Are you finding the best Dressage Saddles? Let's read this ultimate buying guide and 5 factors to consider before buying a saddle for your equine!
Best Dressage Saddles Buying Guide
So, how can you choose the best dressage saddles for you and your horse?
Is material is everything that decides the quality?
Let’s take a look!
Material
Should you take a synthetic or leather dressage saddle?
These days, there are a lot of dressage saddles made from synthetic leather and look nearly identical to traditional ones! Synthetic saddles are often more affordable, lightweight, and easy to clean than classic leather ones.
For traditional leather saddles, you should look for a high-quality one so that it can last for a long time. There are a lot of leather saddles of English or Western styles for you to choose from, so you take your time!
Fitting
Your dressage saddle should not only fit your size but also need to fit your horse’s figure!
That’s the most basic rule in choosing a suitable saddle for any ride. Is your horse long or kinda short? How does its back shape?
You’d better pay close attention to the pommel and cantle position since these two decide how the saddle will fit! But what are these two spots?
The answer is right below!
FAQs about Dressage Saddles
What is a dressage saddle?
Dressage saddles are designed to offer riders with the best balanced and comfortable performance in a dressage ride.
They often have deep seats, straight flaps, and no forward knee pads since dressage rides require no jump.
Parts of a dressage saddle
Above is a picture that shows all parts of a regular dressage saddle.
The most important part that you need to pay attention to when choosing a dressage saddle that suits your horse is the seat, cantle, skirt, two flaps, and the knee pads.
How to choose the best dressage saddle?
It depends on how your horse looks like and what you’ll use the saddle for that you choose an appropriate dressage saddle for yourself!
For example, if your horse has high wither, then you’d better pick it a saddle with high pommel or gullet so that it fits the wither.
Common measurements that you find in online stores saying 16 inches, 17 inches saddle, what does that mean?
Well, it is this distance:
Measure from one of the head nails to the cantle at the back. That’s the size of your dressage saddle!
What is the difference between a dressage saddle and an all-purpose saddle?
Well, they are somethings between a close contact and dressage saddle. They have enough knee roll for small jumps, and also just enough flap length for flat-ground dressage.
Can you trail ride in a dressage saddle?
Yes, you can.
Actually, you can trail ride in any type of saddles you like, but dressage saddles will be best on mule track or path with no or few obstacles.
For us, it is the HDR Ventura from Henri de Rivel manufacturer! This mid-range dressage saddle with wide flaps is suitable for every rider at any level, from newbies to the pro.
If you find my article helpful, don’t forget to share it with your friends who also into equestrian sports!
With the top 5 best horse hoof boots mentioned above, the task of finding a suitable pair for your horse has become easier than ever. But before jumping into any type of rushed decisions, let’s look at some important criteria when shopping for a hoof boot.
Easy removal and installation
I’m sure that you don’t want to spend hours after hours figuring how to take the boot off or put it on. Thus, make sure to keep an eye out for the boots equipped with a simple closure system, among which is Velcro.
This type of closure is highly beneficial because it not only helps to save plenty of time of removing and installing but also has the ability to easily adjust to fit your horse’s hoof without affecting its performance.
Durability
It’s unavoidable that with all the rugged and rough ridings, your horse’s hoof boot is likely to go through a common process of wear and tear. Therefore, choose the boot that is as much durable as possible.
Pay attention to the two most important factors when it comes to testing the boot’s durability
Quality of tread: The thicker the tread is, the longer time the boot wears out
Quality of material: Remember to go for high-quality materials because they are more beneficial and economical in the long run.
Size
Size is considered the most crucial factors when you are shopping for the hoof boot. Perfect size is the one that provides a complete fitting for the horse’s hoof, ensures comfort and protection, as well as enables the horse to move freely.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many types of hoof protection?
Numerous! Similar to traditional shoes, hoof protection comes with a wide variety of types, depending on different terrains and functionality.
All of the top 5 products listed above all work well for jumping. As long as their design is lightweight and their material is of high quality, these boots will make you feel satisfied with its performance.
Q4: What is the best hoof boot brand on the market?
Hmm, it’s hard to come up with the most satisfactory answer. Most of the brands I have mentioned in this article can become a good example and verification when doing shopping for a hoof boot. The answer to this question, I believe, depends on the type of activities you and your horse like to involve in.
