Horse pendants
What’s the perfect gift for a horse lover? That would have to be a horse. But if you do not have the finances, or if they already has one, then you buy the next best thing. With the many options available, there is one gift that would best suit any horse lover. Here are some equestrian gifts that you can find for your loved one.
For a young horse lover, you can get him a toy pony. You can also find a bag, tote or purse with horse design, a boot box where pens, markers or brushes can be placed, a shirt or heart-shaped jewelry box, also with horse design. There are also other toys like cards and puzzles. If they like to watch movies, give him a DVD of a nice horse movie.
Another gift idea is equestrian jewelry. You can find horseshoe rings, horse pendants or bracelets with horse trinkets in gold, silver or platinum. Or you can give some horse art, like paintings and posters. If you can paint, you can make a mural on a wall of their home.
For someone who likes to read, you can give subscriptions to equine magazines. There are also horse lover notebooks, journals and address books, office stationery, paper weight and book ends that you can find. If your loved one is seriously considering a career in horse riding, you can give DVDs and books on horsemanship. Tickets to a horse show or rodeo would also make great gifts.
There are also house items that you can get for the adult horse lover. You can find many blankets and throws with horse prints, pillowcases and pillows with horse designs, equestrian trellis designs in placemats, tablecloths and napkins, floor mats and rugs, horse racing table tops, home accents and décor, clocks, etched glassware, horse loving mugs, statues. Other house décor like nightlights, lamps and candle holders would also look beautiful in a horse lover’s home.
For someone special, you can give a horse mailbox. Some manufacturers have different breeds, colors and poses available. So you can find a black palomino in a running pose, or a chestnut thoroughbred standing. These products even have some natural-looking mane and tail hair.
Another practical gift is a basket containing stuff for the horse like horse treats or toys that the horse can play with. Or you can give a bucket full of products for horse grooming like shampoo, hoof pick, body brush, shedder, saddle soap and others. This is ideal for a horse trainer or riding instructor. Ask help from a riding professional to know the best products to buy.
Of course, you can buy horse apparel and riding accessories like jackets, boots, hats and saddles.
If, despite all these gift ideas, you still can’t decide on what to give, why not give gift cards or certificates to a specialty store. That way, they are sure to get something they really want.
There are many sources of equestrian gifts. You can find them in stores, museum gift shops and the internet. Also, if you really know the person, then you will know what gift they will love. So, the next time you would want to give a horse lover friend or family member a gift, you know what to buy and where to find it.
Cutting edge design
Equestrian helmets may not be the biggest fashion sensation today, but there are some stories behind them. The distinctive style of the helmet, kept even in these days of modern materials and cutting-edge design, still reflects the tradition of conservatism proliferated by the early English riding headdress.
Unlike their predecessors, however, equestrian helmets of today serve a purpose beyond making people look good: safety. Not many people realize this, but competitive horse riding is a sport that can be fraught with danger. This is the reason why helmets of today are designed and standardized to make sure that a rider does not suffer serious cranial injuries when riding.
The helmet itself has an outer layer of plastic, which resists impact and prevents injuries in case of a fall. However, some helmets are designed with a cloth covering the shiny plastic in order to make the helmet look more attractive.
The brim of the helmet is designed to protect the eyes of the rider form the harsh glare of the sun. It also makes the helmet more attractive in terms of design. However, the brim is not made of the same materials as the “shell” of the helmet. Rather, it is designed to crumple during a fall. This makes the helmet safer in event a rider lands on the brim.
The inside of the helmet is designed with both comfort and safety in mind. Added padding makes sure that the helmet takes the brunt of the impact in case of a fall. The design is also very sport-specific: one of the reasons why an equestrian helmet is easily recognizable.
The design of the helmet makes sure that the whole head is protected. This is unlike bicycle or skating helmets, which focus the protection in the front and back of the head. It is also designed with the comfort of the rider in mind, with ventilation and positioning factored into the overall aesthetics.
