Horse Saddle Shop News

Horse Behavior: Feeding Your Horses According to Pecking Order

2011-09-12T11:01:00.002-04:00

By: Darlene M. Cox, darlc5@aol.com Have you ever experienced the wild melee of an equine feeding frenzy when you feed pastured horses? If you have, the reason behind this explosive and dangerous fury could solely reside with the failure of feeding the horses according to pecking order ranking. As herd animals, horses live within an established and innate hierarchical system upon

Come and Get It: Feeding Your Horse while Trail Riding or Camping

2011-08-15T11:18:00.002-04:00

by: Darlene M. Cox (darlc5@aol.com) Much time and planning goes into getting ready for a trail riding and camping adventure, whether it is a short weekend trip or one that encompasses a week of fun-filled saddle time and relaxation. Of all the important things to pack along for your trip, food ranks right there at the top of the list. Nothing can beat the mouth-watering aromas of a meal being

Love My Ariat Ropers

2011-08-09T08:05:00.000-04:00

When one of our customers in Canada found out that we now carry western apparel, she added a pair of Ariat Heritage Lacer Boots Roper Toe to her saddle order stating that it was finally time to replace the ones she had been wearing. When she received her order, Tracy sent us this picture and we just had to pass it on. Pictured on the left are the Ariat boots that she has worn “every day for the

Travelling with Your Horse: Tips to Encourage Your Horse to Drink Unfamiliar Water

2011-07-06T13:22:00.002-04:00

By: Darlene M. Cox (darlc5@aol.com) Anyone who has traveled longer distances with their horse knows the difficulty you are faced with when trying to get your horse to drink unfamiliar water. Generally, I will take some water from home, stored in two 20-gallon plastic storage containers to offset some of the trepidation my horse will have toward drinking while on the road. However, it is

Tucker Visits Horse Saddle Shop

2011-06-11T09:33:00.003-04:00

Steve Tucker has been in the saddle industry a long time. This experience has given him a vast knowledge about what riders and their horses like in a saddle – particularly trail saddles. If you’ve ever ridden a Tucker saddle, you will agree that his knowledge and desire for quality is clearly seen (and felt) in his saddles. While most saddle manufacturers make saddles for many riding

Cake for Horse Lovers

2011-06-09T13:47:00.016-04:00

We recently added Breyer Toys to our lineup of new products on HorseSaddleshop.com. While I was adding the toys to the store online, a certain little saddle-expert-in-training noticed these exquisite hand-painted horses. "You have enough toys," I replied. A few days later we were together at HorseSaddleShop Outlet and she sought them out to sigh over them. It's true that the pictures don't do

Ha! He's just a Trail Horse - What Makes a Trail Horse worth His Weight in Gold?

2011-05-27T10:17:00.000-04:00

By: Darlene M. Cox (darlc5@aol.com)Performance horses are trained in many disciplines, some of which are very prestigious and earn their owners quite a bit of money; however, a well-trained trail horse is worth his weight in gold, whether or not he earns a dime for his riding partner. What makes a horse a good trail horse? Is it a particular breed or gender? While rider preference may choose one

Easy Fly Protection

2011-05-17T14:11:00.003-04:00

Flies & Insects Flies and insects are more than a pesky annoyance; they actually pose a serious threat to your horse’s health.Insects carry a plethora of diseases that can be easily transferred to your horse including typhoid, dysentery, and tuberculosis. These diseases are often transferred when flies are allowed to reside around the nose or eyes, or through bites. In addition, even flies

Barn Cleaning 101

2011-04-20T13:05:00.003-04:00

I don't know about the rest of you, but I know my barn gets to be pretty out-of-control by spring. I haven't figured out if it's because I just don't see all the cobwebs from the long dark days of winter or because it's just too cold to do any cleaning or a combination of both. My barn tends to turn into a storage area by the time warmer weather comes around. I have a 4-wheeler stored in the

Spring Cleaning

2011-04-19T10:58:00.002-04:00

Do your saddles and tack look dingy? It's springtime and if your saddles and tack look like mine do, it's time for a good cleaning. Here are my favorite cleaning supplies and how I clean my saddle: I like to have a detail brush that comes with two size heads that attach to it. One smaller and a little stiffer for the tooling and hard to reach areas. Then a bigger, softer head for the larger

