Western

Boots for the Beginning Barrel Racer

horse_angel730 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:30:23 GMT

So, I was reading this month's horse&rider, and i read the article about keeping your horse sound. Since, Christmas is coming up, I figured I could add boots to my Christmas List. The problem is, I don't know what kind of boots to get. I know I need Splint and bell boots because I'm starting to barrel race my mare. I was thinking about getting Professional's Choice because my best friend and her sister have been barrel racing for 13 years and that's what they use so I dug out my latest horse magazine and looked up protective Professional's Choice boots. Well, they have the SMB and the SMB elite and the SMB elite 2 and the SMB 3 and they have they come in packs of four or packs of 2 or if you buy a pair of bell boots and front boots, you get the back ones free and I have NO clue what to get. Is the protection really $15 better in the SMB 3 than in the SMB 2? Should i get splint boots for her front and back or for just her front? And since she's so tiny, will the small fit her? (she' s about 14.4, give or take) So, if there are any knowledgeable barrel racers or just equestrians in general, please reply and help me figure out what to do to protect my baby's legs.

Is this a fair price?

WillowLark — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:07:40 GMT

Doing some saddle shopping and came across a Circle Y Park and Trail. I know that is the lower end Circle Y saddle with the ralide tree. It is in nearly new condition. Does $600 sound reasonable?

won't stop rearing...

Mandalark — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:04:15 GMT

Hey all, its been a while since I've posted but I have an issue I just haven't been able to figure out.
My new trainer mare has deveoped a problem and I can't seem to get to the root of it. She's rearing.
I lunge her for 10 mins before each session, then another 10 bitted up with a surisingle, she's beautiful on the ground, gives well to the bit, listens well, moves nicely, look good. So, we're all warmed up so now I get on her back. The second I lay any leg into her to move her, massive tail swishing, ears pinned, head shaking, which leads to rearing. She didn't do this two weeks ago but now I can't get her to stop. (she also does not do this on the ground) I have checked the essentials, the saddle fits her nice, the pads are fine, I've tried different cinchs, to no avail. I had her back and ribs checked, no problems there, she is sound and healthy. So what do I do now? I don't want to put a tie down on her and have her flip over if she freaks. I also don't want to 'make her' flip over like some people may suggest, I don't want to risk injuring her permanently or damaging my saddle. I'm at the end of my rope with ideas and have came here for some words of advice. Anyone else been in a similar situation?

training

barrelsweetie27 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:22:17 GMT

Alright, so I started this new horse for barrel racing, and he does the pattern perfect at the trot but when we pick it up to the lope or faster he throws his head abd turns wide. We have put a hackamore on him, didnt help. He currently has a tie down on him as tight as it will go, and a twisted dogbone bit. But he is still doing it! I also tryed flexing his neck at a walk trot and lope in small circles, it didnt help either. He is an amazing horse and I'm so frustraited I dont know what else to do besides sell him which I dont want to do because he is such a great horse, please help!!!!!!!

Dry spots on the back

WillowLark — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:13:58 GMT

Went through the process of having a professional saddle fitter come out and try many different saddles on my husband's horse. Ended up purchasing a Tucker trail saddle. Yesterday was the first time we put a good, long ride on this saddle. When we pulled it off, there were matching dry spots about the size of a grapefruit on either side of the horse's backbone, just in front of the hips. Anyone know what is going wrong with this fit? I'm going to call the fitter/Tucker rep tomorrow, but I've never seen dry spots in this particular spot before. Normally I've seen them just behind the wither on either side.

Help Needed Learning more About Western Pleasure

Romeos Klassic DJ — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:41:41 GMT

I plan to show my long yearling in Western Pleasure when he's old enough. However, I know very little about the show, except that the horse is judged on his responsiveness, willingness, and how smooth he rides, which fits my colt perfectly (he is very responsive and willing on the ground, and his lope looks like it would be SO much fun to ride). I would like to know if there are any sites I can go to in order to learn more about Western Pleasure. I would also like to know if a Western Pleasure horse should have supplements, and which supplements (do they need joint supplements?). Also, should I get boots for him?

Thanks!

How To Get a Horse To Lighten up on the Forehand?

