People who are buying for horse riding have a number of totally different elements
Cowboy spurs are an essential piece of cowboy gear. The very idea of the cowboy spur conjures up images of rugged cowboys and western living.
In the following article, we will explain the purpose of this western-wear equipment and offer advice for buying cowboy spurs, as well.
Common Use Cowboy spurs are used for different reasons like practical uses for horse riding, and, for collectible purposes and adorning purposes. The purpose for spurs in horse riding is generally for steering the horse.
Cowboys are actually able to dig into the sides of the horse using the rowels of the spurs, and utilizing the tack and the reins to help in steering. Spurs are utilized in horse riding for horse exhibits, farm work, rodeos and trail rides.
When not in use for horse riding, they can be used as decoration by hanging this western accessory on the wall. In addition, collectible spurs can also be purchased as an investment because with the proper care, these cowboy accessories only increase in value.
Guide to Buyin These items can be purchased from the maker (for a custom design), or bought from antique stores, farm auctions, estate auctions, pawn shops, yard sales, tack stores or online auctions.
People who are buying for horse riding have a number of totally different elements to contemplate and different designs to select from, too. Spurs for horse riding could be ornamental or plain, have swing buttons or upturned buttons and be created with narrow or wide bands.
What's more, the size of the rowel, kind of the rowel, shank lengths, shank curve as well as optional heel chains depend upon individual or professional preference. People who are new to horse riding and equipment might wish to purchase two or more different kinds to determine what works best.
It may be a good idea to buy several pairs to use for different purposes (training, shows or trail riding) and a separate pair of spurs for each horse, as well. In addition, it is important to keep in mind that spurs that are designed for women and youth are smaller in heel depth and width.
Spurs as Collectibles For collectible purposes, western spurs are made in a variety of styles and feature the mark or brand (stamped or engraved with initials, a name or symbol) of the person who made them.
Collectible versions increase in value with age and use; therefore, old unmarked spurs are valuable. However, these older models are not necessarily for individuals who are new to collecting because they can be hard to identify.
Spurs for house adorning purposes are the simplest kind to buy. The style of ornamental cowboy spurs depends totally upon personal preference. People can purchase what is appealing to them and their very own decorating style.
Collectible editions are really great for decorating because not only do these types of spurs make beautiful decorations, but additionally they increase in market value, also. Furthermore, decorative cowboy spurs could be bought at most tack shops or internet auctions for an affordable price.
I have been competing in rodeos since I was 12 years old and riding horse since before I could walk. I have been to hundreds if not thousands of rodeos now and in rodeo, like a lot of other things there are going to be some stories come around. A couple years ago when I was at a rodeo in the quaint town of Meadow Lake in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada I got on a bull that was red and huge. When I mean huge I mean he was as tall as the bucking chutes (his back was level with the top rail of the chute which is six feet from the ground, his head and horns were higher than that) and well, I promptly got my ass handed to me by him. I can remember being upside down with my hand still in my rope and my feet in the air thinking "I wonder how far I still am from the ground?" When I finally did hit, I made my way back to the chutes as fast as my feet would take me, even though it was only about seven feet since I really didn't last very long.
A bit embarrassed, and a little bruised, the bull's owner, Kody Kropius, was impressed and asked me if I wanted go to Brazil in August for a rodeo there. Kropius knows Jim Ivory of Cody, Wyoming, the President of the International Pro Rodeo Association (IPR). The following Monday I called Mr. Ivory and he gave my number to Dici Birtche of Brazil, the International Director for the IPR who invited me to compete in his rodeo, which ended up only being two weeks from that day. Turned out, there were two open slots so a friend came with me, another bull rider by the name of Jordyn Robinson. We managed to both get our visas together and got to go. Upon arriving in Brazil and its overwhelming humidity, Dici Birtche himself greeted us at the airport and we were on our way to ride bulls in Brazil! It was great to finally meet Dici and it was only the beginning of being in Brazil to rodeo for the very first time.
We drove through the city of Rio De Janiero as the sun pelted down and the colorful, vibrant city buzzed around us. Once we settled into our hotel room, I crashed face down for a few hours waking later in a haze hardly believing I was actually here. It was like a dream. I couldn't do much more than smile and be thankful for this amazing opportunity. That afternoon we drove down to Copacabana, the world famous beach, to check out the sights and take a swim in the ocean. The afternoon flew by. The next day we packed up and drove four hours north to the town of Campos Dos Goytacazes, still in the state of Rio de Janiero, the town we would compete in.
