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Five Star Tack Review

Five Star Tack Bridles, Breastplates and Halters

Five Star Tack Review

Five Star Tack Eventing Bridles & Breastplates Endorsed by Pro Riders

When we decided to start Four Star Brand and deliver the sports best products, we started out by looking no further than our own tack room. There on our bridle rack were the Ascot Figure 8 bridle and the Chessington reins. From our own Five Star Tack review we knew those products held up really well for us and therefore needed to be carried by the online horse tack retailer we were looking to start. At that time, Five Star had just stopped selling directly to consumers and went to a wholesale only model so it made sense to give the owner a call.

What Our Customers Are Saying:

Five Star Tack Bridge Breastplate

Christina (Verified Owner)

I love this breastplate. It is very adjustable and keeps my saddle very secure. It’s tough enough for the xc course and yet still pretty for the show jumping. I really like how it attaches to my billets without any extra bulk, it is a great design and of good quality.

Five Star Tack Kingsbury Figure 8 Bridle

Catherine (Verified Owner)

Love this bridle. I had been eying the Kingsbury and Ascot bridles from Five Star for a while but wanted one in black. Both Carl, here at Four Star, and Five Star also via their Facebook, were very responsive in addressing all my questions. Shipping was extremely prompt. The bridle is gorgeous in black. I love the white stitching and the cheek pieces, which are very supple and cushioning. The bridle seems to fit snuggly but comfortably. Looks very elegant on my horse, and he seems to love it. I also like the leather/rubber reins that come with it. Also emailed Five Star on caring for the bridle. Unlike other bridles, since its Sedgewick leather, important to not over oil.I am absolutely thrilled with my purchase.

Five Star Tack Signature Breastplate

Debra (Verified Owner)

The photos do not do justice to this breastplate! The leather is supple, the padding over the withers luxurious, and the color is gorgeous. It is a beautiful piece of tack and it looks fantastic on my horse. It also functions as a breastplate, it’s nice enough to be jewelry but it’s so much more.

Have your own Five Star Tack review?

Comment on this post or head over to our college of Five Star Tack product listing and let us know how you feel!
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Stirrup Sizing – MDC Irons

mdc stirrup irons

Stirrup Irons are measured by the inside opening of the stirrup where the foot is placed. A standard rule of thumb to size your stirrups is that when the foot is in the stirrup, there is room for your index finger to be placed on either side of the boot. Some riders, however, prefer less gap for their personal preference. It is obvious that stirrups that are too small will be more difficult to retrieve and easier to get caught by the boot during a fall.

Generally, a ladies size 7 boot can be either a 4 1/2” or a 4 3/4” depending on the foot width. Size 7 and below are a 4 1/2”, while size 7 and above are 4 3/4”. Very petitie women and children use a 4 1/4”, while very small children may require even smaller sizes. Most men wear a 4 3/4” stirrup while men with larger feet or very wide feet use a 5” or larger.

Properly fit stirrups affect a rider’s safety as well as comfort. Please remember that a properly fit stirrup allows for easier retrieval and, in the event of a fall, more room to clear the stirrup before it has a chance to turn back and catch a falling rider.

All MDC Stirrups are true sized. The actual opening is the advertised measurement. Most hinged stirrups measure 1/4” smaller than advertised as they have not taken into account the width of the rubber sleeve. Their 4 3/4” stirrup has an opening of 4 1/2 and may be too small.

Please consult with your trainer for your exact stirrup size. This size discussion addresses general stirrup size patterns and may not be exact for every individual.

View the entire line of MDC Irons here at Four Star Brand

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Back on Track Equine – About the Product

Back on Track Polo Wraps

More about Back on Track Equine

The BOC products incorporate a polyester / polyprophylene thread enbedded with a fine ceramic powder designed to reflect the wearer’s own body heat in the form of far infared rays. These rays substantially increase the blood flow, and in doing so, can reduce pain and swelling, as well as stinulate the healing process.

