If you enjoy jumping, then you may benefit from a shock absorbing stirrup iron such as the Sprenger Stirrups available from The Saddlery Shop.
For jumping, your stirrups need to be short enough so that you can comfortably get your seat out of the saddle, allowing your horse to bascule (create an arc) through your legs. Your heels must stay down, and you need to have a bend in the knee, keeping your lower leg position the same and not allowing it to drift backwards. You should lean forwards, look ahead to where you are going, and move your hands a little up the horse’s neck to allow him freedom. He will be unable to jump correctly if you hinder him by not giving enough with your hands, or get out of balance with him over a fence. When your jump is complete, you need to be able to get back into the normal riding position easily.
Familiarise yourself by practising without jumps – get it right whilst in halt in front of an arena mirror or with a friend to monitor you, learning to hold the position for a while and maintain your balance until it is comfortable. Next, progress to walk, trot and canter. A common mistake is to allow your lower leg to swing too far back, inadvertently encouraging your horse to speed up. Keeping the weight into your stirrups with your heels well down should prevent this happening. Using stirrups such as the Sprenger range which incorporate a shock absorbing system can help with this.
The Sprenger Bow Balance Stirrup, currently available from The Saddlery Shop with 20% off, provides an improved leg position, resulting in better balance and greater comfort for the rider.
Shock absorbing grip is achieved by a wider stirrup pad, made from a dual density rubber stirrup tread. The patented stirrup irons feature a four-link mechanism which adapt perfectly to the riders movements, thereby softening the impact on cartilage and ligaments of the rider's limbs. The four links in the side of the bow balance allow movement in four directions at the same time also enabling immediate release in case of an emergency. The Sprenger stirrup is the only stirrup in the world which has dual lateral flexibility thereby softening the impact on cartilage and ligaments. One of the biggest benefits alongside offer better security in the saddle and a more correct foot position is the relief of tension in the hips, knees, ankles and calves which benefits riders that are suffering from or prone to injury or strain ideal for busy, hardworking regular riders.
The Sprenger Bow Balance Stirrups and the Sprenger System Stirrups are currently being offered by The Saddlery Shop with 20% off . Why not visit the website today at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk to snap up your pair for a safer, more correct position in the saddle- especially important when jumping?
Friday 29 August 2014
Spring into Action with Stirrups for Jumping
If you enjoy jumping, then you may benefit from a shock absorbing stirrup iron such as the Sprenger Stirrups available from The Saddlery Shop.
For jumping, your stirrups need to be short enough so that you can comfortably get your seat out of the saddle, allowing your horse to bascule (create an arc) through your legs. Your heels must stay down, and you need to have a bend in the knee, keeping your lower leg position the same and not allowing it to drift backwards. You should lean forwards, look ahead to where you are going, and move your hands a little up the horse’s neck to allow him freedom. He will be unable to jump correctly if you hinder him by not giving enough with your hands, or get out of balance with him over a fence. When your jump is complete, you need to be able to get back into the normal riding position easily.
Familiarise yourself by practising without jumps – get it right whilst in halt in front of an arena mirror or with a friend to monitor you, learning to hold the position for a while and maintain your balance until it is comfortable. Next, progress to walk, trot and canter. A common mistake is to allow your lower leg to swing too far back, inadvertently encouraging your horse to speed up. Keeping the weight into your stirrups with your heels well down should prevent this happening. Using stirrups such as the Sprenger range which incorporate a shock absorbing system can help with this.
The Sprenger Bow Balance Stirrup, currently available from The Saddlery Shop with 20% off, provides an improved leg position, resulting in better balance and greater comfort for the rider.
