Expert Lillemor Lack

Questions (For answers, scroll down or click on question)

Can you use a Halloween false wig as a tail extension for an Appaloosa horse with no tail hairs?

What type of bit would you use for an 11 year old Arabian mare with a temperament of a 4 year old?

Would you please explain a correction bit to me? The one I have has a "7" shaped shank. How should it be used and why?

I need more control than a full cheek twisted snaffle has. What would you recommend next? I jump this thoroughbred mare. She gets hot when she jumps.

I have a 5 year old non-gaited quarter/walker. ... he is constantly pulling on the reins to the ground and side to side. He appears to be trying to get his tongue over the bit. ... Would a snaffle or other bit with rollers or other playthings help solve this annoying problem?

What are the positives and negatives of angled stirrups and stirrup pads?  Would they help a rider with weak ankles?

What activities should be undertaken in a feed room during the week?

How do I tell if my dressage saddle fits my horse properly?

I just bought a thoroughbred that came off track.  The man that I bought him from told me to use a Tom Thumb Snaffle.   Is Tom Thumb a harsh bit?  I know that the bit does not stop a horse, but just wanted to know if that is the correct bit.

Which bit would work best for stopping control on trails on a soft mouth quarter horse?

I have ridden western pleasure for two years and now am taking hunter/jumper lessons.  What english saddles would you recommend?

My horse drops down on her knees and then to the ground when I have tightened the cinch strap on her saddle.  Is she in pain?  Have I cut off her breath?  Have you even heard of other horses doing this?  When I loosen the strap she is fine.  Then I start over and tighten very slowly.  How tight should a saddle be?

Can you wear the tack that fits the hunter/jumper (short black coat, riding pants) if you are showing a Tennessee walker?

Could you please recommend an industrial strength waterproofer to use on my horse's blanket?

I have some free time at home and would like to learn how to make a rope halter for my horse.  Can you recommend a good book that would instruct me on how to do them?

How do you know if your bit fits properly?

Synthetic Saddles - I need a durable comfortable all purpose saddle? I've been looking at Wintec, Thorogood, & Dover.  Any suggestions?

In looking at bridles, I'm finding sizing for horse, cob, and pony. What is a cob?

What is the purpose of the port in a pelham? Why would you use a pelham with a port as opposed to a regular pelham?

Questions and Answers

Q: How do I tell if my dressage saddle fits my horse properly?

A: The following are two of many possible sources for saddle sales and fitting information in the U.S.: 
Regi Lorenz: Dominion Saddlery, Rooselli Saddles, 540-687-6720;  Heritage Saddlery: All brands of saddles, 610-431-3272. 

Q: I just bought a thoroughbred that came off track.  The man that I bought him from told me to use a Tom Thumb Snaffle.   Is Tom Thumb a harsh bit?  I know that the bit does not stop a horse, but just wanted to know if that is the correct bit.

A: Your question is a little difficult to answer because I do not know in which discipline you are training your horse. I believe that you can ride any horse on a regular snaffle bit.  If you are relying on the pulling strength of your hands to stop, rather than asking your horse to stop softly and smoothly in response to your body, then you need to drop back a step and ask a trainer in your area for advice and help with the training of your horse. 

Q:  Which bit would work best for stopping control on trails on a soft mouth quarter horse?

A: I do not have enough information about your horse, such as age, training, etc., to give a specific answer.  However, I do have a couple of tips that may help you to better train your horse.  If you are relying on the pulling strength of your hands to stop, rather than asking your horse to stop softly and smoothly in response to your body, then you need to drop back a step, instead of switching to a harsher bit.  More than likely, your horse does not understand what you want him to do.  With my experience, I would train my horse in a confined area.  It is better to feel that you have control of your horse before you go out on a trail ride.   I then would use a regular snaffle bit. 

Q: I have ridden western pleasure for two years and now am taking hunter/jumper lessons.  What english saddles would you recommend?

A: It is hard to recommend a saddle without seeing your horse.  What you need to consider in choosing a saddle is:

• The type of riding you are going to do, only jumping or also dressage.  Then you can decide if you need a jumping saddle or a saddle for combined riding.
• You will need to get a saddle that fits your horse without causing pressure on the withers or shoulders.
• Get a saddle that is a size that fits you.  Every rider is built different and has a different need in a saddle.
• Ask the tackshop where you are considering making your purchase if you can try the saddle before purchasing it.
• Have your trainer or instructor help you to make the choice. 

Q: My horse drops down on her knees and then to the ground when I have tightened the cinch strap on her saddle.  Is she in pain?  Have I cut off her breath?  Have you even heard of other horses doing this?  When I loosen the strap she is fine.  Then I start over and tighten very slowly.  How tight should a saddle be?

A: First, make sure the saddle fits your horse.  Let your trainer or veterinarian help you.  Then, begin with tightening the girth a little.  Walk the horse forward a few steps.  Then tighten one hole at a time.   Walk her forward after each time you tighten the girth.  You can stretch her front legs forward one at a time to make sure the skin is not pinched.  You want to feel safe that the saddle stays on the horse without sliding, but not tighter than that. 

Q: Can you wear the tack that fits the hunter/jumper (short black coat, riding pants) if you are showing a Tennessee walker?

A: Sorry, but I cannot answer this question.  We are a dressage stable and I do not know the requirements of the hunter/jumper tack when showing a Tennessee walker. 

Q: Could you please recommend an industrial strength waterproofer to use on my horse's blanket?  I want him to be warm and dry in heavy rain/snow.