Yak Saddle Shop - Our newest venture

2011-04-01T11:08:00.010-04:00

We have been dropping lots of news bombs lately----lots of new products, a brand new retail store in Bremen, and now we're ready to unveil what might be our most exciting venture yet. Due to high demand and constant pestering of our customers who own yaks, we are launching YakSaddleShop.com. That's right. You'll now be able to dress your yak in style and ride in comfort. Forget riding a plain,

What's up, Doc? Choosing a Veterinarian for Your Horse

2011-03-22T08:16:00.003-04:00

This article is from our March newsletter, which you can view here: By: Darlene M. Cox, darlc5@aol.comAnyone who has owned a horse will need to obtain the services of a veterinarian at some point, whether it is simply for vaccination administration or for an emergency call to stitch a cut or something much more serious. One of the most important responsibilities we have as horse owners is to

Goodbye Old Friend

2011-03-12T15:41:00.003-05:00

Last week I had to say goodbye to an old friend, my 27-year-old horse Strawberry, a Missouri Fox Trotter. He had colicked through the night on Wednesday, and, when I went out to feed him Thursday morning, I knew something wasn't right. He was always the one who would whinny at me when he saw me coming to remind me that feeding time was ten minutes ago or would knock on the barn doors to hurry me

Want to Improve Your Balance? Ride Bareback!

2011-02-16T09:55:00.003-05:00

This article is from our February newsletter. You can view it here.Recently, I mused with a friend about my youthful equestrian encounters, and it struck me how important those childhood follies were to my skill as an adult rider. I would sneak into my neighbor's field with a length of grass string baling twine in hand that had been fashioned into a makeshift mecate. I would catch a mischievous,

Free Professional's Choice Saddle Pad

2011-02-02T13:24:00.002-05:00

Our saddle experts are celebrating winter with a FREE saddle pad giveaway! Click the image above to see the details.

Quicksand!!

2010-12-20T11:02:00.003-05:00

From our saddle expert Linda.My husband and I have been married for 23 years now. Poor guy married into the horse scene. The most pets his family had growing up was some dogs, a goat and some ducks. So this was a whole new experience for him. We dated for a while before we got married, so he totally knew what he was getting into before he "popped" the question. Throughout the years he has been

Fall Time Camping

2010-12-03T12:14:00.002-05:00

From our saddle expert Linda.I believe camping in the fall is my most favorite time to camp. This fall was especially a great fall to camp here in Indiana. It's been dry but beautiful. Cool enough to chase the bugs away yet warm enough to wear just a sweatshirt in the afternoon. I enjoyed camping with a group of ladies. We were able to go about 5 times since the end of September which is good,

Meet Our Customer

2010-11-23T20:54:00.000-05:00

We want you to meet one of our very special friends. She’s 6 yrs old, she’s from Texas, and her favorite color is definitely pink. Her name is Darcy Cassidy. When Darcy was 5 years old, doctors discovered that she had ATRT, one of the rarest and deadliest forms of brain cancer. She had emergency surgery and has been going to St.Jude’s Hospital for treatment ever since. Darcy and her family

Glossary of Horse Terms

2010-11-23T11:54:00.000-05:00

Hock: Financial condition of all horse owners.Stall: What your rig does at rush hour in an unfamiliar city on the way to a big trail ride.A Bit: What you have left in your pocket after you’ve been to your favorite tack shop.Fence: Decorative structure built to provide your horse with something to chew on.Horse Auction: What you think of having after your horse bucks you off.Pinto: Green coat

Before the Snow Falls: Getting Your Barn Ready for the Winter

2010-11-14T13:36:00.000-05:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com While it may be hard to fathom during late summer or early fall that snow will be blowing; winter will be here before you know it. Now is the time to prepare your barn for the winter months. Anticipation for the cold season ahead and advanced preparation for such will make the transition into the winter season much easier and safer for you and your horses.

