Gear
Here’s a little about the tack and gear I like to use.
Saddle: I’ve got a Billy Cook saddle that’s goin on 30 years old. I believe when I got it was called a steer roping. Sounds about right cause it weighs as much as good sized steer. It’s plain as day - not a lick of tooling except for the maker stamp. It has seen it’s rough days…uncooperative colts, brush, weather. It’s got some scratches and some discoloration but it’s still in great shape and just fits…the horses and me. I’ve had offers to buy it but I suppose it’ll be one of things that gets buried with me.
Cinch: For training and short rides I’ve come to like the neoprene cinches. The Smart Cinch from Weaver works pretty good and they don’t cost a whole lot. They hold good and seem to be pretty good on the horse. Easy to clean too. Mohair cinches are great but they tend to pick up sand around here with puttin the saddle on and off different horses and such. I’ve just got some info on horsehair cinches from a cowboy board I look into. I might just try one if the money tree bears any fruit this season.
Pads and Blankets: Nothing fancy for me. When I started out there wasn’t all the pads and stuff they got now. I don’t really recall ever soring a horse cause of a pad. Therefore my stuff is pretty unexciting. I like the ones with the fleece stuff for most riding. In the brush and for long rides wool pads for me. Starting colts and “enthusiastic” horse I use a wool blanket instead of a pad…I think they keep the saddle from slipping alot better.
Wife has and Impact Gel pad for her mare that cost probably as much as all mine together. It sure is nice but heavy. It does work well for her. If I ever learn how to rope good enough to catch something besides the horse I’m riding I think I’d get me one. I think it’d work well for taking the shock out of a critter pulling one the saddle.
Breast Collar: Can’t say I ever really use one. Probably should I guess. Maybe I’ll try and get in the habit cause there is a couple of them in the barn.
Flank Cinch: Since I don’t rope mine is usually hanging in the barn. I do like to use them some when starting horses just so they are broke to it. I was taught to not put em on too tight or too loose…about where you can get your hand under it. And never use one that ain’t attached to the front cinch.
Bridles: For snaffle bits browband style only. For curbs I use either browband or a one ear. One I really like is from Weaver Leather made of latigo leather. Very plain and I think cost around 15 bucks. But they hold up really good and get real nice and soft if you oil em. Fits every horse I’ve had it on and got a throat strap that I think is important. Mine lead a hard life being I use them for training and colt starting. They been dropped, stepped on and otherwise treated badly. A little cleaning and they’re good as new. When they bury me I’m gonna have them throw one of them bridles in the hole with me.
Bits: Be writin a whole book if we get into this one. Like most stuff, gimmicks and fads don’t work.
Reins: I grew up with leather reins and that’s what feels best to me. I can get along with rope, horsehair, braids, etc. but when it gets serious there’ll be leather in my hands. About 5/8″ works for me. They gotta be long enough so the ends hang down nice…too short and it always feels like they’re pulling outta your hands. I like em good soft so they feel like they got some life in em. Never used rawhide reins but they sure are pretty.
Cavesson: I like to use a cavesson with my snaffle bit rigs. I use a leather one, again nothing fancy. Gotta be careful with them and get them adjusted right. It’ll sometimes scare a horse if it’s too tight and they ain’t used to it. Most times if that happens they’ll wanna rear up and maybe flip over.
Slobber Straps: I use them on my snaffle rigs except when showing. i like the feel of them and the wieght they add near the bit. I also think they give some vibration to the bit giving the horse subtle cues. Since slobber straps you buy are made with a big hole for rope reins, I made my own of a little different design so I can use them with leather reins.
Training Fork: I use a simple martingale that I think they call a Texas training fork. Nothing but leather straps with rings for the reins to go through. Some horses do real well with it others don’t accept it too well. It’s not for starting colts and it’s another simple looking piece of equipment that can be dangerous if not used right.
Leg Boots: I don’t use leg boots on young horses. It’s my belief that support boots hinder tendon development and it’s not really a bad thing if a colt bumps themselves once in a while…makes em pay attention to their footwork. But I don’t push my colts into very stressful maneuvers.
On older horse that is at a higher performance level I have a set of Classic Equine support boots that I really need to get in the habit of using. I also have a set of standard splint boots which I like to use. I’ve also got the bell boots but haven’t had a big need to use them. Once a horse starts getting the idea of stopping on their back end I put em in leather skid boots. One bad experience of a burned fetlock can set things back quite a bit. I prefer the leather ones but probably just habit…the neoprene boots probably work good too.
Shoes: Well this would be a long subject itself. I believe in barefoot horses for the most part but sliders are a necessity. Get the best farrier you can find and make sure you learn enough about it that you are 100% confident in what he/she is doing.