equiShopping.com Blog

How other sports can help your riding.

To start this article we should first get to grips with the basic level of fitness required for riding.  Riding at a high level is serious sport.  Being fit won't just enable you to ride better it will mean you survive the inevitable falls -with a bit of luck.  Also the stronger you are the clearer your aids so everything becomes clearer.  However, riders seem to have zero free time so we need ways to exercise that fit in with the daily routine. 

For starters, cycle to work or the yard.  When ever you can, take a bike or run especially if you're about town where it is often really is quicker to cycle than run.  Another great tip is to do some interval training while mucking out!! In other words, do 2 stables fast paced and another 2 normally.  

Replacing your office chair with an exercise ball is another good option.  It means your core muscles never really rest as they're constantly keeping you stable on the unstable ball.  Good, effortless exercise that takes no extra time at all! 

If you're at school the usual hockey, football and netball tend to keep you on your toes so you can worry much less.  There are also a number of stretches and exercises that can be done to specifically help individuals but these are best given out by phsiotherapists etc who will look at you as an individual.  The best way to approach exercises is to have a batch of 5 that you can do 4 times a week rather than loads that you'll never have a hope of doing...

The next point does need to be approached with some tact but weight is a major issue.  If you're overweight not only will you not ride as well but you won't be as safe in the saddle and you'll land with a significant thump... there's more than one reason jockeys are small. 

So there you have it.  I haven't actually said anything specific, more given a general way of how to actually make the time to do things and get the most from the time you have.  Finally, "The key to sucess is not our natural ability but the attitide and environment we provide ourselves with".  Just some food for thought. 

A simple guide to bits.

Most people have been through lectures on bitting that although informative sometimes need a bit of a reality check.  The vast majority of horses go well in a snaffle and that's all they'll ever need but then there are those that need a bit of thought when it comes to bitting. 

The next step up from a snaffle is usually something with a bit of poll pressure like a gag.  It's also worth noting when you use a three ring gag on the lowest hole that the sides can sometimes turn up leaving you with no brakes.  The solution seems to be to put a strap on the underside in the curb groove that goes between the two largest rings on the bit (use a spur strap).  However, check the rules before adding to bits as "home made" changes are sometimes not allowed. 

Looking at more specialist cases.  The waterford is a useful tool for horses that clamp down on the bit and run.  It's made of large metal bubbles so doesn't give the horse anything to lean or clamp down on. 

Although quite funky looking the Tom Thumb is also quite a handy bit and works well for those horses that you can never seem to find the right bit for.  Usually because it's such an unusual bit that no one's ever tried it before. 

The world of the double bridle is more for the dressage side of things but the same principles go.  Keep it simple.  So stick with the standard bridoon and weymouth unless you have to change things.  Looking at port sizes is also a good plan if your horse has a chunky tongue... Double bridles can be used XC or showjumping but you do need to be careful not to get your knitting in a knot.  Pelham roundings can help save the hassle of two sets of reins if you can't quite get your head round it. 

 Hackamores are again a specialised bit of kit but have kept more than one top end horse going in the past when they've had mouth injuries.  Some horses also just go better without a bit in their mouth.  Hackamores need a fair bit of attention to get the right fit and type though as they can exert some pretty harsh pressure if used incorrectly.  The bottom line being that the strongest bit in the right hands can be very kind but the softest bit in the wrong hands can be lethal.

There are lots of other types of bits and people classify bits in many different ways but that covers what most horses go in. It's also worth noting the usefullness of the Fulmer cheek.  It's not only useful for young horses that have steering issues but has been used for several ''cart horses in a breastplate'' who need that bit more encouragement to go round the corners.  Before I land myself in it, several top top horses have been ridden in Fulmer cheeks so it's not just for babies and lunies.  Happy bitting!!

 

equiShopping newsletter - You can take a horse to water - (February 2011)

You can take a horse to water......

