Photo: World record Holder
Imagine being the farrier for the horse Sampson, you would need at least 2 people picking his feet up, and shoes would have need to be custom made!
Photo: biggest shire horse
The average height for women in United States is 5ft 4inches, with a standing reach of 7 feet 1.4 inches. This means that if an average height woman would have tried to reach Sampson's wither, she would have just touched it with the tip of her finger when standing on her toes. You may need a ladder to get on top of this horse!
Sampson was gelded when he was 1 years old, this might have helped his growth spurt as geldings scientifically grow taller as the growth plates in their legs remain open for longer after they are castrated.
Photo: Smoke Hollow Farm owner Jerry Gilbert
The world’s tallest living horse 2022 is not officially known as the guinness book of world records have not updated their records since the last record holder "Big Jake' died in June 2021. The passing of big Jake shook the world as he has become famous worldwide as world's tallest horse.
Photo: Smoke Hollow Farm Belgian horses
Big Jake was a Belgian draft chestnut horse and he measured 20.2hh (205cm) at the withers, and weighed around 2500 pounds.
Draft horses are known as gentle giants due to their large size and gentle nature. Big horses continue to intrigue horse enthusiasts all over the world. The world’s largest horse breeds include belgian draft horse, clydesdale horses, suffolk punch horses, American cream draft, dutch draft horse, percheron horse and Russian heavy draft.
Photo: Percheron gelding
Draft breeds were originally used for agricultural work as they are the strongest horse breeds and can pull heavy loads. They have the stamina for heavy farm work and strength for pulling heavy equipment. They may not be used as a farm horse in modern times, however they still remain popular for carriage driving or as a family horse in North America. We hope you enjoyed reading about the largest breeds of horses in the world today.
Find Out What the 170+ Most Popular White Horse Names Are HERE.
]]>Horse bridles have been around for thousands of years and in the history of horse riding It is unknown which ones was introduced first - bitless or traditional snaffle bridles. The earliest evidence of bitted bridles dates back to dated about 3500–3000 BC [1] and bitless bridle 1400 BC. There is no question about whether we can ride horses without bits as many top riders in all disciplines have shown great results even without bitted bridles. However why do we continue to use the bit decade after decade - The simple answer is: CONTROL. It is generally easier to ride a horse with a bit in their mouth as its a sensitive part of the horse's body and the mildest movement will make the horse stop/turn etc. However is doesn't mean its the best solution. A horse can be just as responsive in a bitless bridle the correct TRAINING. If you teach a horse to be sensitive to the aids it will listen to the smallest of commands. If you treat the horse rough and jank their mouth - they will become less responsive and 'impossible to ride bitless'. This is not a horse problem, its a horse trainers problem. In saying that a bitted bridle doesn't have to be harsh if used by a rider with gentle hands. The problem lies in riders riding too rough with a heavy hand or horse's not educated properly to be soft and responsive to the smallest aids. As the horse’s mouth
is a very sensitive part of the body hence bitted bridles should be used with very soft hands combined with voice/seat commands. Also please note just because a bridle is bitless doesn't mean that the bridle is any less harsh.
There are a range of different types of bitless bridles available and they become more and more popular every year by riders who believe in a more gentle approach to horse riding and look at their horse as a friend and not a tool to win competitions on etc. We have listed the most popular bitless options to help you on your bitless journey. Checkout the most popular bitless bridles used today in our comprehensive guide below. Please note they are all stated in a random order and not by popularity. Bitless bridles comes in a range of design that distribute pressure in different place. The best option for you depends on the type of horse and the rein tension of the rider.
The rope halter is a type of bitless bridle used by western riders. The nylon material makes it a very affordable option and a simple design. It is worn lose around the horse's head and the horse is trained to respond to nose pressure rather than a constant pressure in the mouth. It can either be ridden with a leadrope attached to both sides of the horse's jaw or with clip on reins.
Rope halters are a hot topic though as depending on the amount of pressure used its can cause pain to the horse's head if put in the wrong hands of a jerky rider.
Photo Credit: Valley Vet
A Mechanical hackamore is the most common hackamore used worldwide. The mechanical hackamore increase pressure on the nose, jaw, and poll of the horse [2] due to its curb chain. This makes this option for bitless bridle alternativies a bit more stronger alternative. The mechanical hackamore is however approved in the show ring hence is a popular option for bitless riders. The shorter the shanks of the hackamore the less severe is the pressure. Lateral movements and turning can also be a bit more difficult. The mechanical hackamore should not be confused with the original true hackamore.
Photo credit: Equiniction
A side pull bridle is a fairly simples design when it comes to types of bridles. Its a bitless bridle where the reins attach directly to each side of the noseband and horse's muzzle. Because there is no curb strap under the horse’s jaw this makes a softer alternative as it provides more gentle pressure on the horse’s nose. Its a popular option for riders training young horses as it doesn't put harsh direct pressure. This makes it also a good choice for riders with sensitive horses. Side pull bridles comes in a range of different styles so it all comes down to the horse owners preference. As long as you go for a good quality leather you can't go wrong. A simple sidepull bridle is a combination of a side pull bridle without the throat lash. Be aware that it can be more difficult to stop a horse in a sidepull bridle as the pressure is not as strong as a bitless bridle with a curb chain. Turning is however fairly simple in a sidepull bridle.
Photo credit: SS Tack
A natural hackamore is a western style hackamore, its simply a rope halter tied to mecate reins. The reins are tied to bottom of the halter chin strap rather than on the sides with riding with a normal bitless rope halter. The rein aids are therefor a bit different as all communication with the horse happens from the lower jaw and horse sides of the noseband.
A bitless double bridle combines the effects of a curb bit or a curb chain bitless bridle and a normal side pull bitless bridle. The reins can be used different ways, either be used in combination with both buckles or separately depending on the riders preference. It has the appearance of a normal snaffle bridle on the horse's head as the bottom buckle almost looks like a bit. Its a bridle type that is not as popular yet but on the rise due to its simple design and options for different settings. It has a hanoverian type of noseband which makes the best bitless bridle for a dressage rider.
