Posts Tagged ‘riding helmet’

In this series of articles I will explain how to take a young/ untrained horse and safely teach it to lead. This will help to deepen your relationship, and the level of communication with your horse. Each article will have a systematic approach that will be both easy to understand, and to teach your horse. I will break down each baby step and teach you how to teach your horse each lesson. There will be examples in the training phase that has corrections and also what responses to watch for in your horse. My hope is that this will “demystify” some of the concepts in working with young/ untrained horses.

This article is written on the assumption that you have already taught your horse to accept a halter. It is also based on the assumption that you have handled a young or untrained horse before. If you are NOT comfortable in handling a young or untrained horse please consult with a professional trainer.

Part 1: Overview of Equipment

First of all you are going to need several items in order to make this safe for both you and your horse:

1. A halter that is in good condition and is correctly fit to your horse.

2. A sturdy lead rope that is also in good condition.

3. A dressage whip

4. A riding helmet that is ASTM/ SEI certified

5. An indoor or outdoor arena (not a round pen, you need a “flat” wall)

6. Gloves (optional, but good protection for your hands)

First of all, the equipment should fit your horse correctly. To make sure that we are on the same page I will explain how to correctly fit a halter to your horse. It should be on tight enough that the throatlatch (the piece that lies underneath the horses throat) is not more than couple of inches from the jowls. You want enough space for a couple of fingers to fit between the throatlatch and the throat. When the halter is on you also need to have room to fit two or three fingers underneath the noseband and below the cheekbone. The halter should lie no more than an inch below the cheekbone. See figure 1 for horse halter anatomy.

Figure 1 Labeled Halter

Remember, the halter needs to be correctly fit to your horse so that is does not slip off or twist around on your horses face. If the halter twists around on your horses face it can cause discomfort, and make training much more difficult.

A sturdy lead rope is another piece of necessary equipment. Soft cotton lead ropes with a brass bolt snap are very sturdy and easy to attach or remove from the halter. It is also fairly “soft” on your hands and does not cause you to get rope burn if you chose not to use gloves.

The next piece of equipment is a dressage whip. The reason for a dressage whip is they are a good length (39″ to 43″) to use easily and quietly during training. The whip becomes an extension of your arm and creates a shape or position that the horse understands. It is not used to punish a horse but rather to reinforce the commands given.

An ASTM/ SEI certified helmet is the next piece of equipment that is needed, especially when working with young or untrained horses. I have a strict helmet policy for all of my students. My philosophy is you can never be too careful when working with an animal that can weigh around 1000 pounds.

The final piece of equipment is the arena. I recommend using a flat wall arena and not a round pen for teaching a horse to lead. Using a flat wall helps to keep the horses body straight. Using a round pen will tend to angle the horse’s haunches towards you, which can make it difficult to stay out of the “kicking zone”. If the horse’s haunches can easily reach you then you increase your chances of being kicked.

The main reason for using an arena is you will a have a full corridor of aids. The outside wall will actively work as another you on the other side keeping your horse straight. (During riding the outside wall works as your outside seat bone, outside leg, and outside rein.) These aids help to communicate a particular “shape” you want the horse to follow. The wall will keep your horse from turning his haunches away from you and will not add the extra confusion of not having outside aids. One last reason for using an arena is if your horse gets away from you then he will not have much of a place to go. This will make it easier to catch your horse and start working with him or her again.

Working with a young or untrained horse can increase the odds of accidents; safety for both the handler and horse must always come first. Next month’s article will focus on the training of your horse, and will go into details that make this safe, simple, and enjoyable

Learn something new every month from Horse Logic. A new article will be featured every month in From the Horses Mouth by: Sara McKiness from Horse Logic.

Author: Sara McKiness
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Imagine donning your equestrian riding apparel, your riding helmet, and your horse riding boots and sitting astride one of those sleek, gentle giants for the very first time. The perspective is amazing and the communication that occurs between you and your horse can be an incredible experience. However, being the large, powerful animals that they are, horses can be dangerous. It is important to receive a solid education in the basics of horsemanship to ensure that you develop good equestrian riding habits and that your lessons are safe and enjoyable. That is also why the proper equestrian riding apparel, helmet, and horse riding boots are at least as important as finding the best trainer.

