Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Perfecting your horse's jumping ability has much more to do with allowing the horse to think on his own rather than with your managing the horse every step along the way. Gymnastic jumping is the exercise of placing two or more obstacles a certain distance apart. If a horse approaches ground poles or jumps with a steady stride, he will stretch his neck, round his back and jump in good form. Adding gymnastic jumping exercises to your horse's training will not only improve his ability, it will increase his confidence as well.
The bicycle seat, or saddle, is an important part of the biking experience. Having the correct shape, size and stiffness in your saddle can be the difference between biking being a chore or a pleasure. Once you get the perfect saddle, you don't want to give it up. But over time, the seat cover material wears out from normal use. Instead of replacing the entire saddle, re-cover the seat with a new material. For an extra fancy look, use crocodile leather as your new seat-cover material.
A well-balanced horse-and-rider team have a much better chance at success if they have a steady connection and rhythm. Many riders will attempt to achieve balance by throwing their weight around in the saddle, which is futile. If your horse is actively paying attention to the cues from your seat, legs and hands, balance in the canter will come naturally to both of you. With practice, you and your horse will be able to execute circles of all sizes accurately and smoothly at the lope.
A pony wall is a short wall sometimes found along the top of a staircase that prevents people from falling down the stairs. While the pony wall is an essential safety feature, the solid design can block light and make your home feel small and closed in. Replacing the pony wall with a railing can maintain the level of safety provided by the pony wall, but allow light to pass through while making your home feel more open.
One method of securing stirrups and other parts of a saddle together is with copper rivets. Unlike standard rivets, copper rivets do not have a shaft that pulls through the head of the rivet. Instead, the rivet consists of two parts driven together with special rivet tools. The key to fastening a copper saddle rivet is the rivet-setting tool. The tool is a bar with two holes on one end. One hole sets the rivet burr, while the concave hole molds the end of the rivet.
A western saddle is larger than a traditional English saddle and provides the rider with more comfort during long rides. Choosing the right western saddle can ensure both you and your horse enjoy your next horseback ride. However, if you do not have much experience selecting a western saddle, the options can be overwhelming. Luckily, once you learn a few basic factors for selecting a saddle, you will be able to find a western saddle that is just right for you.
Spur pruning, a tough method used mainly on grape vines, can be an effective way to encourage the sort of growth you want. Although the method works well on certain types of vines and other plants, it also has several disadvantages. It may not be the most effective way to maximize yields or encourage healthy growth, especially if you are new to vine cultivation.
If you want to bridge the joint between tile and a different kind of flooring, usually in a doorway, you use a tile saddle, also known as a threshold or a T-strip. A "reducing" tile saddle is one that drops down in height from the tile to the other flooring material, such as would be the case with most linoleum. Without a saddle, the edge of the tile would be susceptible to constant kicking as shoe traffic scuffed over it, risking chipping. The lack of an adapter such as a saddle between floor types is also a safety hazard. The…
The saddle on a classical or acoustic guitar is one of the simplest pieces on the entire instrument. The saddle can be found on the guitar's neck. The strings go over the saddle piece and are held in place by a small pins inserted into the bridge, which is another piece on the neck. The saddle can be made of a variety of different materials including nylon, brass, ivory or plastic. Nylon saddles are becoming increasingly popular and are easy to file, if you need to make it smaller.
Create inexpensive and rustic seating by making a do-it-yourself chair that recycles both a saddle and a tree stump. A custom saddle chair requires planning, so be sure to allot plenty of time to complete your project. Clear out a space to store your stump and saddle when you are not working on your project. Visit western-themed businesses and barns for more ideas on country decorations and styles.
Over-jumping is the result of a horse lacking confidence in its own ability to jump fences. With young horses, this is merely a sign of caution and trepidation of the obstacles; but sometimes these actions might occur for a variety of reasons and they often fall to the responsibility of the rider. Pushing the horse to adapt too fast, poor training methods that have bred fear instead of assurance and overwork can all contribute to the horse reacting with overcompensation at the fence.
Braided, side ponytails are a casual, simple style that any girl can execute. French braids, which run down the back of the head, are almost impossible to achieve without help. Side braids are loose and even embrace slight imperfections, which suits them perfectly to solo styling. That is not to say the style is not fitting for formal occasions. Embellish the style with a glamorous hair accessory to ensure its special occasion-worthiness, or simply sport the chic style any time the mood strikes.