The Time Has Come!
Hoping that our list of the best horse hoof boots will be of great help to you when making your decision.
An ideal product must be the one designed to provide protection and comfort to the horse’ hooves. Not to mention that it also has to be cost-effective and long-lasting.
If you ask us, we highly recommend the Cavallo Simple Hoof Boot. Being one of the best hoof boots on the market nowadays, its all-terrain feature and leather made material contributes to making the product a new best friend to your horse.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if any queries arise because we’re available 24/7!
Thanks for reading and hope you succeed on your journey to find the best hoof boot.
Choosing the best standing wraps for your mare is actually quite important for your mare. Their legs are their most precious asset and quite essentially their lives. Unfortunately, they will run into a lot of issues with their limbs sooner or later.
That’s why below are some critical factors you should consider while trying to choose the best wraps for them.
Rubefacients
These include all sorts of blood-circulating-promoting agents such as liminiment, sweat lotion, etc.
You have no idea how much my furry friends appreciate these things. While they do indeed require a bit of knowledge on the handling methods, the horses would receive so many benefits if the rubefacients are of quality and wrapped properly.
However, remember that even the best lotion or whatever rubefacients could still cause skin irritation in some horses. So, as the owner, you know your horses best, but if you don’t yet, consult a vet to get your furry little friends checked out medically and professionally just in case.
Padding is the cushion wrap that provides cushioning support to their limbs. A wrap with decent padding would not only protect the legs from external impacts, it can also keep the outside standing wraps from coming into contact with applied medication.
Tensile strength
You might have to consider how stretchy you would like the standing wraps to be. If it is too thin, you risk it ripping apart from various scenarios.
On the contrary, if it is too stretchy, wrapping it too tightly would limit blood circulation due to constricting the limbs. The tendons in their limbs are surprisingly more fragile than you might think. You may want to consider it carefully or risk causing serious harm to their limbs.
Standing wraps for horses are cushions that support their legs when they are standing.
Q2: How to size standing wraps for horses?
Tape-measure from the knee to fetlock. Back legs are always longer than the fronts, I remember to do individual measurement for all limbs.
Q3: How to put standing wraps on your horse?
Standard standing wraps are a bit more tricky to apply, but for no-bow wraps, simply wrap around the limbs like bandages.
Q4: What is the difference between polo wraps and standing wraps?
There are quite a bit of nuances but the general idea is that standing wraps are for horses not being ridden, while polo wraps are for the opposite.
Bottom Line
Alright, folks. That should be enough to wrap up my review on the best standing wraps for horses.
The Back-on-Track standing wraps are arguably the best since they have almost everything horses need for standing support i.e. appropriate stretchiness, comfortable fabric, etc.
But you might have a different circumstance and require different wraps, so you should be the judge of which one is the best.
If you haven’t found what you are looking for in our recommendation list, it’s time you should make your own searching. But don’t worry, we will help you with some useful tips that you can apply to choose the best wither strap. Check it out now!
Step 1: Point out the purpose of using wither straps
The first thing you need to do is pointing out your riding styles. English and Western styles are the most common riding styles. And wither strap varies depending on your style.
As wither strap lies in front of the saddle to keep the breast collar in the right position, it based on the position of a breast collar as well as saddle.
In English riding styles, people might use a smaller saddle and sit near the horse’s back. Thus, the breast collar might fall lower on your horse. And a wither strap can prevent the breast collar from hanging down and limit your horse’s extensions and reach when running.
Thus, if you are in English riding style, you should pay more attention to snaps, adjustable buckles and other things to help you deal with the breast collar
Meanwhile, in Western riding style, wither straps might not be necessary equipment but can give a bold finish to your tack. Hence, it is better if you take more time considering the pattern and design of your wither strap.
Step 2: Pay attention to the material and craftsmanship
As you want to pay your money for a long-term wither strap but not something that only lasts for a few weeks, you should take the strap’s material into account.
Wither straps are commonly made from leather. However, there are significant differences between types of leather that make a wither strap worth your money or not.
Not only should you go for a strap made from durable leather, but the comfort of your horse should also be considered as well. Thus, a strap with fine craftsmanship and comfortable leather might be a wise choice for your horse.
