Western Show Saddles

2010-01-10T11:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to WesternShowSaddles.net, Providing quality Western Saddles and Tack-Western and much more! Our site specializes in Equestrian riding equipment styles such as English, Western and Australian Riding Dressage. We strive to provide quality Equine products at Affordable Prices!

We have Riding Apparel, Leads, Bits, Irons, Spurs, Medicinals, Horse Blankets, Sheets, Horse Saddle Pads, Bridles, Headstalls Tack-Western, Bridlework, English, Western and Australian Saddles, Stable Supplies, Tack, Grooming Supplies, Whips, Crops, Halters and other Equestrian riding equipment.

We carry a full line of horse and rider equipment including boots, belts, jeans, hats, helmets, blankets, saddles and show clothing, COWBOY and BUCKAROO products and equipment.

We also carry a big selection of Billy Cook, ABETTA Saddles, Montana Silversmith, Weaver Leather, Saddle Barn, Colorado Saddlery, Simco-Longhorn, Alamo Saddlery saddles, Weaver Leather, Mayatex Blankets, Cashel Fly Masks and Fly Sheets, Big Horn Saddles and tack, Smart Cinch, Toklat Myler bits, Reinsman Tacky Too Bareback and Contour Saddle pads.

Western Pleasure Jackets

2010-01-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

Western Pleasure Jackets. Western Horsemanship Pleasure Jackets Shirts, WESTERN PLEASURE HORSEMANSHIP RAIL JACKETS, Ladies Women Western Pleasure Horsemanship Show Jackets, TURQUOISE TIE DIE WESTERN PLEASURE RAIL SHIRTS JACKETS, YELLOW TIE DIE WESTERN PLEASURE RAIL SHIRTS JACKETS.

Rodeo Saddles and Supplies - Bronc Saddles, DRIZA-BONE Chaps

2010-01-07T22:31:00.000-08:00

Rodeo Saddles and Supplies. Gold Seal Hamley 15" Assoc. Bronc Saddle, Jim Houston Burkburnett Texas Rodeo Bronc Saddle, Schaefer Outfitter Original Duster & DRIZA-BONE Chaps, Mens Wrangler Rodeo Shirts, Genuine Leather Rodeo Chaps, JOSEY POLE BASES HORSE RACING RUBBER, Rodeo Bronc Halter w/ Buck Rein Saddle.

Bridles, Headstalls Tack-Western - Vintage Silver Western Show Bridles

2010-01-07T21:41:00.000-08:00

Western Tack Bridles, Headstalls. Vintage Silver Western Show Bridles, VINTAGE STERLING SILVER BRIDLE and BREAST COLLARS, Barrel Racing BLING Pozzi Double J Breastcollar Sets, Parelli Bridles and Headstalls, Vintage Sterling Silver Broken Horn Headstalls, STERLING SILVER SHOW BRIDLES.

Visiting the Town of Calico, California

2010-01-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

During my Army career, I've had a chance to travel to many places in the world, both on and off duty. One opportunity I had was a three year tour at Ft Irwin, California, just north of the town of Barstow.

Every day from Barstow, I would take the 45 mile drive into Fort Irwin to work. I would always pass a sign that advertised the town of "Calico", a ghost town just outside of Barstow.

Now of course I had heard about Calico, because I had lived in area for about a year or so. Since the California Desert is full of many old silver and gold mines, ghost towns and other historic landmarks, I just assumed Calico was just another silent relic from the past. After visiting Calico, I must say that it hardly a ghost town at all!

A little history about Calico
The 1880's was a time of the largest silver strike in California and Calico became one of the most popular mining camps in the west. Calico sits just below King Mountain, and was named after the variety of colors that make up the mountain. One man once described the mountain range "as purty as a gal's calico skirt" and Calico was named. At the height of its glory, Calico yielded $86 million in silver and $45 million in borax. The town also hosted a population of 1,200, had 22 saloons, their own version of "Chinatown," and even a red light district. Calico was a busy town during the Silver rush period from 1881 to 1896, but as the silver rush ended, folks began leaving the town behind. By 1904 Calico had become a lonely, desolate ghost town.

Calico Still Lives on with the Old West Spirit
Today, Calico still survives as a landmark of the Silver mining era of the Old West. Many of Calico's original buildings still exist. The rest of the town has been brilliantly restored and remains a popular tourist attraction. As I walked down Main St, I could still feel the spirit of the Old West, passing by the "Blacksmith Shop" and the General Store. I got some great photos of the "Old School House", and went on the "Maggie's Mine" tour. One of the attractions that draws a long line, is the scaled down mining train ride that circles the camp. If you love "live" country music, you will definitely have to visit Calico on a summer night weekend, you'll have a have a blast!

Calico remains as one of the very few spots where "Old West" marriages are still held to this day! Yes, you can get married in Calico! If you ever find yourself on Interstate 15 passing through Barstow, stop in at Calico and get a taste of the Old West, just as it was back then!

Tack-Western Saddles and Supplies - Billy Cook, Roping Saddles

2010-01-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

Tack-Western Saddles and Supplies - Billy Cook, Roping Saddles. Billy Cook-Hard Seat, Wade Roping Saddle, M & W Trooper Saddle, Saddlesmith Of Texas Texas T Penner Saddles, Chavez show saddles.