Meet Our Saddle Experts: Linda

2010-11-03T16:51:00.000-04:00

Linda is our saddle expert in charge of our used saddle division. Here she shares with you how she became a horse owner. The pictures feature Linda with her current horse, Scout. When I was a little girl, I had always loved horses. After I had "proved" that I was responsible enough to keep my cats and dog fed, my parents agreed to let me have a pony. Because my Dad was raised around horses but

Santa, I Want a Horse for Christmas

2010-11-01T13:48:00.000-04:00

By Darlene M. CoxYes, mom and dad, your little one may indeed be considering asking the jolly, old elf to bring him a horse this Christmas. But, how do you know he is really ready to have a horse of his own? Is he ready for the responsibility of horse ownership? A horse isn’t like the bicycle he received for his birthday that now forlornly sits resting awkwardly against the side of the garage,

It's that time again

2010-10-26T18:43:00.000-04:00

Time to make Christmas history. If you want to be the hero this holiday season, now is the time to start saddle shopping, especially if you'd like some custom work. Many of our manufacturers are ready to create something unique for your favorite someone!

Understanding the Needs of a Rescued Horse

2010-10-25T13:16:00.000-04:00

This article is from our October monthly newsletter. Go to http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/ to get it straight to your inbox. By: Darlene M. Cox, darlc5@aol.comWhen we fall upon hard economic times, our animals are the first casualties to suffer. Nothing is more evident of this than the vast number of horses that are being surrendered to horse rescue organizations or worse yet, neglected horses

Answering a Cast(ing) Call

2010-10-14T13:44:00.000-04:00

By Darlene M. CoxAs a horse owner, one circumstance you will most likely encounter will be assisting your horse when he becomes ‘cast’, which means when he has laid down in some fashion and is unable to get his feet under him in order to stand. A horse can be severely injured and even die if he lays cast for a long period of time. Horses are not designed to lie down for a long

Foal Watch: The Signs of Foaling

2010-09-14T13:43:00.000-04:00

By Darlene M. Cox Many of us who have owned broodmares can attest that there are certain signs that indicate foaling time is near. These signs most generally will fit into a time frame ranging from weeks, days, and hours to foaling. It is best to start out with a general knowledge of when a mare was bred. Foaling is most likely to occur when a pregnancy reaches the

Beating the Heat: Keeping your Horse Cool during the Dog Days of Summer

2010-08-13T11:56:00.000-04:00

Note: This article was featured in our recent newsletter. Didn't get it? Click here to subscribe for tips, coupons, and horse care information.By: Darlene M. Cox, darlc5@aol.comThe dog days of summer seem to have come early this year, with temperatures soaring well into the 90's and humidity levels hovering in the 70 percentile range as early as June. One can only guess what August

Think Before You Dose

2010-07-24T13:45:00.000-04:00

By Darlene M. CoxIt is interesting how we horse lovers and owners can equate human-related health incidents into equine-related health issues. Recently, my daughter had a throat infection for which the doctor did not prescribe antibiotics, as he thought the infection was viral. Viral infections, caused by viruses, do not respond to antibiotics as these medications are explicitly used to combat

Leading a Horse To Water: Prevention of Dehydration while Trail Riding

2010-07-14T13:27:00.000-04:00

By Darlene CoxOne of the most important requirements of your horse during trail riding is keeping him hydrated. Dehydration may lead to your horse to a bout of colic, tying-up (azoturia), or heat stroke. Dehydration severities can range from mild to life threatening, or even death. Maintaining the proper balance of water and electrolytes for your horse is imperative to his health and your peace

Sarcoids in Horses

2010-07-08T13:47:00.000-04:00

By Darlene M. CoxWhen I purchased my appaloosa gelding five years ago, he had a warty-like blemish under his eye. At the pre-purchase exam, my vet told me this was a sarcoid, which is the most highly diagnosed type of benign (non-cancerous) tumor a horse can have. A second sarcoid later appeared on his canthus. Some breeds of horses are more prone to sarcoids, and of course, appaloosa was amongst

Ugly Photo

2010-07-01T21:08:00.000-04:00

We recently became official dealers for Alamo Saddlery. We're excited. Yet we knew that photos like the one below were not going to cut it for our customers. This saddle in person is very beautiful, with unique conchos and elegant styling. This cut and paste, low resolution shot was all we were able to scrounge up before we got our saddle in to get professional pictures: Please, don't zoom in; we

Our friend Dan Files

2010-06-18T15:38:00.000-04:00

At HorseSaddleShop.com, we have the privilege of working with some wonderful customers. Occasionally, we like to let you know the stories of some of the people we have the pleasure of assisting.Dan Files loves his horse Dollar. In corresponding with Dan, he wrote, "My horse and I are so connected. … I will walk before I hurt him." You might not think that’s a big deal…until you know a little

Tying-Up: How to Identify, Manage, and Prevent this Condition in your Horse

2010-06-14T13:29:00.000-04:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com Now that warm weather has returned, we are all chomping at the bit to get our horses back into shape and ready to take on the many trail rides of the season. In our eagerness to return to the trails, we may skip a step or two in the conditioning process for our horses or perhaps speed up the process, working them a little longer and harder than what may

Have You Seen My Horse?

