Autumn Fashion Focus!

This month's edition of Local Rider Magazine featured an article on Autumn Fashion written by The Saddlery Shop's very own Lucy Nicholas! Pick up a copy of the magazine today or read highlights of the feature below.

Lucy says...

"Summer has sadly drawn to an end, and many equestrian fans are starting to think about their autumn and winter wardrobes, in order to make sure they have all the items needed to get through the colder, wetter and muddier months. So, with the new season on the horizon, many fashion-conscious riders are turning their attention to the new styles on offer for this time of year. 

Coco Chanel was reportedly the first woman to wear jodhpurs for fashion reasons rather than riding practicality back in the 1920s, having been inspired to copy the riding breeches she saw a friend’s groom wear. But in more recent years, we have seen the fashion world increasingly turn their attention to equestrian fashion for inspiration, with the Fall 2015 fashion collections featuring lots of tweed, and American model and eventing enthusiast Bella Hadid appearing in an equestrian-themed fashion shoot for the next edition of international style bible, Porter.

But returning to our horsey suppliers and retailers, what is in store for horsey fashionistas this year? 

Both functionality and fashion is important to chic horse riders, as each clothing item needs to perform in order to keep us warm, dry and comfortable in the saddle and also whilst we are working on the yard. The key colours for the 2015 season include multiple brown shades, from rich chocolate to the paler taupe; stylish burgundy and the ever timeless, classic navy.  Fashionable styles include simple, straight collar zip up tops, Gilets and warm hoodies. Cosy fleeces with plainer patterns than in recent seasons are set to become fashionable this year, while no wardrobe is complete with an essential waterproof jacket - look out for more tailored looks with defined waists (ideal when your instructor wants to observe your body position), as well as eternal favourites, bomber-jacket styles. 

Our suggestions

For autumn, pairing a smart, collared long sleeved polo shirt with a cosy Gilet provides a smart and functional look, and this season, high-shine quilted Gilets are set to become fashion favourites for anyone who likes a bolder look.

Layering is essential for the colder weather, trapping in warm air between comfortable layers, so when the winter months hit, investing in a thermal vest is a must, topped with a long sleeved shirt and warm jumper such as a fleece. A good quality jacket is an essential item for the avid rider, and blouson styles and bomber jackets are already proving popular here at The Saddlery Shop, especially in smart plain colours, such as black or navy. 

Don’t forget as well that during the coming months, the sun sits lower in the sky - hacking can therefore become more dangerous as the sunlight on bright days can obscure motorists’ vision, so be sure that you have plenty of high visibility fluorescent or reflective clothing at the yard for hacking in these conditions. (Wrap-style sunglasses are also ideal, and can be worn under your helmet safely). In recent years, ‘high vis’ clothing has become a lot more fashion friendly, with more flattering styles available too - perfect for those who like to look good in the saddle whilst staying safe.

Finally Waterproof trousers are a must-have for any rider to stay warm and dry during the rainier season. 

The Dublin Thermal Waterproof Riding Trousers available are ideal for cold, wet days and have full length zips on the outside of the legs These functional, thermal over-trousers are designed to both ride in and to wear around the yard. The smart trousers can be worn on their own or over jodhpurs or breeches, and will be sure to keep you warm and dry on cold or wet days. They feature lightly padded legs for warmth and ease of movement, and a really smart synthetic suede seat for excellent grip in all weathers - if you have discounted such garments before because you have experienced rustly, nylon waterproof over-trousers previously, you may like to give these a try!" 

To see the wide range of rider and country lifestyle clothing available from The Saddlery Shop visit the website at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk 

Hoof Boots on the Beat!

Did you know that in America, mounted police divisions have been using hoof boots with great success for some time? We feel this is something that the UK could also benefit greatly from investigating. There are several important reasons why a booted horse benefits over a shod horse over the length of their service.

Lance Nicolai Modesto in California is a mounted police officer and uses Old Mac G2 boots. “When the boots were new, they wore on the bulbs of his hooves if I kept them on too long. Once they broke in, however, he could keep them on for extended periods of time with no problems,” he says. “I typically ride outside of work at least twice a week, we train once a month and deploy on patrol twice to three times a month. Our deployments last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, and our training is almost always an eight hour day, with seven of that in the saddle. These boots have been great and outlasted my expectations. My horse has worn them in mud to his hocks, water, on polished concrete, asphalt and gravel.

“We have ridden in the mountains, over rocky terrain and competed in trail trials. I have been able to take him onto chain link fences that have been knocked down by unruly crowds and also not have to worry when a bottle breaks underneath him. The first pair of boots worked and worked, and only after a year of abuse, finally got to the point that they need to be replaced. They are a good product and have taken very good care of my horse,”

To find out more about the Old Mac’s G2 Hoof Boots, or any of the other wide range of hoof boots available  visit The Saddlery Shop’s website at http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk

Create the perfect turnout environment for your horse

In our latest blog The Saddlery Shop is going to be looking at the benefits of a Paddock Paradise system. Also known as a track system, this is a natural way of keeping horses that imitates wild horses and their herd life – it is favoured by many owners of barefoot horses, but has benefits for most equines. 

