Do Not Try This At Home

I can't imagine someone riding a horse without a helmet. But the truth is that there are some people who will neglect safety and engage in such a foolish act. Millie Chalk explains more on this safety mistake that some people engage in.

The Dangers of Riding Without a Helmet

I've known of far too many situations where someone was severely hurt by going without the protection of a helmet, don't you? Yet it's taken a few years for me to finally get smart enough to realize what a silly and reckless thing it is to go without. Is keeping your hair nice or your head cool really worth risking a head injury often leading to a concussion, a coma or even death?

I can give you countless reports of such things happening each and every year! It doesn't matter how well trained you or your horse is. Things just happen. I've had ponies simply walking that tripped over a tree root and fell down dropping their rider to the ground. It's bound to happen sooner or later.

So why are we still seeing people riding without a helmet? Do they think it's cool? I'll tell you what's not cool and why I won't be caught without a helmet on my head anytime I'm on the back of a horse and that is I fear the ridicule I'd receive from my savvy and wise students if I ended up with a head injury because of neglecting to do something I am adamant about for them. Dealing with their disappointment in me would be far worse than any physical injury and I'm glad of their expectations because they keep me determined not to give in to discomfort or appearance!

As adults I feel we need to set the example. (You know the kids look at an adult without their helmet like they're the most stupid person on the planet. Come on, do we really need to give them something else to diminish ourselves in their eyes?)

Just logic and good sense tells you why you need to wear a helmet. As I say to my kids... "You have two of everything, two arms, two legs, two hands but only one head, if it breaks you have nothing else to take its place".

Today more than ever we have a huge variety of helmets with which to choose from, everything from super cool to super hot! There's a helmet for every discipline and every occasion and something that can fit into any budget.

So no matter what you're riding, how you're riding or where you're riding to you need to put on a helmet!

Millie Chalk (White Star Woman)

Professional horse trainer for 25yrs. and author of historical fiction. Part Cherokee Indian I'm passionate regarding the current struggle of all the first nations feeling most akin for several reasons to the Lakota.

For more information on all phases of horseback riding and horse care check out my new website... http://backyardhorseman.com/

Should I Buy An English Or A Western Saddle?

Susanne Malloy answers:

Saddle Buying - English Or Western?

For the most part there are two distinct types of popular saddles, English and western. In reality there are distinctions within these two groups, especially in the English saddles, plus there are endurance saddles and Australian saddle styles. The two general saddle styles of English and western are impossible to mistake, and are designed to best suit the particular demands of the different riding styles.

Western saddles have one basic style with many different shape and size variations within that general form. The western saddle is distinctive with a horn and high fork on the front of the saddle, a deep seat in the saddle and a low to high cantle making up the back of the seat. The western saddle also has a distinctive saddle skirt as well as wide and long stirrups and fenders, often which are very ornate and carved.

English saddles are much lighter than western saddles and tend to be more simplistic in style. They have a much flatter seat, no noticeable fork and no horn, with the front of the saddle being correctly known as the pommel. The cantle at the back of the seat is rather thin and may be low to high as with the western saddle. The sides of the saddle that replace the skirts and fenders are known as the flaps, and they are close to the horse's body. The stirrups are very minimal in styling with a thin stirrup leather connecting them to the saddle seat. English saddles vary from hunt seat, the most common pleasure type of English saddle to dressage saddles and show saddles. Dressage and show saddles must meet certain requirements to be used in competition. The Australian saddle and the endurance saddle are a combination of features of both the English and western styles. They are becoming more popular with both groups of riders as general work and practice saddles since they are durable, strong yet light weight and practical.

Regardless of what type of saddle you are buying it is important to make sure that it fits the horse correctly. Poorly fitting saddles will result in saddle sores for the horse and a dislike of being ridden. Generally measuring the widest part of the saddle area on the horse's back and ensuring the inside measurement of the saddle you are buying is at least this large will ensure a close fit, but it is always best to have the opportunity to try it on the horse. If you are buying a new saddle or a used saddle bring your horse or make sure it can be exchanged if it doesn't fit correctly. Experienced riders recommend that you should be able to place three fingers between the front of the saddle, the pommel, and the horse's back to ensure a proper fit. If the space is larger than this the saddle is too big, if it is less the saddle is too small.

