do is snap on the bit when I get to the trail! When I get home, I hose it off - it's just like new! You can also order jazzy color inlays to really make your horse stand out. ;-) I have had this bridle for 2 years and Tara will replace any broken parts for free. I had one clasp break when Reese stepped on the reins once. She is a gem to work with and all her products are top notch!! I also have the sports grip reins - they are fabulous!! ~Denise
Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle - Both I, and my horses, LOVE the Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle. It is extremely gentle, yet effective. It uses natural, calming poll pressure and cheek pressure. It is very different from a hackamore, or the other "noseband" type bitless rigs sold on Ebay, they work on the nose only, not the poll and the entire cheek/face. My mare has a shallow palate, and can't seem to get comfortable in a bit. She accepted the Bitless Bridle immediately, and I have never looked back. There are reports and studies by Dr. Cook at www.bitlessbridle.com that prove the damage and behaviors that bits cause. I love the service I get from Jocelyn at www.sumereltraining.com . You can get a Bitless Bridle brown or black, in leather or beta, and in both English and Western styles. ~Michelle of Chestnut Hill Designs
Halters:
Sunset Rope Halters - BEST service, great halters/ropes and leads and great quality product!
Equestrian Clothing
Boots: - Ariat Boots are the best
Breeches: Equissentials Breeches - Many different types of materials available, and the best breech ever!
Helmets:
Extreme Winter Wear: Living in a very cold climate means finding the absolute best winter riding gear is an absolute necessity. Wintertime riding is my favorite time to ride and being warm is key. Here are my favorites, which keep me warm in temps as low as 0 deg.
Ariat Insulated Tek Grip Gloves - Tried & Tested and the BEST!
Brit Riding Muck Boots - LOVE, love, love these!!! Clean a dirty stall, hose off and go for a ride later! Insulated and keep my feet dry AND warm!
Mountain Horse Jacket - I love a 3/4 jacket and this one is a 10 in my book.
Balaclava - I like the MicroFleece material. Goes nicely under my helmet and is very cozy. I found a few on ebay too for good prices.
Arctic Polartec Equissentials Breeches - any style works well as long as you get the Arctic material. I have the Icelandic/western Jods because I think they are the coolest. I get compliments on them all the time. They are expensive but worth every penny! Last for YEARS and years. I have had mine for 3 years now and I wash them constantly. Absolutely the best riding pant on the market, in my opinion!
TUFF RIDER INSULATED OVER PANTS! For those REALLY cold days, these offer that extra bit of protection and so worth the money. They are comfortable and oh, so cozy! The REAL PERKS are: Full suede seat - perfect for riding bareback. AND stirrups to go over your boots, also two full zippers down each side for easy on and off - AND fully lined!! ~ Denise
W's White Smoke Glove - While shopping I tried on these gloves...talk about perfect ! except the price ..LOL... they are waterproof, breathable, WARM, have adequate linning, without a removeable liner ( I find those very hard to get on and off, especially in the cold ) AND... you have the best range of motion I have ever felt in a glove...I will keep an eye out and see if someone ever puts them on sale.....Creekside Curlies
The Glacier Glove
I was in the search for a neoprene glove, a glove that was completely waterproof, yet fitting enough to allow good hand use when riding...my thoughts went to...why not try a glove made for fishing? A glove specifically made for fishing would have all the requirements I was looking for. I happened upon a pair of the "Glacier gloves" at a local sporting goods store...in the fishing section of course! The store carried 2 types of these neoprene gloves, they both allowed good use of the hands...but the one I chose, had a closer fitting wrist to it, allowing me to do chores, without the hassle of my glove edge ( wrist ) filling up with hay pieces.