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of a wither strap?
A wither strap can keep your breast collar stay in the right position and prevent it to sag down or scratch your horse’s chest. Moreover, it can aid in running at high speeds with sharp turn.
2. Are wither straps bad for my horse?
Wither straps are a type of horse equipment, and of course, it won’t harm your horse. When choosing the right wither strap, it won’t cause any discomfort to your horse.
3. How long are wither straps?
There are 4 types of wither straps that differ in length. With standard horse size, breast collar wither straps are between 21” to 24” long. Cob size wither strap is 18” to 21”. While pony size strap is 14”-18”, mini size wither strap length is in range of 10” and 14”.
However, as wither straps are not fixed, you can adjust the length of wither straps to fit your horse’s chest.
4. How to use a wither strap?
You can begin with one side by using a snap to attach the wither strap to the D-ring of a breast collar. When you finish on one side, you can put the strap over the horse’s wither and attach it on the other side of the breast collar.
Conclusion
Among 5 products on my list of the best horse wither straps, the Shiloh Showman Wide Floral Tooled Wither Strap is the outstanding one with its elegant pattern and reasonable price.
Besides, it is made of durable and high-quality leather that can withstand extended use. Two snaps also make it easier for you to attach the snap to your horse stack.
So, if you are looking for a stylish and high-quality horse wither strap, this Shiloh Showman Wide Floral Tooled Wither Strap is the one that you should not miss.
Worms in Horse is a problem which you must solve completely if not, your horse will have many trouble with their digestive. Let's find the answer for this topic with ultimate post below and grab the best horse wormer now!
FAQs about horse deworming
1. How do horses get worms?
Horses often get worms when came out pasture with other horses that have or had parasites. Additionally, contaminated fields are ideal places for them to get in touch with parasites.
Or the pasture, itself, is a breeding ground for larvae and egg contamination and the worms through manure. And when your horse eats grass here, he will get infected with parasites.
That’s why you need to check for the appearance of parasites frequently before a full infestation might come.
2. How to know whether horses have worms?
The fact is that it is not easy to check whether there might be something happening on your horses’ health. Although they could appear to be in good shape, they might get an invasion of parasites unexpectedly.
Here are some common symptoms that you should pay attention such as:
Weight loss
Loss of condition
Lack of appetite
Diarrhea
Dull coat
Colic
Lethargy
But the best way to examine if your horses have worms is to have the veterinarian do a fecal egg count and blood test.
These standard ways help to determine whether there are parasites as well as adult worms living in your equines’ intestine. They also allow you to know how bad the pasture where your horses graze include active infestations.
3. Which key parasites should you notice at particular times of the year?
Worms can seriously influence the health of any horses.
Do you know you should target the particular parasites at certain times of the year?
Let’s show a general worming plan below!
Autumn (from September to October)
You need to perform a saliva test to check for tapeworm. If your horses get a positive result, you need to eliminate tapeworm with a wormer including Praziquantel or an increased dose of Pyrantel.
Winter (from November to February)
This time is ideal for getting rid of encysted larval stages of redworm and botfly larvae by using a Moxidectin product. Or you can use an increased dose of Fenbendazole, but REMEMBER that it doesn’t work well on botfly larvae.
Spring (from March to April)
You need to test again for the appearance of tapeworm. If it happens, continue using a wormer product including Praziquantel or an increased dose of Pyrantel.
During this time, you should target roundworm as well.
So, a combination of wormer will be nice.
Summer (from May to August)
You have to perform FEC (Fecal Egg Count) and worm. If anything occurs, please apply Pyrantel or Fenbendazole.
A step-by-step deworming technique for your horses
Deworming is a routine and worry-free practice that often takes place several times per year.
But some claim that it is hard to deworm their horses. If so, they might have had a bad experience, or they don’t like the taste the horse wormer.
What should you do?
First of all, you should avoid doing some wrong actions.
For example, never sneak up to the horses and jam the wormer product in their mouth. Or tighten the halter and jam it because you will make them defensive.
Besides, avoid approaching them and stick the syringe like a predator. Then they might stick it back in your face.
Hence, a horse that is good for deworming needs to stand still with his head down, body laid-back and willingly accept the product.
