All the Creatures

I am picky about what I wear on my feet. Shoes have to be comfortable and riding boots had better fit correctly. I can’t tell you how many times I have shopped for English style riding boots and never find a pair that have fit me. My problem is that my calf muscles are too big. Even the extra wide tops don’t fit. I have had to settle for either short boots or the lace up type.

That being said, I have found one maker of riding boots that was founded by women and their first boots were designed for women. They are Ariat. They have since moved into mainstream shoes womens that is. My favorite boot made by them the Terrain a cross between a sneaker and a lace up western riding boot. It is the most comfortable boot or shoe I have. I must remind myself to get a new pair soon ’cause the pair I have are about 6 years old and worn almost out from constant use.

One thing I have found out about riding boots is never to buy a pair with a terrain or hiking boot sole. The bottom of the boot/shoe should be smooth, if not they get stuck in the stirrup and can cause your foot to hang at the dismount. Unfortunately many so called riding boot makers still make horseback riding boots that have soles on them that are made for hiking and not riding……..stay away from them. I have a pair of them sitting in my closet, they are great for hiking in the snow but I would never ride in them. They are made by Mountain Horse.

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When I started horseback riding over 30 years ago, I started riding in a western saddle. That was fine for many years until I got tired of lifting that 40 pound saddle on to the horse’s back. I also was interested in trying out English riding so I would need more horse tack. Tack, for those of my non-horse savvy readers, is another word for equipment. While I enjoyed riding an English saddle and even showed my mare in English equation and beginning hunter, I found out that the closeness that the English saddle gave me to my horse was what I was looking for. That lead me to my love……..bareback riding on a bareback pad.

There is nothing like the feel of the horse’s movement underneath you. When you can feel the horse’s balance and muscles you in effect can balance yourself better and thus I find, you can enjoy your ride better.

That is why I say “less is better” ……less tack that is.

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For Christmas this year I have let it be known to my husband that I want to finish up the interior of our barn. The tackroom is the one spot that I really want to finish. The oak paneled walls are up and the insulation is in but I still need an interior door. I want one that is like a top and bottom stall door with fancy Baldwin hardware but I think that finding a door that is the right width might be a problem.

So far, hubby has installed new lights in the barn and there is one more wall left to be insulated before interior paneling needs to go up. It looks like the barn’s interior is only a few weekends of work away from being finished. It will be a late Christmas gift for me but a worth while one.

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