#western saddle tack set

[sazaartack]

Good Quality Western Saddle for Sale at Tack Sazaar Tack

View our selection of used western saddle choices at Sazaar Tack. These Western horse saddles are really valuable and robust. Every saddle is checked for quality to guarantee you have a dependable and cosy choice for your riding requirements. Experience great comfort and performance by upgrading your equipment with a premium used saddle from our selection.

[buckarooranch]

Howdy partner! 🤠

Saddle up and get ready to liven up your Western tack room with our brand spankin' new Western Tack Room set! This here collection comes packed with 8 downright fancy decorative pieces that'll turn your place into a genuine cowboy haven.

We're talkin' Western Boots, Western Hats, a sturdy Bulletin Board, a Hanging Western Saddle, a danglin' Western Pad, and to top it all off, a Hanging Western Bridle and a custom Saddle Stand. It's the whole shebang, and then some! 😎

Now, we gotta tip our hats to Sass and Freckles for rustlin' up that stunning hanging Bridle mesh. We took it and spun it into a Western Bridle, decked out with a jaw-droppin' Native American pattern. It's a real showstopper! ✨

And just so you know, each of these items comes in a bunch of colors, so you can pick and choose to match your style.

Details:

- Includes:

Western Boots (13 swatches)

Western Hat (12 swatches)

Hanging Western Hat (12 swatches)

Bulletin Board (8 swatches)

Hanging Western Saddle (18 swatches)

Hanging Western Pad (6 swatches)

Hanging Western Bridle (15 swatches)

Saddle stand (8 swatches).

- Can be found in Decorations

🌻 ~ Howdy

Some of the in-game pictures:

Patreon (Free!) | Website

[morningstarequestrian]

Suprise Western Set incoming 🤠

Buckle up folks, there's new western tack in town!

This Set was commissioned by the lovely ᏝᎧᏉᏋ [Wildflower Equestrian] on @equilibertysims Discord Server.

This Set contains:

Western Saddle (59 swatches)

Western Saddle With Stirrups (59 swatches)

Bosal Bridle (35 swatches)

Bosal Bridle With Reins (35 swatches)

Western Blanket (8 swatches)

Known issues: So i've had some struggles with the weight of the reins, I'm happy as it is for now, it may look a bit wonky in some poses but i think i'ts passable. I may come back and Update it ;)

Let me know if You experience any other Issues!

Enjoy 💜

DOWNLOAD: Patreon (free)

[sirspudd]

first little oc canon universe infodump thingy, with centaur tack and equipment... tldr autism went mad with horse stuff weeehooo

as a big ol' horsey fan the first thing i thought of was "what kind of tack and equipment would they have?" and here i am, with our first two showing a traditional English and Western set up based of irl styles and brands. I altered some of the terms since the "bridle" does onto the torso and not the head, so browbands and nosebands are swapped to chestbands and waistbands but the overall structure and namesake is the same. just kind of like a bridle crossed with a camera harness used by filmographers. Bits work the same with instead sitting as a joint with the cheekpeice and reins instead of a bar across the mouth. Their strength and specialities is much the same as in our world. anyway here is a annoyingly specific description of their shit which i shall painfully list here for my own autistic amusement. Also noted thank uuu to MlleNugget for the help with western tack accuracy as i have limited experience with them irl and they super-helped make my design logical!!

EIJI

⓪ Black cavesson bridle with plaited chest & waist bands

⓪ Two-ring gag bit

⓪ Albion K2 general purpose saddle (pictured) & k4 sport jump saddle

⓪ Anatomically shaped leather girth and Lemuiex vector stirrups

DANIEL

⓪ Colorado Rancher saddle with traditional girth,cinch, and rawhide stirrups

⓪ Tripping Collar

⓪ Simple loosering snaffle bit

⓪ Rawhide overlay headstall with futurity knot chestband

[sindoesstuff]

Sims Horse CC Finds September 6th

I've been too busy the last few weeks to put together a list and test most of these items.

If you haven't yet, I really recommend checking out @objucts roundups of Horse CC finds! There are probably things I have missed :)

Hairs

Flower Tail

Flower Mane

Breeze Tail

Fjord Manes 2 new ones

More Feather colors

EA Hair Recolors Manes, Tails, Forelocks, Feathers - Adult & Foals

Even More Recolors Ties and Ribbons

Recolors on Objuct's Short Tail

Roached Mane SSO Conversion

Unicorn Hair Colors (and Hooves)

Pintopalooza Multicolored Mane

Jumper Tail

Longer Mane

Crystal Ripple Tail Shiny, curly tail

Vintage Trip Tails in different lengths

Accessories

Halter Recolors - Leather, LeMieux, Emelie

Basic Rope Halter

Dressage Saddle w Sheepskin

Jumping Saddle w Sheepskin

EA Western Saddle w/o Bags

English Breastplate for EA English Saddle

Western Set recolors (Saddle, Bridle, Saddle Pad)