2010-06-01T13:47:00.000-04:00

By Darlene M. CoxRecreational trail riding and camping has increased exponentially over the last few years, with many avid horse lovers making the necessary purchases to enjoy the welcoming pleasures that exist for them in the numerous state and federal forests. Those who delve into this wonderful past time spend a fair amount of money on the required wares; namely, horse(s), truck, trailer,

Effective Pasture Management for Small Acreage Farms

2010-05-30T13:40:00.000-04:00

By Darlene M. CoxLiving close to and working in the Horse Capital of the World (Lexington, Kentucky) provides me many opportunities to drive through 'horse country' and enjoy the beautiful picturesque views of horses grazing on rolling carpets of thick, lush, green grass from virtually weed-free pastures. These beautifully maintained pastures are in stark contrast to the ones that may be found on

Overflowing Clearance

2010-05-11T13:43:00.001-04:00

We spent hours dumping Circle Y, High Horse, and Tucker saddles into our clearance section. We've got all the bases covered: barrel, trail, reining, ranch, show. From ostrich seats to lime green suede, it's in there. Mosey on over and check them out.

Every Time, Every Ride, Helmets Save Lives

2010-05-04T13:34:00.000-04:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com Whenever we saddle up and head out on the trails for a nice relaxing ride, the furthest thing from our mind is that we may end up having to spend time in a hospital emergency room due to a fall from our horse; however, those of us who are seasoned riders know that it is not a matter of "if" I fall from the saddle, but "when". We are subject to possible

Manners on the Trail: Trail Riding Etiquette

2010-05-01T13:25:00.000-04:00

By: Darlene M. Cox, darlc5@aol.comThere are myriad ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Along with horse trail riders, hikers, bikers, joggers, 4-wheeler enthusiasts, packers (mules/llama), etc. can all be encountered along the vast trail systems that we frequent. Unlike driving a car, there are no official rules or laws in place for traversing our trails; however, we do have an “etiquette” system

The Old Gray Mare, She Ain't What She Used to Be - She's Much Better: Caring for the Geriatric Horse

2010-04-30T13:39:00.000-04:00

By: Darlene M. Coxdarlc5@aol.comAlong with today's increase in recreational horse ownership also comes an increase in the number of geriatric-aged horses who now easily live well into their 30's. This increase in aged equine longevity can be attributed to the better knowledge of horse health management that responsible horse owners have obtained and applied through their many years of horse

The Assurance of Insurance: Should you Carry Insurance on your Horse?

2010-04-14T13:36:00.000-04:00

By Darlene M. CoxRecreational riding and horse ownership has seen exponential growth over the past few years. Young and old alike enjoy horseback riding and are always looking forward to the next opportunity to throw a leg over the saddle and enjoy the special connection that exists between rider and horse. Your horse, although a cohort and compatriot to countless hours of enjoyment, is a major

Hairy Tack

2010-04-10T15:18:00.000-04:00

I have to admit, when I first saw this very original tack by Reinsman in their spring catalog, I thought it was pretty weird. Tack with...fur? But after flipping the pages dozen of times, it's grown on me. After all, it is pretty original. The whole coordinating package put on a horse would look pretty bad...bad in a good way, that is. And, no, it's not fur. The brindle hair-on cowhide decked

We Touch Our Products

2010-04-02T15:17:00.000-04:00

We have over 500 saddles in stock, and we don't hesitate to let it be known. Why, you might wonder, is this important? Well, not only do we enjoy having a brick-and-mortar store where we get to help local customers, but we owe it to our customers to know our products.Many companies online are only dropshippers. This means that someone put up a retail website and is simply acting as the middleman

Choosing a Boarding Facility

2010-04-01T13:37:00.000-04:00

By: Darlene M. Coxdarlc5@aol.comWhile the perfect horse ownership scenario would have your horse happily ensconced in his pasture or barn right outside your backdoor, many horse owners do not own a farm or other sufficient land and find it necessary to locate a boarding facility to house their horse. But how do you go about selecting a boarding facility and how do you know if it is the right one?