Photo Credit: Trandscend
A bosal is a different bitless option made up of braided rawhide that hangs lose around the horse's muzzle with a heel butt at the bottom of the jaw. The heel but knot provides weight so that when a rider touches the reins the shift in weight is enough for the horse to respond to the lighest pressure. A bosal is usually ridden with a standard headstall and mecate rein, For slowing down and stopping both reins are lifted. Please note riding with a western style bosal require the rider and horse equal levels of prior training.
Photo Credit: SS Tack
The cross-under bitless bridle distributes pressure over the whole head. As its over the whole of the head and not just the bridge of the nose makes it a more gentle bridle. Some people find turning a bit more difficult with this type of bridle but as you can control the horse's movements with your seat only you should be fine on a trained horse. For english riders it can also be more difficult to get your horse to work in a frame, especially on a green horse. However for a light hack or on a sensitive horse its a great choice.
Photo Credit: Happy Horses
An english bitless bridle is simply any type of bitless bridle made with the english discipline in mind. English bitless bridles always have browbands and a cheek strap. The most newest trend in english bitless bridle is the ergonomic shape which shapes around the horses ears and side of the face.
Here are some bitless bridles that are quite unique but not as popular (yet). Which one is your favourite?
In conclusion there is no one solution that works on all horses. Try different types of bridles and keep the one where you feel you get better communication and connection with your horse. Make sure you stay safe in the saddle and do a lot of ground work before and work with an experienced coach with trying bitless riding for the first time. It doesn't matter if you do trail riding, endurance riding, dressage etc there is a bitless bridle that should fir your needs suitable for beginner, novice rider and experienced riders. My guess is that we will see a lot of new designs and takes on bitless bridles in the next few years as peiple become more and more aware how we treat our horses and question why we use bits/whips/spurs and other harsh tools to communicate with our horses.
Checkout the 50 Most Popular Horse Riding Summer Camps in the Unites States here.
]]>Now keep in mind that the size of your rug might be different depending on what kind of material it's made from. Here are some quick guidelines to help you when measuring your horse.
Use the below chart to determine the best rug size for your horse. All rugs are measured from mid chest to back of the horse's hind leg (apart from NZ as per chart above).
When measuring your horse, make sure to try and measure one that is already in use. This will help you confirm the perfect size for your rug! Don't forget - turnouts are slightly longer than normal rugs so don't get confused if it appears long on a turnout.
]]>Turnout rugs comes in a range of materials, thicknesses and fill. Which option is best for you and your horse depends on where you live and what you use your horse for. A horse that is clipped and stabled most of the time will need a different rug than a horse that is used to being outside and has a thicker coat.
We refer to a lightweight turnout rug as a rug with a synthetic shell material (for example canvas and wool is very heavy), has 100 gram polyfill or less, and is a rug (not a combo).
Things to consider when buying your rug:
⋙ Syd Hill Half Breed Synthetic (comes in both black and brown) ⋘
Very affordable at only $895. However it doesnt have an adjustable gullet so make sure your horse fits into a Medium gullet of 6'5". If not you may have to go for their more premium adjustable gullet australian saddle instead.
⋙ Syd Hill Swinging Fender (comes in both black and brown) ⋘
Another very affordable stock saddle at $895. People loves this saddle for its very comfortable gel seat. Keeps the rider comfortable for longer trail rides. The synthetic material also makes it slightly more lightweight than its leather brother.
⋙ Syd Hill Synthetic Stock Saddle (comes in both black and brown) ⋘
A traditional Stock saddle design that also retails for $895. A lightweight and afforable Australian stock saddle. A great choice for anyone who prefers the tradional stock saddle fender design. It has a medium 6 inch gullet to fit most Quarter horses. Also great for short backed horses.
⋙ Syd Hill Premium Swinging Fender (comes in brown only) ⋘
A Stunning saddle for anyone who wants to invest in a leather australian saddle. It retails a bit more ($1895) due to its leather material and quality fittings. It is slightly heavier than the synthetic syd hill stock saddles but still a great choice for anyone needing a saddle with an adjustable gullet. Gullet can be set to narrow, medium/narrow, medium/wide, wide, and xwide. You can do it all at home and all gullet plates are included in the purchase.
⋙ Syd Hill Premium Signature Half Breed (comes in brown only) ⋘
This is the most premium stock saddles sold by Syd Hill & Sons to date, it retails $3995. This saddles is MADE IN AUSTRALIA by Paul Hill. This saddle is all about quality and fit, made with the finest leather and polished brady oxbows.
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Riding, training, jumping, and other demanding English horse activities are lots less taxing on the horse when there's a saddle pad between horse the saddle. Saddle pads are oddly shaped saddle cushions that take most of the force during riding training. For many horses and riders, they create all the difference and completely transform the riding experience. Most horse owners understand the employment and advantages of the saddle pad, which is why most of them hunt for the simplest saddle pads for horses once they shop.
If you're into smooth long trail walks, gaited horses are the most effective choice for you. Gaited horses are specially made for these thanks to their endurance. Additionally, they're very willing to be ridden even for an extended time. They also require less energy compared to other horses and that they can continue long journeys without much trouble. The most effective part is that they don't seem to be bouncy making it less stressful for the rider. But to form every journey worry and pain-free for both the rider and therefore the horse, the most effective saddle for gaited horses must be used. Horse’s backs have curved anatomy with a peak and a trough. This anatomy is why most saddles are curved; they're configured to suit the horse’s contours. However, in some rare cases, horses have flat backs, making it difficult to seek out the correct saddle for them. A unique reasonably phenomenon could be a case where a horse’s back is wider than usual. Again, most saddles are configured to suit the wide range of horses with relatively normal backs. Horses with wide backs would require special considerations.
Saddle pads are the cushions that you simply lay between a horse’s back and also the saddle. The padding helps to protect the horse against aggressive friction from the seat and similarly shields the saddle from the horse’s excessive perspiration. Stock saddle pads are all about comfort, support, and also the prevention of the slippage because of the sweat on the horse’s back. The subsequent may be a summary of the most effective Western saddle pads including the materials, features, and style needed to foster the simplest protection for your horse and saddle.