SaddlePad

EA Recolors Halters, Saddles, Pads

Saddle Blanket

Chester Bridle

Simple Nylon Halter

Nylon Halter with Stripes

Tack with Numbers e.g. for eventing

Eventing Saddle with Sheepskin

Exercise Rug

Objuct Turnout Set update

Front Tendon Boots

Pastel Western Tack Set

Stencils

Shine Stencil v2 (another creator)

Star & Snip 1 | Star & Snip 2

Blaze 1 | Blaze 2 | Blaze 3 | Blaze 4 | Blaze 5 

Leg Markings

Tabiano 

Bald

Splash

Badger

Overo

Other CAS

Realistic Hoof Recolors

Shine (3 variations) Accessorie Slot - not a stencil, makes saddlepads also shiny

SSO Eyes

Horse Skin/Shading - this might also add a shine to some saddles

Helmet for Sims which allows hair

Equestrian Clothing

Separated EA Equestrian Set found under male

Slightly adjusted Horse Mesh read notes on how it works with poses and saddles

Glorious Striped Hooves

Dream Horse Eyes

Default Replacement Hooves options with Shoes

Really Unnatural Horse Eyes

Build/Buy

Special Paddock Gate updated

Washbay Divider (NOT MaxisMatch)

Stable Decor

Invisible Horse Jump to make custom jumps

Leadrope Clutter

Helmet Clutter

Dressage Saddle and Pad Decor

Mobile Tack Trunk

Other

Lead Horse XML Mod

Better Horse Breeding CurseForge only allows one version to be installed, sadly in this case it means you can only have one of the improvements but you can download the other files via the browser

Selectable Pets Always

Equestrian Center always open

[pixelpony-cc]

Horse Tack CC Finds

Horse Saddlecloth #1

Horse Saddlecloth #2

Ella Horse Blanket

Pferde Western Satteldecke (Horse Western Saddle Pad)

Horse blanket / riding blanket (Pferdedecke / Ausreitdecke)

Pferde Bandagen / Gamaschen (Horse Bandages / Wraps)

Horse Set - Horse Boots and Saddle blanket

[bluestar22x]

The Riding Lesson

Summary: When you are hired at a ranch as a trail guide, the owner asks the foreman to teach you how to ride Western style.

Pairing: Jack Daniels x F!Reader

Rating: 18+ (to be safe)

Warnings: Some sexual tension and thoughts, lots of horsey terms

Word Count: 2,381

Author's Note: AU fic for the @pedrostories 1k celebration. Prompt quote was "Is that the best you've got?"

See my Main Masterlist for other Pedro character fanfics.

xxx

Summers were a busy time at Western Willow Ranch. Not only were there the beef cattle and their calves to tend to, but there were also guests coming and going for both morning and afternoon trail rides.

You were hired as a temporary employee, needed for the surplus of guests they got every year as the weather turned hot. Your role would be to help guide trail rides and keep the tack clean and polished.

Having grown up around horses and competed in jumping competitions back in California, you had plenty of experience for the job, except for one small detail.

You'd never ridden Western before.

You were confident you'd pick it up fast though. English and Western riding were different, but they weren't intimidatingly different. As far as you could tell, the only difference was the saddle shape, the speed of the horse, and the way the reins were held and used.

Though you figured you could probably teach yourself, you'd still agreed with the owner of the ranch to take a riding lesson with his foreman.

You had your riding lesson on your very first day, after you were shown around the farm by a stable hand and shown what a typical morning was like at the ranch.

The foreman was one of the few employees missing from the barn, having been out tending to the cattle.

After lunch in the employee building, you waited for him in the barn aisle as instructed, glancing at your watch every so often. The lesson had been set for one o'clock and it was ten minutes past.

He was worth the wait though.

He strolled into the barn with his mount moments later, the beautiful golden buckskin gelding following behind obediently, and you caught your breath.

Most horsemen didn't catch your attention. More often than not the horse was a lot prettier than their rider, but the foreman was handsome, and that was an understatement. Dark brown hair covered by a black cowboy hat, matching dark eyes, a mustache that fit his face perfectly, a strong jawline, curved nose, and an air of confidence to him, he was worthy of the front cover of every western magazine out there as far as you were concerned.

You couldn't help but feel disappointed he was technically one of your bosses. You didn't like mixing business and pleasure, but... damn... maybe if he didn't mind it, you could make an exception.

You shook your head at that thought. You haven't even said one fucking word to him yet. Down girl.

He said your name and it sounded like honey on his lips. You chewed yours. You really needed to chill, but it wasn't your fault his voice sounded sinful.

"That's me," you managed to say, lamely raising a hand up.

"Sorry about the wait, darlin'," he continued. "One of the calves got into trouble with the fencing."

"Are they alright?" you asked, genuinely concerned. You loved all animals, or at least, all the furry ones.

He nodded. "Yeah, he'll be just fine."

He held out his right hand. "The name's Jack Daniels."

You shook his hand firmly and repeated yours. "So, is this the horse I'm riding?" You nodded at his mount.

Jack shook his head. "Nope. Ace here is a one rider kind of horse. He don't like strangers. But I'm going to have you help me untack and groom him so I can show you the saddle and how to secure the cinch."