There are countless resources and guides available to help you find the best barn and trainer for your style of riding and your experience level. For the novice rider, information about equestrian riding lessons can be found through riding schools and riding camps, nearby barns, horse associations, the local 4H/FFA office or club, large animal veterinarians, and your community Parks and Recreation office. If you have never ridden before, there are several points that you must keep in mind when using these resources to select a barn for your equestrian riding lessons.

Community Resources and Guides

Your community Parks and Recreation publication can be an excellent place to start since they screen all of their participants prior to endorsing them. When riding horses, safety must come first, last and always. This is not a time for cutting corners or accepting less than the best. The riding habits you will develop initially will stay with you. It is far better to learn how to ride properly the first time rather than having to spend years trying to unlearn incorrect and unsafe riding habits.

Your local tack shop, 4H and FFA clubs can also provide you with the names of reputable trainers. The phone book can give you a large selection of names and phone numbers, but you will have to work harder to determine which of these barns offers the best instruction, the safest conditions, and the best value for your money.

Professional Resources and Guides

Horseback riding, horse shows, and horse breeding are big business. You can take advantage of the plethora of associations, organizations and publications available to help you select the best barn and trainer for your equestrian riding lessons. Many horse-related associations are breed specific. Thoroughbreds are the most popular horses used in English riding, although you will also find Arabians, Quarter Horses, Morgans, Friesians, Hanoverians, and several others. You can also find riding lesson information through regional organizations, veterinary associations, and equestrian magazines.

Using either community or professional resources and guides will help you select a number of possible trainers and barns to choose from. The next step in selecting the best trainer for your riding lessons is to compare what they have to offer and the price you will have to pay. Most important, you should go and look at the barns themselves and see the trainer in action. Again, safety is paramount. There are specific criteria you can use to help you find the very best trainer.

Making Your Choice

Once you have narrowed down your selection of barns and trainers, you must actually go to each barn before making your choice. Any barn that appears unsafe, unclean or chaotic should be avoided. Observe the trainer as they give lessons. Are they friendly, supportive and calm or are they agitated, critical and loud? Do they require you to wear an approved riding helmet, appropriate equestrian riding apparel, and horse riding boots? If not, leave immediately. Proper equestrian riding apparel, an authorized helmet, and sturdy horse riding boots are crucial to your safety.

Equestrian riding apparel consists of breeches that fit snuggly and a riding shirt that allows freedom of movement without risking getting snagged. Horse riding boots will protect your toes from heavy hooves and they will keep your foot in the proper stirrup position. Approved rising helmets are mandatory. There are plenty of resources for purchasing your equestrian riding apparel and horse riding boots. You can drive to your local tack shop or, for added convenience and a wider selection; you can make your purchases online through a reputable retailer.

Choose a trainer who will provide you with a safe and enjoyable opportunity to develop good basic skills and who requires you to wear the appropriate equestrian riding apparel, horse riding boots, and an authorized riding helmet for years of safe, enjoyable and productive riding.

Author: Anne Coyle
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Have you ever thought about riding your horse barefoot, with the wind whipping through your hair? It sounds nice, doesn’t it? However, you might want to think twice about this idea and instead consider some riding apparel. Its not exactly the same as riding without a hat (or boots), but a lot of riding apparel has a purpose – keeping you, the rider safe as you go galloping around.

Boots are a must, whether you are an adherent of the English or Western style of boot. Even when feeding your horse or grooming, it is still a good idea to wear your boots. After all, those hooves are very heavy and if your horse accidentally steps on your toes; well, let’s just say you’ll wish you had worn boots. English boots are a little uncomfortable for walking in, but cowboy boots can be very comfortable. However, for working in your stable, you may want to pick up a pair of hiking boots or work boots.

