Cowboy hats are back in fashion and everyone just loves them! They bring back memories of a lifestyle that made America the great nation it is today. Hardworking, rugged outdoorsmen who battled the elements on a daily basis. The hat they wore was their only protection from sun, rain, sleet, snow, and dusty winds. No wonder it was tough, as tough as they were. And the toughest of them all is the leather cowboy hat. The lifestyle has all but disappeared but the leather cowboy hat remains, a silent witness to the resilience of those nation-builders. The leather cowboy hat is as tough as ever, and has its own handsome looks. They are hard wearing, yet easy on the head, so you can wear one comfortably all day.

Folks living in the Wild West required a hat which would provide them with reliable weather protection from sun, rain, and hot, dusty winds – and which did not require any maintenance. They chose leather as the material for the hat because the other materials available then were just not up to handling all-weather usage. Leather was tough, and weather proof. Natural leather is permeable, it breathes. So the leather cowboy hat kept perspiration from building up on the wearer’s scalp even though he was working all day in the unbearable heat of the Mojave. Leather comes in a wide variety of natural shades: from almost white to almost jet. This degree of comfort with protection with good looks was unmatchable by hats of other materials, the closest competition coming from straw and felt hats.

Felt and straw cowboy hats are very popular but leather cowboy hats have a charisma all their own. This puts them above the other varieties of cowboy hats. Leather cowboy hats are the choice and pick of the elite, the celebrities who set the trends for today’s fashion.

Another reason for leather’s dominance is that it is extremely durable in all sorts of weather, and that’s why leather cowboy hats are reliable and effective protection for the wearer in the severest of environmental conditions. Straw is very good and light, but its lightness is its very weakness! It cannot last one season in the rain or snow, and as for the sun, the sunlight and its heat easily pass through the straw weave and affect the wearer’s head! Felt cowboy hats afford much better protection from the weather than straw cowboy hats. But they are hard to maintain. They deform easily when wet, and are prone to breaking up with rough handling. Besides many wearers complain that a felt cowboy hat feels like a cardboard hat! The bottom line is that leather cowboy hats are well worth the high price tag that they come with.

Maintenance is a very critical issue for cowboy hats. The wearer does not have the convenience of taking time off to clean and care for his hat. A leather cowboy hat is virtually maintenance-free. You just shake the dust off whenever you put it on or take it off. When the grime begins to show, you just have to wipe it off with a soft moist cloth. If you happen to have access to a good quality leather cleaning solution, all the better. In case your leather cowboy hat gets drenched, you just let it sit in the shade, out of the breeze, and dry out naturally. But that’s about all the maintenance a leather cowboy hat requires.

A leather cleaner is recommended for getting grime out of the grain of the leather cowboy hat. Choose a high quality cleaner which is formulated to maintain the natural oils in the leather itself. The natural oils prolong the leather’s life and hence, the hat’s life. Ask a reliable vendor of high quality leather wear about the best leather cleaner for your hat. Always make it a point to test the cleaner on a hidden patch, before using it on the whole hat.

You may want to get your leather cowboy hat cleaned by a professional cleaning service. Many stores carrying high quality leatherwear provide this service. Store away your leather cowboy hat if you are not going to wear it for some time. Storing it in a cool place away from strong heat and light sources, and away from direct sunlight, will prevent it from losing its shape and color.

Leather cowboy hats are very high-priced when compared to straw and felt cowboy hats. The initial expense is offset by the great good looks of the leather cowboy hat. Secondly, they are very durable, and will easily last a lifetime. Become the cynosure of all eyes – wear a handsome leather cowboy hat!

You’ll see great deals on all the top name brands including Resistol and Stetson cowboy hats when you go to www.DiscountCowboyHats.net. Whether you are looking for leather, felt or straw cowboy hats, we’ll let you know where to look get a excellent hat at an affordable price.

