Saddles and Harness

Most equestrians think of saddles as falling into two main categories, English and Western.  Western saddles are distinctive because of a horn and high fork on the front of the saddle, and a deeper seat.  The western saddle also has wide and long stirrups and fenders.  The English saddle has a flatter seat, and no noticeable fork and horn. 

Regardless of which style you decide on, you should make sure that the saddle fits your horse.  If your horse appears uncomfortable, examine the horse’s back to see if there are any sores due to chafing or rubbing, this indicates an incorrectly fitted saddle.

Prior to the nineteenth century, carriages were mostly used as functional transportation for the European upper class.  However, in the mid nineteenth century, coachbuilders, along with carpenters, painters, seamstresses, and various artisans began building carriages with artistic flair.  During this time, the horse drawn carriage went from simple transportation, to families possessing multiple carriages for special occasions like weddings and funerals, while having other carriages for display, or some to function as fast, light travel.

Nearing the twentieth century, carriage driving, or ‘coaching’ became more of an upper-class sport than an efficient travel method.  Around this time both the steam locomotive and the automobile were becoming more mainstream, and thus transportation by carriage was no longer needed.

When used correctly, longeing, also known as lunging is a very useful training tool. When learning how to lunge a horse, the horse moves around the handler in a circle. The handler controls the horse by using aids that ask him to move faster or slower, bend on a circle or move closer to or farther away from you.

Aids include your voice and body language. By longeing your horse, you are given the ability to watch him from the ground, so you can monitor his movement, his soundness and his natural frame. Longeing before a ride can decrease the inherent risk of riding a hot horse, therefore increasing your safety. However, longeing incorrectly can be very dangerous for both you and your horse.