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?

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.

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!

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!

Guide to Training Aids with The Saddlery Shop; part 3 of 6

In our latest blog series we are going to take a look at the range of training aids 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 3: The Market Harborough The Market Harborough is designed to help stop the horse lifting its head above a set level. It is similar to a martingale, but has a stronger action, as the leverage is on the bit. The breast strap loops round the girth and comes between the horse’s forelegs, via a neck strap, before splitting into two. These go through the bit rings and then clip on to special reins that have small rings placed along them to allow adjustment. the Market Harborough is popular with showjumpers and is useful for improving the acceptance of the contact, encouraging a greater suppleness of the back through a rounder outline, increasing the looseness of the paces through suppleness whilst developing the topline muscles. The Saddlery Shop stocks the JHL, Shires and HY Market Harborough with prices starting from just £22.30.

Guide to Training Aids with The Saddlery Shop; part 2 of 6

In our latest blog series we are going to take a look at the range of training aids 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 2: Draw reins Draw reins (or running reins) are used under saddle to help the horse learn to maintain a light contact with the bit, while freely moving forward and ‘carrying himself’. Dressage trainer Dane Rawlins has said that correctly used draw reins can be a beneficial schooling aid. “They can be a very good influence for a horse that is unsettled in the mouth. I only ever use them with an ordinary snaffle bit and would emphasise that it is vital they are used properly,” he has stated. Draw reins can be useful for encouraging a better head position and rounder frame when riding. The reins pass through the bit rings and attach to the girth under the rider’s legs; or the reins go through the bit rings and then down to the girth between the horse’s forelegs. Some also use them for lungeing, running from the saddle D-rings or roller top rings, through the bit rings and to the girth between the forelegs, but adjustment is difficult. The reins put pressure on the bit and therefore the bars and corners of the mouth, which should be released by the rider once the horse returns to a rounder frame. With the reins fitted between the forelegs, there’s a downward pressure; a higher fitting produces a more upward pressure. Draw reins can be beneficial when used correctly to encourage a consistent outline, encourage acceptance of the contact, help to build the horse's topline and increase suppleness of the back. The Saddlery Shop stocks draw reins in leather and synthetic material from suppliers such as Aerborn, Shires, Mark Todd and HY. Prices start from just £5.99 so why not visit the website www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk and find out more today! Remember to always consult an expert prior to use if you are unsure how to use any equine training aid.

Guide to Training Aids with The Saddlery Shop; part 1 of 6

In our latest blog series we are going to take a look at the range of training aids 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 1: The Harbridge The Harbridge has proved invaluable for all disciplines and abilities, since it aims to imitate the perfect pair of rider’s hands. The Harbridge encourages horses at any standard to work with classical lines, and also helps to encourages lightness and self carriage. No direct input is required from the rider to make the training aid work and the elasticated panels ensure the horse receives a flexible contact. The product is said to help improve the paces and afford greater engagement and control, and may be used for trotting poles, grid work and small fences, since it enhances bascule without any interference to the mouth. The Saddlery Shop stocks Harbridges from manufacturers Shires and Kincade, from £13.49.