Tack Finds

So guys, I was contacted by Schneider's Saddlery to do some product reviews and features here on the blog. They have great prices and a wide variety of products. This week I am featuring a product that they carry and I own.

I had been looking for a new western saddle for some time. The one I used to show last year was one I bought when I was 11 years old. Needless to say, I have outgrown it. I could still fit the seat, but the stirrups were hung WAY too far back. It killed my knees to ride it. I decided to get a Wintec western saddle to replace it. I went with their square skirt model in black. I have had a Wintec English All Purpose with the interchangeable gullets for a couple of years, and before that I had an early model Wintec 2000 that I rode for YEARS. I loved that saddle, so needless to say I had complete faith in the Wintec brand.

When the saddle came in, I was pleased with the quality and the weight. My old saddle had been a heavy roping saddle, and I wanted something easier to lift and carry. My only complaint was the plastic stirrups and that was easily remedied. Since I planned to use it to show, I decided to dress it up a bit with some conchos from Tandy Leather and some new blackened, etched aluminum stirrups. I also got a cheapo plain leather bridle off of eBay, an undyed leather buckaroo style breastcollar. I already had a set of reins I could use as well as a pretty bit. I dyed the bridle and breastcollar and added silver to them as well. Here is the result. Pretty nice, eh?

Gagavator

Does that not sound like the perfect name for this thing? Mikmar's new invention looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. The mouthpiece, though substantial and somewhat overkill, does not appear THAT severe, but dang, if that sucker goes in the horse's mouth like I think it does, can we say jawbreaker? 

Here is a copy of their description...

A "BEST SELLER" for Barrels and Gymkhana. The Mikmar Short Shank Gagavator is a quicker activating bit that allows the rider a quick pick up and release ride. It is excellent for lifting the shoulders and lightening. Works well for developing bend and flexibility. It encourages flexion, collection and good control. It discourages the horse from leaning and pulling, with excellent rate or half halt. A nice tool for helping the horse transfer weight to the hind quarters, and getting underneath himself for better turns. The Sweet Iron mouthpiece pacifies a busy -mouthed horse and keeps the mouth moist and soft.

The Short Shank Gagavator offers more poll pressure and stop than the Two and Three Ring styles. Works well for all level horses. We recommend using a leather curb strap for bit stability.

Oh wait, I just noticed they sell a LONG shanked one too... 

The Mikmar Long Shank Gagavator offers stronger Poll pressure and more control for those needing it. Works well for stronger level horses. We recommend using a leather curb strap for bit stability.

Yikes. Forget teaching your horse to stop, or carry themselves, or collect. Just slap one of these on and problem solved!!  Click http://www.mikmar.com/bit-pages/gagavators-PS.html to see a video of how they fit/work. And yep, they do go on like I thought. Add curb strap and holy cow. 

Jolly Green...Saddle?

Oh, my. The shades of green kind of clash don't they? Perhaps for a costume class, maybe, probably not. Craptackistan is still going strong it seems. 

I know it has been forever since I had a new post. Unfortunately, believe it or not, I am running out of material!! The Craptackastani saddle makers have not been producing much that is new these days. I have run across a few things, but usually more of the same ol' same ol'. So, all you window shoppers out there, keep your eyes peeled for stuff like this...





















This left me speechless. Really. Fake Snake patterning, what looks like rubber material, funky pattern on the knee roll area, FLORAL stirrups in pastel colors, RED piping and panels. Oh, and a blingy browband bridle made of quality cardboard leather along with a fairly decent looking girth and some half chaps. Interesting, yeah, interesting. That's a polite way to say it.

I just keep staring at it. Now I know how the SRF feels when she sees something scary looking..."Is it going to eat me?"