Comments on: Horse Training Tack & Equipment

By: Cortney

Cortney — Mon, 07 May 2012 00:15:07 +0000

I"m seeking a saddle, all around purposes, however, I want to sit as if I were riding western dressage. I have a high withered QH mare likely semiqh bar fit, I'm concerned my current western saddles do not allow her enough shoulder room to move, and are keeping her from using her back and rounding onto her haunches. At time she gets sore right behind the withers. I'm seeking advice on a saddle for a perfectly balanced western dressage position on the rider, and a good flare in the tree in the front….I'm not sure who to trust to help me fit it to her, was thinking of taking her to my local saddle shop, but he doesn't carry any higher end saddles. The best he does is Reinsman or the martin ricky green team roper. I would love any suggestions you have for me.

By: Charlene

Charlene — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:30:54 +0000

hi larry how are ya?

i know you get alot of comments but im hoping you can clear up somthing up. ive watched your stop and german martingale video and what i got from that about getting your horse (having his poll level with his withers and his face vertical ) was the pressure and release. so if i want him collected i put pressure on the reins and hold while squeezing with my legs and he drops then you release.

but when i went to work some cows someone told me that they dont release when they give their face, they always hold light contact while working their horse, ive dont both with my horse i held steady light contact to the bit and get forward motion with me legs and he stays collected. but i thought this wasnt the right way or is it? because when you go to one hand theirs no pressure on the bit so will they know to stay collected? ive done both ways but ive noticed if i held light contact he stays collected with no issue, and if i do the pressure and release he responds to that as well but its more pressure release and pressure and release, he keeps his poll level but his face wont be vertical once you relase. so im trying to figure out which is the best to train for collection or of either one works.

thanks for any help given!

By: LarryTrocha

LarryTrocha — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:37:21 +0000

@karen: Hi Karen, I'll send you my saddle recommendations privately in an email.

Larry T.

By: karen

karen — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:09:06 +0000

hi larry

i was interested in purchasing a saddle that you recommened to me, im either looking to get a reining saddle, cutting saddle, or a cowhorse. my question regarding all 3 of these saddles is what size of seat i should get? i currently ride in a 15in barrel racing saddle, not sure if that helps any but figured my seat size in that saddle probably give an idea for one of those saddles.

By: LarryTrocha

LarryTrocha — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 05:03:30 +0000

@Lynn: Hi Lynn. Glad the dvds and boots worked well for you.

I would suggest you stay with the Iconoclast boots. Nothing else you can buy will protect as well.

And yes, they produce heat… ALL protective boots do!

However, that is nothing to worry about. The heat doesn't hurt the horse's legs in any way… and lots of tests have been done on this.

As a matter of fact, a 24 hour "sweat wrap" is a common veterinary treatment to help heal an injured leg.

You could go with the leather splint and skid boots you mention but they aren't going to protect against strained or torn ligaments and tendons… which are much more serious than a splint.

BTW, you may find it interesting to know that most splints are NOT caused by a blow from the opposite hoof.

They are usually "stress" splints (right below the knee) caused by the bone flexing.

No boot is going to prevent that type of splint from forming.

Larry T.