Cushing’s disease occurs in various animals (e.g. dogs, horses, people), although the symptoms in horses are different than the symptoms in other animals (e.g. in dogs it results in hair loss whereas in horses it results in greater hair growth). When the disease occurs in horses, it is known as Equine Cushings Disease (or ECD).

ECD is the result of excessive steroid production by the adrenal glands. This is caused by the pituitary gland producing too much hormones and thus over-stimulating the adrenals, which is usually the result of either tumor growth on the pituitary or age-related growth of the pituitary gland itself. Both changes of the pituitary are age-related, so ECD is most common in older horses (over 15 years) but has been found in horses as young as seven.

The nature and cause of the disease itself was first explained by Harvey Cushing, an American brain surgeon, in’21. Consequently, the disease is named after him.

The symptoms of cushings disease vary somewhat from horse to horse, with the more common symptoms including: – Changes to the coat. It may become longer and curly. It may not be shed in Spring. In some cases the color becomes lighter. – Increased sweating. This is often due to the coat become longer and thicker, and retention of the winter coat into summer. – Weight loss despite increased appetite and food consumption. Changes to the body shape, with loss of muscle in back and neck, and development of pendulous abdomen. – General depression, loss of coat shine, horse looks ill. – Development of diabetes and a resulting increase in water consumption. This can be difficult to detect with pastured horses, but with stabled horses one may notice an abnormal amount of urine (or soiled bedding) in its box. – Development of laminitis. The most common cause of normal laminitis is carbohydrate overload due to eating spring grass, whereas ECD-caused laminitis is more frequent in autumn and winter since ECD is worse when the days are shorter (this is because the pineal gland is light-sensitive and as daylight decreases it stimulates the pituitary gland). – Immune system declines, leaving the horse more prone to infections and slower to heal from external injuries. – The depressions above the eyes fill in. These depressions are most evident when a horse is chewing, but gradually fill in with fat in ECD horses.

Any of these symptoms can be caused by a variety of illnesses other than ECD. Consequently, blood and urine tests are normally used to confirm that the cause is ECD (e.g. by measuring hormone levels and hormone response levels) and to rule out other possible diseases. Studies have shown that many horses with ECD are either not diagnosed or incorrectly diagnosed (the symptoms are incorrectly attributed to a different disease), with the result that they do not receive appropriate treatment.

Unfortunately it is not possible to cure ECD. However, one can slow the disease by the use of medication to reduce hormone production to normal levels. Note that some of these medications have strong side effects, so appropriate testing and control is required to prevent secondary illnesses (e.g. liver disease).

Since ECD and produce other illnesses, such as diabetes and laminitis, one needs to watch for symptoms of these related problems and treat promptly before they become serious.

One should also maintain the horse’s quality of life by treating any symptoms which make it uncomfortable. For example, if the heavier coat results in the horse becoming too warm, one should clip the coat in spring or summer.

Dr. Douglas Stewart is the author of Cushings Disease in Horses and owner of Horses for Sale

categories: cushing,cushings,disease,horse,horses,equine,pets

When looking to buy a horse, one of the first decisions is whether to get one which is untrained, partly trained, or fully trained. Most people, especially if it is there first horse, will be better off getting a horse which is already trained for whatever they intend to use if for. For example, if one intends to use the horse for basic riding it should already be trained for riding, whereas if you are using it for show jumping, it should already be trained in show jumping.

Buying an untrained horse or partly trained horse is less expensive (at least, at first) than a fully trained horse. It also offers you the opportunity to participate in its training, with the trainer of your choice. However, there are a few important risks with this approach:

- Cost of Training. The cost of training depends on individual circumstances and is hard to estimate, but it is under-estimated far more often than over-estimated. Aside from the direct trainer costs, unless the trainer comes to you, there are the additional costs of either stabling the horse with the trainer, or transporting the horse to the trainer for each lesson. Many people find that by the time the horse is fully trained to the level they require, it would have been cheaper to have bought an already trained horse.

