[crazy4horses205]

I am going to buy this horse and i need to get some stuff, like a saddle, blanket, bridle, ect. he is about 14.2 and i am 5ft 1 inch. what size saddle should i get?

and do i need to buy like an outdoor blanket for the winter? he will be on pasture with a lean to. there will be other horses with him.

Thanks, Rachel

[*lauren & jp*]

i'll just tell you everything that's in my tack box and everything else i have for my two darlings! lol they're SO spoiled!!! and i think it'll give you an idea of some of the things you need/might want to get for your horse! hehe!

grooming brushes (hard/soft/finishing/face/etc.)
mane/tail brushes AND combs
hoof picks
grooming shammies
sweat scrapers
sponges
curries
shedding blade
polo wraps/splint boots
bell boots
saddle pads
halters
leads
saddles
bridles
bits
turnout blankets
turnout sheets
coolers
fly masks
shipping boots
stable blankets
VETRAP!! i LOVE that stuff (for some reason...lol!)
fly spray
laser sheen (it works as a body shine AND a mane/tail detangler i LOVE it!!!)
ALL the COWBOY MAGIC stuff!!!!!!!!
M-T-G (WONDERFUL stuff!!!)

um.........i can't remember what else i have....the list goes on, but i think you'll be able to get an idea from all that!!!!
o-and CONGRATS on getting a new horse!!!! what do you plan on doing with him?!

[crazy4horses205]

I just want to trail ride and go to a few fun shows. what do you use leg wraps and bell boots for? oh thanks!

[Moostang]

Well saddle size varies by rider and horse, you should take the horse to a saddle shop and have both of you fitted for a saddle, a poor fitting saddle can lead to a sore, stiff and unhappy horse.
As for a blanket, it really depends on your horse, his shelter and the winters where you live. I would ask some locals that keep their horses in the same type of shelter you plan on keeping him in, what they would do. Although I always say keeping them blanketed won't hurt as long as once you start blanketing you keep doing it through that winter.

[*lauren & jp*]

you DON't HAVE to use leg wraps and bell boots but they just protect their legs/feet and the leg wraps/splints give a little extra support! leg wraps might be a good idea on the trail if there's stuff that could scratch up his legs or something but you don't HAVE to use them!

good luck with him and have FUN! and you're welcome!

[Moostang]

Actually leg wraps on the trail is bad, they get stuck with stickers that can work themselve between the leg and the wrap (also they to pull the stickers off), if you cross water then they tend to stay wet then they get muddy and you have to clean them. I don't use leg protection on the trail for that reason, but if you really wanted to I would go with a splint boot, maybe one of those rubber types that stickers would have a hard time grabbing onto.

[crazy4horses205]

Where he lives now he is not blanketed, and he is pastured. he is losing weight and i was wondering if it might help him to start gaining weight if he had some kind of turn out blanket. i know that if he is clipped then he definatly needs a turnout blanket, but i don't think i will clip him because i don't think i will be riding him that much during the winter to have to worry about that. i live in missouri and the weather is extremely wierd!!!lol this month we had like 6 inches of rain within the first week of january. then the temp dropped down like 30 degrees and it snowed and frosted and iced and was like 9 degrees in the morning and like 15 degrees in the afternoon. and then the temp went up to the 60s for a few days then went down and back up again!!! now it in the mid 30s

[Moostang]

If you provide good shelter and start him on grain they you should need a blanket, but a rain sheet might be nice if he is the type of horse to stand out in the rain like mine.

[crazy4horses205]

i think he is because every time i see him he is completly brown instead of a paint! and it takes me practically an hour to get him clean since it is way to cold to give him a bath.

[CJ]

I would think a light blanket, preferably one that breathes, or heavy turnout sheet, would be worth owning. If you're trying to put weight on him, then he won't have to work so hard to stay warm in a wrap. Ditto if he's older. But putting one on means being available to take it off on real warm days. There's nothing more pathetic than a blanketed horse sweating out 60+*s.