Pessoa’s A Contender
In our May 2005 article on shipping boots, we stated that the Pessoa Shipping Boots had too many closures. This is incorrect. The boots have three closures, which we like. The comments should have read: “A fashion statement with a bold logo and bright interior patterns as well as very tall shipping boots. Great leg coverage and come with a nice carrying case. Nicely priced for the quality. $89.95.” Although the Dover Pro boots remain our top choice, they only nipped out Pessoa because our testers preferred the sleeker-looking Dover boots. The Pessoa boots are also an excellent choice (englishridingsupply.com 866-569-1600).
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Belly Dickie
I enjoyed reading your article about fly sheets and totally agree with you about addressing the belly side of the horse.??All the sheets that I have found addressed the top side of the horse but not the belly area.??Now I have a product that covers the horse’s entire belly area. Between a standard fly sheet,??belly dickie, and fly mask, my horse is well armored against flies for the season.
Tina DeVito
Arizona??
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Side Reins
I read with interest your April article on side reins. I’ve gotten into training my 18-year-old Thoroughbred mare for pleasure driving over the past several years and have learned quite a bit more about both line driving and longeing with side reins. ??Both kinds of work have really helped my mare in the learning process. ??
I have to say the sidebar “Tricks of the Trade” was something I’ve never seen before. ??Using an old leg wrap to keep the surcincle from moving around seemed really unusual. I’ve been taught to use a crupper with the surcingle for both line driving and longeing with side reins. ??That works best in my opinion. ??
I like and use the Tory leather side reins you recommended. They’re nice and affordable, too. Ironically, a lot of the things we do in teaching our horses driving also makes them better riding horses.
My bachelor’s degree is in equine science and business administration. ??I’ve read your magazine for several years. ??I like the no-nonsense approach you offer. ??You often publish health-care-related information a month or two before other horse magazines. ??I also enjoy the editorial page and often post it on the bulletin board at the barn to share.
Robin Lawson
Ohio
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Chafing: Saddle Style
In response to the letter in May 2005 on chafing problems, I also was experiencing soreness and bleeding after riding.????I suggest your reader have her student??start riding in other saddles to see if that’s the cause.?? I’d never experienced this problem before until I purchased a new??saddle.?? It was a high-quality saddle and, being a??demo, it??had been nicely broken in.????This saddle fit my horse beautifully, but it didn’t fit my conformation.??I finally purchased a different??saddle (same brand; different model),??with a narrower twist and??shorter??seat area.??
S. Sidman
Internet
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Chafing: Saddle Size
I had the exact problem the instructor was discussing in this letter.??It’s not chafing of the behind she was trying to delicately refer to.?? I changed my saddle size from 16” to 17”, and it solved the problem.?? Although I am 5’ 6” and weigh 130 pounds, the 16” fit my behind but not my legs and body thereby necessitating the change to a 17” saddle.?? Problem solved.
Rebecca J. Larson
Internet
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Eating Spirulina
My trick for getting three of my allergy-prone mares to eat Spirulina is to include a small, gooey mix of oats/molasses, which helps the Spirulina stick to their pellets. But here’s the real trick: I add ?? to 1 cup apple-cider vinegar and stir thoroughly.?? The odor of the vinegar overrides the smell of the Spirulina.?? The first day they were a little put off, but their appetites took over on the second day.
Stephanie Abronson
California
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Perfect Balance Electrolyte
In our June 2005 article on electrolytes, we misidentified Peak Performance’s electrolyte. The correct name is Perfect Balance Electrolyte (www.peakperformance.com, 800-944-1984).