KEEPING IN TOUCH...ALWAYS LEARNING

2010-03-27T20:13:00.000-04:00

Stan, Charlie, and Sharon in front of “The Turtle”It's always a priviledge to get together with people who make the saddles that we sell. Chuck and Charlie from HorseSaddleShop.com recently enjoyed a lunch with Stan & Sharon Headrick from Fabtron as they stopped by on their recent whirlwind tour through the midwest. It’s a great opportunity to learn more and the more we know the better we’re

Recognizing the Signs of Laminitis

2010-03-24T13:34:00.000-04:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com Laminitis is most likely the disease for which veterinarian treatment is most often sought by horse owners of every ilk and discipline. While laminitis is a very painful disease that affects a horse's feet, the exact cause for it may lie in another part of the horse's body or it can be a result of stress. Laminitis is believed by some to only affect the front

Be Ready for the Riding Season – Trailer Maintenance

2010-03-16T13:41:00.000-04:00

This article is taken from our March newsletter. It's chock full of horse care tips, helpful articles, and coupon codes! Click here to subscribe.By: Darlene M. Cox (darlc5@aol.com)The off season is the best time to do your trailer maintenance. Getting started now will provide you ample time to make sure all systems are good, which will afford you safe travels when the riding season arrives. •

Open Wide and Say, "Ahhhhh" : A Guide To Equine Dental Health Care

2010-03-14T13:30:00.000-04:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com The one aspect of horse health care that is most widely overlooked by horsemen is dental health care. Some horse owners may have owned horses for many years and never once thought about having their horses' teeth examined. If you wait until there are obvious signs that a dental problem may exist, your horse has already had to endure a long period of pain.

Guns and Steers Required

2010-03-08T13:36:00.000-05:00

If you're one of our many trail-riding customers, you might not have noticed some of the more interesting saddles we've collected specifically for some neat western disciplines. And even if you're not into shooting guns or wrestling steers while riding, they're worth a peek.Case in point #1: Mounted Shooting Ever wanted to ride your horse around at a high pace, firing your pistols left and right?

Bridling: How to Achieve this Simple Task

2010-02-24T13:31:00.000-05:00

By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com Throughout my many years of being in and among various horsemen, I have noticed how some riders will make the simple task of bridling into a complex and, often times, aggravating experience for both horse and rider, with the end result being a hanked-off rider and a horse with banged-up teeth after having a bit forced into his mouth. Each time I've seen this

Say 'Whoa' to Winter Woes: Money and Time Saving Tips

2010-02-16T12:32:00.000-05:00

This article is taken from our February newsletter. It's chock full of horse care tips, helpful articles, and coupon codes! Click here to subscribe.By: Darlene M. Cox, darlc5@aol.comWe are definitely in the grip of winter as Mother Nature blows cold arctic air down upon us, bringing with it the beautiful, yet burdensome, snowfalls. While spring will most certainly arrive, we must persevere to

Shave and A Haircut: Teaching Your Horse to Stand for Clipping

2010-02-14T13:28:00.000-05:00

By Darlene M. Cox---darlc5@aol.comIf you have been around horses for any length of time, you have probably encountered a horse that will not tolerate being clipped. Perhaps the horse believes those noisy, tingly clippers to be a horse-eating monster or perhaps the world's largest horsefly. Regardless, he's going to have none of it! Further attempts of clipping a horse that is fearful can be

Horse Health - It's no "Choking" Matter

2010-02-05T13:32:00.000-05:00

Choke in Horses: Emergency Handling and Prevention By: Darlene M. Cox darlc5@aol.com Choke is, as its name implies, a condition that occurs when the esophagus of a horse becomes blocked by a substance (normally poorly-chewed and hastily swallowed grain or hay, but can also include pieces of wood/bark, or other debris the horse may get in its mouth) and renders the horse unable to swallow and

Take Two Aspirin and Call me in the Morning: How to Administer Medications to your Horse

2010-01-23T13:16:00.000-05:00

By: Darlene M. Cox (darlc5@aol.com)Many who have had a sick or injured horse know that the fun really begins after the vet leaves, because then it is up to you to administer the prescribed medications to your horse. Giving the meds looked quite easy when the vet did it, you muse to yourself, surely I can do it without all those years of extra training. What may seem a daunting task can be