- Accidents. Accidents can easily occur during training, even with a good trainer. These may result in vet costs or worse.

- Incorrect Training. Some trainers are not as good as others. In addition, many trainers will rush training or under-estimate the amount required, to get the contract at an acceptable price. This may result in an incompletely or incorrectly trained horse.

- Feel of the Horse. Two horses, with the exact same training, will feel differently to a rider due to the individual characteristics (build, personality, movement) of the horse. With an already trained horse, one can ride it before buying to know exactly how it feels, whereas with an untrained horse one can only guess what it will feel like after training.

- Health Evaluation. Part of the pre-purchase health checks is to ride the horse and to watch it carefully as it is being ridden in each gait. These particular checks cannot be done with an untrained horse.

Due to these considerations, buying untrained (or partly trained) horse can be both more expensive and more risky than buying a fully trained horse.

Unless you are a professional trainer (or working under the close supervision of one), you should not train a horse yourself. Otherwise there is the risk that the horse will acquire bad behaviors or habits, which can be difficult and expensive to correct.

You should also be wary of buying a partly trained horse based on the seller’s commitment to fully train it. Having made the sale, many sellers will rush the training and cut corners, in order to minimize their costs and receive payment as soon as possible. One should only make a purchase commitment when the horse is fully trained and you have ridden it to ensure that you are completely satisfied with the result.

As an experienced professional and owner of Horses for Sale, Doug Stewart has written this article based on his personal experience.

Training a horse can be very challenging even more so when training them for the race track. Horses are sometimes harder to train than a wild animal, contrary to popular belief. Training a Thoroughbred horse takes a lot of patience and care. Younger horses are often able to be trained quickly. They basically need to know the jockeys command and how to go into the starting gate. Many just need to know how to run fast and stop when told. They don’t need to know much about the rider.

Most of the youngsters have to undergo a lot of pressure while training in the initial stages. To train these thoroughbreds they have to use natural horsemanship techniques to train stubborn horse with calm and steady temperament. For a race horse it is very essential to teach them to move forward. For a smooth and comfortable ride they have to make a leather seat to be used by the rider on back of the animal with the leather straps fitted to horse’s head and incorporate in the lower abdomen including the hips. To get the youngster ready for the track as quickly as possible they use natural horsemanship methods for training them better.

Many trainers break the rules while they give the natural horsemanship training. When they follow a handler into the starting stalls the leadership training is appreciated with a gift. You have to do more ground work where the horse has to support your weight and you have to control the anger of the horse, so that it can be accustomed to move forward. Natural horsemanship training has to be given for retired race horses which has been just adopted.

Using natural methods, the jockey needs to have a lot of talent. The horse should be warmed up the mornings before training by walking and other exercises. The trainer should not burden the horse though for safety reasons. Riders will be surprised by the way the horse has trouble during the jogging when they skip the basic warm up in the morning. Even if you just take the horse for a walk it is better than nothing.

The basic rule for training the horse is that you have to make the horse happy and you can get work done very easily. To control a horse all you need is patience and dedication. Horses have got a natural gut feeling for the races. They feel very happy when they run fast.

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Horse riding clothing is not just for show but designed to be fitted to the purpose of horseback riding, meaning it is durable and comfortable for the horse rider at the same time. In order for an equestrian to be protected well, there are a lot of types of clothing that need to be worn. For equestrian activities, the essential items of clothing are the boots, chaps, gaiters breeches and jodhpurs for the legs, the jacket and body protector for the torso, and the hat for the head. It is vital for someone new to know each type of dress. Each individual’s favorite might vary but it is necessary to be have knowledge about the basics before buying any clothes since horse back horse riding can be pricey and the clothes for this activity is no exception.

The most important apparel is the horseback riding hat because it safeguards the riders from falls which can be experienced whether you are in or out of a contest and while horses can be trained they can still be unpredictable. The hat, with its hard shell and shock absorbing lining, provides safe-guardion for the horse rider in case of a fall. It’s essential to use them even when not horseback riding because the horse could kick a rider instead so it’s essential that you wear them while handling horses on the ground.

