Hi all
my youngster will be going away for his second lot of training in the summer( he has already completed 10 weeks starting last august, when he was 2)

I am trying to get together a few items of tack before he goes and would like your opinions on them if you would be so kind.

mecate: does anyone use them? are horse hair or rope ones better? would I be better off using split reins.

Bits: D snaffles or loose rings what do you use with your youngsters?

Pads :I quite like the look of the proffesional choice range .

My lad is going away for 6 months so I have a while to get bits and pieces in, its too early to get a saddle yet as he is constantly changing shape.

eventually i would like to use him for a bit of trail riding and ranch horse work( im a member of the brca) plus lots of hacking getting out to see scary sights.
Reining just looks scary plus I have a bad back which doesn't help.

Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated

Michael

Hi Michael, you say that your youngster is going away in the summer to a trainer i presume. personally, i would suggest you talk to the trainer first as to what you need to get as i have found that young horses go through so many bit changes that its impossible to have everything. your trainer should have basic bits (hopefully) or advise which to buy. i have a youngster in holland at the moment with no tack at all! except rugs!
good luck and i hope the training goes well.
Rosie

Hi thanks for your reply, yes my trainer has all the tack and like yours my lad only goes away with rugs, I on the other hand only have a few items of western tack that belongs to my wifes 14.1 western trained cob so I thought I would start to buy a few items in preperation for when I have him home, the saddle, I would have fitted of course, but items such as bits, headstalls etc purchase before hand.
He has been ridden in both loose ring and d ring bits in training and |I was keen to know peoples preferences

Michael

Hi

I have no experience of your situation (sadly!) but every thing we have that's Professionals Choice is excellent. Also we're very pleased with Reinsman items. All via Western scene as struggling with customs duties in France is beyond me!

Professionals choice pads and boots (front boots to offer support and protection against knocks are probably all you'll need) and you won't go far wrong. As for bits etc, I would agree with Rosie and wait and see what the trainer recommends. Unless you're very lucky and hit on the right one first time, you'll spend enough on bits during his career
If you do buy some split reins look for Herman Oak harness leather - they're the only ones that are really heavy enough. They also stand up to being chewed and trodden on

I only use mecate with a bosal. The horse hair ones are good, but expensive and rough on your hands! If using with a bit I would go for cotton ones, with slobber straps, just kinder on your mits and grippier than polypropylene.

Be guided by your trainer, dont rush out to buy stuff, you will end up with a tackroom full of equipment you used once!

Post edited by: appynospots, at: 2008/02/18 16:19