Sweetwater Ranch Antelope Valley

05/27/2025

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05/20/2025

David will be in these areas in June. And I'll be with him! I'm so excited to meet more of his customers! If you're less than 45 min off his route, there's a chance he can see you. Especially if he has other customers near you. Please contact us to find out.

May 31-June 1 Idaho Falls and Swan Valley areas
June 12-13 Boise area
June 14-15 Moscow ID area
June 16-17 Spokane & Tri-cities areas
June 18-19 Seattle area
June 21-24 Oregon
June 25-29 Bay area
June 30 Santa Barbara area

**These dates are subject to change based on how much interest he has in each area.

Follow our business page David Gilpin Custom Saddle Work if you'd like updates on future work trips and for a one-time $25 discount on any work David does.

05/15/2025

05/14/2025

'Allowing the horse to stretch on a long rein' (sometimes called 'chewing the reins out of the hands') requires your horse to lower his head forward and down while maintaining an elastic contact with your hands. His nose should be slightly in front of the vertical (not curling up behind the vertical), and his mouth should be at least level with his shoulder.

The purpose of this movement is to test your horse's willingness to work through from behind and into the contact, and to demonstrate balance, relaxation, and suppleness.

Here's what the judge wants to see:

✅ As your horse stretches forward and down, your horse's mouth should reach inline with the point of his shoulder.
✅ Although your reins are lengthened, a consistent and elastic contact must be maintained throughout the stretch.
✅ Your horse must remain balanced, with his hind legs stepping under to support the stretch and remaining light in his shoulders.
✅ The rhythm and tempo of the pace must remain the same before, during, and after the movement.
✅ The rider should take the reins back smoothly, and there should be no loss of balance, resistance, or tension.

05/14/2025

This is a fantastic scientific explanation of what I was taught, just by feel from some older master Horsemen.

You can get true trueness without ever using a bit, but it’s a longer row to hoe. But of course proper use of a bit requires a proper seat and quiet hands. Most people either don’t wanna bother or don’t even know how to obtain those things so they probably are better off riding in a halter. 

05/02/2025

Good demonstration

05/02/2025

04/28/2025

Apparently, this is what we’re supposed to do all year this year to enter at HIDHA