New to the “Neigh”borhood: Safely introducing a new horse to an established herd

2010-01-20T13:15:00.000-05:00

By: Darlene M. Cox (darlc5@aol.com)Those of us who have been around horses for a number of years can attest to the trials and tribulations of introducing a new horse to an established equine community. I can attest I have held my breath many times watching a newly introduced horse fend for itself as it is loosed into the pasture and domain of a resident herd. Some horses have gotten off lucky by

Walking the Line: The Importance of Fence Selection for Horse Safety

2010-01-17T13:09:00.000-05:00

By: Darlene M. Cox (darlc5@aol.com)Many horse owners will agree that nothing sends one’s heart into your throat quicker than learning your horses have breeched the pasture or paddock fencing and are wandering, unprotected, along a busy road front or are running loose in the community. The safety of your horses is only as certain as the ability of your fencing to keep them safely confined within

Top Ten Bestselling Saddle Series

2010-01-15T16:59:00.000-05:00

Have you watched all nine of Charlie's videos? He's covered nine of our top ten bestselling saddles. If you've ever wanted to get a closeup of a Billy Cook, Tucker, or Dakota saddle, check out our video library here. Any guesses as to which saddle will be our #1? It's none of the brands listed above and just happens to be the least expensive of all the top ten.

Ugly Photo of the Month

2009-12-01T13:13:00.000-05:00

OK, so we're a little behind of Ugly Photo of the Month. We didn't want to gross you out with the sheer volume of grainy, sub-par photos that are out there. This month's nominee goes to a Billy Cook. Now Billy Cook saddles pretty much set the bar for saddle making. They're as top quality as you can get, drooled over by horse owners round the world, imitated by saddlemakers everywhere. Billy

Big Horn Saddles are still being made!

2009-11-16T17:08:00.000-05:00

I can’t tell you how many times customers have called us and said that they heard Big Horn saddles are no longer being made (it happened twice while I was writing this blog!). Well I’m here to tell you that this just is not true. We have known all along that they were being made, but recently we were privileged to visit Big Horn and see the production happening with our own eyes, hear the sound

HorseSaddleShop.com Visits Dakota

2009-10-10T06:55:00.000-04:00

HorseSaddleShop.com Visits DakotaJamie, Ben and ChuckWe (Chuck Klockow, owner and Charlie Hueni, customer service) recently had the privilege of visiting several of the manufacturers who make the great saddles we sell. After a full day of driving south, our first stop bright and early was Dakota Saddlery in Ider, AL. Upon entering the building, one thing stands out – low inventory. There were

Crates visits Horse Saddle Shop

2009-08-22T08:40:00.000-04:00

Horse Saddle Shop was privileged recently to welcome Dan and Elise Crates from the Crates Leather Company in Chattanooga, TN. We enjoyed several hours of good ole shootin the breeze and covered topics from family to the history of saddles. It’s great to listen to Dan talk about his to commitment to quality because we consistently see it backed up in the products he puts out. Mr.

Cincinatti chooses Tucker Equitation Endurance saddles

2009-08-02T09:01:00.000-04:00

While taking an overnight trip to Cincinatti with my family, we were able to catch a Cincinatti Reds baseball game. We’re actually Cubs fans but we always enjoy going to a major league game and seeing a park we haven’t seen before - the Great American Ballpark certainly lives up to its name. After the game while walking the streets to get to our van, it was my pleasure to meet three of

Introducing...HorseSaddleShop VIDEOS!

2009-07-25T18:00:00.000-04:00

We're pleased to be able to bring you in depth saddle reviews by our experts down at the shop. Hopefully our video library will rapidly expand in the coming months. For our first series, we chose to review our top ten bestselling saddles---the models that hardly stay in the shop. Check out our first video here, where Charlie reviews the Billy Cook Arbuckle Wade Ranch saddle:

Make Your Own Fly Trap: Death to the Pests!

