Most professional trainers and riders will agree that without buying a custom made saddle for every horse you ride, the correct pad is your only salvation. Knowing that saddles are made for the average back we are faced with the frustrating task of accommodating it to the horse. The perfect saddle fit will reduce stress by putting uniform pressure on the horse’s back. The spine and withers, of course, should bear no weight at all. As simple as it may sound, it’s not. Horses come in different shapes and sizes just as people. The Pro-Tech closed cell perforated inserts in the Cush-N-Air pad act as shims, redistributing the weight over a large area, thereby reducing the pressure per square inch.

• Cush-N-Air: The greatest possible PROTECTION from soring & abrasion.
• Completely WASHABLE – Rinse off with hose.
• LIGHTWEIGHT
• Firm cushion SHAPES NATURALLY.
• This pad keeps a COOLER BACK using less energy in perspiration – will increase endurance.
• Contoured to fit the horse’s back for a more comfortable fit, keeping a CLOSE CONTACT.
• The Cush-N-Air Pad is a TOTAL PADDING SYSTEM, designed to be used without an over or under pad.

Find out more about the Cush-N-Air Pad

Post from: Horse Facts and Equestrian Sports

Does Your Saddle Really Fit You And Your Horse?

Post from: Horse Facts and Equestrian Sports

Does Your Saddle Really Fit You And Your Horse?

I came across this site today – Dressage Not Stressage

It’s a simple one page website which I would recommend you take a look at – it is a well presented site on various aspects of dressage.  The writer obviously knows her subject and writes with wit and humour as well.  It will only take you a few minutes – go visit.  It is an excellent introduction to one of the premier Equestrian Sports

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Dressage Site – Take a Look

Post from: Horse Facts and Equestrian Sports

Dressage Site – Take a Look

Success in any equestrian sport is dependent on the rapport between horse and rider and it takes hard work to achieve that. Horses have personalities just like people and it is just as necessary to bear those in mind and work with them as it is with any social interaction. Dancing with Horses is an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone who is working to communicate with their horse and develop their relationship. Klaus Hempfling’s book has been around a while but is only recently getting the coverage and recognition it deserves.

To quote from an article in The Library Journal by Deborah Emerson

“The author’s approach combines his backgrounds in communications, theater, and dance with more traditional means. The result is an unusually harmonious relationship between horse and trainer, in which there is complete understanding and communication through body language. Hempfling’s method has proven successful with all breeds of horses and makes the learning process fun for both horse and rider…. “

There have been many reviews of the book but one particularly caught my eye as I think it summed up the benefits that can be achieved – it came from Tuike Ekroos of Helsinki and summed up the desperation some riders can feel

“I have a so called problem horses. He was almost dangerous to handle and not so much interested in me. Now I have found my way to communicate with him without using violence. This book is really easy-to-understand with its advice. On this book there is the Hempfling’s key philosophy but you can also find really concrete advice from this book. I really have to say i love Hempflings way to communicate with horses.”

Given that one can have so much success with a problem horse, you can imagine the benefits with a horse that is less difficult to handle. Dancing with Horses is a great investment for anyone who takes part in Equestrian sports.

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Dancing With Horses – A ‘Must’ For Equestrian Sports

Post from: Horse Facts and Equestrian Sports

Dancing With Horses – A ‘Must’ For Equestrian Sports

As a species human beings enjoy competition in all its forms whether it be a simple kick around in the park or taking part in a major event, either as part of a team or as an individual. Equestrian Sports fulfil this desire to compete ion every level, either as part of a team or as individual. You can represent yourself, your club or at the very highest level, your Country.

Riding demonstrate the harmony between Rider and Horse in a way that nothing else does. Men and women can both take part on level playing field which is rare in any sporting event. The speed and dexterity with which they and their mounts flash around the course can be quite astounding to a novice. This is the result of many months of training and developing the relationship between the pairing. Before this can be developed you first have to choose the horse you want to ride.

