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Home » Saddles and Tack

Billy Cook Saddles with Adam Trenk

April 20, 2021 by John 1 Comment

Billy Cook Saddles, A Tradition of Craftmanship

Billy Cook Saddles

Billy Cook

Billy Cook Saddles have been around since 1953. Saddle making has always been a mystery to me. It’s a craft, a skill. Working leather has so many aspects: tanning, cutting, stamping, sewing. A saddle maker needs to know all of these skills. He needs to know how to choose the leather too.

When Billy Cook passed away in 2019 at the age of 89, it looked like his saddle business might die too. That business included several loyal employees, many who were skilled artisans. Rutilo Orsonio had worked with Billy Cook Saddles for 40 years. Jody Rames had been with Billy for nearly 30 years.

Billy Cook SaddlesAdam Trenk, a business attorney, got a Billy Cook saddle when he was 12. He had fond memories of the saddle and, when he heard of the death of Billy, asked about the future of the company. The family did not have an interest in continuing the business, and the employees could not afford to purchase it. The Billy Cook line of saddles had a bleak future. Adam, a horseman, thought he could help. After some negotiations, he purchased the company, keeping as many of the employees as possible. Four months later. the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and the business closed for safety reasons.

Today, Billy Cook Saddle Company is back in operation. They manufacture a full line of handmade saddles. You can even have a custom saddle made to your specifications. Of course, there is also a full line of leather tack. New to the business is a line of belts and handbags.

Listen to my interview with proprietor, Adam Trenk, as he tells us about the company.

Links to Billy Cook Saddles

Genuine Billy Cook Website

Genuine Billy Cook on Facebook

Genuine Billy Cook on Instagram

Join Us on this Journey

We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk by Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.

You are an enormous part of why we do a podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #184

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Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: Education, horseback riding, Saddles and Tack

Installing a Horse Trailer Camera

March 5, 2019 by John 2 Comments

Installing a Horse Trailer Camera

Okay, before talking to Rebecca Gimenez-Husted of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue last week, I thought the last thing I needed was a  horse trailer camera.  Our trips aren’t very long and it’s a horse trailer for goodness sakes.  How much trouble could two horses get into?  But, you know, I’ve always wondered what goes on back there after we close the doors.  How do they handle the occasional quick stop?  Do they sway if I take a turn too fast?

The main stumbling block is, as many of you know already, I am incredibly cheap.  Horse trailer cameras can run from $150 – $300+.   But, as much as I am thrifty, I do love a good bargain or an inexpensive hack and I found one.  A search of YouTube revealed a video by Dawn P.  For $39 I got the Wish Ring Wi-Fi adapter and for $19.99, a backup camera.  You can watch the video here:  https://youtu.be/p6ZWOJY2gQI

Horse Trailer CameraIt took a few hours to install because I wanted to mount in on a piece of wood.  If I ever needed to change out the camera, this would make it easier.   The camera is a wide angle lens and is supposed to cover 135 degrees.  But where to place it so we would get the best view of both horses?  I fiddled with this for way longer than was necessary.  The first location I tried would have been just as good as the final location I decided on an hour later.  Yeah, sometimes I wonder about me too!

I also wanted to hard-wire it into the trailer lights power system.  This way my Horse Trailer Camera would come on when I turned my trucks headlights on and I wouldn’t have to worry about power sources.

The final touch was to affix some wire molding to hide the wires and make everything look nice.

The Wi-Fi System

Horse Trailer CameraNext, we set up the Wish Ring wi-fi system.  The manufacturer had us download a free app to our mobile device.  (I put it on both my phone and iPad)  Once the system is powered up, the wi-fi signal was easily detected by the device.  You add the simple password once and the screen displays the inside of the horse trailer.  Frankly, I was a little disappointed at the image quality.  We spent a few extra dollars on the camera and I thought that would show through.  The important part is that we can see both horses heads.  That offers a lot of peace-of-mind.  It’s not something that you constantly stare at, but we checked in on them once in a while to make sure everything is going well.

Other Safety Precautions

For the amount of driving we do, we have our trailer serviced annually,  We change our tires every three years and there is usually tread still on them.  It’s the age of the rubber and its exposure to the elements that wear out tires.  We have a first aid kit with bandages and wraps as well as band-aids and NSAIDS for us.

In my conversation with Rebecca, she told me that many injuries occurred to horse owners who pulled over to check on their horse or trailer.  They step out of the vehicle focused on the situation at hand and are hit by a passing vehicle.  The simple fix:  a light-reflective green or orange vest.  This was an easy expense at Harbor Freight.  We picked up two for less than $10.  Then we got one of those orange reflective triangle do-hickies to put behind the trailer to increase visibility.

Also posted in our trailer is the name and number for our veterinarian, along with our emergency contacts.  Finally, I have the important health stats that the vet may want to know and the horses’ normal range.

Even if you are not looking to install a horse trailer camera, it’s a good idea to go through a trailer inspection at least twice a year.  If you’re prepared for an emergency, you will reduce a lot of the stress if one should happen.

