The BESTEST saddle?

[Mid]

Soooo... I'm looking for an all-rounder saddle that's light, comfy, sort of waterproof and does not cost a ton. Can anyone recomend anything?

Also, which reins are best for riding? I'm torn between rope reins and plain leather ones. I hate those rubber-coated ones! Ooh! And what's the most successfull way of repelling flies?

Aaaaaaand another question!

What sort of rug would I want for a hardy cob living out all year? He'd need a rug as he'd be clipped, and might have a hogged mane xD

Sorry for all the questions!

This is the first time that I've even nearly owned a horse before, and I'm really overexcited

I've been waiting for this day for years ;_; I thought I wouldn't get one until I left home...

 

[beh]

1. The Wintecs and throwgoods are always good if one a budget (and they have linited cleaning yayyyy) if not the GFS are lovely saddles, dont no how much they cost approx?
2. Rope, def not plain as they get really slippy and slimy if wet (well mine did anyway, when if got soaked on eday out riding)
3. Repelling flies in winter

umm, have a home made recipe somewhere which is tres cool will pm it to you if find it lol
4. I love the weetherbeeeta rugs (might be a bit tight across chest if big horsey, i think loads of people like Amigo?????? or something!!!!

Good luck with horsey

 

[RachelB]

Saddle - I have a Wintec 2000 which I LOVE, and the 500s are ok (I imagine they are a little more waterproof than the equisuede-seated 2000).
Reins - don't get plain reins whatever you do, they are horrible! Try some continental web ones or even laced ones. If you can afford it, New Equine Wear do some lovely velvety grippy ones (not rubber).
Flies - everyone on here seems to reccommend a home-made recipe, personally I use a combination of NetTex (for general flies), Lincoln Ditch the Itch (for midges), and some stuff called Phaser (for everything, including ticks, but it stinks to high heaven!) Don't worry about that until summer though!
Depending on the type of clip, I'd say just a lightweight turnout. Fal are nice and generous around the front (but expensive), the Amigo rugs are very good, Mark Todd are good, and some people say Weatherbeeta are good but I don't like them at all (didn't fit my big Irish mare).
Have fun with your horsey!

 

[Chex]

I like my thorowgood saddle. I just bought a treeless too, not ridden in it yet, but it loks ok so far!
I don't like plain reins either, too slippery and thin. I use rubber ones, I keep meaning to gets the ones that are half rubber but never got round to it.
I've given up trying to find a fly spray that actually repels flies for more than a few hours, use a fly rug instead.
Rug will depends on the clip and ability to keep warm of the horsey. I like weatherbeeta too

 

[JaneSteventon]

Wintec cair are brill, no cleaning, changeable gullet, comfy for horse and rider, and cheap. Don't know about reins as i only use rubber ones. Flies, i have fly rugs and use naff off one eyes and legs, works quite well on a field with trees and stagnent water. Rugs, love rhino wugs, good fit, last ages, and keep horses living out warm and dry. Good luch with new horse

 

[johnsongreyhorse]

I have two wintec's so can recommend them, what about dressage reins- rubber on inside, less in the hand than full rubber but alot more grip.

 

[sunny123]

i have 2 wintecs and i dont really like them, although they would be fine for while you are starting out. I dont think that they(well mine anyway) help your position and on one of our horses they tip you forwards, however, being able to change the gullets is very handy. When you clean them you haveto use hot water otherwise the dirt just doesnt come off properly (looks like it has when wet, but when it dries it is still there grrrrrrrrrr). I am a leather girl though, but i understand that money doesnt grow on trees, that why i have wintecs!

Rein wise, i have just brought a pair of the half leather half rubber reins and i love them, they are really grippy, not to bulky and look posh. You have to shop around though, most are about £40 i think, but mine were £18 from Colleigate (sp?).

I love the weatherbeeta rugs aswell, and mark todd. But mine arnt chunky so dont know about fit for cobbys.

 

[Theresa_F]

Saddle - consider a Wintec.

Reins - personally I love continentals.

Flies - take 125 - 250 mls of avon skin so soft and fresh oil, 5 caps of dettols, 1 teaspoon each of citronella, cedar wood, lavender, tea tree and eculyptus oil and put in a 1 litre bottle and top up with cold tea or water. Fine to spray all over you and horse but do patch test first. Use two or three times a day and leave a light mist on coat - do shake well to keep the oils mixed.

One of mine gets a little sweet itch round his sheath, so I also put sudocream on this area mixed with a little tea tree oil as extra protection.

Rugs - I have found shires and weatherbeetas fit cobs well.

Assuming you have a trace or chaser clip, buy a LW (no fill) and MW rug - you shouldn't need a HW one if he is a hairy cob, and if it really cold you can put them both on.

Mine are still in their LW rugs during the day and are chaser/blanket clipped, but are in at night.

Good luck.

 

[timeandchance]

I have a GFS saddle, although I did have a TGood synthetic for my old horse. I now have a TBX Cobby type and his GFS is great, and it's easy to keep clean, just with a damp cloth! One thing about saddles...I would invest in a seat saver (if you can find one, or get one made if you know someone that can make them)...they save saddle cleaning AND they're so comfy!!

I have full rubber reins because that's what were with my pony's bridle....I find them fine for everyday riding because they're not overly thick as he can have shorter ones as he has a short neck so they're thinner. Think I'll invest in either the half rubber ones or some plain leather for showing....but for general my rubber ones are great.

Flies....I use the pink naff off spray around the face and legs....with my old horse I had a fly rug and I may very well be buying Charlie one this year (I don't know yet)...but you don't have to worry about the flies until the summer really!

Rugs....my boy has a William Funnel LW rug that fits him lovely...I know someone else that has one the same on her cob and it fits him great too. I have a MW Shires Typhoon which I also find fantastic! As for HW, I have a full neck Weatherbeeta that we've had for a few years now and is still going strong!

Good luck with your new horse, I know the excited feeling myself as have just got my new boy!

 

[rcm_73]

SADDLE - I like GFS (v comfy) or try a treeless like a Barefoot Cheyenne (fits anything!) Had Throwgood saddle, was OK.
FLY REPELLANT - found nothing that works for v long. Used naff off & oz oil last summer, prob invest in a fly rug for next summer.
RUG - I love weatherbeetas! But then I have a TB and they seem to suit her. Mark Todd rugs are recommended. For a clipped cob I would get a lightweight and a mediumweight for if it turns v cold and also coz it's handy to have a spare.

GoOd LuCk WiTh YoUr NeW bOy!!