Eclipse295 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:43:07 GMT

Okay My Quarter Horse Gelding is getting pretty heavy on the forehand. How can I lighten him up? He is getting very uncomfortable to ride because I am getting pulled foreward in the saddle. He is only ten and has been checked by a vet there is nothing medically wrong with him. I know how to: Walk, Jog, Lope, Back, Jump(yeah it is not western but I know how), and To do a simple flyign lead change. If there is anything not in the list that you can reccommend I also need how to teach him how to do it.

back cinch?

barkerz — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 20:49:52 GMT

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering about the back cinch on a saddle... I have one for my saddle, but up to now I have jsut been leaving it off. Tonto bucked the other day, and it made me wonder if I should have the back cinch strap on now... I put it on, and left just a little bit of room so that he could get used to it, but I found that the cinch strap was interfering with my spurs. After I got off, I checked it over, and it has some some scrapes on it already from my spurs. I talked to the BO and they said that the back cinch can sometimes interfere with spurs, and occasionally you can get a spur stuck in the side of it. Should I use the back cinch? My saddle is a 15 inch, so it doesn't go too far back after the main cinch. What would be best to do for this situation?

Need help picking a show color

Miss_Versatility — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:24:36 GMT

Here's Riley my 3 year old App/QH will be showing in Pleasure and Horsemanship next spring. The current shirt i have is a bright Floral collared shirt with Turq, and Green and Light Blues and i think its just going to be to loud for his coloring he's a real red in the sun. I'm not looking to spend a ton.

I currently have a solid white twill top from rods but its a little big

Here's a picture of him on a decent day, although its not sunny out

Western Pleasure Training DVDs--Help

Romeos Klassic DJ — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:52:43 GMT

I've got a colt that I think would do well in Western Pleasure. I know nothing about how to prepare a horse for Western Pleasure, and I was wondering what dvds might show me what groundwork I need to do to prepare him, and then what I should do as far as under-saddle training when he is of age.

Thanks for all answers!

keeping your horses head up high enough above the ground while riding

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:52:33 GMT

My 5 year old quarter horse gelding has been keeping his head down much further than what is normal, almost to the ground. At the walk he seems okay. In the round pen lunging him, he will walk, trot, and canter normal with his head. It seems when I am riding him whether in the round pen, or the indoor arena, he will do this. He has been in a full cheek snaffle, and now I am starting him in a low port curb, with a loose shank. I am doing this because when we ride out in the open fields, only at a walk for now, I need alittle more control. His health is fine, as well as the equipment, as it has been checked.. He is terrible at the trot, and when I have tried the canter. He has bucked a few times, when his head has been down like that, which makes me think one could be coming. I have tried pulling up the reins on him, taking in more slack, and trying to push him out of it with leg cues. He is a "social" personality horse, who will be getting a pasture buddy, in hopes of him using his energy up more in the pasture playing. In the roundpen, he will jog, walk, canter, whoa quite well. When I go out in the wide open, his head is normal, and he has a higher energy level, and gets alittle playful. He can be alittle testy, and I try to be firm with him, who is boss. I just can't figure what to do with his very low head position(as in possible buck coming) I thought at first lazy, but I don't think so, as we do a variety, as serpentines, and he just does the same. I know if I were to trot him in the field, he would do the same, as he did just that. any suggestions or comments? thankyou

Is my horse suitable for Western Pleasure? Please help!

Romeos Klassic DJ — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:52:41 GMT

I have a long yearling colt that seems to have been born for the Western Pleasure show ring. However, he cut himself badly a while ago, and it's going to leave a pretty big scar on his leg. Will that affect winning in the Western Pleasure show ring? Also, how do I go about training him, as far as groundwork?

How to get a sliding stop and spin?

Romeos Klassic DJ — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:03:14 GMT

I recently bought a finished horse that is too good for me. I was told (and believe) that a friend of mine had the mare doing sliding stops and spins. I can get this mare to stop pretty quick sometimes, but I know I'm not cueing her right and she doesn't do it every time. I was wondering how do you cue a reining horse to slide and spin?

I've done a flying lead change on this mare so I know she is capable of some great stuff.

Thanks for all answers,

Romeos Klassic DJ

Help! My mare is frustrating me to no end!

Gingers mom — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:37:17 GMT

Hello all,

I am new and I just came in from riding, so this is really fresh in my mind, and I wonder if anyone can help.