It turned out the cinch was like the girth on the English saddle, a strap that ran under the horse's belly to secure the saddle to their back. The cinch wasn't so simple to adjust as a girth was. The strap was longer and needed to be wrapped just right around the ring it looped through multiple times to fit proper.

You picked it up fast though, only needing Jack to show you twice to get it.

When you'd done up the cinch correctly three times in a row Jack let you untack Ace completely and had you carry the saddle back to the tack room. The saddle was probably three times as heavy as an English saddle, mostly due to the extra lift of the seat and the saddle horn. You managed to carry the saddle for the whole two minute walk to the tack room but it was a struggle, not that you'd have admitted it.

Once the tack was cleaned and put away you returned to Jack's side in Ace's stall. He was in the middle of brushing him with a soft brush and you joined in without a word, working on the horse's opposite side.

After Ace was completely groomed you both stepped out of the stall.

"Follow me to your horse of the day," Jack ordered, walking over to a stall at the back of the barn. You did as told and peered over the stall door.

A pretty little black and white mare was on the other side, too busy chewing her afternoon hay to pay attention to you and Jack.

"This here's Puzzle," he informed you. "She's an old gal. Nearly thirty. We don't ride her much anymore, but she's a great beginner horse. She'll be as patient as a lamb with you."

Were lambs patient? you wondered. Was that term even a thing?

Jack patted the saddle and bridle that were hanging over her door. "Had Bettie, one of the stable hands, get this for us this morning. I want you to groom Puzzle and saddle her up all on your own. Think you can do that?"

"No problem," you declared, setting to work.

It really wasn't a problem, though you did fumble on the cinch for a second before your short-term memory kicked in. Most else was pretty straight forward and Jack gave you an approving nod when you were finished.

"Great," he said, "Now she's all set to go, lead her out to the corral and we'll get going on the main part of this lesson."

You nodded and walked out of the stall with Puzzle close beside you. She was a cute thing. You were a bit sad she was too old to be assigned as your mount. Whichever horse you got would be at least a decade younger and more energetic. While those were the horses you were used to, you'd felt like you and Puzzle were already connecting.

Once you slipped into the outdoor corral, a round fenced in pen used for training horses, you settled the reins of the bridle over Puzzle's neck and the saddle horn before glancing to Jack for further instruction.

"Hop on," Jack commanded. "We'll get everything adjusted after."

You nodded and swung up into the saddle easily.

"How do the stirrups feel?" Jack inquired.

You tilted your heels down. "A little long. But they're supposed to be, right? Western isn't so tight?"

"It should still feel comfortable," Jack replied.

"It does."

"Good. Tighten that cinch one more time. Puzzle likes to stick out her gut when the saddle goes on."

You bent and reached to untie the cinch and tightened it, but when it came to securing it back you struggled due to the angle.

"Just takes practice," Jack assured you when you admitted you couldn't figure it out. "Here, let me help."

He approached Puzzle and tapped on your lower leg with a few fingers to signal to you to pull it back, still in the stirrup so he could get access to the cinch.

You did that and watched as he tugged on it once more before finishing the job.

When he was done, he grabbed your left lower leg, guiding it back into place, and the prolonged warm touch of his palm pressed against your jeans sent a spark through you.

What you would give for him to touch you in other places.

Jack stepped away to climb the fence and straddle it and you barely held your composure. Fuck, this job was going to be difficult, and it wasn't because of the new riding style you had to learn.

"Hold the reins with one hand centered over her neck," Jack instructed as he perched on the top railing.

You grabbed the reins and slid your fingers over into the correct position.

"Good, now take her around at a walk for a few turns and then a jog after," Jack said. "A jog's like a slow trot, for you, city girl," he added.

A decade ago teenage you would've stuck out your tongue at him, but mature you simply gave him another nod and followed his orders.

Jack was quiet as you put Puzzle through her paces, until she started jogging and you started pushing yourself up and down out of the saddle with her stride.

"What're doin' darlin'?" Jack questioned, frowning. "You sit in the saddle."

"Oh." You blushed as you sat down and slowed Puzzle. His confusion somehow had made you embarrassed about it. "It's posting. Do you not do that in Western?"

"Nope," Jack answered. "That saddle ain't made for that."

"Okay," you nearly squeaked.

You nudged Puzzle with your heels, encouraging her back into a jog and completed your task sitting down the whole time. You found that the jog was more tolerable to sit than a trot. Riding a trotting horse like that could be rough at times.

You stopped in the center of the round pen when you were done.

"How was that?" you asked almost shyly.

Jack gave you a small smile. "Excellent for your first time. It's obvious how many years you've ridden."

"Thanks."

"I think you're ready for a test run on the trail."

"On Puzzle?" you questioned.

Jack shook his head. "Like I said, she's too old. Gonna have to bring her back to her stall and get two fresh horses saddled up. Shouldn't take too long between the two of us."

You nodded and jumped off Puzzle. "Let's get to it then."

x

An hour later you and Jack were out on the plains of the surrounding Montana landscape, enjoying an easy stroll under the warm afternoon sun on two new mounts.

