PRODUCT REVIEW: Best Friend Western Bareback Pad

We bought this bareback pad for ClaireAnna for Christmas and she was so excited to try it out today on Cindy! This is a very attractive and well made pad.  When I opened the box from UPS, I found the pad to be just what I was hoping for.  We are very happy with it in every way!  I ordered it online directly from the manufacturer after researching several options.  I looked online and in stores and finally decided to go with this one because of the easy girth system and the non slip security provided by the neoprene bottom and girth.  I also did not want a pad with stirrups since I know those are not safe.  The pad comes in seven color combinations and is $69.99.  I found the price to be very reasonable for the quality. There are cheaper pads out there but they just don't measure up.  A more expensive pad would simply be unnecessary.   

ClaireAnna put it on by herself with no instructions and no help. 

The non-slip neoprene bottom really helps this pad stay in place
and is comfortable for the horse.
The girth is made of the same material. 

The pad gives a nice grip and helps ClaireAnna feel more secure
It will also keep her jeans from getting sweated through on longer rides. 

There is just the right amount of cushion to give the rider some
comfort but still keep a close contact feel.  

This girth system is excellent, very easy to use and tighten
 - just a simple buckle on both sides.
The pad should fit almost any size horse.
This is a medium pony and there is quite a bit of extra strap
on both sides, but also some holes left.  

ClaireAnna loves the pocket! 

And the water bottle holder! 

It's easy to get cuddly with your pony when using the
Best Friend Western Bareback Pad!

I know ClaireAnna will have many happy hours riding her ponies in this great bareback pad! We love it! 

January Auction Report

I went to the London Auction Barn tonight with my friend Stephanie Jordan.  We stayed for the tack sale and about 5 horses.  Prices on riding horses were actually up.  A couple of them went for over $700 and I was very surprised! 

We each got some great deals on tack.  Here are mine. 

Crops, $3 each. 

12 pack of roping gloves, $5
We'll use them on the farm.

Exact same roping gloves (except color) for $1.50/ pair! ($18 for 12!)

Full cheek snaffle with a copper 3 piece, french link, broken mouth piece,   $8!

Here is the exact same snaffle for sale online for $27.80!!

London Auction Barn

Ted and I like to go to the London Auction Barn every so often on the second Saturday of the month.  I use the word, "like" with reservations.  

We do like to see what kind of deals we can find on horse tack.  

   

These pure wool show blankets for $40 each were our best find so far!
 A steal compared to the current online price of $130 for the exact blanket. 

We also regularly buy snaps, clips, buckets, crops, halters, bits, and bridles.  We've gotten some great merchandise for less then we would have ever been able to find it elsewhere.  

Tack sale in progress. 

It's fun to watch the crowd.  See who buys what each month.  Get a bit of the flavor of our local culture.  Meet up with some of our friends who also attend regularly. 

We have learned to bring our own cushions since these
wooden bleachers are butt and back busters!
I must confess that one time we stayed for 12 full hours.
That's because we are crazy.  

It's even more fun to watch the auctioneers.  Hear what they say about certain items.  Chuckle at the exaggerated sales pitches.  Marvel that some people fall for them.

 "Looks like a Billy Cook!"  "Two for one money!"
"Made by the Amish!" 

What we don't like is when the tack sale is over and the horse auction starts.  We usually leave at this point. But sometimes we stay,  if only to allow ourselves to feel a bit of righteous anger.

Most of the horses are malnourished, neglected or injured.  All of them are treated poorly. Many go to slaughter.

We are not angry about horse slaughter or the human consumption of horse meat per se.  We don't consider either of these things to be inherently immoral in and of itself.

We are angry about inhumanity, the irresponsible breeding of horribly inadequate animals, the starvation of animals and the gross lack of respect for them as living creatures.  All of these things can be seen in spades at the horse auction.  It is heartbreaking.

This pretty palomino and all of his pen mates went to the
slaughter buyer for about $250 each.
That's a pretty high price comparatively.  They were fat. 

Went to slaughter. 

It's not rocket science to practice simple decency and responsibility with regard to your animals.

• If you have animals, don't breed them unless they are exceptional individuals and you have a plan, a purpose and a market for the ones you produce.  Educate yourself about what an exceptional animal is.  Your might be just ordinary. 
• Feed your animals! Provide them with basic care to keep them healthy.  If you can't feed them for some reason, sell them (or for goodness sake, give them away or have them euthanized) before they become emaciated. 
• Treat your animals with respect, gentleness and kindness.  Recognize that they do feel fear and pain and do your best to avoid causing it. 

And to all the young men who handle the horses at the action - What are you so angry about?  Try a little kindness once in awhile.  You might start to feel better about yourself.  

On a happy note, one of the times Ted did stay for the horse action, (I went home to feed animals.), he came home with this cutie!  What a surprise!

Johnnie, registered miniature horse, purchased at the
London Auction Barn for $100.
Currently employed as a petting zoo pony and soon
to learn driving and lead line.
Beloved family pet and hay eater.