2009-07-23T14:56:00.000-04:00

I, Stephanie, have a personal vendetta against fies. I can't stand the way they sound. I can't stand the way they look---all hairy and buggish. I can't stand the way they relentlessly bother our equine friends. Which is why I'm delighted to bring you a cheap, quick death trap for these abominable pests. Hang a few in your barn and your fly population will swiftly decrease. Now if you have a

Ugly Photo of the Month

2009-07-16T07:51:00.000-04:00

Well it's that time again, folks, where we reveal the difference between what the saddle looks like in the catalog and what it looks like in reality. This month's prize goes to a Tex Tan saddle that we recently began to stock called the Gresham Pleasure. Take a look at what photograph you'll find just scanned from the catalog wherever this saddle is sold online. Now this picture isn't terrible,

Meet our Staff

2009-07-10T02:17:00.000-04:00

This isn’t a full blown introduction to our staff members, just a quick how-do-you-do mainly to clear up a misunderstanding. Here at HorseSaddleShop.com we have four people on staff that interact with our customers and several others that pitch in elsewhere. So it’s kind of surprising that two of us have the same name. That’s right, there are two of us named Charles - of course, Charles is

Children's Book for Horse Lovers

2009-07-03T12:06:00.001-04:00

We all know how important books are in the lives of our children (and grandchildren if you have them). We probably all have pages of our favorite picture books embedded forever in our minds. (Who among us doesn't have a picture of the man in the yellow hat buried deep in our grey matter!) Sticker books were the greatest books I could imagine as a kid. I can still taste the sticky stuff and see

Paddock Paradise

2009-06-23T11:50:00.000-04:00

Is your horse constantly struggling with laminitis or navicular? Does your horse's boredom lead to behavioral problems, including weaving, cribbing, chewing, or aggression? Would you like to make a better, more natural use of your property for your horse? If so, you might want to try out the theories suggested in Jaime Jackson's Paddock Paradise: A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding.Jackson is an

Ugly Photo of the Month

2009-06-19T05:50:00.000-04:00

One of the nagging doubts that often plague us while shopping online is, "What does it really look like?" We've all been interested in a purchase, yet turned off because of a photo that was poorly taken. The ebay seller didn't bother to pick up the junk-ridden barn in the background. And zooming in just makes you want to groan. We wonder if what the UPS man brings us will actually look better or

Cash discounts on select saddles

2009-06-06T10:06:00.000-04:00

We've been giving away free Reinsman Tacky Too or Gel Impact pads for our Circle Y saddles for a few years now. I've decided that we ought to expand your options of FREE GIFTS when buying saddles. So, with select Circle Y saddles have added free matching headstall and reins or a $53.50 cash discount. We have also added the $53.50 cash discount option to all of our Tucker saddles except the

Signs of a Low Quality Saddle

2009-06-05T05:45:00.000-04:00

You usually get what you pay for when it comes to buying a saddle. Dale, our senior saddle expert, manages the shop and often has customers come in bragging about their latest $200 find. Inside, he’s wincing. Dale has twenty years of experience repairing and rebuilding saddles from the tree up. He’s seen all of our manufacturer’s products from the inside; in fact, we’ve rejected selling many

Buying used saddles on Ebay? Be prepared.

2008-12-27T12:06:00.000-05:00

It was nearly 8 years ago that I first purchased a saddle on ebay. I had a grand idea that I could find bargains, fix them up and turn a small profit. I wanted to flip saddles. My seasoned partner Dale, was quite against it, thinking it would only bring headache. So, I ventured out on my own .... and on my own was burned.I purchased a used 15" western trail saddle, I believe a Bona Allen -

Saddle Layaway

2008-12-23T12:11:00.000-05:00

The HorseSaddleShop knows that the financial climate has made it tough for some people to purchase the saddle that they need. That is why we have rolled out our layaway plan. We know that sometimes a big purchase for a quality saddle is not in the budget this month, but the need is still there. In an effort to bring some ease of mind and help our customers we've tried to make it easier for them

Why a Used Saddle Makes a Great Gift

2008-11-13T13:36:00.000-05:00

Why a Used Saddle Makes a Great GiftMany of us would love to rub our eyes on Christmas morning and open them to a new saddle under the tree, complete with matching tack and accessories. Some of us can afford it, some of us can’t. If you’re looking to make the equine enthusiast in your house jump with joy this holiday season, why not think about purchasing a used saddle? It may not have all the

10 Easy Tips for Saddle Fitting

2008-10-30T13:34:00.000-04:00

10 Quick Tips for Easy Saddle FittingIf you want a good fit take a few minutes and answer these basic questions.1. How much does your horse weigh? If a 1000 lbs or more, look to a Full Quarterhorse Bar (FQHB)/wide saddle. Need to know how much your horse weighs click here.2. What kind of withers does your horse have? Mutton-withered? Look to a FQHB if your horse is anywhere close to a 1000 lbs.