While long hair creates an attractive, feminine look, it often gets thrown up into an easy-to-manage ponytail. Women use ponytails to keep their hair under control while working, exercising, relaxing at home and even enjoying a night out on the town. These go-to hairdos get dull after a while, leaving women searching for ways to diversify their plain ponytails. Braids add detail to ponytails, keeping loose hair sleek and manageable. Add a braid to a high ponytail for an easy, yet modern, style.
Cowboys and hunters on horseback must take their bed with them in the form of a saddle roll that can be attached behind the saddle. Aside from blankets for warmth, a saddle roll needs to include a protective cover that keeps the blankets free of dust and insects as well as doubling as a ground cover. Making your own saddle roll is a simple task as long as you have the correct supplies.
If you love horses and riding, then you know how important it is to have a well-fitting saddle, for your horse's comfort and health and for your own enjoyment of the sport. A poorly fitting saddle doesn't distribute the rider's weight properly across the horse's back and can lead to severe discomfort for the horse. In a Western saddle, a poor fit can cause "bridging," which occurs when the saddle presses on the horse's withers in the front and loins in the back, creating a gap or bridge in the middle, where the saddle lifts off the horse's back. Bridging…
Double sinks are a handy addition to your kitchen, allowing you to perform soaping and rinsing in one session. Whether your sink is ceramic or stainless steel, it's prone to scratching. That's where a sink saddle -- also called a saddle sink, sink protector or sink divider -- comes in handy. Rubbermaid recommends using this practical, protective accessory as part of your weekly sink-cleaning regimen.
If you're ever in a pinch and need to make a recreational or emergency rappel, you can create a rope saddle, or harness, to get down out of a sticky situation. You'll need to know how to make proper knots and have either rope for climbing or 1-inch nylon webbing to tie your saddle. There are several ways to make a rope saddle, and all of them work as long as you tie your knots correctly.
"Little Red Riding Hood" is one of the most famous children's books ever. And like most children's books, it has a moral. The story is about a little girl who wants to visit her grandma. But in order to do this, she must walk through dangerous woods alone. Along the way, she meets the Big Bad Wolf, an animal that would eventually eat her grandma.
A horse's withers, which is the ridge between its shoulder blades, should theoretically help keep a saddle from slipping forward onto its neck. On horses that have high or medium withers, this ridge is prominent enough to do the job. Unfortunately, on a low-withered — also known as mutton-withered — horse, the ridge is often not prominent enough to keep a saddle in place. To deal with this problem, horsemen have come up with several methods to keep the saddle from sliding forward on low-withered horses.
Horseback is a relaxing yet exciting means of transportation, whether it is an hour trail ride or several day horseback tour. Storage while riding a horse is limited so saddle bags are a critical accessory for your adventure. Pack lightly, as any extra weight puts excess strain on your horse.
Keeping your horse trailer well maintained and regularly checked is essential for the safety of you, your horse and other road users. An inspection of your trailer need only take a few minutes and will give you peace of mind for the journey. You should make this kind of inspection every time you use the trailer.
While most bicycle saddles today are made of plastic, experienced road cyclists know that a leather saddle is far more comfortable. The reason is that leather stretches, and in time, molds itself to the shape of the person sitting on it. The downside to leather is that it eventually stretches too much and becomes splayed, too soft and too wide. Widening of the saddle in the area of the rider's thighs restricts some of the free motion and causes discomfort. This can be remedied by "lacing" the saddle.
Korkers are popular among young girls as well as cheerleaders, dancers and gymnasts. A pile of springy ribbons sitting on top of a well-secured hairstyle provides a sense of movement and energy. Most korkers are attached to barrettes or clips with hot glue. However, hot glue would inhibit the elasticity of a pony-O and be likely to fall off the first time the pony-O was stretched. Therefore, to attach korkers to pony-Os, you must do it in a way that will allow the pony-O to stretch while keeping the ribbons secure.
Unlike bucking straps used on bulls that encourage the bull to buck, a bucking strap for a western saddle is a strap used by the rider to hold onto should a horse rear, buck or ride over rough terrain. A western saddle bucking strap is also referred to as a "grab latch" or "night latch" as cowboys often use them to hold onto in case they fall asleep while on their horse.
If you have a Western saddle that shows a lot of wear, you may want to consider dying it a different color to rejuvenate it. Dying a saddle is a big job, and in some cases it may be better to take it to a saddler to have the work done; however, if you're handy and have the time, it can make a worthwhile long-weekend project.