It is because he recognizes that you are not trying to hurt him. And this makes him feel more comfortable with deworming.
And now, down here to learn a step-by-step technique to deworm your horses!
Step 1
The first and foremost thing is to desensitize the air space surrounding the horse’s head.
Start standing on his left side and wave an empty syringe back and forth over his head. Make sure to muzzle him and keep it 8 inches away.
If he starts keeping his head still, stop waving, then retreat and rub his head with the other hand. After that, repeat this step until his head is still for the whole time you are moving the syringe.
In case the horse feels relaxed, you can continue the next step.
Rub an empty deworming syringe all over the horse body, starting from his withers and then neck and jaw.
If he moves away from you or throws his head, rub until he relaxes. After that, you need to retreat.
Next, continue applying the approach-and-retreat method on his face and around his muzzle. When he feels comfortable, retreat the syringe and rub his head with your hand.
Step 3
Coat the syringe with something sweet such as sugar, honey or molasses. This makes the horse accept it in his mouth with ease.
You need to stand on his left side and ease the syringe into the corner of his mouth. If he throws his head when it is inside his mouth, raise your arms. Or if he steps backward, you have to move back with him.
When the horse stands still and feels comfortable by lowering his head, you should remove the syringe and rub his face.
Repeat this step until he stands still all the time.
Step 4
Fill the empty syringe with the honey, wave and rub it around the horse’s nose to make sure that he is desensitized to it. After that, put it in his mouth and slowly let him lick the honey.
This makes him think that whatever in the syringe tastes good. And remember to repeat this step several days.
Step 5
If the horse accepts the syringe in his mouth, you now deworm him with the real product.
Don’t forget to put a sweet coating outside the syringe before placing in the corner of his mouth and empty it. Wait for him to digest and follow up with the honey.
Make sure to leave him with a definite taste in the mouth, or the last thing in his mind is a foul taste only.
Step 6
Continue giving the honey in the next three or four days. This reminds him deworming isn’t a bad experience.
And always desensitize him by waving and rubbing the syringe surrounding his nose before putting the honey in his mouth.
Step 7
For the next scheduled deworming, you should deworm the horse with honey once a day within four days. Then repeat the steps above to offer him a positive experience.
Wrapping up
Preventing your beloved four-legged friends from parasites is essential for their good health. And performing regular deworming with the best horse wormer is an excellent way to keep them in great condition.
If you need a single dose wormer to suit all your kinds of horses and work great after applying, the Ivermectin Paste Dewormer from Durvet is ideal.
With the appearance of active ingredients, all the worms and bots will be eliminated well. More importantly, the pleasant taste makes your horse acceptable with ease.
GET YOURS NOW if you agree with us!
Or you can leave any question below to ask us anything about this topic before making a purchase. We’d love to help you.
Are you finding a fencing for your horses but don't know which type should choose? This ultimate article about horse fence will help you find the best answer!
How to choose the Best Horse Fence?
With the top 5 fences above, you can easily find the one that suits your needs. But don’t miss some considerations below before buying one.
Things to consider before buying the horse fence [source from StockNation]
Types of fences
There are some popular kinds of fences that can be used for horses. Since each comes with different pros and cons, you need to take into account to find a suitable one.
Before going into details, make sure not to use barbed wire fences for your equines because they can make your horse injured if they get tangled.
Now, let’s discuss the importance of each type!
1. Electric fences
An electrified fence is good for the horses that like to lean, chew, etc. Since it only delivers a mild shock, they learn not to lean or run into the barrier.
It can be availed by itself or in combination with other kinds of fencing to provide different current levels.
But not all areas allow using this fence, so please check with your local municipality before installing.
2. Mesh fences
A mesh fence is more durable and visible than a simple strung wire one. It should be spaced adequately (3 inches square) between wires to prevent the equines from getting tangled or stuck.
You can consider the diamond-shaped or rectangular mesh because both are effective.
3. Wire fences
A wire fence without the electrical current is quite easy to set up and one of the most inexpensive fences.
However, it comes with a high risk of horses getting tangled in the wire, resulting in severe damages. It’s also not as visible as other kinds and often requires regular tightening because impacts and other interruptions loosen it.
