Two Horse Tack Beta-Biothane Halter!

 Natasha from Two Horse Tack contacted me to do a Product Review of her Beta-Biothane tack line. I was pretty excited as I have never dealt with Beta-Biothane, and heck - who doesn't love trying out new tack?!

I went with their Turnout Halter & Lead made from Beta-Biothane in the two-colour combination.

The website states that "it's the only halter you will ever need!" due to the fact it is super strong & made of easy to clean material. The halters feature double buckle crown pieces, easy on and off throat latch snaps, an option to purchase a breakaway leather crown piece, an optional matching lead and stainless steel hardware.

Beta-Biothane

A little more on Beta-Biothane: the website claims it to be more durable than nylon or leather. It also says that the color will stay true even after years of use, and to clean dirt around the stitching you can wash the tack in the washing machine! Finally, what I found interesting is that it doesn't absorb moisture or sweat like leather does, and the web coating serves as padding so it's comfortable for your horse.

So what did I think?

well first, let's all just say how cute my model for today Buster is. I went with the black halter with red on top, because ultimately (of course) this will be Jingle's halter and those are his colours!

Fit

I really liked the fit and feel of the halter on Buster. The snap throat latch and double buckled crown is a really nice addition, plus the roller clasps work really well with easy adjustment. I'm always in the market for tack that can easily adjust from one horse to another since we're constantly using our tack on different horses in our training operation. These halters definitely have that.

Function

For what I do, I would have preferred a rope lead, and will probably end up switching out the beta-biothane lead for a traditional rope lead. I like to be able to have a long line so I can lunge a small circle if I need too, and also I prefer to tie to poles/fence/etc. with rope.

I also wanted to test how easy this halter was to clean. So I found legitimately the only mud-pit in the desert, a very gross cess pool of wash-rack run off and literally drug this halter through the muck. All I did was hang it in our wash rack, quickly sprayed it off, and then left it to dry.

After an hour it was dry, and after a day of sitting outside it was slightly dusty, but otherwise like I had never gotten it dirty or left it outside. Pretty impressive. Unfortunately the desert dust really seemed to show up on the black, so next time I might go with a different colour. 

Overall...

Overall, I really like the halter and especially like the idea of the halter and the quick-clean Beta-Biothane. At our operation we have the "home halters" and the "show halters", the home halters take quite the beating - from having the horses tied up while their saddled, washed off after we work them, tied to the fences while they are turned out - they see a lot of the elements and show it. This material is way tougher, and way easier to clean, and would be a much better substitute to have a better looking, yet still cost-effective halter at home.

I'm pretty happy with my new little halter and can't wait to throw it on Jingle and see how he looks in it! (He will look adorable... obviously) Plus, speaking of Jingle, i'm mulling around the idea of possibly trying the two different styles of Side-Pulls that Two Horse Tack provides - and if I do end up trying them out of course I will let you guys know all about it!

Try it yourself!!

Finally, Natasha over at Two Horse Tack has offered up a coupon to my readers if you guys would like to try out some of their cool Beta-Biothane tack - don't miss out!!

For Sale:

Confession: I am a tack hoarder, and it is a problem

Reality: I am leaving for the states, and have a large amount of random tack in my garage that I don't need, nor use. Also, I have a non-horsie mother who loves to purge-clean... all I need is her to get in a mood and throw out all my tack.

So... Some of it is going up for sale! If any of you are interested in anything (or know anyone that is interested) please let me know. My email is lmurchwhite@gmail.com. Plus, I'll give you a blog-friend discount! :) Help my "Move to 'Murica Fund!" haha

1. Steve Guitron Horse Hair 8 plait Hackamore Set for Sale

really nice quality, especially for the price, still has the tags on it, and was on my horse for a total of 5 minutes. I'm leaving to the states in a month and am just trying to sell of the tack that I don't need/can't come with me.Paid $175.00 for the set, this was a "special" he did that he no longer offers, the regular price would be over $200.00 

I am willing to sell for $140.00, shipping not included.