The gloves are warm, you can really use your fingers, and waterproof too! Creekside Curlies
First Aid
Wound Treatment:
Derma Gel - Recommended by Sheila of Prairie Ponderosa Curlies, I found this product to be the BEST on the market for healing deep wounds. ~Denise
Digestive Aids:
I keep a product called UAA Gel on hand. You can get it from Jeffers ( www.jeffersequine.com ). It contains charcoal and bentonite clay, and it absorbs any toxins. So if your horse raids the grain room, or gets into something toxic, you can immediately dose them with this to absorb the toxins and hopefully prevent a disaster. ~Michelle of Chestnut Hill Designs
Bandages & wraps:
Fly Sprays
Endure Fly Spray - I live in a very wooded, swampy area where we encounter every kind of fly imaginable! We tried the toughest of fly sprays and Endure was 'hands down' the BEST! It lasts several days and my horses are finally comfortable all summer long, even on the hot, humid days! Can't say enough about this product. ~Denise
I LOVE the Skin so Soft! Not the fly spray, but the original bath oil, mixed with 1/3 SSS, 1/3 water and 1/3 Apple Cider Vinegar. Just don't put it on too thick, or the oil will sit on the coat and attract dirt and dust. It really does work! ~Michelle of Chestnut Hill Designs
Grooming
*More helpful ideas on the CHC Grooming for Show & Tips to Curly Grooming page* Arco Moser SE clippers ( cordless ) I have owned these clippers for 3 years now, they are the greatest! they hold a charge a long time, are easy to clip with...My Clipper Blade Repair/sharpener man says that everyone that has them, loves em! I own several other corded clippers, and the cordless are just so much easier to use...they are the first to be used every time. - Creekside Curlies
Beastie Brushes- I prefer the small Beastie Brushes for brushing out my non-showing Curlies in the summer, and a humans vented hair brush for the winter. The Beastie Brush has a smaller synthetic block, so it fits comfortably in your hand without causing your hand to cramp, or you to drop it, giving a vigorous brushing. It has a stiff, crimped bristle, that gets down and gets the dirt up, and is rot-resistant (and come in cool colors, too!). For the winter curls, I like to use a humans vented hairbrush. It gets the dried on mud out nicely, and keeps the curls curly and fluffy so they stay warm in the cold weather. Then I usually go over them lightly after with the Beastie Brush to flick away the dusty bits the hairbrush left behind. ~Michelle of Chestnut Hill Designs
Horse Clothing
Blankets:
We usually don't blanket our Curlies, but sometimes they need a little extra help, especially in the early New England winter, with 40 degree temperature swings, sleet, freezing rain and sub-zero temps after rain. I prefer either Weatherbeeta or Rambo brand blankets or rain sheets. I have not tried all the different styles, but I have found that these two types seem to fit best, they give enough room in the shoulders to not rub or restrict movement. The Rambo blankets are made well and last a long time, but the t-buckles can be fiddly, due to the rubber grommets they use to keep them from coming unhooked. The tailcord that replaces traditional leg straps can get caked in manure, but is worse in mares where it gets urine soaked. Also, the front closure is not adjustable, but does have elastic, so it stays snug and windproof and still allows them to put their heads down comfortably. They are also pricey, but there are some sellers that sell overstock and last years colors on Ebay. Saxon does not seem to fit well at all, they are cut very narrow and have no shoulder room at all. The above applies to both turnout blankets and waterproof sheets. ~Michelle of Chestnut Hill Designs
Dura Tech® Viking Junior Midweight Turnout - Another blanket I just got, that I LOVE, and is priced right, and has a wide range of sizes from foal, to pony, horse, warmblood and draft! The blanket is very, very well made, fits nicely, and the price is fantastic! ~Michelle of Chestnut Hill Designs
Fly Sheets:
I have used many different types and brands of flysheet. But no matter the brand, make sure you only get a Textilene sheet for turnout. Mesh sheets tear and stretch, Textilene holds its shape. It is not hot in the summer (it may be if your horse has no shade and stands out in a bright field all day), but my horses have not even sweat under their sheets. For the fly leg wraps, I prefer the Shoefly leggins. They look weird, but they hold up for 2-3 summers of 24/7 wear, they don't slouch or bind. ~Michelle of Chestnut Hill Designs
'Round the Barn
Horse Ties:
NEW! Aussie Tie Ring...by Blocker
Virgil makes his own tie rings, out of a snaffle bit, so it can be done cheaper, and once I saw the concept, several years ago, I was sold on it ! Since that time, I have seen it work over and over again....it is the MOST awesome way to teach babies to tie, and to retrain tie spoiled horses....also just a very handy way to keep your horses safe...Matt and I had Krinkles go down once while she was tied, and it was a VERY awful moment, she was tied to the trailer, she lost her footing and fell and she had no room to get her front feet up, thankfully, we had other folks there, and someone ran to the house to get a really big knife to cut her lead rope free...so, I am quite careful about how I tie and where.... Linda/Creekside
I AGREE! This is all use now around our barn, in stalls and when we tie do the trailer. They are the BEST invention ever! Denise & Reese
Muck Buckets etc.
Paris Co. Black Sport Sled - I couldn't survive without my sled! I use it in both muddy & snowy conditions. Anytime that a wheel barrel isn't practical. I found the best sled at Walmart. It will fit a big square bale perfectly and I just glide it out to the feeders. It also works for mucking stalls and holds more manure than a wheel barrel and much less work too! If you can't find one at Walmart, try looking at some sport shops. This sled is targeted towards the hunter for hauling gear out to his blind. ~Denise
Other Helpful tips & products |
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