If the cinch is to small or does not reach around the horse's girth, simply buy a longer cinch. This has nothing to do with the fit across the back, which is the area where the pressure from the rider can really cause problems with a poorly fitted saddle. Always examine your horse's back if he or she seems uncomfortable under the saddle and look for any areas of rubbing or irritation that can indicate the saddle is not correctly fitted.

Susanne Malloy is an avid equestrian and an editor for http://www.EnglishSaddleShop.com, your complete resource for new and used English saddles, riding apparel, and tack.

Fun Packed Horse Riding Camps

The article below on horseback riding camps was written by Samantha Kay.

Horseback Riding Camps Offer Fun, Exercise, Experience

Is your child or teen horse crazy? Many children and teens are fascinated with horses and horseback riding. Attending a horseback riding camp will give them a basic knowledge of horses and riding as well as an interesting summer camp destination.

While the focus of horseback riding camps is, obviously, riding horses, these camps also teach other important factors of horse ownership and care. During their camp time, campers will learn about the different types of tack used to ride or drive a horse. Camp attendees will also learn how to clean and care for tack. Also offered at horse riding camps are sessions on proper horse care. During these sessions, campers will be taught how to feed, water and groom a horse. Some camps ever offer classes in equine anatomy, perfect for children who think they may want to become a veterinarian.

When choosing a horseback riding camp, you must first decide which style of riding your child wants to learn. The main riding styles are western and English. Western riding is generally associated with cowboys, ranches, and rodeos. Popular western riding activities include trail riding and barrel racing. Western saddles were designed with the comfort and security of the rider in mind, so it has a higher seat back (cantle) and front (pommel) so riders feel secure while on the horse. English riding, on the other hand, generally focuses on jumping, racing and horsemanship. This style of riding requires the horse and rider both to have more freedom of movement, so these saddles don't provide as much support and security as does a Western style saddle. If your child is a first time rider, they might want to consider a Western riding camp.

Horseback riding camps generally offer lessons for experienced riders as well as those who have never been on a horse before. Experienced riders will generally be placed in a class they will find challenging while beginning riders will begin by learning the basics of how to properly mount and sit on a horse. Riders with little riding experience are paired with an older, gentler animal while those with more experience ride the younger more spirited animals.

In addition to riding lessons, some horseback riding camps also offer classes in driving miniature horses. In these classes students learn to control the horse as they ride in a small cart pulled by the animal. Another popular horseback activity is vaulting. Simply put, vaulting is gymnastics on horseback. For this sport, horses with large, flat backs are lunged, or driven, in a circle while students perform gymnastic tricks on their backs. Although this sport may sound dangerous and difficult, students generally find it is easier than it sounds.

For horse lovers, horseback riding camp can be a great way to spend at least part of the summer. In the course of these camps, campers can learn the basics of riding or improve their riding skills. They will also learn important horse care issues such as horse health and anatomy. These riding camps can be a great source of fun and experience with horses.

Still looking for the perfect summer camp? Try visiting http://www.aboutcamps.com - a website that specializes in providing camp advice, tips and resources including information on horseback riding camp.

Horse Riding Girths

Felicity Lightbody will try to inform us on "Applications & Types of Horse Riding Girths" in this article below. Lets hear what she has for us. Happy Reading!

Applications & Types of Horse Riding Girths

Used to make sure the saddle is correctly attached to the horses back, the girth sits around 10 cm behind the horses' front legs. There are a number of types of girth and styles online in the Anything Equine store. They are used for many different disciplines, as described below.

Balding Girths
Made from leather and cut into 3 strips.

Atherstone Girths
Shaped leather with a stronger strip of leather along the centre.