2. Rope Cinch from Frontier, size 34

never used

$20 + shipping

3. Weaver Smart Cinch 27 Mohair Strand, lightly used, originally paid $60, will take $40 OBO + shipping

4. Ariat field boots, very lightly used, too slim in the calf for me 65 + shipping

5. Professional's Choice SMX Ortho Pad, Lightly used, purchased a few months ago for $210.00, willing to sell for $150 OBO + shipping

6. Classic Equine ESP pad, Lightly Used, purchased a few months ago from Frontier for $190.00, willing to sell for $130 OBO + shipping

7. Weatherbeeta Everest Winter Blanket, 1200 Denier with Heavy Combo Neck, Size 72". Barely Used... i think my boy wore it about 10 times, super warm blanket. Bought for $140, willing to sell for $90 OBO + shipping 

10. Nylon Side-pull from Frontier, never used, paid $35, willing to sell for $20 OBO + shipping

Tack Issues & Where We Are Now...

When I brought Jingle home, I also brought home a brand new saddle - a Jeff Smith Cowhorse, that I really, really liked. It was a bit too much money, but it was good quality, and it was pretty, and I thought that me and my boy deserved it! I also purchased a Classic Equine ESP pad.

Shortly thereafter, I decided against the ESP pad - way too thick, and didn't conform to his back at all. This was when I first noticed "slipping" of my saddle, I contributed it to the pad, and purchased an SMX Professional's Choice Contoured Pad, seen below.

It was at the same time that I was riding Jingle in a D-Ring, Three Piece Snaffle with Copper Roller, and a noseband, to try to get through his wicked head tossing/mouth chomping issues. It didn't seem to work. So we moved into the sidepull.

His first Sidepull was Weaver brand with a rawhide nose-piece that I wrapped in red vet-wrap, to match his Red Professional's Choice SMB Elites, and his Black Bell Boots. Very quickly we found a happy medium in the sidepull - my horse was stomping his hoof down, he's bitless gosh-darnit!

Yet, I was still feeling that "slipping" issue, and proceeded to take thousands and thousands of these types of photos...

This would occur right after I took Jingle's saddle off, uneven hair, odd dry-spots.

I contacted Frontier and was informed that with winter-hair coats, sometimes the sweat doesn't have a chance to soak through the entirety, which causes these "dry-spots". Uhm. No. You are wrong. Thanks for playing. My saddle wasn't fitting right, and so I found a lady that specializes in cowhorse saddles, but also takes a lot of trade-ins, I figured I would find a used cutting or reining saddle from her. But, once again, my "spend more for higher quality" mentality kicked in and I ended up with a very nice saddle indeed... too nice...

It was a Don Rich cowhorse saddle, but I discovered I still felt that "slipping" feeling, compound that with the fact that the fleece lining underneath was uneven... I quickly returned it, and got a second, even nicer one, as an apology.

what an awkward stance my horse has going on in this shot...

So nice. so dang nice. I loved it, it was beautiful. However, it was "slipping" too, always on Jingle's right side, I could just feel shifting. My trainer wondered if I'm so used to the feeling that now I over-compensate for it, and try to adjust before it actually does slip. My massage therapist commented that my right side is tighter. Jingle's massage therapist commented that his back is uneven, especially in musculature, and slightly lowered.. you guessed it... to the right. 

Add to that, Jingle actually has a nice normal back, except just behind his shoulders/withers there is a slight dip, causing those dry-spots and uneven places.

I knew I needed something almost a bit too wide, and something that would accommodate my horses funky back as we tried to get him back to being evenly muscled, and working properly. All these saddles I had been trying were just too narrow and sitting right up on his withers, even though EVERYONE and their dog told me they were all fitting fine, I knew that it wasn't. 

During this time I found a lady via Facebook that make's very nice bitless attachments for bridles. I purchased one from Amanda's Halters, and it works wonderful, not only is it attractive, it's made out of parachute chord so it's tight and has a bit of a bite if I need it. Finally, I was tickled pink because I finally had my horse back in one of his pretty bridles, not those ugly plain sidepulls i'd been dealing with. Now, my next plan is to bling up the Sidepulls I have! 

The Lady I had been working with found me a nice saddle, a Don Rich, but more of a Ranch Cutter/Cowhorse, it was a bit wider so it could sit right down on those darn withers, and it fit me really nicely. We had to ride in a demo, and then finally, mine came. She even oiled it two-tone, especially for me. I love it.