There are many variations on the equestrian helmet based on the competition. Horseracing jockeys, for instance, wear helmets that are brimless and covered with a cloth matching the color scheme of their uniforms. Traditionalists frown upon the spreading use of brilliant colored helmets, but more and more people find the colors black, brown and gray boring.
There are also some varieties of equestrian helmets today that have been adapted to more “western” designs. These helmets, however, are yet to be embraced by riders in rodeos (where they are obviously more needed).
Standardization varies form country to country. However, a rider who joins a competition must have a standard helmet or that rider will not be allowed to compete. People who have performed a “conformity assessment” judge whether the helmet is up to standard
The conformity assessment is a series of tests that show how safe the helmet is. Some assessments involve various tests that simulate a rider falling from a horse and even getting kicked by a horse in the head.
Today, the equestrian helmet is not yet required for riders. However, they are becoming common practice. In fact, riding instructors today are required by insurance companies to make their students wear riding helmets in order to get an insurance policy. Some people may feel that equestrian helmets are uncomfortable and hot, but you should always remember that these helmets keep you safe.
Joy of Competition in Equestrian Events
Loving the competition–this is presumably the very motto of men. They do enjoy any form of competition. The competition that they take too much interest in range from the simple basketball games wherein they bet for their own favored teams to bring home the bacon and down to enlisting themselves as members of a specific sports event team and work on taking home the victory.
Now there is another addiction that men would die for and that is rodeo. When asked which variety of rodeo they engage themselves in, most of them would give a ringing answer of barrel racing. Why would they not love it when really engaging women are the ones who are participating in the sports league? This then is one of the main reasons that influences them to also pay attention to equestrian events.
Equestrian events showcase the participant’s speed. Perhaps one more reason as to why men patronize equestrian events is because they get to witness women competing against men in this sport of speed. Isn’t it too enticing and astounding to see pretty women who are too talented to enlist themselves in such kind of sport which had been for long a time regarded as a man’s stuff? But of course, there are innumerable men who are equestrians themselves.
There are several other kinds of equestrian events that men can join and be good at. It is very very important that they know how to choose the appropriate horses to ride on. Safety and comfort are two of the key factors to consider. When one talks about competition, the very thing that comes into the mind is winning. What is the sense of a competition if no one can be declared as the winner, right?
This just makes all sorts of competition pretty exciting. And in order to win, the horse’s condition plays a major role. Just take reigning as an example. Reigning is an equestrian event that features the rider completing a pattern set while on board his horse. The pattern includes difficult obstacles wherein various maneuvering must be finished off with ease and confidence.
Other important equestrian events which are most sought after and which deserve to be noted are The National Horse Shows, the Olympia London International Horse Show, and the Arabian Horse Show.
The National Horse Show caters to all equestrians in the United States who have all the intentions of showing off what they’ve got. It is organized by the National Horse Show Association of America and is held at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club that is located in Wellington, Florida. Thousands of spectators come around to witness the competition. The event is focused on the display of horsemanship. As an equestrian sport, the main goal is for the competitors to show off their excellence in the said field.
The Olympia London International Horse Show on the other hand is held in London, England annually in the month of December. Elite people who own the elite horses join this prestigious equestrian event. The common categories in the competition are the dressage or the show jumping.
The Arabian Horse Show that is sponsored by the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona is a tough competition for the equestrian and a lot of money is involved as the price.
Equestrian events are really that interesting. No wonder, men are passionate enough to indulge in all of these.
Equestrian Interior Design Concepts
If you are a big fan of horses and the people who ride them, you might want to express it by buying different equestrian decors and clocks for your home. If you know of someone who is a big fan of the sport, you might also want to give such items to him or her. However, purchasing an item needs a lot of careful thought. How exactly does one choose a décor or clock?
1) Consider the recipient – If you plan to give the decors to a friend or even if you are just buying something for your own use, you might want to consider whoever is using it. Try to match it with his or her personality. This doesn’t mean the usual clichéd “yellow if she’s happy and red if he’s mad” type of personality matching.
You need to go deeper than the obvious. With a gift, you have an opportunity to capture a person’s essence.