When a horse falls on or rolls a twisted tree, it can damage the saddle, this could anon cause issues for both the rider and horse but primarily it affects the horse first with back pain, swelling, and other potential severe injury. Panel problems is another complication that may cause extreme discomfort to the horse. A damaged or irregularly shaped panel are some things to appear out for. Other issues arising as a result of horse saddles include; Saddle not fitting the horse, saddle slipping to at least one side because of the asymmetrical body of the horse, an excessive amount of rocker on the saddle, inappropriate girths and plenty of more.
Syd Hill Stock Saddle Review
You can find many saddles for gaited horses and you may find it hard to settle on as all of them seem good and suitable. In this section, we are going to briefly review the simplest saddle pad currently available on the market and this is Syd Hill Stock Saddle.
This is the visit choice for peoples that are searching for a high quality traditional Australian saddle. Perfect for the rider that struggles to stay a decent position within the saddle because it automatically puts you within the correct line between head, shoulder, and hip and heel position. The saddle combines the advantages of a conventional English dressage saddle and a stock saddle. The stirrup bar is placed underneath the riders hips to avoid the 'chair position'.
Syd Hill & Sons saddles maker is thought for producing durable leatherwear and makes a specialty of Western & Stock Saddles. The Syd Hill saddle is one in every of our most sold saddle to this point. The Syd Hill Western saddle is additionally available during a synthetic material.
Syd Hill is one in all Australia’s best saddle makers and longest established saddle making families. When RM Williams was sewing boots and moleskins, Syd Hill was crafting saddles. Syd Hill combines five generations of saddle making craftsmanship with the most recent materials and techniques. They continue to be one amongst the simplest saddle makers around today and are truly one in all the enduring Australian brand names when it involves quality saddlery and horse gear.
The Syd Hill Western saddle may be a perfectly suited your horse. It’s a good choice when for brand spanking new or young horses. It’s light and thus benefits both the horse and its rider. It doesn't pose any risk mentioned earlier to the horse and caters for both horse and rider. The Syd Hill Western saddle product focuses on style further as comfort. The Syd Hill saddle was designed to not cause discomfort for the horse further because of the rider. Asides from providing comfort to the rear of the horse and therefore the butt of the rider, the Syd Hill Western saddle is absolutely affordable. The saddle is light and straightforward to hold.
This saddle’s skirt also fabricated from genuine skirting leather. It is lightweight and precisely short to permit you to own more contact together with your horse. With this saddle, you don’t worry about the distribution of weight because the stirrups have Blevins buckles for a fast change long. This saddle is additionally shock-absorbing. Additionally, to it, you may find its seat attractive and comfortable. It’s a suede leather seat padded with microfiber polyurethane. The stirrups are easy to regulate and also the buckles are weatherproof. The general material of this saddle is simple to scrub and maintain and it doesn’t need waxing nor oiling anymore.
The Syd Hill Western saddle Edition features interchangeable gullet plates available for you to alter the fit of the saddle yourself to fit your horse. If you're unsure of the way to fit the Syd Hill Saddle to your horse, give us a call or send us a message so we will discuss the way to get the simplest fit your horse. It's really quite easy!!!! Gel comfort seat provides optimum comfort for the rider. Five-year guarantee on the tree.
Quality leather and materials are utilized in the development of this saddle. The tree has an interchangeable gullet system and is roofed by a five-year guarantee. Ideal because of the ultimate top of the range pleasure riding saddle to competition saddle. Made up of strong, robust leather hide material, the saddle is beautifully crafted and assembled with a silver embellishment finish. Featuring a conventional solid Syd Hill tree, and fitted with a snug well balanced and well-padded seat. The normal Syd Hill tree provides optimum suited your horse combined with strength, security, and total comfort for horse and rider.
Syd Hill Stock Saddle is an excellent choice for show performance thanks to its features and appearance and a decent choice for trail walking thanks to its comfortability. Made with hand-tooled premium leather and studded with stones for a more attractive exterior. The seat is padded, providing support to not just your buttocks but your lower back yet. The skirt incorporates a rounded design that's meant to suit most horses.
Syd Hill Stock Saddle pad might not be ideal for top withered horses. It doesn't feature the qualifying notch or opening for the upper withers to go through. What it would be ideal for are short backed horses? The rounded edges are smooth so your horse might not have the irritation of rubbing of its hindquarters. Using this pad on your horse can go a protracted way to keep your horse safe and comfortable on trial rides and in barrel racing.
This pad incorporates a contoured spine that incorporates a wither relief notch and is reinforced with distressed leather. This is often a decent pad for horseback riding in rough terrain and is long-lasting during heaver work. You’ll expect some nice cushioning with this pad given its material makeup. Pure leather is sturdy and compact and might rise to a load of a rider and kit.
Most of its parts are made of synthetic leather combined with other materials for strength and effectiveness. The synthetic skirt and fenders are crafted from durable nylon and therefore the smooth leather seat is padded. This saddle is ideal for riders. The padded panels make it comfortable for the horse with no added risk. The high cantle and longer flaps make the saddle also suitable for flatwork.
It is also difficult to ignore its other features. It’s quick to change buckles, back flank cinch, nylon tie straps, pommel and cantle, and leather jockeys. The tree is created of rawhide covered bars and it's a drop dee rigging for all of your stuff. Without a doubt, this saddle is nice for riding and also the like.
Features:
Some of the features include:
Ø Syd Hill Stock saddle in quality leather
Ø Black and Superior Brown Leather
Ø Sizes Available: 16inch and 17inch
Ø Gel Seat for rider comfort and position
Ø Comes with an adjustable tree to suit most horses
Ø Popular Flocked filled Panels for improved comfort for the horse
Ø Change the gullet when needed (Interchangeable gullet plates to allow you to change the fit of the saddle if your horse grows, or you decide to use the saddle on a different horse.)
Ø Plain Flap
Ø Secure seat
Ø Silver embellishment coat
Ø Clean Modern Design made to distribute the weight well
Ø A thoroughly researched and tested design, the Syd hill brand has been around for over 5 generations, to make the ultimate saddle.
Ø The Syd Hill Saddles are known for their affordable price and all Syd Hill & Son Saddles comes with a 5-year warranty on the tree.
Guide to Buying a Saddle Pad for Your Horse:
When you are going to buy a new saddle pad for your horses, you should watch out some important things during the buying process of pads.