I have a 5 yr old mare, I have owned her since she was 2, she has had professional training, blah, blah, blah....Anyway, she and I had a bad accident about 2 years ago (she slipped on the trail and I went over her head, and received a type III shoulder seperation that required surgery). As you can imagine, after I recouperated, I had real fear issues to deal with. Well, to make a looooonnnnggggg story short, I did work through those issues with the help of a wonderful trainer, and for the last 6 months we have been loping up a storm around the arena and each time we do it my confidence goes up one more level.

Well, with that in mind, I rode on Saturday night, and we lounged, and I warmed her up at the walk and trot, and just like before I asked for a lope, and she just trotted really fast and then turned into the circle, I kicked, but to no avail.

I have just started riding one handed with a bob avila correctional (remember, she is 5, and broke), so I havent mastered the skill of slapping her with the reins to keep her going, but when she does finally go, I keep her moving, and she will go maybe one time around, and then cut into the circle again!

The reason I am so frustrated is because this is what she used to do when I first started riding her and I was learning the lope, but we have had several good months of loping bliss, and now all of the sudden she is pulling this again.

Any suggestions? She did it again tonight, and I am just beyond frustrated and confused.

Thanks,

Hollyand Ginger

How to deal with my horses personality

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:32:18 GMT

This is my 2nd posting on my horse. Today at the barn, I put him in the roundpen and with no problem at all, he let me take a good size branch with leaves, show it to him, and let me put it over his head(while he tried to eat the leaves!), around his back, rump and side-no problem at all! Then I gave him a bath outside with the garden hose/sprayer. He stood well, and liked it. Then I thought we would go walking, with his lead rope down the walkways of the pastures. Then it happened. 1 horse was running, then a few more, then my horse decided he wanted to also. He partially reared, tried to bolt, had his tail straight up, whinnied, spun around. I tried yanking the rope chain, hitting him with the rope on his neck, while telling him firmly to knock it off, quit. He didn't even act like I was there. At one point, I let go of him, as I was pinned to the fence(narrow area), and didn't want him in me. Luckily, he moved only about 3 feet, acted up some more, and I was able,(thru prayer) sway him into the round pen. As soon as I let him in, with the rope still on he cantered, bucking wildly, then rested his head down and stood looking innocent. I then went in there with the lunge whip and made him canter and canter, even when he wanted to be done. Then he rested. In his private small pasture he really gets no exercise-just eats. He started out in a private one, as the old stable, he got beaten up badly all the time, etc, by very agressive horses. We are looking for a pasture buddy for him to play with. When I get him out in the open he finds himself with alot more energy, and is testy, both to the trainer, myself, and the people bringing him in/out. When he is in the pasture, he always comes to meet me, knows his space, wants alot of attention-following you around, watching things. In his stall he is great, you can pet him while he is eating his hay. He loves the attention. He goes over tarps, has large umbrellas he lets over his head no problem, etc. He gets nutrena safe choice. Will the pasture buddy make him use energy, he will be quieter out there, or is it his personality that he can be challenging(testy) he will always act like that? He is very social otherwise. I have a great trainer who is firm, but kind, working on him, and she notes that he can be testy. I am mixed up on what to do. Sell him, or hope that a pasture buddy will get that energy out. He is healthy, and does not appear sick in any way.(per vet check) I would appreciate any help. thankyou.

Getting a lazy 3 year old to move.

Miss_Versatility — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:21:39 GMT

So i aquired my first young horse and western horse about 3 weeks ago. He is a 3 year old App/QH is totally laid back, almost to laid back. he's so slow, lazy and is totally non-spooky. He's broke to ride also

I rode him for the first time today in the round pen. at a walk with a once around trot. but heres my problem, he is so lazy i can't get him to move, at one point it was a fight. kicking, leg pressure, vebal cues, clicking... nothing could get him to budge.

One lady at the barn suggested blunt spurs, idk if i wanna use spurs on a young baby.

I've ground driven him (long lined), he has excelent Whoa and flexation.

Any ideas from those who have trained a young LAZY horse?

Western Pleasure

percheronrider — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 04:46:00 GMT

Our therapy barn is moving to the horse center. One thing that was mentioned besides Dressage, was adding Hunt Seat. I have asked for them to add Western Pleasure, as opposed to Reining. I think Reining might be too fast for me.