2) Location, location, location – A décor or clock should always blend with the surroundings. If you are giving one as a gift, you might want to check out the recipient’s place first. If you are buying it for your house, you need a clear idea regarding where you will place the clock.
Sometimes, a small item like a clock or décor is able to bring about an organic unity. Of course, there are also times when a clock or décor ruins the entire look of a place. That statement was not meant to pressure you into picking the “perfect” décor. However, you should take it as an encouragement to at least try and make the décor work with other decorations. Try not to see it just as a separate piece but as part of the whole.
3) Budget – Money will always be a cause for concern among people. You do not have unlimited resources. You need to make use of those resources wisely. Before buying anything, you need to at least have an idea regarding just how much money you can spend on the item. However, you must also be very discerning regarding the true value of something.
You need to be a bit flexible regarding your budget. If something’s worth just a few more dollars, why shouldn’t you get it? You have to trust your instinct. However, you still have to remain in control. Make sure that your flexibility is within reason.
4) Functionality – If you are buying an equestrian clock, you might want to make sure of its functionality. Although such a clock is made to look good, the fact that it is a clock establishes certain expectations.
If its décor we are talking about, surely you might see some purpose behind the aesthetic value of a decoration. Some people may argue that the whole point of decoration is to look good. However, you should realize that life today calls for practicality. Function is sought after, even in décor.
5) Consider the materials – In decoration, the materials used determine a lot of factors. By checking out the materials of an equestrian décor or clock, you will be able to determine its overall aesthetics. You will also have an idea regarding just how strong the item can be. It is very important to consider the durability of an item, as you will be investing your cash in it.
Working with horses
If you are someone who is passionate about equines (read: horses), and you want to use your time in college to learn more about them, then you might want to check out the various Equestrian college programs available today. Many colleges offer such programs. However, picking a single program over all of the choices can be a bit confusing.
In order to help you choose the best program, here are a few things that you might want to look for:
A) Focus – you need to see if the programs offered by a specific college are appropriate to help you get a career doing what you love and working with horses. There are various skills that you can learn and a focus on these learning areas shows you what the college can do for you. Here are the areas of focus:
1) Horseback riding and training – an equestrian is often defined by his or her ability to ride horses. Riding is a skill that will forever be attached to the title “equestrian”. However, riding is just the tip of the iceberg. In order to learn how to be a true equestrian, you need to learn how to work with your horse, training it and shaping it until it can respond to your slightest command. Remember that Equestrian studies is not just about you; It’s about both you and your horse.
2) Horse care – you also need to learn how to take care of your horses. A lot of people assume that the hardest part of being an equestrian is getting your horse to jump. This is a fantasy. In order to become a true equestrian, you need to learn how to take care of your mount. You need to understand horses inside and out. You will study the horse’s anatomy, how to fee it, how to groom it, and other essentials in horse care.
3) Horse Businesses – once you have acquired the skills, you need to learn how to use those skills to help you in the real world. In other words, you should learn the appropriate techniques to turn your skills into money. A good program will teach you to run horse-related businesses, such as stables, riding schools, and others.
B) Hands-on learning – a good program will always allow the students to learn about horses hands-on. You cannot be a “classroom equestrian”. There is not such thing. You need to actually work with horses in order to become an equestrian.
The best way to judge a college equestrian program would be to see if there are any stables in the campus. This shows you just how extensive the training of the students is going to be. You should also check to see if the program includes internships. This is the best way to learn how to apply “classroom” skills in the “real” world.
C) Extracurricular activities – in order to see just how much you will learn from a college’s equestrian program, you might want to check out if they have a great equestrian or polo team. This will show you just how much you will be able to learn. It will also give you a glimpse on how much the school prides itself on this field.
Those are just some of the things you need to check out in choosing a college equestrian program. Remember: you can always check how much the teacher can give before you start taking classes.
Equestrian careers
The horse industry has grown very big and it continuously provides rewarding equestrian careers to those who seek to become a useful member of it. It is for this reason that several equestrian colleges have opened up in the effort of molding and equipping the horse lover individuals and in guiding them in their chosen career path. Many people have been so expressive in thanking the equestrian colleges that have given them the proper training and support. They are aware that these colleges have become the avenues of making their dream come into a realization.
