Unfortunately, horse tack won't last forever, no matter how well you take care of it. After excessive use, you'll need to replace your horse equipment to keep yourself and your horse safe. Failing to do so could severely injure your horse and put you at risk of certain dangers, such as falling. For beginner riders, understanding when to replace your equipment can be a struggle.  Sometimes, your equipment needs replacing, while at other times, it is merely malfunctioning and needs adjusting. Whether replacing or adjusting is the solution, you should inspect your tack every time you plan to ride to get to…

If your horse is having trouble backing out of their trailer safely, it’s a sign they were never comfortable with the trailer to begin with. Often when training a horse to be comfortable with a trailer, we assume getting them inside means we’ve succeeded.    Just because your horse enters the trailer does not mean they’re comfortable. To ensure your horse feels comfortable enough to back out safely, you’ll likely need to retrain your horse. Here’s how to teach your horse to safely back out of a trailer.   Focus on Your Attitude   Training your horse takes a lot of patience, especially…

Cutting and roping are both Western-style horseback riding sports. They have many similarities on the outside, but their goals and techniques are vastly different. Their saddle types are also very different to accommodate some of these fundamental differences in the two sports.    Differences in the Sports   Understanding the difference between cutting and roping saddles starts with an understanding of each sport. Cutting specifically aims to separate a cow from its herd. In this sport, the rider and horse must work as a team as they anticipate and control the cow’s movements. On the other hand, roping involves taking an animal down.…

If your horse has never been trailered before, your trailer probably looks like a big scary metal box to them. Even some of the most trained professionals have trouble loading their horses sometimes. Regardless of your level of expertise, considering these extra tips to get your horse in a trailer successfully will make your future travel much less stressful. Let Them Be Curious and Comfortable First  If this is your horse’s first time in a trailer, don’t expect to load them right before you need to leave. You should practice many times beforehand and let your horse get comfortable at…

Anybody who owns a horse needs a saddle that fits them and the horse just right. However, the saddle they choose should also accommodate the type of riding they intend to do. There are many different types of saddles to choose from to make sure you and your horse are set up for success on your rides, and each saddle type has a different design to make riding for certain disciplines easier.   General-Purpose Saddle   For a new or intermediate rider who doesn’t yet have a riding preference, general-purpose saddles are the way to go. These sturdy saddles have flaps that…

Your saddle is one of the biggest equipment investments you’ll make in horseback riding. For that reason, you’ll want to take proper care of it to improve the longevity of your saddle. Caring for your leather saddles is as simple as following proper cleaning and storage procedures.   Steps To a Clean Saddle   Regular cleaning is extremely important in caring for your saddle. Saddling cleaning can be done in these five simple steps.   Preparing the Saddle   The first step in cleaning is to prepare the saddle. To do so, unfasten buckles and remove fittings so you can access all parts of…

Being a beginner team roper is hard. You have to learn to master riding and roping and do it all at once. Becoming an expert roper takes a lot of practice, but with these tips, you can put yourself on the right track.    Advice for the Beginner Team Roper   Don’t Skip the Foundation   It may seem appealing to jump right into perfecting your roping skills as a beginner roper; however, your success heavily relies on a strong foundation. Developing a solid base of riding skills, training, and building a relationship with your horse can make the introduction to roping much…

There is a great assortment of tack for horse riders and we know quality is an investment. Real leather makes headstalls, reins, breast collars, saddles, and other tack last longer and is much more durable. Coolhorse Leather believes leather hides are a leather makers blank canvas. It’s easy to define an individual with brands, initials, or logos and additionally adding flower patterns, or just about anything you can imagine. You dream it, we will create it! Saddle Repairs Saddle repairs open the door to several different options. Some of the most common repairs Coolhorse Leather is asked about are fender…

Having an essential list of horse supplies and equipment can make the transition into equestrian sports much easier. There are loads of equipment and horse supplies available, and knowing where to start can be confusing. Start with this essential list of horse supplies and equipment.   Feeding Supplies   Stock up on the necessary supplies to keep your horse healthy and well-fed.   Feed Pan   As their name suggests, feed pans are containers used to feed your horse with. Horse feed pans are set on the ground for floor-level eating which can reduce choking hazards and increase the number of nutrients the horse gets due…

Having the right size saddle is important for numerous reasons. The right size saddle ensures that your horse is comfortable and that the saddle will not cause them any unnecessary harm while riding. Still, saddle fitting isn’t all about the horse.  An ill-fitting saddle can negatively influence your riding technique and rider balance, which can be a safety hazard. Here is a guide to saddle sizing for the rider.  Discipline Matters  How your saddle will be used can influence what type of saddle and fit you’ll need. For example, comfort-built saddles are more important for trail-riding, whereas a roping saddle will be more durable and withstand more torque. …