Horses are living beings and have a mind of their own. They can be very well bred, beautifully put together and have all of the talent, but if they don't like the job you're stuffed!! That is why the argument people put forward about National Hunt Racing doesn't stack up; if they don't like it it's not worth pursuing because you can't change it and it's too expensive! Fortunately there are many different equestrian disciplines and just because they don't like one doesn't mean they won't like another; look at how many ex racehorses end up in playing polo, in the show ring or as top eventers, see www.ror.org.uk and even if they don't compete horses can bring so much pleasure as hacks or companions. The interesting thing is that whilst those of us who do expect our horses to perform can get frustrated , horses play a pivotal role in releasing frustrations in the most unlikely situations, dealing with both physical and psychological problems in the rapidly expanding field of equine therapy. www.equineassistedtherapy.org.uk/ - the magic of the horse!!

 

Special Offers

20% OFF ALL HORSE RUGS with Country First Direct Isn't it about time you treated your horse to a new rug? Massive clearance sale on all Summer and Winter rugs. Brands include Weethabeeta, Amigo, Masta, Rambo and many more. This amazing offer of 20% off all horse rugs is available throughout February 10% off & free P&P across the range from Flyaway Please using the code VALENT. Offer available for 30days. Exclusive for EquiShopping customers 5%off any order including sale items at Goyt Mill Saddlery Enter the code MEQUISHOPFEB11 to qualify Remember your Friends-Special Memory Horseshoe plaques and plinths from Horseco Ltd We'll mount your own horseshoe and engrave your wording alongside. You can also send us a photo which we'll include FREE!! Exclusive free p&p offer for equiShopping members - When you receive an "order received" advise Horseco that you are an equiShopping member to get the cost of postage and packing FREE saving 17.5% of the cost! This offer runs until the end of March 2011. View this offer View more offers for Fast Tack Direct

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS VIEW OUR VOUCHERS

 

New Products

NEW!! Beautiful magnetic therapy horseshoe bracelet from Gee Gee Images   Happy Hacker Aqueos Anti-Microbial Shampoo with Special Applicator Fed up with water running down your arms and buckets being knocked over while washing your horse? Try the new Aqueos shampoo and applicator, available from Happy Hacker The shampoo is low foaming and leaves a nice soft coat. Think car wash for horses and that what the special applicator gives you. Attach to a hose and rinse your horse, switch a button and shampoo and switch again to rinse. The 2 litre bottle dilutes to 80 litres of product. Type in 'happy' at the checkout and receive a 15% discount New products from Flyaway Max strength fly repellent Natural lavender wash Natural stain remover

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS VIEW OUR BARGAINS

 

Editors note

Well the cricket deteriorated, but lets hope that was lulling them into a false sense of security. England think they are on their way to winning the European Cup after winning a friendly and the rugby team are on course to win the Six Nations…. always look on the brightside! Good luck if you are competing this weekend

Horsey Casual Wear - You're in for a surprise!

So we've all heard the usual jokes and mickey takes at men wearing tight white breeches but horsey wear is making a comeback.  Not just the casual wear produced by the likes of Caldene and Pikeur but jodphurs as well! Take a walk down Bond street or some other indicator of the fashion world and you might be surprised to see people wearing jodphurs, yes, actual jodphurs for riding!

Let's look at the fashion side of things for riding.  Most riders tend to be on the slimmer side rather than the more rotund end of the spectrum.  Slim fitting clothes are the way to go.  The look at the moment seems to be long sleeved T-shirts under short sleeved ones for the layered look.  Hoodies are also big.  Gilets on top of hoodies are popular as well.  Infact you can now get hoodies with inbuilt hoods.

 Funky riding socks are also a must if not just for the talking point.  The going trend at the moment is to save the long boots for competing and stick with jodphur boots and gaiters at home.  The next step is too whip off the gaiters when you finish rding and show off the socks...

