Rugging up and off

Horsemanship Level 4: Saddlery pt III Finally (yes, it's been a couple of months!) the last part of the Horsemanship Level 4 requirements is demonstrating how to correctly put on and remove a horse blanket. First take a look at these two videos, the first of Ali & Noah from Pony Prep series. BlanketingWatch this…

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On the Nose: fitting nosebands

Horsemanship Level 4: Saddlery pt II For Level 4 Horsemanship you will need to be able to fit not just your own tack, but other common parts of saddlery as well.  This week we'll consider nosebands. Why a noseband? The variety of nosebands used today is a relatively modern invention. Mediaeval and early modern riders…

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Saddles: Getting the Right Fit

Horsemanship Level 4: Saddlery pt I The final checklist item for Horsemanship 4 is: 10. Saddlery. Fit and care of own tack. Identify & fit nosebands, girths & common tack. Put on & remove a blanket. Once more, this is a large topic that we'll break down into several posts, looking at saddle fitting this…

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Bits and (Mouth)pieces

Horsemanship Level 3: Bits As well as knowing your own horse's tack, at level 3 you will need to: 5.   Identify common bits and their uses You only need to know common English bits including snaffles, curbs and pelhams.  However, it's good to recognize some Western bits as well, simply for familiarity. Snaffles Our school…

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Show Your Saddles You Care

Horsemanship Level 2: Saddlery Care In Dom Duarte's 15th century treatise on riding, horsemanship and mounted combat, Bem Cavalgar, he states: We must take good care of the saddle, the bridle and the stirrups, ensuring that they are strong, that they have the necessary resistance and are of good quality to avoid failure of any…

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