If the rider suffers from a fall the hat should be replaced right away as the fall can diminish the hat’s integrity. The protection also decreases over time as the padding compresses from daily use so riding headgear should be exchanged ever three to four years. The first of the three basic hats available for riders is the classic riding hat constructed with a hard peak and traditionally made from velvet cloth in brown, black, or navy.

The 2nd is the skull cap which is also alluded to as the jockey cap which doesn’t have a peak and is generally worn by jockeys. Peak covers can give a skull cap the appearance of a horseback riding hat, a look which is gaining in popularity for both leisure and competition. Novelty silks are also made for youngsters, and they sometimes have eyes and ears attached to them. Similar to a cycling equestrian helmet is the skull protector, it is ventilated and lightweight, making those warm summer day rides a lot more comfortable.

Riding hats have chin straps and should conform to the riding hat safety standards and the United Kingdom for instance, has 3 safety standards. Riding headgear should follow one of these criteria for optimum safety of the rider so the chin straps should be able to secure the hat safely and securely on the horse riders head. A starter should be sure to buy a hat that is comfortable, and all horse riders must remember to always secure their headgear when riding. Riding hats are one of the most essential pieces of equestrian apparel. In the event of a fall, horseback riding headgear help safeguard the riders head from severe injuries. Horse riders should not buy a previously owned horseback riding hat because previous damage cannot be seen from the outside and it is possible they will have reduced safety, so always purchase a new hat for ensured safe-guardian.

Although sometimes thought of as a sport for the affluent, riding and competitive equestrian competitions can be enjoyed by people of all age groups and areas in life. Hours and hours of hard work and discipline go into the coaching of a horse, and riding requires a great deal of patience. Although the rider is every bit as important as their horse, the prospects of winning in the competition do not rely on them and like racing cars it’s essential that horses are in peak health.

There are numerous products out there that could help the horse, most of which are available on the internet and one of the most essential products is the horse blanket which may also be called rugs or sheets. For protection from natural elements a horse blanket is necessary because just like us they need protection from the wind, hot and cold temperatures, and the rain. You must be sure to purchase the correct type of cover to keep your horse warm and free from sickness.

The use of coolers and anti-sweat rugs will help the horses to not get shivers when they are resting post working out. These horse rugs breath and they have different sizes of mesh which keeps off flies. A Fly sheet or rug safeguards the horse from bugs and flies during the summer months when they are grazing. The sheet is also available with extra attachments such as neck covers, hoods and fly masks which help to provide complete protection for the horse.

A summer months sheet keeps flies and dust off horses in the hot, is very light, and can be used as a travel rug. All horses when ridden, are fitted with under-blankets or liners to help lessen rubbing on their backs from the horse rider. There are different materials to choose from, which include the traditional wool under blanket, or the more modern under blanket made of a lightweight material, is often referred to as an under rug.

To keep the horse protected from the harsh winter elements use a stable rug. It not only keeps the horse warm, but is also very fashionable. They come in different colors, weights and thickness. Breathable cloths allow the horse’s sweat to evaporate even through the heaviest, thickest blankets that supply the most warmth. The under blanket can also be laid underneath the stable rug to add heat and this is usually required when the horse is stabled day and night.

Turnout rugs, or blankets, are worn to keep the horse warm and clean in the wintertime while outdoors. Turnout rugs should be lengthy to allow them to cover the belly of the horse, the ruffles on the shoulders should allow movement, and the front edge should overlap well. These rugs also come in different thickness and weights, altering from light weight with no filling for the the summer months, and heavy weight with filling for the wintertime. Choosing a good rug is essential to protect the health of your horse, which, unlike a car, can’t undergo multiple repairs or have worn parts substituted.

What is the importance of purchasing the correct equestrian boots to wear during horse riding competitions? This piece will provide the necessary information on how to select equestrian boots and other equestrian apparel for discerning horse riders and horse enthusiasts.