Looking a bit dirty here after a couple months of riding - the only downside to roughouts is how quickly they show use, but I love roughouts, and don't think I'd go without one now.

I am also riding Jingle in a Professional's Choice Air-ride with the built up shoulders. These pads are hard to find because Prof. Choice has been phasing them out in replacement with the contoured pads, which I don't like as much. The only built-up pads you can get right now are generally stupidly expensive, ugly, or round-skirted for barrel racers. This pad has been perfect.

Jingle also got new black SMB's, as his red ones were falling apart, and I need to get them re-stitched. I think they look quite nice on him, I really like the contrast of all the browns, blacks and whites with his tack right now. 

& of course, I had to throw in some bling... a pretty little saddle cross I picked up at Lammles.

Finally, I'm riding him in a professional's choice neoprene cinch. I don't love neoprene, infact I have quite a few very nice (read:expensive) mohair cinches I'd prefer to ride Jingle in, but the fact of the matter is Neoprene sticks, and with a hard to fit horse, that's what you need. I may switch back into mohair for summer trail riding, but for right now, neoprene is serving us very well.

Jingle says, "How crazy do you think my mahm is? I think she'z at a 10 for sure. Rumour has it she bought me a bosal for my birthday. She haz a problem."

So, what's the point of this post? I guess that I am a nut-job and completely, totally addicted to shopping for my horse. Holy moly.

Equestrian Challenge: Day 6 & 7

Life has popped up and reared it's ugly head, meaning I am very behind on these challenges, so you get two in one day! Yipee!

Day 06- All the tack and riding clothes you have 
(brand/color/other details)

This one is a joke... right? haha. I am obsessed with tack & riding clothes, but here goes, the short list....

This is my Jeff Smith Cowhorse, I am in love with it - it's an awesome saddle. However, lately i've been noticing some dry spots after hard workouts with Jingle, so I think it might have to be traded in. So sad.... I'm crazy enough to want to keep it, just because I love it so much, and buy another saddle for Jingle. But, after an ouchy truck-bill I got from the mechanic today, that's just not happening.

So, anyone looking for a Jeff Smith cowhorse saddle, FQHB? Super nice saddle, would fit any normal QH build (except for my scrawny, awkward withered horse) Bought it in September for $2600, always kept in a heated tack locker, mainly ridden inside, only been outside twice. Comes with Nettles stirrups & i'll throw in a brand new Billy Cook mohair cinch.

Jingle has Red Professional's Choice SMB's, front and backs, aswell as black PC bell-boots.

Here you can see his two bridles, I forget the brand of one, but it's nice, it's my back-up bridle and for quick-change bits. Then second-in from the right is my Weaver headstall that I'm in love with. I have the matching breast collar, and it's my only full tack set. Then his two halters, one is a weaver with rawhide noseband, the second is halter I had made from Chick's saddlery, it has his barn name on the noseband, and his registered name on both cheek pieces. Love it.

Then, as you guys now, Jingle chose to be ridden in a sidepull, so bye bye bits and beautiful headstalls - hello ugly, plain sidepull. This one is a weaver sidepull, it's nice - gets the job done. 

In my tack locker I have a little self container of odds and ends, here you can see my helmet, the aforementioned breast collar, and Jingle's Weatherbeeta cooler, with attached neck piece. He also has a rugged wear medium blanket, a weatherbeeta heavy blanket, and two different rain/summer sheets.

Odds & Ends - notepad and pens to jot things down, extra dewormer, a couple bits, and chin straps.

Extra reins, lunge line, Mane & Tail Shampoo & Conditioner. This is also where his Vetricyn, MTG and miscellaneous oils & potions I have goes.

Tack Box, contains brushes, hoof picks, Riva's remedy salve for inflammation that I sometimes apply to his face after a hard ride, Leave in-conditioner for his mane and tail, braiding elastics, etc.