In the wild, horses move along a route in search of food and water, roaming. Most estimates put this roaming figure at around 20 - 30 miles per day. The constant need to move and find food, while avoiding potential predators, encourages movement; this is exactly what nature intended. Paddock Paradise systems replicate this and help stimulate horses in order to behave and move naturally, according to their instincts. 

The benefits of a Paddock Paradise or track system

• Encourages constant movement and conditioning of hooves
• Allows you to control grazing, so laminitis / sugar sensitivity is kept under control
• Helps prevent boredom 
• Can help to rehabilitate horses after illness/injury

How do we build the perfect Paddock Paradise?

1. The theory is to create a natural habitat that allows our horse to move around. Movement is of course essential for circulation and development of the shock absorbing structures of the hoof.
   
2. The tracks you create should vary in width, but always be wide enough to allow the horses contained within the system space to safely pass each other (opinions vary, but for a small, amiable group of horses, 10ft minimum seems to work well). The longer you can make the track, the better. A circular track will usually work better than a straight one, as it will encourage a more natural movement pattern.
   
3. If resources are limited, or you can’t introduce surfaces into your space, you could just use electric fencing to zigzag back and forth across the field to encourage the movement – this could considerably increase the distance the horse travels in a day.
   
4. Once you have erected your track system, you will ideally need to have a number of different surfaces for your horse to walk on; this is especially important when keeping a barefoot horse. Along the track there should ideally be varying gradients and surfaces and areas of pea gravel, especially around flooded watering area, to give the hooves moisture and stimulation. Rocky areas and sand also contribute to the environment the horses roam within, and benefit the natural wear of the hooves.
   
5. You could make shelter from nearby trees and simple man-made structures. Providing a few watering holes and food sources means you can change them around every so often, so your horse is expected to move in order to find them.
   
6. The introduction of certain obstacles will urge your horse to play instead of standing or just grazing all day. Constructing areas with logs and rocks that they must go around or over helps to create the path they would expect to find in the wild.
   
7. Whatever the horse is provided with, good shelter and a clean water supply is obviously essential, as is somewhere the horse can stand out of the mud to allow his feet to dry.

We’d love to hear any feedback from you about how you manage your track systems in winter - comment on The Saddlery Shop's Facebook page if you have any tips! See link- https://www.facebook.com/TheSaddleryShop

Improving your Flatwork Position!

We are fans of practices like Alexander Technique, Pilates and Yoga to enhance our riding - here are some top tips for achieving a good position through attaining supple joints.

• The ankle joint - acts as a shock absorber and needs to be supple and flexible. Keeping the heel down through a supple ankle joint gives the rider stability, particularly important if you are jumping!
• Knee joint - allows free movement of lower leg, to give aids whilst keeping the upper leg relaxed against the horse's side. Also acts as a shock absorber when jumping and in the faster paces.
• Hip joints - probably the most important joint of all, the very centre of all riding. These joints need to be supple and flexible to allow movement of the rider's body both in flatwork and jumping. They also allow the free movement of the horse under the rider. Stiff, unyielding hips will impede movement. The rider uses the hip joints more than any other. Even when mounting, the twist of the hip creates strain within the joint.
• Lower back - another important area; includes several joints between the vertebrae. The back needs to have strength in the muscles so that the rider can control the horse's movements from the lower back, maintain his or her own body posture, whilst at the same time allowing the free flowing movement of the horse with flexibility, balance and relaxation.
• Shoulders - these joints are often forgotten, yet they are one of the foundations of 'good hands'. The shoulder joints need strength of muscle combined with flexibility and suppleness.

Work on your flexibility with classes and exercises such as pilates and yoga, and stretching exercises before you mount to ride.

Having the right stirrups can help your back and joints immeasurably - check out our range at -http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/Products/ProductList.aspx?Keywords=stirrups&RootCat=0 

Countryside Footwear Fashions & the new Dublin River Boots!

If you, like us, are chomping at the bit to find out more about the fashion trends for autumn and winter country footwear then listen up!

As the summer sadly draws to an end we are all starting to think about our autumn and winter wardrobe and making sure that we have all the items we need to get through the colder, wetter and muddier weather! We know that there is nothing more important for us "outdoors" types than footwear, so it is good to know that the word on the street is that high street fashion is set to continue to look to the countryside for its inspiration to be top of the style stakes. 

For us practical types it is excellent news that this season's high street fashion presents the majority of footwear and boots designed with low or flat stable heels so we can fit right in with our functional footwear. The colours of autumn and winter are set to be emerald as a staple in the collection alongside; deep lichen green, rich blues and bright reds- for the brave, tartan is also set to make a comeback! 

The key to pulling off these vibrant hues is to keep the footwear simple in classic blacks and browns and traditional leather. Neutral footwear is "in" in order to achieve a regal look with simple straps and timeless detailing.

As equestrianism hit the high street many horse owners were inspired to make their countryside lifestyle footwear dual function and move away from rubber boots in search for an item which is smarter and multipurpose. 

The new style River Zip Boots from Dublin are completely multi-functional, smart and desirable, and are currently on offer at £131.99 - grab a bargain while stocks last! Visit the website at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk to snap up yours!