While not very many people are excited about wearing a riding helmet. After all, one would hardly call them stylish. At the same time, a riding helmet can quite literally be a lifesaver in the event of a fall. Your cowboy hat will also not provide adequate protection. For optimal protection, think about a vented riding helmet as you ride.

In competitive riding, you’ll have to stow your t-shirt and jeans. Western wear is perfectly comfortable for riding. English wear, on the other hand, is make less for comfort than for looks.

If the show you’re riding in asks for hunt seat attire, then you’ll have to wear a riding shirt which is either white or pinstriped. You’ll also need breeches, a hunting cap, dress riding boots and a wool riding jacket. Riding gloves are also customary in these events. Breeches and jacket can be any color which is dark, but you may want to find out what colors are “in” before making an investment in them. Being out of style may not win you favor with the judges or the audience.

You’ll need to dress formal for dressage riding. You’ll need a white shirt, a stock tie (which should be fastened with a horse-themed pin), white or tan breeches, black jacket and dress boots, as well as a helmet or hunt cap. If it is a saddle seat competition, then you’ll want dark jodhpurs, jodhpur boots, a riding derby, a dark jacket and white riding shirt.

Western riders wear different clothes depending on their gender. While men will need Western shirts, ties, belts (leather with silver buckles), felt cowboy hats and riding boots as well as jeans and chaps; women will be attired in Western tuxedo shirts, vest or jacket, bow ties, riding boots, felt hats and of course, jeans and chaps. In more intense sports, the ties and silver belt buckles are not required.

If you have a child who is riding, whether for fun or competitively, they must wear a riding helmet rather than a riding hat or a cowboy hat. Children especially are vulnerable to falls, so make sure that they are always protected.

Author: Susanne Malloy
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Attending equestrian summer camp is a dream come true for most children. Summer is a time made even more special with the addition of snapping on riding helmets before mounting a thoroughbred in a new pair of children’s riding breeches and paddock boots. It just makes a child feel like they can accomplish anything. This magical experience can also teach many important life skills in addition to providing a great way to get in shape.

It is important to make sure your child has high quality riding equipment to ensure a positive and safe experience at riding camp. Although a cowboy hat and jeans may work just fine for a simple trail ride, children attending equestrian summer riding camps will need riding helmets specifically designed for English riding along with children’s riding breeches and paddock boots for hunt seat and dressage.

What You’ll Need

After enrolling your child in an equestrian summer riding camp, you should receive a list of required standard equipment along with suggested equipment recommendations. You’ll usually find children’s riding breeches, paddock boots, and a riding helmet on the list of required items. By sticking with dependable name brands like Equine Couture and Tuffrider for apparel and LAS and International Riding Helmet for helmets, you are sure to purchase safer, high quality products at affordable prices.

Children’s riding breeches offer a classic, tailored appearance while allowing your child freedom of movement so they have the feel needed to ride well. Good breeches will protect your child’s legs, but they also work to help your child maintain contact with the saddle and the horse. By seeking a well-known brand, you will find the quality needed for safety and performance. Riding helmets made from new lightweight materials with sun visors are popular for equestrian summer camps. Seek a retailer that offers plenty of resources for making the best choice in addition to clear sizing information by manufacturer, as fit can often differ between manufacturers.

Extra Details To Consider

Extra details can make your child’s equestrian summer camp experience even better than just basic equipment. Just imagine your child arriving at camp with a professional looking riding shirt, pair of riding gloves, a crop, and an equipment bag. While one pair of paddock boots and one riding helmet will do, you should consider purchasing an extra pair of children’s riding breeches. You never know when your child might spill on them, tear them, or even lose them. In addition, horses are messy and providing your child with a second pair of children’s riding breeches just makes good sense.

Other extra details to consider include a water bottle, towel, and horse grooming equipment. This will make your child feel more professional and he or she may enjoy the grooming process even more when they have their own equipment. Since most equestrian riding summer camps end with a show, you might also consider purchasing a show coat for your child. Just imagine how great your child will feel and look in the ring with well-tailored children’s riding breeches, polished paddock boots, a professional riding shirt, and a show coat along with riding gloves and a nice riding helmet. Not only will your child enjoy the show even more, but he or she will also look the part and will ride better and safer as they show off their new equestrian skills in the ring.