Top Ten Saddle Fitting Myths

2008-10-18T07:28:00.000-04:00

The internet is chock full of information, but sometimes it can be frustrating not knowing what is true and what is not. Myths abound in the area of saddle fitting, and we sort through these myths with our customers on a daily basis. These myths can cause frustration as well as cost you money, so beware of the following:Myth #1: One size fits all. Quite a few times per week we find ourselves

Used Saddles

2008-10-09T16:44:00.000-04:00

Horse Saddle Shop News

Horse Behavior: Feeding Your Horses According to Pecking Order

Come and Get It: Feeding Your Horse while Trail Riding or Camping

Love My Ariat Ropers

Travelling with Your Horse: Tips to Encourage Your Horse to Drink Unfamiliar Water

Tucker Visits Horse Saddle Shop

Cake for Horse Lovers

Ha! He's just a Trail Horse - What Makes a Trail Horse worth His Weight in Gold?

Easy Fly Protection

Barn Cleaning 101

Spring Cleaning

Yak Saddle Shop - Our newest venture

What's up, Doc? Choosing a Veterinarian for Your Horse

Goodbye Old Friend

Want to Improve Your Balance? Ride Bareback!

Free Professional's Choice Saddle Pad

Quicksand!!

Fall Time Camping

Meet Our Customer

Glossary of Horse Terms

Before the Snow Falls: Getting Your Barn Ready for the Winter

Meet Our Saddle Experts: Linda

Santa, I Want a Horse for Christmas

It's that time again

Understanding the Needs of a Rescued Horse

Answering a Cast(ing) Call

Foal Watch: The Signs of Foaling

Beating the Heat: Keeping your Horse Cool during the Dog Days of Summer

Think Before You Dose

Leading a Horse To Water: Prevention of Dehydration while Trail Riding

Sarcoids in Horses

Ugly Photo

Top 10 Questions to Ask When Purchasing a New or Used Saddle

Our friend Dan Files

Tying-Up: How to Identify, Manage, and Prevent this Condition in your Horse

Have You Seen My Horse?

Effective Pasture Management for Small Acreage Farms

Overflowing Clearance

Every Time, Every Ride, Helmets Save Lives

Manners on the Trail: Trail Riding Etiquette

The Old Gray Mare, She Ain't What She Used to Be - She's Much Better: Caring for the Geriatric Horse

The Assurance of Insurance: Should you Carry Insurance on your Horse?

Hairy Tack

We Touch Our Products

Choosing a Boarding Facility

KEEPING IN TOUCH...ALWAYS LEARNING

Recognizing the Signs of Laminitis

Be Ready for the Riding Season – Trailer Maintenance

Open Wide and Say, "Ahhhhh" : A Guide To Equine Dental Health Care

Guns and Steers Required

Bridling: How to Achieve this Simple Task

Say 'Whoa' to Winter Woes: Money and Time Saving Tips

Shave and A Haircut: Teaching Your Horse to Stand for Clipping

Horse Health - It's no "Choking" Matter

Take Two Aspirin and Call me in the Morning: How to Administer Medications to your Horse

New to the “Neigh”borhood: Safely introducing a new horse to an established herd

Walking the Line: The Importance of Fence Selection for Horse Safety

Top Ten Bestselling Saddle Series

Ugly Photo of the Month

Big Horn Saddles are still being made!

HorseSaddleShop.com Visits Dakota

Crates visits Horse Saddle Shop

Cincinatti chooses Tucker Equitation Endurance saddles

Introducing...HorseSaddleShop VIDEOS!

Make Your Own Fly Trap: Death to the Pests!

Ugly Photo of the Month

Meet our Staff

Children's Book for Horse Lovers

Paddock Paradise

Ugly Photo of the Month

Cash discounts on select saddles

Signs of a Low Quality Saddle

Buying used saddles on Ebay? Be prepared.

Saddle Layaway

Why a Used Saddle Makes a Great Gift

10 Easy Tips for Saddle Fitting

Top Ten Saddle Fitting Myths

Used Saddles