What I'd like to find out is, how difficult would it be for me to learn how to compete in Western Pleasure? Is it possible to learn from a book, or a DVD?

My Dressage teacher says she does not know anything about Reining. How difficult would it be for her, or me to learn how to compete in Western Pleasure?

Besides Western accoutrements like a "western" saddle, (hopefully a comfy one, I hate their Wintec), bridle, do I need a particular type of horse?

What sort of fancy duds do I need to wear? Would whatever horse need to be fast, or slow at the lope, and jog? Would I have to know how to transition using half-halts, or would I need to know how to show collection.

Would some judge pentalize me for wearing a hard hat? I AM going to wear a hard hat.

From Dressage to Western

Cannoka — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:04:36 GMT

I am switching disciplines from dressage to Western and am considering doing open shows in the trail classes more for enjoyment than competing.

I am seeking advice on how to help retrain my horse in regards to slowing his gaits down and teaching how to neck rein. He is a 16hh Dutch Warmblood.

I don't want him to forget his extensive dressage training, but I would like for him to experience something new and refreshing.

We have long needed this change of pace so any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Full Fringed Western Chaps - cleaning

FluffyD — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:27:07 GMT

So it's been crazy hot & humid here, so I decide to go to the barn in shorts and wear my chaps. And, of course, my chaps have mold on them (EWW). They are either suede or synthetic suede. Any tips on how to clean them to get rid of the mold? Thanks!

P.S. washer is not an option due to the conchos and yes I brush them. I am looking for a way to kill the mold/mildew. Thank you.

western show clothes

Heather — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:12:57 GMT

So I'm ordering clothes for western classes and I'm looking at the shirts and I know that alot of people wear the show shirts with the big cuffs and collars..but if I were to wear a slinky would I have to wear some type of vest over it?

AQHA Congress Free Video Feed

FloridaHorseman — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:41:26 GMT

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ReelHorse-Coliseum

~FH

Help with Polo Wraps

Romeos Klassic DJ — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:04:00 GMT

I would like to get some polo wraps for my Miniature horse. Would the regular 9' polo wraps fit him? Or do I have to get polo wraps specifically made for minis (if so, where can I find them)? He's 10 hh.

Thanks for all answers!

Teaching my horse to turn

bbryant5_73 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:19:07 GMT

I want to know if I'm teaching my horse the correct way:

Right turns: right rein, right leg pressing by the girth and the left leg pressed behind the girth tell him to move forward and off my left. Is this the simplest way to teach a horse to turn or would it just be better for me to do right rein, left leg and let the right leg just hang?

Cinch loosening while riding?

joken n lopen — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:34:12 GMT

I was out riding my quarter horse yesterday the saddle was all cinched up like it is every other ride. I got up and we started our ride. About 10 minutes later he was acting really funny at the lope. We would be going straight an he would start moving off to the left or the right. we continued our ride and it seemed to be a little better. then when i went to get down the saddle came down with me. The cinch came untied while i was riding. im not sure how long it had been untied but im wondering if that is what caused him to act funny. Maybe the weight being shifted. Then i was out riding him again today working on contesting and about 20 minutes or so into the ride we start picking up speed. I ran him to a barrel and was taking him around the barrel and he stopped halfway around the barrel and turned away from the barrel then i looked down and the cinch is almost untied.....What could be causing this ive never had this problem before?

My cinch strap is the black seatbelt material cinch. I tie it not buckle it however i am a left hander so i do it kindof backwards. Please give me your ideas?

How do you Teach a Reluctant Horse to Cross Water?

Romeos Klassic DJ — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:29:47 GMT

I have a 5-year-old mare that absolutely will not cross water. She is great on the trails otherwise, but in order to get access to new trails on our property (I'm getting bored of the same old trails over and over again) we have to cross water. The last time I tried, I ended up leading her across in order to show her that I was the winner. She doesn't do too terrible leading across, but riding is a whole different story. She sidepasses, backs up, tries to turn around, snorts, even though I'm kicking her with all my strength. I've been thinking about taking a bat to her, but I really don't want her to jump it or buck. She's never bucked before, but I don't want to take any chances.

I was wondering if there's any groundwork I can do, and how to get her to cross water without bucking, jumping, or doing anything else that might hurt me.

Thanks for all answers!