Dressage Girths
Also called a 'Lonsdale' girth. Not as long as other girths and used primarily with dressage saddles. The long billets on dressage saddles allow this girth to be fitted without the buckles interfering with the rider's leg aids. They can be made from leather, strong cotton or padded cotton and in Balding or Atherstone styles.

Unshaped Girths
Can be made from padded cotton or flat heavy cotton, both with webbing reinforcements, or they can also be made from leather.

Over girths
Mostly used when racing. Overgirths are used in addition to a regular girth to provide additional saddle security and are worn around the belly of the horse and across the seat of the saddle.

Stud Guards / Jumping Girths
These are commonly used when show jumping or eventing, they have a large protective pad that sits under the horse's belly, preventing studs or horse shoes from striking the horse's underside as they tuck their front legs up and under when jumping.

Tips
When choosing a girth it is essential that the correct size is chosen, for the horses comfort and for the rider's safety. The girth should spread even pressure across the belly of the horse. The measurement should be taken using a flexible measuring tape from the middle hole of one of the billets on your saddle, under the horse's belly in the position where the girth will sit, then to the middle hole of a billet on the opposite side.

Felicity is a intermittent scribe, writing infrequent pieces in the UK for anythingequine.co.uk who sell equestrian girths and saddlery products. Anything Equine specialise in horse rugs & riding boots in the UK.

How To Choose The Proper Horse Saddle

Are you thinking of owning a horse saddle then this article by By Justin Strader is for you.

Horse Saddles For Sale - How to Choose the Right One

The saddle is one of the most important pieces of horse riding apparel, so there are several things to keep in mind when deciding on horse saddles for sale. First, the riding style must be identified. Usually, this is either English or Western, although there are also specialty ones for activities like polo, dressage, jumping, and racing. In English riding, the rider holds one reign in each hand and tells the horse to turn by gently pulling one reign, which applies pressure to a bit in the horses mouth.

Western-style riders hold both reigns in one hand and tell the horse to turn by shifting their weight or laying the reigns against the horses neck. The western ones are larger and heavier than English saddles and were originally designed for hard-riding cowboys. The riders weight is distributed evenly across the horses back, which allows the horse and rider to be comfortable on long rides.

Dressage saddles allow the riders leg and the horse to have the most contact. The flaps are cut straight and narrow and these saddles have a different cut than an English saddle.

For jumping, a hunt seat saddle is used. This saddle was originally designed for fox hunting and it affords the rider a better position for jumping.

Horse racing requires a flat racing saddle. These are extremely lightweight and have very short stirrups so the rider can lean forward as far as possible.

No matter the activity, the next question is the type of saddle. There are leather saddles, suede saddles, and saddles made from synthetic materials. Leather saddles are the most well known, and a high quality leather saddle can last for years. Synthetic saddles can be lightweight and easy to clean, but may not have the longevity of a leather saddle.

The most important factor for saddles is comfort, for both the rider and the horse. A saddle that does not fit properly can cause back muscle bruising on the horse. Saddle sizes are measured in inches, from the pommel to the cantle. There should be two to three inches of space between the rider and the back of the saddle when seated. In addition, the saddle should stay firmly in place without slipping and it should fit the horse tightly across the shoulders and back without digging in.

There are many saddles to choose from, so it is important to remember your anticipated riding activities when choosing a horse saddle for sale.

For more free tips and advice on Horse Saddles For Sale try visiting http://www.horse-saddles-for-sale.com/.

Some Horse Riding Safety Lessons

So many people will agree with me that horse ridding though a fun activity can also be a very dangerous activity as such there is the need for a horse rider to observe some safety tips. Below are some horse ridding safety tips provided by By Millie Chalk. Enjoy!

The Dangers of Riding Without a Safety Stirrup

Many years ago I had a superintendent of a local school district call me knowing I was involved with kids and horses. Seemed his district had a school sponsored riding program and one of the little girls had in a lesson been dragged to death by the horse she was on. In horror I responded to the news with the question; "why had the safety stirrup not deployed releasing the girl's foot?" His response to my question was; "what's a safety stirrup"?

