Posts Tagged ‘Riding Apparel’

Lately, there has been a lot of discussion about horses that have been left neglected and starving due to gas prices, costs backyard breeding and other factors. As I thought of this, I realized that many people do not really sit and think about all that is involved in owning a horse. First of all, a horse is not a dog or a cat. You can not keep a horse in your house. A horse is generally kept in some sort of barn.

Second, there are completely different expenses with a horse. When your dog, cat, gerbil, hamster, or what have you gets sick, you put it in a carrying cage and take it to the vet. This is not the case with horses. Either the vet has to come to you and charges for a vet call or you have to load the horse into a trailer and truck the horse to the equine hospital. In order to do this, you must make sure you have certain supplies to be able to safely trailer the horse. You will need a lead rope, halter and probably a blanket to truck the horse. If you do not own your own trailer, you will have to pay someone to ship the horse to the veterinary clinic.

Third, There is certain protective equipment a horse needs which other animals don’t. Things such as leg wraps, fly masks, and protective boots just to name a few. Also, a horse needs to have his horses professionally done by a farrier. Many horses also need some sort of shoes whether they are weighed shoes or protective plates. Some horses need corrective shoeing. You can not clip a horse’s nails like you do a dog or cat. Now, you have a shoeing bill.

Further, when you walk your dog, you can wear whatever you want, however, this is not the case with riding or working a horse. You will have to have certain types of riding apparel to ride your horse. This includes boots, jods, gloves and protective helmets. All of these items are strictly for the protection of you and your horse. Again, there are other types of equipment that are necessary such as lunge lines, bitting rigs, bridles, carts etc. All of these things can get very costly.

These ideas are just food for thought when considering buying a horse. We did not cover the cost of feed, bedding and monthly board. I also did not cover costs incurred in breeding horses. Those will be covered at a later date. Before, you consider buying a horse, research very carefully all that is involved in the cost and care of owning a horse. Research at your local library, talk to people, and go to some local barns to get some general ideas.

Horse ownership is a very serious commitment as you can not take the horse to the local humane society if you decide it isn’t going to work out. Maybe if more people would take the time to really consider the true costs of owning a horse, there wouldn’t be so many horses starving and the need for so many rescue horse associations. We all love these animals, but owning a horse is a very serious decision and much thought should go into it.

Nina Kraus

Author: Nina Kraus
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Proper equestrian riding techniques vary depending upon the type of riding you are doing, whether it is English, Western, jumping, dressage, or eventing. Overall, proper equestrian riding techniques are largely a matter of correct body position, clear communication, appropriate equipment and equestrian riding apparel, and being aware of your surroundings. No one is born with the knowledge or ability to ride properly. It takes years of training and dedicated practice.

As a novice rider, you have much to learn. It is far easier to learn the proper ways first, rather than having to spend years unlearning bad habits and replacing them with proper riding techniques. That’s why taking lessons for the novice rider is such a great idea.

Take Lessons from a Reputable Trainer

Regardless of the type of riding you are interested in, riding lessons are always a good idea — especially for the novice. It is too easy to learn bad habits and put yourself in danger by simply jumping on the first available horse. This is especially true when jumping horses.

Even experienced riders must regularly rely upon basic riding techniques to maintain their safety as well as the safety of their horse. Your trainer should be able to provide you with an outside perspective. It’s amazing how many times you will be absolutely positive that your heels are down when, in fact, they are not. A reputable trainer can help you to fulfill your potential as a skilled horseman or horsewoman.

Riding lessons will teach you how to tack your horse up in the proper equestrian equipment, how to tighten the girth on English saddles to prevent slipping, how to select the equestrian riding apparel that is appropriate for your style of riding, how to develop the correct body position, and the best communication methods for interacting with your horse. Riding lessons will also educate you about the common rules of riding etiquette.

Proper Body Position and Riding Etiquette

For generations, young children and adults have been admonished to keep their chin up, shoulders back, and eyes forward. All you have to do is add heels down, elbows in, and hands quiet so that you will have a superior body position for horseback riding. As a rider, your job is to maintain control over your horse without appearing to do anything. Loud cues, abrupt movements, and lost tempers are never appropriate.

