The Horse Store

09/04/2026

Just in time for the rain coming this weekend,
Fury is wearing the Equishell 1680D Rain Sheet,
$134.95

08/31/2026

Those pesky black flies are out in full force!
We still have a good selection of fly masks in stock.

08/24/2026

Our summer sale is extended till September 5th!
20% off clothing, boots and helmets!

08/19/2026

Keep saving until Sept 5th! Sale now including regular price boots and helmets!!!!🤩😀😎

08/11/2026

08/07/2026

Omega Alpha HerbaCoat -Coat conditioner.
Great after bath coat conditioner for your horse that contains Citronella Oil, Lavender Oil and Neem Oil - all of which will not attract bugs the way some scents do.
1L - $22.99

08/07/2026

❓Why rein chains❓

When you look at a traditional California bridle horse, one detail you may notice is the rein chains connecting the reins to the bit.

Today they can look almost ornamental.

Historically, they were anything but.

Their origins reach back to Spanish war bridles, where chain protected a rider from having leather reins easily cut in combat. Later, in the working traditions of California, they continued to serve a practical purpose—allowing a horse to drink while working cattle without soaking valuable rawhide reins.

But perhaps their most interesting purpose is one that is much less obvious:

COMMUNICATION

On a well-educated bridle horse, the change in weight of the rein chains as the rider begins to pick up the reins can itself become a signal.

Before pressure.

Before a pull.

Simply a change the horse has learned to recognize.

And communication travels both ways—the chains can also help the rider feel subtle changes coming back from the horse.

It's a small piece of traditional equipment that tells us something much larger about the goal of California horsemanship:

As the horse's education progresses, the signals should become smaller—not stronger.

Jeff goes into rein chains, their history, use, correct setup, and many other increasingly difficult-to-find aspects of the traditional bridle horse in “The California Two Rein and Bridle — The Art and Science of the Traditional Bridle Horse.”🐴

The book was is now available WORLDWIDE on Amazon and everywhere good books are sold

Remember - Much of this knowledge survives because someone took the time to pass it on.

📖 “The California Two Rein and Bridle”— Jeff Sanders

Jeff’s Hackamore and Two Rein & Bridle books on Amazon
📚🚚 https://amazon.com/author/jeff_sanders_vaquero_author
YouTube

08/06/2026

Want matching outfits?
Kids and Ladies apparel on sale 20% off until August 15 th.

08/05/2026

For you Painted Ponies collectors we have we have received our order of
2026 Painted Ponies Ornaments. Limited stock so don’t wait for Christmas before coming in to get your ornament.