His was a solid chestnut mare named Trix, and yours was a black mare with a star marking named Karma.

As you moved over the landscape Jack pointed things out to you. The trailheads, the river that bordered the ranch, the cattle in the distance. Everything you'd need to know and would eventually know by the back of your hand.

The sun was beginning to fall westerly when he finished showing you around.

"You will not be alone the first few weeks you guide trail rides so we don't have to worry about checking those out today," Jack told you. "So I figure it's time to turn around."

You nodded and pulled the reins towards east, towards where the ranch house and barn were located. Jack did the same.

"Let's lope for part of the way," Jack decided.

You knew it was another test. "Sure."

He picked up the pace first and you sent Karma after him and Trix, making sure to keep enough distance between the horses as you caught up to them so not to cause them to bump into each other.

He observed you from the corner of his eye, a ghost of a smile on his pouty looking lips.

You tried not to get distracted by it, telling yourself he was only looking because he wanted to see how you were in the saddle at faster speeds, even though you sensed there was something more to it.

You were the first to slow your horse, and when Jack had Trix back at a walk beside you, he raised his eyebrows.

"Is that the best you got?"

You blinked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

He grinned at you and you realized then that Jack Daniels was a bit of a menace.

He gestured at a fallen log several yards away. "I heard about your jumping skills. Show me?"

You didn't know if Karma had any history jumping, but the log looked harmless, just thick enough to force the mare to jump it instead of walk over it. "Sure."

You kicked the mare and she immediately shot into a lope, headed straight for the log. You focused, got yourself into position as best as you could in the bulky western saddle, and the next thing you knew you were flying over the obstacle. The rush of adrenaline as you did was amazing as always.

After Karma landed on the other side you could hear Jack clapping.

You turned her back towards him as you both settled into a walk again.

"You two make a fine team," Jack said. "Think I'll tell Dusty to assign you to her."

You grinned. "That would be great." You still were kinda stuck on Puzzle, but you really liked Karma too.

You patted her neck and turned her to face the house once more. "Race you back, full gallop."

Jack smiled. "You're on."

x

After you and Jack had settled your horses back into their stalls, he turned to you for a final time that night.

"Any questions before I go?"

You shrugged. "Not really. Just...how was I today?"

He flashed you a charming smile. "You impressed me darlin'. Not that I have any right to be. You obviously know your way around horses and jumping them is not the easiest."

"Why did you test me then?" you inquired.

"Cause you could've lied on your resume," Jack replied.

True enough. But you had ribbons to prove it back home.

"See you around," he finally said, and you could've sworn he gave you a quick once over. When he smirked you were certain he had.

So you weren't the only one interested. This was a mutual thing. Your heart fluttered. There was a chance.

"See you around, cowboy," you returned smoothly.

He beamed at you, delighted that you had used a nickname for him and tipped his head. "Night darlin’."

And with that he left the barn, and left you to watch him go, eyes trained on the shape of his ass in his tight blue jeans.

You hummed appreciatively. This summer is going to be fantastic.

xxx

Tagged: harriedandharassed

xxx

Main Masterlist

xxx

[greenmountainlodge]

Knight Outfit & Tack Ideas!

With our new medieval event kicking off, maybe you want to stick out from the other knights of your house! We've put together an alternative tack set, with an easily changed blanket to show allegiance to your house.

Click below for outfit details <3

Gen 3 Friesan Ideal Knight Helmet | Medieval Event | 60 Star Coins or 6000 Shillings Tunic | Medieval Event | 90 Star Coins or 9000 Shillings Ideal Knight Pants | Medieval Event | 100 Star Coins or 9900 Shillings Ideal Knight Boots | Medieval Event | 80 Star Coins or 8000 Shillings Ideal Knight Gloves | Medieval Event | 70 Star Coins or 7000 Shillings Total Outfit Cost | 400 Star Coins or 39,900 Shillings

Twilight Silver Medallion Bridle | Global Store | 90 Star Coins or 9000 Shillings Dakota Western Saddle | Global Store | 90 Star Coins or 9000 Shillings Black Western Saddle Pad | Global Store | 81 Star Coins or 7050 Shillings Blue Oaks Saddle Pad | Medieval Event | 100 Star Coins or 9900 Shillings

Total Tack Cost | 261-280 Star Coins or 25,050-27,900 Shillings Total Set Cost | 661-680 Star Coins or 64,950-67,800 Shillings.

[sazaartack]

Boost Your Ride With Custom Western Saddle Pads and a Lightweight Western Saddle

With our lightweight western saddle and custom western saddle pads, Sazaar Tack provides the ideal mix of comfort and flair. Although our saddle pads offer customized support to guarantee a perfect fit for every rider, our saddles are made for simple handling. For premium equipment that enhances your riding experience, get Sazaar Tack.

[buckarooranch]

(NOW FREE FOR EVERYONE!) 🎉

Today we are releasing a ‘Pastel themed’ tack-set for you and your horse! This set includes a matching Western Shirt, Saddle, Bridle and Pad in 6 different pastel swatches. Of course you can download them separately if you want. 