Success with Back on Track Equine

By reducing inflamation and increasing circulation, Back on Track Equine products have provided horses with great releasf from a wide variety of ailments. Tey have been effectively used on muscular problems such as acidosis, strains, brusing, pressure-point pain, “tying up” and general back soreness, in addition to treating horses with sensitive skin. THey have been equally effective on a variety of leg problems also, including bowed tendons, suspensory problems, filled legs, wind puffs, sprains, arthritic joints, bucked shins and navicular nerve damage.

The therapeutic benefits of Back on Track Equine products are not restructed to horses that have already sustained inuries. In fact, most stables are routinely using these products to minimize the liklihood of their horses getting inuured in the first place.

Since being introduced in North America in 2002, the Back on Track horse products have proven so successful that horse enthusiasts are now turning to the Back on Track human products for their own drug free pain relief.

Back on Track Equine has consistency of quality and efficacy

Each time a batch of ceramic textile is produced Back on Track measures the product’s property. An independent university lab measures the rate of heat reflection and the wavelength of the reflected energy.

The Back on Track effect

In the below image of a horse’s back, increased body temperature is indicated by the red tones. The below “after” image depicts the successful reduction of inflammation  Degrees and rates of pain relief will obviously vary on individual basis, due largely to the differing nature and duration of existing aliments.

The Back on Track Equestrian Effect

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Back on Track Washing Instructions

Back on Track Washing Instructions

Back On Track Washing Instructions

Back on Track Equine products are machine washable

Back on Track Washing Instructions state that you should set your washer to a maximum of 90°F or 30°C and normal detergents that do not contain bleach. They should be air dried only. Please note: do not use bleach or fabric softeners and do not tumble dry. If you wish to iron your Back on Track Equine products, do so at a maximum of 120°F or 50°C. As the ceramic powder is actually melted into the polyester / polypropylene threads, it will not separate when washed. The textile will however deteriorate with prolonged use.

Back on Track Washing Instructions

 Looking For a Great Way to Wash Your Back on Track Polos?

Checkout our horse laundry bags! They fit one set (4) of Back on Track polos perfectly! Avoid knotting your polos & damage to your laundry machine. Perfect for standing wraps too. Speed up the re-wrapping process with our bandage roller – it screws to the side of your tack box or laundry room & speeds up the boring process of rolling bandages.

horse bandage bag for washing

We Carry Back On Track Equine Products

Four Star Brand Carries a wide range of Back on Track equine products. We find they help keep our horses sound throughout the year while competing or during the off season. Prevent injuries and speed recovery time with Back on Track products for horses.

If you don’t see what you want, contact us and we’ll special order it for you immediately – and you receive a discount for having to ask us 🙂

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Back on Track Equine Use

Back on Track Horse Combi stable wrap Bandages

Back on Track Equine Use

In addition to treating injuries, Back on Track Equine products are often used to prevent them.

If used routinely as a preventative measure, they should be applied for 2 to 3 weeks followed by a one week break. Another alternative is to apply them 1 to 2 days before training or performing, and for 2 days afterwards. A short break is then recommended before repeating the cycle. Even if restricted to a few hours use before and after training, Back on Track equine products can still help reduce the likelihood of injury.

Four Star Brand carries most of the equestrian line of Back on Track products.

Veterinarian Studies of Back on Track Products

Back on Track Horse Blankets – In Just 2 Weeks View Actual Photos of Before and After Using a Back on Track Blanket

Horse Inflammation (Red) – #1    Horse Inflammation (Red) – #2

back on track use

Just 2 weeks after using our Back on Track Horse Blankets

Reduced Inflammation – #3      Reduced Inflammation – #4

back on track products

Image #1 & #2 are before pictures prior to using our blankets. Pictures #3 & #4 above are taken 2 weeks after using our blankets. The red seen in the pictures above reflect inflammation. The images above show an 11 year-old Irish Sport Horse used for eventing that presented with severe back pain. The first images show increased heat over the dorsal spinous processes of the back in the thoracolumbar area as well as over the right gluteal muscle area. These thermographic images show remarkable improvement after 2 weeks of using the Back on Track Blanket.

