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A Few Of My Favorite Things
Well, as promised, here's a few of my favorite things around the barn. Let's face it, with all the new products out there, shopping for horsey stuff these days can be a daunting task. From time to time, I get emails asking questions about what's my favorite saddle, or my favorite horse bit, or what horse products I like best. Many of the products I now use were first recommended to me by friends. So I thought it might be fun to take some pics of some of my favorite horse stuff, and share with you what I like about the product, and why. And don't worry - I'm not a professional horseman, and I'm not getting any perks for mentioning these products. So you can count on me to shoot straight with you! Also, I won't go into detailed description, nor do I make any guaranteed claims about the products I mention. These are just some of my favorite things, and my personal opinions about how they've worked for me and my horses. If you have any interest in these products, you can contact the manufacturer, or check out their websites. I've owned a lot of horses through the years, and like many of you, I've gone through a lot of trial and error when it comes to actually getting what I paid for with horse products. When a better product comes along, I'm not afraid to try it, or change. Until then, the things I mention here are just a few of the things I like and use, and they've stood the test of time for me and my horses. 'Til next time, I hope you enjoy the newsletter. And who knows, for those of you working on that Christmas wish list, or looking for a gift for a special horse person, maybe this will give you some new ideas!
SPURS AND ROWELS
My old western pleasure show spurs.
I like riding with spurs, and learned how to use them correctly during the show years. Some tree-huggers mistakenly think that spurs are a torture device. I don't use anything to harm or inflict pain on my horses. My suggestion is, if you don't know how to properly ride with spurs - don't! I like to use spurs to enhance my leg aids. Instead of kicking on my horse to make him go, or using heavy leg aids to cue him, I use appropriate spur pressure to direct my horse's movement. Learning to ride correctly with spurs will not only help you refine your leg cues, but your horse will appreciate a more clear directive, too.
These are the clover leaf spurs I use all the time.
The rowel is very gentle with no points, but still effective in signaling my horse.
Whenever I want to teach my horse something brand new, I generally use ball spurs to get the concept across. Note there are no rowels, hence the name. They're gentle enough for a sensitive horse, but still give a clean, decisive cue when I want my horse to move off pressure. These ball spurs may not be in the western trainer's handbook but they work for me!
MYLER BITS
This is one of Samson's old custom made Myler bits. He's had it since he was a youth. We still use it from time to time, and he still rides nice and collected in it. The bit is a mullen hinge mouthpiece #30, and a 5 inch mouth with #30 Myler shanks.
I love Myler Bits, and have ridden my horses in them for many years. They're beautifully crafted and quality made bits that are comfortable in my horse's mouth, and help him achieve a better headset. Depending on what I'm trying to achieve, I ride in a lot of different bits, including different brands. But if I had to choose only one bit to use, it would definitely be a Myler Bit.
This is a picture of Samon's newest Myler Bit. He loves the medium port mouthpiece. And I like that the curved shanks move independently of eachother, so I can effectively lift his shoulders, and communicate with both sides of my horse!
Remember, I'm a minister, not a horse trainer! Just like some of you, I'm still working hard to become a better rider, and trying to learn all I can. One of the most important things I've learned is that investing in a good trainer or clinician to teach us correct horsemanship is priceless. I also believe the same holds true when it comes to good quality horse bits. You simply can't expect your horse to ride better than what you're willing to invest in his mouth!
This is a simple snaffle bit that I use. It has a sweet iron jointed mouthpiece that doesn't pinch or hurt the corners of my horse's mouth. And it's neither too thin or too fat to be effective. When I want to ride two-handed, work on lateral flexion, or just refresh my senior horse, this is my go-to bit.
REINSMAN SHOW BITS
This is Samson's Reinsman Show Bit. These bits are attractive and excellent for western pleasure horses that need to ride straight on the rail. I also use this grazing style bit for everyday riding. It's for a broke horse with good handle, and a great low head-setter.
This is one of my favorite show bits for western pleasure made by Reinsman. It's a simple but elegant looking grazing bit. It's also sometimes called a cutter bit. They make the same style bit without the shiny silver "glam" for everyday use, too. This show bit has a medium copper port with silver engraved shanks that do not move independently of one another. The entire bit moves as one piece which is excellent when you don't want a lot of bend in your horse. For example, it can help encourage straightness on the rail for the western pleasure horse. I also like the long, curved shanks which help enhance a nice, low, pleasure horse headset.
DALE CHAVEZ TRAINING SADDLES
and
PROFESSIONAL CHOICE SMx AIR RIDE SADDLE PADS
Samson in the training pen with his Dale Chavez Training Saddle and Professional Choice SMx Air Ride Saddle Pad.
When it comes to everyday riding, I use a
Rough-out Dale Chavez Training Saddle. It's made on the exact same tree as my Dale Chavez Show Saddle, so no surprises for Sam when we switch back and forth. I really like the rough-out suede texture of this saddle. It takes a tough workout, and all you have to do is brush off the dirt and sand, and you're good to go.