Whether you are returning from a horseback ride in a rain storm, or your horse spent time out in a muddy field, you need to clean the mud from its coat. If you don't remove the mud, it will dry and make it difficult for your horse to move and complete simple tasks, such as eating. Removing the mud before it can dry ensures that the horse remains healthy and comfortable during its time in the stable.
In the game “Panfu,” during the “Pony Rides” portion of the game, you can’t receive Panfu Shasan horse riding instruction from the trainer Mister Horsey at the Pony Yard without owning a saddle. Mister Horsey advises players to go to the saddle maker for assistance. The saddle maker is Henry, the Panda standing against the horse wash-down area wall in the Pony Stable. Henry will make you a saddle if you can provide him with three saddle pieces. He provides players with the location of each piece, but there is a catch. You must return to him after you get…
Bedrolls are a type of portable bedding which is rolled and stored during transport or periods where the bedding is not being used. Bedrolls can be attached to the back of a saddle when traveling with horses, but they must be properly balanced to avoid injury to the animal. Bedrolls can be attached in conjunction with other camping supplies.
Using a saddle that fits the girth of a Shire horse allows you to avoid a variety of problems typically associated with incorrectly fitted tack. The Shire horse is a heavy, draft breed. It is strong and tall, and stands at 16 to 17 hands. A draft type breed generally requires a saddle that is specifically designed to accommodate their size and shape, and in which the saddle bar and tree adequately makes contact with the horse’s body.
Whether a hand-made or leather-made saddle, manufacturers make all types of western saddles for various needs including barrel racing saddles. You should select a well-constructed high-quality western saddle that fits a horse’s physical needs. A saddle that works well for a horse permits the horse's shoulders to move freely; it properly fits the back, and the saddle balances well to distribute weight evenly. If you want to narrow your search of saddles, consider your intended use of the saddle.
Squeaky polo boots can be embarrassing and distracting. Though it might be tempting to hide your squeaky footwear in the back of the closet, don't give up wearing them. Polo boots are important for riding safely and protecting your legs. With a little work, you can quiet the noise and turn that outcast footwear into your favorite polo boots.
A fused spur provides protection for a branch wire off a main circuit. This branch is commonly a lower amperage circuit and thus requires its own fuse to protect the lower-gauge wires. This arrangement is commonly used in the United Kingdom and may not meet local building codes in North America. Consult with your municipal building authority before installing a fused spur in your home.
Polo shirts, also referred to as tennis shirts and golf shirts, are favored by polo athletes because the turned-over collar remains down during play, according to the Ralph Lauren website. Typically, polo shirts are made out of knitted cloth with a two- or three-button placket and a fold-down collar. Men wear polo shirts as part of their everyday wardrobe, but a polo shirt must be folded properly to keep its formal look.
Lepista nuda is the Latin name for the blewit mushroom, also sometimes referred to as either the wood blewit or field blewit mushroom. These lilac-tinted mushrooms are edible when well-cooked, and good in soups and stews or with pastas. They grow throughout the world in a variety of climates. The easiest way to cultivate blewits is to grow them in your compost pile, as this is the sort of substrate they prefer. They are considered one of the easiest mushrooms to cultivate.
The bridge on the guitar is one of the more common fixes that are required due to the immense tension from the strings applying pressure to the bridge and saddle as a unit. Excessive heat, humidity, high string tension and old age can all lead to a bridge failure as it separates from the top plate of the guitar. Knowing how to remove and replace a broken bridge can save anywhere from $50 to $100 and weeks of waiting for a repair shop to finish the job.
A well-fitting saddle is vital to the comfort of both horse and rider. The gullet of a saddle provides clearance for the horse's spine, and keeps the rider's weight off this sensitive area. A gullet that's too narrow will pinch the horse's back, and one that's too wide will allow the saddle to sink onto the withers (the bony ridge at the base for the horse's neck). Horses are measured differently for Western and English saddles, and different manufacturers have different measurement criteria, so always try a saddle on your horse rather than buying one based on measurements alone.
“Pony Academy” is a multiplayer online game aimed at children and young teenagers that allows them to create their own virtual pony. The pony can be customized and, after creation, users care for their pony, play a variety of mini-games with it and take part in a number of different contests against other ponies.