The first night when the rodeo was to take place we were kind of confused as to how time worked there. We showed up at about eight pm and it started to rain so we took up some shelter under the announcers stand and waited it out. Pretty much every event I have ever been to has a real set starting time, but they threw that rule out of the window there. It was actually pretty cool, we just waited until the rain stopped and then started the show. Even when it was raining it wasn't that bad though because it was pretty warm. When the rodeo did finally begin the opening was absolutely unreal. There were fireworks and introductions like you wouldn't believe. They made a huge deal for each of us as confetti blew from canons we carried our flags down the stairs into the arena and stepped into the spotlight.
After all the buildup of the opening, I was pumped up to ride my bull that night, and every other night for that matter. I can remember being in the chute and they kept turning the lights up and down. It was like they were on a dial in the room of your house and the producers of the rodeo turned up the lights just as you were ready to ride. The production of the event was outstanding, even though we didn't get to ride till probably about one in the morning the stands were still jam packed and you could feel the energy of the arena. As for the actual bull riding I did down there, it didn't go so well either. 95% of the bulls in Brazil are Brahmas and almost none of them have horns. They roll a lot sideways and kick the stars out. When I mean that I mean they kick with their hind feet so high they are almost straight up and down. On the three bulls I attempted to ride down there I might have made 8 seconds on the three bulls combined. It hasn't got much better in my recent trips to Brazil.
For those of you who have travelled you know how out of place you feel in a foreign country. Well take that and add having to compete in your sport and only about one or two people within a mile of you speak your language, the announcer is outside the bucking chute pumping up the crowd in Portuguese all the while you are trying to focus on competing. Long story short, I didn't stay on any of my bulls down there but had so much fun and met so many great people. There is actually a picture of me on the promoter's website where I am face down in the dirt flat on my belly and the bull is about three feet in the air showing off for the crowd. All in all it was an experience I will not soon forget. The people in Brazil are some of the greatest people in the world that you could ever meet and I will go back any time I get the invite in the future.
Everything Cowboy is run by Professional Bull Rider Ted Stovin of Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada. He is currently going to school at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas on a Rodeo Scholarship where he studies business. Ted has competed in bull riding events in four different countries around the world so far and has yet to even see his 21st birthday. For more information about Everything Cowboy or Ted Stovin,
Gaited horse aficionados recognize the importance of owning the right saddles for their animals. These horses are often competitively exhibited, requiring attractive tack. The unique build of the horses and the need for a lightweight, communicative saddle can make saddles quite expensive, especially when one considers the fact that many are custom-made. This can lead those working on a budget or looking for a bargain to consider used gaited horse saddles.
So are they a good idea? At first glance, they would appear to be a wonderful alternative to over-spending. After all, used saddles are often available at a fraction of the cost associated with a new custom made saddle. However, there is a significant downside to buying used gaited horse saddles. Let's look at few things that may lead you to look for a new option instead of scouring classified ads for a used alternative.
First, these horses vary a great deal in terms of size. A used saddle may not fit your horse properly. You'll want to measure your horse's width at the center point of the back and then check any used saddles against that measurement. If the size isn't right, the saddle will fit poorly. That's a problem because it will decrease communication between the rider and horse, negatively impact performance due to horse discomfort and can actually create a dangerous situation due to the already-precarious placement of the saddles.
Second, used gaited horse saddles may not be a good aesthetic fit for the buyer. Many of these saddles are custom-built with competition in mind. Any horse person can tell you that quality presentation is a major part of competition and that riders take appearances seriously. As such, you'll find gaited horse saddles in many different designs featuring a range of ornamentations. While used gaited horse saddles may have been produced with the tastes of the original owner in mind, it can be hard to find used options that will appeal to the individual purchaser.
Third, anyone looking at used saddles will need to be mindful of the rider's size and weight. The saddles are made with those factors in mind. It can be hard to find used gaited horse saddles that will fit the new rider properly. If the saddle doesn't fit well, it's hard to succeed in competition. It makes riding harder and increases the risk of a mishap.
Any of those three concerns can make it hard to find the right used saddles. When you add all three of them together, you can begin to sense how difficult it would be to find the right saddle. You'd probably need to consider a large assortment of saddles in order to find just one that matched the horse's size, the rider's aesthetic preferences and the rider's size.