Laura A. Werner, DVM, MS, DACVS
The Equine Center
4850 Davenport Creek Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

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Back on Track hock and knee boots

Back on Track Equine

Back on Track Hock and Knee Boots

Although it is generally recommended to use Back on Track products overnight (as the longer they are left on, the better the results), this is often not possible with the knee and hock boots, as many horses try to remove them. Thankfully, experience has shown that just a few hours application of these boots is usually enough, though the process can certainly be extended or repeated, if necessary to achieve the desired result.

As Back on Track knee and hock boots must be applied for a reasonable period of time to be effective (and part of that effect is increased blood flow), they are specifically designed not to restrict blood flow. As such elasticity is an important part of that design. This does however increase the likelihood of the horse displacing the product during motion, especially when attempting to lie down or stand back up. Back on Track therefore suggests that the best means of using this product is whilst the horse is reasonably restrained or confined (either tied up, confided to a small stall or yard or whilst being transported). Also, the horse should not be in a position where it can rub these boots against any sharp or protruding objects, as doing so will easily damage the neoprene external casing.

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Back on Track – Leg Wraps & Bandages

Back onTrack Quick Wraps

Back on Track Leg Wraps and Bandages

Back on Track leg wraps are most commonly used overnight. Preferably, they should be applied to dry legs and wrapped with a regular bandage over the top. Caution should be used during the first 2-3 days as excessive use from the outset may cause legs to “fill up” due to increased blood circulation. This, however is a good sign of efficacy.

If a degree of swelling or pain still persists after regular overnight use of the wraps, extra benefit can be gained by using them during the animal’s active daylight hours as well. In this instance, we recommend using the Back on Track bandages (polo and exercise bandages) as they stay firmly in position during movement.

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Back on Track Instructions for Use

Back on Track Equine

Back On Track Instructions

All Back on Track products should be implemented gradually

Back on Track Instructions to start with state that you should use the product for a maximum of four hours a day for the first 2-3 days. The body then has the opportunity to familiarize itself with the fabrics effects.

The reason Back on Track recommends starting with a maximum of 4 hours use is that some users (horse or human) experience pain in the beginning. In horses specifically, the discomfort manifests itself as swelling. This is due to the increased blood circulation, which is actually a good indication that the ceramic in the fabric is taking effect. This initial pain or swelling can occur anywhere from a few to several hours of use. You should then cease using the product any more that day, and reintroduce it carefully and more gradually over the following days.

After the introductory period of 2-3 days it is important to continue to use the product intensively at least 10, preferably 20 days, before assessing its impact. You may try “sore no more” an all natural liniment under the wrap. This will intensify the Back on Track product, please use best judgement.

For long term problems, the horse may need to use Back on Track for an extended period. Use the product for two to three weeks and have a break one week. to see if symptoms persist.

As a preventive measure, Back on Track can be used with regular breaks. Use Back on Track 1 day before and 2 days after exercise and then stop until the next workout. For warm-up, use 1-2 hours before and 2-4 hours after exercise.

Washing your Back on Track products:

Back on Track products can be machine washed up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 degrees Celsius. Use normal detergents that do not contain bleach or fabric softeners. Air dry only DO NOT TUMBLE DRY.

Note: Do not use bleach or fabric softener or tumble dry. This product should be ironed at a maximum temperature of 122 F. The ceramic powder is fused int he fibers of polyester / polypropylene and does not separate when washed. The textile loses efficiency with time and extended use.

Ingredients:

The textile is produced in China and consists of 100% polypropylene (PP) with ceramic powder or 50% polyester with ceramic powder and 50% cotton.

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back on track instructions for use

I am very impressed with the effectiveness of the Back on Track products, both on my horses and myself. My horses seem more relaxed and happy within themselves since using the rugs and quick wraps.

Bettina Hoy
Eventing

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