Using a spur to make your horse move forward can be a beneficial aid as long as you have enough control of your legs in order to use the spur properly. Beginners should not use spurs, as they can accidentally dig the spur into the horse. Before using a spur when riding, always give the correct leg aid first. If the horse does not listen, turn your toe out and squeeze with the spur to make your horse pay attention. As soon as you have used your spurs, bring your leg back to the proper position and continue riding.
Owning a racehorse can be equally rewarding and challenging. Preparing a racehorse for competition requires creating a consistent training plan, providing necessary medications and inoculations and spending money to market the horse and enter races. Though racehorse owners are typically wealthy and a number of owners do it as a hobby, they can earn significant salaries from placing in and winning races.
A spur gear consists of two flat gears that mesh together. One gear is adjustable and usually fixed to an electric motor and the second gear is usually a fixed gear and attached to a shaft. The backlash is the amount of space between the teeth on the gears. If you have too much backlash, the gears make a lot of noise and eventually the teeth break. If you do not have enough backlash, the gears press together too hard and build up heat. This can cause premature wearing of the gears.
And they're off! For the true racing fan, nothing beats the thrill of racehorses coming down the home stretch, approaching the finish line -- along with the possibility of making some money if you bet and your horse wins. Owners receive part of the purse money and possibly breeding fees after their horse retires from racing, but certain tax breaks for racehorse ownership take the sting out of the fact that the majority of horses in this expensive sport do not make money.
Grafting trees is an effective way to repair damage and encourage growth. Fruitwise apple trees can be grafted to encourage growth of another variety or to join two varieties together. Apple trees are not propagated by seed but, rather, by grafting, to produce the best fruit possible. Apple trees grown from seed do not produce the same species as the parent plant, nor do they produce as well as grafted varieties. Saddle grafting is performed on Fruitwise apple trees in mid- to late winter when the scion, or new growth, and the rootstock are both dormant. Both pieces should have…
In a perfect world, you can have a great deal of fun pursuing an interest, then write off the money you spend on it on your tax return. Owning a racehorse is almost a perfect pastime. It requires capital to get started, but you pay less tax on the income you use.
Barrel racing is primarily a female rodeo event during which riders race around a series of barrels. The rider who posts the best time wins the event. Although the skill of the rider is very important in obtaining a good time, a horse with certain characteristics will help a skilled rider do better in the event.
There is no substitute for the time and practice it takes to develop a good, secure seat while riding a horse. However, there are several pieces of equipment on the market that are designed to help western riders gain a better seat and maintain a stronger, steadier position in the saddle while riding.
Making a trick rope is a relatively simple process, but the effectiveness of it will depend on the quality of the material you choose. Sash cord is best since it is braided and usually has a double-helical structure. This means it will endure a great deal of stress under twisting and resist becoming tangled. Will Rogers was, perhaps, the most famous trick roper of all time. In 2006, Charlie Keyes achieved the world record for the largest trick rope loop at over 100 feet.
The English equestrian sport of dressage, described as "dancing with your horse," focuses on the rider and the horse moving together as one unit over a designated series of figures and gaits. Evolved from the training of medieval war horses, the modern sport of dressage requires that both horse and equestrian develop a physical relationship that allows them to communicate through the rider's hand, seat and leg movements -- called aids. Knowing how and where to position your legs on your horse is an integral part of learning this sport.
Horse trailers typically only have two types of tanks --- though not all horse trailers have one or any of them. Water tanks are typically installed in the tack room and fastened to the wall, but may be found on the outside of the trailer if installed after-market or on a horse trailer that does not have a tack compartment. Propane tanks on a trailer with living quarters are usually installed on the front of the unit, underneath the gooseneck portion of the trailer. The height of these tanks will depend on the manufacturer. There are a few problems these…
Barrel racing, a popular rodeo event, requires immense skill from the rider and the horse. The horse needs to have the ability to swiftly perform various maneuvers, which calls for proper training. Apart from the potential of the animal, a perfect understanding between the rider and the horse plays a significant role. Typically, horse trainers make use of flexibility drills, so that horses are able to turn and maneuver when going around the barrels.
Saddle horns sustain a great deal of wear and tear. A new saddle horn can be quite expensive, so many horseback riders opt to recover the horn instead of replacing it. A braided leather cover is a durable option and the leather will match the rest of the saddle. The ends of the leather cover will be secured with upholstery brads. When selecting the brads, opt for a style, metal type and color that matches the rest of the saddle hardware.
