Equestrian Half Chaps Guide

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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Shopping for Riding Breeches

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

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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Rubber Reins vs. Leather Reins

The debate of rubber horse reins versus leather reins is one that is unlikely to fade away anytime soon. You must confront this question every time you buy a new bridle or replace your old reins. Many riders feel strongly about this issue; however, others are more easily swayed. At the end of the day, both types of reins have their respective pros and cons. This article aims to outline them, in order to help you make an informed decision the next time you go tack shopping.

Which Half Chaps Are Right for You?

Half chaps are a must - they protect the rider's legs while riding a horse and increase the rider's grip on the saddle.

Having a great pair of half chaps can help your riding immensely. I use to wear full chaps for the longest time, and when I switched over to half chaps, I rarely took them off.

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Choosing Safe & Stylish Helmets

Beautiful Italian Velvet helmets are perfect for showing.

One of the unavoidable truths of riding is that you are going to fall. Even the best of riders fall from time to time for varied reasons – their horse gets spooked, someone else loses control of their horse, improper posture while riding, etc.
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Horse Tack Care Tips

Horse tack can be incredibly expensive and frustrating to replace. More importantly, it can be a danger to both the horse and the rider if it is not properly taken care of. Each time a rider saddles up their horse, or untacks at the end of the day, they must clean and check their equipment thoroughly. This will ensure that the tack lasts a long time, and that it continues to work in good condition.
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Horses as Investments

Investment horses may be cute but are they worth it?

One of the issues I saw often while training as a student worker, were owners who knew little about horses, yet decided that they would be a great investment. I don’t blame these individuals for not knowing that this was a very risky idea, I had no idea myself how risky it was. The problem is that they were poorly advised by trainers who were too excited about the money that they would make from such a deal. Before anyone decides to go down the road of buying a horse or several as investments, they should know a few basic things.
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How to Saddle Shop Like a Pro

"All purpose" or Eventing English saddle (via Wikipedia)

"All purpose" or Eventing English saddle (via Wikipedia)

Basic Western and English saddles are so incredibly different in design, that many people who have little experience with riding often wonder what the purpose is behind this distinction. The English saddle is tiny in comparison to the hulking western saddles that everyone is used to seeing in old cowboy movies. Continue reading “How to Saddle Shop Like a Pro” »

Canada’s Bad Luck in London

David Marcus competing on Chevri's Capital.

It’s fair to say that Canada hasn’t been having the best of luck in the 2012 London Olympics. As of Sunday, August 5, two of their horse and rider combos have been disqualified in two separate events. With only a few more days left in the competition, Canada is scrambling to recover from these disqualifications and come out on top. However, these blows will inevitably cause some irreparable damage. Continue reading “Canada’s Bad Luck in London” »