Recommended Horse Products
Since I have opened my business, I have gotten a lot of questions from new riders and new horse owners. I have put together a list of products that I recommend either because I have used them or because I believe they provide a quality product. I’m sure there are others out there and I am happy to review any product any developer wants to send to me to test out. I tried to give you a range of prices. But for some things you need to get the good stuff, there is no substitute for quality.
Pants:
For western riding during the cooler months of the year Jeans will do just fine. I would recommend boot cut jeans because they fit over your boots, however, you can always wear your boots over your jeans as well.
For English riding during the cooler months, you can wear breeches. They are stretchy tight-fitting pant that is designed to be worn under your boot. They often have textured material on the seat and the knee.
For summer you're going to want something cooler. Riding tights are traditionally an English-style clothing item, however, when it is 90 degrees and 100% humidity, I choose tights. Riding tights are different than regular athletic tights. They have a textured knee and sometimes the seat area. This helps you grip the saddle better than athletic tights.
Tights for Summer Riding:
Summer is very hot. You can ride in Jeans or any pant, but riding tights have special material that will help you stick to the saddle better.
BALEAF Riding Tights:
Tuff Rider Riding Tights:
Women’s Riding Tights:
My favorite: Women's Riding Pants | Horseware Ireland
Helmet:
My favorite option is the Ovation Helmet. Get the small or x-small for young kids, teens, small women and children with larger brains can go with a small/med: https://amzn.to/3DzoR8r
Troxel: Just be sure you get a small or x-small. These helmets tend to run large and most of the time the helmets side back. They may be cheaper but…. You get what you pay for. https://amzn.to/3BPorcD
Adult riding Helmet, you can get either the Troxel or the Ovation. There are others as well IRH etc, but I don’t have as much experience with those brands.:https://amzn.to/3qNzrkl
Boots :
Kids English Style: https://amzn.to/3dist40
Kids Western Boots: https://amzn.to/3UiDMJQ
Women’s Western Boots: Do not get anything that is dressy. Buckles or fringe does not work well on the horse and will interfere with your riding. https://amzn.to/3UgtdHk
New Horse Product List:
Halter and Lead Rope.
You’re going to need something to catch your horse and lead it around with. You can get either rope or web type. If you get the cheapest thing on the market your horse may pull back and break the snaps or bend the rings. So, buy something decent and moderately priced. Personally, I like the ones that are removable via the overhead buckle and under the chin.
Halter and Lead Rope:https://amzn.to/3SfZuwa
Saddles:
Oh boy… here’s where it gets pricy. As a saddle ergonomist (aka saddle fitter) I want to tell everyone to go get your horse fit for a saddle and then order one. There is a plethora of saddle makers that will help you fit your horse. I don’t recommend buying a super cheap saddle. Maybe it would be ok, for a kid who rider for 30 min a week. But for a full-grown adult or a kid who shows, get a good saddle for you and your horse. I can run down the rabbit hole of saddle fitting, there is a ton of factors to consider. Just make an honest effort to get a saddle that fits your horse as well as you can. It may be more than you were initially thinking but it is worth it.
English Saddles:
I recommend Schleese. I am a little bias but it is the most comfortable saddle and it is adjustable for your horse, so long as you can get to a Saddle fit for Life/Schleese saddle fitter. Jochen Schleese has done a lot
of research and backs up his products with scientific data. They are not inexpensive… they are an investment in your riding career/hobby. He also has a western line… which are great. The only complaint I have is they take a bit of knowledge to get the fit right. The pro is you can fit the saddle to any horse, so it really is a onetime saddle purchase.https://schleese.com/
I have a colleague saddle fitter in the Netherlands who recommends WOW Saddles - WOW Saddles . She is very knowledgeable and I trust her. I have ridden in one once.
Wintec is a less expensive brand and makes both a western and English. Their English saddles are adjustable in the gullet angle. I do not believe they do the same with western saddles. Wintec Saddles
Note: English saddles do not come with stirrups. You have to buy the stirrup leathers and the irons separately..
Stirrup irons:
Stirrup Leathers:
Western/Trail Saddles:
Allegany Mountain Saddlery: This is a cool company who will ship you saddle forms to place on your horse, then you take pictures and send back so they can help you pick the tree that fits your horse best.