The size of the horse has to be one of the first criteria – what good is it to have a horse that can run like the wind and jump a mile if your feet dangle on the floor or you are too heavy for him. Next comes temperament, you need a horse that you can work with, they have personalities just like people and sometimes personalities clash. If you find that you rub each other up the wrong way it will show in the competition and you will always be fighting to control your mount. That can be disastrous in Dressage for example, where you need to work as one. The precise movements are almost a ballet and any disharmony would be like the orchestra playing out of tune.

In any Equestrian Sport the condition of the horse plays a major part, he needs to be healthy and happy, well fed, watered and groomed so that he is comfortable and ready for the excitement of the competition – after all you want to win a Rosette don’t you?

There are many competitions in the world of Equestrian Sports but there are some that stand head and shoulders above the rest – the Burleigh Horse Trials in the UK where the best three day eventers compete. The National Horse Show in America covers many fields of equestrian endeavour and is held in Palm Beach under the auspices of the National Show Horse Association of America who focus the competitions on good horsemanship.

One of the most popular events in the calendar is the Horse of the Year Show at Olympia, London, which is held in December each year. A huge party atmosphere prevails throughout the show which specializes in Show Jumping but with lots of other competitions thrown in as well. I have many happy memories of competing there, it was like the beginning of Christmas. The ultimate competition is of course, the Olympic Games where Equestrian Sports are one of the oldest categories.

Any competitive rider will love taking part in their chosen branch of Equestrian Sport and so will their horse providing an exciting show for spectators, the buzz is tremendous and if you win….

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Equestrian Sports – Competition

Post from: Horse Facts and Equestrian Sports

Equestrian Sports – Competition

Horse and Man have co-existed since time immemorial. Without the relationship between horse and man our world would have a very different shape. We are no longer as dependent upon horses as we once were, they still play an important part in our lives – who among us has not played games based round riding a horse and racing like the wind towards the horizon. Horses are far more used for relaxation and sport, and the pleasure of their company though there are many still working in farms, ranches and there is still a military use, albeit mainly ceremonial.

The term ‘Equestrian’ has it’s roots in Roman times and comes from the world ‘Equus’ – Horse. The nobility of Rome provided the Cavalry and it is from there the term developed. The Equestrians of Rome were regarded as an elite class as horses were expensive and considerable wealth was required to maintain them.. The Knights were both a political and military force because of the influence their money and skills gave them. They were well compensated for their efforts by the government who needed to keep on good terms with a volatile group.

Horses were also used in more peaceful pursuits and as Rome expanded and drew in Cavalry from it’s allies the Knights lost their influence in politics but became more powerful in the financial world as they were allowed to engage in business unlike the Senators whose role was purely political.

The importance of the horse continued throughout history until relatively recent times. They have always been a valuable asset and as such were prized and well cared for. The ability to ride well and care for horses has always been the mark ofa social elite though that is changing today as Equestrian Sports are within the reach of many more people.

So what is the difference between and Equestrian and a Rider? Equestrianism is much more than just riding – it is a harmony between Horse and Rider where they work together as a team. Whilst we mainly think of Equestrian Sport as those things we see in the Olympics – Dressage, Show jumping and Cross Country Riding, it also covers Driving and other sports such as Polo.

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Equestrian or Rider?

Post from: Horse Facts and Equestrian Sports

Equestrian or Rider?

This is a site for all things Equestrian. If you are interested in horses, riding, equestrian sports – in fact anything remotely equine this is the place for you. I have been riding since I was a small child, I fell off my first horse more years ago than I care to remember and I would like to share my love for horses and riding with you. I believe a happy and healthy horse is the privilege of every rider so I will be sharing all the knowledge that I have gained with you – and maybe a few tales of my adventures along the way. I hope you will enjoy it and share your tales with me.

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Welcome to the Easy Equestrian

Post from: Horse Facts and Equestrian Sports

Welcome to the Easy Equestrian