R2R
Well-Known Member
How did my life come to this?
I have to say here I was always a bit of a tack snob and have (I think) been brought up in rather an old school way where you did flatwork in a snaffle (I didnt ride in a loose ring until 10 years ago) , jumped in a Pelham, and a saddle cloth was for dressage only.
Boots and bandages were only put on if needed, you had a turnout rug of one thickness for turning out, a summer sheet, jute and a polywarm for inside (wearing all three with a folded wool blanket if cold) and you were posh if you had anything other than a gp saddle. Stirrups were one length for hacking, lengthened two holes for dressage, put up one for show jumping and 2 for cross country.
It is sort of something that has stuck with me through my horsey years.
I have to say I am finding it really difficult to adapt to my new horses high maintenance way of life.
We now wear the following...
Hacking GP saddle, snaffle bridle with eggbutt snaffle, sheepskin girth cover over leather girth, sheepskin saddle pad, thin saddle cloth, sheepskin blinkers, sheepskin noseband cover, draw reins. Over reach boots, full set brushing boots. Reflective gear (me and horse) He spooks and rears A LOT so instructor said draw reins are the way to go and they do work. Still a drama though!
Show jumping Jumping saddle, sheepskin pad, saddle cloth, leather girth, stud guard, studs, sheepskin cheeks, grackle bridle with Waterford snaffle, bit rings, tendon and fetlock boots, O/R boots. Martingale/breastplate combo.
XC as with jumping, but with elastic bandages
Dressage Snaffle comfort bridle, hanging cheek French link, dressage saddle, sheepskin pad, saddle cloth. Bandages for warming up.
Showing as with dressage but with posh show bridle with £50 worth of poncey browband.
I feel VERY silly with all the sheepskin, but he is the most thin skinned horse I have ever sat on his bridles rub whatever I do with them, as do girths, as do boots and they all fit, he is just a nightmare.
I have really had to adjust to the fact he actually needs all of these gadgets. So the point of this post is....is there anything your horse has/uses that you need, but make you feel like you have all the gear and no idea.*
Also, is there anything over and above the obvious saddle and bridle that your horse really does not need but has on regardless?
.* please note I have had to buy all the gear but I am not claiming it gives me more of an idea, just more control/happier horse/the ability to sit to a jump/trot etc.
I have to say here I was always a bit of a tack snob and have (I think) been brought up in rather an old school way where you did flatwork in a snaffle (I didnt ride in a loose ring until 10 years ago) , jumped in a Pelham, and a saddle cloth was for dressage only.
Boots and bandages were only put on if needed, you had a turnout rug of one thickness for turning out, a summer sheet, jute and a polywarm for inside (wearing all three with a folded wool blanket if cold) and you were posh if you had anything other than a gp saddle. Stirrups were one length for hacking, lengthened two holes for dressage, put up one for show jumping and 2 for cross country.
It is sort of something that has stuck with me through my horsey years.
I have to say I am finding it really difficult to adapt to my new horses high maintenance way of life.
We now wear the following...
Hacking GP saddle, snaffle bridle with eggbutt snaffle, sheepskin girth cover over leather girth, sheepskin saddle pad, thin saddle cloth, sheepskin blinkers, sheepskin noseband cover, draw reins. Over reach boots, full set brushing boots. Reflective gear (me and horse) He spooks and rears A LOT so instructor said draw reins are the way to go and they do work. Still a drama though!
Show jumping Jumping saddle, sheepskin pad, saddle cloth, leather girth, stud guard, studs, sheepskin cheeks, grackle bridle with Waterford snaffle, bit rings, tendon and fetlock boots, O/R boots. Martingale/breastplate combo.
XC as with jumping, but with elastic bandages
Dressage Snaffle comfort bridle, hanging cheek French link, dressage saddle, sheepskin pad, saddle cloth. Bandages for warming up.
Showing as with dressage but with posh show bridle with £50 worth of poncey browband.
I feel VERY silly with all the sheepskin, but he is the most thin skinned horse I have ever sat on his bridles rub whatever I do with them, as do girths, as do boots and they all fit, he is just a nightmare.
I have really had to adjust to the fact he actually needs all of these gadgets. So the point of this post is....is there anything your horse has/uses that you need, but make you feel like you have all the gear and no idea.*
Also, is there anything over and above the obvious saddle and bridle that your horse really does not need but has on regardless?
.* please note I have had to buy all the gear but I am not claiming it gives me more of an idea, just more control/happier horse/the ability to sit to a jump/trot etc.
but only just!! Just the way I like it with him as when I first had him he had issues with doing all the moves I didnt ask for - including pirouettes, leaps, and bowing (with back legs in the air) 
That's a lot of bandages and saddlecloths, how do you find room for it all?! 