When it comes to everyday saddle pads, I love Professional Choice's SMx Air Ride Saddle Pad with Felt Backing. The older I get, the more I find myself using a bucket or fence rail to climb up in the saddle. For those days when I do manage to swing a leg over, this saddle pad doesn't slip or slide. This pad also comes in different colors and patterns, and can be purchased in larger sizes than the typical "anemic looking" pads being sold today. Samson is very wide across his back, so I really like the coverage and comfort these pads provide.
DALE CHAVEZ SHOW SADDLES
Samson with his Chavez show saddle.
I'm a big fan of Dale Chavez Show Saddles. If you are in the market for one, Chavez saddles are beautiful, custom-made works of art that are timeless and eye catching, and you can order them without the passing fad of "bling". It's by far the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat in, bar none, and offers close contact with your horse. It's also a true heirloom that you can pass on to your children one day.
CIRCLE Y SADDLES
Montana and his Circle Y Saddle.
The first saddle I ever bought Montana was a Circle Y Saddle. I rode in it every day for years, and it always looked new. It was light weight, easy to lift, and the leather was soft and required no breaking-in period. I ended up trading the saddle pictured here for a show saddle I needed, but there's definitely another Circle Y Saddle coming in my future!
ARIAT HERITAGE ROPER BOOTS
I've ridden in Ariat Heritage Roper Boots for years, and I think they're the most comfortable western riding boot in the world. I also do barn chores like mucking stalls and bathing horses in these boots, and they just keep going. They're my favorite all-around cowgirl boot, hands down!
JUSTIN BOOTS
I like Justin Boots, especially the new square-toed design and vivid colors. The toe is more squared than the round toed Ariat Heritage Ropers, and the boot feels a little heavier. But it's still pretty comfortable. I usually have to go up at least a half size to get a good fit in Justin Boots. They may run a tad bit smaller in size, or it may just be my crazy feet. If you like color, and gettin' your southwestern groove on, then these are some pretty cool boots for a reasonable price.
TROXEL RIDING HELMETS
I like the light-weight Troxel Schooling Helmets. They're well priced, and come in great colors.
When I was younger, I never rode in a helmet. In my ignorance, I thought they were too restrictive and simply un-cool. Now that I'm a little wiser (hopefully), I'm more interested in protecting my head than looking cool! I like the Troxel Schooling Helmets because they're light, come in great colors, and they're adjustable for a perfect fit.
KENSINGTON FLY SHEETS
 Montana and Samson wear Kensington Fly Sheets.
I'm a big fan of Kensington Fly Sheets, and the matching neck wraps. The material is thick enough to give protection from biting insects, and durable enough to survive my horse's favorite activity - rolling in the mud after a rain storm!
GREAT AFFORDABLE PRODUCTS THAT WORK FOR MY HORSES
These are some great "do what they say" products that I keep in my barn year round.
Mega-Cell Vitamins and Probiotics
Farnam's SandClear
HorseShoer's Secret
Corona Shampoo
ShowSheen
Vetrycin
Farnam's Repel X Lotion
STANDLEE HAY COMPANY
I think this is a great product! I feed my horses Standlee Premium Timothy Grass Pellets each day, and they love every bite. I add a good vitamin and probiotic supplement, and I've stopped feeding commercial grains.
I used to feed my horses a popular, low starch, pelleted feed. I still think it's a good product, but my horses get fat just breathing, and don't work hard enough to warrant the high fat content that are in those types of feed. So I switched! I love Standlee Hay Products because it's the natural way to feed horses without all the extra added ingredients that horses simply don't need. Feeding a horse more naturally, the way he was designed to eat, also reduces the chance of grain-induced colic. Along with pasture grass, and orchard grass hay, I feed my horses Standlee Premium Timothy Grass Hay Pellets instead of grain. It's low in sugar and carbs, certified noxious weed-free, and you can find it at most Tractor Supply stores.
PDZ HORSE STALL REFRESHER
We use Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher faithfully each day in our horse stalls to help keep odors away, and eliminate that yucky ammonia smell. It's advertised as non-toxic, with no scents or perfumes to harm your horse. It's also made from non-hazardous granules, and environmentally green. We get ours at Tractor Supply.
JOHN DEERE GATOR
The hardest working piece of equipment we own. Our 14 year old John Deere Gator.
Finally, I've saved my very favorite thing for last! One of the first purchases we made after moving out here to the farm was a John Deere Gator. And it's the best, most used piece of farm equipment we've ever had. The seats now have some holes, and it's got a lot of scratches and dings, but it still works hard every day pulling the manure spreader, dragging the arena, loading hay, pulling me out of ditches with the mower, and just about every other use you can think of. When I think about good, long-lasting, and dependable farm equipment, I always think green!
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