Size Is Important

When you’re new to horseback riding, you won’t usually have the expertise to know what details to look out for when fitting your child for apparel and equipment. The most important aspect is sizing. Don’t buy riding apparel and equipment too large for your child thinking he or she will grow into it. Loose fitting products are dangerous. Always invest in safety by purchasing children’s riding breeches, paddock boots, and riding helmets that fit well.

Children’s riding breeches should fit snugly and feature soft, breathable fabric, knee and seat grips, a full seat, and a wide, low-rise waistband. Riding helmets are not only a part of your child’s riding attire, they are a piece of safety equipment that should fit properly and be ASTM approved. In fact, wearing riding helmets that don’t fit is worse than not wearing a riding helmet at all. Remember that paddock boots protect your child’s feet from 1,000 pound horses, so make sure they fit well and aren’t too big so your child’s foot flops around inside.

Your child will learn much more than how to ride a horse at equestrian summer camp. Physical fitness, alertness, cool-headedness, leadership, attention skills, responsibility, compassion, and more are all parts of the equestrian summer camp experience. The right equipment will keep your child safe and will offer them the most positive riding experience possible.

Author: Anne Coyle
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Whether you’re a new rider or the parent of a new rider, you’ve no doubt already discovered one of the most enduring truths about riding horses: horse riding clothing is expensive. And confusing. There’s so much of it, in so many different styles, for so many different types of riding, it’s hard to know what to buy. And once you finally do pick out a few items, the prices are so shockingly huge you begin to think it might be better to forget about the ponies altogether and get into scrapbooking instead.

But don’t give up yet! Byavoiding the most common mistakes that beginners make, you can save yourself lots of time, money, andfrustration.

Horse Riding Clothing Mistake #1: Buying Everything

When first starting out,many new riders think they needto own every piece of horse riding gearunder the sun. They loaddown their shopping carts and wipe out their budgets only to eventually discover they didn’t need half of it, orthey bought the wrong kind. Or, worse yet, their interest in riding was only a phase and all that expensive equipment is now sitting on a shelf collecting dust.

To make sure you avoid this mistake, just keep in mind one simple phrase: You don’t need all that stuff. All you really need when starting out are three simple things:

1. a horse riding helmet
2. a comfortable pair of pants
3. some horse riding boots.

And that’s it. With just those three items, you can take your first riding lessons, learn the basics,and figure out whether or notriding horses is something you really want todo before you throw piles of money at it. This, of course, brings us to…

Horse Riding Clothing Mistake #2:Buying the Wrong Helmet

There are many different kinds of horse riding helmets, all designed for very specific disciplines or skill levels. Unfortunately, many of them look the same and it would be very easy for a beginnerto spend way too much money on the wrong one.To avoid this common mistake,all you really need to know aboutare two differenttypes: show helmets and schooling helmets.

Show helmets are exactly what they sound like: helmets you wear to a show. They’re very formal and very expensive, often reaching several hundreddollars apiece. Now here’s the good news: Until you reach a level where you’re ready to compete in front of judges, you don’t need a show helmet.

Schooling helmets are also exactly what they sound like: helmets you wear while schooling, or lesson riding. Schooling helmets are wayless formal andway less expensive;a decent one can be gotten for around $30-$40. They’re alsomuchmore durable and easier toclean, meaning the wear-and-tear of weekly lessons won’t be such a strain onyour time or pocketbook.

Horse Riding Clothing Mistake #3:Buying theWrongBreeches

Breeches are those stretchy pants you see professional equestrians wear. They’re made of a special material that allows for freedom of movement andwicks moisture (aka sweat) away from the skin. They also have very soft seams specially stitched to keep from chafing the rider’s legs at the points where they make contact with the sides of the horse’s body. These are all good things.

When you shop for breeches, you’ll find many different kinds with many different names: knee patch breeches, full-seat breeches, low-rise breeches, etc.The kind you ultimately need will depend on which style of riding you get into, but, in the beginning, you can easily get away with a nice, cheap pair of schooling tights.

