March 11, 2010
Horse Trailer Buying Tips
When looking for a new horse trailer, there are many features to consider. One crucial feature is whether the horse trailer will be of a bumper pull or gooseneck design. There are several reasons why you might benefit from either design. We’ll compare the two layouts to see which suits you best.
Bumper Pull Designs - Advantages and Disadvantages
Bumper pull layouts, also referred to as tag-along designs, are horse trailers that connect to a hitch on the pulling vehicle. The trailer simply “tags along” after the towing vehicle and is not a part of the whole vehicle.
Good Points
There are many good aspects of bumper pull trailers. They usually cost less than a gooseneck trailer. It’s not necessary to drive a pickup truck for hauling the trailer, and more people can pulll this type of horse trailer with their current vehicle. Turning is often easier because the horsebox will follow the path of the pulling vehicle. The storage space required is less for the trailer as needed for a gooseneck trailer. Lastly, the trailer doesn’t need to be classified as a “commercial” vehicle when it comes to licences as the total weight of both the trailer and towing vehicle is commonly under 10,001 pounds.
Disadvantages
There are numerous disadvantages as well. These style of trailers do not present as much storage for tack and clothing. A few bumper pull trailers may not be enough for towing more than two horses due to the style of hitch necessary for the mass of the trailer. Also, bumper pull designs have a tendency to weave on bendy roads, which can be risky.
Gooseneck Designs - Good and Bad Points
Gooseneck trailers are different from bumper pull trailers in their style of hitch. The gooseneck is attached inside the hauling truck’s load bed with a ball and coupler mating. This layout provides several benefits. It won’t sway or snake like a bumper trailer is likely to, and towing is therefore more stable. It provides more area for living space, which can be suitable for camping and long trips. The gooseneck design is more simple to back up to and line up with the ball while joining it to your towing vehicle, as you can see it without problem from the rear window. The gooseneck layout is safer without the unease of the load becoming unhitched while travelling on the highway.
Disadvantages
There are also a few issues. Gooseneck designs cost more and are usually larger so they have to be pulled with a 4×4 that is powerful enough to tow it. The hitching system is also more costly for a gooseneck design. Another negative point is that while hitching the trailer, you must climb into the load bay of the truck to finalize the attachment. Also, you will have to remove your load cover from your pickup to pull a gooseneck trailer.
The Right Design For You
Whether you’re thinking of a bumper pull or gooseneck trailer, you can check on the web to look at several styles of each. If you’re on a tight budget, you can find many used horseboxes for sale and horse trailers for sale to find a bargain. Take into account the advantages and disadvantages of each design prior to buying. For more information and horses for sale, visit the Horse and Pony Directory
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October 2, 2009
Ariat Riding Boots - The Choice of Riding Experts
Ariat riding boots are manufactured for people who are riding experts. They make a wide variety of diverse boot styles so as to suit the needs of the different types of jobs out there where people ride for a living or for sport. You don’t need to be a professional to buy Ariats, nevertheless, you just need to want to have the finest possible riding footwear.
Ariat riding boots are seperated into a couple distinctive categories. The major categories are English, Western, Work, Motor, and Casuals. Within a number of these categories you can further narrow down your choices in order to make it easier to find the precise boot for you. For English riding boots, you can select from paddock boots, tall boots, climate control boots, or kids boots. In the Western group, you can choose from professional boots, exotic leathers, crepe sole, lace up, traditional western, roper boots, fashion western, endurance, and kids boots. Inside the work footwear category there are options for 6 inch lace up, 8 inch lace up, farm and ranch, work western, hiking, waterproof, non steel toe, and steel toe boots. There are motorcycle boots, while there aren’t a lot of choices presented in this category. Casual footwear includes Ariat clogs, sandals, mules, and boots.
The options for Ariat riding shoes really do consist of something for one and all if you choose that you are willing to pay for value and comfort. If you regularly have to ride in poor weather conditions, such as when it is wintry or wet, the climate control boots would be the perfect choice. The selections in this category give you alternatives for insulated and/or waterproof shoes that should work for any weather condition you may encounter. They have shoes for men and women and children who work on farms and ranches, and they have boots for those who are working cowboys and those that participate in riding contests.
