Bits and Spurs Tack

01/25/2025

Interesting information for horses with low sugar needs

The classic summer mix of rain, warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine can quickly cause a pasture flurry in the matter of just a few days! So, it is very important after such spells, that we take extra care and vigilance on our horses who are more vulnerable to high sugar diets ☀️

Did you know that the actual time of day can have an effect on pasture sugar levels?

As light intensity increases, so does a plants photosynthetic rate, which produces sugars, right up until several hours after sunset. It often isn't until the depths of the night that the plant has processed its photosynthetic goods, and returned to its baseline level, ready for the next day of sunlight. This means that the early morning period can be the most favourable time for low sugar grazing.

If you have concerns about your ponies consumption, sugar levels or nutrition, you can reach out to our team at [email protected]

01/10/2025

It is time to start getting ready for show season, if you are not already!

Join us FEBRUARY 8-9 at Canterbury/ Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center for our first show of the year! Keep an eye on our ‘Shows and Events’ page for prize list and show bill, which will be coming out soon. We cannot wait to see everyone!

Open show Saturday
Schooling dressage show Sunday

11/08/2024

Annual store-wide sale is happening next Saturday Nov 16th! Everything is 15% off & more!! Don't miss it 🐎

03/01/2024

To all the horse people out there...

Dear Horse industry,

Stop being awful. Grow people.

Stop putting others down for the sake of one's own prosperity. Lift them up.

Stop the whispers in the warm up ring. Give people kindness.

Stop the snarky remarks behind closed doors. Find something good to say.

Stop with the clicks and underhanded complements.

Stop with the need for newest and latest fashions or tack sets but never riding your horse in fear they may get dirty.

Stop manipulating others words or actions.

Stop normalizing poor sportsmanship and start normalizing folks who work hard.

Chances are if you've had horses long enough you've encountered some sort of this. From the competition world, to trail riders, to rescues, to top level riders, it's everywhere and it's terrible and it's got to stop. It's got to.

I've met riders, young and old, who are petrified to ride infront of people because some where along the line, someone told them they weren't good enough. I've seen talented people quit because of gossip and I've seen people give up on what they believe in because folks made them belive they were only 1' tall.

When you see a rider kicking them selves after a bad ride, tell them great job for hanging in there and give them some tips.

When you see that girl show up in the rusty old bumperpull, know she likely put everything she had into her entry fees.

When you see an organization fighting for what they believe in, fight with them.

When you see the girl too shy to ride, ask her to help you out by hopping on to keep your horse company because it would be an awfully big help.

When you see the girl scared to death in line up remind them why they are there and they have this.

When you see the girl discouraged over progress, remind them how far they have come.

The world is full of ugliness, horses should be our escape, not a place we feel belittled. We are all incredibly blessed to have Equines in our life. Becoming better Horseman is hard enough without having folks tear you down.

Please start normalizing raising each other up.

Written by -Erin O'Neill