1: The Saddle Design and Frame
Consider this fact the fundamental. The planning of a gaited saddle is sort of different from other saddles. A gaited saddle is usually shorter within the back part as gaited horses tend to possess a shorter back than the opposite types. It’s also better to settle on a saddle that gullet has an A-shaped frame. As for the skirt, it's important that it's shorter than the same old saddle skirt to permit the horse to maneuver without restraints. Finally, the panel should be steeper therefore the weight of the rider is going to be distributed evenly.
2: Materials
Various materials are utilized in making horse saddles. It might be made from leather, nylon, resin, wood, or a mixture of any of the aforementioned materials. Each promises quality, durability, and magnificence. You’ll choose any supported your preferences, but it's worthy to understand that a thinner material or construction is best. Thick materials tend to be heavy and should cause some pressure points. It’ll also hinder you from having a detailed skin contact along with your horses.
3: Flexibility
Another thing to contemplate is that the saddle’s flexibility. Comfort is one in every of your priority and you cannot provide it to horses if the saddle limits their actions especially at the rear. Gating requires sudden changes in movement and your saddle must be ready to bear with it.
4: Saddle Bars
As the saddle for gaited horses is shorter than the standard ones, the saddle bars should even be shorter. Basically, it's to push a stress-free movement among the horses and to avoid pressure points. They must even be durable enough to face up to pressure, and moisture.
5: Features
Different saddles have various features to supply. You’ll be able to choose saddles with or without horns, with D-rings, streamlined saddles, or those with rigging. Before getting too amazed by these, it's crucial that you simply understand what they're for initially.
Conclusion:
Like what you've got noticed from the list of features we provided, in this pad we see all the given things that should be in a saddle pad. Gaited horses are really the simplest choice of transport as they're comfortable to ride. So reciprocally pleasure and luxury, they provide you while you ride them, choose this saddle that works best for them, too. Get this saddle that possesses the foremost important features, not only the looks.
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As a horse groom you are usually hired by a proffessional rider, work duties include grooming the horses, riding, overseeing the horses feed, turnout times and competition schedule. You mat also require a truck license to be able to drive larger horse trucks to and from events.
Working as a proffesional rider can be difficult to start as a lot of riders rely on either a second part time job or a sponsor that makes sure they can afford their expensive lifestyle. This is more common in Europe and North America, as the equestrian industry is bigger there than Australia and has more financial backing.
A farrier looks after the horse's feet and make sure they are trimmed and shod correctly and regularly. This is a very common job in the equestrian industry and easy to get started with. Please note, a lot of farriers suffer from back issues after years of bending forward - so make sure you are young and fit before you consider this profession.
Studying to become a vet is a minimum of 4-5 years and it is quite challenging. However if you has the passion and drive it can be a very rewarding profession. Working as an equine vet is usually better paid than small animal vet.
A professional equine photographer can specialize in either just event photography (such as dressage competitions, showjumping or eventing days) or target individual horse owners with private photo shoots of their horses. It is generally quite expensive to get started (purchasing all the equipment), but there is usually a lot of business for a good horse photographer as once you build a network in the industry - you have clients for years to come.
Working as a horse breaker requires a lot of knowledge and a bit of talent and feel for animals in general. Make sure you have years of experience with horses before you try this profession as young horses can be unpredictable and accidents happen, Horse breakers usually focus on one area of equestrian riding - for example horses can be broken in for english riding, western riding or the racing industry. Each breaker will use their own system for this.
A saddle fitter makes sure that the saddle fits perfectly over the horse's back and wither and its not pinching or tilting in either direction. This profession is great for someone who enjoys traveling around in their local town and enjoys dealing with the everyday rider and riding schools. It is a challening yet rewarding job. A lot of saddle brand try to partner up with saddle fitters for them to recommend their specific saddle brand, so their may be extra perks and commission to make as well as a saddle fitter.
It can be difficult to get a job as a retail assistant in a shop for horse supplies in your area as it is usually a very sought-after job for young equestrians. Don't give up though as working with horse supplies will teach you more about all the different supplies available and meet like-minded people on a daily basis.
An equine sales agent is like the real estate agent but for the equestrian industry. You basically put horse buyers together with sellers. There are a number of websites who advertise horses too but some people prefer to go through an agent as they have connections to find the perfect horse for you, and you will feel more secure going through an agent that works in the industry and knows the ins and outs of horse buying and selling.
This is a very common professions for horse riders, and you usually only require a few years experience plus the basic certificates to work at a riding school. Please note working as a horse riding instructor may give you evening and weekend work hours. Make sure you are ok with this before you commit to a full time job as a riding instructor. It is also a plus if you like kids.
Cleaning out stables, sweeping, filling up waters and feeding are all jobs all equestrian centers requires doing. So for a yard worker or stable manager - there are always jobs to find. This can be a great place to start when wanting to get into the equestrian industry. However this job is generally tough on the body and usually not the best pay.
Are you a planner and a perfectionist? Then an event planner for equestrian shows may be for you. It is a very challenging profession as there are a number of things that can go wrong at a horse event, catering to the horses, riders, horse owners, audience and the weather is a challenging task. If you do want to go down this path - it can be a great place to study events planning in school and then also try to broaden your connections in the equestrian industry as this is usually not a job that is advertised for, its almost always head hunted.
This is a fairly new profession but it is defintely possible in this day and age. Are you competing on a high level, have a unique horse or just love social media? Then why not give it a go. A lot of horse riding youtubers create educational videos, horse instagrammer post funny or inspirational content and make lots of money through sponsored posts.
A horse massage therapist takes a bit of studying first, but it can be a very rewarding job to help individual riders with their horse's issues. A lot of riders can tell a big difference when riding their horse before and after the massage therapist has been out as it can soften the horse's back and neck and release a lot of tension in the body.
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Stock whips comes in a range of sizes, and it can be confusing to know what size to go for when you are just starting out. The first step is for you to determine is; What are you going to use the whip for? Whether you use the whip on foot or in saddle makes a difference, and if you are experienced or a beginners or short or tall. Furthermore you also need to consider its use - will you be practicing tricks or mustering cattle. As a general rule, the following sizes fits the following stock whip purposes:
- Easier to use, therefore suitable for beginners
- Suitable if you need it when on foot
- The preferred length for kids due to it being shorter
- Performs whips/tricks faster and requires less strength/power
- Suitable for close stockyard work and confined spaces
- Suitable for most women and children due to its length
- suitable for when you are on foot, and for most cracking tricks
- Suitable for horseback riding work or in the paddock.