Allegany Mountain Saddlery | Gowanda NY 14070 | Custom Western Saddles (alleganysaddlery.com)
Synergist Saddles: Synergist custom fits your saddle by sending you a form that will mold to the horses back called Equimeasure. This is very cool as it produces a 3D image so that the saddle maker can customize your saddle to fit you horse. Custom Saddles. Western, Trail, Endurance Saddles ~ Synergist Saddles
I’ve also used Steele Saddles. They specialize in trail saddles and have a pretty through fitting program. https://steelesaddle.com/
Western Sport Saddles; Ranch and Barrel.
Fellow saddle fitter in Sam Papalimu from Craig Colorado is a representative for TW saddlery. They have a 3D fit system and is one of the only companies I can find that makes a custom fit barrel saddle. About Us — Sam's Saddle Solutions (samssaddlesolutions.com)
I have never had a saddle from this company, but they publish a lot of research and so it seems they produce good quality saddles. Custom Fit Your Saddle with our SMARTFLX System (naturalhorsemansaddles.com)
Saddle Pads:
First. No saddle pad and replace a good fitting saddle. If you have a crap saddle that doesn’t fit your horse at all, you can’t fix it with a saddle pad. However, the saddle pads here are some of the better ones on the market in my option. I’m sure there are more and am happy to review it if they send me one.
As a rule, stick to natural materials wool, lambs wool, Merino wool, etc. Stay away from rubber or neoprene as they are PROVEN to hold in heat. That is why diving suits are made from it. I don’t care its easier for you to clean. They are crap deal for your horses back, unless I suppose you live in Greenland.
5 Star: https://amzn.to/3RW0khW
CSI Saddle Pad; CSI Saddle Pads - CSI Saddle Pads - Custom Design Saddle Pads for Horses
ThinLine pad: They make both and English and western. Western Saddle Pads - Felt, Fleece, Cotton, Show, Ranch, & More (thinlineglobal.com)
English Saddle pads are much simpler, that is if your saddle fits. Just make sure its natural and contoured for the withers.
Thinline makes nice saddle pads/quits. English Archives - ThinLine Global I also really like Engel Sheepskin pads. They make a western and English one. Sheepskin Saddle pads, Saddle blankets and more from Engel Sheepskin Horse Tack
Cinches/Girths.
The same rule applies to girths as does saddle pads. Stick
with natural materials. Stay away from the neoprene or artificial fibers.
By far my favorite is Smart Cinches felt lined girth. They
are affordable and easy to find.
Mohair cinches are good too. Here is a link to 5 Star
cinches but you can probably get 100% Mohair from other companies.
5 Star Mohair Cinches | 5 Star Equine, manufacturer of the world's finest, all-natural saddle pads and mohair cinches (5starequineproducts.com)
Bridles:
There is not much to the bridle. You can get one that is leather or made of plastic/rubber material called Biothane. I have trail bridle that is made of a Biothane, and I would only recommend these for bridles. The contact area is much smaller, and it won’t be an issue as far as heat concentration.
There are options such as English bridle, One ear, two ear, halter/bridle combo, bit and Bitless bridles. If you plan to show, I would recommend get a leather one.
You can buy some from amazon. https://amzn.to/3eUlTRv
Biothane Bridles can be purchased from the Distance Depot and a few other places. I like the ones that have a clip and buckles to attach the bit, verses the combo with the halter and a separate bridle/bit peace. It’s just kind of bulky. Horse Tack For Sale | Buy Beta Trail & Western Horse Tack | Reins | Biothane Coated Webbing
As far as bitless bridles go. I’ve had success with Dr. Cooks Bitless bridle. Dr Robert Cook | The Bitless Bridle by Dr. Robert Cook
Bits.
Well, if there is another category of gear that is just as complicated as selecting a saddle pad, it’s the bits. There are a billion of them out there. However, my favorite since 2005 have been Myler bits.
There is a very nice system they use to help you figure out what bit your horse should be in based on the training level. Once I started using these bits, I found the horses were much happier.
Home | Myler Bits USA (mylerbitsusamarshfieldmo.com)
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