TACK & HORSE FARM

Tack & Farm

Our Tack & Farm section features an Apparel section to find both practical and fashionable riding attire. If you ride English & Western or Race, many sources are available in the Tack section.

Building a barn? Need an architect for your equine dream home? Find one in Barns & Stalls.

Have a hungry horse? Of course you do! Find a place to buy your feed and tuck your horse in at night in the Bedding & Feed section. Looking for a place to keep your horse? You can find it in the Horse Boarding section. Keep your horse happy and beautiful with resources in our Grooming section.

Traveling? Find a Shipping company or Horse Sitting service if your horse is staying home!

Running and maintaining a farm or stable is a continuous effort, and to help find products or tools you need, please see our Equipment, Fencing and Management Tools sections.

Seeking Services? Find financial and tax expertise in our Accounting section. Companies who will help protect your investment are found in the Insurance section. For those who want legal advice about purchasing, liability, and other issues, please look at the Equine Law section to find an expert. Build and promote your business with teams from Marketing / Videography / Web Design.

Do we need to add more? Please use the useful feedback link and let us know!

by Bonnie Marlewski-Probert

The good news is that spring is just around the corner. For those of you who never thought winter would end, it is ending soon and now is the time to start thinking about getting yourself, your barn and your horse ready.

This is the time of year when so many horse owners incorrectly assume the horse that they put up for the winter is going to be the same horse they pull out of its stall this spring - WRONG! In most cases, that horse has continued to be fed very well throughout the cold weather and in many cases, actually had an increase in the feeding program during the colder months while at the same time the exercise level dropped to near "couch potato!"

What many horse owners forget to recognize is that food is an energy producer, in the same way that putting a log onto a fire produces energy. When we continue to feed high protein feed (hay and grain products) but provide our horse with little or no exercise, we get the same result that we would get if we just kept throwing logs onto a fire, a hot burning inferno. What that means is that for many horse owners, you will be facing a very fresh animal during the first few sessions in the spring. So, what can you do about it? Plenty.

Read more: Getting Ready for Springtime

American Horse Council's Economic Impact of the U.S. Horse Industry

(Washington, DC) - While the equine industry as a whole generates approximately $122 billion in total economic value, it’s commonly thought that the “big three” that are the primary economic drivers: Recreation, Racing, and Competition. However, the American Horse Council Foundation (AHCF) felt it was also important to bring in a new sector of the industry’s economic impact: Working Horses.

“Traditional working horses remain an important part of the industry, and not just on American ranches,” said AHC President Julie Broadway. “In cities like New York and even here in Washington, DC, it’s not uncommon to have horses patrolling the streets, allowing individuals access to horses that they may not have otherwise had. Horses can also be found pulling carriages and adding charm to America’s cities and historic destinations.”

The Working Horse sector consists of equines used in segments such as mounted police units, carriage operations, equine assisted therapy programs, and lesson programs, which accounts for 8% of the equine population. The Working Horse sector supports more than 42,000 direct jobs and adds $1.9 billion in direct value to the U.S. economy. These direct impacts drive a further $2.7 billion in added value to the economy and create more than 28,000 jobs from indirect and induced effects.

The Recreation sector supports more than 162,000 direct jobs and adds $7.5 billion in direct value to the U.S. economy. Those direct impact drive a further $10.5 billion in added value to the economy, and create more than 110,00 jobs from both indirect and induced effects. Additionally, nearly 13 million households have participated in trail riding, with the vast majority of trail riders- 87%- utilizing public lands to ride on.

Richard Oliver, center, is 3rd generation of owner of Oliver Saddle Shop, a multi-generational, century old business in Amarillo, Texas. His sons Zeb, left, and Bryan, right, work alongside their father.

by Lynn Ascrizzi

Oliver Saddle Shop is the oldest, family-owned saddle maker in Texas.

In these modern times, you might think that the iconic, working cowboy is fast becoming a rare breed. But, longtime saddle maker Richard Oliver, who owns and operates the Oliver Saddle Shop in Amarillo, Texas, has his own take on the subject. He and his small team specialize in building saddles for the working cowboy.

“This is cow country, and there are a lot of cowboys. The population of working cowboys in our area is staying about the same. One of them may grow old and retire, but it seems like a new one is always replacing them,” he said. And, he tipped his wide-brimmed hat, figuratively speaking, to all the cowgirls who also put in a hard day’s work on the range.

He speculated that the romantic appeal of the cowboy life might also attract some newcomers. But as Oliver well knows, a real cowboy’s work is fraught with hardships, something he takes into consideration when building saddles.

“A lot of people don’t realize that a working cowboy leaves before daylight, rides all day, and gets home after dark. So, you don’t put them in a roping saddle. The roping saddle is an uncomfortable saddle to ride. Folks compete in those saddles in the arena. They’re flat seats — not made for riding long hours. You have to put him in a comfortable seat, so that all day long he can perform his duties. A lot of cowboys buy our equipment out of necessity, because they’re safer, more comfortable and better on the horse.”

Is a horse farm one of your life’s dreams? Whether you want a small equestrian property for personal enjoyment or you plan to start a business, there are many considerations to include in your evaluation of potential equestrian properties. Buyers looking for raw land to build on, as well as those who want to buy an existing horse farm, can use these essential tips to find the right equestrian property. Find the acreage size that suits your needs and avoid unpleasant surprises due to zoning laws or flooding. Here’s what you need to know before you even start looking:

Initial considerations and research
Purchasing equestrian real estate is a big investment, so you want to be certain that you’re making the right decision. You should perform some research before you seriously consider purchasing a property. Here are some points that could make or break your final decision:

• Does the property fit into your budget? The value of the property may be in your price-range, but are you financially prepared to make any necessary updates to the residence or equestrian facilities?

• Does the property align with your long-term goals? Maybe you’re planning to expand your family, or you know that retirement is just around the corner. Once these changes occur, will the property still fit into your new lifestyle?