4. Wood rail fences
This traditional and beautiful fence is one of the most favorite choices since it’s easy to establish, highly visible, and less inexpensive, initially.
However, they DO require more maintenance as the wood can be eaten by horses or warps, shrinks or cracks.
Hence, that repair cost can increase more, and the general lifespan of this type is shorter than the others.
5. Vinyl rail fences
Source: valleyfence.net
A vinyl fencing looks like the wood rails, but it’s low maintenance and comes with a longer lifespan.
As a highly visible fence, it DOES work for lots of horses. It’s also more expensive; however, and can break under too much pressure.
Lots of horse owners combine the vinyl fencing and an electric fence for a useful and aesthetically pleasing product.
6. Pipe fences
A pipe fence is popular in some places where the pipe is inexpensive and easily accessible. It’s also sturdy, visible, and low maintenance.
But be careful because this type of fence has sharp edges and unyielding strength that can make your horses injured. Additionally, it cannot stand up to muddy and wet conditions.
No matter what kind of fencing you’re considering, you also decide the right height for the fence and the width of the gates.
The height often varies with the types of horse to be held. For instance, miniature horses need a lower fence height. Meanwhile, warmbloods need a sturdier and taller fence.
The gate needs to be a minimum of 4 feet wide. However, if you will be driving any vehicles through the gate like a trailer, truck, mower, etc., you should accommodate the width for them carefully.
Visibility
A good horse fencing must be highly visible to set clear boundaries and get respect from the horses.
In case you’re using a fence that mixes with the environment or a low visibility wire, please tie colorful flags to the fence. Then walk your horses surrounding a couple of times so that they recognize the boundaries.
Durability
All horse owners want a strong horse fence that can stand the time and continue to be safe.
When it comes to the durability, make sure you check your local terrain and weather carefully. It’s because some fences operate well in all climates while the others only work in moderate temperatures.
Budget
How much you spend is definitely one of the most important factors when buying fencing.
It’s best to estimate your budget first and have a set amount that you are ready to pay. Make sure you evaluate your “must-haves” and “can do later” carefully in case your budget is limited.
Aside from the first investment, please consult maintenance expenses. If the care of a specific type of fence costs too much, you might spend a considerable sum of money later.
FAQs
Q1: Can I build the fence by myself?
Of course, YES as long as you follow the directions of your chosen product.
As a newbie, it might take you more time to complete. But if you have some practical experience, everything will be easy.
Or you can consider hiring a pro installer to set or drive the posts and then leave you to finish the rail.
Q2: How tall should the fence be?
As mentioned above, the fence needs to be high enough to keep your horses. The ideal height for a horse fence is often between 48 and 60 inches.
Q3: What kind of horses to contain?
Usually, the physical strength of the fence should be much less for your equines.
However, if your horses are young and active and they tend to test the boundaries, the fence must be stronger. Or it needs to be electrified to stop escape attempts.
In case you have miniature horses or foals, it’s best to add woven wire fencing with small openings to capture little hooves.
The fencing should be low enough to the ground so that the small equines cannot reach under it or get their heads caught.
Q4: Does aesthetics matter? Should I invest it?
As long as you can afford a beautiful fence, it’s okay to choose a more expensive product. There are also some situations that the expense of a good-looking fence is a MUST.
For instance, if you own a training facility and want to draw high-end customers, your fences have to be nice.
Q5: How long should I spend on maintenance?
An electrified fence needs to be checked regularly to ensure the current isn’t shorting out. Meanwhile, a well-built metal fence lasts for years with little maintenance.
In case you prefer the wood rail fences, make sure you check the nails and boards carefully. And if they’re painted, you have to repaint every few years.
Time To Make Your Final Choice!
By going through our list, you now can decide which one is the best horse fencing for your equines, right?
The good product must be the one that can keep your horses safe inside. Of course, it’s long-lasting and durable.
In this case, we recommend the ElectroBraid PBRC1000W2-EB Horse Fence. As one of the best electric horse fences, it can conduct electricity well to prevent the horses from escaping.
Since it’s high quality tested, you’re guaranteed to get an excellent product.
If you agree with us, give it a try by ORDERING it now.
Or you can send us any query to know more about this topic. We’re always willing to help.