To thank our Patrons for their contribution and support we decided to put this custom set into Early Access for the upcoming three weeks. 💗 After these 3 weeks it will be set to public for everyone to enjoy!

Details:

- 6 pastel swatches for the Saddle, Bridle and pad.

- You can download the set separately if you only want one of the items.

- The Saddle, Bridle and pad is for elder/adult horses.

- The western shirt is only for women (of course you can put it on your male sims but we can't promise it will look good LOL).

- This set requires the Horse Ranch DLC.

(The in-game pictures have no effect added to them. Only a Depth of Field to blur the background)

Patreon (FREE!)

Pictures of all the full sets:

[insipid-drivel]

Hi, hey, hello! I just wanted to say I saw your Basic Horse Info post and it made me SO happy. I've been riding since I was 2 (English, competitive hunter/jumper) and spent three years working alongside an equine vet. I always get so bothered when people handle horses incorrectly in media. I just wanted to shoot you a message and say thanks for taking the time to do that, and that it's super hella rad that you have barrel racing experience! I have ridden western a tiny bit myself, but nothing close to the skill it takes to run barrels. I'd love to get back into riding on my own terms someday (money pending) and dig more into that discipline. The agility on the flat is super cool to me! I am always down to talk shop about horses and riding and all that, so if you ever want a horsey chat pal, I'd love to be that person! Anyway have a wonderful day!

Thanks for reaching out! I seriously envy your ability to handle English riding rofl, I would always end up slipping off the saddle or just freaking out in general because I didn't feel like there was enough under my butt to keep me stable with English tack! Plus, I just... suck at dressage. I tried a little dressage, and my riding instructor would literally bow her head and pinch between her eyes at how terrible my posture was, how bad I was at remembering where to turn my head, etc.

I choose to blame learning to ride in my early teens rather than a very young age. Or just being a big baby, which is just as likely. My mom, who's worked with horses since she was a child, wanted to raise me in the saddle, but our finances never really worked out to where we could pull that off.

The funny thing is that I only got into barrel racing because it was the sport that my instructing horse practiced before his owner retired him from competing and trained him as a teaching horse. Once my ass was sitting on Western style tack, things kinda just clicked for me, and after a few months my teacher was running out of stuff for me to learn from the "general riding" category and busted out her old set of barrels one day just to give me something more to do! She didn't actually mean to get me hooked on it, but I don't think she should've ever blamed herself. I blame my horse, Chip, for getting me into barrel racing.

He was a sour old grump (he was about 14 when I started learning; your classic chestnut and white painted Quarterhorse), healthy, but had to retire from racing after he'd badly strained one of the tendons in his back legs and the vet warned he'd probably tear it if he had to keep competing seriously. He could still run the barrels from time to time for fun, but continuing to professionally compete would've lamed him permanently. He generally had the demeanor of a bitter athlete forced to retire before his career could really take off, and kind of... forgot he was supposed to be going easy on me when he saw the barrels. I had only just barely begun learning the rhythm for galloping and was still very, very nervous about it (I wasn't even that good at switching leads yet), but Chip did NOT care, took off at the barrels, and I suddenly found myself at a full gallop on his back, wide-eyed, and flying around those barrels.

After that? I couldn't stop barrel racing. My instructor started making the barrels a regular part of my riding instructions. That feeling of flying around those breakneck turns - the freedom and feeling of the gods of Life and Death flipping a coin on your odds of survival at the same time - woke something up in me, and I was racing casually with him and getting ready to try competition riding on a new horse when I started developing problems with my gallbladder that took me out of the saddle for good :( That's when I discovered a love for working as a stable hand, since it kept me with the horses and at the barn.

However, about 6 years ago, I had my gallbladder removed, my health has been getting better, and I now live in an area rife with horse ranches. The closest store to my house is literally a tack and garden supply shop. My doctor has been nudging me to get more exercise, and I'm really beginning to miss the smell of alfalfa flakes...

Feel free to visit my DMs/askbox again! I love reading the tags on that post and seeing other horse stories in the comments and tags, so it's awesome to hear from people directly about them :)

[piosplayhouse]

(regardless of the answer I think he would do western dressage as a sort of homage to his half demon (western) half cultivator (english) background but since there's not really a set western dressage saddle this narrows it down)

[yourhoeshorses]

more stuff I’d like to see in SSO because i am once again bored

~tack edition~

extra slots for tack PLEASE. extra slots for what tack you may be asking yourself. ACCESORIES AND THE OTHER STUFF IN THE LIST

oh my god for the love of horse PLEEEEEEEEEEEEASE put a saddle bag on the LEFT SIDE to put stuff in. I get if you cant put another running pet in it, but it would be fun to put our other saddle bag stuff in there to balance it out. also, perhaps the little strap piece that runs in between a set of actual saddle bags to keep them on the horse.

for the english saddles - saddle pads to put over the saddle blankets (one of the uses for extra slots)

another use for extra slots - breast straps, cruppers and britchens! this would be something where I think there would have to be different types to be compatible between english and western saddles in game. Like, the typical western breast strap couldnt go on an english type saddle, and vise versa. Same with cruppers and britchens, britchens could only be worn while using a western saddle and a crupper could go on english saddles (or the Iberian saddle)

I know I said this at the top, but i want to put more accessories on my horses. it would be cool if one slot would be to put bows and flowers where they have always gone, and another one to have bows or flowers be styles all across the mane/tail. just to add a little bit more personalization

[of-canes-and-manes]

003: Cleaning Saddles Ten Minutes at a Time

Now that I’ve been riding consistently for a few weeks, it became time to properly clean and condition the tack I’ve been borrowing from my mom.