Shock absorbing grip is achieved by a wider stirrup pad, made from a dual density rubber stirrup tread. The patented stirrup irons feature a four-link mechanism which adapt perfectly to the riders movements, thereby softening the impact on cartilage and ligaments of the rider's limbs. The four links in the side of the bow balance allow movement in four directions at the same time also enabling immediate release in case of an emergency. The Sprenger stirrup is the only stirrup in the world which has dual lateral flexibility thereby softening the impact on cartilage and ligaments. One of the biggest benefits alongside offer better security in the saddle and a more correct foot position is the relief of tension in the hips, knees, ankles and calves which benefits riders that are suffering from or prone to injury or strain ideal for busy, hardworking regular riders.
The Sprenger Bow Balance Stirrups and the Sprenger System Stirrups are currently being offered by The Saddlery Shop with 20% off . Why not visit the website today at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk to snap up your pair for a safer, more correct position in the saddle- especially important when jumping?
Friday 22 August 2014
Guide to Training Aids with The Saddlery Shop; part 6 of 6
In our blog series The Saddlery Shop have been taking a look at the range of training aids available for riding and lunging our horses. There are many products available that may be used to aid the equine training process and whilst no training aid can replace correct riding it can offer a useful tool to be used in certain instances.
In this final edition of the six part blog blog series we are reviewing the final training aid- The Pessoa, but if you have missed out on early editions in the series just visit the website to learn more about the Market Harborough, the De Gogue,the Chambon, Draw Reins and the Harbridge!
Training Aid 6: The Pessoa
The Pessoa aims to help strengthen the horse’s back, stretch the top line and gently encourage the horse to work correctly. The system utilises the holistic philosophies of the great Nelson Pessoa, and importantly, does not create a rigidly fixed contact between the horse's mouth and girth. Designed to be used while lunging, the Pessoa employs a sympathetic system of ropes and pulleys that can be formatted differently by the handler to give different levels of adjustment. The Saddlery Shop stocks the Genuine Pessoa for £104.99, as well as the Shires Lunging Aid, developed in the style of a Pessoa, and costing a budget-friendly £39.99.
Friday 15 August 2014
Guide to Training Aids with The Saddlery Shop; part 5 of 6
In our latest blog series The Saddlery Shop are taking a look at the range of training aids available for riding and lunging our horses.
There are many products available that may be used to aid the equine training process and whilst no training aid can replace correct riding it can offer a useful tool to be used in certain instances. In our blog series we are set to showcase some of the most popular- all of which available from The Saddlery Shop!
Training Aid 5:
The De Gogue training aid features straps that run from the girth to the headpiece of the bridle, to the bit, and back to the girth again.
It aims to address resistance in the poll, mouth and base of the neck, and is said to free the shoulders and encourage muscled top line development. Showjumper David McPherson has advocated careful use of the De Gogue, saying it can help produce a good shape when the horse is working on the flat, with the back rounded, and the hocks engaged.
The De Gogue can be used for both lungeing and for ridden work, but should be gradually introduced by an experienced rider, making sure the horse is correctly warmed up first.
The Saddlery Shop stocks the Shires, JHL and HY De Gogue with prices starting at just £17.63!
Friday 8 August 2014
Guide to Training Aids with The Saddlery Shop; part 4 of 6
In our latest blog series The Saddlery Shop are taking a look at the range of training aids available for riding and lunging our horses.
There are many products available that may be used to aid the equine training process and whilst no training aid can replace correct riding it can offer a useful tool to be used in certain instances.
In our blog series we are set to showcase some of the most popular- all of which available from The Saddlery Shop!
Training Aid 4: Chambon
The Chambon is used solely for lungeing our horses and ponies and the system encourages the horse to work in self carriage, in a long and low outline. The Chambon training aid has lines which attach to the bit, and run up the cheekpieces of the Bridle, through loops on a poll headpiece.
The Chambon is ideal for the early stages of a horse’s education or in retraining. It’s effective for horses who go in a hollow outline, with their head up, back dropped and quarters trailing encouraging the horse to work in a longer, lower outline, using the muscles over the back, quarters and neck.
However, it has no effect on the hindquarters, and it does creates poll leverage, so must be used with care. The Saddlery Shop stocks a range Chambons including JHL, HY and Shires with prices starting from just £12.99!
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