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[RC] tack and gear that worked on Tevis - JonniI know some folks love to brag about how well their horse did at a ride with certain hi-tech fancy saddles, tack, foot care etc. I mean let's face it, if we find something that works for "us", we often want to share our great discovery. Also, tack dealers have a tendency to brag about a customers success, feeling that maybe their piece of equipment might have contributed to the horse and riders success. So, I thought I'd share with you, what worked for ME, and helped my horse and I finish Tevis last week. (both of us feeling pretty darn good after the ride) Saddle: Cordura and leather Big Horn endurance saddle. New, they run under $600. Used can be found for around $300. I was given mine by a friend, as it fit this W-I-D-E backed horse so well. Saddle Pad: Supracor cool grip endurance pad, no cover. About $200 new. I needed a thin pad because the horse is so wide, anything thick between he and the saddle will cause pressure points. I like the flaps coming down on his sides, to protect his sides from the cinch billets rubbing. (I changed the Bighorn from a cinch latigo, to english billets made of biothane.) Girth: An older Ortho-Flex neoprene dressage girth. (came with a saddle). I was wanting to change to a new leather girth before the ride, as I was concerned about heat build up, but Hank did fine. I have had other horses react to Neoprene. Not my personal favorite substance to use as a girth, but it works on him, and did not want to change right before the ride. Breast collar: Toklat nylon Y type with "fuzzy" against the horse. Cost about $34 new. They fit my horse well, and have always worked. Why change? Bridle: Biothane halter bridle from Animal-tacker. About $90 new. I like separate headstalls from the halter section, as to those with bit hangers. Easier to take bridle part on and off for me. Reins: Nylon braided reins I got at Broken Horn Saddlery in So. Calif. Cost under $7. They come in many cool colors! I add a ring to the end, and attach my own "romel" to hang on to as he drops head to drink. Crupper: Biothane from Trail-rite. Cost about $45 Saddle packs: Stowaway from Sportack. Have the Western Stowaway on back ($50) and the Stowaway Pommel Deluxe in front.($50). I could carry 4 water bottles, 2 to drink, 2 to squirt off horse. Lots of room for what ever I want to carry along. I've mastered getting the pommel pack attached for no bounce operation. Stirrups: A pair of basic western stirrups that came with an old Stonewall Saddle I had bought. Leather covered, with a little padding built in the foot rest. Sheepskin saddle cover: Economy full cover from Sportack.(covers whole saddle) $73 Tights: lightweight, "custom made" by Evelyn of "Just for horsin around". I had more folks ask me where I got such fun, colorful tights. cost approx $40 Shirt: long sleeved, snap up the front western men's long sleeved shirt. Any western store. Cost approx $20 Bra: No bounce by Enell. Previous I got the same from 1824. I did have a rub from the bottom hook on this one, but I did not bounce! Cost $55 (and will e-mail company about hook rubbing) Shoes: Ariat Terrains. These have never fit me, and I had to work to get them to fit my wide foot. Wore them first for a few days around house with insole pulled out. Then, changed to standard flat "tennis shoe" insole, as they stretched more. Wore extra thick socks to help stretch them. Finally, I was able to put the Ariat insole back in, and they were still too snug, but stretched enough to be able to wear, while they finished stretching. Had excellent results with them, but they were work for me to get to fit. Cost about $90 (look for sales, I did not find one at the time) Oh, I pushed to get them to fit, as I wanted more tread, to keep from slipping when I was off the horse in canyons. Helmet: Lidlocker. they have just always fit my head well. Other "accessories" that I used, and was please with were the $6 Wal-Mart watch that had a light on it, the small tiny headlamp I was able to Velcro to my helmet. I wanted it not to guide me, but to use if I had tack adjustment etc. It came in handy to check Hank after he fell off the edge of the trail, and to aid Dave as he helped another rider replace her Easyboot in the dark. I never knew it was on my helmet, as it was so light. Oh, and last, horse foot wear: Standard steel shoes. NO pads, no easyboots this time. Just shoes. He had no slipping or grip problem, and went up Cougar Rock a little "off route", but had plenty of grab and go. Not a lame step during, or after the ride. Our TX trails are not very rocky, but he has excellent feet, and has never been "ouchy" over rocks without any sole protection. Never even considered pads, but did consider easyboots over shoes. So, there you go. What works for me, may or may not work for you. But if you look at the list, I for the most part, keep things pretty simple. The Supracor pad is the most "hi-tech" tack item I use. I almost laugh myself at the fact I am having such good luck with the Big Horn saddle. His back was PERFECT during, after, and days after the ride. I am a heavyweight rider, and if the saddle does not fit, the back WILL tell me. If you are new to the sport, do not feel you HAVE to be sucked in by all the latest in gear. Find what works, and FITS your horse, and go with it. Jonni =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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