Her tack, a beautiful Circle Y all-purpose Western saddle and a Western bridle sized to fit our half-draft Tim, had been sitting in the barn for ages, gathering dust and only getting used a handful of times a year. With how little she’s been able to ride and how much she works, my mom just wasn’t able to take care of her tack at all over the years. Luckily I have a fondness for cleaning and working with leather, and I had the spare time and energy to take on this monumental task.

I set up the saddle stand on the back porch, put on the next episode of the Gunsmoke radio program, dug out the leather cleaning soap, and got to work, taking breaks to rest every ten minutes or so. My mom had warned me that if done properly, cleaning a saddle should take hours. It sure did take hours, but a good half of that time was spent resting, and I loved every minute of it.

By the time I finished scrubbing out every nook and cranny, I had spent more time actively cleaning that saddle than I usually spend driving to, attending, and driving home from doctor appointments. In the interest of preserving my energy, I opted to let the saddle dry overnight and come back the following day to condition it. That seemed to do the trick, and I then spent the week working conditioner into the leather on a daily basis until it was time to ride again.

I applied the same routine to cleaning Tim’s bridle; I deep cleaned it the first day, then conditioned it once daily over the following days. The bridle wasn’t nearly as dusty or dry as the saddle had been, but it still benefited greatly from the TLC it received. And even my hands benefited from the daily conditioning routine: I get dry and cracked skin on my hands year-round, though it’s usually better in the summer, and after a week of working on the tack my hands were softer than they’ve been in years!

Now that the saddle and bridle have been finished, I’ll only need to worry about conditioning them once or twice a month, and I won’t need to do another deep clean until they get dirty again. In the meantime, my mom requested that I clean her other saddle too, another Circle Y that she’s been borrowing from her former trainer. I agreed without any hesitation at all.

First I had to find it, and when I did, there was a clear quarter inch of dust covering the whole thing. It took me a good thirty minutes of dry brushing over the course of two days to get it dust-free enough to start cleaning.

But once I got to the cleaning, this saddle wasn’t so bad; I used an oil soap instead of the cake soap I had used before, and with a little elbow grease I was able to clean it up in a matter of hours, even with breaks. I also chose to split the cleaning into multiple days, where I cleaned the whole saddle on the first day, then scrubbed out the nooks and crannies the next. That decision saved me a lot of energy, for sure! Then I did the same daily conditioning routine as before, and though it still needs a good bit more work, it’s really cleaning up nicely.

This level of deep cleaning wouldn’t have been possible only a few months ago, and I’m awful grateful to have been able to do it. If it weren’t for those frequent breaks I took, I might not have gotten through the work at all. I’ve spent the last few months learning how to pace more effectively and to take breaks before I need them, and that seems to have made all the difference. Five to ten minutes of work at a time may not seem long enough to accomplish anything, but it sure does add up quickly!

I’ve got some photos of the first saddle and the bridle all cleaned at the bottom of this post. It didn’t occur to me to take before pictures until I got to the second saddle, so unfortunately the only before and after comparison I have is of that second saddle.

the first saddle and Tim's bridle

a before and after of the second saddle

May you have a peaceful day.

[zooophagous]

"You sure you don't want to ride at all?" Artemis teased Troy gently as he patted the palomino pony with a nervous, outstretched arm.

"Nah, I mean, as a vegan I'm a bit iffy on horseback riding in general, and also I'm sort of big. I'm afraid I'll hurt it."

"Really? Cuz it looks like you're sort of afraid it's going to hurt you."

"Well, it DOES have sledgehammers for feet and a huge mouth with huge teeth. I didn't know you even liked horses."

"Well, it's been a while, but I used to ride competetively in high school. I'm lucky I still mostly fit into my breeches."

"Yeah the riding pants look like a bit of a tight fit. I don't really think I can rock that look." He mumbled to himself as he turned away. "Strauss will probably appreciate it though."

"What was that?"

"Oh, I was just wondering where Strauss got to. You left him without a chaperone? Ursula is gonna be pissed."

"He's busy grooming his horse. It's been over a hundred years since he's been riding so I figured he can have some time to get back into the swing of it. He looked like he was having a moment. I left him to it." She shrugged.

"You two gonna be ok out there on your own?"