Used gaited horse saddles appear to be a good idea at first glance, but when one considers the matter more carefully, it becomes apparent that buying new may be a superior option.
In the following article, we will explain the purpose of this western-wear equipment and offer advice for buying cowboy spurs, as well.
Common Use Cowboy spurs are used for different reasons like practical uses for horse riding, and, for collectible purposes and adorning purposes. The purpose for spurs in horse riding is generally for steering the horse.
Cowboys are actually able to dig into the sides of the horse using the rowels of the spurs, and utilizing the tack and the reins to help in steering. Spurs are utilized in horse riding for horse exhibits, farm work, rodeos and trail rides.
When not in use for horse riding, they can be used as decoration by hanging this western accessory on the wall. In addition, collectible spurs can also be purchased as an investment because with the proper care, these cowboy accessories only increase in value.
Guide to Buyin These items can be purchased from the maker (for a custom design), or bought from antique stores, farm auctions, estate auctions, pawn shops, yard sales, tack stores or online auctions.
People who are buying for horse riding have a number of totally different elements to contemplate and different designs to select from, too. Spurs for horse riding could be ornamental or plain, have swing buttons or upturned buttons and be created with narrow or wide bands.
What's more, the size of the rowel, kind of the rowel, shank lengths, shank curve as well as optional heel chains depend upon individual or professional preference. People who are new to horse riding and equipment might wish to purchase two or more different kinds to determine what works best.
It may be a good idea to buy several pairs to use for different purposes (training, shows or trail riding) and a separate pair of spurs for each horse, as well. In addition, it is important to keep in mind that spurs that are designed for women and youth are smaller in heel depth and width.
Spurs as Collectibles For collectible purposes, western spurs are made in a variety of styles and feature the mark or brand (stamped or engraved with initials, a name or symbol) of the person who made them.
Collectible versions increase in value with age and use; therefore, old unmarked spurs are valuable. However, these older models are not necessarily for individuals who are new to collecting because they can be hard to identify.
Spurs for house adorning purposes are the simplest kind to buy. The style of ornamental cowboy spurs depends totally upon personal preference. People can purchase what is appealing to them and their very own decorating style.
Collectible editions are really great for decorating because not only do these types of spurs make beautiful decorations, but additionally they increase in market value, also. Furthermore, decorative cowboy spurs could be bought at most tack shops or internet auctions for an affordable price.
I have been competing in rodeos since I was 12 years old and riding horse since before I could walk. I have been to hundreds if not thousands of rodeos now and in rodeo, like a lot of other things there are going to be some stories come around. A couple years ago when I was at a rodeo in the quaint town of Meadow Lake in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada I got on a bull that was red and huge. When I mean huge I mean he was as tall as the bucking chutes (his back was level with the top rail of the chute which is six feet from the ground, his head and horns were higher than that) and well, I promptly got my ass handed to me by him. I can remember being upside down with my hand still in my rope and my feet in the air thinking "I wonder how far I still am from the ground?" When I finally did hit, I made my way back to the chutes as fast as my feet would take me, even though it was only about seven feet since I really didn't last very long.
A bit embarrassed, and a little bruised, the bull's owner, Kody Kropius, was impressed and asked me if I wanted go to Brazil in August for a rodeo there. Kropius knows Jim Ivory of Cody, Wyoming, the President of the International Pro Rodeo Association (IPR). The following Monday I called Mr. Ivory and he gave my number to Dici Birtche of Brazil, the International Director for the IPR who invited me to compete in his rodeo, which ended up only being two weeks from that day. Turned out, there were two open slots so a friend came with me, another bull rider by the name of Jordyn Robinson. We managed to both get our visas together and got to go. Upon arriving in Brazil and its overwhelming humidity, Dici Birtche himself greeted us at the airport and we were on our way to ride bulls in Brazil! It was great to finally meet Dici and it was only the beginning of being in Brazil to rodeo for the very first time.
We drove through the city of Rio De Janiero as the sun pelted down and the colorful, vibrant city buzzed around us. Once we settled into our hotel room, I crashed face down for a few hours waking later in a haze hardly believing I was actually here. It was like a dream. I couldn't do much more than smile and be thankful for this amazing opportunity. That afternoon we drove down to Copacabana, the world famous beach, to check out the sights and take a swim in the ocean. The afternoon flew by. The next day we packed up and drove four hours north to the town of Campos Dos Goytacazes, still in the state of Rio de Janiero, the town we would compete in.