Horse training actually begins as soon as you get your horse. Now with all of the excitement that you feel for the new adventure that awaits you, you would surely want to learn everything about horse rearing and training. There’s no need for you to worry about how to get the information that you need. There are a lot of equestrian colleges that have their very own portals in the internet. You can always surf the net and log on to the websites that can provide you with the details on horse training and rearing.
What can the online portals of these equestrian colleges do for you? Of course it is time saving. If you are pretty busy with your day to day activities, then taking the online classes would be a good idea. You would just have to spare a few minutes of the time that you have in a day and be able to learn the aspects that come along with horsemanship. Plus, you could avail of free tips which are relatively valuable for the career path that you are taking.
Here are among the aspects that you would be able to learn from the equestrian colleges.
It is important to provide an atmosphere wherein the horse would be able to discover things on its own besides the formal training that you are giving to it. Other fundamentals of training include training the animal to do some tricks and movements which can please you. With this, the horse would behave accordingly when it is taken out into the track.
Right from the very start, it is important that the horse is trained to behave properly. You must understand that the animal should know how to keep you safe during a ride. It must likewise realize that its task is to go on rides. Do some horse grounding so that it would know how to ride fast when needed and how to slow down too.
Be in command. Initially, the horse will feel afraid. When it undergoes trauma, it would be hard for you to train it to execute the necessary actions that you require. Once your horse has been trained to follow your command and other instructions, training it would be far easy.
Train the horse to be calm at all times. Do not hurt the horse or else it would have the feeling that it would die whenever you ride on it.
Do some training exercises. You can use tack, horse walker, and other equestrian equipment for this.
These are just some of the things that the equestrian colleges would emphasize in the training. It is always your call to let the animal respect and obey you as its master. Enrolling in equestrian colleges would make you more capable of handling these animals.
Equestrian Clothing
The most important role of equestrian clothing is for protection. Although horses can be trained they can be unpredictable when provoked. Riders are vulnerable while riding and handling horses, especially for beginners. They may seem to be friendly but they can easily gallop or kick someone when not handled correctly. Apart from riding hats, a body protector is also important equestrian clothing.
Apart from protecting your head any rider should also protect their body. Against a powerful kick of horse, any human can get thrown away like a dummy. Falls can not just injure your head but also break your spine. Riders can also suffer from other internal injuries during a bad fall.
Equestrian protection
Horses are prized in equestrianism but riders are important too. The rider’s ability to handle the horse also has a big impact on their performance. Fortunately there is clothing that can protect them from injury.
Body or back protectors are garments that protect the rider’s chest and back. We all know that your spine is also as important as our skull. Our spine contains the spinal vertebrae which are composed of our body’s nerves from head to foot. Any injury to the spine can paralyze the rider. Our chest on the other hand contains vital organs.
It’s a vest type of clothing that is filled with foam. They are worn over the top of the rider’s clothes. They can also be worn under the jacket. Its good protection for the rider in case they fall during a ride or get kicked by the horse while handling them.
Injuries from a fall cannot be completely avoided but their impact can be reduced. Wearing body or back protectors will provide preventive measure against possible injuries while the rider is with the horse.
The protector is divided into two: the front and the back. They are held together by Velcro fittings on each side and over the shoulder. The protector should be fastened securely and should not move while riding. At first they may seem uncomfortable but the foam moulds to adapt to the rider’s body shape and contour.
All protectors should abide by safety standards. Riders should buy new and original ones for guaranteed protection.
There are three different types of protectors:
Level 1: The black label. It’s only appropriate for licensed jockeys. It has the lowest level of protection.
Level 2: The brown label. It provides medium protection. It’s appropriate for general riding with low risks. This does not include riding on hard surfaces such as roads. Jumping over obstacles and riding young excitable horses are excluded.
Level 3: The purple label. It offers the highest level of protection when riding horses. This includes normal and competitive horse riding. It’s also used when handling horses.