"Well, I'm not riding outside of the arena where I can see. Strauss can hit the trail if he wants. Auntie won't like it, but I don't think he'll take off. He likes horses, and I don't think he'd do anything to hurt one on purpose, like leave it alone in the dark instead of bringing it back to the stable. Don't tell her I let him do it though."

"Hey, I'm not blabbing."

As they chatted, a tell-tale sound of hooves on the concrete stable floors approached. Strauss led his own rented horse behind him, which he had groomed and fully tacked, and even took the time to put a plait in its mane. It was larger than the palomino pony, the woman who owned the barn told him the horses' name was "Bernadino" and that he was a breed called a 'Rocky Mountain.' Strauss was unfamiliar with the breed, but its deep brown dappled coat and flaxen mane and tail cut a fine figure. He had decided it was an agreeable breed, even if it were one Americans had made up.

"Herr Cunningham. A horse is a mirror. If you are afraid, you will make the horse afraid." Strauss teased his nervous friend.

"Yeah yeah. I'm going to stay on the ground where it's safe. You can ride the stick legged death beasts if you want. I'm not that crazy."

Strauss let out a snorting half chuckle at him. "Artemis. Are you ready to get moving?"

"Sure, I was going to stick to the arena where the lights are on. Did you want to head outside at all?"

"Yes. I think I will take a lap or two around the grounds and re-join you. Is that agreeable?"

"Sure. Don't get lost. If I have to go hunt you down auntie will never forgive me for letting you out."

"Never fear. I will not be long. Just long enough to put the horse through some paces."

"Alright. Have fun now." She waved him off and went to climb into the saddle of the smaller pony. Strauss flushed and looked away. She looked quite a bit different in the form fitting breeches than she did in her usual long skirts. He cleared his throat and climbled into his own saddle and set out without another word.

Bernadino snorted and tossed his head as they made it out into the dark of the acreage. "Quiet, you." Strauss chided. More to himself than the horse. "We mustn't get too wound up. It is uncouth." Perhaps, in the absence of a cold shower, a cold evening in late fall would bring him back to reality. The horse was a fine enough animal. The saddle, though... ugly thing, and uncomfortable. Heavy. "Western style" was what they had called it. He didn't see the appeal, but he was determined to enjoy himself.

They set off at a brisk trot. It was difficult to post at a trot, at first, but Strauss soon found his rythm. It was a patient and well broken lesson horse, difficult to mess up on too much. He let the animal have its head and soon they had picked up speed to a gentle canter.

The horse no doubt knew the trail very well. He didn't even really need to steer. He rested the reins and left them loose. It was an easy ride. Relaxing. Until it wasn't.

The horse stopped. It didn't spook or bolt, but rather ground to an abrupt halt that nearly sent Strauss over its head and painfully sent him into the saddle horn. He grunted in annoyance and gave the horse a tap with his heel. It stood stock still. He tapped it again.

This time it took off, but perpendicular to the trail, and into the treeline. He grabbed the reins and tried to pull back, or to the side, but the animal moved like a train on a track until finally, it stopped again.

This time he was ready for it and braced for the halt. He carefully dismounted, still sore, and stood at the animal's left side. It stared, statue-like, into space, even as he moved his hand near its eye to get it to react.

"Neat trick huh?"

He whirled around to face the voice. A smiling woman was walking, casually, out of the treeline and towards the rider. She was young, probably a bit younger than Artemis, and dressed in a black hoodie and dark jeans. Long dark hair framed her face in waves. She did not appear to be one of the stable hands, or at least, she didn't smell like it.

"What do you mean, trick? Who are you?"

"Come on, Luther, you know how it works. Can I call you Luther? Anyway, you know the trick already. You can do it too, you'd just be better at it if you actually ate something."

He tilted his head in confusion. The mystery was slowly unraveling- while he could hear the heavy and powerful heart of the horse beating in its chest, the heart of the newcomer, like his own, was silent.

"I see. Vampire, then. Like me."

"They told me you were smart." She winked. "But I'm not really quite like you. I'm better."

"You shouldn't take control of a horse from the rider like that. You could injure someone easily. You could have hurt the horse. And you sent me crotch first into the saddle horn, thank you." He frowned, showing his teeth in warning.

"It's not really the horse you need to worry about. You're the one that's in trouble, but not from me."

"You didn't answer my question. Who are you?"

"I'll tell you but I need you to promise me you won't tell anyone else my name."

"Why the Hell would I promise you anything?"

"Because, like I said. I'm like you, but better. One of the ways I'm better is I'm stronger than you, and if you blow my cover I'll pull out your heart." She smiled brightly, showing off a set of perfectly straight, white teeth in an even pointy row, not unlike a shark. "Nothing personal. Just a safety precaution." She smugly polished her claws against her black coat.

"The other way is that I know a lot of things you don't, and if you're a little bit less of an asshole, I'll enlighten you. Also, I currently have control of your horse. If you want it back you should play along."

Strauss glowered at her with his hands in fists. "Fine. I will not repeat your name. Not yet, anyway. That is as good as you get."

"Works for me." She shrugged. As if on cue, the horse let out a panicked snort and began backing away from the pair with the whites of its eyes showing. It trotted off back towards the barn with its ears pinned. Strauss frowned as it went.