The first night when the rodeo was to take place we were kind of confused as to how time worked there. We showed up at about eight pm and it started to rain so we took up some shelter under the announcers stand and waited it out. Pretty much every event I have ever been to has a real set starting time, but they threw that rule out of the window there. It was actually pretty cool, we just waited until the rain stopped and then started the show. Even when it was raining it wasn't that bad though because it was pretty warm. When the rodeo did finally begin the opening was absolutely unreal. There were fireworks and introductions like you wouldn't believe. They made a huge deal for each of us as confetti blew from canons we carried our flags down the stairs into the arena and stepped into the spotlight.
After all the buildup of the opening, I was pumped up to ride my bull that night, and every other night for that matter. I can remember being in the chute and they kept turning the lights up and down. It was like they were on a dial in the room of your house and the producers of the rodeo turned up the lights just as you were ready to ride. The production of the event was outstanding, even though we didn't get to ride till probably about one in the morning the stands were still jam packed and you could feel the energy of the arena. As for the actual bull riding I did down there, it didn't go so well either. 95% of the bulls in Brazil are Brahmas and almost none of them have horns. They roll a lot sideways and kick the stars out. When I mean that I mean they kick with their hind feet so high they are almost straight up and down. On the three bulls I attempted to ride down there I might have made 8 seconds on the three bulls combined. It hasn't got much better in my recent trips to Brazil.
For those of you who have travelled you know how out of place you feel in a foreign country. Well take that and add having to compete in your sport and only about one or two people within a mile of you speak your language, the announcer is outside the bucking chute pumping up the crowd in Portuguese all the while you are trying to focus on competing. Long story short, I didn't stay on any of my bulls down there but had so much fun and met so many great people. There is actually a picture of me on the promoter's website where I am face down in the dirt flat on my belly and the bull is about three feet in the air showing off for the crowd. All in all it was an experience I will not soon forget. The people in Brazil are some of the greatest people in the world that you could ever meet and I will go back any time I get the invite in the future.
Everything Cowboy is run by Professional Bull Rider Ted Stovin of Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada. He is currently going to school at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas on a Rodeo Scholarship where he studies business. Ted has competed in bull riding events in four different countries around the world so far and has yet to even see his 21st birthday. For more information about Everything Cowboy or Ted Stovin,
Gaited horse aficionados recognize the importance of owning the right saddles for their animals. These horses are often competitively exhibited, requiring attractive tack. The unique build of the horses and the need for a lightweight, communicative saddle can make saddles quite expensive, especially when one considers the fact that many are custom-made. This can lead those working on a budget or looking for a bargain to consider used gaited horse saddles.
So are they a good idea? At first glance, they would appear to be a wonderful alternative to over-spending. After all, used saddles are often available at a fraction of the cost associated with a new custom made saddle. However, there is a significant downside to buying used gaited horse saddles. Let's look at few things that may lead you to look for a new option instead of scouring classified ads for a used alternative.
First, these horses vary a great deal in terms of size. A used saddle may not fit your horse properly. You'll want to measure your horse's width at the center point of the back and then check any used saddles against that measurement. If the size isn't right, the saddle will fit poorly. That's a problem because it will decrease communication between the rider and horse, negatively impact performance due to horse discomfort and can actually create a dangerous situation due to the already-precarious placement of the saddles.
Second, used gaited horse saddles may not be a good aesthetic fit for the buyer. Many of these saddles are custom-built with competition in mind. Any horse person can tell you that quality presentation is a major part of competition and that riders take appearances seriously. As such, you'll find gaited horse saddles in many different designs featuring a range of ornamentations. While used gaited horse saddles may have been produced with the tastes of the original owner in mind, it can be hard to find used options that will appeal to the individual purchaser.
Third, anyone looking at used saddles will need to be mindful of the rider's size and weight. The saddles are made with those factors in mind. It can be hard to find used gaited horse saddles that will fit the new rider properly. If the saddle doesn't fit well, it's hard to succeed in competition. It makes riding harder and increases the risk of a mishap.
Any of those three concerns can make it hard to find the right used saddles. When you add all three of them together, you can begin to sense how difficult it would be to find the right saddle. You'd probably need to consider a large assortment of saddles in order to find just one that matched the horse's size, the rider's aesthetic preferences and the rider's size.
Used gaited horse saddles appear to be a good idea at first glance, but when one considers the matter more carefully, it becomes apparent that buying new may be a superior option.
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