Note: Some people will tell you that you can just wear a tight pair of jeans, but that really isn’t a very good idea. First of all, most trainers will only let you get away with that for a couple of lessons (until you decide if you want to keep riding or not), and, secondly, the seams on a pair of jeans will quickly begin to chafe — and eventually scar — your legs. Do yourself a favor, and find a nice pair of riding tights.

Horse Riding Clothing Mistake #4: Buying the Wrong Boots

As with all the other pieces of horse riding clothing, there are many different kinds of boots, all made for specific types of riding. Many beginners immediately go for the tall, glossy boots that they see so many other riders wearing, but this is a huge mistake. Not only are those tall boots extremely expensive, they’re also very tough to break in. If your new rider is still growing, by the time the boots are fully broken in, they will likely have outgrown them; meaning all that money you just spent has gone straightdown the drain. And finally, as with show helmets, the wear-and-tear of lesson riding will quickly cause the value of your investment to dwindle.

When starting out, the only horse riding boots a beginner needs are paddock boots. Paddock boots are short, ankle-length boots that look a bit like “granny boots.” They have the same safety features as tall boots, but are far less expensive,far lessdifficultand time-consuming to break in,and not so heartbreaking to get dirty. Also, for kids under 12, paddock boots are perfectly fine to wear for shows, meaning you can definitely get your money’s worth from them for quite some time.

And That’sIt!

Sure, it’s easy to spend a lot of money on horse riding clothing. And it’s really easy to buy the wrong kind. But by avoiding these common mistakes that beginning riders make, you canminimize your cost and maximize your time enjoyingthe reason you got into riding in the first place: spending time with the horse!

Author: John P Harris
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If your child is going to take horseback riding lessons, then they are going to need certain clothing and safety equipment. Whether your child is participating in an English private horseback riding lesson, or a Western group horse riding lesson, safety equipment is of the utmost importance. In this article, you will learn what your child needs to be safe around horses and ponies.

The basic safety equipment needed includes boots, a helmet and riding pants. These can be purchased at a local tack store or online.

Horse Riding Boot Needs

You should always wear a good protective horseback riding boot whenever you are around horses. It doesn’t matter if you are planning to ride or simply plan on a grooming session. Boots are important while you are on the ground to protect you in case a horse accidently steps on your foot. They are also important while riding, because they have a heel that keeps your foot from slipping too far into the stirrup causing you to get stuck. It’s obvious that you don’t want your foot to be stuck, if you were to experience a fall from a horse. So don’t cut corners where an equestrian boot is concerned.

Paddock boots are typically the type of boot used for English horseback riding lessons. A paddock boot is a leather ankle boot that can either lace up or zip closed. These can also be used for Western riding, or a cowboys boots can be used. In English riding, tall boots that go up to your knees are not required for lessons and usually children do not start wearing them until they are over the age of 12 or so.

Horse Riding Helmet Needs

A helmet is probably the most important part of your child’s equestrian wardrobe, because it protects the skull and brain. While a helmet should always be worn while riding, it can also be worn while on the ground as an extra safety precaution while being around horses. A schooling helmet is typically used for riding lessons. As the name implies, schooling helmets are only used for practice, not for horse shows. I personally like the adjustable kind. They have a little dial in the back that you can adjust to fit your head perfectly, so it doesn’t fall down onto your forehead while you are riding.

Horse Riding Pant Needs

Long pants should be worn when riding horses. This is to protect the legs from rubbing against the saddle and horse. It can also protect the legs should your child fall from her horse or pony. If your child is taking English riding lessons, schooling tights or schooling breeches are usually worn. For Western riding, regular blue jeans are typically worn.

Once your child has been around horses for a while, their comfort grows, and there might be a tendency to cut corners. Don’t allow your child to get too comfortable. You must always remind them to follow the safety rules, however much at ease they become around horses.