- The Australian stock whip competition standard
- Popular for trick work and flowing routines
- This was the length used for the whip in The Man from Snowy River
- Most popular whip length for when working from horseback
- Horseback work needs longer lengths to avoid cracking the whip too close to the horse
- The longer the whip, the more limited uses
- Longer whips can usually only be used for 2-3 different cracks
- Suitable when working on horseback
]]>Kangaroo hide is durable and lightweight which is why its usually the leather of choice for stock whip makers all over Australia. There are more and more overseas manufacturers offering cheaper options made in Australian stock whip designs. However they usually don't last long as users can quickly determine the difference from a quality whip and a cheap manufactured one. Things to look for: is the whip australian made, what leather was it made of, is the weight of the whip leveled or unbalanced, does the thong handle all types of cracking or are some techniques not possible due to its poor design, have a closer look at the plait (can you see glue in between or inconsistencies).
We have listed the top 3 Most popular Australian stock whips right now:
This stock whip suits beginners who are just starting out. Shorter stock whips (4 foot by 4 plait) is a faster whip for tricks. Hence its easier to use for inexperienced stock whip users. They are usually also the Number 1 choice for kids due to its shorter length.
If you want the best of the best - we recommend the 12 Plait Australian made kangaroo stock whip made by Nemeth. It is currently on sale and comes in 3 sizes (6 foot, 7 foot or 8 foot). This stock whip will last you for years as it is the top of the line of all stock whips.
The 6 foot stock whip is usually the choice for people who need an all round whip to both use on foot and in the saddle. It is not too long or too short. It is the approved length for Australian competitions and is not too fast or too slow when performing tricks.
]]>Therefore having and keeping an insurance policy for the safety of your equipment is important. Many of the insurance policies that are available for horses and their riders include the saddles and tacks and the rest of the equipment that comes with owning a horse. The saddle and tack is covered at an extra cost, but the cost is certainly worth it. It will certainly come in handy incise the equipment is lost, damaged or stolen. There is also the option of having your equipment postcode marked or even micro chipped with RFID equipment or other forms of transmitters. These will allow for easy tracking and tracing incise of theft or if they go missing. The policy will require the owner to always divulge any information that would warrant a change in the agreement terms, or incise of any loss or damage. This will allow the team to carry out brief investigations to ascertain that the matter is true before paying off the insurance policy for immediate replacement. The replacement of saddle and tack is done in the shortest span of time possible. The service charges for the insurance policy varies depending on the number of equipment to be covered and this is discussed with the customer team who advise on what is the best way to go depending on the customer’s budget. The payments can be done each month or each year deepening on the final agreement and defaulting is certainly never allowed. They payments can be done through bank transfers or through cards or cash. Some of the main horse tack insurance providers in Australia include:
1) Pet Plan
Pet plan will not only insure your horse, but also your horse tack. They are currently the market leader of horse tack insurance in Australia. You can find them here.
2) Affinity Equine Insurance
Affinitty equine insurance will also insure your horse and your horse tack as an add on service. They accept applications online and you can get a quote in just a day for your specific needs. Check them out here.
]]>The most important area to consider is the saddle gullet and saddle tree size. To ensure proper saddle fit, make sure you work with a saddle fitter to get it right. An ill fitting saddle can cause back problems for your horse and a sour horse that does not enjoy being ridden. When you put the saddle on the horse.
Please note: there are correctional saddle pads available if the saddle to top forward and back too much. No saddle is 100% perfect especially as horses tend to change size as they grow so it is a bit of trial and error, make sure you work with an experienced saddle fitter to find what works best for you and your horse without a saddle pad underneath to check the wither clearance. The saddle panels should sit naturally on the horse's shoulder blades with the general rule of 4 fingers between the pommel and withers. Make sure your saddle is not positioned too far forward or back. It should sit so that the girth can be fastened easily just behind the horse's front legs. Common mistakes include riders putting their saddles too far forward, putting pressure on top of the withers.
You will also need to consider the length of the saddle from the front of the pommel to the back of the cantle. Make sure you discuss saddle brand options with your saddle fitter, as they can recommend saddles makers for shorter backed horses or longer. Certain saddle brands tend to focus on one unique style and specially in either longer or shorter saddle makes.
The saddle needs to fit both the horse and rider. Once you've established what brand, size etc you need for your horse you need to decide on actual size for the rider. Both for comfort, balance and to ensure rider weight is distributed evenly. Read our guide to finding the correct rider seat size here.
This treeless saddle is the most popular amongst western riders because of its comfortable seat, durable leather and stunning design. Available here.
Our synthetic treeless english saddle is extremely lightweight and easy to clean, very popular for endurance riders and amongst horse trainers riding young horses. Find it here.
Looking for even closer contact? Then a bareback treeless saddle may be for you. This bareback pad offers more support that most bareback pads, while still keeping you secure and upright. Read more about it here.
Are treeless saddles good for horses? Read our guide here.
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Facts cannot be certain unless hours of research and testing have been poured into the field. However there are not many scientific articles or tests that have been done in relation to treeless and treed saddles. The research that have been done focuses on the issue whether treeless saddles puts pressure on the spine as mentioned above. There are a handful of articles that implies that treeless saddles creates pressure points on the rider seat bone and stirrup fastening. However there is not enough evidence at this stage whether treed or treeless saddles are more/less gentle on the horses back. An incorrectly fitted treed saddle can cause more damage than a treeless saddle with light pressure points.
It is evident that more research and testing together with technology is required, there is currently no right or wrong answer. The shape of horse saddles and manufacturing has not changed much in the last 100 years. However in todays technological environment it is just a question of time before the next generation of saddles that are easier to fit, more gentle on the horses back with no pressure points etc are developed. In the meantime we recommend either making sure that you have a correctly fitted treed saddle or a treeless saddle as long as you are a 'lighter' rider. Make sure you discuss options for you and your horse in relation to brands and fit with your vet and local saddle fitter.