Horse Back Riding Vacations

2010-01-07T09:35:00.001-08:00

When one thinks of taking a vacation, you might think of fun in the sun on a beach, or perhaps an ocean cruise comes to mind. If all that doesn't suite your fancy, there is an alternative to the average vacation.

Horseback riding may not sound so strange, but a horseback riding vacation? Yes, you heard right, a vacation on horseback! Of course there's much more to it then that, because you can book a horseback vacation with a many variations.

Since your already in the wilderness, how about booking a vacation on horseback that also includes, salmon fishing, grizzly bear watching, big game hunting and camping? At the Mclean's Ts'ylos Park Lodge located at the north end of Chilko Lake, British Columbia Canada, you can choose a package that fits you and your family.

Now if your like me, you enjoy the warm sand on a tropical beach. An "Amelia Island Plantation" horseback riding vacation might be what your looking for. Amelia Island, located in northeast Florida, it's a tropical paradise that offers many outdoor activities.

The Baldwin Lake Stables located at Big Bear Lake, California is another scenic vacation spot for a great horseback riding vacation. In fact Big Bear is one of most popular vacation spots in California, both Winter and Summer.

If your not sure where you'd like to vacation, there are many companies like "Equitours", (see above picture) that offer tours worldwide.

There are many places all over the world that offer horseback riding as part of there vacation package. Why not take a break from the city and busy traffic and make it part of your next vacation!

Western Show Saddles - Circle Y , Dale Chavez, Billy Cook, Pleasure Show

2010-01-06T23:20:00.000-08:00

Western Show Saddles. CIRCLE Y WESTERN PLEASURE SHOW SADDLES, Reinsman Western Show Saddles, Western Reining Show Saddles Dale Chavez, Billy Cook Western Show Saddles, Big Horn Western Show Saddles, Circle Y Equitation Western Pleasure Show Saddles, Billy Cook Western Roping/Show Saddles, AQHA APHA NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW TROPHY SADDLES.

The Worlds Largest Horses

2010-01-06T17:28:00.000-08:00

In Greek history, one horse stands out as being the worlds largest horse, "The Trojan Horse". After ten failed years of war with the City of Troy, the Greeks devised a plan to build a wooden horse and hide a select few Greek soldiers inside. Positioning the horse before the main gate of Troy, the Trojans thinking that this would make a nice "war trophy", moved the giant horse inside the city. The next night, the Greek soldiers quietly emptied out of the horse and attacked and conquered the Trojan city.

Greek mythology or not, this must have been the largest horse in history.

In reality, some living and breathing horses, known as Clydesdales, have actually captured the record of the tallest, the biggest, and the largest horses in the world!

"Digger", who makes his home in Britain, measures a towering 9 feet tall with his head held high. You would stretch a tape measure to it's limits from his ears to the tip of his tail, a whopping 8 Feet, 5 inches. Finding a shoe to fit him would be a task, as his "Clydesdale" hooves measure 15 inches across. Considering that an average car weighs about 2,900 pounds, Digger is right behind at a staggering 1,900 pounds. He can easily eat three times that of an average horse and downs 25 gallons of water a day. Good luck trying to fit him in a horse trailer! As big as Digger is, I bet he makes his home anywhere he wants to!

In the 17th century, Clydesdales were used as war horses. The Clydesale name originated from the town of Clydesdale, Scotland. Their history dates back over 300 years, where they were first used as farm and work horses.

If you've never stood next to a Clydesdale, your really missing out on one of natures greatest creations. As large as these magnificent creatures can get, they are still known as "The Gentle Giants".

History of Horse Saddles

2010-01-06T17:17:00.001-08:00

It's not really known when man first domesticated the horse. It is even debatable as to what society first used the horse as transportation. But we know for a fact that man at some point went from walking to riding. We believe the Chinese, Assyrians and Persians had learned how to break and ride horses 4,000 years before Christ.

There is evidence that supports the idea the Chinese culture involved the horse much earlier, and to a larger extent, in more ways than any other known civilization. Since they were the first equestrian pioneers, it just makes sense that they developed the first horse saddle, a simple but effective saddle cloth.

Throughout the development of riding, most civilizations either rode bareback or with a simple saddle cloth. In ancient Siberia, the Scythians, who were travelers, actually created saddles that were practical, functional and attractive. A 5th Century B.C. Scythian tomb uncovered a saddle cover delicately decorated with animal drawings made from leather, felt, hair and gold. It was also discovered that the Scythians cushioned their saddles and girths and even had stirrups made from leather.

As improvements started to be made, additions to the saddle came about and it is believed that the first 'tree' of the saddle was made in Asia about 200 BC. A primitive saddle tree kept a rider's weight centered and off the horse's back. This not only maintained the health of the horse, but extended the time he was able to work as well.

Towards the end of the Roman Empire, saddles were developed and began to look like the saddles of modern day.

Today two main types of horse saddles exist, the Hungarian, or English style and the Moorish, or Western style saddle. The Western style saddle has a horn that cattlemen and riders use for roping. The English saddle however has no horn, and is contains more padding.

The saddles of today come in many styles, such as the "Show Saddle", both in English and Western versions. The "Show" style saddles are used in competition that test both rider and horse.