Author: Eileen Childs
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Horse riding is a popular pastime with many young children, many go on to take up horse riding in one of the many forms of professional horse riding whether that is horse racing, dressage or any other equestrian event. In the UK it is one of the most popular sports with members of the royal family even competing at an Olympic level!

Learning to ride a horse can be tricky though, it can take a few lessons to gain the knowledge and skills required in order to control the horse. It can also be a very dangerous sport as many people have been seriously injured after falling or being thrown from the saddle. It’s important then that for anyone wanting to take up horse riding they should get the right equipment and safety measures before getting in the saddle.

First of all you will need a riding helmet, a lot of movie stars are shown not wearing one but even professionals will wear a helmet as horse riding can be unpredictable and dangerous. People learning to ride should get a helmet that is both secure and comfortable to wear. Riding helmets can come in different colours which could make children more interested in wearing one as they can choose their favourite colour.

One other safety measure some riders wear, especially horse racing jockeys is a body protector, these look like bullet proof vests or under armour that American football players wear. The purpose of these is vital in horse racing as if the jockey falls off they could get trod on by the other horses. If you are learning to be a jockey or any other sport where there are a lot of other horses then a body protector may be what you need.

There are lots of other equipment specific to the horse such as saddles and bridles which you should be able to loan from your stables or riding centre. One part that is very important safety wise is the riding boot or shoe. The most important part of the shoe is how easily you can remove it from the stirrups on your saddle, in emergencies you will have to get your feet out of the stirrups in case of the horse’s weight falling on to your ankle and leg which could cause an injury.

Make sure you get the right safety equipment when learning to ride and you should be able to have a safe and enjoyable experience on horse back.

Horse equipment and accessories need not be incredibly expensive, buying horse tack online can save money as well as seeing a wide range of choice too.

A guide to essential Equestrian clothing and equipment. Starting out in horse riding or equestrianism can be a pretty daunting prospect, many people may have seen movies and TV shows where people seem to wear either strict riding attire or the other end of the scale being anything they want.

It can be tough for newcomers to the sport to recognize which items of clothing or equipment are required, which are optional and what’s just there for show. There are varying styles from formal dressage clothing that you may see at professional sporting shows and then there’s also the western cowboy style clothing too.

For many people learning to horse ride there are a few vital pieces of clothing that you need for safety reasons such as a helmet. Aside from that there are a few other things you’ll need. Riding jodhpurs/pants/breeches The trousers you wear when riding can vary and whilst not vital for beginners they can make your riding experience much more comfortable. Riding horses can be tough on your legs and some people may bruise easily when in the saddle.

Some riding breeches can have added padding to make riding more comfortable, meaning you won’t be regretting getting on the horse by the time you finish! Riding helmet A riding helmet is the most vital piece of equipment you will need when learning to ride. Forget all the films you’ve seen where someone is wearing no helmet, these are trained professionals and you are much more likely to fall off or hit your head when starting out.

The right helmet should be fitted to your head specifically to ensure it doesn’t move around or block your vision. There are traditional velvet covered helmets for showing but there are more durable leather coated helmets for basic horse riding. Paddock boots The design of your riding boots need to be a certain way to make sure your feet can be removed from the stirrups quickly. This is because should you fall or the horse fall you need to be able to get your feet free as quickly as possible to avoid any injuries.

Riding boots can be long or short; some are even only up to ankle height. With a lot of movement whilst riding you need to be sure your boots suit properly to ensure they don’t cause blisters. Riding vests Riding vests are often worn by beginners as they offer vital protection to your body and major organs should you fall.

These vests are normally padded sleeveless jackets but there are some others that can provide harder protective layers similar to bull riding vests. Some equestrian centres insist all children wear these vests so it is best to find out from your local centre before your children or yourself start learning to ride. These are typical safety clothing that all riders may have to wear but they are not everything you may need. It is worthwhile asking at your local equestrian centre to find out the basics and any other equipment you may need.

The requirements may vary between different places so make sure you’re prepared. For all enthusiasts finding the right horse riding equipment is important to make sure the horse and the rider are comfortable.

A variety of equestrian clothing are available online and can be purchased at great prices so go online and see what deals you can find.