Every horse owner wants to give their horse the best conditions to avoid leg and hoof injuries, while still providing comfort for the horse. Although dirt floors have been common, there are some newer alternatives available that are both friendlier to the horse and owner. Gone are the days of deep holes and wet spots in your horse stalls.

Read on to find out what some of the choices are. Have a great time with your horses, go for a ride today.

If you have a dirt floor in your horses stall you’ll know that it has it’s disadvantages . Cold and easily waterlogged in wet and cold weather and high maintenance when it comes to keeping it clean, especially when used in conjunction with a deep straw or wood shavings bed. So the question is. What are the alternatives to a dirt floor in horse stalls?

When considering alternatives there are a number of issues you need to bear in mind. Cost, ease of cleaning, benefits to the horse and benefits to you are some things you need to think about when you are considering making any changes to your horses stall.

One of the most cost effective and best alternatives is rubber matting. An increasing number of horse owners are switching to this alternative. The main drawback is the initial outlay for the rubber matting. Although it may seem like a lot of money to pay out, it will pay itself back!

Rubber matting lasts for a long time, if you look after it and keep it free of the ammonia from horses urine then it can last for years. If you add up how much you would spend on straw or wood shavings in that time then you can see that in the long run it can be economically viable.

The benefits to your horse are multiple. Rubber matting is great if your horse has allergies or respiratory problems as it is dust free and can be used alone, with no need to add any dust filled bedding. This makes it far more comfortable and healthy for your horse, and means that you will be able to ride more often as your horses health improves, not to mention the savings you will make on veterinary bills.

It is also ideal if your horse is the kind that will eat anything, including it’s bedding. Many horses become ill because they eat their straw or even wood shavings. This can lead to ill health and weight problems, neither of which are good for you or your horse.

Rubber flooring is also comfortable for your horse to lie on and surprisingly warm in the winter. Some people add a thin layer of wood shavings, straw or shredded paper to eliminate any chills and make their horses even more comfortable in the winter.

Possibly the biggest advantage to having rubber flooring often referred to as horse mats is the ease of cleaning. Gone are the days of getting up 2 hours early on a freezing cold winters morning to go and clean out your horses filthy stable with a pitch fork and a wheel barrow. Gone are the cold hands and sore backs that go hand in hand with deep beds in stalls that need cleaning out!

All you need to clean your rubber horse stall mats is a hose pipe. You sweep out any bedding that you have put on the rubber matting and then clean the matting with water and a mild cleaning agent to ensure your matting does not get damaged by urine laying on it. Make sure you rinse the cleaning agent thoroughly to avoid adverse effects for your horse.

Although a dirt floor and straw or wood shavings bed is perfectly adequate and comfortable for your horse there are certainly advantages to having rubber matting which you might want to think about looking into.

Adriana Noton

A good pair of chaps is an important part of a cowboys gear. Protecting the rider from snags, branches, brush and a number of other objects. A full time cowboy would never saddle up with out their chaps.

by Dustin Williams

Leather is a great material that has been used for Centuries. It has always played an important role in western wear. Leather western wear items include cowboy hats and cowboy boots. Today we are going to focus on leather chaps and their history in western wear.

Leather chaps have been around for a long time. Starting from the 1600s there have been plenty of reports about the use of leather chaps, and they have continued to be revamped. If there has been any livestock handling the leather chaps have been around to help out.

In the nineteenth century leather chaps were mostly stepped into garments, meaning they were attached to a belt that a person stepped in to. Mexican’s called these leather protectors Armitas. Armitas were made out of calfskin, deer, or even goats.

Texas cowboys evolved their own style of chaps from the Armitas. They were one of the first to use full leather britches. The only problem with this shotgun style was that they did not have a seat and were often referred to as closed legs.

In the 1880s chap makers went to work to solve this problem. One way that fixed the stiffness was to make the chaps come in pieces now instead of one piece. They then curved the waistband to allow more movement for the cowboy.

The next chaps that were used were chaps that were used a lot during the popular Wild West Shows. Batwing Chaps, as they were referred as, allowed more movement for riders because they provided a wider cut then other chaps. They also were more elaborately decorated so riders could be recognized during Rodeos or Wild West Shows.

In the hot summers full length leather chaps were uncomfortable for some cowboys. A new western wear item became popular around the 1940s called Chinks. Cowboys had been cutting off the bottoms of their chaps to get rid of the restrictive nature of the full length chaps, and in the 1940s they finally started producing them that way. Chinks usually only went a few inches past the cowboys knee.

Leather chaps have continued to evolve since then. They are still used today to help with herding, yard work, outdoor work, feeding, fencing and branding for many cowboys and ranchers today. Leather is a great material to use with western wear items, and leather chaps are no exception.

Even if you are not a ‘real’ cowboy you can still wear the ‘real’ cowboy clothing. For many people there is nothing more down to earth than a good days ride in the saddle.  And wearing the proper western cowboy clothing is a necessity.

by Jeffrey Jackson

Cowboy western wear attire started out of a necessity to protect cowboys from their environment. Now western wear attire not only fits a practical purpose, but a designer purpose as well. Here are the most popular western wear items currently on the market.