More and more riding coats are now acceptable to wear down the high street as well as in the warm up arena when it starts tipping it down or is freezing cold.  A wide brimed hat also goes down well especially in those truely british downpours. 

Equishopping's other services!

I thought it was high time we highlighted the equishopping services that are really incredubly useful but that not everybody knows about. 

For starters, not only do we do horse classifieds for free but we offer classified ads for a whole range of horse related things from lorries to job seekers. 

We also offer web design services at very competitive rates.  Also if you're a merchant it means you're automatically hooked up to Equishopping's database so you save yourself some hassle.  Websites are also a great way for riders to get new sponsorship oportunities.  If your names not out there you'll never know!

We also offer an extensive business database so if you're looking for that local tackshop you just hadn't heard of then check it out!

Our banner advertising is also a fab way to gain maximum exposure to the lucrative equestrian market with excellent demographics for relatively little outlay. 

We also do equestrian property classifieds - could one ad save you the expense of an estate agent? It doesn't hurt to try...

 For merchants we also offer an easy to use service with lots of different options to get you up and running with us and rolling in the pounds.  Of course I should also mention the crown jewel that is our state of the art price comparison site!!

Bridle Accessories - what you need to know.

Equishopping have a huge range of bridle accessories but how do you use them correctly and what are they for? 

First off, martingale stops are a vital component of any set of reins used with a martingale.  If you don't have them on you run the risk of getting the reins tangled with your martingale in various nasty ways which inevitably don't end well... The advantage of rubber stops is that they can be taken off when you don't need them.  This is especially useful when you need to ride a dressage test- the dressage judges like to see the space between the horses jaw and neck uncluttered by martingale stops as it detracts from the outline.  If you have leather stops you can't take them off. 

 Sheep skin nosebands can also be a useful tool.  You're not allowed sheepskins down either side of the horses head anymore but you are allowed a nose band.  They are also called shadow rollers as they stop racehorses on the flat trying to jump shadows... More commonly though, they're used with jumpers that don't focus on their fences as they force the horse to peek over them and focus with their head lower rather than run round with their head in the air... Merino sheepskin ones are the softest and last the longest.  

Curb chain protectors are also useful if you use a curb chain.  It's very easy for curb chains to rub or get hair caught in them so a rubber cover is a simple solution.  Just remember to twist the curb chain twice so it lies flat before you fit the cover.  

Bridle bags are also a great way of reducing mess in your tack room and keeping newly cleaned tack sparkling before you go down the centre line.  

Ear covers are also useful for horses that get irritated by flys or those that seem to have supersonic hearing.  You can even get very funky florescent ones to keep you safe on the road!

 Fulmer loops are also something people forget.  If you've got long sides on a bit they're very usefull for keeping things tucked away and neat.  Also they give the bit more poll action when used properly.  It may not be the case that you need to change bit as you might just have to add a pair of fulmer loops.  Give it a go, you can't lose.  

Pelham roundings are another useful tool.  They allow a double bit (ie bridoon and weymouth) to be used with a single rein.  From small kids who knit with their reins to eventers who need a simpler set up XC pelham roundings can be a life saver.  

 Although blinkers aren't allowed to be used out competing they do have their uses.  Some horses are only hackable on the road with blinkers or alternatively it wouldn't be unheard of to take very young horses out hacking in blinkers.  However, opinions differ on blinkers...

That's it for bridle accessories.  The Equishopping range is fairly complete so we should have everything you can think up available.  Happy shopping.  

 

The simple first aid kit.

First aid kits have always been one of those things we argue over.  What exactly should go in a first aid kit? Over the years various books from the Pony Club manual to the BHS have tried to define the perfect kit.  Now I won’t pretend to be a vet so please don’t have me struck down by lightening if I get things a bit wrong.  I’ll only try to highlight some of the things that really do come in helpful rather than perhaps the “medical essentials”. 