I was shocked and after explaining the necessity of such precautions and shared with him the realization of how senseless the little girl's death was I warned him that he'd better hope that the parents didn't contact me regarding the tragedy because I would council them to go after the school district for blatant neglect and endangering children's lives.

Maybe it's because my Great Grandfather was dragged to death by a horse but I've always thought it reckless to be riding a horse without some type of safety stirrup. Although a typical western stirrup offers a little more protection against losing one's foot through especially when wearing a western boot it's just careless to ride in an English stirrup without it being equipped to release if a rider gets their foot hung up through a fall and being crazy enough to ride without a boot such as in wearing a tennis shoe is courting disaster.

There are many types of quick release stirrups on the market ranging anywhere from the most common "peacock" stirrup to those on hinges and other designs that are more elaborate. They start at prices as reasonable as $30 to $40 and go up from there depending on how camouflaged you want the safety features. I think the point is you still can be a slave to fashion and have the protection a safety stirrup offers so vanity is no longer an excuse. All of my students use some sort of safety "quick release" stirrup as well as helmets no matter what their age. Why take the chance of going without? In my mind it's just stupid!

My hope is that people will stop being ignorant about this and start realizing how important a simple safety feature can be and that I'll never witness again the sight of a little child being thrown from their pony only for it to be standing there at the jump still attached to the child by their foot hung up in the stirrup. As far as I'm concerned it should be a requirement for any junior just as is now the proper regulation helmets.

Wake up people and especially parents! Do the right thing and put you and your children into proper and safe equipment. Be determined to never ride again without those safety stirrups. I will guarantee there will be a time that you will be grateful you went to the expense and relative little effort!

Millie Chalk (White Star Woman)

Professional horse trainer for 25yrs. and author of historical fiction. Part Cherokee Indian I'm passionate regarding the current struggle of all the first nations feeling most akin for several reasons to the Lakota.

If you'd like to learn more regarding all phases of horseback riding along with horse care and training, check out my website... http://backyardhorseman.com/

How To Fit A Horse Riding Saddle Correctly

Do You want to learn how to fit a Horse Riding Saddle? Then read through this page to discover how.

Correctly Fitting Your Horse Riding Saddle

By Brian Wisz

One of the most important things you can do to ensure the health and comfort of you and your horse is not only to select the right horse riding saddle, but properly fitting that saddle to your horse. Having a bad fit can not only create back ache and muscle pain for the rider, but it also very uncomfortable for the horse. There are companies that will measure you and your horse and suggest a correct saddle size. I highly recommend this service to begin with.

Once you have purchased the correct sized horse saddle, it is also important to remember that the position of the saddle on the horse's back is very important in making sure that the horse is comfortable while being ridden. There are basically three main muscles in the horse's back which can be negatively affected by bad saddle placement. Please familiarize yourself with these muscles and their location on your horse before you attempt to position the saddle on the horses' back.

The first thing you want to do is place the horse riding saddle on the back of the horse forward of the wither. Once you have done this, slide it backward down the horse until it cannot go any further. Do not force it. You should see now that the lowest part of the saddle should correspond to the lowest part of the horse's back. In order to verify that you positioned saddle correctly, the saddle tree should not press on the scapula or shoulder of the horse. It should lie in the groove behind it. This is a common mistake when positioning a saddle. People have a tendency to place the saddle too far up and put pressure on the scapula of the horse. This can hamper the movement of the horse as well as create saddle sores.

Properly fitting your horse saddle to your horse will come easier after the first couple times you do it. It is worth taking the time to learn the correct way to do this in order for your horse to remain happy and healthy.

Brian has been providing online content now for over 5 years. Please visit his latest website at http://www.candlemakingexpert.com to sign up for a free e course on candle making and learn the latest techniques about Candle Making Molds