In the English riding world, there are specific rules of ring etiquette in place to ensure everyone’s safety. Generally, this means that everyone should be travelling in the same direction and working basically on the same skills. Slower traffic keeps to the inside of the arena while faster moving riders stay to the outer edge of the ring. A full horse length should be maintained between riders. If passing is necessary, one is expected to inform the other rider quietly and to give a wide berth. If horses are moving in both directions, the general rule of thumb is to pass — left shoulder to left shoulder — just as though you were driving a car. These courtesies work to prevent countless accidents and emergencies and should be followed at all times.

Use Appropriate Equestrian Riding Apparel and Equipment

Appropriate equestrian riding apparel means you are wearing an approved helmet, riding boots, a well-fitting shirt that allows enough freedom of movement, and riding breeches. Jeans are not appropriate for English riding. English saddles will rub on the seams, causing chaffing, and the material will slip and risk a fall. Loose and baggy clothing is never considered appropriate equestrian riding apparel. It can snag, bunch, and interfere with your movement that may risk injury.

English saddles will help you to maintain the correct body position for flat work and jumping, just as an event a saddle will help a rider maneuver hills, waterways, and other obstacles and help a rider to maintain their seat safely. Being lightweight and relatively flat, English saddles provide you with a greater range of motion than a heavier, bulkier Western saddle. However, they also require a strong leg to help you maintain contact and communicate with your horse. There are many varieties of English saddles available. Before buying English saddles, discuss your options with your trainer.

Every step of your training will help you to develop the skills and habits necessary to ride safely and effectively. Wearing appropriate equestrian riding apparel, finding the correct style English saddles, and working regularly with a reputable trainer will all help you to develop proper riding techniques.

Author: Anne Coyle
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

Each equestrian sport is unique and demands different skills from the rider so their clothing is not just used for demonstration but also to help them move freely during competitions. A mass of clothes are made to provide head to toe safe-guard for equestrians. For equestrian activities, the essential items of apparel are the boots, chaps, gaiters breeches and jodhpurs for the legs, the jacket and body safety for the torso, and the hat for the head. It is essential to know about each one of the types of apparel, especially for a starter. Each person’s favorite might vary but it is necessary to be have knowledge about the basics before purchasing any clothes since horse back riding can be pricey and the clothes for this activity is no exception.

The horseback riding hat important because it protects the head from injuries from a fall which can occur in or out of competition and even with the best trained horse. The hat, with its hard shell and impact absorbing lining, provides a certain amount of safety for the horse rider in case of a fall. When you’re not horseback riding, it is still essential to wear them, since the horse may kick when you are on the ground.

Anyone in competition knows you should have a good set of leather or artificial leather gloves. For help in choosing gloves then read this helpful articles tips with details about artificial leather gloves.

If the horse rider falls, the helmet can become damaged and less effective in future uses so you should be sure to buy a new one. Every three or four years you should replace your riding hat as its protective ability decreases over time as the padding compresses with daily use. The classic horse riding hat, made of traditional velvet, is the first of the three basic hats available for riders. It is available in brown, black, or navy and has a hard peak.

You will also run across the skull cap with is a horse riding helmet that does not have a peak and can be seen worn by most jockeys. It’s now popular with other riders for leisure or competition and silks which are peak covers can be placed over the skull cap giving the appearance of a riding hat. There are also novelty silks ideal for young ones with eyes and ears sewn on them for example. The third one is the skull protector which is a horse riding hat similar to a cycling equestrian helmet so it is lightweight and ventilated, generally worn during warm weather or summer.

Riding headgear include chin straps, and they should conform to standards of hat safety. For example, the United Kingdom has three safety standards. Riding headgear should follow one of these standards for optimum safety of the horse rider so the chin straps should be able to secure the hat safely and securely on the horse riders head. A beginner should be sure to buy a hat that is comfortable, and all riders must remember to invariably secure their headgear when horseback riding. Riding hats are critical pieces of equestrian clothing that safe-guard the horse rider by reducing the risk of severe injury during potentially fatal falls. people who ride horses should not purchase a riding hat that used to belong to somebody else because the damage it sustained throughout the first ownership is not visible from the exterior and has a good chance to not offer as much safety, therefore invariably purchase new hats if you want to be sure.