"You scared him."

"You know, lots of vampires have an affinity for horses. We're more alike than you think. For one, horses have excellent night vision. He can see as well as we can out here. There's another interesting thing we have in common though."

"What's that?"

"I'm not going to tell you. You can read about it yourself in the library."

"Did you abscond with my horse to recommend me a book on tape?"

"Not the ordinary library you dunce." She snapped. "The Van Helsing library. You've seen it by now, right? Look for the natural history volume by the Hierophant. You'll learn a lot, and as a doctor, I think you'd find it very interesting."

"How is it you know I am a doctor? How is it you know me?"

"It's amazing the kind of shit you can learn in the local library, doc." She smirked. "When you're done with the Hierophant, try looking up your own name. You'll be in records, sorted by last name. When you're done with that, look up Sylvain Pietra."

"Sylvain Pietra?" He repeated back to her. "I suppose that's you."

"Yes, and don't repeat my name again. Not out loud. I don't know if you're bugged or whatever the Hell Ursula has stuck all over you."

"Why is this secrecy so important to you?"

"Vampires live and die on secrecy, right? Why do you think I might not want the Van Helsings to know I'm in town?"

"How is it you know so much? Were you hunted by them? Held prisoner?"

"I suggest, Mr. Strauss, that you do a bit of reading." She stepped away off the trail again. "I think that you should read, get the facts as they are from a neutral standpoint, and make your own decisions about how you feel, before asking me or anyone else any questions. Fair?"

He stared her down with a flat expression. "May I ask you, why you have come to me?"

"Well, mostly I hate seeing a good mind go to waste. You've been living under a literal rock for a long time, buddy. You're more than a little desperate, naive, easy to manipulate. I just want to make sure you're making informed choices. That's all."

"Ah, so I am being followed by a stalker out of the goodness of her heart."

"You've already been kidnapped and survived a murder attempt. What's a stalker?" She gave him a crooked smile and an exaggerated shrug. "Just humor me. Read first, then you can tell your little scientist buddy all about tonight. It'll be better that way, you'll get more honest answers. I promise not to show up at your door whatever you do."

"Damn right you won't." He snarled. "If you bother any of my friends we will have a demonstration to see if you're as strong as you brag about, Frau Pietra."

"Ha! you called me Frau? Your accent is SO cute. No wonder you're the favorite. Goodnight Luther. See you soon." She backed away further and further, till only the green glint of her eyes was visible, and then that disappeared as well. Strauss let out a deep, shuddering sigh. His hands were shaking- he hadn't realized how worked up he actually was, how afraid he actually was. No doubt Frau Pietra would have bested him, if she could take the reins from him at that distance.

He made his way back up the trail to find the horse at the barn door, pawing to go in. He collected the reins and let it inside to the arena. Artemis was cheerfully trotting in a wide circle. She pulled alongside the fence to greet him.

"Oh hey Strauss. How was your ride? Therapeutic I hope?"

"It was, ah. Illuminating." He forced a smile. "I think the remainder of my ride should be spent indoors in the light."

"Oh, don't tell me a vampire is scared of the dark?"

Scared of being kept in the dark, more like. "Something like that."

[blue-likethebird]

Not to expose myself as a former horse girl but there’s one thing about the horses in botw that drives me mad and I’m making that everyone’s problem.

Okay so with the exception of the Royal set, monster set (which barely qualifies as real tack but I digress), and the extravagant set, every set of horse gear in botw has a little knob at the front of the saddle. That’s called a horn. Western-style saddles will have a horn, but English saddles typically don’t. They’ve got a pommel at the front of the saddle instead (it seems intentional that the Royal and extravagant sets are more English style in that regard since English is seen as posher than western, but it’s also funny that the scraps kilton cobbled together could be considered English tack). So Link would usually be riding western. That makes sense given what he does. The western school of riding is a working style, created by cowboys and frontiersmen who made long trips over uneven terrain, so western suits Link’s life of adventuring on the road pretty well.

However

You’ll notice Link does an up-and-down motion when his horse is going a specific speed. This is called posting and it helps minimize how much you’re jostled around when your horse is moving at a trot. Problem is, a decent chunk of western-style equestrians don’t bother with posting -which isn’t even allowed at the showmanship level in western equestrianism- unless they’re beginners who don’t have a good grasp of balancing on their horse yet. Link clearly isn’t an unsteady beginner. He can jump obstacles, joust, and aim a bow while riding, which all require a good sense of balancing on horseback to pull off successfully. If he was riding English I could accept that he’s posting his trot, as English saddles are less bulky than western and therefore trotting is less comfortable in an english saddle if you don’t post, but he’s very clearly using western tack with the exception of the aforementioned three sets of horse gear. So is he riding English or western, Nintendo?

(And before someone argues that he could be moving at a long trot where it is acceptable for western riders to “post” by standing up in the stirrups, I rode English for years. The way he’s using his lower legs and thighs to rise and fall with his horse’s gait is exactly how I learned to post when a horse was trotting)