Get Ariats, Keen sandals and many more brands at various online stores…The bulk of the Ariat riding boots are made with extra features and support to guarantee the most sturdy and comfortable boots possible. They make their boots out of superior materials as well, and use advanced technology so that you get the best possible footwear.
One may have success finding more data by using ABCNews.com or by using Cuil.
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September 29, 2009
Western or English Riding
Learning to ride is exciting, but it can also be confusing. Which riding style is best suited for the type of riding you’d like to do. Talking to experienced riders is one option, but you need to understand that most riders have one riding style, either English or western, and they tend to prefer their style over the other one. Becoming competent will take lots of hours in the saddle for either style, and becoming competitive will require even more practice.
If you are going to compete, knowing what you want to do in the competition is essential before choosing a riding style. If you want to dress formally and compete in dressage, hunter seat, English equitation, saddle seat, competitive jumping, eventing or cross country jumping events you will only have the option of using the English riding style. But if you’re the more casual type who prefers a comfy pair of jeans, a cowboy hat and loping the trails or competing in the myriad of western competitive events, then the western riding style is for you. If you want to just be able to get out and enjoy seeing different country and riding with friends you can select either option.
Besides just what events you can compete in there are also differences to the actual riding styles. Riding the western style is a more casual style designed to allow the rider to ride for hours and hours over varied terrain. The stirrups are longer and the rider sits deep in the seat. Western riding also has the reins held in one hand, leaving the other hand free for using a rope. English riding has shorter stirrups with riders more erect to slightly forward sitting, posting in motion to the horse and typically holding the reins in both hands. Some English riding will require double reins, one set to direct the motion of the horse and one set to control the head position. English riding also has several different styles including hunt seat, dressage, saddleseat, and endurance. Each of these disciplines has their own style of tack - a dressage saddle, jumping saddle, all purpose saddle, and so on.
Once you make a decision on which style you prefer, make sure you are wearing proper safety equipment, including a riding helmet. This is a must for all junior and novice riders. When you select a style you can always decide to learn the other style at a later date, after all your horse can certainly learn another style, but learning both at the same time is overwhelming and can lead to confusion.
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September 26, 2009
Hat Cans Save Money on Reshaping and Cleaning
A number of us have accidentally ruined a very special hat that had sentimental value to us or damaged an expensive hat as a result of travel mishaps, sun damage or just plain wear and tear. To have your hat last longer you need to keep it in a hat box during the times you are not wearing it.
The hat can is easy to use. Many hat cans have latches or removable lids. They are made of plastic or leather and are designed for easy carrying with grip handles. No dust, no light, no moisture or heat can penetrate the hat can which means your hat stays as new as ever. If you have a hat that is a unique shape and that shape could be easily warped without proper protection, a hat can can eliminate the risk of your hat losing its shape.
Each hat can is made for a specific type of hat. Depending on the style and the dimensions of your hat, a hat can is designed with a specific hat in mind. These cans were originally used by military men and society women because their hats had significant importance and were very valuable. Now, because of the price of hats and consumers becoming more keen to protect a hat as long as possible to get the most wear for their money, they too have opted to use a hat can for this very reason.
For people who own western hats, you are familiar with the cost of having your hat cleaned and reshaped. If you saved that money and purchased a hat can you might never need either of those services performed again. Western hats are expensive and an investment that ought to be properly maintained. They are a classic fashion statement and so, the longer they last, the less money you spend.
Leaving your hat exposed to the dust, clumsy people, the heat, dampness or subject to unnecessary contact from not being properly stored, can result in a hat that becomes warped, has stains and has less value each day. No one wishes to replace the cow boy hat they spent a healthy part of their income on and no one wants to ruin a military hat from their service to the armed forces through unnecessary everyday exposure. It’s a small cost that ultimately saves money for its owners in the long run.
Search through Ning.com or by searching within AOL to possibly find more stories regarding such topics.
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September 14, 2009
Saddling Up
The first time that you have to put your tack on a horse it may seem a bit confusing and difficult, but it is actually a very simple routine that is quick to establish and helps the horse understand what is happening. Having your horse secured with a set of crossties that fasten to the halter from opposite sides at about normal head height is really helpful as this leaves the rider with both hands to work with the tack.
