How a Horse Travels - Understanding Different Loading Styles By Lydia K Kelly

Horse trailers come in several different loading and shipping styles. Each style offers advantages and disadvantages to the owner and the horse. When purchasing a horse trailer it is important to consider which style best suits you and your horse.

Straight Load

This is the most common load style. In a straight load trailer, horses are brought in from the back and are tied side-by-side, facing the front of the trailer. There is usually a partition in the middle of the trailer, protecting the horses from banging into one another. Some straight loads have partitions to the ground, while others only have bars to separate the horses. You can also get partitions that separate the horses at the front of the trailer so that they cannot bite one another.

Because these are so common, most used trailers you will see for sale will be steel straight loads. Unfortunately, they may not be the best trailer for your needs. Studies on transporting horses have shown that facing straight ahead is in fact harder on a horse than traveling facing rearward or on an angle. Another disadvantage of straight loads is that most are designed to only allow horses to unload backwards, something many horses are uncomfortable with.

Slant Load

In recent years, the slant load trailer has become highly popular. Horses are loaded from the back of the trailer, and are squeezed into stalls with swinging dividers that hold them into a slant load position. Because of the angle at which the horses stand, there is usually a triangle-shaped cubby at the front of the trailer that is often converted into a tack room. There is also a space at the back that is not used, and may be converted into a small storage area. Many slant loads offer front unloading ramps so that the horses can get off more easily. This also makes it possible to take a horse off who was loaded at an earlier stage of the trip.

The slant load position is supposed to be far more comfortable to the horse when traveling. The increased space occupied by the horse in a slant load makes the trailer size larger than a straight load. If purchasing a steel trailer, this added length also needs to be considered as added weight. A three horse slant load is the same size as the average four horse straight load.

Head-to-Head

A common loading solution for show trailers, this configuration allows horses to be loaded so that half are facing to the front and half are facing to the back. The ramp is placed on the side of the trailer so that horses can walk straight on and off without difficulty. One big advantage of this style of trailer is that you can unload any one horse without disturbing the other horses, making it the perfect solution for horse shows.

The center space does add a bit of length, but can sometimes be used for an extra small horse or pony. The ramps are generally fairly steep, and need to have side panel to prevent a horse from falling off the side. Some horses are intimidated by this style of trailer at first, but most get used to it quite quickly.

Stock

Stock trailers are open concept. They are made up of one or more box stalls with a gate that splits the trailer in the middle. Horses can be tied so that they face forward, backward or are slant loaded. You can also ship horses loose in one of the box stalls.

Stock trailers are probably the most flexible trailers for shipping large numbers of horses. The do not offer the protection of dividers, but they do allow the horses to position themselves comfortably for the trip. They are also the safest way to ship mares and foals, or youngstock. Most stock trailers have rear step-ups, but some do come with ramps.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=298813&ca=Pets

Different Types of English Saddles By Lydia K Kelly

Different Types of English Saddles

Once you have been riding for a while, you might find that you want to buy a saddle of your own. Taking a trip to the local tack shop is a great beginning, but it can be overwhelming to discover the wide range of English saddles available on the market. How do you know which style is best for your needs?

The following list describes the most common styles of English saddles available on the market. While you might find that one type is better for your needs than another, remember that comfort is highly important, and should not be compromised. Also consider that a saddle must also fit the horse you ride, and should be tried before making your final decision. Most tack stores will allow a buyer to try a saddle and return it if the saddle is not suitable. Just be prepared to pay for the saddle in advance in case of damage.

All-Purpose Saddle

Just like its name, an all-purpose saddle is designed to suit most English disciplines. Built with a mid-height pommel and cantle, all purpose saddles are fairly secure to ride in. Good-sized knee rolls with suede leather sections offer good grip and help the rider maintain a correct position. All-purpose saddles are great for beginning riders and riders who are not ready to specialize. More advanced riders may become frustrated with the padding, which can interfere with more advanced movements and rider positions.

Close Contact

A favorite of many hunter/jumper riders, close contact saddles do not have the padding that all-purpose saddles have. There is no knee roll, and the pommel and cantle are generally not as high. Beginners may feel lost and off balance in a close contact saddle as there is little to support their position. More advanced riders like the feel of the saddles, as they can feel the horse beneath them more easily.

Jumping Saddle

Designed for jumpers, this saddle has a flap that is cut forward, so that there is better support for the leg while using a shorter stirrup length. This can be quite important as riders challenge the large fences found in the advanced jumper ring. There is a fair bit of padding on the saddle, but it is positioned differently than on an all-purpose saddle. It is difficult to use a jumping saddle for extensive flat work, and most jumper riders have a second saddle for use during training on the flat.

Dressage Saddle

This is the style of saddle designed primarily for dressage riders. With long, straight flaps, the saddle support the longer stirrup length that dressage riders prefer. The cantle is generally fairly high, offering a lot of security to the rider. One interesting design difference in dressage saddles is the way the girth attaches. The long billets allow dressage girths to be very short in length, fastening below the flap, rather than beneath the rider’s leg. Likewise, the stirrup leathers are often designed to avoid large buckles. Dressage saddles are useless for jumping, but are necessary for more advanced levels of dressage. If a rider has no intention of jumping, the dressage saddle can be very comfortable, and helps a rider maintain position for dressage.

While there are many other styles of saddle available that can be used for English riding, these are the most common. Take your time and choose a saddle that not only fits your discipline, but also is comfortable and fits your horse. A saddle is an expensive investment, but if well chosen, can last you a lifetime.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=298812&ca=Pets