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  "Lyons Training 101" Keith Hosman, Certified Trainer
Horsemanship101.com
Western Saddle How-To Info
Trainers - Articles - Training by Topic - Books, Video, Clothes, Tack - Saddlery

Western Saddle How-To Guide
Hello!

The next issue of my horse training newsletter is coming soon - but today here's a great tool:

The "Info Center" at HorseSaddleShop.com is open & has answers to your western saddle questions:

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How do I place the saddle correctly?
- How do I keep my saddle from squeaking?
- How do I measure my horse's weight?
- What's this part of the saddle called?

They've got comprehensive articles answering tons of the most frequently asked questions. They've got the largest selection of premium saddles on the web. They've got the experience it takes to get you outfitted with the correct saddle & pad.

- What's a flex tree?
- How do I fit the hard-to-fit horse?
- How do I care for the saddle I've already got?
- Which saddle pad should I use?

Jump directly to the complete listing of articles - or read samples below.
 
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Here are just some of the available articles:

"How to Properly Fit a Saddle to a Horse"
"How to Get the Correct Stirrup Length"
"How to Turn Your Stirrups"
 
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- See the entire list of Saddle Guide articles
- Articles Featuring the Methods of John Lyons
- Tell a Friend (send them an email)
Downloadable Round Penning
"Round Pen: First Steps"
Saddle Fitting: Short Backed
How can you tell if your horse has a short back? Your horse's conformation can be divided into thirds. From the peak of the withers to the point of the hip, a horse's back should measure one third of its overall length. If your horse has less than one third of its length in the back, it's back is considered short. A short back can increase your horse's agility, but also limit flexibility.

Important Points to note while saddle fitting a horse with a short back:

- First ensure that you know your seat size as well as what size tree your horse needs. The basics of saddle fitting still apply.
- The problem area for a short backed horse comes in the length of the bars of the saddle tree and the length of the skirt. The saddle tree or skirt should in no way interfere with the movement of the horse's hip. If you have a saddle...

See the whole article "
Fitting Short Backed Horses"

Also find saddle fitting for other hard to fit horses:

High-withered horses
Swayback horses
Mutton withered Horses
Flat-backed horses
Which One's Right For You?
Use the Saddle Expert™ System to get the right western saddle for you and your horse.

Breed, conformation, price range... leather or synthetic... horse and rider info, from weight to height, from wither type to riding type... the experts will consider your individual situation and offer tailored recommendations.
How to Care for Your Saddle
Your saddle purchased from us is made from hand selected saddle skirting leather, chosen for its durability and extreme strength. However, any leather must receive regular care to preserve this strength and long life. At least four times each year your saddle should be completely cleaned with a good soap or detergent, and then well oiled with a good neatsfoot oil. In wetter climates this should be followed more often, as continued moisture is very harmful to leather. With a program of reasonable care, your saddle should last for many years. The products we use to clean and oil our saddles are listed below.

Here are 7 SECRETS of Saddle Care by Circle Y:

1) Do not store saddle in plastic or other non-porous covers.

2) Allow a wet or damp saddle to air-dry naturally away from any other source of heat. Apply a little Bick 4 leather conditioner when the saddle is nearly dry to restore flexibility....

3) To prevent mildew, protect the saddle from excessive humidity. In a dry environment, regularly condition the leather to prevent the saddle from drying out and cracking....

Read this entire article
Choosing the Proper Pad
When it comes time to purchase your next saddle pad you can become overwhelmed with choices. There are several materials saddle pads are made of, and multiplied by the different shapes, it could leave the decision complicated and more like a shot in the dark than an informed decision. We hope to take the mystery out of the proper pad for your horse and saddle.

Saddle Pad Construction: Different Materials

- Fleece: One of the most common saddle pads is the pad made with a fleece bottom. The fleece is often either a synthetic fleece or actual wool or sheep fleece. This is a soft material that is also under many saddles. The wool fleece has a bit more cushion than synthetic fleece but it does not usually have the longevity of synthetic fleece and often becomes matted and compacted quicker. There are chemicals in the horse’s sweat that...

Read this entire article
 
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Thanks for reading!

Keith Hosman, John Lyons Certified Trainer
Horsemanship101.com
 
Saddle Savings!
Saddle Savings!
Saddles, bridles, pads, you name it- at up to 30% off!

Now available:
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Saddles
- Saddle Pads
- Headstalls/Bridles
- Helmets
- Halters and more!

Free shipping on orders over $150 and no sales tax! (except to Indiana)
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John Lyons Reins
John Lyons Reins
- Get the same reins we use in our clinics for $41.99
- Get the bit John recommends $38.99
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Trailer Savings!
Trailer Savings!
Find a trailer selling near you at great prices on eBay. See my new site:
Local Horse Trailers
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Training by Topic
Find answers fast:

- rider confidence
- young horses
- trail riding
- bucking, rearing
- tying/pulling back

see 300 more topics
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Wanna Teach Trailer Loading?

My Downloadable Book "Trailer Training" can help!

Here's a sample
from Day One:

"Is this you? On a good day your horse will get in the trailer after a few minutes of cajoling. More often than not, it's about fifteen. Today you're headed to a riding club event and the group leaves at 10am sharp. You're running a bit late, but as you lead your horse to the trailer, you're figuring you'll make it fine if the horse is having a "good-to-medium day." If he loads by 9:15; you can drive the speed limit and stop for coffee. If not, you gotta do 80 – past Starbucks. You "like" your horse at this point. Problem is, your horse has gotten up on the wrong side of the manger and he's thinking "I'll die first and take you with me." Insert your own worst nightmare here. Forty minutes later you're thinking things like "It's just a stupid trailer," "I'll drag your butt in" and "Your (expletive deleted) mother was the same way."

Horses either get in smoothly or they balk. If your horse balks, he doesn't load. Period. Trained horses simply walk into the trailer. Not after 10 minutes of begging. They just walk in. That's lesson one and our ultimate goal. If your horse has become a hard-luck case then it's going to take time, consistency and work from you to get this straight – but you will. The good news is...

To read more, see
this page

5 days, just $4.99

Also available:
"Stop Bucking"
"Rein In/Speed"
"Round Pen"
Get more info