As for riding clothes.... my favourite riding jeans are Wrangler Sadies, and I have 3 different Lululemon Stride Jackets that I love to ride in. They are pretty much just sweaters, but they are super long, so they don't ride up under my vests, and they have the loops for your thumbs, so they keep my hands warm. I I always ride in a vest, my favourites are the ones from Marks, waterproof and super warm. Finally, my favourite socks are Justin boot socks, super warm, and they go really tall but don't dig into your legs... which a lot of high socks I have do. Finally, I have my go-to Justin's that I ride in, they are pink high tops, and I adore them. I rarely ride in anything else. I also have my pink muck boots, which are essential in keeping my toes warm pre and post ride. :)

Day 07- Your favorite ribbon won at a show and why

Haha, this one is easy to include beeeeecaaaaauuuuussseeeee... I have never won a ribbon before - maybe one day. I sure hope so.

Season of Spending: Tack!

In this episode, your hero continues to spiral into depression due to her bank account slowly approaching the red, day by day.. but has two new bridles to show off, so she manages the depression by smelling the new leather smell.

horse people, you know what i'm talking aboutttttt!

The headstall and bit were actually gifted to me (best friend eveeerrrr), so I just bought the chin strap and reins for this simple, basic snaffle bridle.

I think having a simple snaffle is a must in every tack room. It's just a "go-to" piece of equipment, new horse that you don't know much about - snaffle. "bringing it back to basics" day - snaffle. & for a lot of people, everyday use - snaffle.

The headstall is pretty plain jane and once my winter classes finish up I think it may become my test-run headstall for attempting to bling out my own tack. Obviously a blog post will follow with results! I'm thinking really tame though (as I tend to get ideas of grandeur-craft projects in my head that only end up making me sad and disappointed). I'm thinking of swapping out the conchos that are already there for something with a bit more pizzax and maybe doing some conchos along the browband, nothing too fancy.

Next...

Next up - my new favourite bridle. It's an "Outlaw collection" Weaver headstall. I'm obsessed with weaver - they get me, tack wise. They really do. I paired it with nice thick 5/8" X 7" Reinsman reins.

The bit is a Reinsman 3" Dee 5" Mouth, Offset Dee 7/16" 3 piece with copper roller.

From the Tag: "Designed to apply pressure to a horse's lips on the opposite side of the face to help him turn. mouthpiece breaks over the bars at an angle to contact new nerves and add some tongue for better control. Copper adds a sweet and sour taste for moisture and will also act as a pacifier for horses that chew on the bit."

The story behind this headstall is that last summer I was riding my boy in an Argentine snaffle***, (so a broken mouth piece with shanks). Now, if you frequent horse forums like I do, this style of bit is pretty controversial... a lot of people love them, a lot of people absolutely despise them. 

*Note - this is not the same bit as a Tom Thumb - which is, by my standards, the most hated bit (that is in regular use) in the world at the moment .

**He is wearing that particular bit in my header images

Anyways, he was going fine with it but then I was starting to have issues with his turning, and we realized he was shying away from the leverage, and basically wasn't ready for it. Now, whether or not it was the bit, or the rider, or the horse - my philosophy on bits is that whatever they go happily, comfortably and successfully in, is the bit for them. (Obviously this is a very simplified statement, a horse could go well in a bit that straddles the harsher side of things with soft hands, etc. etc. but you get my point) 

So, towards the end of summer, around the same time I decided I was going to buy that damn horse one day, I decided that I was also going to find the best bit for him. Then, as the story goes, he went away to winter pasture and I was left with a big 'ol void in my heart and a lot of time to research bits on my hands.

Earlier this year I rode at my old trainers in a bit VERY similar to this, but with copper rings, instead of rollers. I really liked the feel and design behind it. I couldn't find that exact bit, and found a couple that I toyed around with until I found this particular bit, and decided to choke back the slightly high price, ($94.95) and go for it.

It's a decently mild bit, but the 3 piece with the combination of the D cheek pieces adds some control, tongue pressure and applies pressure to slightly different nerves than a single jointed bit that has the "crackerjack effect". Of course, it doesn't have leverage, which he was evading, and the sweet iron/roller combo helps with salivation and pacification. I'm hoping this is the bit he ends up really liking, but if not, we'll continue searching... and i'll continue buying. (Of course)

However, I think this will work as a really good "back to basics" bit for me and my boy come spring.

So, this is how my riding closet is decorated at the moment. See?! such intelligent buys! Decorative and functional!!

Until next time - happy spending.

What bits do you have that you love/hate?! Let me know!