Summer Gear For New Riders

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Summer is the best time to start horseback riding.

Summer horseback riding is a worthwhile and enjoyable activity that anyone would be wise to try. It is a great learning experience as far as connecting with animals and the outdoors. It’s also a fine way to get exercise and practice a sport. Because horseback riding teaches discipline and is really fun to do, it is a perfect activity for a child or adult to take part in. There are overnight horseback riding camps for kids, or rustic ranches for adults to visit as an exciting vacation. Making new friends and being active while cooperating with majestic animals sounds like a splendid venture. The benefits of which are wholesome and inspiring.

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Top 10 Tips for First-Time Summer Campers

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Don’t send your little one off to camp unprepared.

Attending summer camp is a great way for kids to make new friends, try new things, and to either learn or improve skills. For example, if your little one is a budding equestrian, enrolling them in horse camp will let them spend their summer having fun while doing what they love! Summer camps  also allow stressed parents to make some time for themselves, which is often hard to do in today’s hectic world. However, before you kiss your kid goodbye and drop them off, make sure both you and your camper are prepared. Browse through these 10 pre-departure tips, and keep them in mind as you get your child ready for the big day: the first day of camp!

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Storing Winter Horse Blankets

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Equestrian Spring Cleaning

Time to clean out your tack room and get ready for summer fun!

Springtime weather has finally arrived, bringing with it warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Horse owners everywhere are able to stow away the winter blankets, happily letting their horses roam free of heavy weather protection. However, stowing your horse blankets is not a task that should be taken lightly – it’s more complicated than just throwing them in an attic corner. If taken care of properly, your horse blankets can last you for several years – however, a major component of their longevity is dependent on how well you store them during the off-seasons. Before you begin your barn’s spring cleaning, read these tips on how you should be storing your winter horse blankets.

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Equestrian Half Chaps Guide

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There is a divide in the equestrian community when it comes to half chaps. Some riders live in their half chaps, while others brush them off as unnecessary and stick to their tall boots. Some prefer traditional full chaps; and a handful of riders couldn’t even tell you what half chaps are. Personal preferences aside, half chaps have a purpose and place in the horseback riding world. Developed in the 19th century, half chaps were inspired by gaiters, which are garments that are worn over the lower pants to protect the lower leg. Gaiters are still worn by some today while hiking, walking, and running in rough terrain.

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Spring Equestrian Gear

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Believe it or not, the official first day of spring was March 20, 2013. While blustery, chilly conditions are still a reality for many horseback riders, the passage of this date means that warmer temperatures are on the way! Though it may seem like you were just dusting off your winter riding wear, you’ll need to make sure that you’re well equipped for the upcoming spring season. You don’t have to stow away your fleece-lined breeches or your heavy riding jacket just yet, but it may be a good idea to look into your closet and evaluate your wardrobe. Review this checklist to make sure that you have everything you need for the approaching warmer weather.

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Bareback Riding Basics

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To most people, saddles and horseback riding go hand in hand. While most riders have probably ridden bareback just for fun, few consider it a valuable riding style. However, riding without a saddle and developing your bareback skills can be beneficial to your riding as a whole. While it may feel unnatural or uncomfortable at first, you will soon adjust and learn, similar to when you first began to horseback ride. Make sure to progress in steps – only move up to the trot when you are completely comfortable at the walk, and don’t attempt to canter until you have mastered trotting.

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Shopping for Riding Breeches

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If you’re a horse back rider, you live in your riding breeches. Not only do you wear them while riding your horse, but you’re going to wear them around the barn, too — whether you’re cleaning tack, mucking stalls, or grooming your horse.Your favorite pair of riding pants starts to feel like a second skin, especially since they are usually durable enough to last for several years. Thus, many riders are very thoughtful when they shop for their next pair of riding breeches. Not only does the fit have to be just right, but whichever breeches you settle on should be designed for the type of riding you plan on doing. While there are a variety of riding breeches styles available in modern times, this was not always the case. Historically, riding pants would be tight throughout the calf and knee area, then dramatically flare around the thighs — not the most flattering style. Luckily for the fashionistas of the equestrian world, virtually all breeches today are skin tight.

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Different Types of Riding Boots

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Riding boots are a necessary purchase for every rider. While a person could technically ride in a variety of different shoes, boots specifically designed for horseback riding are the safest option out there. The soles of these boots have a relatively shallow tread, making it easy to slide your foot in and out of the stirrup. However, the heel of the boot, which should ideally be 1 to 1.5 inches high, prevents your foot from sliding completely through the stirrup iron. In addition, the toes of riding boots are shaped to your foot rather than a more boxy style, minimizing the possibility of your foot getting caught on the stirrup. For these reasons, hiking boots and sneakers are generally unsafe to ride in.

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Tips for Choosing a Horseback Riding Trainer

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In the horseback riding world, people of all experience levels take lessons. Whether you’re a recent rider or an Olympian, there is also something new to be learned, and skills to be honed. For that reason, a qualified and accomplished riding trainer is an invaluable tool in horse horseback riding education. While your relationship with your trainer will begin as a professional one, before too long, your teacher will evolve into a friend and mentor as well. Choosing the right trainer for you may seem like a challenging and anxiety-producing task — however, it doesn’t have to be this way! Before you start looking, read the following tips to prime your search for the perfect trainer suited to your needs. Continue reading “Tips for Choosing a Horseback Riding Trainer” »

Tips for Breaking in Riding Boots

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Now that the holiday season is behind us, many people are just getting around to trying out all the new gifts they received. If you’re the horse enthusiast in the family, you may have been lucky enough to get a new pair of riding boots. While anyone would feel blessed to receive a pair, for the first few weeks, they may feel like a curse. Horseback riding boots have notoriously stiff, uncomfortable leather that is known to cause serious soreness and in some cases bleeding. Before you mount your horse, it’s important to break in your boots, or else you’ll hardly be able to move your leg. People have been dealing with this problem for decades, and luckily for the modern rider, there are plenty of ways to break in your boots before setting foot in the ring.

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