Equestrian boots, also known as riding boots, are the style of footwear that are necessary when riding a horse. While it sounds plain, these is a special explanation as to why these are necessary to wear. The overall idea is that these boots are capable of keeping you safe and comfortable even as you take heavy and challenging terrains. You should be aware that your horseback riding jaunts are bound to involve trying situations and even mishaps. One can draw their own decisions on what would happen if they failed to wear the properly accredited footwear.

Equestrian boots are available in different styles and just like dress, follow common trends. Equine boots traditionally boasted higher heels in order to keep the rider’s feet in the stirrups while riding. Now, current versions of these boots come with low heels but naturally, some cowman boots still have the same higher heels. Nevertheless, the question is: What type of equine boot should I purchase?

There are boots which are used to show horse riding and also there are boots whose role is for pleasure horseback riding, and also there are boots for hunting and for dressing which are similar but there are much taller and they are just a little below the knees. While a general uniform is often required, the most essential point is the capability of your horse to work with you. Some police officers likewise wear the same style of horseback riding boots because these give them their preferred comfort while mounting and dismounting their motorcycles.

Field boots, or riding boots which are characterized by ankle lacing design, are effective for use with short length stirrups. The hunt boots, on the other hand, come with a top cuff and male riders sometimes use the hunt boot, which is very traditional in appearance. Dress boots have no ankle lacing and are firmer – they are knee-high to help prevent injuries for fox hunters and event riders. Other types are the Paddock boots which may be used for casual rides and the cowboy or western boots which are both made of leather or synthetic fabrics and cost thousands of dollars or so. Equestrian boots have a long history, and the development of their style and design is still continuing.

What do you consider are the 4 most important lessons involved with horse training? According to specialists, you need to teach your animal about motivation, spot, direction, and finally prize. Horse trainers who find it’s hard to control horses would have to teach those 4 examples. It doesn’t actually have any impact if you’re training a performance horse or colt as these lessons are critical to the training program however do not allow the horse to control you – you need to perform as a leader of the herd.

Horse training is additionally about proper governance and it could be held similar to building a house as it takes some time before you complete it. So, you need to provide the horse some time in learning the various examples of this training program and in the end various body parts of your horse will be simple to manipulate – starting with one section at once. As you do that, you need to be what’s called an active rider, and not a reactive rider.

Motivation is the initial lesson to introduce to your horse as they are wild animals by nature. They’ll eat food, play, groom, and sleep but they’re additionally herd animals that have a mare controlling the whole group therefore to efficiently teach the horse, you will need to work as the alpha of the herd. You need to conceive of a thing which will motivate the animal to adhere to this program you’ve set up for them because horses don’t wish to be controlled and what is a fact that you need to comprehend.

Here’s the place where ‘spot’ is important – you need to find a specific spot which you could dominate so the horse will follow. This may require patience but just keep on trying to identify the proper spot on your horse’s body.

When you’ve found a spot, you need to settle upon the direction, and then each part of the horse’s body can go in a separate direction – left, right, ahead, backward, down, and finally, up. Select just a single direction however, make sure that your horse understands the signal so that they’ll not be disoriented.

The prize is that final lesson therefore as your horse follows your signals, don’t forget to give the horse a reward. You could provide him some sort of goody or you could just give him a light pad and say ‘that’s it’.

The 4 examples appear extremely simple but it is a bit different if you are currently upon the training ground as obstinate horses are difficult to control so you’ll need lots of time and patience. If you lack experience, don’t be afraid to consult the experts all the same don’t be swayed because not every horse is stubborn – there’s also horses that are simple to work alongside. The trick is to administer these 4 examples one after another, then as your horse becomes familiar with the lessons, you will have fewer problems.

You also need to be a good rider then you won’t be confused when interpreting the horse’s moves so learn everything that you possibly can about decent training. You should as well watch the horse’s conduct and personality while incorporating those four examples to the training routine.