Place a tape measurer at the centre the cantle measure to the nail head (look at the inch side of the tape measurer not the cm side). English saddle seat sizes are recorded every 0.5" so round up/down if you are a couple of cm off. Make sure you hold the tape measurer straight (don't bend it following the saddle shape). Once you've established what size your saddle is, you can then measure your upper leg to see what size you actually need as a rider. View our english saddle seat size calculator here.
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When sitting tall in a chair, measure the length between the start of your knees to the end of your glute muscles.
Rider Hips
If you are overweight or got a larger than normal seat, we recommend you to go up one size from what the seat size calculator gives you above.
Rider Height
Having long legs is a blessing and a curse as a horse rider, as you can reach around your horse more easily, but most saddles are designed for 'normal height' riders. If you are skinny with long legs we recommend the passier saddles. They tend to fit most riders.
If still in doubt, try the english saddle seat calculator below. Once you have established your seat size needed, you can find our guide on how to measure a english seat saddle here.
]]>The snaffle bit is one of the most common amongst horse bridle bits. It is commonly used for most english riding disciplines and comes with either a single jointed or french linked mouth. A snaffle bit is usually made of stainless steel and is seen as a relatively soft bit. In theory a snaffle bit is actually all bits that don't have a shank. However generally when people refer to snaffle bits they refer to the single jointed loose ring snaffle.
2) Eggbutt Bits
An eggbutt bit refers to the rings on the side being rounded (like an egg) and fixed to the actual bit with no ability of turning. Eggbutt bits are also seen as a softer bit, and can be more comfortable and suitable for sensitive horses as it won't pinch the horse's mouth (as loose rings sometimes can do).
3) Full cheek Bits
Full cheek bits are usually used when training young horses as it assists when turning (the longer stainless steel sticks on the end stops the bit from going into the horse's mouth).
4) Dutch Gag Bit
Gag bits are a stronger bit usually used on stronger horses, or for certain disciplines such as crosscountry when extra control is required. It is also regularly used for showjumping and polo. The when the reins are pulled, the cheekpieces creates an upward action of the bit in the horse's mouth - making the horse respond quicker and being more sensitive. Gag bits should therefore only be used for riders with soft hands and not for beginners.
5) D Bits
D Bits are bits with rings on the end of the bit shaped like a "D". The D Ring has got slighlty larger rings than a normal snaffle loose ring bit. Because of this it is a great bit again to use on younger horses where turning still needs some fine tuning. The larger rings with the straight stick on the end of the bit makes sure that the bit always stays in the horse's mouth when turning.
6) Pelham Bit
A Pelham bit is also a stronger bit in the english horse riding world and is regurarly used in showjumping and crosscountry (not allowed in dressage). It is made up of a curb bit and a snaffle bit. It should not be confused with a double bit as a weymouth bit has got double reins with it.
7) Kimblewick Bits
A kimblewick bit is a stronger type bit generally used for trail riding on stronger horses, in showjumping classes and crosscountry. It is not allowed in the dressage ring. It has a curb action on the horse, and encourages the horse to lower its head when pressure is put on the reins. It comes in a range of different models such a mullen mouth, single jointed mouth etc.
8) Weymouth Bits
Weymouth bits are used in high level dressage classes, and looks similar to a pelham bit. They are used with double reins, and should only be used by experienced riders as they can be quite strong on the horse if used by a rider with heavy hands.
9) Western Bits
There are a range of western bits available in the market. We won't link them all here but the most common one is the western grazing bit. It is quite simple in its design but is usually used with decorative shanks. The lower rings were originally angled to allow the horse to graze (hence its name).
10) Speciality Bits
New more innovative bits are released every year. Horse riders are becoming more aware of what they put in the horse's mouth and more focus is put on using softer tools and training the horse to become more sensitive. The above bit has just been released by the brand Acavallo. It is made of a durable innovative material that is soft on the horse, with a thin mullen mouth.
11) Mullen Mouth Bit
Mullen mouth bits have a very simple design of a straight stainless steel bit. It avoids the 'nutcracker' effect of standard bits. It is therefore a milder bit. it is not overly popular amongst riders as horses can become a bit heavy in the hand if the horse is usually ridden in a standard snaffle.
]]>A sidepull bitless bridle is one of the most common models of bitless bridles. They are effective and soft on the horse, and the extended reins that go under then chin of the horse makes it effective while its still not harch on the horse. They are sometimes referred to as a cavesson bridle. You don't tend to need as much contact riding with a sidepull bitless bridle as horses are usually able to relax in one, while still staying sensitive.
Pros:
- Very effective
- Suitable for sensitive horses
- Easy to use and stearing
Cons
- Not that many brands/models available
- Not approved for all competitions
- Might not be effective enpough with horses that are less sensitive and used to having a bit in their mouth (they may be more difficult to stop)
A western bitless bridle are perfect for trails, reining, pleasure or showing. It is develoepd in a way for the horse to respond and pressure and seek release. It is a bit 'stronger' than a sidepull bridle because of then rope with two knots that are strategically placed.
Pros:
- Very effective for stopping and turning
- A quality western bridles will last you for years
- Approved for most western showing classes
Cons:
- Tend to be a bit more pricey (because of its quality fittings etc)
- Not suitable for riders with heavy hands or beginners, the rider needs to be very light.
A rope bridle is not to be confused with a western rope halter. The western rope bridle has got two side rings to connect reins onto, otherwise they are pretty much identical to a rope halter.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Lightweight
- Durable material that be used in all weather (bring it to the beach if you want or ride in the rein)
- Available in most colours
- Easy simple design but still effective
Cons:
- Design a bit 'dull'
- Not suitable for showing
- Less effective for turning/stopping than the other models
A hackamore bridle is a very common bitless bridles amongst the english style riders. With the cheek chain it is a very effective bridle, however quite strong so should not be used by beginners that struggle with their balance.
Pros:
- Approved for most competitions
- Widely accepted bridle
- Available in most horse shops
- Can be used with or without chain
- Affordable
Cons:
- Is too strong for some horses, (some horses react badly on chain).