Like riding hats body protectors should be replaced after three to four years. Second hand body protectors are not advisable since their foam padding have already been used. Other body protectors have additional attachments such as shoulder pads.
Although body protectors come in different sizes many manufacturers offer custom fitted ones. This provides ample adjustment for maximum comfort for the rider. Some may like it snuggly fit while others prefer it loose.
No matter what your preferences are prevention is still better than cure. Coupled with riding hat body protectors are also important pieces of an equestrian’s clothing.
Badminton horse trials
Lucinda Green is a record holder in the Badminton Horse Trials. She won the trials for an astounding six times! What’s more, she rode six different horses during those trials! Isn’t that just amazing? Now, you can share her experience in the thrills of being an equestrian through Lucinda Green’s Equestrian Challenge.
The game challenges players on three fronts: cross country, show jumping and dressage. The ultimate goal of the game is for you to win all four-star events in Adelaide, Badminton, Burghley, and Kentucky. Before you get ahead of yourself, however, you need to cover the basics.
The game starts with you as a young two-star equestrian taken under the wings of Lucinda Green. Full customization of the character allows you to create a rider that truly matches who you are or, at least, who you perceive yourself to be.
You also get to take care of your own horse. This is a very important aspect of the game, as your success depends on the amount of work you put into training and caring for the horse. It must be fed, watered, brushed, among other things. You also need to make sure that its attributes are distributed properly so that you will be able to grab the prize every competition.
There are four “stats” or attributes that you need to balance. They are: Speed, Stamina, Jumping, Agility, and Trust. Each person will be able to develop a horse differently by simply adjusting the allotment of stats.
Lucinda Green teaches you and trains you until you can compete in the four-star competitions. At this level, you will pit your character in various contests against the biggest names in riding today.
Graphically, the game is stunning. That is, if you compare it to other equestrian games today. The customizability of the character is also a nice touch. However, the gameplay is nothing revolutionary. The game just does not push any gaming boundaries.
It is less tedious than other games, which means you can enjoy yourself more and take care of the details less. After all, gamers who buy equestrian games are more interested in the competition rather on the simulated horse-care lessons, right? The life of the game is also quite good: you are able to enjoy the different challenges and you don’t end up feeling a bit disappointed because of the length.
However, the repetitive motions that one must go through in order to compete and the actions involved in taking care of the horse can be very dull at times. The menu is also quite clumsy and this means that you might have a hard time navigating around the controls.
Not many people are bound to buy equestrian games. It just doesn’t seem like a genre that appeals to the common couch soldier/strategist/athlete. Equestrian challenge attempts to change this through lots and lots of eye candy. However, its sticking to realism doesn’t really help in making it more popular with gamers. Even a little bit of imagination could surely have helped this game.
The bottom line is this: Equestrian Challenge is a great game. In fact, it’s superior to any equestrian games available today. However, if you are not fond of the sport, you might not see enough in this game to try it out. You should get this game if you love horses, but if you are the typical point-and-shoot guy, you might want to skip it.
Equestrian Boots
Why do you think is it important to consider the proper tips in purchasing the equestrian boots to be used with or without any horseback riding competition? Do you think you can get on with a long ride without the proper equestrian boots? Read on and find out the necessity of choosing the appropriate equestrian apparel such as the boots for someone like you whose passion is all about horse-related stuff.
What are equestrian boots?
Equestrian boots are likewise termed as horseback riding boots. They are the footwear that you are required to use whenever you are going for a ride with your horse. The definition itself practically sounds too simple but of course there is a special reason as to why you must wear these. The general idea is that these boots are capable of keeping you safe and comfortable even as you take heavy and rugged terrains. You must understand that your horseback riding adventures are sure to engage several other difficulties and challenges, much more, accidents. If you are not wearing the proper footwear, then you just can’t imagine what may happen to you should untoward incidents arise.
What are the different types of equestrian boots?
Did you know that there are several types and styles of equestrian boots? Surely, there are. They are like clothes which have various categories depending on what trend is hot and in for everyone. The same goes with these boots. Historically speaking, the equestrian boots were supposedly made out of higher heels which were geared towards the prevention of foot slipping. Now, today’s versions of these boots come with low heels. But of course, some cowboy boots still have the same higher heels.