To guarantee your horse performs at its very best, it should be well looked after in the same fashion as all the related gear. No matter what sports the horse is going to enter he must be well prepared before the event and this entails appropriate dressing. Riders are not the only ones who ought to look their best but also the horse and there are numerous types provisions out there for the horse with riders having a wide range of options.

The dressing kit is one of the most essential supplies, as the horse must be well turned out and correctly prepared. Horse riding supplies allow horse riders to keep good condition to the horses coat. This will also be a good time for them to check for any accidental injuries, scratches or bruises on the horse but grooming also rubs down the horse and promotes good blood circulation. The kit for grooming includes many brushes and combs with each having its own particular job, such as some listed below:

Dandy brushes use long bristles to get rid of surface soil from the coat, and are typically used on regions of the horses that are the least sensitive. Body brushes have a leather back and can be either tough or soft depending on your requirments. They are normally used to get rid of grime and riding dust from you’re horses’ coat and can be used in the sensitive areas of your horse’s body.

Alter brushing the horse, the curry comb is used to maintain the brush, not for disentangling the horse. It cleans off the dust and soil that accumulate on the brush so it will be for the following time you need it. The rubber curry comb is used to clean the horse’s mane and tail, to remove caked mud and loose hair. Water Brush – you are going to use water when washing off or moistening your horse’s coat and this brush is needed when utilizing water on them. The mane comb, true to its name, is used to comb out the mane and tail, and most normally is manufactured of metal and plastic. Short metal comb variants are used for drawing manes while other specific combs are used to reduce the thickness of the mane.

Hoof picks are used to take of soil, stone and other detritus that are collected in their hooves while horseback riding or feeding in the field. Cotton fiber sponges are used for cleansing the eyes, nose and injuries, while a sweat scraper wipes off sweat from the horse or surplus water when washing. A canvas bag with drawstring, as long as it has room for all the brushes, would make a great grooming kit.

Although there are distinct advantages when buying a horse at an auction, there are also a variety of reasons why an auction had been put up and you are more likely to favor not knowing them if you have decided to buy the horse. Generally, unless you happen to be a horse trainer or Vet, you won’t have the chance to do a pre-purchase exam. Picking up the red flags from the horses of your choice is the only thing that you can do if that is such the case. Yes, they can be really subtle and may also be masked thanks to drugs or even the fact the horse was rested prior to you looking at it (which would not show some forms of lameness).

Examine the horse for any warm spots or inflammation starting from its nose to the tail. Move your hands along all the legs of the horse, and in situation the horse objects, raise the red flag and watch out for any conflict in terms of look and feel of the right and the left. You may be able to realize that the horse is arthritic if you will discover that its knee is filled with fluid or that its tendon is deformed. Try flexing the joints if you can and if arthritis is present they won’t flex too well.***

Review the overall shape of its body including the quality of coat and feet, and check out if they are shiny or dull and the toes are trimmed or chipped. You also have to check its muscular growth to see whether the muscles are well developed or malnourished and its overall deportment, whether its energetic and bouncy or dull and depressed. All these find aspects of a horse would reveal the level of care and attention the horse has received so far. If you want to know the amount and efficiency of preparation and physical exercise that the horse was able to get, then these things can put you into the picture.

Watch the horse move – walk, trot and canter – does he move well or are his ears pinned and tail on a switch? When the head moves up and down it means that the horse could be lame and take a close look at his breathing, does it roar, whistle or wheeze? It is better if you will be able to see somebody or perhaps yourself riding on the horse with a saddle so that you will have the thought of whether you are better off together. The way you felt during this experience is an fundamental consideration. It is unwise to overestimate your horse skills, or else, you would get a horse which might not be compatible with you.

It serves no function rushing through the buying process in a horse auction sale, so take your time to come to a decision. You are more likely to miss out some aspects but experience and time will help you improve with it especially if you examine a lot of horses over time.