A: Any sporting goods store will carry a few different products.  They come in a pump spray bottle, aerosol can, and a laundry wash through.  Use one that is for rewaterproofing gore-tex or for tents. We use Wilson Dry Horse Rugs - waterproof, breathable, and wind proof. 

Q: I have some free time at home and would like to learn how to make a rope halter for my horse.  Can you recommend a good book that would instruct me on how to do them?

A: I do not know of a book to recommend.  I would suggest that you try your local library or contact a Western Riding stable.  You could also do a search at Amazon Press on the Internet.  They are linked to this site.  Just go to the Equerry Bookstore and click on Amazon and then follow their procedures to search for titles using the keywords you are looking for. 

Q: How do you know if your bit fits properly?

A: You need to get your trainer or instructor to help you with this.  The fit depends on what kind of horse and what discipline you are riding.  Also check books on tack equipment for horses.  You can search at Amazon Press for books on this subject.  Just go to Equerry Bookstore at Equerry.com and click on Amazon. 

Q: Synthetic Saddles - I need a durable comfortable all purpose saddle? I've been looking at Wintec, Thorogood, & Dover.  Any suggestions?

A: We do not use Synthetic Saddles, so I cannot be of any help in giving an opinion on them.  I suggest you contact your local saddle shop for suggestions, or ask your instructor or other riders you know. 

Q: In looking at bridles, I'm finding sizing for horse, cob, and pony. What is a cob?

A: Bridles come in four sizes: Pony, Cob, Horse, Warmblood.  Cob is a large pony or Arab sized horse. Some TB's can also be cob sized. Any good tack shop will carry or be able to order all of these sizes. The best thing to do is use a bailing twine and measure your new horse.  Bring it to the tack shop and compare the twine with the bridles. Get as close as possible. Most tack shops will also allow you to take a few home to try. Will probably require leaving a credit card number as a deposit (same as saddle trying). 

Q: What is the purpose of the port in a pelham? Why would you use a pelham with a port as opposed to a regular pelham?

A: The port releases pressure from the tongue and applies the pressure to the roof of the mouth, which makes some horses more comfortable.

Q: What activities should be undertaken in a feed room during the week?

A: The most important activity will be keeping your feed room clean.  Daily sweeping will help prevent mice and other animals from coming into the feed room looking for spilled grain.  The sweeping will also keep dust from accumulating which will be healthier for you and the horses.  Keep an eye on your grains and any supplements so you can re-order in plenty of time and do not run out.  If you have a feed board, make sure that it is kept up-to-date with any adjustments to a horse's feeding schedule.

Q: What are the positives and negatives of angled stirrups and stirrup pads?  Would they help a rider with weak ankles?

A: Angled stirrups and pads are designed to help riders keep their heels down at the proper angle.  They are not, however, a substitute to having a proper stretch through your leg which helps create a deeper, more secure seat.  Some riders think they help, others do not, so it seems to be a personal preference.  They would not necessarily help a rider with weak ankles, but again, it would be a personal preference.  If they feel better for you, then you should use them.

Q: I have a 5 year old non-gaited quarter/walker. He listens to the cues fairly well (both leg and hand), but he is constantly pulling on the reins to the ground and side to side. He appears to be trying to get his tongue over the bit. He has had his teeth floated and bit seats files. The saddle shows even sweat marks, so it fits. I use a smooth mouth eggbutt snaffle. Would a snaffle or other bit with rollers or other playthings help solve this annoying problem?

A: Your horse could be trying to get his tongue over the bit. Shorten your cheek pieces to make sure it is sitting in a comfortable and correct position in his mouth. With a snaffle bit, you should see 2-3 small wrinkles in the corner of his mouth. You will also need to measure to make sure your bit is the correct size (your local tack store can help with this). You may also try thicker/thinner bits to find one more comfortable for your horse. I would not recommend a roller bit as usually this will cause a horse to play even more with the bit.

Q: I need more control than a full cheek twisted snaffle has. What would you recommend next? I jump this thoroughbred mare. She gets hot when she jumps.

A: A full cheek twisted snaffle is a very strong bit. Instead of necessarily moving onto a stronger bit, I would recommend spending time and effort teaching your mare to relax and stay calm while jumping. This would be a slow re-training process, but in the long run, will produce better results. By having your mare calm and waiting for her fences, she will have greater scope and you will progress further and be safer. You may need to seek out a qualified professional in your area to guide you through this process.

Q: Would you please explain a correction bit to me? The one I have has a "7" shaped shank. How should it be used and why?

A: Correction bits are used in western riding. Exact applications would depend on specific discipline and level of riding. A qualified trainer would be best able to evaluate your horse's specific requirements. A couple of guidelines do apply in general. Correction bits can be quite severe and should only be used by experienced riders with soft, quiet hands. The longer the shank and higher the port, the more severe the bit can be.

Q: What type of bit would you use for an 11 year old Arabian mare with a temperament of a 4 year old?

A: A bit recommendation would have to be based on more specifics: discipline you ride, your level of experience, your horse's training level, etc. Please keep in mind that a more severe bit will not solve attitude or obedience problems, which it sounds like you may be having. Only careful, patient training will result in long-term improvement. I suggest you contact a local trainer for an evaluation ride. After seeing your horse/rider combination, specific recommendations could be made.

Q: Can you use a Halloween false wig as a tail extension for an Appaloosa horse with no tail hairs?

A: There are specific horse tail extensions that are made in a variety of colors and lengths. I would recommend trying one of these instead of a false wig for a more natural look. Be careful not to leave an extension in your horse's tail.