For starters if you’re in a lorry it vital you keep several ice packs in the freezer.  If a limbs swollen no one not even a vet can make a decent diagnosis so ice is the first step.  If you’re in a trailer you can get instant ice packs that you submerge in water to make go cold. 

Following that having lots of Gamgee, dressings and poultices are a must.  These must be kept clean and replaced if they aren’t used within a couple of months as they begin to go off.  Wound creams are also a good plan as they can help keep things at bay and stop problems developing before the vet can asses things. 

A hoof boot is also very helpful if shoes are lost or for holding poultices on.  Certain hoof boots also allow horses to be worked if they’ve lost shoes but I’m not aware of the feasibility of using these across country but it has been done in desperate circumstances. 

Sharp scissors are also vital.  The biggest cause of accidents are blunt scissors and knives so sharp is definitely safer.  Sharp scissors also mean you’ll be able to cut things rather than hack at them in an exasperated manner. 

A little known fact is that poultices can also be used for cooling legs like ice packs if they are wetted and put in a freezer.  They also have the advantage of containing various salts so have pulling properties for thorns etc. 

Vet wrap is a life saver as it allows even the most incompetent bandager to put on a bandage that could potentially save a horses life.  On a more day to day basis its the quickest way to do medical bandages for things like tendons if bandages are being put on and off constantly. 

A box of disposable gloves will also save you a lot of hassle and mess, plus they’ll help keep any dirt on your hands out of wounds.  Antiseptic wipes also go hand in hand with gloves especially if there’s deep wounds about.  The last thing you want is infections getting in etc.

A roll of cotton wool is a great idea.  A more expensive make is probably better as it’s denser and holds together better so won’t leave strands of wool in any grazes.  Cotton wool is really good for things like Hibi Scrub as you can use it plentifully and use clean pieces each time. 

Hibi Scrub is a good general purpose product to treat all manner of ills.  The info on it is on the bottle with clear instructions so you feel confident using it as well. 

Tweezers are really useful as well.  From taking out thorns to taking stones out of stud holes I’m sure you’ll find a use for them.   

Although, that covers quite a lot if in doubt ask your vet who is far more qualified than anyone here at Equishopping.   However, whatever they suggest, Equishopping’s wide range of first aid supplies should be able to supply it. 

 

 

Stable entertainment for your horse

We all know the scenario when either it’s wet or horses have hurt themselves and have to stay stabled which is generally bad news... However, Equishopping are here to help with our range of entertainment features coming to a stable near you!!

The feed ball is a classic stable toy and there’s a vast choice so check them out here.  Some are easier to roll than others so work better in a stable or harder to roll ones in the field so they aren’t rolled under fences quite so quickly.  The best feed to use in them is “pony nuts” or any other feed that comes in a pellet, nut or cube format. 

Vitamin licks are good but shouldn’t really be used for general purpose entertainment.  Salt licks are better and usually take horses a while to get enough salt for the day out of.  They come in blocks that can be fixed to a wall in a dispenser or can be hung from the ceiling on a rope with a large know in the end.  With all licks though it’s important to make sure horses and especially ponies don’t take chunks out of them as they can choke on the large pieces. 

A suede or turnip with a hole in hung from the ceiling can work well but not all horses like them.  Some have been known to bite them off the rope and fling them at innocent bystanders who walk by...

Stable mirrors are brilliant.  Did you know? – Horses can’t recognise their own reflection.  This means that they think they have company from their mirror image.  It is important that the mirror is plastic in case they take offense to their new found friends and give him a boot.  Glass and horses doesn’t mix. 

Leaving the radio on is also quite entertaining for them.  Recent research into animal behaviour has shown that cats spend about 2 hours a day watching TV so a horse listening to a radio isn’t to far fetched.  Personally I think they prefer Radio 1 but when the likes of “Lady Gaga” or “The Prodigy” come on others on the yard beg to differ.... Opps! 

 

Making this season easier and less stressful - part 2.