Filed Under: Helpful Horse Tips, The Podcast Tagged With: Education, horse tips, Horse-keeping, Saddles and Tack, trailers

Horsetown USA Norco Horse Affair

August 15, 2017 by John Leave a Comment

Horsetown USA Norco Horse Affair

Norco Horse AffairDo you love horse expos?  There is a new one on the West Coast, the Norco Horse Affair.  Norco is a city in Riverside  County, California that, by city ordinance “shall reflect a desired Western theme”.   In 2006, Norco received a federal trademark to call their home Horsetown USA.   The streets are set up with horse trails.  Storefronts and restaurants have hitching posts and pens for people who ride through town.


Fran Klovstad owns Thrifty Horse in Norco.  She teamed up with Liza Rogers of FirstTime Events to create the Norco Horse Affair, October 6-8 at the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center.  They have a full schedule of clinicians, trainers, and presenters for the whole family.  Everything from dressage to western, and trick roping to freestyle and liberty, will be on display.  On Saturday night, October 7, there will be a Ladies Rodeo Night and there are plans for an All American Horse Competition.

Entertainment

Some of the musical acts include Christopher Thomas, featuring his single Rodeo Kid, the Sugar Daddies Barbershop Quartet, the Raining Horseshoe Band, and Texas House Party.

The best part is, they are charging $15 for a car load.  So pack up as many friends as you can into one vehicle and plan on a weekend of horses and horsemanship.

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Have a problem with your horse?  Do you have a favorite trainer you would like to hear from?  Send us your question and the name of your favorite trainer and we’ll see if we can contact them and get you an answer.  Email John@whoapodcast.com or call on our message line (661) 368-5530 (toll charges may apply).

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We have well over 100 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and tell us how it works.  We are on Google Play too!  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please take a moment and join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter and Instagram– just look for WhoaPodcast.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast.  We really love getting your feedback.  Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #113

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Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: Country music, Entertainment, Fun Stuff, Horse care, Horsemanship, Saddles and Tack, Training, Travel

Casey Horg Bit and Spur Maker

June 6, 2017 by John Leave a Comment

Casey Horg Bit and Spur Maker

Casey HorgCasey Horg, Bakersfield bit and spur maker, spent a lot of time working on ranches with a lot of different horses.  And, he met a lot of knowledgeable cowhands, rode some good and not-so-good horses.  During some of the downtime as a cowboy, Casey learned a little about bit making.  As with many arts, Casey picked up pieces of knowledge here and there.  Slowly, he added to his knowledge and toolbox.  With each bit he made he learned a little more and got better at his craft.  Now, there is a waiting list for a Casey Horg Bit.

Casey will display his silver works and bits as one of the vendors at the upcoming Early Californio Skills of the Rancho in Santa Maria, July 2017.  You can find out more about Casey Horg and the Early Californio Skills of the Rancho by clicking the links below.

Links

Casey Horg

Early Californio Skills of the Rancho

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There is a “Join Our Email” list at the top of this page.  Signup.  Occasionally, I’ll send you something useful you can use to build a better relationship with your horse. Thanks!

Contact Us

We have well over 100 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and tell us how it works.  We are on Google Play too!  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please take a moment and join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter – just look for WhoaPodcast.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast.  We really love getting your feedback.  Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #103

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Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: Bits & Spurs, Fun Stuff, horse, horseback riding, Inspiration, Saddles and Tack

Keeping Early Californio Tradition Alive

May 23, 2017 by John 1 Comment

Keeping Early Californio Tradition Alive

Early CalifornioThere are a group of cowboys and horsemen that are trying to keep the traditions used on livestock and horses during the mission era of California, the early Californio traditions.  It’s a slower way, but it’s better for the horses and livestock.  Bruce Sandifer of the Californio Bridlehorse Association relayed a saying I thought summed it up nicely, “Do nothing today, that won’t make tomorrow better”.

For the last five years, these cowboys get together to practice these early Californio traditions at an event called the Early Californio Skills of the Rancho.  This year the event will be held July 6-9, 2017 at the Elks Rodeo Grounds in Santa Maria, California.

We talk to Bruce Sandifer and Elena Juarez about the event that is a great place for people to learn more about these early Californio traditions.

Ranae and I hope to make it at least one day.  There are going to be some great vendors like Casey Horg Bit Maker, Greg Gomersall Saddlery, and a free concert by Mike Beck.  It’s going to be a fun time!

Become a Patron!

Get Free Helpful Horse Tips

There is a “Join Our Email” list at the top of this page.  Signup.  Occasionally, I’ll send you something useful you can use to build a better relationship with your horse. Thanks!

Contact Us

We have well over 100 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and tell us how it works.  We are on Google Play too!  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please take a moment and join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter – just look for WhoaPodcast.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast.  We really love getting your feedback.  Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #101

http://traffic.libsyn.com/duhpodcast/Skills_of_the_Rancho_Podcast_2017.mp3

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Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: cowboy, Fun Stuff, Horsemanship, Saddles and Tack, Vaquero

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