Horse Care Products Info

Circle Y saddlery have long been recognized as one of the top barrel racing saddle creators,and now have many new styles for a broader range of colors and features. The Circle Y tree technology provides a better fit for horse and rider, and does a fantastic job of meeting the demands of the competitive barrel racer.

Much of the Circle Y success is a result of their passion for excellence, their persistence in progressive creativity and innovation, and their commitment to customer satisfaction and quality. Like any tool, the barrel saddle becomes an extension of those who use it.

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With so many different styles, options, colors, and fits it is difficult for just about any rider to choose horse riding helmets best suited for you. The equestrian helmet is worn when riding horses and specially designed to protect the rider’s head if a person fall off a horse, and hit their head or accidentally struck in the head by a horse’s hoof. Helmets are recommended for all riders at all times when near or on the horse, though universal acceptance , particularly by adults in western riding sports such as rodeo, has yet to be achieved, but you will see many bull riders wearing a helmet.

A helmet that is worn as a safety measure will protect your head only when properly fitted. The helmet must be worn in the proper position- just above the eyebrow, not on top of the head. The helmet should fit snugly, you should be able to bend over and not lose your helmet. Your helmet should always be replaced after sustaining a fall to the head. Helmets come in S,M,L, each brand will fit slightly different, so it is important to try different models and styles to ensure the best fit for your head.

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English riding apparel consists of a pair of paddock boots worn with jodhpurs or riding breeches. In the show ring, women wear a short-collared ratchatcher shirt with a stock pin at the collar, while men wear a long-sleeved button down shirt. Ratchatchers and other riding shirts have longer sleeves than a street wear to allow the necessary freedom of movement required when jumping. Many English riders also wear short, trim riding gloves.

The English riders take pride in their appearance wherever they ride. Loose hair and clothing are avoided, as are overly revealing garments, the goal of the English rider is to look the best. All English riders, except in some dressage classes , are required to wear an ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet as part of their apparel. English horse riding clothing is in a class all of it’s own.

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Included in your horse tack supplies, should be some leg protection. Especially in competition speed events such as barrel racing, team roping, calf roping, and cutting your horse needs some extra protection on his legs such as splint boots, combination boots, or bell boots, that encase the lower leg, providing protection. These come in a variety of material ranging from the traditional boots made of leather and lined with heavy-duty felt to easy-care neoprene boots which are popular today.

It may also be a good idea to protect the legs of your young horses as you start them, whether lunging or under saddle. The co-ordination of a young horse is not as good as a mature horse, and until they start to figure out how to balance themselves, and the weight of a rider, they are more inclined to injure themselves. Enjoy your ride!

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Dakota Saddlery offers quality basic styles of saddles, with availability of many options. Most saddles come with a suede seat for “sticking” to the seat. The suede texture will give some hold to your seat but there are riders that prefer a top grain seat.  The top grain seat is more resistant to weather, cleans easier and can change the appearance of the saddle. Flex trees can be used in almost all saddle designs, which allows the saddle to conform to the back of the horse as the girth is tightened. There are several different thicknesses of fleece offered in each style as well.

Any saddle can be dyed to light oil, golden brown, russet, pro brown or black.  Saddle strings, hoop pick holders, and silver trim are other options to consider when picking out your saddle. Tooling is another option to think about, tooling will help prevent corners from rolling and ads depth and beauty to your saddle. Saddle makers are just as excited about making saddles as you are about riding.

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I would bet that most horse enthusiasts value their riding time so much that it makes grooming consist of a quick flick of the curry , a rough brush-through for mane and tail, saddle up and ride off. Completely understandable, but when you need your horse looking good for a show, a sale photo , or a club riding event you will want to spend a little more time on the mane and tail. A beautiful mane and tail will always improve your horse’s appearance.

First comb the mane to the opposite side it usually falls, check for scurf, dirt, and oily sebum build-up in the root bed at the base of the mane. For a deep clean you will want to have a good horse grooming shampoo and to get it into the roots you might want to use a dispenser with a long- nozzle. Use a wide-tooth comb to work the suds into the base of the mane and and flip the mane back to the other side and work the suds into the entire mane. Conditioner is a must as it helps restore the ph balance and enhances shine and reduces tangles. A quick trim may be required to even the ends and give the mane a blunt, level look.

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For pleasure riding in a Western saddle your western stirrups should be longer than English. Some competitive show and competition events may require a bit shorter or a bit longer stirrups. The lower leg and rider control is lost if the stirrups are too long, and the rider is thrown out of the saddle at rough, uneven gaits if the stirrup is too short.

Once in the saddle, stand in the stirrups, you should be able to slide your hand between your seat and the saddle seat. There is some personal preference as to what feels the most comfortable to you. To sit deep, secure and comfortably with your heels down, and toes up and maintain contact with the horse at all times, you will want no more than a 3″ space. The greater the security of the lower leg, the greater the rider will have in maintaining position at all gaits.

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Western spurs are becoming a fashion item worn by people of all walks and ages all over the world. Spurs are not just a handy tool for steering your horse, they are now  a hot western wear item. There are spurs made for kids  and ladies and are also popular choices for the cowboys of today.

Not all spurs are made equally, a custom made pair of spurs made to the owners design with decorative and unique design are becoming more popular all the time. The neck and rowel are the most common part of the spur to be custom made, they can be decorated in silver, gold and even diamonds, which makes beautiful western show clothing. Spurs are no longer just a part of a hard working cowboys clothing, but the finishing touch for any western outfit.

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When selecting riding riding gear, besides your helmet, the boots you pick is likely the most important part of your riding gear. The type of horse riding boots you select will depend on what type of riding you do. If you are into pleasure riding then a low cut western boot will work just great. Look for a boot that is comfortable and also looks great.

There are boots made for just about every horse riding event. There are boots made for show horseback riding, boots meant for pleasure riding, and taller made boots for hunter and dressage riding. There are also lace up boots and pull on boots to pick from. Riding boots have a long history and style and design is still in progress.

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The one piece of horse tack you might want to have on hand is the ice boots, made from neoprene to insulate and promote cooling cold therapy to the lower leg or knee for you horse. The ice boot aids in the reduction of swelling, heat and pain cause by inflammation, stress and fatigue of the joints, tendons and ligaments. Made to hold crushed ice evenly along the length of the tendons and around the fetlock joint.

The ice boot therapy, helps to decrease blood flow to the injured area. Reduced blood flow helps minimize swelling and inflammation, dissipate heat and alleviate pain. Cold therapy slows the metabolism of the tissue surrounding the injury, which helps minimize further damage and speed healing. Properly used, cold therapy can help improve a wide range of muscle, joint and soft tissue injuries on your horse.

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