Hello. Welcome to the next instalment of the double bill of blogs looking at ways to smarten up your act and make your life easier. 

Most eventers tend to show jump in their XC hat with a black silk on.  The easiest way to neaten things up is to replace your silk.  As silks get older they lose their elasticity which means they’re more likely to fall of (embarrasing!) or they simply look tatty.  Equishopping has a range of traditional silks and also has a range of XC silks if you fancy jazzing up your XC colours. 

Also thinking on the elastic front.  The elastic in number bibs has a habit of stretching leaving you with a number bib which would fit a small rhino.  When you get a new number bib our top tip is to get some black electricians tap and adjust the bib to your size then tape it to that size.  That way you’ll have to high speed loose ends to smack you in the face. 

Chances are your first aid kit will need replenishing but I’ll do a separate blog on that in more detail.  For now though check out our first aid range for treating mud fever to scratches. 

It may seem like a strange idea but get a new torch for the lorry.  Torch technology has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years so you can pick up super bright long battery life LED torches for reasonably prices.  They make life so much easier at early season events when you’re leaving in the dark and leaving in blackness. 

Another small but highly significant item.  Spur straps.  If you’ve got leather ones and haven’t cleaned them over the winter they could be fairly stuffed.  If you’ve got webbing ones they might be coming to the end of their days as the do begin to fray after a while and no longer hold your spurs securely. 

It might not be relevant to everyone but by the end of the year your buckets might be looking a bit manky.  Either get a bucket and brush or pressure washer on them or replace them.  Rubbishy buckets aren’t a good start. 

Finally – Don’t forget your lucky pants!! 

 

Relieving stress and making your life easier this season.

The new season’s coming up and chances are your packing the lorry for the first time this year.  If you’re anything like us they’ll be a few things that either need replacing or have simply disappeared off the face of the earth. 

First off, there’s all those bits of tack like breastplates and stud girths that chances are won’t have been used through the winter.  Plus, some off the stuff may have only just lasted till the end of the season so are crying out to be replaced.  On that note have you checked your stud kit recently? If you haven’t stored your studs properly they’ll be rusted and anyway they’ll probably be worn down from use.  The easiest way to wreck your farrier’s carefully crafted stud holes is to use rusty, beaten up studs. Equishopping has a range of studs but our top tip is to shell out that bit more for the better studs.  You get what you pay for with studs.  Also getting self tapping studs will save you lots of hassle but only if  you can put studs in straight and are well practised or you’ll mess up your stud holes. 

How about whips.  We all have our favourite stick and they’ll never be another one like it but sometimes you just have to let go... Sticks fixed up with duck tape really don’t good so check out our range of sticks.  From short jumping sticks to long elegant gold schooling whips we’ve got it.

Going down the body we come to over reach boots.  No I seem to have ended up with lots of right foot boots and one left foot one – I think some replacements could be next on the list.  Whether it’s XC boots that have served you well for years but have finally given up the ghost or your white dressage wraps that no longer shine so brightly we can help.  Just check out our selection of boots. 

With the first dressage test of the season fast approaching there’s that minor issue of plaiting...ARGGHHH!!! However, we’ve got some quick tips to save you from the horror – or a bit of it at least... Buy some new plaiting bands as they will have perished over the winter and will snap when you try to use them.  Then BIN the old ones.  Whatever you do don’t keep them as “spares”.  Next step is to properly pull your horses mane.  Either using a metal pulling comb.  Seriously, don’t use a plastic one because the spines will snap off!  We also know that some horses totally abhore having their mares pulled so have a browse of our mane pulling range which includes products such as the “solo comb” that we think could make your life less stressful. 

One final finishing touch.  Quarter markers are an easy way to make your horses apperance a whole lot smarter.  Some people somehow manage to do these with just a brush and a bucket of water but if like me this a step too far have a look at our quarter marker stencils that save you the hassle. 

Next time we’ll have more ideas for smartening up your act and making your life easier but for now that’s it.