- Some horses can be more difficult to stear in a hackamore
- Not approved for dressage competitions
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Syd Hill & Sons are a reputable saddle manufacturer that's been around since 1865. They are Australia based and pride themselves in providing quality syd hill saddles. Their popularity increases every year due to the longevity of the saddles (they will last you a lifetime) and the adjustable saddle trees that will fit any horse and the comfortable seats. These features makes the syd hill saddles the go to choice for a lot of western riders all over the world.
Syd Hill half Breed Saddle
This design is the most popular amongst the Syd Hill Saddle range. It provides a unique fit as the underside is made like a western saddle and the top like a stock saddle.
Syd Hill Plain Flap Stock Saddle
The traditional Syd hill Stock saddle with plain flaps was developed to allow riders to go through difficult terrain while still being secure in the saddle thanks to the poley knee pads. Syd Hill develops a modern style stock saddle that incorporates benefits from both an english and western style saddle to ultimately make the 'perfect saddle'.
Syd Hill Swinging Fender Stock Saddle
The swinging fender saddle possess the same benefits as the original Australian stock saddle. The swinging fenders is a new feature of the Syd Hill stock saddles, and they were developed to allow closer contact and give more freedom to the riders legs.
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The Bowral Dressage Club was originally founded in 1985, and then referred to as the "Southern Highlands Equestrian Group". A group of dressage enthutiasts got together and founded the Club as a dressage competition venue. The Bowral dressage club is located at Kangaloon Rd in Bowral (1.5 hours from Sydney) and features 5 gorgeous dressage competition sand arenas. Each arena is individually named after their sponsor, like Arena 5 below - sponsored by Centennial Vineyards.
Events are regularly held at the Bowral Dressage Club, in a range of levels of riders and horses. There are 6 scheduled dressage competitions yearly, where hundreds of dressage riders enter and compete. Ribbons are provided to all place getters (1st to 6th place). Please note horses are not allowed to compete more than 3 times at each event and refunds for entries won't be given unless a valid doctors or vet certificate can be shown. EA membership is required unless you are a member of the club.
As a competitor you do have the option to join Bowral Dressage Club at the time of entry or by signing up through their website. Membership options range from supporters, competitors, young rider and family. It is renewed on a yearly basis and range from $20 - $60.
The Bowral Dressage Club is located 1.5 hours South of Sydney. It is located within the Bong bong Picnic racecourse (Address: 460 Kangaloon Rd, East Bowral NSW, 2576). Driving from Sydney take the M31 south and take the Old Hume Hwy Exit and then first left on Ayelmerton Rd. Then right on Old's Rd and eventually turn into Kangaloon Rd and you will see it on the right.
]]>Cavalletti was established in 1998 because of the need for horse related advertising that was up to date and easily accessible. Both photos and videos of horses for sale can be uploaded to allow for potential buyers to view the horses (and products) in both picture and video form. Cavalletti has grown significantly in the last 20 years and have featured many top horses and ponies for sale. Cavalletti is especially used for sale ads in Western Australia and known as the go to marketplace for horses in the area. Cavalletti also have other areas developed online including a business directory, free on-line programs, and free advertising for used gear. It also has a listing for clubs, special events coming up, and a blog.
The website www.cavalletti.com.au sells horses, saddlery, horse trucks and drawn vehicles, pets, and other livestock. Cavalletti breaks it down between studs, stallions, and ponies based on age, new and used goods. The description of the horse will describe its age, breed, gender, and location of the horse. There is also a asking price from the owner with contact information, date of upload and last update will also be on the page. You can also find links to the video on YouTube of the horse.
For those who are applying to advertise, the cost varies and once paid, the photo ad will be uploaded within 24 to 48 hours. The photo ad will remain online until it is sold. While most of the listings are in all states of Australia - there has been buyers from the United Kingdom and from the United States. Please note - be careful with offers for horses over emails as online fraud is common today. Make sure you report any suspicious emails or listings to Cavalletti.
Cavalletti is still improving themselves in all areas with the number of listings and visits rising every week, as well as the support from the entire equestrian community. Cavalletti is moving onward and has achieved some goals along the way with the development of a secure database and sending email notifications to users that sign up. In addition, the website has gone mobile with the rise of users looking up their smart phones for information. Cavalletti is a site with a clean presentation feasible for mobile use and development continues with users now being able to login and advertise on their mobile.
]]>That being said, cantering (which is already a tricky gait sometimes depending on who you ask) without a saddle can be a bit more difficult. With that in mind, we’ve put together this brief article outlining some safety tips for cantering bareback as well as a quick guide for how to canter bareback.
Safety First
As always, safety for both yourself and your horse should be the number one priority when you’re riding, regardless of whether or not you are using a saddle or going bareback.
One of the key parts of riding bareback is to maintain proper posture; being mindful of your posture is extra important when riding bareback because you will not have the seat and back of the saddle keeping you place. So before you even start about thinking the saddle you should start riding without stirrups on a regular basis. Once you can ride without stirrups in every gait (walk, trot and canter) you can then move on and ride in a bareback saddle pad. A bareback pad can assist you further in improving your balance without the support of a proper saddle. Your legs should still be in the same position as if you had the stirrups there, and you balance is kept in you seat, thighs and calves. Make sure you don't squeeze your calves too much though as sensitive horses can misunderstand this as a forward moving aid.
Please Note - Always make sure to always wear a helmet when you ride. Even if you are an experienced rider who is using a well-trained horse, accidents can happen and it’s better to be properly outfitted with the right safety gear just in case. The below photos are taken of a horse that has been trained in liberty for years, hence no helmet were used in this instance (but we do not recommend riding without one).
Step 1: Begin at a walk. When learning how to canter bareback, it’s important to not jump straight into a cantering gait; instead, begin at a walking pace in order to get a feel for your horse’s movements and adjust to riding without a saddle underneath you. As we mentioned earlier, pay attention to your posture, both in terms of your core and your spine but also your legs; they should be tucked underneath you at a comfortable angle. Take as long as you need to adjust to the feeling of riding without a saddle and stirrups, and then move on to the next step: trotting.