Now that you have known that there are different styles of the equestrian boots, how should you know which boots must you prefer for your rides? It is simple. Just take note of the following circumstances regarding the boots styles.
Some riding boots are for show riding while there are those which are meant for pleasure riding. Taller boots, those which are tailored just a little below the knees are mainly designated for the use in the field, for hunting, and for dressing.
For some dressing apparel instances, there is a standard set for that. The main point that you must look into is the capacity of your horse to handle its rider.
Some policemen likewise wear the same style of riding boots because these give them their desired comfort while mounting and getting off their motorcycles.
The field boots, or those riding boots which are characterized by ankle lacing design, are primarily effective to use for short length stirrups such as when doing show jumping, event jumping, and fox hunting. The usual colors are brown and black. The hunt boots, on the other hand, come with a top cuff. Male riders often use the hunt boot, which is very traditional in appearance. On the other hand, the dress boots bear no ankle lacing and they appear stiffer as compared with the regular riding boots. This kind of boots is designed to be knee-high in order to prevent any injury. Fox hunters and event riders typically wear this type.
Other types are the Paddock boots which may be used for daily rides and the cowboy or western boots which are both made of leather or synthetic materials and cost thousands of dollars or so.
Equestrian boots have been around for a long time and they continuously evolve in terms of style and design.
Full seat riding breeches
If you are into serious riding or you just want to have the equestrian look, then equestrian apparel is for you.
In choosing what clothing to use, the criteria are functionality and style. The rider must feel both elegant and comfortable at the same time. It is also important that the fabrics used are both light and hard-wearing at the same time.
To start of, choose a cool fabric that allows ease of movement. The more common kinds of fabric used for equestrian clothing is cotton and Lycra.
Choose also a fabric that acts as a moisture wick. This type of fabric works well in both hot and cold temperatures. During hot months, the fabric keeps you cool by allowing you to sweat. In cold months the fabric keeps you warm by moving sweat away from your body, keeping your skin dry. Since moisture does not penetrate the fabric weave, it evaporates quickly, causing the fabric to dry quickly as well.
As an added bonus, you can choose fabrics and fabric weaves that reduce moisture absorption, repel UV rays and insects.
What are the pieces of clothing that make up equestrian apparel? The basic piece is a shirt, usually made of cotton or wool crepe, and is usually white. Then you can add a waistcoat or vest to match.
For the lower body, breeches and jodhpurs are the more popular pieces. While others prefer full-seat riding breeches, there are still others who like jeans and jodhpurs. Make sure that the piece fits well. Also, choose one that can protect you from heavy rains and winds.
While tall riding boots look perfect for shows and competitions, short boots with trouser socks are a wise alternative during training or ordinary days.
To complete the look is a riding jacket. Choose one made of luxurious fabrics like tweed. Take note of details like silk lining or double satin piping, buttons and trims.
Do not forget your riding gloves.
As for the head gear, choose one that fits perfectly. The usual piece is a helmet, although there are others who like to wear black top hats. Helmets have now incorporated easy-fit systems, so it is safe to use. Some riders like to customize their helmets by putting decals or crystals.
What are the trends and forecasts in equestrian apparel? As for the colors, the trend is softer, more subtle pastel tones of blue, green, pink and purple. The same goes for show breeches. Light tans are also in for breeches, although white continues to be popular. Show coats and dressage coats can be in any color, although the trend is towards darker navys and black instead of the more common light shades of brown and khaki. You can also see stripes and patterns in the coats instead of the plain, solid-colored ones.
As for accessories, you will see glittery accessories like stock pins and jewelry. Swarovski crystals in belt buckles, spurs, helmets and everything else are also becoming popular.
Tall leather boots with zippers are the more popular footwear for shows. Back zippers make the boots easy to take off. For those who are into serious training, half chaps and paddock boots are still in because of their durability.
Equestrian apparel is all about fashion and ease. With the many styles and designs available, finding one that suits you perfectly should be no problem at all.