Before putting on the tack it is important to quickly examine your horse and make sure there are no injuries or leg or foot problems. Run your hand down each of your horse’s legs. Pick our each hoof, checking for stones and any soreness. This will prevent the possibility of riding the horse with a rock in the hoof that can cause lameness, plus if your horse has shoes you can also make sure they are secured and in place. After checking the legs and hooves it is time to brush the back and sides. Give your horse a good scrub with a stiff brush to get rid of all of the built up hair and dirt, especially around the saddle area where it can cause particular irritation.
Since the halter is securing the horse to the crossties, you may want to start with the saddle. Place the saddle pad or blanket straight down on the horses back, just on the highest point of the withers and slide it straight back a fraction of an inch to position it. This ensures that the hair is all flat, if you have to reposition the blanket lift it off the horse, smooth down the hair again with a brush or your hand, then start over.
With the saddle pad or blanket in place, pick up the saddle with your left hand on the horn or pommel and the left hand under the back skirt or the cantle, depending on the saddle type. Have the stirrups secured so they don’t hit the horse as you are placing the saddle straight down on the blanket or pad with the front part of the saddle centered on the back and just behind the withers. The saddle should be placed in the natural depression that occurs on a horse’s back. If you have a western style saddle, reach under the horse’s belly and grasp the cinch, make sure it is straight and tighten the saddle from the left side. With an English saddle you may need to walk around to the right side and affix the cinch, then move back around to the left to tighten it.
The bridle is typically the most challenging as some horses will throw their head or refuse to take the bit. Moving quietly, slowly and gently will correct this problem. Don’t become agitated or irritated. Unbuckle the throatlatch and noseband if there is one, then standing in the same direction as the horse on the left side, hold the bit in your left hand and the top of the bridle in your right. Slide the top of the bridle up the head, positioning the bit just below the lips. Gentleness counts when inserting the bit. Lift the crown of the bridle over the ears and gently insert the bit. Position both the bit and the headstall in the right place, then latch the throatlatch and noseband. Avoid banging the horse’s teeth with the bit as this will hurt.
Mounting the horse is the opposite of dismounting and should be done in one fluid movement. Hold the reins in your left hand while grabbing a hanful of mne in your right hand. Using the right hand to hold the stirrup, place your left foot in the stirrup, swing your body up and your right leg up and over the back of the horse, gentle sitting down into the saddle. Put the right foot in the right stirrup and you are all ready to go.
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September 9, 2009
English Saddle Manufacturers Using Technology To Develop Better Saddles
English saddle makers are improving the design of their saddles with the use of new technology. Different companies offer different English saddle brands with options for riders from the Pessoa saddles that are treated with vegetable dyes and natural oils to become completely waterproof to the Bates, Collegiate and Wintec line of saddles that have adjustable gullet systems that allow these saddles to be custom fit to any horse.
The specialized systems can also work between these brands, making them a good choice for riders with different types of saddles in their tack room. These types of advances have not only made improvements for the rider but they have also made saddles and tack much more comfortable for the individual horse. Panels that don’t need re-stuffing, found in most Courbette saddles, ensures that you can use your tack on different horses while still maintaining that great fit to eliminate rubbing and irritation for the horse, regardless of the width of his or her back.
Another major change in many of the saddles used in English riding is the change from all leather to synthetic materials. Wintec saddles are the leader in synthetic saddles with all English saddle types now available in durable, waterproof and easy fitting options. These saddles are great for training and also for novice riders and children since they are lightweight and very low care types of saddles. Not all Wintec synthetic English saddles are cheap, but they are high quality and very durable, an excellent investment for novice and experienced riders alike.
The saddle makers who have been areound awhile are experiencing a surge in popularity in both general purpose and competitive saddles. Albion saddles have long been a European and British English saddle, but are now found around the world. These saddles come in a wide selection of styles including jumping, close contact and dressage. They are leather, very high quality and designed to allow weight to be equally distributed across the horse’s back, ideal for dressage, equitation and jumping where balance and stability for both horse and rider is essential. Advances in available technology enable saddle designers to really study the points of pressure a saddle places on a horse at rest and in a variety of movement and motion.
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