Step 2: Move from a walk to a trot. As with walking, pay attention to your posture and the positioning of your legs when trotting bareback. As a side note, riding bareback can be incredibly beneficial for improving your sitting trot, as it allows you to get a better feel for your horse’s movement, which allows you to adjust your own position and movements accordingly. You can still ride a rising trot without a saddle, just gently squeeze your thighs and move your body in an up and down motion. You'll get the hang of it pretty quickly, just pretend the stirrups are still there. In any case, once you are comfortable with trotting bareback (again, don’t feel pressured to rush ahead if you’re not ready) move on to the third step, cantering.
Step 3: Transition from a trot to a canter. Moving from a trot to a canter can be a bit more of an adjustment than moving from a walk to a trot because it’s such a drastic shift in gait, but the most important thing to remember is to keep your legs comfortably positioned underneath of you with your hips loose and open in order to better respond to your horse's movements. Generally speaking, when it comes to successfully sitting a canter you will want to keep yourself in a mostly neutral position and move your hips along with the rhythm of your horse’s canter. Alot of riders find it more comfortable to ride a horse bareback in canter rather than trot, as the canter is a more smooth comfortable gait, and trotting can be bumpy and uncomfortable (especially on a horse with a high wither).
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Tekna was first founded in the year 2007 by a group of dedicated and passionate equestrian experts from around the world who made it their mission to create the perfect synthetic saddle. Their goal was to create a high-quality saddle that would be easy to care for and also simple to use.
Their first line of saddles, known as the A-line, was introduced in 2008. This high quality synthetic saddle, meticulously designed and crafted by a team of experts, was met with high praise. The success of this first line of saddles prompted Tekna to release another line of saddles (known as the S-line) just two years later. This saddle is popular for the adjustable polymer tree incorporated in its design, which allows the width of the saddle to be adjusted according to your needs.
Since those first two lines, Tekna has since expanded its production again, and now offers both more traditional leather saddles and hybrid saddles made of both synthetic materials and luxurious leather. And in addition to all of that, Tekna also offers a wide selection of specialty saddles to choose from. Today, we will be discussing their jump saddles, dressage saddles, and all purpose saddles.
Currently available in two colors (dark brown and black) and a variety of different sizes, these jumping saddles produced by Tekna are popular for both being easy to take care of and easy to use.
Generally considered a great choice for anyone who is just starting out in jumping (as well as for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with too much saddle maintenance), this saddle is made from high-quality PVC and features woolen padded knee rolls and panels. This saddle also possesses what is called an “Easy Quick Change Gullet”, which offers five different options for gullet width that you can adjust easily yourself.
Additionally, this saddle is designed to be abrasion-resistant with anti-mold properties, so it really is an ideal choice if you want a jumping saddle that is both reasonably priced and easy to take care of.
Developed with more dedicated riders in mind, the dressage saddles produced by Tekna are a fabulous choice if you want a saddle that is both low-maintenance and high-quality (while also remaining affordably priced).
These saddles are also designed to be resistant to abrasion damage as well as mold, and feature the same adjustable gullet feature as the jumping saddle. Furthermore, these dressage saddles feature latex/wool flocking that eliminates unpleasant lumps and bumps.
These saddles are designed to be very affordable while also offering utility and functionality for a wide range of riding activities. Made from the same high-quality materials as other Tekna saddles (making ti mold-resistant and abrasion-resistant) and also featuring the Quick Change adjustable gullet system, this saddle is a great choice if you want something that is cheap and easy to take care of but also durable and long-lasting.
]]>Pony Club Victoria (also known by the acronym PCAV) is the Victoria branch of the international Pony Club organization. Originally founded in England in the year 1929, the Pony Club is a voluntary youth organization that aims to bring together young people who have an interest in all things equestrian. Initially just a small group, it has now expanded to fifteen different countries, including Australia, and contains over a hundred thousand members; it now is considered one of the largest equestrian associations in the entire world.
2018 Calender Dates
At PCAV, they encourage all of their members to be as involved in the equestrian community a possible.. The following list will show you some of the events they currently have ongoing as well as the more notable events scheduled for the remainder of the year.
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Not many people know that the Percheron horses were initially bred to be war horses (the bigger the better) but they were then put to work pulling carriages and later on used to pull farming ploughs in the farm. While it is a taboo to eat horse meat in some places - the Percheron horse was also used for food.
The Percheron horse size today varies from country to country - they range from the height of 15-19 hands in height in France, the United States and in Britain. This makes them one of the taller horse breeds. The weight of stallion varies from the mare by a few hundred kilos but their weights generally rotate around 800-1200 kilos. Being big eaters, the average Percheron can eat up to 30 pounds of hay in a day aside from the regular supply of other foods.
The Percheron horse have full broad foreheads and large eyes in contrast to their small ears. Their ears often give the owners an indication of the horse's well being. Their chests are also deep and wide whic are common characteristics in draft breeds. Their jaws are also quite strong and most of them have white markings on their coat in the areas around their heads and legs. Colours other than grey and black exist such as roan (but can only be registered in the United States). They look quite majestic with lots of hair covering their hooves.
Percheron horses also adapt very fast to different climates; this makes them quite versatile. Their ability to carry or pull very heavy load and still maintain their grace makes them a favourite draft horse. In addition, they are used to draw carriages for this reason.
As a result of their intelligence, Percheron horses can also be trained to jump hurdles for shows. Their even temperament makes them less prone to tantrums, making them easy to instruct. They are also considered to be cold blooded horses because of this quiet temperament.
Percheron horses perform better when they are well taken care of so it is imperative to provide them this care. Attention should be paid to the hair around their hooves as these can harbour bacteria. Breeding Percheron horses with lighter breeds creates more agile horses. Or there are breeders who mix them with other breeds to produce even stronger draft horses.
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Warlock is a 15 year old Percheron gelding advertised at horse deals. He stands at 16.1hh and is a calm horse that has 'been there done that'. A great school master for anyone looking to excel in the dressage ring (and has got a big wallet).
A scopey thoroughbred gelding that has competed up to 1 star level in Eventing. At only 9 years old he's got lots of years left in the competition ring. His gorgeous shiny dark coat and a kind personality, this horse is suitable for a and adult or experienced teenager looking for a new best friend to bring home the medals with.
A 12 year old showjumping gelding that has competed up to 1.30m. A schoolmaster in jumping and is very forgiving to his rider and jumps anything. Suitable for a brave teenager that is looking to excel in showjumping and start collecting ribbons.
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