1.) Jeans: Denim jeans are very popular right now. Jeans that are close-fitted work great for cowboys. They are sturdy, but comfortable, and protect your thighs and knees if you are a rider.

2. Chaps: Chaps are still a popular item. Chaps protect cowboys legs while they are riding horses. They are especially handy when riders have to ride through harsh conditions, such as working with livestock.

3.) Cowboy Hat: Cowboy hats are legendary and easily recognizable. They now come in a variety of sizes, styles, colors, and materials. With choices like this you are bound to find one that fits your style.

4.) Gloves: When working with a horse or livestock, gloves are a very good choice. Choose gloves that are flexible and made out of soft material to allow you a firm grip. Leather gloves are the best choice.

5.) Cowboy Boots: Cowboy boots help riders a lot, but they are a popular western wear choice for anyone. Even the Beatles were seen wearing them! Cowboy boots, like cowboy hats, come in a variety of sizes and styles.

6. Bandanna: In the past cowboys used a cotton bandanna around their necks. It provided cowboys with a neckerchief that protected them from the sun and dust storms, and also was handy for wiping of sweaty faces. Today bandannas are normally only used as an accessory to a cowboy outfit.

All of these items have had a history with cowboys back in older days, but they continue to be a popular choice for western wear attire. Western stores are a wonderful place to look around and shop for these items. It is fun to shop for practical pieces of clothing and fashion items as well.

by Jim Milton

All of us have concerns about our safety around horses, although it’s equally important to ensure their safety, as well.

The following are some methods you could use to guarantee the safety of your horse when you want to learn how to ride a horse.

1. Tying the Horse:

Often times, people tie their horses in such a way that it puts their animal in harm’s way, and this article addresses that issue.

Please, do not, for any reason, tie your horse straight to a solid object! Instead, wrap a section of breakable twine or other such material around the object first and then loop the lead rope through it. The reason for this is that should your horse panic, the twine will break and he can get safely away without breaking his neck or dragging the object along behind him, creating additional panic.

This applies to the trailer ties as well.

When tying the horse, be sure that the rope is not hanging under the animal’s shoulder to eliminate the chances of his hoof getting trapped in it. However, you need to check the horse to see if they have sufficient lack to prevent any discomfort.

If you tie your horse by the reins, you run the risk of the bit ripping his mouth if he panics and pulls back, and you will also end up with snapped reins.

Ensure that haynets do dangle loosely when empty. You need to tie them sufficiently high so that the horse can reach, but such that they do not create a danger.

2. Stirrups:

Remain cautious of the stirrups and keep them running up whenever you are off of the horse. They could pelt your horse’s flanks as you lead him or snag onto a protruding object, thus causing him to be spooked.

3. Safety in the Vicinity of the Barn:

Keep an eye open as you walk through the barn. If you see a pitch fork left out where a horse or human could tread on it, put it out of harm’s way. Wheelbarrows are a dangerous hazard if a horse gets his feet stuck between the handles and panics.

We owe it to our horses to keep them safe. As you gain more experience around these wonderful animals you’ll discover even more ways to look out for your mount.

by Jim Milton

Good horse riding lessons are essential to the success of the beginner student, and a good instructor is essential for good lessons. Here’s how to find your ideal horseback riding trainer.

In the first place, develop a short list of riding schools. For assistance in doing this, read The 7 Step Guide to Finding the Perfect Barn for Horseback Riding Beginners.

Next, observe a lesson, or a few lessons if possible, which is taught by your potential riding instructor, and pay attention for the following four qualities.

Courtesy

Does the trainer treat all the students with patience and respect? Is each student given the necessary help, and are all questions answered politely?

Is the instructor’s full attention on the class, with no chatting on the cell phone or with spectators? Are any of the students made to feel small in front of the others?

Competence

Does the instructor communicate instructions clearly and in a fashion which everyone in the class can comprehend?

When following the instructors directions, does every student achieve the desired results? Simply put, is the instructor giving the students the correct information?

Research the trainer’s background as to his status as an active competitor and if he does compete, how successful is he? Having good horse riding skills will generally ensure that one is a good trainer.

Commitment

Observe how the instructor treats the students, is he serious and dedicated? Does the instructor appear to actually care whether his/her students are going to progress and succeed?

Check into how long the instructor has been giving lessons and decide whether he/she is truly helping people become better riders.

To ensure you make it to your riding goals, try and chat with your instructor after the lessons and get a feel of him/her, whether this person will help you actually achieve your goals.

Compatibility

Throughout the lesson you must ask yourself questions like, how will I feel having this trainer instruct me? Do you approve of his or her methods? Will you be comfortable with his or her teaching abilities?

Price

You will pay a bit more for lessons from a professional and successful riding instructor. If you are just looking to get on a horse for things like trail riding, then you don’t necessarily need a top level riding instructor.

Following these guidelines will ensure you have little to no difficulty locating a horse riding instructor.